A blond young man the age of sixteen was clomping through a perfectly polished hallway. For the first time in a long while, he was smiling, in pleasant mood. Finally, it took me four years to find you, my old friend. However, the smile slid off his pale face as he saw a certain man strolling the halls leisurely ahead of him.

Ferid Bathory. He despised him with all his being. Not only was he an awfully immoral man, even for this family, but he enjoyed tormenting him, playing with his emotions, waiting for him to snap. The boy even expected that he was responsible for the death of his family. But alas, he didn't have enough proof. He had the capacity, for sure.

After the fire, the Bathory family had adopted him, much to his misfortune. The 'family' was engaged in all sorts of illegal and unscrupulous behaviors. He did not engage in them much, except for the family meetings. He didn't go to school, he had a tutor instead and they insisted on wearing old fashioned, almost fully white outfits, which attracted all sorts of attention.

Once his eyes sighted the man, he turned to go the other direction, unfortunately for him, he had been spotted. Smirking like a demon, Ferid approached him. "Oh Mika~ didn't I hear that you finally found your precious angel?"

Mikaela strolled faster, an evident scowl on his features. "Go away, Ferid."

However, he persistently followed him like a fly buzzing around his ears, until eventually, Mika managed to lose him. How did he know? I barely learned of this myself. Mika wondered, a chill going down his spine. If he tries to lay a hand on Yu, I'll kill him.

Feeling his forearm, he checked to make sure his hidden pocket knife was secure before he headed out. Alright, so before I meet him, I want to do some information gathering…

…

Yuichiro Hyakuya was still in a foul mood. Who could blame him after his friend had been badly bruised? Most people just stayed out of his way as he tromped through the halls of the school. He hated having to leave Yoichi but he had been assigned on a delivery much to his chagrin. On the way there, he glanced away for a mere moment and bumped into a tall pink-haired student with glasses and dropped the paper in his hands.

"Watch where you're going idiot!" They both exclaimed in unison. Yu gritted his teeth; he didn't have the patience for this.

"You bumped into me!" He protested.

"Hey, it takes two people, telephone post!" Yu growled in response. Before he knew it, the bespectacled young man had taken a swing at him, and Yu automatically aimed for an assault right back. The end result was a nasty bruise on his stomach which he was grateful for the location, since Guren wouldn't see it. I mean, he just got out of being punished for attacking those jerks that dared touch Yoichi. He would actually get punished this time if Guren found out. But he hadn't even taken the first swing this time!

Once he returned to the classroom, his bubbling irritation increased as he learned that he was in this class with him. Not only that, but he was directly diagonal to him, in front of Yoichi's desk. Ugh, great, just great. As he took a seat next to Yoichi who still had bandages on his forehead, he leveled a glare at him that was swiftly returned. The brunet shuffled uncomfortably and whispered. "What happened, Yu?"

"It was the worst, I ran into this annoying telephone post." Yu hissed, and by the way the pink-haired young man stiffened, he knew that he heard him. Great, let him hear.

"Oh yeah?" Yoichi asked nervously, taking a look at the young man in front of him. Glancing behind him, Yu noticed Shinoa was nowhere to be seen.

"Hey, where did Shinoa go?" He wondered.

His puppy-like hazel eyes lost a bit of their light. "A blonde girl who's a friend of hers came by and said it was urgent. I hope everything is ok…"

"Oh." Yu's face lost a bit of its color. He couldn't believe all the unfortunate occurrences befalling them. His anger for the other student was combining with his concern for Shinoa in a messy pit in his stomach. Once class was over, with a glare he began speaking again.

"Hey idiot, my name's Shiho Kimizuki, so quit calling me 'telephone post.'"

"Yuichiro Hyakuya, quit calling me an idiot." Yu hissed in response.

"Ah… Yu, Kimizuki, you two should calm down." Yoichi chided, seeing the animosity between them. "What even happened between you two…?"

"The blind moron bumped into me and we fought." Kimizuki explained.

"Hah, fancy being called blind by a four-eyes." Yu remarked with a smirk.

"W-wait, you two hit each other?! But Yu, you barely got away with it with your guardian last time…!" Yoichi's voice held apprehension and urgency. Yu's face fell at the mention.

"Crap. Don't mention that to Guren, okay?"

"Okay, but still…"

"Pfft, you fight a lot, Yu?" Kimizuki stated, more than asked.

"That wasn't my fault!" Yu was quick to the offensive as Yoichi jumped as Yu jutted a finger in his direction. "Some bullying jerks beat him for no reason. You aren't that kind of bully are you?"

"Bully? Bullying is one-sided, Yu, we were in a fistfight. I'm not just some guy who beats people up for no reason."

"Good. Let's go check on Shinoa, Yoichi." Effectively making his point, Yu stood up to leave and Yoichi scrambled up after him.

"Hey, wait a second!" Kimizuki called after him, reaching for an arm to clutch, but instead of coming in contact with Yu's forearm, he had accidentally gripped onto Yoichi's forearm since he was closer. In shock, Yoichi glanced back at Kimizuki.

"Uh, Kimizuki?" He frowned, yanking his arm free as a bit of fear pooled in his eyes. Protectively, Yu stood in front of Yoichi.

"What the heck was that?!"

Kimizuki rolled his eyes. Geez, he's protective. "It's called an accident. I was trying to get you to stop. I have a question for you before you run off."

"And what's that?"

"Do you have strong connections to the Hiragi family? I heard that you did."

"What?! No! I mean…Well, I am friends with Shinoa, but I assume that's not what you mean. Why do you want to know?" Should I tell him about Shinya? I mean I am pretty close with him since he comes over to our place so much…

Kimizuki grew silent which surprised Yu and when the silence didn't lift, Yu sighed and decided to leave him to his lonesome.

...

The blond boy had paid one of the students in order to snag one of the uniforms of the school that his Yu was currently enrolled too. The only problem was that he had forgotten the directions to the school and his phone was dead on battery so he couldn't research it. Cursing his lack of oversight, he saw a purple-haired girl wearing the girl's version of his uniform. Pulling upon his lacking social skills, he approached the girl. "Do you know to the school from here?"

"Oh, another new student! Unfortunately, I'm new as well, so I'm bit lost..." She admitted.

Mika rolled his eyes and turned to leave when she continued talking.

"Buuuut, my friends are going to lead me the way there, if you want to wait. It'll be any minute now."

"Hmm, alright, but just for directions." He corrected. Mika didn't have any desire to be around any person any longer than necessary. Perhaps it was due to his family, but he had grown cynical in the way he thought of people. He thought of many as manipulative, selfish and greedy. Mika was certain that his precious, kind-hearted Yu would be manipulated by such people, which is one of the reasons he wanted to test the waters before he showed himself. He also didn't feel quite prepared for their reunion yet.

"So... What's your name? What grade are you in?" Shinoa chided.

"None of your business." Mika snapped coldly, not interested in conversation. Before Shinoa could press more, her two friends came into view, Mika's eyes widened at the sight. That's- No! I'm not ready yet! Acting swiftly, he brought up his elbows to shield his face and hurried away.

"H-hey, wait a second!" Yu called to him as he was fleeing. Hmm... I feel like I recognize him from somewhere but where? I don't know any blond boys my age... He thought, crossing his arms.

"Do you know that boy, Yu? He said he was a new student at the school." Shinoa wondered.

"Hmm... I don't know." Yu shook his head. "Oh, and Shinoa, I heard that something happened, is everything alright?"

"Oh, don't worry, my best friend Mitsu just needed a bit of help is all." Shinoa reassured, waving her hand dismissively.

"That's good, Yu and I were getting worried." Yoichi smiled.

"I-I wasn't worried!" Yu defended. "...that much." He added quietly.

Unknown to them, Mika was secretly watching the exchange. Seems Yu hasn't change at all. But those people, do they actually care about Yu, or are they just using him as they please? I won't let them manipulate him.

He continued following the three from behind...

...

"Ugh, dang it!" Yu scowled at the red printing at the top of his test. He had failed the dang test, horribly. He had only gotten 25%. Guren was going to lecture him if he failed this class... He groaned when Shinoa glanced at the test over his shoulder and giggled.

"My, this is the best grade ever!" She chuckled, snatching the test and parading it around the classroom.

"Hey!" Yu snapped, chasing after her, not wanting other people to see his score, however they were already commenting on how much of an idiot he was for scoring so low. Yoichi came over and tried to smile reassuringly.

"Don't feel so bad, Yu, that test was pretty hard..."

Once Yu saw Kimizuki glancing over his shoulder, he growled and snatched Kimizuki's test. "Woah... How in the heck-!"

Curiously, Yoichi and Shinoa glanced over at the test. "Wow..." Yoichi muttered at the 100% printed plainly on the top. The bespectacled boy snatched the test back.

"Tsk, maybe if you studied a bit more, you would have scored so badly." Kimizuki commented.

"I studied plenty!" Yu retorted, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth. Before it could escalate, Yoichi stood in between them.

"Don't fight you guys!" Yoichi insisted, frowning. Yu rolled his eyes but headed back to his seat when Yoichi showed no sign of moving. The brunet hurried after him. "You know Yu, I didn't test all that well either, maybe we could study together?"

"Really? What did you get?" Yu glanced over at his test and snorted at 71%. "You call that not 'all that well'? That's way better than what I go, but that sounds like a good idea. I don't want to fail the next one too."

"Ooh, study party?! I wanna come!" Shinoa chuckled.

"You know, you shouldn't just eavesdrop." Yu snapped. "But I guess you can come. Hey, Kimizuki!"

"What, idiot?"

"You wanna come too?"

"Pfft, why would I?"

"Because you'll be around two people who have ties to the Hiragi family. You were asking about that the other day. You'll get that and I'll get a better grade."

"...Hmph. Fine." Kimizuki agreed.

"Oh, I'll invite Mitsu too, she's transferring to our class!" Shinoa smiled.

This is going to get hectic. Yu thought with a grin. Once the trio was walking home, and Shinoa had waved goodbye and headed into her home, Yu spoke.

"Hey, Yoichi? Would you mind staying over for the night? I, erm... want to be prepared for when all of you to be there at once."

"That sounds great, I'm sure my parents won't mind. Just let me get something first." Yoichi smiled. Nodding, Yu leaned against a telephone post as he waited for his best friend to return. Though he knew it was quite unfounded, he couldn't help but be leery of parents after his had abandoned him. Soon, Yoichi was back out and smiling brightly. "I'm ready."

Nodding, Yu and Yoichi headed back to Yu's home. Once they arrived, Shinya was hanging around with Guren again, and he greeted them jovially. "Ah, my sister's not here with you today?"

"Nope, but there's all be over soon." Yu remarked.

"So, you made several friends now? Good." Guren remarked. Better not tell him about that test... Yu thought.

"C'mon Yoichi." Yu urged, pulling him to his room by the wrist and closing the door. The small brunet set down his school bag.

"So... What are we doing?" Yoichi smiled.

"I have no idea, I've never had anyone stay over for the night before..." He muttered, which made Yoichi smile wider.

"Wow, I'm the first?"

"Well yeah, I guess so." Yu mumbled sheepishly. "...I have some video games... Or I'm sure there's some board games stashed away somewhere."

"Anything is fine with me."

After spending the day together, the two slept in two makeshift sleeping bags near each other. In the middle of the night, Yu jolted awake to a sound. Siting upright, he whipped his head around, to find Yoichi shaking. It was dark so it was difficult to tell but he could have sworn he saw the glisten of tears falling freely from his eyes, and he heard soft whimpers coming from him. Gently, he leveled a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Yoichi. What's the matter?"

"Mmnn... sniff..." A few sobs came from him as he frame shook. "...Y-yu?"

"Yeah, I'm here with you." Yu reassured, to which Yoichi broke out in sobs, bolting upright and wrapping his arms around him. The ebony haired boy returned the gesture and rubbed the back of his head. "Was it a nightmare?"

Yoichi nodded and his voice came out weak. "I-I... was back there again... except that you were there too... a-and..."

"Hey, I get it. I've had nightmares about what happened to me too." He soothed.

"R-really?"

"Yeah, that's probably the reason I'm such a light sleeper."

When Yoichi calmed down, they shared a mutual understanding with each other that only they could share due to their similar experiences. Soon, Yu had managed to calm the brunet down enough so that they could go back to sleep. Both of them were grateful beyond realization for the other.