Hey guys kitty29 here with the 16...15? 14?...With a new chapter of Colours!
Sorry about the length and the wait for this one, writers block is a weird thing, huh?

I was actually surprised by the amount of feedback the last chapter got! I thought because it was so short and random people would skip or hate it but no! Maybe I should leave chapters like like more often lol.

Unbeta'd and thank you Glimmyfrost7 for the 250 review! WOO! Next milestone, 300! Oh jeez!

Please enjoy and review! =D

When Matthew had first imagined a place where people with abilities gathered he imagined it just like this. An abandoned warehouse quite a ways away from the nearest bus stop. Matthew looked up at the large building, the darken clouds behind them only adding to the ominous feelings that stirred inside the small boy. This was the place. This was apparently the place where he could find this Ivan Braginski.

It was a bit concerning when he had gone to get the directions from Yao. When he discovered that Gilbert would not be coming along with him the Chinese man suddenly became rather mum on the subject. He had to swear to go with someone else before Yao would tell him the location.

That's how he and Kaoru came to be walking up the dirt path they were upon now, heading up to the shady building. Apparently Kaoru came here quite frequently, revealing that it was sort of hang out for people with abilities. However, unlike the club only people with abilities were allowed in. Apparently there was quite a bit of 'honing skills' that went on inside that they preferred normal people not know about.

He felt a comforting hand on his shoulder and he looked at Kaoru to see him staring back at him with an unvoiced question in his eyes.

"I'm fine." Matthew answered before shrugging him off and walking ahead. He felt a bit bad doing it, especially after the Asian had so nicely agreed to take him here, but ever since his interaction with Gilbert he's been a bit...edgy. Especially when it came to people touching him.

They were close to the building now, close enough that they would see a lone figure standing just outside the entrance. He took a long drag from his cigarette and exhaled with a satisfied sigh before he glanced over to look at the two. He was a dark skinned young adult male with a threatening air about him, even the slightly ridiculous Hawaiian shirt, pony tail, and pink headband he sported did nothing to undermine his rough exterior. His eyes glided over Kaoru, in obvious sign that he had seen the other before, before they rested on Matthew. For a moment, he just stared, a slight frown on his face as though he was trying to remember something. Then, quite suddenly, his neutral face took on an expression of rage.

"YOU," he hissed, causing Matthew to stop dead in his tracks. The larger male started stomping towards him. "I told you never to come near me again!"

Matthew was far too shocked to tell the man that they had never met before. All he could do was stand frozen and watch him come closer helplessly.

"You just couldn't stay away could you, you American BASTARD!" He was starting to sprint now and Matthew's brain finally caught up with the situation when he saw the man pull back his fist. Matthew left out a small yelp and threw his arms over his face, expecting the worst.

…

After a few more seconds of nothing Matthew opened his eyes and was slightly taken aback by the scene. The man was clutching onto his hand in pain, spewing random profanities as he tried to shake the pain away. Standing in front of Matthew was none other than Kaoru, some kind of sparking translucent...thing hanging in front of him. The blond stared at it for a while, wondering what the heck it was before he remembered Kaoru's ability. That's right...shields.

"This is Matthew Williams," Kaoru deadpanned. "I'm bringing him here to meet Ivan."

Matthew, now knowing he was protected, glanced over Kaoru's shoulder at the larger man. The man in turn was looking back at Matthew, his previous expression of anger non-extinct as he blinked at the other. After a bit of staring he straightened up, a sheepish expression on his face.

"S-Shit. I'm sorry." He scratched at his stubble, a small blush on his face. Kaoru, seeing that his shield was no longer needed, got rid of it with a swipe of his hand. "I thought you were that...bastard, Alfred."

Matthew nodded slowly. He was still a little shaken but he willed himself to step out from behind the smaller Asian. "I-it's okay...We-we're twins, actually." Looking at the man again Matthew could vaguely recall his twin complaining about some 'annoying Hawaiian shirt wearing smoker' that would constantly kick him and his friends out of random clubs and bars they tried to get into. Though the last time his brother talked about him he said that he 'got what he deserved' with an evil laugh, refusing to go deeper into the subject.

Apparently this was the 'annoying Hawaiian shirt wearing smoker' that he talked about.

"Huh, I can see it...sorry again, Matthew." Realizing that he had bit into his cigarette to hard for it to be used he removed it from his mouth and throw it to the ground, stomping on it to make sure it was out. Kaoru began to walk forward again and, not wanting to be left behind, Matthew quickly followed.

"I'm Estefan." The dark skinned man introduced. He held out a hand for the other to shake when he came close enough.

Matthew hesitated a bit but decided to take the hand with a small smile. "Matthew." He said before his vision suddenly failed him and he felt himself falling forward. He heard a small cry of surprise before large hands stopped him from falling to the ground.

"A-are you alright, kid?"

Matthew blinked, momentarily wondering why he was now leaning against someone's squishy chest. Then, realizing that he was so close to another person, promptly pushed them away and jumped back.

"I-I'm fine. Sorry." Matthew looked elsewhere trying to fight back the blush that appeared on his face. Estefan, a bit surprised by the others reaction, turned to Kaoru.

"Newbie?" He questioned. Matthew chose to answer.

"N-no, well a bit b-but I..." He stopped to take a breath and calm his thoughts. Truthfully the reason why he was staring to faint from touching new people with abilities again was because he hadn't used his own in weeks. Also, distancing himself from other people with abilities or rather, people in general, didn't help either. Though his parents noticed, they suddenly became way too busy to focus much attention on him. Francis' work suddenly became much more demanding and Arthur was out on...well truthfully he didn't know. He was out on 'business' he told them. Plus Alfred was...Alfred was being weird for a while and he had no idea why.

In his silence Estefan nodded slowly. "It's, uh, fine if you are...you said you're looking for Ivan? I can take you to him."

He turned to the closed warehouse doors and fished around in his pocket for the key. Matthew looked to Kaoru.

"Th...Thank you." If it wasn't for the younger Asian his face would be pounded in by now. Kaoru simply nodded, his face void of emotion. With a grunt the Cuban opened up the heavy looking doors and headed inside, the two following closely behind.

The inside actually didn't look as big as it appeared on the outside. From the two set of staircases that Matthew could see in the distance he figured there was at least three floors.

"Ivan should be downstairs." Estefan informed as he continued walking. There were what looked like several unused abandoned machines that formed random aisles down towards the stairs and frankly there were a bit creepy. Matthew could tell that the sheets that covered them all used to be white but had now turned a grayish yellow due to dust and lack of washing. He was wondering if being in a building so dusty was sanitary when he felt someone crash into him.

His eyes widened as he focused all his attention on not falling on his ass which, when coupled with the sudden dizziness he felt for touching someone else, was not as easy as it seemed.

"I-I am so sorry!" The other male said before he removed himself from the other. "I'm afraid I didn't see you there."

Matthew also took a step away from the male and looked upon his surprise attacker. He was a pleasant looking guy who couldn't have been but a few years older than him. Shoulder length chestnut hair framed his soft face and actually made him look a bit girly. However, it suited him well. He turned to notice Estefan and Kaoru.

"Estefan, Kaoru," He greeted politely, giving them each a small nod. "I'm sorry I can't stay, I'm already late!" He turned to Matthew and apologized once more before he ran past him. The three watched him go, and Estefan chuckled.

"That's Toris," he explained. "Don't mind him, he's always running late with meeting his...uh..." His cheeks turned a little pink and he decided to turn around and start walking again before he continued. "Boyfriend."

Matthew couldn't help the small smile caused by the other's embarrassment as he continued to follow the man. The walk to the staircase didn't take that long and they descended the squeaky steps into the basement. The downstairs didn't look much different than the upper floor. The only thing that stood out was a very random long table that was placed in an open space just behind the stairs. The two figures who were sitting there both looked up at the sound of coming people.

"Hey, Liz, have you seen Ivan?" Estefan asked the female at the table when the three of them had fully descended the stairs.

The woman with the long light brown hair shook her head. "No, not today I hadn't." She then noticed the blond that was with him and offered a small smile. "Oh hi there, and you are?"

Matthew smiled back a bit nervously. "H-hello, I'm Matthew."

"Hello Matthew, I'm Elizabeta but please call me Liz." She said with a small dip of her head.

"Elizabeta is pretty much the leader here," Estefan explained to Matthew. "So if you have any questions you go to her."

Matthew nodded, feeling just a bit awkward that he was the centre of attention. Though it didn't seem as if he would be catching a break anytime soon. The dark haired male at the table looked at the blond, his eyes clearly judgemental.

"My name is Roderich," he introduced and Matthew instantly sensed his posh attitude. He couldn't help it; the guys' posture could rival a ruler. "You want to meet with Ivan? Why?" He asked, his expression far from friendly.

Matthew grew more tense, and he couldn't bring himself to meet Roderich's gaze as he answered, "I...I heard he could train me."

At that the room grew silent. Matthew glanced up at the two people at the table to see them staring back at him with wide eyes and he quickly turned away again. If he was nervous about meeting Ivan before it was nothing to how he felt now. With everyone's reactions towards him being so negative...

Suddenly Estefan appeared in front of him, his expression one of worry. "A-are you sure you want him? I can teach you!" He held a hand in front of him and Matthew swore he must have jumped ten feet when it suddenly burst into flame. The Cuban clutched his hand into a fist, the flame instantly going out.

"It did take a while," he said, using one hand to scratch his stubble while the other uncurled one finger at a time, each of them bursting into flame when fully straight. "But I was able to control it."

With a wave of his hand his fingers were back to normal and he reached into his pocket and pulled out his case of cigarettes.

"NO. Estefan." Elizabeta said, moving her hand as if throwing something away and, surprising, Estefan did the exact some motion. His cigarettes skidded under an abandoned machine and out of site. "I told you. No smoking inside."

Estefan made a bit of a face but didn't reply as he went to receive his pack. With him no longer in the way Elizabeta turned her attention to the uncomfortable blond. "Are you really sure? What did your guide have to say about this?"

Matthew cursed his finch when he was reminded of Gilbert and the circumstances in which led him to learning of Ivan Braginski. "I...it was my guide who told me about Ivan."

The girls face fell at that. "I...oh." Was all she would think of saying, and once more the room took on silence. Though there was something...eerie about this silence. Almost remorseful. It felt so bad that Matthew wished that anything, he didn't care what it was, would come and break it.

"Ah, I see there is someone new, da?"

The slow, creepy voice sent shivers up Matthew's spine and though he didn't want to admit it, he knew exactly who it was. He didn't know how but he knew. This was the man he was looking for.

He fully turned to face the male and felt himself only getting more frightened when he saw the small child like smile on his adult face. Pale blond, almost grey, locks lightly hung over his intense amethyst coloured unwavering eyes. A light pink heavy looking scarf was placed upon his broad shoulders almost like a prize, completely unnecessary in the warm weather they were having. He towered over Matthew's small foam, both his height and build being larger than the other. Matthew had never felt so small in his life.

Ivan Braginski.

This was Ivan Braginski.

Ivan's smile widened as he looked down his rather large nose at the other and Matthew couldn't help by shiver. "Hello new person. My name is Ivan." He stuck his hand out for the blond to shake, his gaze never leaving him.

Matthew gulped and gave a small nod. "M-Matthew." He introduced before he took the larger man's hand. Nearly as soon as his skin contacted with Ivan's a terrible jolt of pain coursed though his whole body. But before he could even open his mouth to scream, it was gone and he was left wondering if he imagined it.

"Ah, so you are comrade Matvey."Ivan stated, placing his hand back to his side. "Yao has told me about you and your...condition."

Fear leapt in the Canadian's chest at that word. Condition? Was being afraid of one's own abilities referred to as a condition in abilities terms? Argh, why didn't he look up those things up on Tony's forums?

Matthew, being busy in his own thoughts, didn't notice when Ivan took his eyes off him and looked around at the other people in the room. "I'll need some privacy, da?" And though he said it pleasantly and his expression was pleasant when he said it, it practically screamed 'get out or else'.

Elizabeta, Roderich and Estefan all looked at each other before they began to head towards the stairs. Elizabeta making sure she threw a glare at the Russian before she disappeared onto the second floor. The only one who didn't even move a muscle was Kaoru. He just stood there, his face void of emotion as he continued his duty to watch over Matthew. Surprising Ivan didn't mind. Instead he looked back to the Canadian, his smile never leaving his face.

"So. Colours?" Ivan said, efficiently snapping Matthew out of whatever panicked state he was in. Matthew tried to met his gaze but found that he couldn't. He settled for the scarf.

"I...I..." His throat was dry and he felt like he was about to burst into tears from both fear and anxiety, but he pushed on. He had gotten too far to back down now. "I don't want to hurt anyone. C...can you teach me how...h-how to control my ability?"

"Sure."

And that was that.

Matthew was so taken aback by the quick response that he looked straight into the others eyes. "R-really? J-just like that?"

Ivan shrugged. "I have been a bit bored and there are not many good shows on the television. So sure."

Matthew just blinked up at him. Di...did that just happen? Was he now a pupil? He...he didn't feel any different. Or any better for that matter.

"Now you need to show me your ability. Kaoru!" Ivan waved over to the still Asian who trotted over like an obedient lapdog. Ivan placed a hand on Kaoru's back when he drew near enough and positioned him so he took his place in front of the Canadian. "First thing is first. Try to make Kaoru move. No touching." He stepped away so that he could watch the events unfold, that damned creepy smile still on his face. But even though it creeped him out, Matthew couldn't help but stare at him in confusion. Ivan titled his head towards the dark haired boy. "Ability. Use." He practically demanded.

Matthew opened his mouth to speak. Should he tell him that he wasn't comfortable using his ability? That he never wanted to use his ability ever again but still wanted control? He looked to Kaoru who was staring back at him with the usual coourless stare. Though his face held no emotion, Matthew could sense that the other male had no problem with being like a test subject for him. Matthew closed his mouth and succumbed.

With a deep sigh and some inner self encouragement, Matthew locked his gaze onto the Asians. It took a while for his colours to appear, due to his lack of use, but when it did he was so taken back he almost lost his focus. Feliciano may have been the only other person that he had seen more than one colour at a time from but still. For them to be this different...

While Feliciano's colours were brilliant and contrasted greatly against each other, Kaoru's colours were all merged together, as if stirred in a giant stew pot. He could barely even understand when one colour started and another began. And if that wasn't enough, a translucent grey wall seemed to be in front of everything, giving all the colours a grey hue; making them even harder to identity. Matthew frowned, not sure what to do. Well, he might as well try what he did with Feliciano. He reached out to try and grab onto one of the colours but was stopped before he could even get to one. He blinked and tried again. Same result.

His frown only deepened when he noticed it was probably the fault of that grey wall. Whatever it was it was stopping him form grabbing onto any of his colours. If he could break through that wall he could get to Kaoru's colours. He tried this and surprisingly, it only took him one try to get through. However, he didn't break the wall but kind of...fazed through it. It felt a bit strange but he continued, reaching out rather blindly and grabbed for a colour. He had just gotten a firm grip on one when suddenly he was smacked away by an unknown force and he lost it. He scowled this time, knowing that that was probably all he could really do at that point. Ivan saw it too.

"Okay. That is all for today."

Matthew broke eye contact and felt a pang of anger when Kaoru's face remained the same as ever. All that and nothing? Just how messed up was this kid? He looked up at the hulking Russian who had ended up beside him when he was thinking. Ivan titled his head that damned smile still on his face.

"You are very unskilled." He said simply and Matthew couldn't help but blush in embarrassment. There was a pause before Ivan's smile widened and again Matthew shivered. "But such an interesting ability, da. There are better things I can do with you..." He then laughed and even that was childlike and creepy. "The real classes begin next week, da? I will see you~!" And with that Ivan turned and left, leaving only one thought in Matthew's mind. One thought that came far too late.

Maybe I shouldn't talk to this Ivan Braginski guy.

I'm still not that comfortable with writing Russia, so I hope he seemed okay ^^;;
Why do I alway write at around three in the morning dammit I'm so tiirreedddd

Thank you Lately,candy4yourEYEZ, XxAlysxX, Meeve, fan girl 666, Kawaii Bishyness, Italiangurlinamessedupworld, ArisaLyeanna, Ayla The Librarian, HappeDaez, crystalclear8, Cherry Maiden, italiachick13, AngelicDemon97, WinterClover, Frozenbreath, Chocola Emo Shizzle, Axxi, o-Vii-o, Her Diary, fairy-hime-108 and Glimmyfrost7 for the reviews!

Thank you for reading!