So this is the trial chapter. If all goes well, I will finish this story. Sorry if this chapter seems rushed. I think one reason I had no inspiration was I just wanted things revealed. So this will probably be a long chapter, with a lot of info crammed in. So I hope you all like it, otherwise this will be the last chapter. Feel free to shoot me ideas for this story or other stories you think I could write that you want to read.

Chapter 8

A Revelation

It had officially been two weeks since the dance. People were finally calming down about how amazing certain couples at the dance had looked. Another thing to calm down was the talk about the spiked punch.

Mr. Vargas, not too surprisingly, came into the dance hall drunk. Or tipsy as he said. It was then that the teachers knew someone had spiked the punch. No one on campus was allowed to purchase alcohol, teachers included, so that meant a student snuck some in and gave some to the principle. No one figured it was Antonio.

As for events that happened in these two weeks, nothing much transpired. Alfred and Matthew had gone on a few jobs, with Matthew manning the escape vehicle while Alfred looted the animal gem statue-like valuables. Now Matthew was healed enough that he could go back in…or rather, their benefactor wanted them to both go in.

It was now lunch time and everyone was sitting at the usual table. It was much more couply, as long as you ignored Kiku and Francis, who either didn't want to be with someone or were with a lot of people. No need to guess who was doing what.

"So all we need to do now is find a partner for Kiku, right?" Feliciano asked everyone as he was looking around the cafeteria.

Only Francis seemed to catch Kiku's microscopic blush and hesitation to the topic. "Unless, of course, he picked someone up along his travels…?" Kiku became pinker, enough for everyone to notice.

"No way dude! Was it the Greek?" Alfred asked.

"No! It has to be the Turk," Matthew said.

Everyone looked at Kiku waiting for a response. He mumbled it, so no one could hear. "I am sitting next to you and I can't hear you. Speak up!" Lovino said, or rather yelled.

"B-Both!" Kiku looked down to hide his blush.

"Kiku…" Ludwig started to lecture.

"No! It's not like that. The three of us agreed on a threesome dating type thing…though those two don't really like one another…."

"Wow…" was all Arthur could say.

"Damn Kiku! Atta boy!" Gilbert said.

"Still better than Francis," Antonio said, dodging the food that was tossed at him from said Frenchman. "I only kid," he assured the man, before shaking his head ever so slightly at Lovino, causing the feisty Italian to hold back a snicker, unsuccessfully.

Matthew and Alfred gave Kiku war smiles. "They don't get along, but the two of them really care for you. After this year you should be able to go back."

"Go back to where?" Feliciano asked. "Japan? Are they in Japan?"

Kiku and Matthew gave Alfred a look, not entirely unnoticed by most at the table. "No," Kiku answered. "They are in a place that we all stayed at one time. Matthew and Alfred included. I can go back, pick them up, and then move somewhere else. They are only still there until I graduate high school."

A shadow then appeared over Kiku. "Ah yes, I remember that place." They all looked to see Ivan behind Kiku. "It was…less than pleasant if I remember correctly."

"Maybe for you," Matthew said in a way that surprised everyone. He had never used such a mean tone before.

Ivan only smiled at Matthew, though it could have been a borderline smirk. "For you too, wasn't it? You were always the one not following orders. I remember one time-." He was cut off by a hand on his mouth that belonged to Matthew.

"Why don't we go have a chat, Mr. Braginski? In private?" He stressed the last words, trying not to kill the man.

"Of course Matvey~! Lead the way." Ivan stepped aside and let Matthew pass. Once the two of them were gone, the rest of the people looked at Alfred, who looked really worried but really angry at the same time.

"Alfred? Are you alright? I've never seen you this upset, and I hate seeing you upset at all."

Alfred let out a sigh, giving everyone a weak smile. "Sorry. I get irritated easily when it to Mattie sometimes, especially after he gets sho-!" A kick from Kiku under the table stopped his words.-…I mean injured! Ivan is just an ass." Alfred cursed himself for almost saying Matthew got shot. He hoped no one noticed.

"I take it they have history?" Antonio asked?

"What type of history are you implying!?" Gilbert asked, hoping that they never had an intimate relationship.

Kiku and Alfred looked at each other. "You could say that. Matthew can get defensive of Alfred, and Ivan tends to take it a little too far. Plus…Well, never mind. That's a story for another time. " Kiku went back to eating.

Everyone looked worriedly at the cafeteria doors, hoping everything was alright. Gilbert was especially worried about his Birdie.

With Matthew and Ivan

Matthew and Ivan ended up in Ivan's classroom. The two had a stare down until Matthew spoke.

"So you have been quite for a while…Not really talking to me. What's the difference? And why do you feel the need to reveal things about our past?" Matthew had his arms crossed, leaning against Ivan's desk, but he was still ready in case anything happened.

"Well, Matvey, let's just say that I got my hands on a little something that you won't like."

"Your presence?" Matthew asked, hiding a smile when Ivan sent a miniscule glare his direction.

"No. Something…more substantial…scandalous you could say. And if you don't cooperate with me, well, the scandal could be leaked." Ivan looked at Matthew, gauging his reaction.

Matthew only scoffed. "I don't care what scandals you have on me. Leave Alfred and everyone else alone. Don't talk about my past with them or with anyone else here. As you said before, I don't like to follow orders. I kicked your ass before, Ivan…I can and will do it again." Matthew went to leave, but Ivan grabbed his arm.

"I don't think you understand, Matvey. This evidence that I have won't just hurt you. It will hurt Alfred, your friends…Gilbert?" Ivan smiled in glee as he saw Matthew flinch slightly at the mention of Gilbert.

Matthew pulled his arm away from Ivan, pulling out a knife and spinning around to face the Russian. He pointed the knife at Ivan's throat. "You hurt ANY of them, and I will NOT hesitate to kill you. You got that?"

Ivan put his hands up in surrender. "Whatever you say Matvey. You are the one with the knife." Matthew gave Ivan a glare, but turned around and left, pocketing the knife. Little did he know there was a red flashing light in the bookcase.

(A/n: I was going to end here, but I wanted to get A LOT in, so I kept going~)

By the time Matthew got back to everyone, lunch was basically over. "Mattie! Are you okay!?" Alfred asked, checking every inch of Matthew.

"Al, I'm fine. You know he can't hurt me. Now move. I want Gilbert." Matthew pushed past Alfred and then gave Gilbert a hug, clinging to him. "I hate that guy."

"I do too Birdie. If you hate him, I hate him!" Matthew smiled fondly at him.

"Hey Gil~?" Matthew asked playfully, though on the inside he was nervous. He didn't show Ivan this, but he was shaken up by what the Russian had said. So Matthew had to say something, before he couldn't.

"Yes Birdie~?" Gilbert answered just as playfully.

"I love you." And with that, the bell rang and he left for class, leaving everyone shocked, even Alfred.

"Dude…I will say this now. He is completely serious. He won't say sappy things like that unless he really means it. But what do you think Gilbert?" Alfred had stood up from his seat, giving Gilbert a serious look.

Gilbert looked up at Alfred. "I…I can't believe he said it first! Damn it! Well, I won't see him until after school, so I'll tell him then." Gilbert grabbed his bag, hurrying to class, wanting the day to be over.

Alfred chuckled, looping his arms around Arthur's shoulders. "You know what, Arthur?" Alfred asked.

Arthur looked up, surprised to have his given name used by Alfred. "What?" he asked.

"I love you~" Alfred said, kissing Arthur. The other blonde only turned a deep scarlet, trying to hide it as he walked to class.

When Alfred was about to leave Arthur in front of his class, Arthur grabbed Alfred's sleeve. "I…I love you…too, Arthur stammered out before rushing into his classroom and hiding his face in his arms and away from prying eyes. Alfred looked fondly at him before going to his own class.

It had now been about a month since the day with Ivan and the love confessions. April was had just started, though April Fool's Day was over, thank goodness for many people. Despite his innocent look, Feliciano was a pranking KING! He took most of his pranks out on Ludwig, who seemed to never get the hint he was being played. Matthew and Alfred were pretty good as well, but still far from the BTT's level or Feli's level.

"So all in agreement to never let Feli get a hold of eggs and feathers around this holiday, say "I"!" Ludwig said. Everyone excluding Feliciano said "I."

"Aww~ You should all be lucky I couldn't get the tar…" Everyone just ignored Feliciano, hoping he was joking.

It was then that the newspaper van came. They had all been hanging out in the morning since it was such a nice day outside. Alfred, deciding he wanted a newspaper, went and got one from the guy. The headline surprised him.

"Matthew Williams, get over here NOW!" Alfred said, everyone surprised by his tone. It was deadly.

Matthew went and was given the paper, Alfred making sure everyone but Kiku stayed away. Matthew looked at it and read the headline. "Anonymous Tip and Pictures Help aid Police with the Twin Thieves Case!" Matthew went on to read how a certain Ivan Braginski had "happened" to see something going on and took pictures, but until recently had been too afraid since he was threatened. But the thing that caught their attention was a picture of Matthew running from one of the scenes of the crime. The picture was amazing quality, and it was after he had just taken his mask off. The one thing Ivan omitted was the whereabouts and the name of the thief.

"Looks like this couldn't last as long as we wanted…" Alfred said.

Matthew had started to cry. "DAMN IT! I'll fucking kill that asshole! I can't leave here Alfred! Not…Not after I finally love someone and cherish them!"

Everyone heard this outburst, all of them curious and worried since Matthew was in hysterics. They saw Alfred hug him. "Hey…I know this is hard, but you know I am going with you. I feel the same way, but it is to protect them."

Kiku gave Matthew a hug too, surprising everyone who was looking. "It's okay. We'll make sure our benefactor keeps them all safe." It was then Alfred's phone rang. He excused himself, leaving Matthew in Kiku's care.

Gilbert couldn't take it anymore and marched up to Matthew and Kiku. He took the paper from Matthew, wanting to see what was making his Birdie feel so terrible. "No!" Matthew shouted, surprising everyone. He tried to take it back, but Gilbert held it away and read it. Matthew started to cry harder, terrified of what Gilbert would say. He buried his head in Kiku's shoulder, Kiku petting his hair. It was then that Alfred came back, seeing Gilbert had gotten ahold of the paper. The others had crowded around the paper.

Alfred stood in front of his brother protectively when the others looked over from reading. It was Ludwig who spoke first. "Is this true?" he asked.

Alfred nodded, not wanting to lie to them. "Yes. Matthew and I are the Twin Thieves. Stealing is how we are still alive today. We would have been killed if we didn't have a special thing we could do."

"Killed?" Feliciano asked.

"Yes." It was Kiku who answered. "When we were children, we were taken to a special institution in Japan. We were all orphans, so they had no need for us if we were useless. No one would miss us, so they had no worry on that. They showed skill in stealth and such things. I was similar, so we were together a lot. One of the older people was Ivan. He was sold off to another company. We met up with him later under…unwanted circumstances."

"I don't mind that. What I want to know is why you didn't tell me Birdie…" Gilbert looked at Matthew.

Matthew gave him a sad look. "It's not that I didn't want to…I just didn't want you getting hurt because of me…Alfred and I have made enemies around the world…there's no telling who could find us. As it is, Alfred, Kiku, and I have to leave…Right Al?"

Alfred nodded. "Yes. That was our benefactor on the phone. He's a little…okay a LOT pissed off right now. But he ensured your guys safety for us."

"No! You can't leave! I love you Damn it!" It was Arthur who spoke up, to everyone's surprise.. "We'll be fine, just…just stay Alfred!"

"For once I agree with Arthur." Gilbert went up to Matthew after Alfred made sure he wasn't going to harm Matthew, mentally or physically. He hugged Matthew tight. "We'll get through this, alright? I love you too much just to let you go."

Arthur had ran up to Alfred and had buried his head in his chest. Alfred was hugging him very tightly. "I'm so sorry Arthur…I never wanted this to happen. This was supposed to be mine and Mattie's last gig, and them we would be done."

Before anymore words could be said, a camera shutter went off. "As heart wrenching as this might be for all of you, the police will be here very soon to arrest Matvey, and most likely Fredka too." Everyone turned around to see Ivan smiling gleefully at the pain he had caused.

And that's the end of the trial factor. If you want ME to continue the story, instead of someone else, then you need to review. Don't expect others to do it for you. If you don't review, the story will be adopted by someone. I have already been asked, and I told them the circumstances. Please go do my poll. Only one person has done it and so far it looks like USUK is going to have a one shot. If you don't want that, go vote! And look forward to a new story that my friend and I are collaborating on!

Doitsu no Joso