Hotsuma: Well, well, well...look who finally showed up.

Me: I'm sorry! Don't kill me~ *hides behind Yuki*

Yuki: u-um...Newt-kun? Where have you been?

Me:...writing other stories, nearly dying from heat, shooting people in airsoft...

Rin: Huh?

Me: Never mind~ Enjoy the story...oh, wait! Some do a disclaimer!

Tsukumo: I'll do it...Newt-kun doesnt' own anything about the anime, so please dont sue her~

Me: Arigato! Now, read on!

Chapter 9: Scars

'Everyone has something that they hide; their scars, their past, their feelings. Anything that affects how people live and who they will turn out to be. Most people try to block it out, but it has to come out at some point. Nothing stays hidden forever. Not even scars.'

Yuki had always loved to help out in the kitchen at the orphanage. It was really nice to see him wearing an apron again as he poured breakfast onto plates.

I was kneeling on a chair while watching him. When the door to the dining room opened, I looked up with a smile. It was Tok-chan and Tsukumo.

"Morning, Yuki-chan, Rin-kun!"

"Morning."

A giggle bubbled up from my chest," Morning!"

Yuki patted my head as he greeted our friends as well. Toko-chan walked over to the table to smell breakfast. A dreamy look crossed her face.

"That smells so good", she practically sang.

"This morning, I tried to make some Italian home cooking, with ingredients I ordered. Please have as much as you'd like", Toma-san said as he rolled a cart out from the kitchen.

"Hooray!"

"Uh, Toko-chan, what about your diet", her partner asked.

I laughed at Toko-chan's expression. She had obviously forgotten all about her diet. Still laughing, I slipped off the chair and grabbed a roll off the cart. The second I bit into it, amazing flavors that I had never experienced before flooded my mouth. I moaned in delight, floating away in my own happy place inside my mind.

"You're all lively this morning" Tachibana observed as he entered the dining hall. "How unusual…Shu-kun isn't here yet."

"That is strange. But typical for Hotsuma", I vaguely heard the only other girl say.

There was some more talking, but I was in a trance with my biscuit. Honestly, I was 12, people needed to give little ol' me a break.

"Ah-ha, look at Rin-kun", Tsukumo said.

I blinked, snapping out of my trance. Everyone was chuckling at me. Pouting, I shoved the rest of the biscuit in my mouth. Toko-chan knelt down by me and gave me a side hug.

"Ah, Rin-kun, you're so cute!"

"I am not", I whined as I covered my face with my hands.

This just caused everyone to laugh harder.

"Come on everyone, let's eat", Tachibana announced.

"But, what about Yuki-kun and Luka", I asked.

"Ah, don't you worry, they'll be back soon."

I got into my seat and dug into my bowl of food. The flavors from it sent me back into that daze. It was so good. More than anyone could imagine! Well, me at least…

"MMMM, this is so good", I announced.

People laughed once again. I didn't really mind it all that much. They could think I was adorable it they really wanted, but ya know what? I was in food heaven and enjoying it far too much to care.

Someone suddenly set a hand on my head; speaking to the others at the table, " Hotsuma-kun and Shusei-kun really get along don't they?"

Toko-chan answered first," They've been inseparable since childhood."

"Really?"

"Zweilt are special to one other. Right, Tsukumo?"

The blue-haired boy nodded; his mouth full of junk food instead of the prepared breakfast in front of him.

Yuki smiled, "I see…It's just like Rin-kun and I."

I giggled with a smile.

"But Hotsu's been agitated since Yuki-kun arrived here", Tachibana stated.

A look of surprise crossed my face, "Huh? Why? Does Hotsuma not like Yuki-kun?"

The man simply shrugged; a vague look on his face. I sighed, looking at Yuki-kun. He was in thought as well.

'Why would Hostuma-kun have anything against Yuki-kun….?'

~XxThexLostxGiouxX~

Swinging my legs, I hummed as I did my homework at my desk. Choji was in my lap, his head peering over the table at my paper. Tilting my head, I bite my lip in thought at an interesting problem.

A shadow suddenly loomed over me. I looked up in surprise to find Hotsuma-kun standing by my desk. The other girls in class were whispering frantically, watching the tall high schooler.

"Eh? Hotsuma-kun, what are you doing here?"

"Toko asked me to come get you today, she's busy. Come on, I don't have all day."

I smiled, quickly slipping my work into my backpack," Thank you very much, Hotsuma-kun!"

He just rolled his eyes, obviously losing his patience. I slung my bag on and took his hand, making him jump slightly.

"Oi, what are you doing!?"

My silver eyes met his honey colored ones," I'm holding your hand…that's ok, right Hotsuma-kun?"

The hot-tempered teen looked un-sure. Sighing, he just started walking, not saying a word. I smiled, holding his hand a little tighter as we headed for his high school.

"Hey…um, Hotsuma-kun?"

"What…?"

"Is…is Shusei-kun feeling okay? I didn't see him this morning…" A frown crossed my face in worry," I'm just worried about him. And, I thought you would know since you two are close!"

"He's fine, don't worry about it."

My eyes narrowed at the back of his head. His tone was flat, like he didn't want me to know how he felt.

"…um, Hotsuma-kun?"

He sighed irritably," Now what?"

"….Are you feeling okay?"

"Do I look sick to you!?"

"N-no…."

"Stop asking questions, you talk too much…"

My frown deepened as I nodded, hugging Choji to my chest tighter.

Hotsuma lead me into one of the high school classrooms as the bell rang. I looked around, gasping in happiness when I spotted Yuki packing his bag on the far side of the classroom.

I released Hotsuma-kun's hand and hurried over," Yuki-kun!"

He looked up in surprise," Eh, Rin-kun, how did you get here?"

"Hotsuma-kun came and picked me up from school."

The said hot head walked up behind me," Let's go…Tsukumo and Toko asked me to look after you two. Hurry up."

"O-okay."

I giggled, taking Yuki's hand as we left his classroom. Unknowingly to me, Choji's cross that was on his bow had fallen off, landing on the ground near his desk.

~XxThexLostxGiouxX~

"Tsukumo-kun and Toko-chan went to help Takashiro-san, didn't they?"

"Yea."

Yuki-kun smiled," Everyone's so amazing, using their abilities to help out. You've got your God's Voice."

Hotsuma-kun stopped when he mentioned his ability," God's Voice is just what people decided to call it. All I can do with that voice is kill my enemies. I call hellfire down on my victims…"

I frowned when I sensed something. Letting go of Yuki's hand, I wandered over to the edge of the path where the tree line started. Still listening to Hostuma-kun, I searched for the source I had sensed.

"…but it bothers them more than any other power. That's why you-"

"You're kind, Hotsuma-kun" Yuki interrupted. "The color of your kindness is extremely pale, but it's very warm. That's how it feels to me."

"You don't know…"

"Huh?"

"You don't know what you're talking about!"

I gasped, both from his outburst and a hand grabbing me. I relaxed when I realized it was only Luka-kun. Smiling, I hugged him. He set a hand on my head, rubbing it gently.

Hotsuma-kun started speaking again, more remorsefully," There's no hope. Everyone, they just…Everyone leaves."

~XxThexLostxGiouxX~

"Luka."

We both looked up from our spot on top of the stairs. Yuki was looking at us with a sad smile, making me frown.

"Are you all right", Luka asked.

"Hai…"

"Everyone has wounds that cannot be erased."

"Wounds that cannot be erased…?"

"You're kidding! Why do I have to see him again", Hotsuma-kun demanded loudly downstairs.

Tachibana replied calmly," I'm not saying you have to. They're requesting to see you, so I'm asking what you'd like to do."

"All they want is money!"

I watched as Hotsuma-kun walked away fuming in anger. My frown deepened; a want to comfort him but unsure how.

"It's been three years since we last heard from them…" Shusei walked down the hall towards us, pausing next to me," The Giou Clan pays a Zweilt's parents handsomely, in return for their children. They're calling for the payment."

I gasped softly. How could anyone do that to their own children? It was…it was disgusting, sickening! I hugged Choji tighter.

"He knows…His parents abandoned him."

Yuki's eyes widened as mine did. He started down the stairs, but paused, turning back to the hot-head's partner.

"Shusei-kun…"

"Go to him. He needs you."

Yuki-kun then left, hurrying after Hotsuma. I turned to Shusei, staring down at my feet. Still sickened by what he had said.

"Shusei-kun….how…how could they do that to Hotsuma-kun!?"

He set a comforting hand on my shoulder," Hotsuma had trouble controlling his powers as a child and an accident happened…his parents were deathly afraid of him, so they got rid of him as soon as they could out of fear."

"But…that's not an excuse! Hotsuma-kun was their son! Parents are supposed to protect their children!"

A tear slipped down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it away with a sniff.

"Rin-kun…"

"Kids need their parents…people to support them as they grow up. It..it's not right to just abandon them!"

~XxThexLostxGiouxX~

"I thought you would stop him" Shusei commented to Luka.

Said Duras was rubbing my head, me pressed to his right side.

"Hotsuma is fine. Yuki healed his injuries."

Yuki and Hostuma had a strange bond now, strange but strong. They were in the rain, sitting in silence at what had just occurred.

Shusei continued," He will protect Yuki, body and soul."

"But who will heal your wound", he asked.

Shusei had no response for him. I frowned, watching him past Luka. There was something bothering him as well. If I couldn't help Hotsuma-kun, maybe I could somehow help Shusei-kun.

Luka left, but I stayed with Shusei. Walking up to him, I took his rained soaked hand in mine. He looked down at me, smiling a little.

I smiled back, leaning against him. But suddenly, Shusei disappeared. My eyes widen as I fell against the tree, grabbing at air.

"S-Shusei!?"

All that was left, were dissipating sparkles. I felt panicked.

"Shusei!?"

I hurried for the mansion, running through the rain. I didn't understand how he could've just disappeared!

As I neared, I spotted Tsukumo trying to hold Hotsuma back. He must have sensed Shusei disappearing and told the others.

"Release me! Let go of my, Tsukumo!"

"Calm down! What are you doing?"

"I'm going to look for him!"

"Look for him? Where?"

"Everywhere!"

"I told you, even I can't tell where he is!"

Tsukumo released Hotsuma, who fell to his knees, devasted.

I ran harder," Tsukumo! Hotsuma! Yuki!"

They looked up in surprise, Yuki hurrying forward," Rin!?"

I stopped suddenly, a strange sensation running through my viens. Looking up at Yuki in fear, my vision started to blurr. I saw his eyes widen as he yelled my name, but I was suddenly gone. Blackness swallowed me, taking me away from my home and the people I cared about.

~XxThexLostxGiouxX~

Yuki stared in shock at the place where Rin had been standing before, all that was left were disappearing particles in the air.

"R-Rin….Rin!"

Tsukumo's eyes widen," She…she disappeared just like Shusei!"

Yuki dropped to his knees like Hotsuma had," Rin…"

Luka made his way over to Yuki, anger filling him. Who ever took Rin was going to pay. He promised to it as he comforted Yuki in the rain.

Me: Don't hurt me! It had to happen!

Yuki: But...why did you have to take Rin?

Luka: *glares*

Me: *sweatdrop* because it had to happen...no spoilers! *ducks behind Tachibana*

Toko: *Sighs* Please review and forgive the shortness of the chapter~

Me: Yes, please! And remember: More reviews equal another update! My writing mode is back!