《Re: Accel Rush》 Chapter 1: Birds of a Feather Hunt Together Hiya guys, Azail here! English isn''t my first language so if you see any grammar errors or things of the like please let me know so I can correct them. I am open to suggestions and criticisms, what is writing if you don''t know how to accept those. Also thank you for taking the time to read my work I appreciate it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- H.A.D.E.S. 2 years ago "Yes, bro I''m eating well. In fact, I''m on my way to the cafeteria. Stop worrying okay? I''m seventeen for cheese''s sake. I''m not a baby anymore. Zero''s the baby, not me." Xenon grinned sheepishly. He wasn''t concerned even if other people thought he was crazy. He was, from a far perspective looked like he was rambling incoherently to himself. Actually he was talking to his brother whose deep baritone voice rambled through the bluetooth headpiece lodged on his right ear. It was Saturday and during the weekends, there weren''t many people in HADES. The grounds and hallways were void of students, it was the perfect time to take a leisurely stroll to the cafeteria for breakfast, no mob of fangirls tailing behind him, no girls asking for his personal biodata and screaming his name in delirium, or so he thought. He was preoccupied and in a state of euphoria because he was calling his brother so he wasn''t aware that there were girls tailing behind him, watching his every move. They were like predators waiting for the right time to strike the prey dead. Xenon glanced on his customized back steel Rolex wristwatch. It was half past eight. "Time flies fast when I talk to you." Xenon said, smiling to himself. "Well then Xlain, I should be going now, I''ve promised Zero we''ll visit the museum of guns today and buy a new knife." Xanxus said over the phone. "We''ll visit when we''ll have time okay? Take care of yourself, eat well, don''t make Dr. Enkil mad, remember last time?" "Uhhm¡­.yeah. That memory would be forever etched in my soul." Xenon grimaced. "And before I forget, are Qauan and Ubry with you?" "Yes. I never leave my room without them, I can be preoccupied but I''m never forgetful." Xanxus chuckled. "If you say so. Well then, eirini akribos." Xanxus bade. "Eirini." Xenon replied. The line cut off. Xenon sighed contentedly, unaware of the impending doom lurking behind him ***************************************************************************** The weekend is Ami''s favorite day. It was the perfect day to finally finish the book she had borrowed from the library. The grounds solemn, devoid of any student and the hallways were deserted, perfectly still¡­.or so she thought. She was about to sigh in contentment and breathe in the familiar scent of solitude that accompanied the weekends when screaming voices invaded her auditory senses. She turned and glared at the source of the racket. What met her eyes was a young man clad in black. From behind him was a mob of screaming girls. She recognized him as one of the older students of the Accel class. Personally, she does not know the guy and she does not give a damn. It was just that she often sees him in the school grounds talking with one of the staffs that she recognizes him and for the fact that he was one guy that would be really hard to miss. He was tall six foot something and his way of dress was unmistakably Goth. He was wrapped in black from head to foot. Even the dolls strapped on his belt were dressed like him. He had sense of style though and he definitely stands out. Then Ami noticed that he was running away from the girls, most of which had tears falling down their cheeks. Ami tsked in disgust. "He''s got to have done something shameless to these ladies. He must have exploited them one way or another, there''s no way girls would cry for no reason. The bastard, making girls cry. I''ll teach him a lesson." She believed him to be some kind of psychopath. One that has done so many horrible things that earned him to be lynched by shrieking girls. She thought of unsheathing Masume when he gets abreast her. Having a taste of her nodachi ought to give him a lesson. ***************************************************************************** Curse his inattentiveness! If he was not careless he would not have been chased by screaming fangirls now. It was mostly his fault that he gets too preoccupied when his brother is calling. When he glanced to check on his back, it was already too late. A mob of girls had already gathered behind him. The only thing that he was able to do was execute evasive tactic number one - to run. Running is, through his experience had proven to be the best and effective way to evade fangirl lynching, and his feet had never let him down before. He has never been caught but most of the time, he escapes shirtless. He just hopes he won''t come across someone he might bother. Based also in his experience, causing aggravation to others prove to be painful. He had had received too many high heeled kicks on his gut and about a million newspaper whacks upside the head (he''s used to it by now but that does not mean it does not hurt) especially when most of the girls chasing him starts to faint due to severe blood loss caused by nosebleed and has to be taken to the infirmary. This type of scenario happens almost five times a day in average. He could only wish to spend one whole day without being mobbed. That will never happen. He was running for his life, and for the shirt he had recently sewn when he noticed a slim figure a few feet up ahead. Poised in a stance that he knows all too well. As an assassin he had been to too many fights and seen too many to mistake the stance for something else. He recognizes hostility when he sees it and the figure up ahead all but exude predator air. ***************************************************************************** Ami paused, closed her eyes for a moment and took several slow deep breaths. When she exhaled, she opened her eyes and gripped her nodachi firmly. The familiar feeling of Masume on her hand brought back the memories of the people she swore to protect and the reasons she became what she is now. She took a small step backward with her left foot, slightly bent her knees and waited. A few more steps and she would help rid the world of another maniac. Xenon''s brow creased. When he got nearer the figure, he recognized the long black sailor uniform that wasn''t prescribed by the school and along with it is the sardonic face of the infamous Ami Daeth. The new transfer to the Accel class. ***************************************************************************** A few more paces, the target was fast approaching. Twenty paces more, Ami relaxed and exhaled slowly. She smoothed her left thumb on Masume''s sleek black saya and remembered the day she received her nodachi. She had vowed to only unsheathe Masume for a worthy opponent. Sheathing Masune for the approaching young man seemed to be only just. She has heard of his missions and he may have done the world some good but his being a maniac is not something she would overlook. Well, she is not entirely certain if he is a maniac but the sheer number of the mob chasing him is evidence enough for her. It would suffice. Why else would a group of angry, crying girls chase one young man if not for his immoral advances on them? Fifteen paces. Ami took one last breath, five more steps and he is done for. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. ***************************************************************************** Xenon''s eyes widened at the sight of the still figure in front of him. She was still about fifteen paces up ahead and he could clearly see that she was set to attack. He could see her glaring adamantly at him. What in the name of Zeus has he done to this girl for her to release such killer intent on him? As far as he could remember he has not even so much exchanged greetings with this person, not even eye contact. One thing is for sure though, he must have done something to piss her off without him noticing it. He should apologize if that is the case, he thought. Women tend to go ballistic when the men who erred them never realize that they are the ones at fault and never try to ask for an apology. But before that he should first resolve his current predicament. Exactly ten paces from her, he stopped running. A few girls who were right behind him caught up and grabbed his shirt. The girls from behind bumped into them and the girls in front bumped into Xenon, and with the suddenly halt, Xenon tripped and fell on the ground face first. His new shirt was ripped to pieces and the girls who took hold of the tattered fragments started a riot among themselves on who should keep the torn rags. ***************************************************************************** "Now!" Was the word that screamed inside Ami''s head. She was about to sheath Masume when the unexpected happened. The young man took a sudden halt, causing a rather comical turn of events that left the young man deprived of his upper garment. It was when the young man fell that Ami saw something that she did not anticipate. He was on his mid fall when they had eye contact and Masume was half way out of its saya. She saw it, in his eyes. The same look that her Grandpa and Grandma have in their deep brown eyes. It was that look that made her hesitate. It was that look that made her stop. He may look threatening and vicious but his eyes bellies all the things his physical appearance may illustrate. She saw through his fa?ade almost immediately. This is a man who had never done anything evil to anyone nor even conceived malicious thoughts. Someone who possesses the same eyes as her grandparents could not possibly be a maniac. The girls behind him could be chasing him for some other reason, she could see that now. He may even be suffering from it. Ami fixed her gaze on the riot of girls. Seeing them fighting over a piece of cloth like that made her wish she was not born with the same gender. She wants to ask some questions to the guy who just fell, but she doubts it if she would be able to start a conversation from the racket. She of course needs to silence the girls first but she hates conversations and any effort to explain is a waste of energy. Oh well she could only hope it would be brief. She cleared her throat to get their attention. As it turned out, it was all she needed to do to muzzle them up. They stopped squabbling, took about a second''s look at her and left without a trace, clinging on the tattered shirt and muttering hysterically about a female student who can slit you in half within a blink. Ami grinned to herself. "Girls." She scoffed. She turned her attention on the person at hand. The young man who fell on his face has yet to recover. Her brow creased in curiosity when she saw the tattoo splayed all over his fully exposed back. It was the combination of black for the outline and gold for the base. She gasped when she saw the intricate markings. Ami is one person that is hardly surprised of anything but the tattoo is not something you see every day. The emblem, which belongs to a covert organization, is the world''s finest. Seeing one in HADES is quite a shock. It is the rarest of the rare. The emblem itself is the stuff of legends and the one who possesses it is the bogeyman of all the other assassins in the world. It is known that being in the presence of someone who possesses the emblem means you are in the presence of the fiercest, deadliest man you will ever encounter in your lifetime. "If he''s an Order assassin, what''s he doing here?" Ami asked silently. "What''s HE doing here?" Her head was filled with questions, but in the end she was too lazy to think of them so she let them go. "Ah, who cares." She muttered. "Are you still alive?" She tapped the young man''s head with Masume''s saya since it has been a little while now and he still has not shown any sign of life. She raised a brow when he blocked Masume with the back of his left palm. ***************************************************************************** Xenon grimaced when he felt the impact on the back of his hand. Man was he glad he did not let that thing hit his head. Whatever it is, it smarts. Xenon suddenly bolted upright and patted the dust off him. He grimaced again when he saw that he had left a dent on the marbled floor. "I hope Headmaster Woody won''t know I created that dent." He mumbled to himself. "How heavy is that thing?" He asked immediately, inspecting the nodachi in Ami''s hand. It must have been the thing that hit him. "50 lbs." Ami promptly answered in a thick Italian lilt. Xenon raised a brow and let out a low whistle. "Thank the gods it didn''t shatter the bones in my hand. I thought it weighed a ton though." He chuckled, inspecting his hand as if nothing happened. Ami tipped her head to the side. "It should have or worse." She retorted. "Is this guy for real?" She thought. It was the first time anyone received a whack from her using Masume, just grinned and bore it as if was just a slap from a baby. Xenon scratched his head and smoothed his unbound hair, the girl in front of him just stared and he himself cannot seem to say anything. Then he noticed that she was staring at him and he was not wearing a shirt. She was not blushing, drooling or screaming. She was not having a nosebleed either, the things girls normally do in front of him and it seems it is the only thing they do in his presence. "You''re okay." He realized. The girl just gave her a blank stare. "Pardon?" "I meant, you seem okay." He corrected. No response to that. Maybe he did not make himself clear. Xenon scratched the tip of his nose, deciding to repeat his statement. "I said, you seem okay." He could not believe this girl. There he was, almost half naked in front of her and she was not the least bit interested. She was just plain not I-N-T-E-R-E-S-T-E-D. "Hey I heard you the first time. No need to repeat yourself. I''m too lazy to hear the repetitions." She drawled lazily. Obviously, answering was also a tiring task for her. "Oh, okay." He said. "You''re not bleeding too. And you''re okay. That''s good." He beamed. It''s the first time he smiled at a girl who did not pass out instantly. Ami gave the young man a droll stare. This guy might have the same eyes as her grandparents but he was confusing as hell. "What? Why should I be bleeding? And why am I not supposed to be okay?" She asked. She was surprised this total stranger she mistook for a maniac could make her utter two whole sentences, she had never done that for anyone before. She would normally just shrug it off and leave. Looked like the guy was full of surprises. Xenon was about to explain when he noticed the girl narrow her eyes and for the first time during their conversation broke eye contact. She leaned slightly to her side and peeked at whatever caught her interest over his shoulder. She was in that position for full sixty seconds that Xenon, intrigued, turned to look too. What was fast approaching looked like a cloud of dust. He stared at it intently until he saw the silhouette of a voluptuous figure. Xenon swallowed audibly. From the sound of the rapid clacks on the solid floor the figure was wearing heels. "Isn''t that the school doctor?" Ami asked. "I don''t think so." He muttered, hoping she was wrong. Any other female teacher can wear heels. It could be Lizard or Sword but he never saw those two in such stylish footwear so they were out of the question and besides, no other woman had that figure in HADES, it definitely had to be her. "Damn!" He cursed silently, slapping a hand on his forehead. Why was he contradicting himself? "I believe that is her." She confirmed. "That killing intent can''t be emitted by anyone else. I''ve passed by the clinic so many times before when she was torturing her student assistant enough to recognize that presence." Ami smiled to herself when she remembered those days. She ought to get some torturing tips from the doctor. The woman is brilliant. Who could have thought a rolled up newspaper could be such an amazing tool of torment? Xenon cringed. "I''m her student assistant." Ami stared back at him again, her eye sparkling maliciously. "You don¡¯t say?" This should get really interesting. After a long time of looking at the silhouettes in the infirmary''s glass windows she could now observe the doctor in action. He was in trouble and he knew it. There was nothing he could do but accept the inevitable. Xenon groaned miserably. It was supposed to be the weekend and he was supposed to be enjoying his free time without running into the doctor. The girls who chased him earlier were probably in the clinic now and the doctor of course, did not like it. He gave her work when it was supposed to be the weekend and the doctor''s day off. He should have known better. Well if you would add it all up, it would all go back to him. It was his entire fault. He has not even had breakfast yet. Facing the doctor in her current mood with an empty stomach would only sum up to catastrophe in ginormous proportions. He was going to have hell for his morning meal. Rather than stay put and be berated all over again for an incident that was fast becoming a daily episode in his regular schedule, Xenon decided to postpone this particular sequence to that routine and made a bolt for it. "Oh, ho! The slave makes a run for it." The school doctor commented snidely. Ami did what she deemed appropriated in the presence of an elder, one that was briskly walking. "Good morning, doctor." She greeted. The doctor briefly turned to answer her a forced smile, albeit half hearted, and returned the greeting with an abrupt "Good morning" before turning her full attention on an escaping Xenon, not breaking stride. Ami stepped in the side lines when the doctor suddenly halted to a sideway position and sent something flying from underneath her long white coat, the projectile rotating at dangerous speed. A loud "SMACK" echoed in the hallway as it caught Xenon at the back of his head, sending him falling on his face again. Just as immediately, the doctor was on him, one hand holding his head facedown, a knee buried against his shoulder blades refrained any further movement on his part. In succession to her actions, she quickly jabbed a syringe on his neck without remorse even as he gave a yelp of surprise. Within minutes, Xenon''s massive frame slumped on the floor. The doctor stood, straightened her coat with a shake and dusted her palms together. "That''s that." She nodded, catching sight of a fellow instructor just down the hall. "Lizzy, mind giving a hand?" It was Lizard, the female teacher with a Herculean strength. The lithe-moving instructor gave them a questioning look when she glanced at the unconscious body on the floor. There had been several others, all female though, just down the other hall. "Er¡­ I suppose. With what?" The doctor smiled, and pointed an index finger down at the oblivious form. Without further inquiries, Lizard bent and picked up Xenon as if he weighted no more than he seemed. Ami did not know whether to feel pity or amusement at the way she dragged him along towards the clinic''s direction, the two staff members now engaged in discussion about a drinking party for later that day. Ami watched them a moment longer before she decided to leave when she happened to glance down where Xenon had fallen. Amazing that, a man his size, didn''t leave a crack on the marbled floor, and only it did when she hit him with her sword. A dark square of leather caught her attention a bit off where he had lain. Picking it up by the corner, it came open to reveal a wallet with an identification card in display. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Xlain Eulyses Nikyrian Ozz Nyxx Zilch. **************************************************************************** The next day turned out to be hectic for Xenon. He was asked to bake cakes and pastries for the weekly afternoon staff meeting. He was specifically requested by Doctor Enkil to bake the sweets as form of punishment for his latest fiasco the day before. He grimaced inwardly when he remembered what happened after his conversation with the mysterious girl in black. He recalled being sedated by the resident doctor that resulted to his involuntary and unexpected black out. He regretted ever thinking that it was possible to postpone his impending doom, although it was worth a try, the result did not turn out to be what he had anticipated. When it came to the Doctor, resistance is futile. No loopholes. He of all people should have known that. He had passed out for almost half an hour and when he came to, he was bombarded with unrestrained castigation from his "boss". His ears are still ringing from it up until now. Then after that, he was asked to take care of patients while the doctor left with Liz, seemingly to be in a good mood after venting her aggravation on him. To top all that, he noticed when he got back to the dorm that his wallet was missing. His identification card along with his most treasured possession (his brother and nephew''s photos) and all his credit cards were all there. He had spent the entire night searching for it but he did not find it. Hopefully someone had picked up and had returned it to the lost and found section. ***************************************************************************** Ami sighed. She had been staring at a picture of a cute baby she had found inside the wallet of the young man she had met the day before. She had been doing it for hours. The baby in the photo was simply irresistible. She wished it was not just the picture she was seeing. The baby, who looked about three years old was wearing a black cat costume while holding a black kitten with mismatched eyes - right side amber, left side blue. "This isn''t his baby picture, right?" She asked herself, inspecting the photo carefully. It cannot be that the cute little sweeting that she wants to squeeze desperately could have grown up to be an intimidating giant. She pouted and tipped her head to the side. If she remembers correctly, the young man yesterday had crimson eyes, blood red like the color of the monsters usually depicted in the movies and the baby had soft amber eyes, like the kitten. So it is possible that it is not his baby picture. Ami shook her head gently and returned the photo inside the wallet She had meant to return the wallet but when she saw the picture of the baby in it, she hesitated on ever returning it. She wants the photo so badly, she is planning on keeping the wallet for a few more days. She will eventually return it to its owner¡­..maybe. "He won''t notice, will he?" She asked mumbled, thinking of secretly keeping the picture when she returns the wallet. After a few moments of silence she shrugged. She was to lazy to think of the possibilities. "I''ll cross the bridge when I get there." She dropped the wallet on the pocket of her long skirt and marched to the library. *************************************************************************** "Good job, slave." Dr. Enkil beamed as she patted Xenon''s head like a pet dog. Xenon smiled in return. Grateful that the doctor was pleased. The meeting had just adjourned and the attendees were now leaving the premises. Only doctor Enkil and a few other faculty members remained. The headmaster was still on his seat, leisurely sipping the remaining mint tea. "You can leave now Xenon, you can take the leftover cakes if you want." Woody said beaming. "But leave the peach pie and the carrot cake alone." Xenon took the box of the remaining cake. "Until next time kid." "I''ll go ahead then." He said, bowing deeply before leaving the room. His next destination was the guard house. He was going to check if anyone had returned his lost wallet. He was passing through the library building hallway when he spotted a familiar slim figure. ***********************************************************************************************8 Ami stopped her tracks when she smelled a sweet fragrance wafting in the air. "Cake." She murmured. She lifted her nose and inhaled slowly, trying to pinpoint the location of the intoxicating aroma. It was, if she was not wrong, cream gateau with fresh fruits and based on the tangy, citrusy smell it has got to be filled with oranges and¡­..grapes. She closed her eyes for a moment letting the scent drown her senses. She turned her head to the direction of the sweet fragrance and then cursed with a soft "merde" after seeing the person approaching her direction. It was the young man she had encountered yesterday. He was the last thing she wanted to see. "Oh well." She said as her eyes fell on the cream colored box he was carrying in his right hand. He met her eyes when she looked up, a glint of recognition lighted his face when he saw her. He then smiled cheerfully as he ran towards her. "What''s this idiot smiling for? As if we''re friends." Ami thought. "Heya!" Xenon beamed happily. "You''re that girl from yesterday right?" Ami arched her brow. "Duh~ Is this guy some kind of moron? Of course I''m that girl. Isn''t it obvious?" She mused. "Unless you''re not the guy brutally dragged to the infirmary yesterday morning, no I''m not that girl." Xenon grinned. "You''re her alright." Xenon scratched his nape, remembering his wallet. "Say, miss have you seen a black wallet yesterday while we were talking?" Silence. Ami debated between telling him the truth and lying to him. She wondered why she was even hesitating. If it was someone else, she would lie with no second thoughts. But this guy seemed to be too¡­..she can not even find the right word to describe what he is...to be deceived. "That wallet is really important to me you know, I''ll do everything just to get it back." Xenon added when she did not respond. On those words, Ami''s ears perked up. "Everything you say?" She said, smiling malevolently at him. If it was any other sensible person who saw the smile on her face at that moment, that person would have had bolted away and migrated to another country, changed name and went under plastic surgery. But Xenon has a twisted rationality inherent to assassins and that for him, that was a normal, not disturbingly creepy smile. Xenon beamed, nodding enthusiastically. Ami studied his expression. It was a genuine smile, as if he did not notice the malice that laced the smile she gave him. "For sure? Anything?" She asked, her steel gray eyes piercing his. "Yes. Anything." He confirmed. There was another pause and then Xenon noticed her gaze shifted to the box in his hand. He tilted his head, surveying her reaction. "I wonder¡­" He thought. "Does she like cake?" Only one way to find out. Xenon transferred the box from his right hand to his left while observing her impassive face. He chuckled when her gaze followed the box. "What if I tell you, I know where you''re wallet is at." She said, eyes still fixed on the cake. "Really? Where is it? Can you tell me?" He asked eagerly. Ami cleared her throat and looked up at him. "For a price." She said with no reservations. "Name it." He countered confidently. "The cake in your hand¡­.." She said. "Sure." He said earnestly handing her the cake. "Along with a box of pastries like this everyday for the rest your life here in HADES, preferably with grapes or bilberry." She continued, accepting the cake. "Sure no problem." Xenon replied. Ami looked up at him in surprise. Unbelievable. He was taking all her demands in all readiness. This guy is really something. He could be just generous or simply stupid. She opted for the latter. "No kidding?" She asked still a bit suspicious. "I said anything, right?" He replied, scratching the tip of his nose. "You swear it?" She asked. "You have my word." He said, etching a cross on his heart. Ami shrugged. "Ok then¡­.you''ll get it tomorrow." Upon hearing those words Xenon''s shoulders drooped. He was hoping he could get his wallet back by today. Ami felt a bit sorry for him. He looked liked a wounded puppy but she has no choice. She wants to make certain he will keep his word so he has to wait until tomorrow. Staring at him looking dejected made her remember the photo of the baby in the wallet. "One more thing¡­." "Yes?" Xenon replied glumly. "What if something went missing inside your wallet?" "I won''t mind as long as it¡¯s not the photos." "Photos?" She asked feigning interest. "Yeah¡­.I have the photos of my nephew in there along with my older brother''s." He replied. Ami secretly sighed in relief. It was not his baby picture after all. It would be appalling and creepy for her part to have had felt cuddly for the baby that had grown up to be such a scary giant. "You have a nephew?" She asked, wanting to know more about the baby. It was unacceptable to her that someone like this intimidating young man could have such a cute relative. It was totally unfair. "Yeah¡­." He replied gloomily. From the looks of it, he seemed to be getting more and more depressed so Ami quickly changed the topic before it gets worse. "I''m Ami Daeth by the way." She introduced, bowing like what her Grandfather had taught her. For her, it was more convenient since she does not like shaking hands. "Xlain Eulyses Nykyrian Ozz Nyxx Zilch." He introduced, bowing the way she did. He was relieved when she did not extend her hand for a hand shake. It would have been awkward and rude if she had and he would not accept it. "You can call me Ami or D. Whichever suits you." "Okay¡­.You can call me.." "Xlain." She supplied. "Why?" Xenon stared at her in surprise. She choose the name his brother calls him. She was the only person other than Xanxus to address him that. Ami shrugged. "I like it." She declared. "Makes it sound like I''ve slain you every time I say that and besides, it''s a syllable shorter than Xenon." Xenon chuckled. So that was the reason. "Uhmmm...well then I should get going." "Sure, tomorrow then." After they said their goodbyes, both had unexplainable feelings squirming in their chests, both whom didn''t know how to name it. For Xenon, it was the feeling of finding someone who did not scream or faint in his presence. It was the first time he met someone like Ami. She reminds him of her deceased sister-in-law. Someone who could accept him as he is, someone he could act normal around. No need for pretensions or a fa?ade of intimidation. He felt free while talking with her. She was the first female of his age that had a conversation with him that long. It was amazing. Finally he could talk to someone else other than Abaven, his room mate and the staff of the school. The talk he had with Ami was refreshing and it was novelty that he would never forget. Even though their conversation had been a little off, it felt normal. He knew then, the moment she spoke to her, they will be sharing a bond together. By the time he got back to the dorms, he had one mission set on his mind. He is going to make her his friend. As for Ami, it was a strange feeling, alien even. She was not able to identify it. It was odd. Xlain was the first person she had a straight conversation with. She did not have to lie. His candour was infectious. She had never had any regards with the opposite sex, she finds them useless, boorish, abusive and disgusting but with Xenon she did not feel like that. He was like her grandpa, someone who was straight forward and who looked at the world with no prejudice or malice. True, she might have mistaken him for someone malicious but it was her prejudice towards all men that made her do that. In the end she found the truth about him and even if she would deny its existence, something like a bond of some sort had already started between them . It was scary to think she talked to him without getting bored. Maybe it was high time she should get a friend. But only this once. *********************************************************************************************** As promised the next day, Xenon handed Ami the pastries they had agreed upon and Ami returned the wallet without taking the photo. She figured out that if she would hang out wind him more she would eventually meet the cute baby and have her photo taken with him and she could cuddle him to death. They agreed on meeting at the hallway leading to the cafeteria and having breakfast together every day so that Ami could get her sweet treats before class. They had been doing that routine for weeks and Xenon had noticed that something had changed. The mob attacks from fangirls had become fewer and fewer each week. He knew it was because Ami was with him but what he did not know was that, everybody thought them an item and because both were too oblivious about the gossip among students, it took some time for them to know that. It was one morning when Xenon handed Ami a voodoo doll of himself that the rumours made itself known to them. "Hey, this is for you by the way." Xenon announced unceremoniously, handing Ami a doll that looked like a miniature replica of himself. The doll looked uncannily like him that it was creepy. Ami stared at the doll for a few moment, disinterested she replied with a lazy "Yeah thanks, whatever." Then hitched the doll on Masume''s fuchi like one would on a cell phone accessory, it was made into a trinket. The girls who were in the vicinity started to squeal. "We want one too!!" They kept doing that for about ten seconds until Ami glared at them. Xenon added salt to their wounds when he said out loud, "Sorry ladies but it''s only handmade for special people, which isn''t anyone of you." They girls left crying their hearts out. "That was harsh." Ami commented, deliberately ignoring the sappy things Xenon jut declared. "Hey, what can I say, a dozen broken hearts a day¡­.ah forget it. I know you''re too lazy to listen." Xenon said, cutting himself off. Ami just smirked. "Well...well...well¡­. What have we here? You two lovebirds out for a stroll eh?" Someone said from behind them. Ami and Xenon turned to deliver a death glare to the person who just spoke. They were not least bit surprised when they saw Abaven Shahe, Xenon''s roommate leaning towards them, his hands on his pockets and grinning at them while he wiggled his well-trimmed brows. "Shut it Shahe." Xenon retorted. "What did I do now?" He asked innocently. "We''re not lovers, okay?" Xenon spat acidly. "Hey, don''t bite my head off. I was merely stating the obvious. It''s known in the whole academy you know. In case you haven''t noticed, everyone has branded you ''The Dark Couple''." Abaven stated making air quotes with his hands. "Quite apropos if you ask me." He said, nodding to himself as he appraised the two who were both wearing black. "Never seen a more perfect couple, except of course Fallon and me. We would be a more perfect pair, of course there''s no contest to that. As to the couple thing, I''m still working on it. She''s one tough cookie." There he goes again, ranting to himself. He was being a nuisance¡­.as usual. "Don''t make me repeat myself Shahe." Xenon warned between gritted teeth. "Okay, okay. Sheesh." He said holding his hands up in surrender. "Don''t get your pan---" He cut off when he saw the look the girl beside Xenon was wearing. She was smiling at him. She was beautiful for sure, but she was not his type and besides the smile she was giving him was the scariest he had ever seen. As if she was plotting something evil against his beautiful self. Abaven shuddered. Unbeknownst to Abaven, Ami was indeed planning the most painful way to torture him. "Okay I get it. You''re not a couple¡­..then what are you?" He asked, slowly taking a step back in case the girl beside Xenon might think of whacking him with the sword in her hand. "We''re friends." Xenon replied, beaming. "No we''re not." Ami countered. "In denial aren''t we?" Abaven chuckled. Ami raised her sheathed sword to Abaven''s face. Abaven took another step backward. "Hey, now." He turned to Ami. "If you''re not friends then, what is he to you?" Xenon rolled his eyes in aggravation. Count on Abaven to be persistent, he''ll accomplish it with 190% proficiency. You won''t even need to ask him to do that, he will do it himself. "He''s my supplier." She replied. Abaven stared at Xenon in surprise. "I didn¡¯t know you were into that kind of thing!" He accused, feigning hurt. "We''ve been roommates for ages and you didn''t even tell me! You hurt me brother." He clutched a fist on chest and gave Xenon a condemning look. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? I ain''t your brother." Xenon slapped his forehead in frustration. "Enough with the dramatics, Shahe. It''s only been two years since we''ve become roommates, moron and it''s not what you think dumbass." "Is he always like this?" Ami asked curiously. Xlain''s roommate might have the same looks as him but the similarities end there. "It''s worse when he''s drunk." Xenon answered. ¡°He¡¯s such a pain¡­¡± He groaned. Abaven turned to Xenon and smiled. ¡°That¡¯s what you like about me, that¡¯s why we¡¯re close.¡± ¡°Oh, shut up. You¡¯re like a mold.¡± Xenon spat. ¡°Yeah, one that¡¯s already much attached to you, like it or not.¡± He countered, much to Xenon¡¯s annoyance, it was true no matter how much he denies it. Abaven then turned his attention back to Ami. "Hey missy, want me to be your supplier instead?" He said winking at Ami. Ami made a choking noise, swung her sword and was about to hit Abaven straight on the face if not for Xenon''s intervention. He caught Masume before it hit the mark. "No need to get violent." Xenon said calmly, slowly pushing Masume away from Abaven''s face. Abaven seem unfazed for he continued bombarding them with questions as if his treasured face was not in jeopardy a moment ago. "So what does she supply you with?" "None of your business." Ami snapped. "I can get you whatever he does." He offered graciously. "I doubt it." Ami countered. Xenon chuckled. Abaven shrugged. "Well then, you act as if he''s more than a supplier. Makes me wonder why you hang out together." Ami and Xenon both gave him mysterious smiles. "Birds of a feather¡­." Ami started. "Hunt together." Xenon finished. With those words, the two left Abaven staring at their backs, still figuring them out. Up until now, the two could be always seen together and Abaven whose playful nature can never be contained would always tease them, much to their chagrin. Chapter End. TBC > Chapter 2: From One Sh*thole to Another 4 years ago German Army Camp - Nuthersten, Germany "I''m leaving." Diether announced unceremoniously as he closed the door of his grandfather''s study behind him. "What?" Diether sneered at his grandfather''s reply. The general didn''t even bother to look up from the documents he was reading spread on his study table, an indication he wasn''t being taken seriously. "You might as well cut your ears off since they don''t seem to serve their purpose anymore." Diether commented with a scoff. Gen. Arnolf Schwartz looked up with a glare at the face of his grandson. What sneered back at him was the face that he possessed in his younger days. Not even his own son took after him, it was his grandson who became his exact replica. "You are not leaving." He firmly said, and then went back to his papers. Diether dissolved into a maniacal laugh when he saw the look his grandfather just gave him. If he was half the age he already is, he would have cowered in fear. But instead, he found it hysterically comical that he had, for years feared that glare. Now to him, it was only his grandfather''s way of asserting his non-existent control over him. Fuck that. The pain his grandfather used to threaten him with had already became his best friend. "I AM LEAVING." He repeated through gritted teeth, sobering up a little. "Didn''t you hear me? I''ll gladly cut off your ears for you if they''re not of any use anymore." He offered graciously. "No you are not, Diether." He said, ignoring his grandson''s sudden outburst. "BULLSH*T!" Diether snapped. "We are not having this conversation old man! I am leaving and you know it. I will leave this f*cking hell hole and you will not f*cking stop me." "Watch your mouth you insolent-" "Shut the f*ck up!" Diet interrupted. "I will find you and drag you back." His grandfather replied nonchalantly as Diether started to walk away. Diether paused and turned back. He looked at his grandfather and gave the general his best maniacal smile. "Go ahead, I''d like to see you try. And on the account that you ever do, which I highly doubt but anticipate, I swear on your grave old man that I will kill you with my bare hands. I''ll detach your limbs piece by piece as you scream and I''ll relish every moment of it." With those words, Diether left the study, slamming the door shut behind him, leaving the fierce general feeling shaken for the first time in his whole life and the mahogany double doors broken off its hinges. Diether went straight to his room and stuffed all his things, which weren''t much into his duffel bag. He gave one last look at his spacious but barren room. He hated that room. The whitewashed walls that had been his prison and torture chamber for the past 9 years of his life, where he has slept and hurt without food nor water for weeks on end. "Good riddance." He smirked as he left the room. Diet glanced at his wristwatch. The time says 10:15. He smiled maliciously as he made his way to the hall and into the airstrip. "Time to threaten the pilot~." "Alpha One, this is Foxtrot Two preparing for take off. Destination, Alighieri Island. Objective, supply conveyance" The pilot announced on the radio attached on his helmet as he prepared the chopper for take off. He was so engrossed with his work that he barely noticed as an unwanted passenger climbed on the back of the pilot''s seat. "Heya, Monty!" Diet called out, grinning. The pilot gave a start and turned back. He noticeably paled when he saw who was behind him. "D-d-diether?" "My name is pronounced with a single D, a**hole." Monty visible gulped. "W-what are you doing here?" "You won''t mind if I hitch a ride to Alighieri, will you?" Diet asked, threat underlining his question. "Don''t tell me you would deny this privilege to the grandson of the General?" "Well¡­n-not particularly¡­n-no¡­" "Good." Diet said as he settled himself at the back seat. "B-but does the general-" "He knows, if that''s what you ask. But I doubt it if he approves. Never mind though. Carry on, we''ll be out of schedule if you won''t fly this piece of junk anytime sooner." Monty contemplated for a moment. He was sandwiched between a rock and a hard place. He knows well that Diether hadn''t been away from the camp without his grandfather''s approval. The General will have him sacked if he finds out he was the one who transported Diether out of the Germany. But Diether will surely kill him if he refuses the request. The pilot took a deep breath and decided. He will take his chances with the General. Getting sacked and maybe tortured would be bad, but at least he would still be breathing. If he''d choose refusing Diether, he would be dead in flash, and Diether would find another pilot to threaten. "What¡¯s taking it so long Monty? I''m getting bored here." Sweat trickled down his face when Monty felt something cold and sharp poke him on his nape. "I-I''m on it, D-d-diether." He mumbled as he took the chopper off the ground. "I told you my name is pronounced with a single D, a**hole." He said, slamming the pilot''s head on the control panel. Diether grinned as he pocketed his Nieto ware fare knife. He lifted his feet and crossed them on the pilot''s headrest, hitting the pilot''s head with his combat boots in the process. Monty didn''t protest unless he wanted to die. "It did occur to you you''d be sacked and probably be tortured when you get back." Diether stated. "Y-yes." "If you want, I can kill you to save you the trouble." Diether offered. "N-no thanks. I think I''d rather take my chances." Monty replied. "At least I''d be breathing." "Suit yourself." Diether shrugged as he closed his eyes and stretched in the backseat. "Don''t wake me up unless we''re there." A few hours later. Landing strip - Alighieri Island. It had been two hours since they landed and Monty did not try waking Diether up. He''d rather jump off a cliff than do so. Considering Diether''s unstable behaviour, he''d rather let Diether wake himself up. Diether had been his batch mate in the Military Academy but the kid is five years younger than him and unlike Diether he wasn''t a soldier. He wasn''t afraid of Diether, he was afraid of the kid''s capabilities and his unpredictable state of mind. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Monty fidgeted as a black car parked near the chopper and a two of men emerged from it. One man was huge and bulky, he wearing a black suit. The other man was lean and tall, he was wearing clothes that defied the rational mode of clothing when out under the blazing sun. The man in question was in a long overcoat and was wearing a pair of Ray Ban UV glasses. He approached first, followed by a man in a suit. "Tristan Silag." He introduced offering a hand. "Montgomery von Strauss." Monty took it, gave a firm shake and let go. "What can I do for you Mr. Silag?" "Shade if you please. We have received information that you have a passenger named Diether Kreuz Schwartz abroad this helicopter." He said staring at the chopper and at the slumbering form in back of the pilot''s seat. "I believe that is him?" "Yes sir." "Good." He nodded, then turned to the other man. "Take him away." The man in a suit tapped Diether''s shoulders. Diether awoke with a stranger''s face looming over him. "Good afternoon Mr. Schwartz. We have orders to take you in our custody. Please remain calm and I will escort you to the vehicle." The stranger said. "What the f*ck?" Were the first words that came out of Diether''s mouth. "You will be taken to H.A.D.E.S. momentarily." "H.A.D.E.S.? What the f*ck is that?" Diether retorted. "I came her to make a living dude not to be shipped on some f*cking institution." He grabbed his duffel and hopped of the chopper. He walked past Monty and said, "The old man''s gonna torture you just like the way he does with me all the time, when you get back." He sneered. "You''ll live¡­.not." Then he walked away laughing maniacally. "Sir, permission to use force to retrieve subject." The man in the suit said. "No need." Shade calmly replied. Diether frowned when he couldn''t lift his feet off the ground. He tried to move his hand and found out he was completely immobilized. He looked down and saw that he seemed to have been rooted on the spot by his own shadow. "Son of a b*tch." At least, his mouth was still working. Shade chuckled darkly as he approached the young man. Diether glared at him. "Mr. Schwartz, I am pleased to inform you that you have been enrolled in our institution as a freshman student." "You''re taking me to a school?! Who did this? I''m gonna f*cking rip his throat off." "No one Mr. Schwartz. Our institution admits students with ''special'' abilities to enhance it for their benefit." "You expect me to believe that sh*t?" "Yes, as for the obvious fact that you have no other choice." "Right. From one sh*t hole and into another. Great! Just what I needed." "I believe you have some sort of misunderstanding with your grandfather?" Diether arched a brow. "Now that''s the understatement of the century, misunderstanding my a*s. How the heck did you know that?" "We have our ways." Shade said mysteriously. "I would just like to inform you Mr. Schwartz, there''s no better hiding place than H.A.D.E.S. and we provide everything for our students." Diether gave him a sceptical look. "We could use someone like you in the institution." Diether pondered for a moment. It was a better deal than he could hope for. He''d come to Alighieri hoping to work as a mercenary in the Island but he didn''t know where to start, might as well give H.A.D.E.S. a try. He gave the man in UV shades a once over. He knew he was the cause of his immobility and judging from his way of dress and manner, he guessed that the man might be a teacher. "I''m Diether Kreuz Schwartz, sir." The last word tasted like acid in his mouth. "When do I start?" Shade chuckled as he released the young man from his binding. "Immediately. Please get in the car." "Sure Teach, whatever." Diether said as he walked to the car. Before he got in, he yelled out pointing at Monty who seem to have been ostracized from their conversation. "You''ll kill him to keep the secrecy, won''t you?" Monty held his breath. "We''re not that cruel Mr. Schwartz. He''ll be sent somewhere for a memory swipe and he will not have any recollection of having you passenger in the helicopter when he travelled here." Shade explained. "Pfft. So much for optimism. That''s no fun." Diether scoffed and got in the car. "He''s got attitude, that one." The man in the suit commented. "Don''t worry. I''ve handled worse." Present. 7:10 School Gate. Deither lazily sipped the coffee he got from the nearby cafe as he languidly walked into the school gates. Everyone else around him was running just to get to the Assembly hall in time. Diether observed them as a predator choosing prey. Old and new students alike bustled around but nobody dared bother him, unconsciously everyone kept their distances. He spotted a couple of students huddled together. From the looks of them, they were new. "Hmmm...Fresh meat." He mumbled on his coffee. He grinned as he saw Shade approaching. "Heya Teach, good mornin''." He greeted with a drawl. "Good morning to you too. You seem to be in a good mood Mr. Schwartz." Shade greeted back. "Hmmm¡­" Shade chuckled. "You better hurry up or you''ll be late for the morning announcements." "Nah...I don''t think so." "Well then, might as well help out welcoming the new students." "Me?" Diether guffawed so hard the entering students paused on their tracks and stared. "You must be out of your mind Mr. S." Diether said, clutching his sides but was careful not to spill his coffee. "If I wanted to do that, I would have joined the pathetic welcoming committee." Shade shrugged. "Never mind, I asked the wrong person." "You''re killing me Mr. S." He was still laughing. "But if you could find a freshman who wouldn''t curdle up like dairy with my charming smile, I''d treat you and your girlfriend on a Caribbean cruise this weekend." Shade raised a brow. "And if I lose?" "You''ll have to treat me on a Caribbean cruise this weekend." "Fair enough." -chapter end- Chapter 3: Black and Black Chapter 3: Black and Black Xenon awoke at the first beep of his digital clock. He slammed a hand on it to stop it. He slowly got up and took a quick glance on the LCD screen. The red light blared 4:00 a.m. Xenon sighed. "First day of school." He muttered. "Time to get ready." He fixed his bed and noticed that the other one was empty and was in its usual disarray. "Seems like he didn''t go home last night." He shrugged. Abaven might have partied all night. He went to the fridge and took a bottle of water. He took a swig and noticed the phone''s red light was blinking, an indication that a message was left on the answering machine. He walked to the phone, pressed a button and Abaven''s deep baritone filled the silent room. "Hey bro, I won''t be home tonight. Just called to remind you to lock the doors and windows before you go to sleep and when you get to the bathroom¡­...don''t forget tomorrow''s the start of¡­.." "Sheesh! I know, I know." He grumbled turning the machine off, not bothering to hear the rest of the message. "Damn. How many times do I have to tell him not to call me that?" Xenon cringed. "He''s the one to talk. He shouldn''t have partied all night if he knew school''s about to start." He went to the wide windows and opened it, letting the breeze in. While Xenon changed into his sweat pants and running shoes, the wind went in and circled the whole room sweeping the note that was loosely posted on the bathroom wall. The note that had been there since early afternoon yesterday, fell and unnoticed by Xenon flew out the window. Xenon went to straight to bed yesterday and wasn''t able to see the note, if he had seen it, it would have read: Hey Bro, Dr. Enkil told me earlier to remind you that she reminded you that tomorrow''s the start of full moon week. She said you should check yourself before you leave the room or you''ll be in big trouble. Don''t forget to lock the door and the windows. I''ll call you in the evening to make sure you get the message. Won''t be sleeping with you tonight. Lock the door and the windows. XOXO, Abaven Xenon changed into his black cotton pants, black sleeveless shirt and his black running shoes. He grabbed his ipod and hitched it in his armband. He took his customized skull candy headphones and placed it around his neck. He snatched Quaun and Ubry on his night table and dropped them in the pocket of his pants before he left the room. He headed straight to the sports complex and started to warm up. The well-lit grounds were empty except for the occasional patrol guards. After a few minutes of warming up, he started his morning routine. After about an hour of exercise, Xenon went back to his dorm room. He strapped Quaun and Ubry on his black coffin back pack and took off his clothes before heading for the shower. At about 6:30 Xenon was out of the bathroom. After draping a towel around his waist, he went to the fridge to get the bilberry pie he made yesterday, grabbed his back pack, his room key and left after locking the door. He walked to the academic building without meeting anyone. He spotted Ami standing on the hallway leading to the cafeteria. They always have breakfast together before class. As always, she was in her usual gloomy self. He frowned when she approached. She was raising a brow at him and was giving him a look that he could only identify as disgust. Despite that, he smiled and greeted her with a cheerful "Good morning". Ami merely tsked. "What?" He asked, handing her the box of bilberry pie. "You should be dead already." She replied, accepting the box. "I''m wondering how you made it this far without dying." "What did I do?" He asked, confused by her cryptic words. "That''s the problem right? You¡­...didn''t do anything...obviously." She retorted. "Huh?" Ami sighed in exasperation. "Do you know what today is?" She asked. "Start of term." Xenon promptly replied. "Guess not¡­." She groaned. It wasn''t the answer she was hoping for. "It''s the start of school right? Right?" He asked. "Must we do this every month Xlain? Didn''t Abaven remind you?" "I don''t need to be reminded by him of anything." Xenon retorted indignantly. Ami growled and whacked him in the forehead with her Masume. Out of reflex, Xenon quickly shielded his forehead with his left hand. She always hits him when she gets annoyed, so Xenon had adapted a reflex whenever she raises her hand. "Ooow!" "You''re faking it." Ami spat. She knew too well that didn''t hurt him at all. It was more of a stimulus response on her action that caused him to yelp in pain. "Why''d you hit me?" Xenon chuckled "That''s bilberry pie by the way, what do you want for tomorrow?" He said, pointing to the box in her hand. "You''re being your usual stupid self." She replied. "And you''re changing the topic." "Am not." Ami rolled her eyes in annoyance. Why is she acquainted with this idiot? She should better make him see what he is missing before he gets into trouble. Not that she does not want to see that but for today, she is too busy to witness him suffer. It is the first day of school after all. "Did you look into the mirror before you got out of your room?" She asked. "Uhmmmm¡­..m-maybe?" He answered uneasily. He did not remember looking at the mirror before he left. This conversation seemed to be heading straight to another episode of his impending doom. "Riiiiiiiiiiight¡­..apparently you didn''t dumbo. Girls who saw you walking here have already fainted by now, not to mention having nosebleeds." She remarked sardonically. "Dr. Enkil''s gonna kill you." What she said was a fact, not an opinion. "Why?" He asked. "I didn''t do anything." Ami gave him a thorough once-over and nodded to herself. "Yup, that''s the reason." Xenon followed her gaze and almost gave out an expletive he didn''t dare say in Ami''s presence when he saw what he was wearing, actually more of what he wasn''t wearing. The only semblance of clothing that covered him was his black cotton towel and it barely concealed his body. Half of his thighs were showing and his long hair was still dripping wet. Ami tipped her head and sneered. As usual she was unfazed by his state of undress. "You forgot that today''s the start of full moon week, didn''t you?" She smiled maliciously at him. The look on his face was priceless. Xenon was speechless for a moment. He slapped a hand on his forehead. How could he have forgotten what today is? Ami was right, he is dead or he will soon be once Dr. Enkil finds out he went out mostly naked. "You better retrace your steps before Dr. Enkil spots you, Xlain." She suggested. That was good advice, but it''s one that was all too late. When Ami peeked over Xenon''s shoulder, Dr. Enkil was already storming her way through their general direction. The doctor didn''t look pleased, not that it''s not normal for her but the expression she was wearing was enough to make you wish you never existed. "Too late Xlain." She smiled evilly at Xenon, then strategically stepped away to avoid Dr. Enkil''s line of vision. She figured out, it was better if the doctor did not see her. Even if it seemed rude to not greet an elder, it was practical not to since she did not want to be caught up with the same dilemma Xenon was in at the moment. "My dear slave, how good to see you this fine Monday morning." Dr. Enkil sweetly crooned, her voice thickly laced with poison enough to kill a herd of rhinos. Ami smiled evilly when she saw the look on Xenon''s face. He was almost as pale as she was and that''s saying something. Although he looked very fresh, it was evident that sweat drops had formed on his forehead and now slowly dripping on the sides of his petrified face. Xenon froze when he heard the voice. There was no mistaking it, he did not have to turn around to know who just spoke behind him. Xenon pondered on his next move. He has options but, they seem to leading to only one way - hell. Option #1 - Run away and head back to the dorm room, act as if nothing happened. Option #2 - Turn around, greet Dr. Enkil with a smile, act as if nothing happened and be berated. Option #3 - Ask Ami for help Option #4 - Stay frozen and strive to be unnoticed. Option #1 had failed countless of times before. It only works on fan girls, never on the doctor. He''ll be shot with a tranquilizer within ten paces, dragged to the clinic while unconscious and be castigated for the rest of the day when he wakes up. Option #2 is quite risky and dangerous but not something that has not already happened. In fact, it happens all the time that it seems like his day won''t be complete without it. Option #3 is out of the question since Ami seemed to be enjoying witnessing his demise in the shadows. He could see her covering her mouth to suppress any sound coming out of it. Option #4 is stupid. He could never get away with acting inconspicuous. With his large frame, he is impossible to miss besides, he will never be mistaken as anyone else other than Abaven or himself. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. He chose the second option. He glued a smile on his lips, turned around and was about to say his greeting when "SMACK!" something thick hit him straight on the face. "Newspaper." He guessed. Thank the gods it was not her fist or her heels. "You are so IN-CO-RRI-GI-BLE!" Dr. Enkil said, whacking him with every syllable she uttered. "How many times do I have to tell you that you''re allowed to skip the first period during full moon week?" She added, still hitting him. Xenon just stood there, taking the hit with no complaints. After years of experience under the doctor''s unmerciful hands, the whacks she was giving him did not hurt anymore. His body was already immune to her blows. Nevertheless, he needs to fake it or else the doctor will find out. One thing was for sure though, he''ll have a huge red spot on his forehead for the rest of the day. "Oooow! But Doctor, it''s the start of the school term today." Xenon reasoned out. "I can''t afford to play truant." "Don''t give me that crap!" She snapped. She was still continuously hitting him with the rolled up newspaper as she spoke. "Doctor¡­" Xenon winced, unable to protest. "Shut it!" Dr. Enkil spat. "How many times do you have to be reminded that you can play hooky during full moon week, huh? We''ve been doing this for years! How thick is that skull of yours?! Do you know how much casualties we had last month? You weren''t eve naked then. For a slave, you''re such a pain. I don''t need another brother, Maron is a handful already and you''re adding up to my workload. Geez, it would be much convenient if I can sedate you all day but who would take care of the patients¡­.You''re a headache." She said raising a brow. "Imbecilic, immature delinquent! Learn to save your princely hide will you? You''re brother''s not here to save it for you." She gave him one last smack before she took off her lab coat and grudgingly shoved it on Xenon''s face. "Cover yourself." Xenon took the coat and shrugged it on. The doctor seemed to have calmed a bit after her litany. She was right, his brother wasn''t there to save his hide every time he creates a blunder. He was about to thank the doctor when a student came running in their direction. The student gave a hasty greeting then said, "The head of the girls dorm is looking for you doctor." After that, the student bowed again and left. Xenon was sure he heard the air around the doctor crackle. He sighed, bowed down his head, stared at his bare toes for a moment and when he looked up, the doctor''s beautiful face turned into one of those oni masks his brother brought him one time when Xanxus came back from Japan. With no inhibitions at all, the doctor grabbed a handful of his hair, twisted it and yanked -- hard. Xenon cringed but did not protest, all he did was follow when the doctor started to move. He saw Ami scribble something on a piece of paper, attached on one of her little knives and threw it at him. He caught it in one hand, unfurled the note that read: Will be here. Come before first period. Good luck Xlain, you''re dead. ¡­...fufufufufufufufu Xenon chuckled as he saw her disappear from one of the pillars that lined the vast hallway. *************************************************************************************** Glancing on his wristwatch, Xenon hastened his pace. It was already 7:00 a.m. He shrugged on his sleeveless pirate coat and combed his hair with his hand. After an almost thirty minute hell with Dr. Enkil, he was not able to properly dress himself when he got back to the boy''s dorm. After the incident in the hallway, Dr. Enkil dragged him back to his room, grabbed some clothes, threw it at him and ordered him to change in one minute. Luckily the clothes she grabbed were easy to put on. His favorite jolly roger shirt, a pair of artistically ripped loose black pants and his red and black sleeveless pirate coat. He was still hopping on his left army boot when the doctor grabbed his ear and towed him to the girls'' dormitory where he was ordered to heal the students who fainted. As for the meantime, he was on his way to the cafeteria¡­..again. He was halfway through when he saw a girl in a black dress walking in circles just up ahead. She looked lost. Xenon took the liberty to approach her. She did not even notice his presence not until she bumped into him. There was a loud "THUD" and the girl fell back but Xenon caught her before she could hit the floor. ***************************************************************************************Felicienne Corleone closed her eyes, the moment she hit something hard. She felt herself tumble back. She braced herself, anticipating a fall on the marble floor. She was surprised when instead of the cold surface, she felt a pair of strong warm arms enveloping her body. After that, she was set straight on her feet. "Are you alright?" She heard a voice ask, and based on its deep baritone it belonged to a male. She nodded, eyes still closed. "Thank goodness." She heard him sigh in relief. Felicienne opened her eyes and what she saw squatting in front of her was a pirate. *************************************************************************************** "Sorry for bumping into you." Xenon apologized.. "You seem lost. New student?" He asked. The girl in black nodded shyly at him. "Are you heading to the Assembly hall?" He asked eyeing a piece of paper clutched in her hands. "Y-yes." She replied. "May I see that?" He said, gesturing at the paper. Hesitantly, the girl handed the piece of paper. Xenon took the paper and examined it. As he thought, it was a map of the school. An inaccurate one at that. He shook his head, folded the paper twice and returned it to the little girl. "That map won¡¯t get you anywhere near the Assembly hall." He commented, reaching for his coffin shaped bag. The chains wrapped around it clinked together as he rummaged inside. He produced a small pamphlet, took out a red marking pen and started to scribble. "Where''d you get that map anyway?" He asked. "Uhhhmm¡­.." "Here." He said handing the pamphlet to the girl. "It''s the official map of the whole school. I marked the fastest way to the Assembly hall and all the entrances and exits as well as the facilities and the ''STAY AWAY'' places." "Thank you." She said smiling as she took the pamphlet. Xenon stood up. "Well then, I better get going." He said, swinging his bag on his back. "Welcome to HADES by the way." He added, then left for the cafeteria. ********************************************************************************************* Ami was on the exact spot with the exact same look about herself where he had left her earlier, making him wonder if she even moved at all. "You''re late." She said, as she turned her back and walked towards the cafeteria. "Sorry." He apologized, grinning sheepishly. "You''re the only pirate in the world who''s a diplomat." Ami commented. Xenon chuckled. "Yeah." They walked together side by side. To the students of HADES, this couple clad in black is just common sight, nevertheless they still provoke questions, questions that would never be answered for no couple could be more compelling and intimidating as this two in HADES. Nobody knows if they''re dating. Rumour has it that they do, but no one has yet confirmed it. Nobody dared asked. A blond student eyed them in particular. Some freshmen stared out of curiosity. Fan girls stayed out of sight and are trying their best to conceal their presence from the girl walking beside Xenon. ******************************************************************************************************* After breakfast, the two headed straight to the Assembly hall. Students entering the hall eyed them, their opinions of the couple safe inside their little minds. Anyway, even if they voiced them out, the two would not give a damn. Voices of screaming girls echoed in the distance. Ami and Xenon looked at each other and at the same time, uttered one single name. "Abaven". Before they entered the hall, Xenon felt something crawl down his spine. He spun around and scanned his surroundings. "What the heck was that." He uttered, surprised when he heard the same words coming from Ami. He looked at her and saw that she was looking at him as well. They stared at each other''s eyes for a moment, then shrugged. "Something wicked¡­.." "This way comes¡­.." Xenon walked besides Ami, into the assembly hall bustling with special students. -chapter end- Notes from the Author Hi everyone! Just some things I''d like to say. Accel Rush was an concept for an RP made by a close friend. She made the RP a couple of years back probably 4-5 years or so. I was one of the people who joined the RP. Xenon and Zero (who is from another RP) are my characters. Zero was actually one of the first detailed characters I made for an RP. Sadly the RP which I created Zero for didn''t push through and I was left with just a character. Then my friend made Accel Rush and again I joined making a new character which is Xenon. The start of the RP was quite great and a lot of people participated but when it came to posting most people failed to write their parts. In the end, the Accel Rush didn''t push through as well. That didn''t faze my friend so she made another one with the same name on a different site. This time, I joined and made several characters. Since I had a lot of free time that time. I made two more and joined with Xenon and Zero in tow. Sadly the third attempt didn''t push through as well since their weren''t many people who joined. I liked the characters I made so I made a lot of short stories about them. Eventually I found a job and was too busy to work on my writing more. I wasn''t really able to publish my works anywhere except maybe for some. So when I a friend suggested this site some time a week ago I found I could post my works here and share them here. For the meantime I will keep the original title until such time I could think of something better. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Someone might read this who have joined Accel Rush before. Yes, I have asked permission for the usage of the concept from the intellectual owner and she agreed. English isn''t my first language so if you see any grammar errors or things of the like please let me know so I can correct them. I am open to suggestions and criticisms, what is writing if you don''t know how to accept those. Also thank you for taking the time to read my work I appreciate it. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I sincerely apologize for the late chapter updates. My dad was in an accident a few months ago and I''m attending to him at the moment. He''s recovering now and I try to steal time to write more often. I will upload the next two chapters soon. So please hang in there and thank you for reading!