This monster post is PART 2 of the team effort made by the following: KumoriKitsune, Lloyd999, Alle9009, Moahi, Pandora's Melancholy, Xunnamius. Wow!

---

"Hahaha, good joke Damien!" Enn laughed brightly as he turned to face the other members, who looked like they weren't sure what to make of him. Looking at them, Enn felt himself brightening. More people to fight, and maybe they wouldn't be as weak as the one's him and Damien taken down earlier! The menacing aura around Enn grew larger as he raised his arms fluidly, and Shou closed his eyes in what looked like a prayer as a smile worthy of being in a slasher movie grew across Enn's face. The upperclassmen gulped nervously as one, sweat trickling down their backs.

Enn darted forwards so fast that he was almost a blur, eyes wide with maniacal glee. "Let's play~!"

Damien ignored the terrified screams, childish cackling and the sounds of flesh hitting flesh as he walked to the boss. Finally, he stood right in front of Ishiki looking him right into the eyes. He dropped the man he dragged previously.

Ishiki sighed, bringing his hand to his neck once more. Where were all of these people even coming from? They needed a new secret location after this. Suddenly, he realized his patience was at its end. Akako was gone, his best guys were on the floor, he was hurt, and stupid children kept jumping in. And who was this tough guy twerp who dared to stand up to him? "Hey kid," he muttered, rubbing his neck. Perhaps he was a bit more injured than he wanted to admit. "I've seen you around with that steroid brain over there," he said, thrusting his chin in Ieyoshi's direction. "Maybe you should go check on him, huh? My guys kicked his ass pretty goo—"

Damien grabbed him by the throat without giving him a second to finish his statement. "Next time, death," was all he muttered to him. He sent a highly precise kick at Ishiki's achilles heel. He won't be able to walk straight for at least a couple of weeks, but having crutches over losing your life seems like a fair deal. "Out of my sight," he said throwing him back. As soon as he hit the ground, Ishiki wasn't even a being in Damien sight. He became a ghost and so insignificant to not even be acknowledged. The twins were the focus of his gaze. Ieyoshi was knocked out but Ieharu was still conscious. Never again will they be let out of his sight. He went up to Ieharu, taking his own coat off and draping it around the twin's shoulders.

"Damien," Ieharu wheezed, trying his best to muster up a grin at the sight of so close a friend. He managed it for only a second. "Where ya been?" At this point, he was barely speaking at more than a whisper. Suddenly, he lost consciousness, falling backwards. Little spots of red began to seep through Damien's coat, from where Ieharu's unprotected back slid across the pavement earlier. His right arm was also beginning to turn a nasty shade of purple near the shoulder joint.

He quickly caught Ieharu with a soft grip. He was extremely light. He looked at Ieharu with a bit of grief on his face. He really did try hard. He didn't expect Ieharu to put up much of a fight, but the information he'd received from the martial arts members him and Enn took out together, he made a good amount of noise. "I'm sorry Haku. Next time, I'll be there regardless of roadblocks." Next time, he'd just have to go against Ieyoshi's wishes. He's been trained for moments like these and his first opportunity where he's needed, he'd failed. Never again. He picked up Ieharu and shifted his limp form away from Ieyoshi's.

"Hey you guys over there," he called, obviously referring to Izaya, Chester, and the mad hatter himself, Ryuu. "I just want to say thanks for helping out the twins." He went over Ieyoshi's side and bent down slightly without putting Ieharu in an uncomfortable position. He stood looking at his closest friend on the ground. Instead of shaming him, he gave him a chance to revive himself. He said in his casual manner, "Hey Batman, Gotham needs you. Get up, a Hokage can't protect this village alone."

"No problem sir, it's a heroes duty to protect others!" he said replying to Damien's gratitude. "We did it, we did it," Izaya chanted. "Hero club, Hero club!" He continued with his own theme song. He surprisingly had enough energy to continue and did his own seemingly cool hero poses. He was cut off with a yelp of pain as Ryuu punched him harshly in the shoulder, expression deadpan.

"What 'we'? We still needed help," he said tiredly, leaning on the bat the way an old man would use a cane. Scowling like he had no clue how to respond to the gratitude Damien was showing, he gave a grudging nod of thanks towards Damien. "And I still think Odd Jobs club is better then the Hero Club. Whoever heard of a club being called the Hero Club anyway?"

"Pssst, Ryuu," Izaya whispered quite loudly to him. "We'll be fine. We're the Heroooooo club," he said with an exaggerated title. "We shall recover, and fight another day!"

"Odd Jobs Club," Ryuu shot back, glowering childishly at Izaya. There wasn't much heat behind his glare, however. "And what fight another day, we'd have lost if they hadn't turned up - are you even listening to me?!"

"We?" Chester questioned wearily as he came to a stop. Enn and Damien seemed to finish it within a matter of minutes, why didn't he think of calling them earlier? It would have saved them so much time and trouble. At least someone was happy about this whole scenario however, and Chester was considerate enough not to rain on his parade.

"Yes! We! The Hero Club, hero club," he continued singing with Ryuu's rebuttal. New determination shown in Ryuu's eyes. and the duo started to chant "hero club" and "odd jobs club" like children saying "is too!" and "is not!" over something they believed to be truth until Chester tried to break into their argument with little to no success.

"Guys, guys! Can't we settle this by flipping a coin or something? This isn't particularly important, is it?"

Without warning, Ieyoshi inhaled sharply. In the next moment, he sat up, using his arm to balance himself. It didn't take him long to assess the situation. Damien was here, which meant Ieharu was safe. That's all that mattered. "Ugh," he groaned like the walking dead, running his hand through his hair. "Hero hero hero," he chimed in, doing his best Izaya impression. "So loud. Can't you just let me rest in peace?" He eyed Damien when he spoke his next line. "And did somebody call for Batman?"

Damien smiled and said, "Welcome back Bruce. All has been handled."

That's when it all came back to him, in a sudden wave of memory. "ISHIKI!" He hissed, the faintest whiff of panic underlining his voice, but it dissipated after noticing that Ishiki was nowhere in his immediate vicinity. "Guess you guys kicked his butt, huh." Something else had caught Ieyoshi's eye, however. Something annoying. Something unsatisfactory. Something that, if he weren't feeling so hung over, he'd have handled with much fire and brimstone.

"Oh, you're still here, nanny?" From his tone, it was obviously meant to be taken as an insult. "Gonna shoot me again?!"

Clap, clap, clap. A man—the one Ieyoshi had referred to as "nanny"—applauded.

"Congratulations, boys," the mysterious man said, "Today has been very productive. Haku," he smirked at Ieharu, "Looks like we were able to successfully bring out your resolve and use it for a useful purpose. We also got to see your brother's dying will, but it appears..." Godot approached Ieharu and Ieyoshi. He looked down at the twins. "... that his dying will is rather special. I'll tell you two about that later you later. Still, it appears we've accomplished a lot more than I intended for today's lesson." Godot looked around at the various students who were still around, those that had joined in the conflict against Ishiki. "Why, it appears you two have managed to start something. You've united your friends against a common enemy, good on you. You two are regular revolutionaries! What's your secret, hmm?"

"Fuck. You." Ieyoshi said flat out. "Really. Fuck you."

"Ah, nevermind that," Godot continued, "Let's head home now, I'm hungry..." Godot paused to think, looking toward his side. "Although, I suppose it would be best if we had your injuries healed and made sure your brother was alright." Godot scratched the back of his neck. "But... if you're up for it, I guess us three could go out for some ice cream, if that'll make you feel better. It'll be my treat." Godot didn't want to mention that this entire incident was practically his fault, from the first bullet he shot, and there was also the fact that he never stepped in to protect them.

Damien looked at the seemingly misplaced man, "Hey, who the hell is this guy? And don't be so casual with the twins." He didn't even notice him until he begun his spiel on the twins.

"He's our new nanny" Ieyoshi said, spitting out the words like they were venomous. "That no-good Tsuna brought him in like a week ago and ever since all this weird shit has been going on."

Izaya asked, "Ice cream does sound good, are you inviting all of us? No one who invites kids for ice cream could be that bad."

"No. No they might be very bad." Chester looked at Izaya with an air of disbelief.

As if on cue, Ryuu gave Izaya a (gentle) dope slap on the shoulder. "Have your parents never taught you not to listen to strangers? And are we just going to overlook the fact that he just SHOT someone?"

"Hmm, but strangers could be potential people that need help...and ice cream is so good," he said partly ignoring the shot part.

"Or they could be people looking to kidnap someone or worse, you dolt. And," Ryuu shrugged with one shoulder as he responded to Chester, "They're still alive. I say that counts as something. If we do go though, I want a strawberry vanilla chocolate combo." Ryuu muttered, mind drifting at the thought of ice cream, Mmmm, free icecream... maybe if it wasn't by Beretta McTrigger-happy though.

Godot shot a glare at Izaya. "You'll get ice cream from me when you beat me within an inch of my life, and then some!" Then, Godot's expression changed back to it's original friendly state as he chuckled. It was hard to tell if he was joking or not. Then he sighed in defeat. "I suppose I have no choice, heroes."

"Hmmm, I think that goes around my Hero code, might not be able to do that," he replied while putting himself in a thinking pose. "I'll have to think about how to do that. Hero club, organize."

"We're not heroes, and the club is Odd Jobs Club, not the hero club you idjit," Ryuu said defeatedly, but he stayed quiet and paid attention to Godot anyway. Finally, explanations! The only way this could've been weirder was if he'd waken up perfectly happy to his parent's cooking breakfast in his own house, and he wanted to know what the hell had been going on.

"Perhaps I should introduce myself formally," Godot put his hands in his pockets and stood awfully proudly, "I suppose I hadn't yet done that to my own little students yet." He chuckled. "I am the Hitman Tutor Godot and I am under the employment of the Sawadas. All that really means is that I'm these two little munchkins' home tutor, who carries a pretend gun around." Godot then brought his gun out of his pocket and pointed it at a wall. "As you can see, it's very well made." Godot then began to fire off several shots at the wall. They made a 'pop, pop, pop' sound, but they didn't sound anything like the shots Godot fired off earlier. Orange paint splattered onto the wall where it hit, the impacts creating 'smack' sounds that echoed off the walls. "It's an, uh... educational device."

Right, a TOY gun that nearly knocked Ieyoshi out and made him return like a zombie. Chester was beginning to wonder if he should start feeling insulted by the lack lustre explanation given. Besides, the thing that burned in Ieharu's head was definitely a flame. His eyes were keen, and there was a definite difference between paint and a flickering flame. Shou didn't look convinced either, and Ryuu raised an eyebrow skeptically, making it evident that they weren't quite believing Godot either.

"Nonetheless," Godot continued, "I guess you could call me a sort of special home tutor. I'm not the kind that just helps you shrimps with homework that'll never teach you anything. No, I teach essentials. A lot of good pythagorean theorem will do for you when you're fighting for other's lives." Godot glanced to the side. "I'm kind of expensive though."

"Home tutor," Damien said with a smile. "Oh, you're the guy!" He finally pieced it together, "I didn't know the details from my father, but he briefly mentioned someone like you coming soon." He fixed himself up to no longer hold an aggressive demeanor even though he was still carrying Ieharu. "Forgive my rudeness, I didn't know who you were. I'm Damien, Hayato's son, in case you didn't know." This was one of the few times Damien would actually be a bit respectful to authority, only when it is mafia related.

"Don't act all polite to him, Dam." Ieyoshi muttered, refusing to look Godot in the eye. "Just look at him. He doesn't deserve it." The elder twin grabbed his sibling's limp hand, stringing his fingers through his brother's and squeezing tight. After a moment, it seemed that Ieharu began to breathe a little easier.

Ah things were going just great. Damien knew him too apparently, and the stranger seemed to have something to do with his Father? Regardless, Chester was pretty eager to leave. "Well, if no one needs me now.. I'd be off thank you very much." He said, raising his hand slightly as if asking a question. Before he even got a reply however, Chester was off in a flash, nearly vanishing from view like he did in the fight, hiding in the blind spots of their vision as he made his exit. There was no point in staying when they seemed to solve their own problems, and he had his butterfly waiting for him at home.

Beside them, Enn piped up despite Shou's best efforts to keep him quiet. "That sounds awesome~!" He bounded cheerfully over to Godot, eyes shining with awe. It was pretty obvious that he didn't really care that his friends were injured - just one assessing glance at them like they were covered in water instead of blood and injuries and that was it. "Teach me too! I want to fight strong people too! Please?!" He moved around Godot like a puppy wagging its tail, directing his most pleading puppy eyes at Godot. "Please please please-"

"Enn!" Shou grabbed his brother and pulled him away from Godot, placing a hand over his mouth, "Sorry about him," he said apologetically, trying not to shake as Enn gradually stilled under his hold, still pulling off his most doggy eyes at Godot. Normal people didn't know about the Dying Will Flame, which meant that what had happened wasn't normal and was probably related to the mafia and that wasn't good; he'd had came to Japan to get away from anything related to the mafia, why was it turning up here of all places? Shou felt like crying as he felt his hope for a normal life shatter into dust, but gathered himself together enough to form a wavering smile. "Um, please don't pay any attention to what he said just now. We, uh, we can't afford it anyway."

"Just take 'em," Ieyoshi grumbled under his breath.

"Ah, that's alright," Godot replied, "just be careful. I might teach you boys something on accident. Wouldn't that be terrible?" Godot stared at something on the ground, apparently thinking about something. "Hey, heroes," he said to the group, "maybe you guys could perhaps demonstrate some good intentions by taking a look at the bad guy over there?" Godot nodded toward Ishiki, who was still on the ground and practically forgotten about.

"We're not heroes," Ryuu muttered automatically, but he went to check on Ishiki anyway, wincing as his body ached from the movement. Ugh, resting sounded like a really good idea now. Maybe he should skip school tomorrow... nah, his aunt'd murder him if he stayed in the house any longer than he did already. He made his way to Ishiki, limping a little. The guy was dangerous, he wasn't planning on letting someone else check on Ishiki just to get taken hostage or whatever. Keeping a healthy distance away, he looked over at the teen, whom had assumed a cross-legged position on the ground. "Nothing really wrong with him," he called out, bat still at the ready. Ishiki let out a low growl, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.

A girl's voice called out, "Get away from him!" Ishiki's girlfriend, Akako, was approaching quickly. For some reason, she was absent for a majority of Ishiki's fight. Akako didn't seem so threatening without anybody beside her, but expression seemed like that of pure fury. Akako quickly came to crouch by her boyfriend's side. "Ishiki, look at you," she said to him, almost soothingly, "You're hurt. They beat you bad. How awful. How terrible." Then, strangely, the tone of Akako's voice began to change, as she steadily spoke louder. "How awful! How terrible!" Then, Akako bent down to whisper one word to him; "Useless."

"You hear me?" Akako stood up and began to shout, "You're useless! You and your stupid martial arts! International, my foot! Can't even beat two first years? You couldn't even punch that wimp Ieharu down! You know what's going to happen to you now? Rosa's not going to associate herself with weaklings, but you? You disgrace me! You can't do a single thing I say right! Your terrible, awful! People just call you cool because they think you're all that, but you know what? Nobody likes you! Yeah, that's right. First chance they got, all these kids came here to beat your stupid face in! Kinda says something, don't you think? And, you know what? I don't even like martial arts! Do you think I enjoyed a single moment whenever I was in that same rancid-smelling room with you disgusting, sweaty guys? Hah! I never even liked you. You're always thinking about yourself, and you'd act like such a moron whenever you talked about yourself and your stupid club. Give me a little attention, you dumbass. Think you're so tough? Remember those guys that came for backup? Guess who told them to come here? Me! Why? Because you're an idiot who can't even look beyond himself even if their life depended on it. God, you don't even deserve to live, you..." Akako stalled a bit to find a word, "You bletch." Akako crossed her arms and didn't look at him anymore.

"And you call him self centered," Ryuu said, eyebrows raised high as he looked at her. Geez, he'd always thought of her as a bitch, but not this much of one. He almost felt sorry for Ishiki now. The guy looked shocked at Akako's outburst, like he'd never expected her to feel that way. "Talk about black pot and kettles. You're more self centered than he is, the way you use him. In fact, the two of you fit perfectly together considering how alike you dingbats are." He knew he was running his mouth, but Ryuu didn't like the way Akako behaved, like she was entitled to the world and nothing was her fault. He rested the bat lightly against his shoulder. "Although skank might be a better word for you instead," he muttered thoughtfully, not realizing that he was speaking loud enough for Akako to hear him.

"Bite me," was all that she responded with. She didn't need to waste her breath on unrelated parties. She wasn't told to pick on him, after all. Only Ishiki needed to be cut off, Rosa told Akako.

Ieyoshi squinted at the trio, all their shouting and barking and banter doing nothing for his splitting migraine. He wasn't allowed to drink, but this had to be what a hangover felt like. Ugh. He got to his feet, still grasping his brother's hand. He held out his other hand, making a "gimmie" motion to Damien, his intent obvious. When Damien let Ieharu down, Ieyoshi picked him up piggy-back style, wrapping his arms under the boy's legs and allowing his brother's body to lean against his back.

"Well, uh, we're outta here or whatever." He made sure to throw Godot his meanest glare before turning his back to the man. "Fucking toy gun my ass." He uttered, again under his breath. "We're gonna go, 'cause if we get there after my mom does and she sees Haku, well... it won't turn out well for anyone." Without further ado, Ieyoshi began walking towards the lot's exit.

"R-Right, we should probably get you guys to the hospital." Shou looked worriedly at them, as if he was only now registering the boys battered states. Ryuu shrugged like he didn't care about it and walked over to reach for the bags Shou was holding, grabbing his own with a small sigh of relief. The group turned to walk away from the scene of carnage behind them, forming an odd picture - Damien and Ieyoshi leading the way with Ieyoshi carrying the still mostly naked Ieharu, Izaya and Ryuu together at the left a little bit behind them looking completely battered and arguing about the name for their club again and searching for a coin, Enn and Shou a little to the right as Enn smiled like he'd just had a nice workout and Shou with a worried crease in his forehead like he was expecting the teachers to pop up at any moment. Behind all of them was the mysterious figure Godot. Almost every aspect about him seemed to be an indication that this was not a man to be trusted, yet in truth, he wasn't really looking to be trusted. He smirked as he watched the boys, talk and debate among themselves, like any group of boys would after a group effort. It was almost like they'd forgotten that there were people still beaten up behind them.

Shou did look back, anxious about the unconscious students, but his head snapped back forwards at the sight of a purple-haired man standing next to Akako, smiling and relaxed like he had been there the whole while. A shudder ran down his spine as he gently pushed Enn and the others forwards, and soon enough the group were at the gate, going their separate ways like it had just been any other normal school day.

Leaving the school grounds, Joel watched as more groups of people walked and chatted, headed in the same direction as him, towards the cafe. It seemed that the place was one of the many attractions for kids to go after school. He was sure there was both a mall and an arcade that people could go to, yet the students seemed to favorite the cafe. Beginning to wish he'd been asked to meet at the mall he rubbed his neck. "That guy. If it was just the wall I wouldn't be sore right now, but that vice grip of his." Joel sighed and brought his left hand from his neck to his pockets as he approached the cafe doors. His hand left his pocket with a hold on his phone and he flipped through the messages just in case he had gotten the meeting location wrong. Unluckily for him, that wasn't the case and he sighed once more and walked into the building.

Though people were talking around him outside, nothing compared to the volume of the inside. The place was packed so heavy that he wasn't sure if he'd be able to get a seat.

"Hey there!!!"

Joel looked over towards the waiting spot and there was a young man shooting him a glance and gleefully smiling. Judging by his attire he had to be one of the waiters there, but that still didn't ease Joel's nerves. He wasn't the type to go to nice crowded restaurants. In all honesty, there was nothing that could beat a home cooked meal and it was even better when he was able to cook two. Sure, those times were limited, but it was better than eating around strangers. Hearing about how good and easy their lives are. Confirming, that unless a crazed man kills them, they don't have to worry about dying every time they walk outside. It wasn't something he was jealous against. It made him feel complacent. This was one of the reasons why he either works or goes home after school. Unless it's with family, it's not needed. If it was in any other situation, he'd think he would be complacent around the family too. However, his past and his current situation will never fail to loom over his head. Most would think of it as a good thing, but Joel had forgiven a lot of it. However, he would never forget, for it made him stronger. Each event in his life good or bad was another piece of the his life's puzzle. That's why he couldn't necessarily hate the sheep in the world. They didn't have to worry about death at every corner, but they will also not see their death coming. He'd constantly wondered, if any of them stopped baa-ing long enough to think what they would do if the person next to them took out a gun and pulled the trigger. Would they still laugh? Would they smile? Would that confident look be on their faces? He already knew the answer.

"Excuse me.... sir."

Joel looked the waiter again. Realizing he must of blacked out in thought he brushed it off and walked towards the young man. "Yeah. Table for two. I'm waiting for someone to get here," he said slowly and calmly. He didn't like to raise his voice, but sometimes, every once in a while you meet a person who can't understand good Japanese.

"Sorry sir. We're quite full as it is and we can't really seat two people at this time. Maybe one, or a group booth."

"Really?" Joel reached in his pocket and grabbed his wallet. He put enough money to pay for his electric and gas bill combined and asked, "You have any VIP area's? Tables you don't use for any type of reason?" He proceeded to pull the exact same amount, this time slowly and neatly grouping the papers together so that the waiter could see how much he had. "It's my first time here and I was planning on tipping my waiter with the greatest of all interest for my meal." Once again, with the same amount of money he pulled and folded.

"We....well. I'm sure that if anyone can find a table in all this mess, it's me. Please, allow me to be your waiter. Just hold still for one second and I will be right back to accommodate you."

Joel nodded. The smile on the waiter grew, but Joel wasn't bothered by it this time because it wasn't fake anymore. He was smiling for a reason now and that reason was obvious. Once he was shown to his table, which seemed like it was located in a whole in the wall that was sectioned off from the rest of the place, he ordered some coffee and proceeded to wait. Waiting was never a problem for him. It was necessary actually and welcomed. It gave him time to calm his thoughts and think. He sat there wondering what was he thinking about before he was interrupted. "Oh yeah," he said lightly on an exhale.

It was a memory of a few years ago. Not really something he really cared to remember, but the Vongola have ties with both crime organizations and government. He use to wonder what the heck the family actually did that was mob like, but when he started working, he saw that there wasn't any difference between the two. It made the Vongola the perfect middle man. Though, the reason they had to leave Japan to go to America while anyone else could have done so was behind him. He hated going to different countries for work. Usually when you don't mess with family and friends and rely on a third party, something goes wrong. Many asked him why it was America that he despised going most of all and his only reason was the fact that when you go to make any type of business deals in America, you don't only have to prepare for what the Americans will do. For whatever reason, dealing with Americans meant dealing with the Chinese, the Russians, the Italians, and any other group of people you could possibly fit in there. Each with their own way of doing business and their own version of respect.
He remembered he was forced on the ground once. He wasn't one to fall from a punch, but a sucker punch with brass knuckles would do that to anyone he thought. The man even bothered pulling his gun out afterwards. He thought he was the bigger man because he had the gun. Joel knew otherwise.

"Aye cuz. I ain't no fag you feel me. If you keep staring at me I'ma buss two in your eyes and empty the rest in your chest."

The only reason the man was able to get the better of him was because he was surprised. Were Americans so ballsy as to pass his father to get to him just because he was looking around? It didn't make sense. He'd seen others get rowdy before even in Japan, but when the big boys are all together talking about money it would happen. Maybe it wasn't even because he was American. Maybe it was just because he was an outsider. It didn't matter. Joel stood up and brushed himself. The man pulled the trigger and unluckily for him Joel wasn't going to let surprise happen to him again. With the sound of the blast echoing, it wasn't long until more followed and the blood to flow. Luckily none of the important people, as the American rep said, got injured. It was important, because money could still flow. People died and someone got what came to them. He remembered the man's face before he emptied his own gun into his belly, afterwards and during. Eventually pity would set, but what was done was already done. If you're a sheep all along, then you shouldn't bark like a wolf.

As time would go on and he met more people and got into more gun fights, he realized something. It was becoming more and more easier to see the sheep who hid in the wolves clothing. Whether it be the man who looks for the weakest person in the room to puff his chest at or a downright dirty snitch. To Joel, these inbreeds of both wolf and sheep were the scourge of society as a whole. However, there was one type of breed above the wolf. A breed he would call the snake. He was glad that he was part of family where they would at least fight with you if things went wrong and wouldn't take a fallen member lightly. For there were those who had members of their club who's only purpose was to die. The saddest part was, they didn't even know they were being used only for that purpose. Not until it was too late. For a long time, Joel thought he was just like them, but if he was, would he still be alive. It was a lot to think about. Something he thought about on the daily. The place of a grunt. A peon. A pawn. From the kids selling drugs on corners, to the kids cutting people. From the ones stealing to the ones blowing themselves up.

He was sure he wasn't thought of that low to his boss. Although he never gave much thought to how his boss feels about him. All he knew was that he was still alive, he got paid fairly and he didn't get into many situations where someone wasn't watching his back.

He looked at the time using his phone. It seemed like he'd been waiting forever and seeing as the sky was changing colors he was sure the sun was setting. Maybe it would be dark in another hour in a half and the thought of being stuck in a cafe that long didn't rest well with Joel. It was his job though, and he let out a sigh to get rid of the anxious feeling he had. He saw a brown haired kid leave the shop and was reminded of the boys. He was happy to see that they're not one of the sheep. Even the one whom he feared would become one was energetic today. He imagined he'd talk to him the next day to see how he was doing. The fact that the two were fighting and one of them had their flame showing meant things were getting interesting for them. He'd only hope in return things would be interesting for himself. He'd much rather be a part of whatever they're apart of than go to another oversees meeting where the other person has the home court advantage.

He thought of the time when him and his father walked straight off the plane just to get captured and almost have their heads cut off in the middle of the dessert. The whole rock. North and south. He just wished he didn't have to go there. The America's were crazy. He'd imagine if the third world countries the east coast seem to want to war with were richer, he'd have to go there to, but at least they'd send a video to whom it may concern.

Just like that, he found himself wondering why he was even thinking about the America's to begin with. He quickly concluded the whole thought was a way to ease his boredom. A way to pass the time. "Maybe it's not the America's, but just being around many different gangs at one time." That was bad anywhere. Even for gangs apart of the same nationality, if there are seven different gangs with seven different bosses in one room anything could happen. Like the time in Russia just a week ago. Probably the most creative men he's come across when it comes to just putting a beating on someone. Joel considered himself lucky, because anyone falling down spiral stairs while tied to a cheap plastic chair would probably break some bones. The thought of it made him remember how he paid them back for their hospitality and also brought a smile to his face.

"Sir. I don't mean to be rude, but would you like to order something else."

Joel shot the waiter a piercing glare which made the waiter move his head away from eye contact. "I'm still waiting. Come back in about an hour."
The waiter bowed out, but his face had this looked that screamed for more detail of who or what Joel was waiting for. The screams were ignored though and as Joel went back to staring at the window, he went past reminiscing about his exploits in the mafia, to thinking about those who have yet to join him. He imagined if he had Yoh with him, they'd wind up retiring a lot of want to be families, but if it was Haku, he'd be fighting all of time. It was just his imagination though, which he took into being. How amazing it would be though. Joel wasn't the type to get his hopes up and wasn't planning on his dad or any of the Vongola's guardians to give up their position anytime soon. They were old, but they weren't that old. Only time would tell. After all, he was sure he had a few more years left of growing and the kids were just starting high school. "So in the end, it's best to wait. Best to take everything slow."

It sure was better to take things slow, just as it was good to wait. For in life there are times when things crash down on both wolves and sheep. So being in the now, the safeness of the now was good enough for him. If he wasn't in the now he'd be in the future and who knew what that would hold. He'd probably be meeting with Godot and be getting chewed out for messing up another deal even though he was the one who was pushed down the steps while tied to a chair. Maybe he'd even get a raise. "Maybe that's too close to wishful thinking," he said to himself. He could try to reminisce some more, but as a kid he wasn't able to think about things in a positive way for his situation. At least not like he can today. It made his life harder for him too and almost got him killed. So patience was a virtue. As his father said. "Gotta stay calm." Words he would repeat himself. For he knew if he didn't things wouldn't be as peaceful as they were. "And if I can call this peace, then what is my definition of war?"

"Who the hell cares?"

Joel turned once more away from the window. Who he saw, proved that even wolves could be surprised by their demise. However, as a wolf he decided to take it head on. "Do you always intrude on other people's thoughts." He said to none other than Cambrey, who must have been stalking him again.

[color=tan]"Only when they're thinking out loud. You should work on zipping it, or do you think it makes you look cool to talk to yourself." The Bovino boss took her seat across from him and crossed her arms, seeming a little too comfortable for Joel's comfort. "So, what's got you day dreaming in a public cafe with over an empty table?" [/color]

"I'm waiting for Godot."

"I'm sorry, who?"

Joel sighed. "Did you get to school on time today?"

Cambrey shook her head. "If I get to school on time, what time do you think I'll have to wake up? The Bovino need their sleep. You know. You look a little bit tired yourself. Must be why I'm noticing bags under your eyes. Are the Vongola overworking you?"[/color]

"I've been off for a week. I think they're giving me a good load of rest time."

"Spoken like a true dog. Loyal to your master." Cambrey's eyes narrowed and the way she looked at Joel made him feel like she was trying to pierce him with them. Cambrey could tell she was making Joel uncomfortable. "I usually don't get to see my own cousin because you're always working. Yet you're okay with it. I suppose since they allow you to live and go about life now a days you're alright. Hehe. Seems like you've just become complacent."

Joel's eyes opened in surprise. It wasn't as if what she said carried any weight because he knew her main goal was to get him to join her family, but he realized something important. "So you mean to say you're not complacent too? Aren't you prideful? I would assume someone who has all these glorious things to say about her family and nothing, but bad things to say about others would be. So wouldn't you be just settling if your family is not the best, but under the best."

"Under the be-"

"I'm not done, Ms. Bovino." Joel's eyes went cold and looked at Cambrey as if she were just another business contact. "The Vongola may have a questionable way of doing things, and maybe sometimes work can be hard, but if you think saying phrases out of your mouth that pertain to me when you don't even really know what you're talking about will get me to follow you instead of Vongola then you're wrong. I'd just be a sheep in wolves clothing if I betrayed my pack."

Cambrey puffed her cheeks, looking a tad bit embarrassed before shrugging the feeling away. "Well, should you decide to change your mind, the offers always open. Tell your dad too and let him know I said hi."

"Sure thing."


Joel made sure the last thing she saw from him was a smile. He didn't want her to think he had something against her.
Cambrey on the other hand was determined now than ever to have Joel join her family. He was loyal and she'd know she could call him anytime she wanted. Not only that, but they were technically family and she wanted to make sure he was living the good life. The only question was what exactly did he want? She had offered him almost everything and he turned it down every time. She figured she try again the next day, but for now decided to leave him in the cafe to wait for whoever it was he was waiting for. Hopefully he'd be in a good enough mood to say yes.

Wrong. It was just wrong. Okay, maybe it wasn't wrong, per say, but it wasn't entirely right either. It was fine, but it wasn't perfect. That was why it was unacceptable.

Rosa adjusted the bouquet, plucking the artificial roses from the plastic vase and placing it in a slightly different position, shifting leaves around and so forth. Rosa would then stand and stare, take a look at it from a different angle, and then pluck the rose again, repeating the process. Rosa was putting way more effort into this miniature bouquet than she needed to, but Rosa believed that she needed to convey her message perfectly; that the Sawada twins were dead.

"They really did die!" That's what Akako had apparently said yesterday, half-hysterical in her explanation. Akako's retelling of events was jumbled up, un-chronological, and mixed with delusions, but from what Rosa gathered was that after that suspicious-looking person made her stop recording, he proceeded to shoot seven different people with an AK-47, including the twins, but then they came back to life and proceeded to beat the school's elite fighter, Ishiki, close to death. Everything was on fire at that point, and then the world's military forces used kids in super-suits to fight off aliens. At least, that was what Rosa gathered from Tomoe after Akako told her. She might have been talking about an anime that watched one time midway through the explanation though.

What was true was that some time after the first supposed casualty, Akako had texted that the situation was getting out of hand. Naturally, Rosa told her just to get more backup, although apparently even that didn't work out. Somehow, these two boys that were tumbling on the wet ground in the morning managed to defeat Rosa's elite henchmen. Well, they were more like her grunts, her underling secret police and a big source of intimidation in the school. Still, it was quite a shock, but not something Rosa didn't act pragmatically about. The first step was to cut ties with Ishiki, which Akako handled quite succinctly. Of course, in order to make sure Ishiki wouldn't have become Rosa's problem again, she had to call somebody else to, well, console with him. A fellow senior, that is. Needless to say, Ishiki didn't come to school that day in order to reflect on his actions. Well, if reflection was done at the comforts of a hospital bed with a medical report which includes massive battering, confining Ishiki at an indefinite period. Then, it is perfect. Of course, Rosa needed to come up with a way to reaffirm her ties with the Martial Arts Appreciation club before they began to develop rancour toward her due to her rejection of the head. That would have to come later, however. For now, Rosa had a job to do.

That said, as much as Rosa was treating this as a serious chore, all the girls who had come with her to the room appeared to be treating it like a field trip. Besides the group, the only other person in the room was a pink-haired girl who seemed heedless to their presence, although the girls made sure she wouldn't rat on them. Akako was sitting on top of a desk to read her texts on her BluScreen while Erin was leaning by the doorway drinking an orange soda, despite the fact that it wasn't even nine in the morning yet. Tomoe, on the other hand, was going around sitting at desks as if she were a freshman again. Lala in her own part was reading a manga she brought with her, and she was enjoying herself, but took time to look at what was Rosa doing. "Rosa-chan, wouldn't it be more beautiful, if it was a real rose?"

"Because a natural rose," Rosa responded, not turning to face the girls, "isn't perfect. Almost nothing is perfect in its natural form." Rosa plucked the flower again, holding it high up and examining it. "Here's a rose that will never wilt, an everlasting image. Is it any less capable of beauty than a flower born from dirt and mud?" Rose twirled the flower in her fingers. "We can't control the fickle nature of ephemeral things not made by our own two hands... Are we not capable of making things more beautiful then they could ever be on their own?" Rosa placed the flower back in the vase and put her hand on her chin again.

That was a lot of complicated thought in Lala's understanding. She does understand Rosa's point of view, but to her things that are not within one's control, are at its most beauty incomparable to other things that stays for eternity. They have a life, a warmth, a light, which cannot be touched, cannot be copied even how much people try to comprehend. There are just things that were never meant to be understood and that was fine with her. It was at that period when her thoughts were only disturbed by the ever loud voice of Tomoe.

"Hey, Rosa!" Tomoe appeared to have no sense of indoor voice. She was taking a photo of the desks with her BluScreen. "Our seats were all together in the middle of the class, huh?" Tomoe tapped several different desks while calling off names. Rosa's desk certainly was in the nucleus of the room, with Tomoe's behind her and Akako next to her. Erin's seat was further toward the back corner of the room. "We all met in this room," Tomoe recalled, "all a bunch of friends in our first year! How nostalgic... Although, I guess Lala and Lyn weren't in our homeroom, huh?"

"You've been together since the beginning?" Lala looked at Tomoe with such child-like curiosity. [color=#6633ff][b]"That's so wonderful? How did you guys meet?" Her eyes of red like sparkling rubies as she put down her manga on her lap and waited for a response, in her head, she was already imagining such cliche imagies shown in those friendship movies.

[b]"I, uh..." Tomoe looked at the desk as if the answer were written there, "I guess we just all sat together and talked a lot. Oh, but Rosa always helped me with my work whenever I had troubles,"—Akako and Erin were snickering as if it were an understatement—"but Rosa was always so nice and smart and cool and smart and nice." Tomoe looked toward Akako. "Us three were BFFs until we met you, and then were were four BFFs. I, uh, kinda forget when we became friends with Erin, and I guess Rosa's good friends with Lyn as well, so... That's us now, right?" Tomoe pranced over toward Rosa and asked, "Is the flower done yet?"

Lala had a thoughtful expression on her face. [color=#CD5C5C]"I see..." Then, she looked back at Rosa who was still busy about the rose arrangement. She still has a bad feeling about all of this, but it does provide an outlet for Rosa. As her father would say, it was better out than in.

Rosa was bent over with her elbows on the desk and her hands on the sides of her face. She seemed to be getting frustrated. Rosa just couldn't feel that her message was getting across with this flower. It just wasn't matching her mental image, although she had only a vague idea of what that was. She made a low rumbling noise from the back of her throat. "How do I do this, how do I do this...?" Then it came to her, like a flash of enlightenment. She stood up and called, "Erin!" Erin was covering her mouth to try and cover up a repressed belch. She responded with a "Mmh-hm?" Rosa asked her, "Could you possibly help me out with this?" Erin nodded and quickly made her way across the room and stood right next to Rosa to look over the vase. She pressed her tongue to the side of her mouth where a small piercing was located. Then, with a subtle motion, Erin pushed the vase itself an inch to the right. Both girls then simultaneously brought their fists to their lips in a posture of consideration.

It was at this moment that Lala had the opportunity to ask what she had been meaning to, but never had the chance to. "Uhm, Tomoe-chan? Rosa-chan and Erin-chan are really in sync, aren't they?" She looked back at Tomoe and with a gentle smile. "Did all of you met just during freshmen year?" She really never had friends that hang out with like now. It is true that she was amiable to most, but connections with her are transient in nature, they never stick.

"Pretty much," Tomoe replied, "Although Rosa and Erin weren't always so agreeable. Would you believe it? Rosa and Erin used to fight all the time in the freshman year. Every time Erin opened her mouth, Rosa would be lecturing her or something. Oh, but then sometimes Erin would lecture, although normally she's kinda shy. I guess Erin's still a little shy, huh? I don't really have a clue as to why they didn't like each other so much, but apparently they knew each other from middle school, so maybe they had a misunderstanding or something? Either way, now that Rosa has tons of friends, Erin's become her friend as well. Erin doesn't talk much, but when she and Rosa are together—usually while all of us aren't around—they can go on for hours about the things they find cute or pretty. Erin might be a little scary, but she's an adorable little maiden on the inside, just like the rest of us!"

"Oohh..." Lala nodded her head in understanding as she listened to Tomoe's recount or more like opinion about Rosa and Erin. She looked at the said pair and even quirked her head to the side as she observed the two. The two looked really compatible with each other. Yes, as far as she was concerned, the group of them are friends, and she would like to consider them as good ones. This of course did not apply to Rosa and Erin in her honest gut-feeling. They were best of friends if both won't admit it or not. They know each other more than they would assume or admit to. It was endearing in her opinion. She was rather envious of that relationship and of course, she was also admiring it. "That's nice..."

Just as Tomoe was talking about it, Rosa and Erin were both in deep conversation, debating over whether the position of the vase or the orientation of the rose needed to be fixed. Both appeared to be putting in as much intellectual effort into their debate as possible, especially Erin, which was unusual for her, who rarely ever spoke much beyond a passing comment. Their debate was getting more heated, however, and Rosa was beginning to raise her voice and gesture wildly, while Erin was pounding her fist against the desk. Rosa stepped back and brought her hands out in the air. "Fine, you show me how its done." Erin shrugged as she shifted the vase to the center of the desk and adjusted it with the gentlest of motions. Then she stood back. Rosa stood and looked at it. "It's... It's good, it's very good. Thank you, Erin." Erin simply nodded her head and grabbed her soda from an adjacent desk to drink it, before placing it back down.

"A perfect message," Rosa announced, "to our dearest friends the Sawadas, who belong not in this life, but are better off to have passed on. Let us pray." Rosa brought her hands together, although as soon as she did, she brought her palms apart to consider something. "It's not finished, however..." Rosa approached the desk, and then with one swipe, knocked the plastic vase over. Erin was about to exclaim but she caught herself. "There," Rosa continued, "There's my message to the Sawadas. Screw them. They're presence, even in death, disgraces the very nature of our school morals and our disciplined, peaceful lives. They seek to cause nothing but chaos and anarchy in our school's perfect order. They are nothing but delinquents, rats among gerbils. If we do not exterminate them now, we will be swarmed by their impure kind. With this beautiful rose, I declare a war on imperfection!"

Erin was about to reach for her soda again when Rosa snatched it. Erin exclaimed, "Hey!" Rosa shook the can around, feeling how much of the fizzy, sticky drink was still in the can. It was a little over a quarter full. Rosa then proceeded to tip the can over and pour the contents of the drink on the desk and seat of Ieharu. Erin cried out, "I was drinking that!" After shaking the can out, Rosa then presented it back to Erin.

"Trash," Rosa told her. Erin stared at her. Rosa reiterated, "or rather, recycle." Erin appeared angry at first, but then her expression seemed to cool, turning into complete reservation. She didn't even grit her teeth or give an indignant sigh. Erin simply took the can and obediently walked to the corner of the room to throw it out.

Lala could not help but smile warmly at that before releasing a rather deep and thoughtful sigh. "Rosa-chan. Erin-chan, you two really get along well. It's refreshing to see." She was honestly giving her observation and a favorable one at her point of view. Then, she looked at what Rosa did to the desk and had a concerned expression. "But Rosa-chan, I still think this is a bad idea. It could have been just a misunderstanding." There was still the nagging feeling telling her that this whole skirmish might not do anyone good. She did already hear some rumors about how Ishiki was in the hospital and all. "Won't it be better, if we just talk to them. I know they would understand what wrong they did." She suggested then looked at Erin, it seems that they take each other's opinions into great consideration. "Don't you think so, Erin-chan? I just have this bad feeling."

"Screw 'em," Rosa and Erin said simultaneously. The girls shot glares at each other from across the room, although Erin's seemed to turn into a smirk, but then she averted Rosa's gaze. Tomoe giggled. "Well," Erin said, shrugging, "I guess Rosa should choose to do whatever she wants. She knows best, after all." The two girls appeared to have an unheard conversation as they stared at each other, consisting of side glances, lip pursing and eyebrow raising and furrowing. Rosa appeared to end it with a smirk.

"Well, clearly, our peaceful order is not upheld by violence," Rosa began to explain, the hypocrisy and blatant lies hanging over her like a swarm of yellowjacket wasps, "yet our enemies are still opaque to us. We do not know if they are capable of diplomacy, which is not worth the risk. After all, I don't know what I'd do if any of my girls..."–she narrowly avoided the word 'friends'–"...were hurt at all, like poor Ishiki. That said, Lala has a point. These boys just may be capable of intelligent thought, and the...direct approach in dealing with them may not be the most ideal one. More people are going to be hurt after all. We have a better method for dealing with their type."

And here it was, the Rosa-brand perfect solution for dealing with 'threats'. Step Number One was Stigmatisizing, or marking a target, which Rosa has accomplished with her lovely little flower. This message that she sent was less meant for the boys themselves and more for everybody else; that this person had become an enemy of Rosa. Even the most introverted student knew that being Rosa's enemy meant you became a public enemy. After all, who in their right mind would think they are more just than Rosa and not expect to be riddiculed by their friends. Likewise, those that didn't ridicule their friends for subverssive thoughts were bound to be riddiculed as well.

Step Number Two: Alienation; "First off, we should keep others informed, warn them of how dangerous these boys are. Perhaps we can minimalize the amount of incidents involving these boys by making sure nobody gets too close to them. Make sure to let your friends know that these boys are too dangerous. If they ever make any attempt to associate with them, be it talking, inclusion in activities or even just seemingly polite gestures, make sure to remind them of how troublesome the boys are, and also of the possible conesquences for such associations. After all, they might be in trouble with their own friends if they're also friends with such dangerous people."

Step Number Three: Humiliation; "Still, it's going to be so depressing to have these sorts of people around. I'm sure we're all feeling rather anxious with these big elephants in the school, but I'm sure that can be dealt with. After all, maybe Lala is right, and maybe we are capable of laughing with these boys. I'm sure with them being new to the school, they aren't aware of our... what should we call it? Prank culture?" Tomoe, Akako and Erin simultaneously giggled. "Yeah, our Namimori-styled jokes. We'll be sure to have all kinds of fun with these boys, and no doubt, everybody else will too. No prank is too far if it's all in good fun after all. Soon, we won't even have to be scared of the Sawadas anymore, we'll just laugh."

Step Number Four: Vilification; "Of course, we can't forget about how little we know of the true nature of these boys. That's why it's up to us to find out everything we can about them. We must track their every move and every previous step they've ever taken. If they have any dark hidden secrets, we must bring them to the light of day so that they may become common knowledge. In order to keep our shining crystal diamond clear, even the most disgusting of imperfections must be found."...in order to be cut out.

Rosa's multi-part method worked without failure. It was adaptable and worked on forces much more powerful than one person could muster alone, the power of socialogy. Sow the seeds of hate and beautiful flowers of perfection will bloom, like the one which lay on the desks of Ieyoshi and Ieharu. Rosa could see it now; Ieharu's desk covered in prayers, "Loser," "Delinquent," "Pervert," "Disgusting," "Go away, underwear pervert," "Go home," "Don't even come to school," "Nobody likes you," "Die," Die. That image hung in Rosa's head. She knew exactly how it looked on a desk with black marker. Rosa had seen it many times before. The image of being absolutely abhorred, Rosa loved and hated seeing it.

When it came to what must be done, Lala knew that Rosa had everything planned to her desires. Lala hadn't actually seen any decisions that Rosa had made turn into folly since they became friends. That was why Lala had no doubt when it cane to what Rosa wanted. Yet, there was this gnawing alarm inside of her that told her to warn Rosa or at the most just prevent this all from happening. There was something about this situation that was different from the previous ones. As if, something more than the everyday normal life can handle, like this reality of theirs would shatter and they won't be pleased about it. At the moment, Lala didn't want that. She was happy with everyone around her. It was true that their was some negativity coming from the other students when it came to Rosa's way of doing things. But, she knew there were far more positive outcomes for it. Still, she couldn't shake this feeling.

"In any case," Rosa continued, noticing she was being stared at during her pause, "Our current business in this here is finished. Come girls, let us depart from this..." Rosa looked toward the desk, where the flower lay, "...depressing environment. We have other important things after all, like our little plan for today's lunch." Instantly, all the other girls' expressions lit up in excitement. Rosa looked around at each of them, spread around the room, including the unfamiliar pink-haired one. She was quietly sitting at a desk, like she had been when she entered the room, with red earbuds on while she was dazing off, only now she was staring directly at Rosa. Was she listening the entire time? It was hard to tell seeing as she had earbuds on, but nonetheless, her eyes were trained on Rosa with an expression that seemed otherwise disinterested. Could she possibly have been a friend of the twins? "You," Rosa commanded, directed at the spectator who may or may not have been listening to her, "You better not repeat anything you may have heard here, got it?" If the girl was stupid and didn't know the consequences of disobeying her, well, Rosa wouldn't have to worry anyway. The pink-hair girl simply made a curt nod, before going back to her own devices.

"Rosa-chan, let's just be careful, okay?" Lala noted with a kind and gentle smile toward Rosa, before she looked toward the pink-haired girl and waved at her. "Thank you!" She then followed the rest while taking one final look at the flower on the desk then took a deep breath as she hoped everything would be fine... Yes, hopefully.

Upon the exit of the junior girls, the pink-haired girl stood up and began to search for paper towels.

A small hand, fingers spread, lain flush against the frosty glass pane. It's fogged over slightly, with drizzles and droplets streaming down its surface, leaving little streaks in their wake. A dazzling flash of light. The crackle. Seconds of expectation. And then suddenly: Boom! The thunder roars. The window shakes. There is a visceral reaction then. A sort of slow-burning fear claws its way up from the gut of every human being. Instinct grips your heart between its shadowy tendrils and squeezes, and for a very brief moment, you are afraid. You are bowed by it. Before this sheer force of nature—this chaotic machination that is greater and more powerful than you, that is completely outside of your control—you are confronted by your own frailty. Inability. Ineffectuality. You are no match. But then you remember. You remember that it is on the outside looking in, and you are on the inside looking out. You are protected. The glass guards you from the torrential rain, from the threat of lightning, the raging thunder, the howling winds. Here, in this place, in this room, you are safe.

You are safe.

And so that inkling of fear, that instant of anguish, that momentary pressure in your chest—it vanishes. As you gaze out of the window during this, a particularly terrible storm, you take solace in the fact that you are in here, and it is out there.

And, for however brief the interlude may be, you are spared its wrath.

For the boy, it was not a window that guarded against a furious torrent of consequences, but a simple door. One that was tall and brown, closed, opaque and impenetrable. Like the rest of the bedroom, it too lay shrouded in shadow. A sort of rayless murk overwhelmed the place, choking the room with its consummate darkness. Even the windows were blackened with an inky obsidian, as if someone had painted over them with black paint, rejecting completely the effulgence of high noon. Inside this room was peaceful. It was quiet. With the darkness came a sense of harmony. Serenity, even.

It was safe. He was safe.

For now.

Outside the room, on the other side of the door, a storm raged. Not one of cloud, rain, and thunder, but one of men and mortals.

Though the sounds were muffled, one could hear their boots as they stomped and clacked along the ground, often in lockstep. Orders were barked by a frenzied authority. Coats flapping. Weapons—guns by the sound of them—drawn, checked, holstered, redrawn, and checked again. And then again. And again. And again. Commotion. Mobile devices chiming. Hushed whispers.

It was a storm of sheer pandemonium, and it was terrifying. But it was out there, on the other side of the door. Not in here—

BEEEEEEP—click click!

With the house on lockdown, each and every door had its steel-reinforced triple bolt engaged. It wasn't simply a door you'd be able to smash your way through. That sound, however. Those clicks. That was the sound of the door's locks being disengaged. Only a very select handful had the authorization to do such a thing during a lockdown, and whichever one of them that was about to step through that door was guaranteed to bring the storm outside in with them.

To the boy, those clicks were like the crackle of thunderclouds. Instinct—fear—gripped his heart with a vicious ferocity in those interim moments of silence that stretched on for eons. These were his seconds of panicked expectation. For he knew what came next: the thunder. The divine punishment. For his crimes, he would surely be smit.

Whoever it was, it was someone the boy definitely did not want to see. Not now. Maybe not ever.

The door swung open. It was done slowly at first, deliberately, as if the person on the other side were peeking in. After a moment, the door opened completely. All of the sounds—the chaotic barking, the running, the whirl of weapons being drawn, checked, and holstered, it all ceased, as if a cone of silence had descended upon the area. The only indication that the door had been opened at all, other than the initial clicks, was the entrance of light from the hallway—a brilliant incandescence that waged holy war against the boy's crepuscular and consummate dusk.

This was a war the darkness could never win. It was forced to retreat, clinging like cobwebs to the corners of the bedroom.

The door remained open for a rather short amount of time—just long enough for a figure to step through it—then it closed, returning the room to its pitch-black state.

For a while, nothing happened. The storm outside the door did not resume—the muffled sounds of commotion and pandemonium from earlier had not yet returned. Likewise, the bedroom regained its internal peace as the darkness resumed its reign. Then suddenly, there was a soft beep. It was the touch panel—the room's light controls—being interacted with.

Someone was trying to turn on the lights.

But the boy, like all children his age, was particularly tech savvy, and he wanted it to stay dark. It's why he'd locked the light controls some time earlier. After a few attempts, the figure realized this as well and stopped. Again, it seemed that nothing was happening. The darkness masked any sort of activity, and the figure moved without making a single noise. The next sound the boy heard was a tap, like a knuckle knocking on glass. It was then that the boy realized his mistake, his oversight, but by then it was already too late.

There was one final tap, and then a confirmation beep as the windows themselves acknowledged the touch command. Ever so slowly, the inky paint-like blackness that tinted the massive glass windowpane began to fade away, allowing muted streamers of sunlight to enter the room. Once the opacity was reduced by around a fourth, the figure removed his hand from the window, halting the process.

The room was no longer dark now, bathed instead in a gentle milky sort of glow, as if by candle light. It was a compromise between the dark and the light.

The abode was square in shape. It was definitely not small, though it was not massive either. On one side of the wall was the entrance, the door. It was surrounded by posters of comic book heroes. Mostly Batman. Adjacent to that wall was another. This one featured two small desks, two dressers, and a paper-thin television mounted into the wall. There was also another door on this wall that lead into a small bathroom off to the side. The next wall was composed entirely of a sheet of glass. It was bulletproof, shatter-resistant, and entirely electronic, able to change its tint to become completely opaque or completely transparent with a few touch commands. On the final wall was a particularly large wooden bunk bed.

The figure noted that the top bunk was empty, though there was an unmoving lump lying under the comforter on the bottom bunk, as if hiding. With a sigh, the figure moved across the room to stand before the bed, towering above the child-sized lump beneath the covers. For nearly a minute, nobody and nothing moved, save for what the figure realized was the delicate rise and fall of the comforter, timed to the breathing of a person. This seemed to satisfy, for the figure disengaged first, moving back across the room and grabbing a chair. He slid it across the floor to rest between the center of the room and the edge of the bed before taking a seat, his back to the massive window. Under his arm were a stack of papers, and in his free hand was a plate of some kind. He set the plate down to his right, close to the bunk bed, and the placed the papers on his lap, pulling a pen from his coat.

The figure ran a hand once through his short spiky brown hair, exhaling softly before crossing his legs and getting to work.

For the better part of thirty minutes, the room remained mostly silent. The only sound that could be heard, aside from an infrequent footstep or murmur from outside the door, was the scribbling of pen on paper.

It was not the figure that broke the silence.

"Tsunayoshi." Came a small boy's voice, almost like a hiss, from under the covers. The word was said with such disdain, such venom, that the boy may as well have been reciting the name of a plague, or demon.

The figure, Tsunayoshi, stopped writing, the pen becoming still atop the paper as if someone had paused time. He smiled then, the skin around his mouth and eyes crinkling. It was a smile so genuine and all-encompassing that it nearly brightened the room all by itself. "Ieyoshi," he replied, his tone light and full of warmth. Tsunayoshi—Tsuna—had been waiting for this moment. Though he didn't get to see him as often as he would have liked, he knew by now that interacting with the boy required extreme patience on his part. "The boys," he began, nodding his head toward the door and the Vongola hitmen standing guard outside it, "tell me you haven't come out since momma left with your brother. Is that true?"

There was no response. Tsuna continued.

"Well, you're gonna have to eat sometime, Ieyoshi. Here." He pointed to the plate on the ground. Not like Ieyoshi was looking since he was still hiding under the covers. "It's PBJ. I made it for you. Momma's been telling me it's your favorite now."

Ieyoshi responded by pulling the comforter more tightly around himself, adopting a fetal position and remaining absolutely silent. Tsuna expected this, and after a moment went back to scribbling on his papers. Again, patience would be the key to meaningful interaction here.

Several minutes passed before Ieyoshi spoke again. Where before he sounded confident, jaded, annoyed even, this time his voice was much softer and child-like. Tsuna recognized the fear that underlined it—the pain—and it nearly broke his heart. "Dad," Ieyoshi muttered. Never once had he uttered that word in reference to Tsunayoshi. Not once. "... is he... is Haku..." The tendrils of instinct, of fear tightened their vice-like grip on the boy, forcing his voice to climb even higher in pitch. He sounded as if he were about to cry. "Did I—"

"He's fine," Tsuna interrupted, his tone remaining warm and upbeat. "He's sleeping now, and they tell me he might even come home tonight."

The truth was, Ieharu wasn't fine. When Kyoko called him up, sobbing, Tsuna dropped everything, flying back to Namimori that same day. Unfortunately, it was a 20-some hour flight. When he arrived at the intensive care wing, the staff wouldn't let him see Ieharu. They kept repeating over and over again that he was was suffering through convulsive status epilepticus, or "a violent seizure that won't end" as the nurse put it. Apparently, the only way to stabilize him was to induce a temporary coma. What was evident, they claimed, was that he suffered some sort of serious metabolic disturbance. It was as if his very cells were robbed of the energy necessary to perform their vital life-sustaining functions.

"So don't worry," Tsuna continued. "Okay?"

This time, Ieyoshi didn't wait before he responded, bursting out from under the covers like a powerful geyser and sitting upright, propping himself up with his free hand. Immediately, he locked eyes with his father and scowled. "I'm not a kid! You can't just lie to me anymore, Tsuna!" He hissed, his frown deepening.

While another parent may have been flustered by the blatant lack of respect on part of their offspring, Tsuna merely laughed. A good genuine belly-laugh. He laughed so hard that his son's cheeks flushed red with chagrin and confusion. "I'm pretty sure 10-years-old means you're a kid still, buddy." He grinned again, pointing a finger down towards the plate at Ieyoshi's bedside.

Ieyoshi gritted his teeth, gripping his pillow by its case and arching his arm backwards, preparing to hurl it at his father. "Why can't you just go away!"

The mirth in Tsuna's expression melted away, his smile disappearing, replaced entirely by the intimidating steel of an annoyed parent. "Don't throw that at me," he commanded. Ieyoshi froze, his eyes widening slightly before he relented, gripping the pillow with both hands and laying it on his lap. Again his face flushed slightly, his eyes downcast. It was very rare that Tsuna became stern with his sons, and it caused Ieyoshi's demeanor to shift instantly, his shoulders slumping, his body language becoming more submissive. Tsuna sighed, willing his joviality to return. "So what happened, Yoh?"

Ieyoshi's eyes, still cast downward, shifted guiltily to the side. When he began talking, he spoke quickly and quietly. "Well, we were wrestling and we rolled and stuff and he was winning so then... and then..." He chewed on his lower lip as he searched for the right words, tears brimming at the edges of his eyes. "And then the monster got him." Ieyoshi muttered with extreme caution, as if uttering the words would bring the creature back into reality. His tears began to fall in earnest, streaming down his puffy cheeks like rain down a window pane. "The monster from before. The one that's always inside me."

Tsuna was nonplussed, opening his mouth to respond but closing it right after. This was the eventuality he'd always feared finally come to pass. Still, he wanted nothing more in that moment than to hug the boy, to make him believe that everything would be alright, but such a display of affection would only serve to aggravate the child further. The best strategy to assuage Ieyoshi was to comfort him with logic—to use words.

Ieyoshi languished as the silence between them grew to a deafening level. He still refused to meet his father's gaze, trying his hardest not to stammer as he made his next inquiry. "Do you hate me?"

Tsuna was literally taken aback, reacting as if he'd been slapped. Surprise raced across his countenance like a rocket, leaving him stunned for a brief moment. Then he smiled. It was a positively sanguine expression. "Ieyoshi," he began, chuckling softly. "That's just not possible. There's nothing you could possibly do to make me hate you."

Ieyoshi chanced a glance up at his father before casting his eyes downward once more, still refusing to keep Tsuna's gaze. He began to knead the pillow between his hands as if it were Play-Doh. By now, the top of the pillow had become noticeably dampened. "Have you ever hurt someone by accident?" He asked in that uncharacteristically sheepish manner of his.

Tsunayoshi didn't respond at first. Instead, he simply took stock of his son, absorbing the scene before him while pondering the question. Clearly, Ieyoshi was in pain. He had been left alone and in the dark about his brother for nearly 24 hours, since Kyoko couldn't be at two places at once and Ieharu was at the hospital. Yet again, Tsuna's work with the Vongola had gotten in the way, and when his family needed him most he wasn't able to make it in time. He'd failed. The Vongola Decimo stood, deftly catching his important work-related documents as they fell from his lap and placing them down on the chair. Had he ever hurt someone by accident? Tsuna looked down at his boy, his flesh and blood, with a solemn expression. "Every day, Ieyoshi," he finally replied. "Every day."

BEEEEEEP—click click!

Tsuna glanced at the door as it opened while Ieyoshi furiously wiped at his eyes with the back of his hands. Standing in the doorway was none other than Hibari, current Vongola Cloud guardian, in his immaculate jet-black suit and tie.

"Herbivores," he uttered in an almost disinterested tone. It was his form of a greeting.

"Hibari!" Tsuna replied, grinning awkwardly. This was an unexpected visit. "Welcome!"

Ieyoshi turned his body in an attempt to hide the fact that he had been crying. Not that Hibari could so easily be fooled.

The cloud guardian grunted in acknowledgement. "Still hard to believe that you multiplied," he remarked offhandedly. "But I came as soon as I heard. I believe we have a solution for your other little one."

Both Tsuna and Ieyoshi gaped at Hibari with wide amber eyes, asking the same question in unison: "We?"

The loud chatter of the cafeteria filled the room. The cafe was spacious and contained more than enough space for every student in the school as if they planned for another incoming class. Although it seemed like a normal day, there was a bit of 'tension' floating around in the air. It was Thursday, but not your average one. More specifically it was Godbread Thursday, the day where boys become men.

"Only a few more minutes to go," Lilith said watching the oven. She was still waiting to produce the gift from heaven and bring it to life on earth. The Godbread. Perfectly seasoned, buttered, and prepared with love. The ultimate bread that for today, was only one eighth of the regular price. Typically, only fully grown adults with a well-paying job could afford such a delicacy or a few students that came from rich families, but this special was made with the students in mind; however, there was a large catch with this. Only five were being made. In the spirit of competition, each Godbread will be placed separated and equal distance from the opposite side of the coffee shop. Whoever brings it to Lilith's cashier stand in the small coffee shop section located in the cafe, gets the sale. Once the Godbread container was handed to Lilith, then it is considered safe and no longer eligible for anyone to take. This was the honor rule in placed for all those who battle for it. This was a monthly affair and allows students to release any stress they have built up through school along with the chance to be blessed by the Godbread.

Today marked the second Godbread Thursday of the school year which tends to be the more popular one. By now, the nicknames of those who have participated have been given and more people would have garnered strategies in preparation for war. The first war was interesting to say the least. There five winners were the Hokage, the angry Mad Hatter, the Ghost, the Doll Queen, and the Still Reaper. This time, the fight will be more rigorous since more students have prepared their own strategies in preparation. You could see among the students that some have matching shirts to represent their factions, others have sat in certain positions closer to the Godbread locations where they would be placed. "This'll be a good show," Lilith said to herself. This was one of the few things that gave Lilith a slight rush other than stealing valuables. "I guess I'll check what's on TV then," she said as she motioned towards the remote. There was a slightly large television used to create ambiance with background music while the store ran. *Click* She flipped to the first channel, hah the news.

"This is AMAZING," the reporter obnoxiously yelled. "Tempest! From Blast of Tempest is rumored to be coming to Namimori to perform, SOON!" Her excitement was very apparent accompanied by the fans standing behind her trying to get their five seconds of fame. "I love you Tempest!" one of the teenagers shouted from behind the reporter. "Oh yeah! We love you Tempest," another fan shouted. "But that's not all folks!" the reporter could barely contain her excitement, "But Kunyo! Kunyo the model! He'll be accompanying her! Both of these idols together!"

"Her music is alright, but Kunyo is pretty attractive. Not my type though," Lilith muttered while changing to the next channel. Another news jingle came on again, "Oh great, more news."

A male reporter with a larger build stood there with a serious demeanor. "This is scary news folks. Last week, we went from covering the mysterious gamer N1E5—pronounced Nies— and his many achievements, but this week we have a notorious hacker attack...in NAMIMORI." "This man sounds like the conspiracy theorist that are on television....oh wait," she stopped midway realizing this in fact is the news. "But alas, we have hope! We have another hacker on our side!”

"Conspiracy, conspiracy, next," she clicked the remote again.

"Here we are live with the famous Wushu Master, Alois!" The reporter shifted the mic while the camera focused on Alois. "Hello Alois, I've heard you're coming to Namimori soon, why is that?" She continued to ask him probing questions on and on.

"Eh, that's cool I guess." *DING DING DING* The oven continuously beeped. It's time. Lilith pressed the power button on the remote to shut off the annoying news reporters. As she walked towards the oven, she could notice the shift in atmosphere in the cafeteria. The voices slowly began to fade as she went to open the oven. She grabbed her Namimori cafe specialized mittens with Bertha's image holding a coffee mug, then opened the oven. The irresistible aroma overwhelmed the cafe and overtook Lilith for a moment. The smell started to spread even further into the cafeteria causing an eerie silence to fill the area. "The God bread," one student muttered quietly, "Praise the gods. "The Pastry Goddess has finished the ritual," another student said while beginning to kneeling down in respect. Lilith somehow earned the title of Pastry Goddess as the legends of God Bread Thursdays began. The nicknames and different factions of students were always interesting to say the least.

Lilith pulled out the long strip of Godbread out of the oven and already prepped five durable sturdy containers out on a table. She carefully divided them up, spread butter, a bit more seasons, and finally completed the legendary God Bread by placing them in the containers. "It's time," she said while holding each container stacked on top of each other like a professional waitress. She walked slowly towards the first pedestal on the opposite side of the cafeteria. The pedestal was white and in the form of ancient Greek god. The five gods that had a pedestal design were Zeus, Hera, Athena, Ares, and Apollo and it is said that whichever bread you receive will cause you to earn a different blessing from the respective god. Each pedestal god held their hand out as if they were holding something up which conveniently could be filled with a God Bread. All five god pedestals that lie equal distance from each other while they all stand on the opposite side of the cafe. As Lilith placed the final God Bread, she began walking back like a model in all her beauty. She lived up to her title as the Pastry Goddess because as she slowly walked, her hair flew which helped show her natural allure. By this point, the entire cafeteria population was silent and watching Lilith head back to the cafe. The war doesn't start until she says those magic words. Students sat there with their fist clenched and ready.

The sound of running footsteps began near the Zeus Godbread statue. Someone tried to get a false start ahead of everything. "Sorry love," Lilith said as she quickly turned around. She reached for a small yen coin from her pocket, held it with two fingers with her left hand, and prepared her right hand to flick it. She closed one eye, then released the flick. The yen flew at a terrifying speed directly toward the student. BAM! It hit the child bulls eye on the back of the head. He fell down temporarily knocked out from the impact. Some students shook their heads, knowing that you should never try to get an early start. The Pastry Goddess is beautiful but merciless. Without saying any further words, Lilith turned around and continued walking towards the cafe. She finally reached the cashier with her back facing the wall opposite of the students and the Godbread. The tension in the air was more evident since it was about to be that time. She quickly turned around with the 'coffee lady girl' persona and smile and said, "Welcome to Namimori Cafe! We are Now Open!"

"To the Godbread!" "Ahhhh!" I'll get it!" A multitude of students had begun yelling while chasing their respective god pedestal. This was the beginning of the second bread wars.

---

✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦
✦█✦

---

"The past is not always where you have left it..."

"Sakura-sama, do you really believe this is wise?" Eyes resembling the golden sheen of the sun showed no waver as it gazed at the fluttering pink petals entering the room through the opened window. "Wise, you ask." She looked at a lone petal that landed inside her tea. "It is a result I yet to know, if it would warrant that description." She reached for her tea and drank from it with elegance uniquely hers. An odd vision she was surrounded by Japanese tradition, for she was garbed in a dress of simplicity yet the regal definition of a noble woman of the western world.

"Despite it all, they are children." She placed down her tea on the nearby table and stood from her position. "Yet to bloom, we can only nourish and guide as to who they ought to be under their own volition." She made her way to the opened shoji doors as her trailed behind like silken curtain. "In the end, we only have hope. That it would be enough for their sake."

"Sometimes, it is in front of you hounding for the future..."

Yume walked along the rather quiet hallways of Namimori High. Her eyes looked towards the window panels lining up her path as they provided a reflection of a peaceful scenery. The light defined her form creating such a silhouette of graceful radiance. So, it was not far-fetched as why the passing students could not help but be captivated by her presence and yet her attention was taken by the view upon the glass. It portrayed the grounds and the sporadic flow of students coming in. This was rather explainable as she had heard the lunch bell rang as she entered the school earlier. Most of the students must be at the cafeteria now.

Apparently, she had arrived quite late for the morning classes and managed to attend by noon. It seemed that her duties had been taking much of her time. She did have to leave early yesterday. Though, she does regret that decision to do so. Hiroshi had informed her of the events which transpired after class had ended yesterday on the way here. It seemed her mother had sensed the anomaly, clearly presenting the difference between their abilities at the moment. Nevertheless if she was present, perhaps it would not have escalated to that point. It could have been avoided entirely and yet, what is done has already been done. All one could hope to do was to stand and gather the broken pieces in an effort to compensate for that error, if only possible.

That was probably reason why she has yet to make her appearance at the cafeteria where she had heard some event was about to happen. Just like so, her gaze was not meant to linger or to understand. It was to search for an individual, to know. Then again, she has already an answer. What she required was not it at all, but beyond what is clear and sure. Just like so, she continued her pace as she stumbled upon some of the maintenance staff installing a new window. She halted at that point and recalled another portion of what Hiroshi had spoken to her. It seemed that her Ani had been in an altercation with a fellow senior. The result, a broken window as the one who went up against her brother was thrown out of it. And of course, she had to pick up after him which she did.

Many had suggested for her to simply give up on her brother. It was the best solution for in the end, his problems should not be hers. They say that at some point, even family has limitations. Their belief that she was holding on due to blood ties was not even part of the reason. She is here for him, because, she is responsible and she wanted nothing more but to be... "Witch." That voice prevented anything else to be processed by her. Her eyes met with the same silver eyes that she was born with, the greatest difference was the emotion conveyed through it. Hers, it was of surprise, a pleasant one. On the other side, it was of pure contempt. "Onii-sama. Good morning." She smiled at Mamoru with such gentleness and was rather glad to see that he had come early, that meant he was interested attending school. "I see you--- "

"Get away." Effectively cutting anything else needed to be said at that point, he walked passed Yume as if she was nothing and also ending the conversation, if that was to be considered one. She maintained her ground as the smile much like crystalline drop of water vanished into a vapor under the sun. Still, she looked over her shoulder to see her brother's back moving away without interruptions as it faded out of her sights. There was sadness present upon her facade and also something deeper, yet not truly clear to anyone's eyes. She then faced forward once more and continued onto her path. This had been their relationship for quite some time, she should say that she is used to it, but really she couldn't.

It was at that point, she caught sight of the one she was looking for accompanied by two people quite dear without doubt. Her face lit up with such warmth and kindness, yet at the same time those silver eyes held an understanding deeper than any of them could ever understand. She knew most what he might be feeling at this moment, the condition of the boy now in the hospital. As such, she began her approach when a sudden feeling awash her, making her take a heed from having another step. From the corner of her eyes, she saw something ethereal. She turned to get a better look and indeed saw someone beyond the windows. As if certain, her attention was caught, this someone began to talk and she of course listened intently as much as she could. Her focus was absolute on her expression as her eyes locked on that someone without fail, only to be broken with...

"Yume-san?" Without a moment lost, she looked at the one who called her and it was one of her classmates. "Yes?" The concerned student answered that question. "Are you all right? Is there someone out there?" She then looked back only to see that there was no one there anymore, not even a trace. "A guardian angel..." Her fellow senior looked at her oddly in which she responded with a small smile. "Do not worry about it, thank you for your concern." It was better to not speak anything further about it. "...Okay, I'll see you later." She assured her classmate with a nod who then bid her a wave and left, seemingly satisfied that she was fine. As for her, she looked back at the window and then to corner of the corridor barely catching the one she had been seeking vanishing from her line of vision.

"I wonder what to do with one who is full to the brim and one who is infinitely empty." Her voice whispered it to the winds as she began to walk once more.

Ryuu scowled around the room, ignoring the din as he reached a hand up to his hat - a fedora that had a wide band near the brim that was the colour of the school sweater he was wearing over his uniform - to jam it securely down on his head like a helmet. He looked around suspiciously at the room, taking note of everyone's position.

He, Chester and Izaya were nowhere near the outside tables - those belonged to the popularities and bullies, the rest of the normal people were at the tables inside, discussing strategies or just fidgeting in place as they waited for the Godbread battle to begin. Why there was a battle with bread as the prize Ryuu didn't know (it wasn't even free, the last time he'd taken it he'd had to pay for it at the counter), but damn lunch period if he wasn't going to get that bread, even though he was still bruised and hurt from the fight yesterday. It had been scarily delicious, almost like those first class bread you could get in Tokyo that costed more than he knew-not-what, a car maybe, but definitely a lot more than a highschool student could afford.

No way was he missing out on this. Especially when his new club members where joining in on the fun too.

How did it even begin in the first place anyway? Some student from the beginning going "bread mine, no touch" with another going "hurhurhur, me no care" and swiping it from student 1, starting a food fight that ended up like the world's first MMA match, only with more amateur violence, praising of the gods (ALL HAIL THE BREADMAKER!!) and bread as the winning prize they had to pay for? Talk about weird. All the schools he'd been to never had sanctified food wars taking place ever.

(The how and why of it was a lot more simpler than what Ryuu was thinking. It actually involved a mix up where everyone was only able to eat bread for a week straight when all the shops but the breadshop closed, two students fighting over a piece of bread with the ferocity of starving wolves who had just spotted a small baby bunny with crippled legs and knowing that only one gets to eat it, a serious of incredibly bizarre coincidences involving a container of hot bacon soup, a group of back packs and a bully trying to get someone to do his homework for him, and a baguette. And also a wallet. The result had been a fight on the scale of Ragnarok with the noise of a tank at close range and only broke up when the bell rang for classes to begin. No deaths were had, but many of the students afterwards had to go to the infirmary.

And thus, the Breadwars began. Never let it be said that students had no clue how to hold a food fight.)

The sounds of bookies and tactics and just noise in general around him went down as the BreadMaker appeared, and Ryuu faced Izaya and Chester. It was about to start. Time for one last debrief. Ryuu tried not to grin from the anticipation.

"Alright, its about to start," He said quietly, stretching his arms in preparation. He straightened forwards from his slouch to half out of his chair, ready to move the moment the signal was given. "We all know what we're gonna do during the battle period - Captain, I am not bailing you out if you get hurt, and I won't hold back if we're facing each other Chester - but..." Ryuu's voice grew smaller and more hesitant, like he was half-hoping for them not to hear, and he kept his gaze locked on the Breadmaker. "good luck."

The plan was simple, really. Ryuu and Chester were going after the bread, while Iz (who was just plain weird, seriously) went around to help people or do who knows what. Why he wanted to shift them around instead of join in Ryuu had no clue (it wasn't like they wouldn't be capable of moving themselves up after waking up and it wasn't like they weren't prepared for it), but eh. It was what he wanted to do. Ryuu saw no point in going against it, so long as it didn't involve Ryuu ditching his original objective.

As for Ryuu's plan, it was simple - go after the Herabread, stay out of Chester's way, and hopefully manage it without aggravating anything. Oh, and fighting. Lots and lots of fighting, yay. Izaya could do what he wanted on his own, Ryuu had no plans for helping out -

The woman at the counter started to talk, and Ryuu readied himself just like everybody else, body tense, eyebrows furrowing downwards. Wait for it....

"Welcome to Namimori Cafe! We are Now Open!"

---

tachythetabbycat: Hey, is any1 online yet?

---

daft_E: ya im here
daft_E: but y do we have to use this when we r barley meters a way?

---

MrsMachiavelli: Is everyone in their positions?

---

daft_E: barely*
daft_E: stupid auto correct
daft_E: yea im ready

---

Lyndis_theThird: I'm already, ready!

---

tachythetabbycat: cant wait for the bread!
tachythetabbycat: lol, Akako's not answering us

---

LADYROSE: I'm here!
LADYROSE: just telling this loser to gtfo, because he's compromising Rosa's plan

---

MrsMachiavelli: Alright, everybody is accounted for.
MrsMachiavelli: Just to make sure you all remember the plan, please repeat it to me.

---

tachythetabbycat: again?!

---

LADYROSE: I'm with the MAA club at the very front, but it's sort of annoying how they're all surrounding me
LADYROSE: apparently they're doing whatever I say for the sake of consoling me over my loss of Ishiki
LADYROSE: but I know they all know I dumped his ass, lol

---

tachythetabbycat: lol

---

LADYROSE: so there going to get the Ares bread for me.

---

MrsMachiavelli: They're*
MrsMachiavelli: Erin, I assume you are confident in your plan to obtain the Hera bread.

---

daft_E: yea im good
daft_E: trust me that nobody is going 2 dare 2 touch that bread but me

---

LADYROSE: We can barley even read your texts

---

daft_E: barely*
daft_E: Rosa thx for getting me cream soda

---

MrsMachiavelli: Indeed.
MrsMachiavelli: I made sure that Lyndis would be secured a seat near the Apollo bread.

---

Lyndis_theThird: Easy peasy to get. Last time was so simple!
Lyndis_theThird: Knock out everyone! Take the br3Ad!

---

MrsMachiavelli: Naturally, her victory was solely thanks to her luck, and her looks.
MrsMachiavelli: Not even a savage would dare lay a finger on her after all.

---

LADYROSE: What about them?
LADYROSE: those terrible twins
LADYROSE: what if they turn all crazy again?

---

tachythetabbycat: lol
tachythetabbycat: and strip to their underwear and catch their hair on fire wwwww

---

MrsMachiavelli: I know how to deal with them, but I doubt they'll matter in this conflict.
MrsMachiavelli: Tomoe, I hope you haven't forgotten your job.
MrsMachiavelli: Tomoe?

---

tachythetabbycat: I know! helping u setting up tripwires between the tables
tachythetabbycat: also u told me 2 show off my new pickpocketing skills on every1s wallets
tachythetabbycat: they cant buy bread w/o money lol

---

daft_E: hey rosa
daft_E: u ok?
daft_E: u look stiff

---

MrsMachiavelli: I'm perfectly fine.
MrsMachiavelli: Remember to look out for the Hokage, the Mad Hatter and the Ghost.

---

tachythetabbycat: hey look, its almost time!

---

LADYROSE: LMAO did you see that dumbass?

---

daft_E: he stole my idea
daft_E: but got rekt

---

MrsMachiavelli: Prepare yourselves, girls.
MrsMachiavelli: Let us enter this Battle Royale with the mandate of heaven on our side.
MrsMachiavelli: For the bread of the gods belongs to us alone, and we shall claim it all!

With that final proclamation fresh in the mind of the girls, they all pocketed their BluScreens and went straight to their intended destinations. They firmly believed that nothing would stop them. After all, Rosa had told them what to do, and as long as they followed Rosa's command, they would never fail as it almost never failed them before. Besides, Rosa wasn't so foolish as to not leave room for error. No, the girls were well aware of what their Plan B was, but whether they had to resort to it would depend on how well they did individually. Here was where Rosa's social network would shine.

As long as Rosa still held the mandate of heaven.

"So you're saying people fight over the pastries?" Ieyoshi walked along Damien's right side as he spoke, his tone as paced and even as ever. He had the voice of a old sage that had long since grown bored of his mortal coil. "Sounds dumb," he muttered almost offhandedly. "I already have a lunch from home anyway."

"No Yoh you don't understand!" He shook his head while moving slightly in front of the twins to face them. "Godbread wars is a way of life!" He said with an unnecessary loud voice. He shifted his pose as if he were a samurai holding his invisible long bamboo hat. After a dramatic pause, he gave a deep voiced chuckle as if he were the final boss in a video game. "Little did you know peons, I am," he quickly clasped both of his hands together then swiftly moved them in various positions like a ninja performing a jutsu. After reaching his final hand gesture, in a old Japanese man tone, he said, "The Hokage!"

Ieharu giggled in response, his grin big enough to brighten the whole hallway. Though soft, his laughter was rich and bubbly. Ieyoshi, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes and sighed.

"Godbread wars give you a chance to show your heart, valor, and soul. To battle all of the other warriors fighting their way to be blessed by the gods!" He clenched his fist and pounded it on his chest producing a slight thump noise. "Will you both not heed the call?! Will you both not join the ranks of the chosen few?" He looked up to the sky with a gleam shining in his eyes. His arm now extended upwards with one finger pointed to the stars. "The god's invitation stands before you both! Join me for this battle, for I shall have victory once again! Earn your own Godbread!" By this point, he was no longer looking at the twins, but towards the sky like a dreamer. He whispered with a loud voice, "Be Legendary," while providing his own recurring echo of the word 'Legendary' as if it were fading out. He maintained his pose pointing to the sky fixating his gaze on the same spot. He was awaiting a response from the twins and didn't move an inch like a statue.

"Well... I think it sounds pretty cool," Ieharu said, chiming in from Damien's left. For some reason, the older twin was maintaining a noticeable distance between himself and his younger counterpart, though Ieharu was not sure why. It'd been this way all morning, ever since they'd woken up. Maybe he had done something wrong? Or perhaps he'd angered his elder twin by dragging him into that fight yesterday? Just the thought of yesterday's antics with Ishiki made Ieharu's chest seize up, but the moment passed rather quickly. Though he remembered being bruised and bloodied before falling asleep that night, most of his injuries were healed by morning as if they hadn't even occurred in the first place. He looked past Damien and to his brother, shooting him a smile. "Not that I wanna fight again or anything," he continued. "I learned my lesson, huh!" The moment Ieharu looked towards Ieyoshi was the moment Ieyoshi looked away, his eyes trained in the opposite direction. Ieharu's smile melted into something resembling a frown, betraying for a moment his inner frustration with being ignored, but with his hand he wiped the expression from his face. He didn't dare ask Ieyoshi what was wrong. Not yet, anyway. He knew better than just about anyone that only way to fix a problem involving his brother was with extreme patience.

The trio walked in deafening silence for a few awkward moments before Damien spoke again.

Damien picked up on the unusual vibe in the air between the two. He typically performs something witty as comic relief between the two, but for once, he was at a loss of words. Well best to keep them on task. "Batman!" He suddenly blurted out. "Yoh, if you actually got a Godbread, you might be known as Batman throughout the school!" He shifted his gaze over to Ieharu and his eyes squinted a bit. A grin came upon his face as he said, "and you ole little you. You'll be Captain Underpants the hero." Damien chuckled as a look of horror raced across Ieharu's face.

Ieyoshi simply grunted in response. It was neither approving nor dismissive.

As they rounded the corner, they were greeted by the a large metal sign that hung from the ceiling: Namimori Cafe. Loud chatter overflowed from the room, nearly drowning out their conversation. As they stepped through the double doors, they were forced to raise their voices.

"Do it, Yoh! Do it!" Ieharu urged. Ieyoshi? Didn't want to fight? Truly, his brother was behaving strangely today.

Ieyoshi shrugged, turning back towards the entrance. He had no qualms with a little friendly sparring, but with all the crap that went down yesterday, he just felt tired of it all. In fact, he wanted to go back home and sleep more than anything. "Meh," he sighed, preparing to walk out of the room. "On second thought, I'll catch you guys later."

"Oh, come on, Yoh!" Ieharu groaned, "don't be like that."

Ieyoshi stopped in his tracks, seemingly at the behest of his brother.

"Oh jeeze," Ieyoshi muttered, his voice taking on an unusually high pitch, his shoulders slumping slightly. Literally a moment ago he was the image of cool, the posterboy for suave, the unshakable stale-face Ieyoshi, but now he looked like a kid who'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

If he didn't know any better, Ieharu would describe his brother's strange behavior as bashful, but that was an impossible role reversal. The boy followed his brother's gaze towards the cafeteria's entrance. Standing there

"Woah!" Ieharu began. "Is that Yume-nee?!"

Damien shifted his head immediately at the name. "Did you say," without pause his eyes went from his normal expression to a love struck teen, "Yume?"

A smile that would even shatter the moon's gentle light in reverence decorated the lips of the Himemiya Princess as she stood at the entrance with those eyes of her gazing at the visage of three individuals though, it was clear her attention was commanded strongly by one. Words were not spoken as she took a step towards the group in her eloquent grace. A crown of starless obsidian trailed behind her with every elegance intrinsic in her being. It was like a vision of a lady meant for the greatest illusions of mankind had come to reality, as such it was clear as to why the onlookers of the cafeteria were attracted to her form.

True to that, a companion of the Sawada twins was obviously enamored with her. Ieharu glanced over to his left to see Damien looking as if he'd taken a shot of adrenaline to the chest. Ieyoshi, on the other hand, seemed to shrink backwards... though surely it only appeared that way.

"Good day to you." Yume started as she found herself now before the group. "Ieharu-kun. Damien-kun." Her sight then settled on one. "Ieyoshi."

At mention of his name, the elder Sawada twin flinched ever-so slightly. It was a nearly imperceptible micro-movement, though Ieharu honed in on it like a missile, eyebrows rising. He noted that, for as long as he could remember, his brother always acted... weird? in front of a small handful of people. Ieharu enumerated the list in his mind. There was Mom, Dad, uncle Ryohei, that actor that played Batman in that one movie, and then there's...

The smile on Yume's face did not relent, though her eyes held a deep understanding that none can decode, perhaps, only a selected few could hope to. "I am glad to see you all attending Namimori. I would like to apologize I had not welcomed you as early as I am able." To show her sincerity, her head lowered in a bow as her hands delicately placed at her front. "I also would like to extend my apologies if my Ani had done anything untoward to you all." She then lifted her head to look at them with an expression of sweet affection relating to her brother. "It would be a great favor if you would dismiss his disorderly conduct."

Haha, it's cool, Yume-nee," Ieharu said, smiling as he scratched the back of his head. "I don't think we've really seen him around, though I heard he threw someone out a window."

"She called me Damien-kun," an infatuated Damien muttered, causing Ieharu to snicker quietly. For his part, Ieyoshi simply stared at his shoes.

Then like so, Yume's emotion shifted to that of gentle joy. "I do hope that you three are enjoying your time here." She showed familiarity towards them and this was a natural course as her father after all serves as a Vongola Guardian and above reason, she had been her father's representative in the Annual Famiglia Meeting. Something she is only able to attend when her schedule would allow it or is endearingly asked by her Oji - Tetsuya. It was rather enjoyable even with the consistent questions and overfriendliness provided by Rokudo in which she is often protected by Sasagawa. Most of all, she was glad to meet the others as well, specifically the children of her father's friends, though she had been told many times that it was not that case. Though, there was one she had met far more than the rest.

In any case, she stopped her thoughts of before and focused at the now. "How have you been, Ieharu-kun? Damien-kun? Ieyoshi?" Each time she mentioned a name, she looked at them with her eyes filled with tenderness yet, held that profound meaning as if seeing through them. "It has been quite a while since I have seen you all." She had a thoughtful smile before continuing with her words. "How all of you have grown. Such handsome boys." And as swift as a wind passing, her lips pursed ever so slightly. "I do wonder. Have you boys been into trouble?" Just like so, she looked at each of them before fixing her gaze a bit longer on Ieyoshi's profile and then proceeded looking at them in equal light. In the end, the things needed to be tackled cannot be revealed in the light, for now.

Ieyoshi remained silent, and Damien just stared awkwardly, so it was up to Ieharu to respond. He'd turned a shade redder at Yume's compliment. "Pretty good, Yume-nee," he replied. "We haven't seen ya since Dad was last around. How's--"

Suddenly, the room grew silent, which gave Ieharu pause. Everyone looked towards the front of the cafeteria, where a woman began placing containers out along several pedestals.

Yume looked at the breads being placed in interest.. Her eyes seemed to be in trance as if observing it or rather seeing something more than that. She does recall that there had been mentioned of an event for the cafeteria during Thursdays. It was indeed interesting as she could see some of the students focused rather in an excited manner, yet with a predatory gleam in those faces. Though, she could understand why they appeared so invested on the breads being displayed. They do look exquisite, that much she could tell. "Those Godbreads do look rather appetizing." She noted and then looked back at the boys. "Now, I know why they seem eager for it, though, I do not think I would be able to get one myself." She smiles gently and it was just simply a good after thought for her as she take another look at the breads.

Ieyoshi stole a glance at Yume, then at Damien, then sighed, a smirk worming its way onto his face despite himself. "Fine, Hokage. I'm in." He raised a fist, pointing it towards the Godbread statues. "I just gotta punch my way to one of those, right?"

And then it happened. "Welcome to Namimori Cafe! We are Now Open!"

Having only gone to sleep two hours prior, Cross was disgusted when he was awoken by his alarm clock. His aching body moved over to turn the alarm off and he could feel drowsiness trying to pull him back in the vile clutches of sleep. Rolling out of his bed and landing with a hard thump, he was in enough pain to keep his eyes open and wake his mind up. With his excitement from the first day of school completely diminished the only thing on his mind was being able to see the friends he had made again. When it passed his mind he had doubt on if he should be excited, but decided it was okay. As far as he was concerned, as long as he was working and stuck on watch there wasn't much else for him to do to keep him preoccupied, so friendship was a good way to kill the boredom.

As the sun began to shine through his windows, he walked over to close the blinds in an attempt to miss out on as much sun light as possible. He was very picky on when light was needed, preferring to keep the house as dark as possible. Having to walk around and be exposed to constant light during the day was not only a pain to his eyes, but it peeved him in a gut churning way. If there was one flaw to this easy job it'd have to be that. Still, he decided the money was worth the work. Making sure his house was as dark as the deepest part of the ocean, he put on his shoes, counted the number of messages on his answering machine, and left house, making sure to lock the door behind him.

During his walk to school he thought about how much fun and trouble he got into the day prior. He was excited to see if this day would give him even more entertainment. Remembering what Akira had said about the bread wars, he was ready to declare war on bread. He was going to kill all the bread he could for the winning prize. He wondered if that was the objective and had problems remembering the explanation Akira had given about the event. He was sure he wasn't too far off though and still pumped himself up for it.

..........................................................................

The test of his patience was hard, but he prevailed. He had fallen asleep that night in the corner of the store, the waiter who was serving him forgetting he was there because of his constant banter about waiting for someone. Joel hadn't realized how long he was waiting until he awoke the next morning and found the shop completely empty. Checking his phone, it was only a few hours before school was going to start, so he was sure that he was locked in the cafe until then. He spent the first hour switching between playing solitaire on his phone and thinking about how he was stood up. No. He decided not to take it that way after some thought. There had to be a reason. After all, they were both part of a busy organization where time is only a matter to the one who makes the calls, so he was probably called to do something else. Then Joel began to think of something else. What if he was called to wait on purpose? the very thought seemed preposterous, but wasn't out of the question considering the events of the past morning. He decided to think about it more over some coffee and a crepe. He made sure to put money on the counter for his usage and wouldn't usually resort to counter hopping, but he had never been stuck inside a store before with an empty stomach. He did make sure to clean his mess when he was done, so he hoped that the workers wouldn't be too made when they realized a pack of coffee and a crepe were missing.

The crepe filled the void of worry in his stomach and the coffee cleansed his guilt making him feel a hundred percent and ready for the day, which he planned on taking on normally as any other day. He hid in the bathroom until he heard voices and left a little while after the store opened. He made sure to text Godot, "Couldn't wait during school hours, but text me again if you want me to wait again," before entering the school building and then went to his homeroom class.

At the word 'go', most of the students involved in the breadwar started to charge, the noise level exploding from the decibel of the screams. Some leaped on the tables to use them as a stepping stone to the godbreads, while others crowded through the narrow openings between the tables and chairs to try and push their way through to the bread in a classic example of a zerg rush. Yet more slipped through the cracks between the people, only to get stopped by the people crowded around the statue, and everyone was throwing and exchanging punches or kicks or scuffles. Some of them had already broken from the main group clustered around the statues to scuffle with each other, snarls on their faces as they tried to take each other out.

It was pure pandemonium. Not for nothing was the title called breadwars. The scene resembled just that - a war being fought by soldiers who banded together, determined to snatch the bread, looters who aimed to steal it, lone warriors who prefered to attempt for the bread alone and knights clashing their swords against each other, all in an effort to grab the bread. And at the center of it all stood the five godbreads, the statues being seiged by so many people that it bore a twisted resemblance to that of the rush hour in early mornings, people crowding near the entrance and trying to elbow others away so that they could board the train first.

The Breadwars - the war of the epynomous godbreads. The war that over a hundred would join, but only five could win. And it had just begun.

Close to the edge, people were shoved out of the way as Ryuu pushed his way through, slipping through the space between people when he could and elbowing them away when he couldn't. Those who reached out to try and stop the rapidly advancing blonde, meaty hands reaching out to grab him with a nasty grin - and found themselves emptyhanded when he avoided their grabs and knocked them down with a couple of well-placed punches or elbows or kicks before going on his way, determination shining in his eyes, movements still fluid despite the injuries he had. Dumbfounded and out of breath, they gapped at his back in an attempt to figure out what just happened, forgetting about the battle for a moment. Impossible! He was new meat, new to both the school and the breadwars and injured to boot. They were the ones who were suppose to defeat him like it was a light workout to them, not the other way round. How could a diminuitive first year defeat them, veterans of the breadwars?!

Those who knew enough to associated Ryuu to the Mad Hatter, either through face or hat, barely raised an eyebrow. They had been there, after all. They knew what he was capable of.

As for Ryuu himself, he didn't really care what people thought so long as he got the bread. He knew that he'd made a pact with Chester (who had disappeared from sight) to help each other get the bread, and he was determined to do the best he could, keeping an eye out for people and an ear out for announcers. Duck dodge ugh, thank goodness I'm short enough that people won't see me go through them - wait forget that train of thought. Where's the bread? Who has it?

Chester muttered to himself, though he pulled the hood of his jacket more firmly abouve his head to hide his brightly colored hair to avoid being spotted. He stood with the crowd, though he was as still as a stone in the stream of people, blending in as yet another annoyed student as he waited for his chance to strike.

"Ah, seems like Mariboshi has the Herabread!" A student dressed in grey was sprinting down the sides like a linebacker doing his last play, face crossed with determination as he pushed people out of the way - only to trip on someone's outstretched leg. The watchers winced in sympathy as he landed on the ground with an earth shaking thud. "Ooo, that's gotta hurt folks! The Ice Witch knocked him down with one of her deadly legs, famous for their high kicks to the face! Poor Mariboshi won't last long - but wait! He's not running. He's staying to fight!" The announcer rose out of his seat, eyes wide with excitement as he tracked their movements. "Good block there, Mariboshi! But the Ice Witch is just warming up - wait, the bread isn't in their hands! Where is it?! Who has the bread?!"

Before anyone else could strike, Chester's arm shot out with a blur and snagged the bread without a pause, mentally thanking the announcers for doing their job. Of course, now he was going to be on the receiving end, and would have to evade the many outstretched arms of the crowd. Instead of shying away however, Chester stuffed the bread under his jacket and dived right in. The god bread was going to get a little flattened, but it was a small price to pay for its ownership.

"I don't believe it!" The announcer roared, standing up from his seat. The two fighters yelled and charged at Chester, but he ducked swiftly out of the way and and dived into the crowd. "GHOST HAS GOTTEN THE BREAD! Appearing out of the crowds, the Ghost, has snatched the bread! While Moriboshi and Ice Witch were distracted, he apparated out of the crowds like his namesake and disappeared back into the crowds as quick as he came! Finding him in the crowd is going to be no easy task! For a newcomer who only got his name last month, he's doing surprisingly well!"

"Hey, get outta the way!"

PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT

"What the-" "EEK!" "Gross!" "What the hell, dude? Wait, who?" "Did she really just-?" "Hey, you-" Thwap!

"Pwa~aah! Ain't nuthin." A short haired girl spat toward the boy who laid at her feet before grinning wickedly with a canned soda in her hand. She quickly began to chug the drink until her cheeks were full and the can was empty. That was when she locked eyes with Chester as people avoided standing in the direction she was facing. If she covered that bread in spew, nobody would dare touch it. It was gross, but that didn't bother Erin as the bread would belong to her anyway. Rosa declared it so, after all.

"It seems someone is up to the challenge! Erin has loaded another round of cream soda into her mouth! I'd pity the poor guy who got spat on just now, but he really should have gotten out of the way of the Spitter. Cautious about the soda she's just spewed and wary that more might come their way, the participants part ways around her! She's making for Ghost - but wait!"

Elbowing the last person standing in his way aside, Ryuu burst into the small bubble of space Erin had created at a run and sprinted to tackle her from behind, fedora jammed firmly down his head like a helmet as he charged quietly at her back. Erin, however, seemed to expect him coming—her basketball experience possibly attributing to her spacial awareness—and made a wild swing backwards. Flinging his torso backwards, Ryuu ducked under her arm and skidded on his knees on the floor like a limbo dancer on wheels, bringing himself to a stop in a crouch near the edge of the circle. Leaping to his feet, Ryuu quickly brought his fists up in front of him, lowering his center of gravity as he glared a challenge at Erin. They looked silently at each other, eyes refusing to break their gazes from each other as the commentator continued to yell from the side, the air surrounding them crackling with tension.

"It's the Mad Hatter! He's intercepted Spitter!" the announcer crowed enthusiastically. "It seems that he's covering for the Ghost's escape, and isn't willing to take no for an answer! Will she be able to defeat the Mad Hatter, or will the Mad Hatter triumph?! Or-" he slammed his hand on the table dramatically " - will she ignore his challenge and go after the Ghost, who has disappeared into the crowd like a clownfish hiding in a bed of coral?! What will the Spitter do now?!"

Erin seemed to have a moment of hesitation as she breathed heavily through her nose and sloshed the liquid in her mouth from cheek to cheek. Her ultimate goal was the bread, yet truly, Erin didn't really care about the bread, besides the fact that Rosa was relying on her to get it, even if it meant getting a stupid nickname like 'the Spitter'. The 'Mad Hatter' here had managed to gain one of the breads last time, so he definitely was a threat that Rosa had warned about. Also, from what Erin was aware, this was one of the boys that Akako believed was there to beat the crap out of the MAA club leader. Naturally, he was going to be a target for Rosa, so it would be sensible to take him down here, to get rid of his prestige and raise her own, all for Rosa's sake of course. Even if the real reason Erin was compelled to fight this guy was simply out of selfish desire, Rosa would still forgive her, right?

Eventually, Erin concluded that Rosa always had a plan that they could fall back to if need be and that simply fighting this guy would still be beneficial in the long run. With that reasoning, Erin could finally start thinking for herself and have some fun for this brief moment, as long as this guy didn't hold back because she was a girl. Erin cracked her knuckles and hunched over in a fighting stance not too dissimilar to a basketball one. In one swift motion, she went for a powerful upward jab.

She needn't have worried. Ryuu dodged to the left as he deflected the blow, rushing forwards with a punch of his own as the announcer began doing his job - yelling about what was happening like a maniac, mostly. "And it seems like the Mad Hatter and the Spitter has begun!" The announcer leaned out of his seat, craning his head this way and that to try and get a grip on what was going on. "The Spitter goes for first blood, but Mad Hatter dodges and gets in a blow of his own! They're going at it like rabid beasts! Care to explain more, Neri?"

"Naturally." Neri turned towards the two fighters, eyes narrowed as he tracked their movements. "Interesting! Spitter seems to have adopted an offensive style, sending blows towards Mad Hatter fast and wild," He said, voice ringing out clear above the sound of the crowd. "Although she is showering furious blows towards Mad Hatter - his style seems to be cautious and focused on deflecting blows while landing the occasional hit on her, a good tactic to use in this situation." Despite the blows raining on him, Ryuu kept calm, evenly deflecting and blocking any blows that Erin sent his way. The audience roared as his arm lashed out like a coiled spring to her right, Neri's voice resounding above all the clamor as he continued to narate. "Strong punch, and fast too. A formidable opponent indeed. What shall Spitter do?"

Erin dodged to the left, a smug look in her eyes that widened with surprise when Ryuu followed up the feint with a whip-like kick to her face from the left, body twisting gracefully as his foot made his way towards the side of Erin's head. His leg landed against Erin's arm with a thwack as she raised it up lightning quick to shield her face, and she swayed to the side from the blow. Scowling, Ryuu tried to tug his leg back but couldn't - Erin had reached up with her other hand to grab at his leg, holding him in place.

"Good block and grab, Erin." He sounded somewhat impressed by the fight. "Mad Hatter, however, is putting up a fight just as good, as seen by the impossibly fast roundhouse kick to the face with his other leg, using her iron grip on his leg as an anchor to carry out the blow. But oh - The Spitter let go of him and he fell to the ground! Mad Hatter gets back to his feet. But they're not out yet - they're back to exchanging blows!"

However, Neri had not forgotten what was at stake here. Breaking his gaze away from the brawl taking place, Neri scanned the crowd for a hint of blue hair, someone holding a container. "Although the fight seems to be on even/odd terms, It seems Mad Hatter has accomplished his goal." Neri said drolly, voice blasting out over the microphone he was using. Hidden by the people, Chester shot Ryuu a grateful look for the diversion. The announcers' attention was mostly fixated on the fight, giving Chester the opportunity to blend in as another member of the curious crowd, making his way slowly but steadily toward the counter. It was going to be their victory if this situation continued, they could split the bread among themselves later. "Ghost has disappeared from sight, and it is doubtful that Spitter would ever hope to find this particular needle in this constantly moving hay stack." It seemed that the two of them had realized it too. Ryuu's face broke out into a satisfied grin, proud of his success.

"So," Neri said curiously, almost bored, leaning forwards against the table. He steepled his fingers, eyes locked on Erin's figure. "Mad Hatter has completed his goal, while Spitter has failed hers. What will they do next?"

Erin appeared to be protecting her face, her pressing against her mouth tightly while. Her cheeks were still full with that sticky drink. What could she possibly have been saving that for? Erin then wipped the corner of her lip with her thumb and confidently smirked. All the attention was on her, and Erin didn't mind it at all. After all, they weren't commenting on her fashion sense or her social status, they were ignoring those entirely. Those things didn't matter to Erin anymore, only her toughness and her ability to fulfill Rosa's will. Although the bread was now far from her grasp, little did the little fly know that he was being led into a trap. As long as Erin grabbed everybody's attention with a show that everybody was looking for, nobody would pay attention to the acts that could only be committed in the shadows by the true masterminds. That's how Rosa would have put it, at least.

That's it, Neri. Pay attention to me like I was some spoiled princess of death!

---

---

At some point, Lala left Rosa and the others just for a little while when the bell for lunch echoed through the school. She of course made sure to tell Rosa and that she would be meeting them at the cafeteria where the most entertaining part of the day would begin. Actually, the girls are going to join in too, so it would be definitely be exciting. She would also have a front row seat as she's one of the announcers so to speak for the infamous, 'god bread wars'. It was rather funny to think back how she got involved in all of it, but there was no time for her to reminisce since she does have a schedule to keep as she took a deep breath and then had this timid look on her face. Those crimson eyes of hers looking at the bento box she was holding in her hands. This was for her brother, Daiichi, but...

"I'm fine on my own, okay!?"

The conversation from the other day played in her head. It was really depressing even more so, when she didn't get a chance to talk to Daiichi last night and even this morning. He was avoiding her and that only made her sadder. Is she a terrible sister that she didn't notice? Is that why he doesn't want her to be around him anymore? She really wanted to cry now as she could feel the tears pooling in her eyes. "Lala-chan?" She instinctively looked behind her to see a classmate of hers whose initial expression of curiosity changed into that of worry. "What's wrong?" She lightly giggled at this and then wiped away the tears. This caused a confused expression of her classmate who didn't expect that reaction. "I'm trying to see how long can I not blink!" An answer given with a bright smile and enthusiasm, nothing was completely wrong at all.

"Eh?" Confusion was understandable as Lala simply used that to her advantage. "I'm going to tell Lyn-chan about this! I wonder how long she can do it... Hmmm.... I'll see you later okay?" She excused herself and gave a wave before happily skipping away. She got out of that one as for her depressive mood earlier it was now altered into that of determination to find his little brother somewhere in this school. This was not something new or hard to do especially for her, when she wants to see something or someone, it just comes to her which she often relates to a woman's intuition. During these moments, she simply goes with her gut and that's what she did. "This way!" She happily announced to herself while carrying the bento box she made, though she didn't move to that direction immediately. She looked at corner leading to the stairways with a rather pensive expression.

"Tsuneo-senpai, did Rosa-chan call for you?" There was a light laughter which sounded eerily as the hallway was vastly empty with only the two of them present. Lala's grip on the bento tighten. She never felt at ease when the purple-haired senior is present or even if he's a friend of Rosa. This man is very dangerous. He can't be trusted that's what her intuition is telling her. The laughter stilled and then he came out from the corner with that playful smile of his. "I'm still a student here, don't I? And I just wanted to see the cutest dolls around Namimori." Those eyes of his that held the color of rustic orange gazed on her form. It made her shiver in fear as she took a step back. "And here I found one, how are things Lala-chan?"

"Everything seemed to be fine, though, Tsuneo-senpai about Ishiki-senpai..." Tsuneo placed his index finger on his lips. "The Queen has spoken and that is all there is to it." He winked at her and then walked passed her. "Be careful, Duchess, you wouldn't want to go against the Queen, then again, it might be fun." Lala bit her lower lip and then glared at Tsuneo's back. "I'll never betray a friend! I'll never betray Rosa-chan!" The only reply she got is laughter and Tsuneo vanished without a trace. That guy is really bad news. She had told Rosa about her feelings about him before, but she was told that it was not a concern at all, but her gut tells her that was not true not even one bit.

She lowered her head and came to see the bento. "Dai-kun!" She quickly made her way to her little brother as if nothing scary had happened before.

Daiichi can't help but to mentally and physically bang his head on a nearby glass panel that's thankfully reinforced. His sister found him which was a given. He swore his sister must have some inborn tracking system that would make all technology and those sniffing dogs cry in shame, but that's not really the reason. He was now in the cafeteria forced (he says so, because he only promised so he won't see her sister cry and he's very weak to that which always happens) to eat the overly decorated bento box in which he could feel every manliness of him would be erased in each bite.

The other reason would be these ridiculous fights for some breads elevated to godhood. He doesn't even know how to start with how this sounds completely crazy. "Am I going crazy?" He can't help but ask himself that question ever since he entered Namimori High, because nothing about this school is normal at all, but everyone else think otherwise.

"Lala-chan? An upperclassman asked her. "Hmm, yes Senpai?" She looked and saw that her senpai was pointing at the direction of her little brother. "Is he alright?" Lala nodded happily at that question. "Of course, isn't he cute, my little brother?" Her senpai looked back at her and sighed while Lala waved back at her little brother who now shook his head in defeat. There was just no going around his sister, but in the end, he just really can't deny her. That's why he is here really, going to eat the bento and watch this, in his opinion, idiotic fight over a piece of bread. He will just surrender for now... yeah for now.

In regards to Lala, she was on high today. She forgot the reason why she was in tears earlier already or her encounter with Tsuneo. She was more attune as to her brother eating the bento she made. She was also excited to do her announcement duties. She really wasn't a spokesperson of using violence and all of that. She isn't even a combat-oriented person, but she does respect the tenacity and determination of the students who participate in them. They really worked hard for something and somehow, it's rather sweet of them and very passionate. That's something she does understand well. She soon reached the announcer's table and saw familiar faces. She seemed to miss some of the action, but it didn't mean she would not witness the rest.

"Hello everyone! So, where is the rumble?" She found Erin and waved happily. "Hey Erin-chan! Give them your best spit!" Just like that, Lala joined the mess of an entertainment segment of lunch time.

Slam!

"AGGGHHHH!" A muscular third year slammed against the table with a thud and dropped to the floor, groaning in pain as he clutched his side. Enn looked around gleefully at the rest of the equally muscular gang, a hand gripping another groaning boy by the collar of his shirt. He smiled at them, wide and happy like a child who had just gotten candy from Willy Wonka's.

Combined with the dark aura radiating out from him like smoke from a bonfire, chilling every person it touched to the bone like a serial killer was about to come up from behind with an axe, it felt like the smile from a devil.

The remaining Soccer Hounds shivered and made no move, cold sweat trickling down their faces as they stared at the albino boy, who gave the groaner one last punch that knocked him out. Despite the fact that there was only one of him and five of them, they had seen first hand how he had taken down one of their members, muscles rippling smoothly in his body as he took his opponents down fast and skilfully like he had done this many times before.

They met each others eyes, a silent message passed to each other. This boy wasn't someone they could take on one by one. They'd have to rush him and hope that numbers would help them do their jobs.

Enn smiled at them. "Come on!" He yelled cheerfully, dropping the unconscious student he was holding. His eyes sparkled with glee, and he straightened up, pose casual and waiting and ready to move at any second. "This is boooorrring, hurry u-"

Before Enn had finished, the five charged forwards and surrounded him, lashing out impossibly quick with their legs. They had to defeat him, for the High Queen's sake!

CRACK Thud smack BASH "Nnnngggghhh..."

"I DON"T BELIEVE IT!" Another announcer roared, slamming his hand on the table. Some looked his way while others focused on other battles, voices cheering and booing loudly in the air. "THE SOCCER HOUNDS ARE OUT OF THE RUNNING! Famous for their teamwork and deadly kicks, the Soccer Hounds have won the Godbread twice every year! They were taken out by a first year with white hair! WHO IS THAT KID?!"

Enn casually stepped off the battered soccer player and smiled sunnily at the announcer as if he had just been given free icecream. He moved away from the pile of groaning soccer players, flitting around the battle like a butterfly of chaos as he defeated everyone who came his way with a quick punch or kick. They wouldn't be able to beat him, they were too weak! Some were entertaining, but they fell too easily. They'd have died in the facility, hahaha! Where was Damien?! He still owed him a fight, haha!

A glimpse of gold caught the corner of his eye, and Enn whirled around with a large grin. There he was! Enn smiled happily, but his smile grew dimmer when he noticed Ieyoshi fighting Damien. Awww, they couldn't play anymore! Boorring. Looking away, Enn went back to bouncing around the battlefield until he came across a blonde girl who seemed familiar.

Where had he seen her before?

Enn frowned thoughtfully, then smiled as recognition hit. Ah right! It was that girl from yesterday! The one who had scolded the one Damien had fought, hahaha! Maybe she'd be a good fighter! Ducking around two girls doing their best to kick each other out, Enn spun and landed directly in front of the girl from yesterday, leaning in so close that his face was inches from hers.

"Hi!" He said sunnily, ignoring the atmosphere around her. "Want to play?!"

_______________________________________________________________

Leaning against the wall beside the announcers with a sigh, Shou crossed his legs neatly as he opened up the bento box he had brought from home, revealing a neatly packed lunch of rice, chicken and potato salad. Balancing the box on top of his knee, Shou paused and looked up at the battle.

Shou hadn't wanted to get involved in the breadwars, even though his brother took part the moment he figured out what was happening. He didn't want to take part in it at all! Normally he avoided the cafeteria whenever the Breadwars took place, but this was the first time Enn was taking part and Shou was worried. He knew he shouldn't be since Enn was a good fighter, but he was still worried about the people Enn might be facing. He had to see for himself that they wouldn't be hurt too badly.

He'd worried for nothing, as usual. Enn was happy, bouncing around here and there. Shou sighed and snapped open his chopsticks. Picking up the box. Japan had some really weird customs, eating rice with chopsticks. It had been three years, but Shou still had trouble with manoeuvring the chopsticks what he wanted them to pick up sometimes. Chopsticks in one hand and bento in the other, Shou looked down and dug in, filling his belly with food as he did his best to ignore all the screaming going on.

---

---

---

---

"Nii-chan! Nii-chan! Nii-chan! I---"

How irritating. Those silver eyes opened in sheer annoyance. His dreams were haunted by an afterimage of something that Mamoru could not understand due to it being shattered into confusing small portions, though he knew well enough the voice that was calling out to him. Hence, his level of irritation raising to a tipping level as several factors that he dislikes are being mixed in. "That Witch invaded my dreams." There was clear contempt behind those words as the looping melody of the Namimori Anthem played through the current area, it was probably the only reason he was staying still in his position, currently lounged underneath a certain tree far from the populace of the school. If not, he would have smashed something or someone already to alleviate the edge on his temper and that was not really a pleasant sight to see.

Instead, he covered his eyes from the world with his forearm over it as he allowed the cool autumn breeze passed through and the falling leaves which served as a makeshift curtain and even cushion underneath him. The aesthetic of the place was perfect for him to be at ease and judging by the isolation, he has from the others, it was good. It also provided him to ponder on some things that would not be visible or rather known by other people, believing he does not think of anything else, but he does when it comes to himself. He removed his arm over his face and was welcomed by birds perched on the branches above him where only few leaves remained as it undergoes a change for the season, but other than that, his eyes looked passed that and saw the sun hovering at its top point. That indicated it was lunch.

Apparently, Mamoru had slept through the morning period and that was not something new really. He took up a sitting position as he leaned on the trunk behind him and noticed that he was not alone as he had assumed. Stray cats, squirrels and even dogs were around him in a quiet circle. This as well was not something new to him as ever since his childhood days, animals gather around him as if he was a magnetic pole for them to attach to. It was a good thing that they do not do anything annoying and so he tolerates them as long as his personal space is kept intact. Just like so, he gazed at a far off distance and heard distant voices of something relevant to bread and wars. That has nothing to do with him, so he didn't bother thinking about it as well, though he's aware of the idiotic affair that happens at the cafeteria.

The thought of a fight was entertaining to him, however the whole affair making it about bread was not enthralling to him or the fact, there would be a lot of people present which he does not like. Crowding of herbivores is distasteful for him. That's why overall, he does not participate. In any case, it is time for him to leave as there are people even if they are at a great distance, he does not like the idea of his presence overlapping with anyone. He then felt a weight that landed on his shoulder which made his contemplation halt for a moment. "Mamoru! Mamoru! Mamoru!" It was the only voice that he does not find irritating as it came from the notable yellow canary that had been dubbed, Hibird. In actuality, this canary had become a symbol among the Hibari Family, as it is a constant companion of the Father and even the Son.

He looked at Hibird who instantly sang the tune of Namimori in tandem with the playing from his phone. That was enough for him to relax even further as he finally stood from his position. The animals that were there raised their heads to look at him in curiosity as to what he was about to do. Well basically, he was simply going to look for another location where he would be away from everyone and sleep once more. Like so, he began to walk away as he turned off the music from his phone, Hibird continued singing for him, while the animals present also calmly dispersed themselves. That is how his daily routine work really. There were at times some idiots who would challenge him outright, believing that numbers can beat him, and he proved to them that weaklings will always be weaklings. As of now, he had never been beaten and had become a prominent icon among Namimori as someone with absolute strength and someone not to be messed with at all or even be bothered with the social hierarchy present within the school. As long as, no one does get in his way or heaven forbid crossover his personal territory, everything is rather peaceful with him.

Though, there would still be some students who are ignorant and would unfortunately suffer under his annoyance, because of it. They do provide good examples not to cross paths with Mamoru and stay far away from him, though there are those limited few that managed to go unscathed, such as the one who had been tasked in giving him the schoolwork, that certain presence allowed to linger at a distance with him or the occasional interactions with his known twin. Speaking of which, there was one earlier with his twin and now, apparently another at this moment. He had caught within his peripheral vision of that Witch through the hallway window as he walked by. She seemed to be entranced by something and that was the only observation he allowed himself to have, before a voice filtered through his inner consciousness.

"Please forgive me, Nii-chan! If I was--- This is--- Sorry, Nii-chan, fault is mi---"

The words were all mumbled in his head and it annoyed him as the meaning of it was lost on him. "Mamoru! Mamoru! Mamoru! Wake up!" He looked back at Hibird who was flapping its wings as if aware of what's happening to him. That gave Mamoru a sense of bearing again. What was the purpose of those voices, he could well live without. He took a moment to look back where he saw the Witch only to find she was gone. "Tch." That was all he could comment about that. He did not want to ponder on anything that could irritate him. For now, he went on his way to find a place where he could sleep in peace while Hibird departed from his shoulder and followed him while flying above him, resuming its singing, causing the Hibari scion to fall at ease again.

One...

Leon cocked his head to the right, examining the scene in front of him with a small gleam in his eye. Lifting the camera in his hands carefully to his eyes, he looked through the lens, the vision through them just as clear as it had been without them, if not better.

Two...

He had to hurry. The battle had started only moments before, with Leon being lucky enough to be close enough to film it, but it could end at any second, the way fights so often did. Leon privately didn't think it would end so soon, seeing how much fun the two teams seemed to have sparring for the bread, but that was no excuse.

It's my job to film this on tape, after all... and Leon might seem lazy, but he always took his job seriously.

He pressed the button, and the camera started to film with a faint click.

Three.

During the three seconds after the fight had started, Leon had pulled out his camera, found a good spot to take video from where he wouldn't be involved in the battle, an angle that took advantage of the lighting and pressed the button that started the recording. Not bad for someone who looked as if he were half asleep most of the time.

But the angle wasn't right.... Leon's eyebrows creased together behind the camera, a minute action that those who knew him could use to classify as 'vaguely displeased'. The lighting was good, yes, highlighting the sparring boys without setting their features into shadow (mostly), but that was only if they stayed in similar positions.

He would have to move to capture the fight properly.

Eyes focused on the scene through the camera, Leon started to shift around, weaving through the spectators with ease that seemed at odds with his seemingly slow pace. Despite the constant movement, the camera skilfully caught the fight in the best light, zooming in and out at appropriate moments all without losing focus, thanks to Leon's deft hands and the constant practice he had placed in using a camera for the past ten years. Even when he bumped into someone halfway around the circuit he was making to capture the fight the best he could, the camera remained steady in Leon's hands.

Still filming away, Leon turned his head towards the right, a clear apology in his eyes. The person he had bumped into was a third year, with dark blue hair cut short to his head with dark skin tone. He seemed vaguely familiar...

Now wasn't the time for reminiscing, though. Leon would have done his usual thing (radiating apologetic vibes that said 'sorry for bumping into you' with the same sentence clear in his eyes), but he couldn't afford to have a misunderstanding right now, in case the third year didn't realise what Leon was trying to project. He... would have to speak.

Difficult.

Furrowing his brows in concentration, Leon focused on gathering the appropriate words in his mouth, the camera he was holding guided on semi-autopilot as he did so. "... Sorry." he said, the word coming out monotonous. It only sounded slightly apologetic, like he hadn't meant it, but the rueful aura surrounding Leon added to its sincerity.

Things exploded into action immediately, with everyone jumping recklessly into a fray centered over the little boxes at the back of the room. Even Damien raced off, carving a path through some poor students and disappearing into the commotion. Ieyoshi simply stared, bewildered by his own past actions.

Why had he changed his mind so suddenly? He still didn't feel like being here, but...

Ieyoshi brought his thumb to his lips, kneading them as he engaged in a deeper level of introspection. What he'd just agreed to wasn't really logical. It didn't line up with his current goal of going back home. So why had he agreed to participate? What had derailed his train of thought? Was it Damien's prodding? Nah. He was fairly confident he wasn't susceptible to peer pressure, and he made sure to keep an eye out for that. Was it his brother?

Ieyoshi glanced sideways at Ieharu, whom simultaneously glanced at him. They met eyes for a moment, but Ieyoshi looked away before anything meaningful could be exchanged. Ieharu had a way of seeing through his twin brother like no one else, and that's not the type of exposure he desired right now.

Or maybe... hmm... maybe it was Yume?

Thinking of Yume-senpai always made Ieyoshi feel strange. She brought back into the forefront of his consciousness the precarious position is was in, the constant balancing act he was forced to play, and the delicate mask he was required to maintain. Not that he particularly minded, it was just—

A firm grip on his forearm pulled Ieyoshi back to reality. Snapping his head to the right, he noticed that Ieharu had snatched his forearm out of the air and was gripping it rather ferociously.

Ieyoshi raised an eyebrow, genuinely confused. "What?" He almost hissed, his tone indicating slight annoyance.

"Get out of your head, Yoh," Ieharu chided, looking his brother in the eye. "I know I f-ed up yesterday," he began, slowly casting his eyes downward as he did, "and I know you're mad at me for yesterday and I'm sorry, but don't just stand there." Ieharu flashed his brother one of his toothy grins. "Didn't you say you were gonna go get one? You're missing the fun!"

Ieyoshi twisted his way out of his brother's grip. Something seemed to shift in his demeanor, his aura, after coming into physical contact with Ieharu. His shoulders slumped slightly, his stance becoming less tense. With a sigh, Ieyoshi closed his eyes briefly. Yeah, his brother could see right through him sometimes. Kept him grounded. "I'm not mad, dummy." That was the truth. He wasn't mad at Ieharu. How could he be? None of it was his fault. "Anyone that messes with us gets their ass kicked. Period. Even upperclassmen. Even Godot." They hadn't seen much of Godot since yesterday's events. Ieyoshi still wanted to have some, er, words with that gun-slinging douche bag.

Ieyoshi swept his eyes over the scene before him a second time. The twins must've been standing there for a while, because the scene was already different. One or more of the so-called Godbreads had already been taken.

Interesting.

Ieyoshi wasn't particularly tall, so he couldn't see to the core of what amounted to the giant mosh pit, but relying on his intuition (and pointers from the familiar voices shouting out announcements), he was able to pinpoint several different people of interest.

The first thing he noticed was Erin. Initially, he'd mistaken her for an older male classmate, with the way she was throwing people around and—was she spitting at people?

"Eeww," Ieyoshi muttered under his breath.

Rosa's goons were to be avoided. He'd already had his fill of them yesterday.

Next he noticed Shou, leaning against the wall off to the side. Ieyoshi half-way wanted to join him, but... if Shou was here, that meant his brother was too. Enn. The bounce-off-the-walls one that would talk your ear off. Ieyoshi sighed again. Great.

Suddenly, Ieyoshi activated, moving forward at an expedient yet measured pace. Ieharu lagged behind for but a second before catching up to walk beside his twin.

"So you're gonna do it? You're fight for the bread?" Ieharu asked, voice filled to the brim with an otherworldly exuberance. His brother was excited for reasons Ieyoshi could only imagine.

Ieyoshi shrugged. "I guess."

As they walked forward, the crowd parted before them like the red sea. Those that were fighting in the immediate vicinity paused to gawk as they passed.

"Mad Hatter, however, is putting up a fight just as good," Came a familiar voice. It seemed to be projected over a loud speaker system of some kind. "As seen by the impossibly fast roundhouse kick to the face with his other leg, using her iron grip on his leg as an anchor to carry out the blow. But oh - The Spitter let go of him and he fell to the ground!"

"What is a 'Mad Hatter'?" Ieyoshi asked, curious.

"Damien tells me that's Ryuu!" Ieharu responded, grinning. "And Damien's the Hokage!"

Ieyoshi grunted in response, which amounted to an effective eye roll. "And if I get this bread, do you have the money to pay for it?"

Ieharu halted immediately, as if his feet had turned to stone. "What? Yoh! No! That's not fair!"

Ieyoshi turned to face his brother. Those that had paused their own battle to eye the twins tensed. Were they about to fight one-another?! "If I do the work, you pay for it." Ieyoshi pointed at his brother as he spoke.

Ieharu pointed a thumb at his chest. "I'll pay half."

"You pay all of it," Ieyoshi corrected, "and you can get..." He chewed a number over in his mouth for a moment. "20% of the bread."

"50. Half!"

"25. 40% of it goes to Yume."

"Then 30! Don't be unfair!"

Ieyoshi eyed his brother for a moment before cracking a short-lived smile. "Fine. We'll split it. But you're paying for it." Ieyoshi looked up towards the ceiling, scratching the side of his head. "I, uh, actually didn't bring my wallet anyway."

Ieharu shook his head, feigning a hurt expression. "So this was your plan all along?!"

"No," Ieyoshi responded, stepping closer to his brother and grabbing the boy's arm. "This was." Like a ringside announcer at a boxing match, Ieyoshi raised his brother's arm into the air and proudly declared in an eerily calm voice to all those watching: "This is my brother, Ieharu Sawada. He's the guy you saw kicking ass yesterday morning before school. You losers better not mess with him or he'll take all the Godbread, so watch out."

Mortified is not a strong enough word to describe the look on Ieharu's face. His eyes grew wide as he noticed everyone hone in on him like hungry wolves. "Wait, what?"

"You're gonna be the bait," Ieyoshi muttered offhandedly, as if his intentions were as clear as day.

"B-b-but—!"

Ieyoshi dropped his brother's hand and began walking away. "I'll catch you later."

"Wait!"

But it was too late. Ieyoshi had already melted away into the crowd, and though Ieharu tried to follow, his path was cut off by those around him. One tall and particularly portly fellow stepped out from the crowd to confront the younger twin.

"They call me B.O." The guy declared both to Ieharu and to all those around him.

"Yeah, cause you smell like shit!" Someone in the crowd laughed. Another student, a lanky blond girl, took that as an opportunity to attack, and lunged at another nearby student. Suddenly, the all-out brawl resumed in earnest, with Ieharu in the middle of it. He immediately raised his hands as if surrounded by police, the universal sign of surrender.

That's when B.O. stepped forward, literally bowling over several fighters like a bowling ball would a set of pins. Most of them slid across the floor to collide with others. Many held their noses, eyes scrunched. It seemed that there was something more terrible than his size: his odor!

B.O. turned his attention towards Ieharu, leveling him with an icy stare.

Ieharu scrunched his nose a bit, taking an unsteady step backwards, his hands still up. "Uh... um... I'm not, uh, playing this game. You see, I'm just a, er, well, I don't want any bread or anything so—"

As Ieharu stumbled backwards, B.O. pressed forward, matching the Sawada twin step for step. "You're that kid from yesterday, right? The one queen Rosa marked for death."

"Marked for what?!" Ieharu squeezed between two brawling first-years, hoping to escape his pursuer, but B.O. plowed through them, too. Was this guy unstoppable? And what was he even talking about? "I told you I'm not playing!"

"Then fight me, ya lil' bitch!"

Okay, this guy wasn't getting it. With a panicked squeal, Ieharu turned on his heels and began running through the crowd, though in which direction he wasn't quite sure. He just wanted to find the cashiers, the exit, and the relative safety they would give him. Several others noticed him and assumed he was making a play for one of the Godbreads. Though he was surprisingly agile and quick on his feet, it didn't take long for him to collect a gaggle of pursuers, and they were closing in fast. He knew B.O. was among them, thanks to the burning sensation that attacked his nose and eyes.

Dammit, Ieyoshi! Dammit dammit dammit!

Elsewhere, Ieyoshi walked with purpose, dodging and weaving through what amounted to different battlefields. Some people were slapping each other. Others were rolling around, laughing. Others still were in "serious-business" mode, engaging in epic combat with one another.

This whole thing seemed so chaotic and unorganized. It was surprising that a school would even allow something like this to occur... but then, this was Namimori High. Not only had crazier things happened, but they'd already happened within the last 24 hours.

Following his intuition alone, Ieyoshi slithered his way through the vortex of fists and kicks and shouts until his target came within view: one of the Godbread statues. It was the Hera statue, which held the "Herabread," or, rather, it used to. Someone had already nabbed that Godbread. Oh well.

Maybe it'd be fun to chase after the person who had the Herabread? For a moment, he seriously considered it, but then Ieyoshi slumped his shoulders, losing interest. Again, he wasn't quite sure why he was even participating in this thing. Plus, he wasn't really in the mood to work for his food. He'd already brought a lunch from home, after all. Ieyoshi sighed. "Whatever," he muttered, turning away from the Hera statue and resolving himself to leave the area. He'd fulfilled his piece of the social contract, right? This was enough interaction for today. Maybe he'd just ditch and go home early.

As he began walking away, Ieyoshi felt something—someone—lay their hand on his head. For a moment, just a split second, it felt like... well, like his father. Like Tsunayoshi.

Ieyoshi whipped his head to the side, eyes wide, his expression unusually animate, but when he swiveled on his heel in search of the source, there was no one there. No one was close enough to have done that.

Did he just imagine it? Blehk. Physical contact itself was already annoying enough, but he absolutely hated when people touched his hair!

Though the person that had laid their palm on his head was nowhere to be found, Ieyoshi noticed a familiar face in the distance over by one of the other Godbread statues. Without turning as he did, he would have missed it. Missed him.

It was Damien. He was single-handedly holding off what looked to be an entire army of zombie-like bodies reaching for the Godbread he protected.

Ieyoshi smirked, clenching and unclenching his fists a few times, as if testing them. That's right, Damien was in this game too. And when was the last time they'd gotten to spar one another? Ieyoshi couldn't stop his smirk from growing wider and wider until it overtook the entire bottom portion of his face. Those within the elder Sawada twin's vicinity noted the shift in atmosphere instantaneously and began putting distance between themselves and the enigmatic first-year.

News of what Ieyoshi had done to that one kid yesterday morning had spread like wildfire, and few in the vicinity wanted a piece of that action. This was supposed to be a game, after all, not a serious fight...

With re-purposed resolve, Ieyoshi stuffed his hands into his pockets and began walking towards Damien. Maybe this thing would turn out to be fun. But if anyone touched his head again, he'd kill them.

He wasn't sure if he was being serious or not.

In this school, the Bread Wars had very little to do with bread. It was about dominance. Much like a sport, this 'war' was a show of one's greatness over their peers, regardless of standing. Kings and idiots fought on equal terms. Indeed, although the pristine Godbread was a prize to behold, there was much disgusting chaos that needed to be wreaked in order to get it. Rosa hated it, but in this case, she wasn't afraid to get her hands even a little dirty if it meant exacting dominance wherever it hadn't already been exacted.

Rosa glanced at her BluScreen Lite—that had been bought the evening before—which gave her a whole overview of the battlefield before her, including the locations of all her allies. She didn't stare at it too long, however. It was just a little guide to give her an overhead view, but Rosa trusted her own eyes the most. Standing close to the register, like a bird of prey on the watch, Rosa kept close tabs on everything in front of her and kept track of not only her allies locations and the locations of the bread, but precisely what every single student was doing at once, keeping close attention on them all. This wasn't a skill Rosa was born with, but it was what truly marked Rosa as a rightful ruler, for like the almost legendary Prince Shoutoku, Rosa had the ability to listen to over ten people at a time and deal with them all accordingly.

Among her immediate allies, it appeared many of them were highly occupied. Erin looked as if she had completely forgotten about her mission to get the bread, but Rosa was not offended in the least. She appeared to be making an effort to be especially showy, so she must have remembered Plan B. Besides, she had pretty much defeated a former winner's chances of winning again. Rosa had to make sure they weren't any more remarkable than herself and maintain the highest win rate. She would not be bested here.

Akako seemed nearly uncontested, albeit she wasn't doing much beyond cheering on the boys around her. It was almost scary how convincing her shallow guise could be. The guys of the MAA seemed to be tearing up anybody who contested them and almost nobody dared approach what appeared to be the strongest group in the room. Although they moved slowly as a group, it seemed they had nearly no issue in securing the Apollobread, likely by picking it off one of the other kids. Akako seemed almost disgustingly contented with the bread in her arms, which the boys fell for completely, and she appeared to be inspiring some sort of competition between the boys as she stuck closely to the shortest among them. They were eager to prove themselves by retrieving another bread, but something seemed to get between them.

Specifically, a white-haired first year student. Apparently caught up in her own character, Akako made a girly yelp in surprise. This had an almost immediate effect on the boys around her, as they were quick to push him away. However, the boy avoided them effortlessly with a large grin on his face. He seemed a little too happy to be fighting the large group of MMA members, weaving in and out with a bright gleam in his eyes as he took them on with ease that implied experience which belied his age, clearly heading towards Akako. Rosa gritted her teeth. A problem child, she thought. Rosa was definitely paying attention to his display of combat prowess, although bread didn't seem to be his immediate goal. Nonetheless, he went from being a neutral party to an obstacle. Perhaps she would need an intervention.

Meanwhile, Tomoe and Lala were both doing as instructed. Tomoe was everywhere, going this place and that, whereas Lala was making a valiant effort to get the bread. Rosa was debating whether or not those two should have changed tactics yet or not, but with a new obstacle appearing, Rosa knew exactly how to deal with it. Rosa whistled and immediately, a pig-tailed head popped out from between the desks, not unlike an excited puppy, and she awaited her order. Rosa gave out a very simple command: "Clean Akako's fingers!" With a nod, Tomoe sunk back under the desks and into the unknown.

Rosa also was paying close attention attention to the locations of the breads. The Herabread, which Erin was tasked to receive, seemingly disappeared. Nobody knew who had it. Okay, more like everybody knew who had it. The shouts about the Ghost from the amateur announcing corner still rung in Rosa's ears. Of course, nobody knew where the Ghost was. Like a ghost, he had disappeared from the public eye. Yet, Rosa was not to be played for the fool. She saw the blue-haired kid sneaking around, and knew fully-well what he was capable of. How he managed to sneak one of the breads in the last conflict was almost impressive to Rosa, but Rosa could easily observe what techniques he was using this time, looping this way and that much like a fox that was avoiding the hounds. This hawk's eyes were not to be deceived however. Rosa made sure she would be in the perfect position to intercept the boy.

Chester was heading toward the counter after circling in the crowd several times to make sure that he left all those that might be tailing him behind. It was always better to cover one's tracks first before directly going to the place where they might be waiting, the counter. He completely gave up reading the crowd then, the many 'wave lengths' of the people were distracting at best. As such, he noticed Rosa's attack far too late.

"Ah!" Much like a bird of prey, Rosa appeared to swoop toward Chester in an instant, her hand reaching out in an attempt to grab at his shirt. Chester took a step back and to the side, just enough for her to miss as he turned around, trying his best to look for a path back into the milling crowd of students. However, he was caught by surprise when he felt something sharp, like a few fishing lines, stopping him in his tracks and focusing his attention on Rosa again. It was the queen of the school, everyone knew and respected her. Well, the ones who actually have a social circle do. He had always watched with a kind of horrified fascination as she weeded out those who didn't agree with her, but he was certain that he had hidden himself well enough to be considered normal, if not weak. "Mine," was all Rosa bothered to say before closing in the distance between herself and the boy, her fingers splayed.

Trying to back away once again, Chester winced when he felt the sharp strings digging into his flesh. His eyes darted over the crowd toward Ryuu, for any help that he can get. However, Ryuu was still locked in battle. He needed to buy some time, at least enough to distract her. "What's yours?" He asked, feigning innocence. Rosa reached out to place her hand on Chester's chest, causing his eyes to widen as he crossed his arms defensively over the bread under his jacket. "You want my body?" Rosa didn't respond and forcibly reached toward the area Chester was protecting. As he resisted, Rosa closed her other hand into a fist and moved to backwards, causing him to feel that sharp feeling again on the back of his neck, causing him to weaken for a short second.

Forcibly, Rosa pushed Chester onto a table, bringing her clenched hand over Chester's neck to hold him as she struggled with Chester's arms. Biting his lip, Chester locked his arms in place, resistant to Rosa's pulling. He wasn't going to give up the bread that easily, not after Ryuu's efforts. Rosa frowned at Chester's resistance and with a stoic expression on her face, she brought both her hands around Chester's neck and began to apply force. Chester let out a short gasp, feeling his air supply cut short. "What are you... Doing?" He choked out, though his arms didn't move an inch. Rosa didn't respond, at least not verbally. What she did, however, was press further on Chester's wind pipe, gritting her teeth with effort as she did so, and even unconsciously smirking.

All Rosa had to do was weaken the boy and his ability to grip onto the bread and very soon, it would end up in the correct hands. Of course, she would have no interruptions. This kid did very well to completely lose everybody else who was trying to track him, so nobody would be paying anymore special attention to the two. All this chaos that Rosa disliked so much worked to her benefit, as everybody was either dead set on their goals or they were paying attention to where the real action was occuring. Erin was definitely contributing to that. After all, nobody would truly care for the well-being of a nobody. That was just the natural order of things, the order that Rosa had adapted to and learned to manipulate in her own favor, as if it were palpable.

Just as Rosa had intended, Chester's efforts at resisting her were becoming weaker. A sort of mania was in the back of her mind, a drive for the bread. Very soon, it would be hers, but truthfully, it had been fated to be hers from the beginning, and she was just going through the motions. Afterall, the mandate of Heaven was still on her side, correct?

Cain walked on the long path to school whistling with a bounce to his step. He was on complete autopilot, focused more on the fact that he was getting used to being called Cross and wondering if he should just ditch his real name completely. He liked his alias name. It worked in any place. He could be Cross to appease the peasants and Crostoph to cater to the nobles. It was truly a good alias, but it would probably work better as an alias, if only for the fact that he could use it anywhere.

He was abruptly snapped back into manual movement when he bumped into what seemed like an ox or some type of cattle of some kind. Taking a few steps back he realized that it was a back of a man... a student!? When the giant of a teenager turned around,it was apparent that he was hunched over, having a few more inches to offer to his already tall stature. Cross was beginning to laugh, struggling to stop when he saw the pissed off face the guy had and the soda stain on his shirt.

"Wha?! You think this is funny," The hulkish student interrogated.

"I don't know, but it sure triggered something. Sorry about your shirt." Cross gave a generous smile, trying to look as humble and friendly as he could to avoid a problem. It wasn't because he was actually sorry, but he didn't want to cause a scene so close to the school.

"Shut up.Look at you and your chicken feather arms. You know I can snap your joints like twigs."

Cross noticed some smaller, muscle heads behind the monarch of them all. He realized they were trying to bully him immediately and looked at the bigger boy who was standing way to close to his face.

"You know who we are? We're the five time bread wars winners of the senior weight lifting club," the larger male said. "We need all the bread we can get to carb up. Carbs are energy. Energy is mass. Mass means your swole."

"Swole!!!" The boys behind him cheered while flexing their arms, muscles bulging like hard lumps growing at lightspeed.

"Yeah.That's right. So you better watch out. We'll settle this later at the bread wars chump." The bigger lad shoved Cross to the ground and the three boys laughed and walked off.

He had avoided a fight and a scene, but found he was left with the taste of defeat in his mouth. It made him anxious for lunch to come. Then he would show those boys that he wasn't the person to start bullying. Sometimes you had to lose a few battles to win a war.

Once he was in class he sat in his chair and pulled out his cell phone. The message number was the same as his answering machine at home. He always checked his messages on anold answering machine, but that was because he didn't like talking too much on cellular devices. It was always good to count though.

"Cross, morning." Akira waved perkily from his seat, a pencil in his other hand. He looked entirely different to what Cross felt about mornings - cheerful, completely awake and ready to greet the rising sun with a smile and the large, gigantic cup of coffee currently resting on his table. Or anything caffeinated, really. Akira wasn't too picky. "Ready for the bread wars?"

Cross glared at Akira before dropping his guard for a sigh. "You bet I am. There will be no survivors," he said while thinking about those so called bullies. "Even if I have to burn all the bread. Hehehehe." Laughing it off he took comfort in the presence of his friend. Not only was his cheerful aura good to be around, but he could answer more of Cross's questions. "So. The bread wars.... What exactly do we do? Are we just going to beat up on the other students?"

"If you burn the Godbread, I'll burn you to ashes," Akira said pleasantly, but even though he was smiling his eyes promised terrible, terrible things if Cross actually did produce a lighter in presence of the bread. It would practically be a mercy kill compared to if others found out that someone wanted to destroy the Bread, anyway. "Nobody will ever find your remains, it'll be the greatest disappearing trick I've ever done. I'll do the same trick if you need help hiding the bodies though. Jokes aside!" He said brightly, sitting up straight in his chair. "Here's what's going on..."

The short version of it, Akira explained between sips of coffee, was this - there were five Godbreads, only one bread could be taken by one person, who would have to be able to defeat the free-for-all taking place for said bread and make it to the counter of the breadshop without it getting stolen or out of his hands, which would be when he paid for the bread to Lilith, the cashier lady and Pricing God. No weapons were allowed, and there'd be a group of announcers near the side talking about what's going on and the center was normally where the normal students who didn't want to participate ate lunch in peace, and finally and most importantly the winners of the bread tend to get names given to them. "Like with the Hokage, Mad Hatter and Ghost. They won the Godbread last battle, so they got nicknames." Akira paused and stroked his chin, frowning thoughtfully. "And we want to get the bread for ourselves by any means possible that doesn't involve breaking the rules or we'll receive a coinflick to the forehead that feels like a truck hitting you in the face. Not a fun thing." Akira shuddered as if he was remembering it taking place, then got back to reality. "And as for the plan... We'll stick to the one we came up with yesterday. That's about it, I guess. Anything else you'd like to know?"

"No. That explanation will suffice." A quiet voice came from behind Akira as Florence seemed to appear out of nowhere. Akira made a squeak of surprise and whirled around in his seat, hand gripping the back of his seat as he tried to see how Florence was behind him. There was no telling how Long she had been there all along, but it was Long enough for her to get a gist of the competition. "It's nice to meet you again, Akira, Cross. Home room is starting soon, we should discuss later."

As if on cue, the teacher came in. "Oi, you guys, class is starting," He called out, and the trio hurriedly returned to their seats.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The girl was silent, calm, deadly as she danced her way through battle, her long legs lashing out as she kicked her opponents away. She was not beautiful, but she was pretty in a faded way, like an old photograph, her long green hair flowing behind her as she weaved her way through the other students, battling with grace that could belong to only a dancer. She was from no group, and had no title, but that did not matter to her - nothing did, except for the Bread and the chance to test her mettle against her fellow students.

Camaraderie? Grouping up to take the Bread? Dogs, the lot of them. And she was not a dog. She was a wolf, lonesome and deadly, like an assassin in the night. She was not one of those foolish pack dogs who followed their leaders and got only scraps of the Bread as reward. She was not that weak. If - When she won the Bread, it would be by her hands alone, and the victory of winning would make it all the more sweeter.

And if she was not able to get the Bread, then she would not make it easy for the others. There were many groups and fellow battlers to take her ire out on, in those times.

Everyone around her was fighting. Picking off a few stragglers, the girl wandered closer and closer to the center, flitting here and there for an opponent until she spotted a group of three in the center of the chaos.

A redhead, a brunette with a baguette in his hands, a blonde girl. The redhead was talking animatedly to the other two, although she could not hear them over the din her fellow combatants were making. The girl smiled to herself, secretive and pleased as she silently made her way towards them, ducking out of sight and using the other combatants as coverage.

"ALRIGHT GUYS, REMEMBER THE PLAN!" The redhead was yelling, once she had gotten close enough to hear. The Judo captain a few feet behind him grabbed a third year student and flung the student sky high, and the redhead ducked as the student flew inches above his head with a high pitched scream that continued until he landed against a group of other people with a thump. They fell over with screams and thuds like a pack of skittles, but the girl paid them no attention, her gaze sharpening on her targets.

The redhead, she thought decisively, nodding to herself. He looked the weakest out of them all, scuttling closer to the other two as he looked around warily for any other attacks. He was also too busy talking like an idiot to actually notice her. She ducked behind a couple running to the Artemis statue, then creeped steadily towards the redhead, slowly but surely approaching his back, If anyone saw her, they would have felt a similarity to a snake sneaking up on a small, harmless bunny, hungry for prey.

The boy failed to notice her, fool that he was. He had his back turned towards the girl as he talked with his other teammates, huddling in closer to them as if they could help ward off any attacks. Inwardly, the girl scoffed - foolish! If they were weak enough for the need to group in order to get the Bread, then why join at all? - but outwardly her face remained stoic. She was close enough to hear the red headed student over the din as he spoke his next words. "WE - I mean we're gonna get the Bread! Herabread and Apollobread is gone and Zeusbread is guarded by two fighters" - it seemed that the boy had been keeping track of what the announcers had been saying - "But we've still got two more!"

She had to act fast, before they noticed her. The boy was already finishing sharing his plan, and she had wasted enough time getting close to them. Silently sneaking through the remaining distance, she approached the redhead hummingbird fast as he concluded with, "You guys get them while I find Luka, ok?!"

He was already half turning around, crimson eyes growing wide as he noticed the shadow she casted as the girl swung her long leg in a vicious arc against his head, but it was too late. The girl felt a faint smile appear on her face. Victory was hers -

There wasn't a pause as Florence blocked the kick with one of her own, catching the girl by her middle with the arc of her leg and kicking her back into the crowd. It wasn't a particularly harsh one, Florence kept herself in check for violence in public. "Be careful Akira." She reminded him before nodding at his instructions. Scanning the crowd with her blue eyes, Florence spotted the pedestal that held the bread. Most of them were surrounded by hordes of desperate students, fighting each other to get closer to the statue. She subconsciously reached for the knives, before remembering the rules Akira briefed them about. Instead, her hand pulled out a few chopsticks from the inner pocket of her jacket. They weren't as sharp as she liked, but they would have to do for now. A student charged at her as Florence tried to dive in to the crowd, but was greeted with a swift and brutal kick to the stomach. Florence glided on by calmly, hardly fazed by the attack.

"Thanks Flo! Got it!" Akira continued to rush onwards as the trio split into groups, dodging and avoiding the other fighters. He dove into the melee with his eyes wide, dodging and weaving around the other battlers with keen eyes. Ducking as a student dressed in towels flew over his head with a bloodcurdling yell towards another student holding a tray, Akira kept his eyes opened for Luka. Spotting someone with familiar black hair, he darted forwards and tapped his classmate on the shoulder. "Luka!" he yelled over the din, a harried grin spreading on his face. "Found you! We're gonna go find the other bread, would that be ok?"

(coloring comes later!)

"This is child's play!" Damien blurted out to the onslaught of students charging towards the Zeus Godbread. Damien stood between the mass of students with his back facing the Godbread. The students were sent flying back as if they were in a line to get punched. Damien swung his fists like a boxer and took out each approaching competitor. He could easily snatch the Godbread, then make a mad dash to the cafe, but practicing these 'legal' acts of violence against his peers was pretty appealing. The most entertainment he's had at this school thus far. His mind was made up that this time, he'd go for a slow and gradual win instead of merely securing the godbread in the optimal time.

"You're going down Hokage!" the student called Spartacus yelled. His cosplay of a spartan was fairly accurate although his armor plates were merely towels stuffed inside his t-shirt. He wore knee pads that were spray painted brown, held an empty lunch tray in his right hand with a bawled left fist. No weapons were allowed so of course he couldn't have a spear. "CHARGE!" he yelled running towards Damien.

BAM!

Spartacus suddenly tumbled forward, knocked off balance by some unknown force, to land painfully face-first at Damien's feet. Damien looked down at the student, eyeing him curiously for a moment before training his eyes forward. The gaggle of students vying for the Zeusbread paused in their attempts to snatch it, they themselves taking an interest in Spartacus's mysterious tumble. Damien hadn't touched him yet, so...?

"Yo," came a distinct voice from within the crowd. Quickly, the students separated, clearing a small circle around what turned out to be Ieyoshi Sawada, hands in his pockets, leg out. He'd tripped Spartacus, and there was another contender somewhere on the ground behind the elder twin. "Damien." Ieyoshi had a nefarious grin on his face, one so wide that it forced the skin around his eyes to crinkle. "What if I told you," he began, pointing at the Zeusbread, "that I want that bread?" Ieyoshi raised his chin, clearly challenging the other boy. "Wanna fight about it?" While speaking, he'd slowly closed the distance between himself and his friend. They were now standing a few feet apart, separated only by the downed body of Spartacus, whom was struggling to get to his feet.

"Ho ho ho," Damien obnoxiously laughed with an older man's tone. "Dearest Yoh, or shall I say 'Batman'," he walked backwards towards the Zeusbread with his back nearly touching the pedestal with his eyes remained fixed on Yoh. The grin on his face grew more menacing as he dwelled on the idea of fighting Yoh.

"Godbread is mine!" some approaching voice yelled. The kid had his fist raised and race directly towards Damien. Without releasing his gaze on Yoh, he swung his left hand at the kid's face for a clean hit. The momentum the he had was immediately reversed and sent him flying back. He was passed on the on ground while Damien slowly brought his bawled left fist to his chest. Meanwhile, he moved his right hand behind him to secure the Zeusbread. "You're looking death in the eye Batman. You'd best be on your way to secure another Godbread, for this one is mine!" He yelled loudly enough for nearby students to glance and him with the Zeusbread in hand.

Ieyoshi looked to his left, and then to his right, taking in the scene around him with a curious cavalierness. Without a word, he posed the question: can you believe this guy? Then he grinned again, his eyes returning to Damien.

"No."

Before the word had even passed his lips, Ieyoshi was off, surging forward like a hurricane, first with a feint to the left, then a quick switch to the right, followed by a ferocious right hook coming in like a meteor headed straight for Damien's face.

Damien held his position barely reacting towards the approaching Yoh. At the last possible second, he swiftly moved his left hand to grab hook and halt Yoh's momentum. They met each other's eyes but for a moment, but it might as well have lasted an eternity. It was Damien who spoke first. "Nice try, but you'll have to try much harder than that."

"My Godbread!" some random kid yelled approaching the two. Damien sent a quick kick to push Yoh backwards. He immediately shifted his body to face the kid, and threw the Zeusbread at the oncoming child's face. "Ow!" the kid yelled at the Zeusbread bounched off of his face. The child looked up and extended his hands to reach the Zeusbread in the air. "Gotcha!" Damien said as he sucker punched the kid flying back, jumped in the air to catch the Zeusbread and looked back towards Yoh's direction.

Ieyoshi was quick enough to react to the deft kick, throwing his weight backwards, but he was not fast enough to switch up his footing in time and fell towards the ground, somersaulting into a crouch. He took a moment to pound the floor with his fist, the small burst of pain cutting through the dizzying haze of the maneuver and allowing him to reorient himself. In the same instant, he brought his feet under his abdomen and lunged forward, taking a quick measured breath as he went, eyeing the preoccupied Damien, scanning for a weakness—a weak point.

He found nothing of course, and before he could get close Damien had already turned around to face him. The quickness with which he disabled the random kid caught Ieyoshi by surprise, causing his eyes to widen slightly, but he did not stop his advance. He opened up with a roundhouse kick, which was blocked very succinctly. Ieyoshi used the angular momentum from his kick to spin into a naive heel sweep, but Damien avoided that, too. It was like an intricate dance, with Ieyoshi struggling to control the tempo. This time with his left fist, he let loose the most powerful jab he could muster, aimed straight at Damien's face. Ieyoshi was too close for Damien to catch the move, so instead the boy ducked under it. Only then did Ieyoshi realize that his overextended left arm, having completely missed its mark, left the rest of his lower body exposed. Despite his best efforts, despite his hyper intuition, despite his drive, he found himself dancing to his opponent's tune.

Damn.

"Bad move," Damien said while his entire body stood lower than waist height. He stepped closer directly into Yoh's personal space and gave him three swift, but powerful punches in the abdomen area sending Yoh flying back. Damien stood with his fist out as Yoh flew back then began bawling and unbawling his fist to release the tension. Some students stood in awe of his strength while others shifted their target from the Zeusbread to the others. He completely forgot his original goal of securing the Zeusbread and locked in his mind he was in a fight. He gave Yoh a few seconds to react, then sprinted directly towards him.

Ieyoshi reeled from the blows, reflexively gripping his stomach. The pain, which would have been sharp and biting to anyone else, merely came as muted pulsations—dull aches—just like every other emotion or sensation that ever hit him. The attack had a strange effect on the elder twin. In the middle of the fight, time seemed to slow and his mind raced. Again, he couldn't help but drift into introspection. Why was he even doing this again? This godbread thing was stupid, and he didn't really care. Not that he had a problem fighting Damien. That was the only part of this that wasn't confusing. What was going on here? He couldn't help but reach a dead end.

Ieyoshi removed his hands from his chest, eyeing his open fists. He looked up and noticed Damien throwing him an odd look before breaking into a sprint. It wasn't an unfamiliar expression on his friend's face. It just wasn't one that was frequently aimed his way. Ieyoshi returned his eyes to his fists. He had to win the godbread. The question of "why" could come later. For now, he just needed to get it. It's what his gut was telling him. To win. Ieyoshi balled his fists. He'd win even if it meant doing something he promised everyone he wouldn't.

"I won't go down just like that," he muttered to no one, coming to his feet to meet his friend's advance.