Dude... this was the most eventful day for me. I went home with Syd and we melted a piece of steel. Sadly, nothing happened after that. We just filled out the questions and other papers and then I left. That's what I'm doing right now. I'm walking home. I don't really know what time it is, but I DO know it's pretty late. I hope Dev isn't mad at me... I hope GAZZY isn't mad at me. I don't want anyone to be mad at me.

"Nate? Are you heading home?"

I look up from the ground and see Gazzy approaching me. What's he doing out this late? I just smile as he steps up next to me.

"Yeah, you?"

"Indeed. I had some after school things to attend to."

"What about Dev?"

He put a hand on his chin.

"I think he went home ahead of me. I've got nothing else to do, so let's walk back together?"

"Yeah. Sure."

As we walked, one or two people passed by. It was just the general strolls people took at night I guess. After about five minutes of walking, we arrived back home. When we got inside, and out of the cold, I walked into the living room-

"Dev?"

"What about him?"

"He's asleep on the couch."

Gazzy then grabbed a nearby blanket and handed it to me, and I covered Dev up with it. I mean, we can't really move him... but the least we can do is cover him up so he doesn't catch a cold. Now what? I've never been alone with Gazzy and I still don't know him all that well so, it's kind of hard to strike a conversation right now.

"Do you want me to make a midnight snack or something?"

I nodded towards Gazzy then looked back at Dev. Within the time we've spent here, I've never seen him so relaxed as to fall asleep on the couch while he's home alone. I guess Dev is getting comfortable with this new life of ours. I, myself, am not completely comfortable on the other hand. Now I know that I've made a lot of new friends, but... it's just not the same. I can't go running to Dev's house when my parents fight. I have no parents here to fight with each other anyway!

"Nate. Calm down. You're thinking about so many things at once, it's giving me a headache."

Gazzy said, rubbing his temples.

"Sorry."

I didn't mean to overcrowd Gazzy with my thoughts. I just kind of forgot that he COULD read my mind. Either way... it's about time to go to sleep.

"So no midnight snack?"

I chuckled as Gazzy smirked but walked out of the living room and into the hallway. My eyes drifted to the floor.

"What is the matter, boy?"

WHOA! WHO SAID THAT?!

"Are you not able to speak?"

"W-Who said that?!"

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of me. The person in front of me looked like he was a couple inches taller than me, with LONG dark blue hair, tied back into a ponytail, and blueish green eyes that were digging into my very soul. Around his waist, and hanging off his side, was this... samurai lookin' sword. It was sheathed but I get the feeling that it's not meant for decoration.

"W-Who are you?"

"Who am I? My name is Kuro Riku. I believe your name is Nathaniel Edwards, am I wrong?"

Uh... this guy knows my name?! Why?! How?! Who is he?!

"Ah. I suppose you are confused as to who I am exactly, is that correct?"

"Well... uh YEAH!"

'Kuro' chuckled before putting an arm around his waist and bowing. WHOA.

"I am the Guardian of the Crystal Cave, and now the current spirit residing in Mister Zavier, your best friend."

Whaaaaat? I'm uber confused. I don't even think he knows what he's saying. Then again... do I KNOW what I'M saying half the time? No. I don't. That's the answer. Either way, this guy says that he's the 'spirit' that now resides in Dev. I guess I understand what he's talking about but...

"Do not worry. I am not going to harm you in any way, shape, or form. I am merely here because my host is resting."

Okay? I'm lost. Gazzy! Come back!

"You called?"

Whoa! I turn around, and there, with his pajamas on was Gazzy. His arms were crossed and he was leaning against the wall, staring at me and this 'Kuro' guy.

"So... you're the spirit who's blocking Devan's mind from me."

Blocking Dev's mind from Gazzy? I didn't know that he was doing that.

"Indeed. It is a disadvantage for you but an advantage when he is to fight someone who can also read minds, like you."

Gazzy didn't seem to like that. His slight smile dropped and he glared at this samurai spirit... thing. He NEVER gets mad. At least, I've never SEEN him get mad... at anything or anyone. Gazzy just seems different right now. Like, not the same person, different.

"Kuro. What are you doing? I didn't say you could just show up when I fall asleep. Especially in front of Gazzy and Nate. Correct?"

I turned and stared at Dev, who was sitting up on the couch now. His eyes were just barely open, but I'm betting that he knew exactly what was going on. I don't know HOW he would have known, but he did. That kind of... freaked me out. Knowing that he could tell what the situation was without asking any questions. Without any context whatsoever.

"I see you've awoken."

"Yeah. So go back into my mind instead of out here."

"Of course."

With that, Kuro seemingly disappeared into thin air. Poof! Gazzy walked into the living room and approached Dev, who looked up at him from the couch.

"Do you maybe want to explain, Devan?"

Oh shit. Gazzy does NOT seem happy with Dev right now. Dev does NOT seem too happy with the fact that Gazzy isn't too happy about it.

"I don't need to. Kuro basically told Nate the gist of almost everything. I have no need to tell you or him any more than that."

What the hell..? This isn't... Dev. He would, at least, tell me everything. Leave nothing out and tell me everything. Why is he... acting this way?

"Dev. Hey, dude. You feeling alright?"

"Why? Do I look like I don't feel alright?"

"You're sure as hell are acting like you don't feel alright. You're not acting like you normally do."

Dev looked at me like I had just crossed a line I should NOT have crossed. The hell?! This is not the guy I came here with.

"What's it matter to you, Nate?"

That's not him. That's not my best friend.