The welcoming sunlight filtered through the curtains, indicating them about another new day. Everyone knew, that Zac was the one to wake up first every day and after that everyone dragged their lazy feet across the dorms completing their morning tasks. And this morning was pleasant that the other ones. Because of the yesterday events, everyone had hope that the two princes would make up their broken relationship. Lui sat down on his bed, crossing his arms as he watched outside of the window. His mind wandering back to their fight yesterday, it was fascinating, he knew. Because it seemed like Shu hadn't wasted his time goofing around the castle, instead he was sure Shu had some serious training sessions. Breaking his thoughts Shu woke up, yawning to the back of his hand as he climbed out of his bed. His hair sticking out from here and there. Lui scowled, looking at him. "Idiot" He said loud enough for the other to hear. 

Shu rolled his eyes. "Good morning to you too" 

Shu stepped onto the cold floor trying to flatten his messy bangs, but failing to do so. Lui stepped out from his bed and walked to him. "Do you know what you did yesterday?"

Shu blinked, "Me? Ah yes" Shu said crossing his arms, turning to face the white tyrant in front of him. "Some stupid idiot dragged me into a fight and we ended up at the Headmaster's office"

Zac choked on the water he was drinking. "You two did what?"

"I mean after that" Lui pointed out ignoring Zac's very existence itself.  Shu blinked, after that? He thought confused for a moment. He did remember being dragged again to clean and then everything was a blur. 

"What happened?" Shu asked, not wanting to be left in the dark about the memory he's missing. 

"You slept in my bed" Lui said smirking, he was sure Shu did not remember anything about that incident. 

Shu's face turned from surprise to a terrified expression. He jumped back from Lui wrapping his hands around himself. "W-what did you do?" He asked, his face flushing in red. 

Lui tilted his head trying to figure out what he was really saying when Xander burst out laughing. "Oh my god Shu, don't think that far"

Shu blushed to a even more darker red. "I don't remember what you're talking about"

Lui stared into the space for several minutes, his eyes widen realizing the situation. Shu is thinking that he- oh my god. "What the-" He said looking at Shu from his head to feet. 

"Don't look at me, you perv" Shu squeaked jumping to the side. 

"The hell did you just called me? You're the one who's letting your mind go wild Kurenai" He yelled, a hint of pink covering his cheeks. 

"You're the one who told me that I slept in your bed"  Shu said in a defensive tone. "Besides I don't even remember coming back to the room."

Free walked to the duo, he was still sleepy and among all of this the troublemaker duo was yelling at each other early in the morning where he would've spend his sweet time sleeping a bit more. "Nothing happened Shu" Free said placing a hand on the albino's shoulder. 

Lui scowled, "As if I'd ever want to do that with a loser like you"

Shu covered his ears in frustration, "I'm leaving" He said walking to the doors in frustration. Zac smiled looking at both of them. 

"That was quite a misunderstanding" 

Lui growled. "Shut up"

Valt grinned at both of them. He didn't understand a thing that happened right now but it seemed to be amusing enough to make half of the dorm doubled over from laughter. He wordlessly jogged to Shu, "I'm coming with you" He said, as they both exited the room. 

Valt looked at Shu's still red face as they walked along the empty corridor. " You alright there buddy?"

Shu took a deep breath before answering him. "Yeah, fine" He said looking around, the air was slightly cold and crisp. The fresh wind brushing their skin as it passed through the males. The birds chirped from the willow trees which stood in the school garden, it was a fresh morning, just as any other day, but something was not quite right, Shu thought frowning. "It's so empty" He breathed. 

Valt hummed beside him. "Yeah, Wakiya, Honcho and Sisco is not here either."

At this time of the morning, the corridors are buzzing with energy and activities. Some students talking here and there while others went to the dining hall to get breakfast. But today there was not a single soul out there, it was calm and quiet. So quiet that it brought chills down Shu's spine. Breaking the eerie silence lingering in the air hurried footsteps echoes through their way, Shu and Valt shared a glance taking a defensive stance, they had to be get ready for whatever coming on their way. "You two" Suddenly a familiar voice said, appearing from the corner. It was Wakiya and the rest of the gang. The two let out a relieved sigh, but their relief didn't last long because of the distress the gang had. 

"To you guys's dorms, now" Ruway said as the other's followed them. Shu and Valt blinked, confused for a moment before they decided to go with Ruway's command. The intrusion to the dorms was taken by surprise. Zac almost screeched when they barged in and locked the door behind them. 

Lui narrowed his eyes clearly looking at Shu. "What the hell did you do now?"

"I didn't do anything" Shu answered pouting. "Why do you always suspect me for everything"

"Because you're a disaster" Lui said with a smirk. "Simple as that"

Gou broke their conversation with a grunt. "No time for that, we're under attack"

Everyone fell into a stunning silent. Attacked? Shu thought. But as he heard their headmaster and almost all of their teachers are the best warriors they can find around here. If this attackers defeated them means, it's almost impossible for them to defeat this gang. "But how did they do that?"

Honcho shook his had, "We don't know that. The thing is, they are now keeping all the staff as the hostages. We have to save them from that"

"Who are these people?" Zac asked, hoping for an answer, but he was again met with silence. He sighed, they are going to go against some enemies whom they know nothing about. What a great way to start your day he thought sarcastically as Free talked. 

"We have to get out of here first, they will be here anytime soon" 

Everyone agreed with Free, if the school is under attack the best thing is to escape from this place and find a better place to plan about their attacks. They quietly stepped through the empty corridors looking around for any sign of danger. Unconsciously Free and Lui had taken the lead of the gang, it was the truth. Among them, the best fighters were Free and Lui, and if they were to lead the group everyone knew that in no time they will be out of danger. Fortunately, they didn't reach any kind of danger as they advanced to the dark and gloomy forest stood behind the school. Free looked around again giving out a relieved breath. "I think we're okay for now"

"It's weird" Wakiya stated frowning. "We didn't met any danger so far. It's like their target is the staff, not us"

Ruway hummed, agreeing the statement of blonde. "But for now, let's focus on saving them. If they are strong enough to capture our staff, an attack without a plan would bring us to our death"

"I have an idea" Shu's quiet voice piped up, making them all look at him. 

Free nodded, "Go on"

Shu grabbed one of the fallen branches nearby and drew a rough sketch of the school. "This is the main hall, the teachers are kept hostages at this part. Right?" He said looking for Sisco for a confirmation.

Sisco nodded, confirming him. "Yeah"

"That means there are four entrances for this place. First, from the main corridor facing the main gate. Second is the back door from the back garden, you have to pass the servants rooms to enter from that one. The other two are from each sides of the main hall. And, we don't know about the skills of the enemies, but we have one luck at out side" He said looking around. "The element of surprise, and that's has to be the sole reason for our win"

"All that is true, but how are we going to surprise them? Attacking from the all four side?" Xander asked. 

"The left and right gates would be guarded less than the others because to enter from them you have to pass either the main door or the backdoor, or else you'll have to come inside from the two dorms of nobles and commanders. That's why they made sure yours are empty rather than ours. The first attack needs to go to each of these side doors. But the attackers need to be quite and vigilant that the people inside doesn't get a clue about that."

Honcho smirked. "I know what you're telling. We have to climb through the window. That's the only way to enter the dorms without using the door. And by now the doors must be guarded too."

Shu snapped his fingers looking at him with a smile. "Exactly, that's the only way"

Lui rubbed his chin narrowing his eyes. "The backdoor?"

"Should be heavily guarded" Zac exclaimed. 

"Back door and the front door should be heavily guarded. If I attacked you all and kept hostages I'll put more guard in the backdoor rather than the front. My guess is they have a bunch of attackers at the back door while to the front door they used their best warriors." Shu said. 

"You mean, the most talented fighters would be at the front while the backdoor would be guarded with a bunch of fighter that are inferior to the others in strength but the amount would be high?" Free raised his brow. The things Shu was stating actually made a lot of sense. He looked at Shu who was concentrating on the map he drew as he made a mental note for himself, Shu Kurenai is no weak person. When it comes to strategies he's the most terrifying person among them. 

"And about the fifth entrance.." Shu said wrinkling his brows. 

"What?" Xander asked. "There is a fifth entrance?"

"Yep" Shu said, "I read it in one of the books. There is a secret door from the above and the entrance is nearby the end of the woods."

"That would be the real surprise" Wakiya mused. "When you just crash from the above"

Shu smiled, "It certainly would be"

"Let's divide into teams" Gou said looking at each other. "Mastermind can do that" 

Shu blinked, looking around to see everyone staring at him. "M-me?" he asked just to be sure about the situation. 

Free shrugged, "Who else?"

Shu gulped, "Well" He said clasping his hands behind his back. "I thought about that. Wakiya and Honcho should enter from the right side door, you two are from that dorm which means you two know about the dorms the best. And besides I think you two can do a quite and clean job when it comes to taking down fighters"

Wakiya grumbled messaging his temples. "Out of everyone, I have to pair up with this freak"

"Not quite happy either" Honcho shot back. 

"For the left, I suggest Sisco and Gou." The two nodded, looking at each other. Lui clicked his tongue knowing that he'd have to pair up with someone other than his best friend. 

"And for the back door, Xander, Zac and Ruway. The fighters won't be skilled like the front door fighter but if there's two in the front there would be at least around thirty in the back. The people who keeps hostages always make a form like that to make their plan flawless" 

Xander cracked his knuckles grinning. "Don't worry guys, we got your back"

"For the front, the best ones I prefer is Free and Valt. I know about Valt's sword skills and as I heard Free is also talented with a sword and your power would come in handy when you fight with them" Shu said with a small smile. Free and Valt shared a glance and nodded at him, and for the fifth entrance it would be-" He stopped, holy shit. Did he just paired himself up with the guy he despised? Yes, he did. 

"Ring a bell?" Lui asked, annoyed as he raised his brow. "Nice going Kurenai"

Shu scowled, "I'm not doing anything with you. I don't like to speak with idiots"

"Speak for yourself" Lui shot back when Zac intervened. 

"No, I think Shu's plan is perfect. Lui and you would have the most advantage when it comes to surprising everyone" 

Shu groaned in defeat, "Fine"

"Whatever" Lui answered. 

Free spoke, looking at everyone with a grim expression. "We are going for our surprise attack in two hours. Everyone get ready with your destination. Let's go" 

After one more good luck, the guys parted their way to different directions and the last two remaining at the place was Shu and Lui. Lui sighed, turning to Shu. "Where is this entrance?"

Shu wordlessly turned around gesturing the other to follow. The walk was mostly in silence, none of them uttered a word at each other, the only sound surrounding them was the sounds of the wild. The two stayed in alert, none of them wanted to risk their plan and bring the downfall for everyone. After several minutes they reached the end of the woods. Shu stood there looking around for the entrance, the book did tell about the secret entrance situated at the end of the woods but when you really come to the place it was hard to figure out which place it was. Lui groaned, "Where is it?"

Shu hummed tapping his foot against the ground. "It should be around here somewhere" He said walking around the place making his companion even more annoyed. 

"You're annoying me"

"I know" Shu answered stopping, "The entrance hadn't been opened for a while now. It would be hard to find" He said jumping on the ground. "Even if I jump- ah" He yelped as the ground beneath him crumbled making him almost fall to the bottomless pit underneath him, when a strong grip around his wrist stopped him from falling. Shu looked up to meet with Royal Purple eyes staring back at him. 

"So much for the genius"

Shu smiled innocently. "Found it"

"I'm going to make an ice slide just beside you and when I count to three just slide down from it. Got it?" Lui said moving his right arm. Shu watched in fascination as Lui started using his power to make the slide. He had an amazing control over his power. Shu knew that, looking at the way he skillfully made it, only using one hand made Shu wonder what else this white tyrant can do. "Finished" He said turning to Shu again. He gripped on Shu's forearms and swung him using his full strength making Shu land on the slide with a painful yelp. 

"That was intentional" Shu yelled, when the slide started to take him down to the pit. Thankfully, it didn't take much time for reach the bottom that way. Shu stood up from the side to see Lui skating through the slide and landed perfectly beside him. "I'm cool I know"  Lui mused. 

"My back is freezing" Shu muttered looking around narrowing his eyes. 

"If you skated through that way, you'll break your neck. Be thankful for saving your life" Lui said cockily making the other glare. 

"Not saying thank you for a freak like you" Shu stated walking to a staircase in the opposite direction. "Up we go"

The two headed toward the staircase and started their journey. They had to be careful with each step they took, because obviously the staircase is not in a good state to hold much weight. Shu almost drew his step back when the staircase made a loud screeching sound as he stepped on. "Walk slowly dumbo" Lui hissed.

Shu looked at him, one of his handed lighted up with his fire which worked at the light inside the dark pit. "Keep your mouth shut, at least for a second. I'm trying to concentrate here"

"For what? To keep that light on?" He asked raising his brow. 

Shu turned around sighing as he muttered along. "Not everyone has a super duper talent like you" 

Lui frowned, he didn't catch the words the other uttered. They walked the rest of the staircase in silence. Stepping slowly as he stepped along the staircase. The old wooden staircase creaking with their each step as if a warning to make sure they stay in alert. Shu let out a relieved sigh as they reached the end of the staircase arriving to an entrance of a cave divided into two paths. 

"Left" Shu said at the same time Lui said. "Right"

The two glared at each other. "We have to chose left"

"And why's that? Right is always right" Lui said. 

"Who's logic is that?" Shu asked, frowning.

"Mine" Lui said taking Shu's wrist dragging him into the right side of the cave, ignoring all the protests of the other. The right cave lead them to another larger cave which only had one more path to go on and unfortunately it was closed, there was rocks blocking the other entrance making it a dead end. 

"Right is always right" Shu muttered, crossing his arms giving a look of told you so. Lui clicked his tongue, gesturing at another entrance nearby. 

"Your left might've lead us to the same cave"

Shu huffed, why separate the cave if they wanted to lead them to the same ending, he thought looking around for another exit. Lui walked to one of the cave walls, inspecting it closely. The damp walls felt cold against his fingertips, as he rubbed his fingertips together taking in the smell of dirt. The only exit is blocked, with gigantic rocks crowding the path. "Let's blast through" He said in a monotone voice. 

Shu frowned, "The pile of rock is too thick for that"

Lui nodded, "First, we'll have to take away some of the rocks. Then let's try blasting through it"

Shu nodded. They both started working, taking off rocks one by one. They only had one hour left to start their plan and simply both of them were running out of time. Lui watched the albino male who worked silently, not complaining or glaring at him, just concentrating on his work. Lui moved his eyes, an unasked question lingering on his mind. There was something that caught his eye in the morning. When all the others were laughing at his misunderstanding Lui caught the slight distress which lingered inside his crimson eyes. It was just for a split second just before he composed himself turning around and leaving the room. "Kurenai" He talked breaking the eerie silence as he took another rock to his hands. 

"Yeah?" Shu asked, without stopping to look at him. 

"About today's morning" Lui said, making Shu stop dead on his tracks. A flash of fear passing through his crimson eyes. 

"I-It's just a misunderstanding" He stuttered. 

"Not about that, I mean did something like that happened before?"

Lui watched as Shu's shoulders tensed, his knuckles turning fight from the tight grip he had on the fabric of his clothes. White bangs shadowing his eyes making it harder to see his expression. Lui blinked, a chill running down his spine, it can't be true is it? Breaking his thoughts Shu spoke, his voice slightly wavering and dripping with emotions. "I...It did happen but didn't go that far" He breathed turning to Lui. "My butler came before anything happened. If it wasn't for him, I don't know how I would end up"

Lui let out a relieved sigh, but before he could speak Shu spoke again. "I don't know what happens when I'm not in my senses, I hate it when people try to take advantage out of me when I'm at my worst." Shu didn't wait for his reply or to his answer. He continued to work, silently not wanting to face Lui again. Lui took his wrist and gripped on it making Shu stop and look at him. A cold and neutral mask taking over his pale face. Lui sighed. 

"You don't have to be scared about that when you're here. Inside the school, you're safe. You get that?"

Shu frowned. "Don't pity me. I hate it when people pity me too"

"I'm not pitying you. I'm just stating the truth" He said, his features serious and cold. 

Shu leaned in, peeking to Lui's face tilting his head as he does so. "Lui, are you alright?"

"Shut up and work" Lui hissed pushing the guy away from him. "And idiot" He said turning to Shu. "All the things I said I mean it"

Shu smiled, nodding. "Thank you. I really appreciate it. Never thought I'd heard something from the great Shirosagi"

Lui just ignored the comment. After few more minutes of work, they were able to do much work done. Lui looked at Shu. "Let's use both of our powers at the same time"

Shu nodded, positioning himself in front of the blocked cave. They both activated powers in harmony ; fire and ice, two opposite elements but synchronizing together making a massive power blasting through the rocks making a pathway from the middle of them. "Whoa" Shu cheered stepping to the entrance when Lui clamped his hands over Shu's mouth dragging him back. Shu turned around giving him a questioning glance when his ears caught the sound of a growl. Lui placed a finger over his lips, gesturing him to be silent. Both of them took cover behind a pile of rocks when a handful of giant rats entered the cave, sniffing all over the place trying to fish out something to eat. 

Shu inhaled a sharp breath, pressing his palms against his mouth. He knew about this breed of rats, and they had been trapped inside that cave for a long time which only meant one thing. If they caught them, they would bite into the human flesh and feast with their bodies. Lui leaned against his ear. "When those come near, blast a ball of fire. Leave the rest to me"

Shu took a deep breath silently nodding. Both of them waited in a nerve wrecking silence as the rats sniffed around sensing the blood nearby, just when they came near enough to bite Shu did as Lui told him, he blasted a ball of fire scattering the pack of rats, "To the entrance" Lui yelled taking the lead, Shu didn't hesitated for a second as he followed Lui, just before the white tyrant close the entrance with ice Shu made it to the cave. Shu panted heavily placing one of his hands on the walls of the new cave they arrived. The unpleasant odour of the rats hitting their noses in mere seconds. 

Lui looked at him and raised his brow, but before he could say anything Shu spoke. "I'm not dying, thank you very much"

Lui smirked, shrugging his arms. He took the lead without even bothering to see whether the other was following him or not. They walked along the damp cave and arrived to another staircase. From there, they could hear the faint noises coming from the inside. Lui turned to Shu. "I think we're inside the building"

Shu nodded, "We're close to the main hall, that's why we can hear the noises. The others rooms should be empty by now."

The two fell into s silence yet again. Both of them, in fierce alert about what's going on around them and to the tiny voices they could hear through the thick wooden walls around them. The pair was met with another staircase which reached them to the top of the building and soon, as they could figure it out the voices was coming beneath them, not beside them anymore. The duo shared a glance and positioned themselves at the entrance, getting ready to crash on when the others are on their game. 

Outside the main entrance, Free and Valt stared at the door closely. Just as Shu told, there was three fighters in the main entrance but all the three of them seemed to be strong. All these years, what Free mostly did was to observe from the far. Unknowingly for himself, he had grown used to reading body languages of the people, just from the way they were standing or holding something. And Free knew, that these people were no jokes. "It's almost two hours" Valt muttered, earning a nod from Free. 

"I hope the others are ready." Free whispered as the two shared one last glance, charging at the fighters, just as Shu said, taking them by complete surprise. The plan went quite smoothly, just as they wanted. In no times, the gang had surrounded the main cult which still held their staff as the hostages. 

"Let them go, now" Xander warned. 

One of the guys, who looked like the leader of the gang smirked poking their headmaster's head with the handle of his sword. "You got some talented brats here"

Their Headmaster just narrowed his eyes, glaring at the guy. "Free them now" This time, Valt warned. The guy looked at them and laughed. 

"Look Kids, we have the upper hand here. Because" He said pointing at their staff tied with strong ropes. "One more step and your dear teachers would go to the other side."

"Where are those two?" Sisco grumbled under his breath quietly. Just before a second pass, the roof just above the gang crashed as Shu and Lui jumped to the wooden floor with a thud landing perfectly on their feet. "Talk of the devil" Sisco smirked. 

"Surprise" Lui said, with a serious mood. "And now, let's get this over with" 

Shu smirked, "Yeah"

It didn't take them much time to corner the gang leaders while the others freed their teachers and the other staff in a hurry. Lui sighed, making his arm cover with see through pure crystals. "I would've forgive you, but because of you all I had to work with this guys for hours. It's worst than my worst nightmare"

Shu huffed, muttering rude. He touched the floor making a circle of fire around the cult trapping them into a smaller portion of the ground making them an easier target. Lui made a sword out of his eyes and pointed it against one of their throats, the sharp crystal digging into his skin letting out a thin strip of blood. The man looked at their headmaster, out from the corner of his eyes. 

"I think this is enough buddy"

Shu blinked, "Buddy?" He asked looking back at his head master, who had a wide grin across his features. 

"Okay boys, that's enough. Let them go" 

"What?" Gou almost yelled, totally loosing his normal composure. 

"What's the bloody meaning of this?" Wakiya yelled at him, totally forgetting that he's the headmaster. 

The headmaster stood in front of them, putting down the fire circle in mere minutes. "This is your second test, teamwork. And thankfully everyone passed"

Lui growled, "I can kill him now"

Zac stifled a laugh elbowing him. "You'll be kicked out of the school"

"It'll worth it" Lui hissed in fury. 

Shu sighed, "Phew, that escalated quickly"

"Aren't you mad?" Honcho asked, raising his brow.

"I am, but I'm glad at the same time"

The headmaster looked at each and everyone meeting their gazes one by one when it suddenly stopped at Shu and Lui. "And I'm quite surprised you all knew about the secret fifth entrance to this hall. But" He said looking at the big hole at the roof. "There is a entrance you two could've jumped out without destroying the wall"

"What's the fun in that?" Ruway asked with a smirk, "You fooled us. It's only fair you have to pay for something in return"

"The truth to be told" Lui interrupted. "That idiot has a habit of breaking the floor instead of looking for the door. That's how we got here like that"

Shu smiled nervously. "We didn't have much time"

Their material arts teacher scoffed, probably displeased about their performance but when their headmaster was in the present, he didn't dare to open his mouth against the students. "What did you all learn from this?" The headmaster asked.

Free shrugged. "Big brains are terrifying"

"And don't underestimate anyone" Ruway chimed in. 

Shu smirked. "And Lui sometimes can be a good guy"

Zac choked on air, freezing on the spot. "Excuse me?"

Shu shrugged opening his mouth to say something when Lui pointed a crystal at his throat. "Say another word, I'm murdering you"

Xander burst out laughing. "well, we learned many things after all"

"There is another reason for this plan" Their Headmaster said taking their attention back to him. "For the upcoming strength tournaments, the first rounds would be held in pairs which means you'll need a partner to participate and today, it seemed like you guys found the partners"

Zac raised his arm, "Not me though"

"That's why I'm here" Orochi said coming to the room. "I'm the newest student here. Pleasure to meet you all"

"He's the son of the Prime minister of this kingdom, but sadly because of some private issues he couldn't join you from the beginning and from today on, he'll start learning with you all as your classmate. And the rest of the pairs can continue to participate in the games as they are now"

Everyone gathered around Orochi, to talk with him while two males stood away from the crowd staring at each other. Despair and surprise taking both of their faces in surprise. "Eh?" They said in sync gaining the attention from the others. 

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!?"

That was a loooong chapter. Took me sometime to write it, because these days my motivation is drained due to all this staying home thingies. All I wanna do it sit somewhere and stare into the space for hours. But me being me dragged my lazy ars to write at least something and ended up writing a hella long chapter which I don't even know what's about. Hehehehe

Anyways, hope you guys enjoy!

And there is this question in my mind. Is it okay if I wrote long chapters? Or should I keep them short?

I asked this from one of my besties here and she said, long chapters are better. So, I'm rolling with her suggestion. If you guys have something against it, please tell me about that in the comments. 

And did I just came here in between my online classes to click the publish button? Yes I did.

Sayonara!

Author is out!