Dark Light

Rating: Fighting, foul language and slight blood.

A/N: Yes chapter two. Hope you like. A big thanks to my new beta *hugs* Now on to the story… but about the last chapter… I’ll go over it sometime soon and fix it up for all of ya. Enjoy!

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Yellow eyes watched the window as the wind blew by. A dark shadow slipped around the bend of the house towards the open window. Those yellow eyes narrowed. The white and black cat slid in front of the large black cat. He hissed, his white fangs bared. “Leave now! You will not get his soul!”

The cat hissed and he gave a low growl. He pounced on the cat. It shrieked louder then vanished under his paws. “You’ll have to kill me to get the rest of his soul.” A dark voice sounded from the end of the wraparound porch.

“Very well. I’ll take your challenge. We all know who’s going to win again in the end.” His yellow eyes found the dark mass sitting at the end of the porch. He could see the man’s face as he gave a wicked grin.

The cat’s size grew to that of a large dog. He rushed towards the dark mass. Claws out and fangs bared, he went through the mass. His claws caught the railing to keep from flying over. Turning around there was no one. Yellow eyes darted around to find the dark mass.

He dropped to all fours and rushed over to the window. Peeking in, he found the boy still asleep with soul intact. A sigh escaped him causing the boy to jerk awake. He shrunk his size. When the boy looked out he was perched on the beam across from the window. As the boy watched him he pretended to clean himself.

~~~~


He ran through the woods. His water soaked shoes making loud sloshing sounds as they hit the muddy ground. Braches bit into his skin as he tried to miss them. There was a sound behind him when he came up to the edge of a cliff. Turning fast at the loud snarl, he stumbled back when something lunged at him. His foot met air.

‘Hurry!’

He was falling. His hands stretched out to grab the cliff as he fell towards the water below. He crashed through the surface of the water as if it were glass and kept falling. Then his body slammed against the ground. When he finally came too, his body didn’t hurt from that fall. With a shake of his head he slowly stood up. Looking around, all he could see was black and it pushed in all around him. As he breathed out, bubbles rose in front of his face and his eyes widened. His hand covered his mouth as he held his breath. A few seconds later, he was gasping for air. When water didn’t fill his lungs he slowly relaxed. Looking up, he could make out a murky light above him. How was he breathing under water?

‘Find me, quickly!’

He spun around at the shout that filled the air. His feet stepped back, unsure, just as black tendrils shot out of the floor he was standing on. They wrapped around his arms and legs. He tried to shout but his voice wouldn’t work. A large mass of bubbles rose as he fought. His body was sinking into the ground as the tendrils wrapped around more of his body. Someone was there moving towards him quickly. His hand reached out to them as he was shouting, trying to shout. The fear gripped his chest as his face slowly sunk under. His hand was still trying to stretch out to that someone as the other hand clawed at the ground to stay up. Fingers brushed against his. Then he was falling through the darkness.
****


Kieren jerked awake. It was dark. A hand grabbed his shoulder and he shoved it away. He fought off the hands. He started to feel himself being restrained and he panicked. “Stop. No stop! Leave me alone!!”

“Kieren!” Light blinded him as he felt arms that were wrapped around him. Ev had his hands resting against both sides of his face. “Okay Rowdy, you can let go.”

“You sure?”

Ev’s head nodded to his older brother. “Yeah. He’s awake.” Akira was standing behind Ev as he watched Rowdy loosened his grip on Kieren. When Akira sat on the bed, his shoulders sagged with relief. “Kieren, are you okay?” The shaking teen nodded as he swallowed thickly. He rubbed at his face wanting to scream. Why couldn’t it just leave him alone?!

“What time is it?”

“Two in the morning.”

“Sorry.”

“I’ll go get you some water.”

Kieren shook his head, “No water. I don’t want to see any more water for the rest of the night.”

“Okay, I’ll go get something else for you to drink.”

He got to the door just as Zev did. “What’s going on?” His whole body was tensed.

“Kieren had a nightmare again.” The older wolf looked past Akira at Ev and Rowdy on the bed next to Kieren. Ev was rubbing his back while Rowdy watched his shaking brother. Why didn’t he hear everything till now?

A hand grabbed his and pulled him away from the room, “Don’t worry about it Zev. It was a mental cry. He’s okay.” His hand squeezed the wolf’s hand slightly. “I didn’t wake you because you didn’t get home till late. You should go back up to get some sleep.”

He shook his head. “I won’t be able to now.”

“I was going to get him something to drink.”

A nod from the wolf had the choice made. “I’ll make some of that tea that Levana sent over.” Then he added as he turned, “It’ll be better if you stay closer, just in case.”

“Thanks.” Akira smiled at the worrying wolf. Zev walked quickly down the hall to the kitchen. When he was out of sight, Akira covered his face, his fingers rubbing at his forehead. When would the nightmares end? What was with them? Once everything would settle down, Kieren would have those dreams. When a hand rested on his shoulder, his head jerked up. Looking back, he found Zev looking down at him. Great, now he was losing track of time. “I’m fine.”

He wrapped his free arm around the brunette and buried his face against his shoulder. “I’ll give him the tea and I’ll be right there.”

“Okay.” Akira pulled away from Zev to head over to the stairs. Zev gave a sigh as he walked into the room.

He handed Kieren the cup and looked at the two on either side of the younger teen. “Do you need anything else Kieren?”

His head shook as he sat the cup down, “I’m okay. You guys should go back to sleep.” When Zev motioned to the cup he made a face but picked it up. It was gone in two long drinks. The youngest teen pulled another face from the bitter taste. “Ugh, that is gross!”

He patted Kieren on the head and then ruffled his hair. “If you say you are then you are. I’ll lay the folding bed out just in case.” The three of them gave a protest. “Just in case.” He left the room to climb the stairs. Once in his and Akira’s room he walked over to the closet. He pulled out an old futon just as Akira sat up.

“You think…?”

“Just in case.” He stopped and turned to Akira. “We’ll have to tell him. I know we had the two of them promise not to say a word. But we still need to tell him.” The bed dropped to the ground and he made his way back into the closet.

“I know. But after…”

Zev’s muffled voice came out, “Akira he needs to know. I can’t keep that stuff hidden for long he’s bound to catch on.”

The brunette nodded, “Fine. After what happened in the fire…” He watched as Zev walked out with blankets in his arms. The way Akira cut himself off had the wolf looking at him.

Sky blue met stormy gray, “Alright. But at the first signs, I’m telling him.” The blankets were tossed onto the folding bed and Zev made his way over to Akira.

“Okay. I’m just worried… about after.”

Zev pressed his hand against Akira’s face and then gave him a quick kiss. “I know.” His thumb ran over the bottom point of the scar. “Everything will be alright. It has been so far.”


There were hushed whispers coming from behind their closed door. “I think their debating.” A soft laugh from Akira had him grinning. He cracked an eye just as the door to their room opened. He could see Rowdy pushing Kieren across the room. The two arguing in hushed tones as Ev just shook his head. A smile crossed his face when he heard soft shuffling sounds then a fwump. He caught a few muttered words and then it grew quiet. Blue eyes glanced down the bed to where the futon was at. He could make out three bodies on the bed. Turning his head he found gray eyes watching him. “See? Everything is alright.”

Akira rested his head on Zev’s chest as he muttered something. Zev grinned, “Love you too.”

~~~~~


Surge winced as he watched someone crash on their back. Their head smacking against the ground. “Shit. Man, is he okay?” The teen had a straw hanging from his mouth as he stood to see if the kid that wiped out was fine.

Kieren shrugged, “Like I know.” He had his ear buds in his ears and was standing on his skateboard. A silver yoyo was in his hand. It hissed as it traveled along the string. With deft fingers he pulled off a quick trick. When the kid stood up, Surge dropped back onto the bench.

“You’re also lucky to have started school on a Thursday.”

He made a bored sound. Surge tipped his head to the side and watched Kieren out of the corner of his eyes.

“You’re still playing with that toy?”

“Yes.” He finished that trick and snapped it back into his hand.

“Can’t you do anything else?”

“Yeah.” His hands moved with the yoyo and he had a tower. “Eiffel Tower.” Then he flipped it. “Just say yo.” Quick movements and then it snapped back into his hand.

“Okay.”

The brunette stepped off the skateboard. “Watch.” He dropped the yoyo into a sleeper and started to make something. “Big star.” When he got a look from Surge, he popped him in the head with the yoyo. “No more tricks.”

His friend rubbed his head where a red mark was forming. “Oh come on, one more. There has to be something you haven’t shown anyone.” He rolled his eyes and then started to make something else, “You already did that one.”

“Did I?” Once he was finished, his yoyo was hanging in the middle of an Eiffel Tower. “Rock the Baby on the Eiffel Tower.” He quickly snapped it back. “I don’t do it much. It dies too quickly.”

“Huh?”

“Watch.” He threw the yoyo into a sleeper. “See how it’s still spinning. When I do that it slows the spin.” It snapped back up into his hand.

They both heard clapping and Surge growled at the low drawling voice. “Hey lil Wolfie and death kid.”

Kieren tucked his yoyo away as he asked, “Max, what are you doing here?”

Max was slightly taller than Kieren. He dropped onto the table next to Surge. “I was looking for you. Pass along a message.”

“Okay.” He stepped on the tail of his board and grabbed it. “What for?”

“Something about me staying for the next few days and you’re need at home.” His green eyes glanced at the pissed Surge. “What’s got him pissed off?” The taller teen had dark blue hair with black placed in different streaks. He wasn’t that much paler than Surge. Leaning up close to the growling teen he tipped his head to the side in question. Max sat straighter as he brought his balled fist down on his hand with an Ah-ha look on his face, “She turned you down again, didn’t she?” The blunette jumped out of reach of the fist.

“Fuck you!”

“Yep got it right.” He nodded his head as if it confirmed the statement.

“Kieren, I’m gonna kill him.”

The brunette gave a shrug, “Do whatever you want.”

“Good.” He was off the bench after Max.

The taller teen grinned as he jumped back out of the way. He ducked the skateboard and then snagged it out of Surge’s hands. The board was tossed to Kieren who caught it as a fist swung at him again. A tail wrapped around the wrist, “Hey I never hit you. Why hit me?”

“You’re annoying, that’s why. Out of everyone I know, you’re the most annoying. Now hold still so I can rip those snake bites out. Then I’ll get that one on your eyebrow followed by the four in your ears!”

“Ouch. You’d actually hurt me.” He watched as Surge tugged at the tail wrapped around his arm. A clear blue stone was fused to the center of the wide diamond shaped tip. Max was a diamond user. He could make his skin as tough as the diamond stone and weapons that could cut almost everything.

“Hey, Max, you going to work?”

The diamond user tipped Surge off balance and then grabbed the back of his shirt. “Yep.” He picked the younger teen up. Walking over he sat the cursing Surge on the table. Two fingers shoved the growling teen’s head back slightly. “Stay.” Then he slung an arm over Kieren’s shoulders. “Boss needs some extra help. A guy went home sick.” The older teen had on an old tee shirt instead of the usual flannel button shirt with a black shirt underneath. The jeans were old and worn, but then again, most of his pants were. “So want to come see the car?”

“Not this time. I think Surge might shred your seats if he had to be in the same car as you.” They both looked at the glaring teen. Max was glad looks couldn’t kill because he’d be six feet under right that moment. “I think you should leave soon or he’ll find something to strangle you with.”

“Guess. It could be fun.” Green eyes slid over to Kieren. “Have you been sleeping well?”

“Yeah.”

“You got bags. Those sleeping pills will help you.”

“I don’t like the fact I sleep through everything.”

Thin broad shoulders shrugged. “Okay.” He ruffled his hair. “I’ll see you back at your place then.” Kieren swatted at his hand as he chuckled. “See ya Surggie.”

“Get lost.”

“Already have.”

Surge stuck his tongue out at the teen.

Max gave a wicked grin as he snagged that tongue, “Keep it up and I’ll take the invitation.”

The teen sputtered as Max walked off backwards. With a quick wave he turned and walked out of the skate park. “Fucking asshole I’ll brain him with a brick.” He spat on the ground, “Ewwww, his hand taste weird!!”

The brunette rolled his shoulders, “What did he do to piss you off so much?”

“It just the way he is. He’s…” He threw his hands in the air as he gave an aggravated growl, “He can just piss me off for no reason!”

“You’re an idiot.” Kieren dropped his board on the ground then stepped back on it. He pushed off the ground as he tossed Surge’s board back to him. “I’m going to head home. Don’t brain anyone with that board of yours.” He stopped to look back at him. “You should really get to know Max before you take his head off.”

Surge shouted after him, “It’ll be a cold day in hell when that happens!”

“I heard it just might!”

“Get bent Kieren!”

The teen just waved as he rounded the corner to leave the skate park. Surge growled as he flopped back onto the bench, a frown stretched across his face. He gave a dark scowl at no one in particular and sighed. With board in hand he took off after Kieren. “Wait up, you ass!” He rounded the corner of the wall to find Kieren trying not to laugh. “Oh you’re really an ass.”

“You’re that easy to read.”

“I hate you.” The grumble made him laugh as he let the board fall to the ground again. He stepped on it as Surge copied the same motions. “I’m not that easy.”

“Yes you are.” He pushed of the ground and Surge followed after him. Kieren looked at him over his shoulder. “You pin after every cute girl in the school. Hoping one would fall for you.”

“Can’t help it. I want a cute girl to show off to my parents.”

“What about Max?”

Surge growled at him as he kicked off the ground shouting, “He’s not cute and not a girl!”

“Didn’t stop you from asking me or thinking of it.”

“Okay first off, we both agreed that was a fling.”

“Yeah.”

“And I thought you looked like…” A glance from Kieren had the shorter teen’s mouth clicking shut. “Never mind, it was a fluke.”

“That’s what I thought you were going to say.”

“Kieren you can be scary at times.”

“Hmmm…” They came to a stop at an intersection. Kieren looked at the empty street.

“I mean, there are those times where you could scare the living shit out of a large man eating dino.” Surge looked up then down the street. He gave a sigh of annoyance, “Why did you stop? The road is empty.” The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as Surge skated past him onto the road. His hand snagged the back of Surge’s shirt as a large truck screamed by.

Once the large behemoth was gone Surge looked at his board that had come to a stop against the other curb. “That would have been you. Only a lot flatter.”

“How did I not hear that!?”

“I don’t know maybe you should shut your mouth and listen.”

“Hey…” Surge looked down at Kieren who was frowning. “Why am I higher then you?”

“Get off or I’ll find a way to run you through with the skateboard.”

He unlatched his death grip to quickly run across the road to snag his skateboard and get away from Kieren. “You stay there and cool off.” The shorter teen shouted across the street.

“How about I beat you to a bloody pulp?”

“Okay… I mean no… look I’ll head back to the dorms while you plan not to torment me on Monday. Sound like a great plan?”

“I’ll think about it if you act nicer around Max.”

“Like hell I would ever do such a crazy…”

“Then have fun on Monday! Heard we have P.E. then.”

Surge paled even more and squeaked, “What!?”

“Bye.” Kieren was gone walking across the street off to his right and away from Surge.

“Kieren! Kieren!!”

Zev sighed as he picked up the book in front of Akira. A pencil hung from the brunette’s mouth. “You’re getting back into classes?”

“Yes.” He turned the page then started to write down something on the lined paper next to him. “I’m trying to finish what I started when I was twenty.”

“So when are you going to do the painting part?”

“Not till I get through this class, an English class and a Math class.”

“Really a math class for an art major?”

“Yes. Now hush.” The wolf was about to say something when the screen door opened. Max came in with a grin on his face. They looked at him. “Why do I get the feeling the reason he’s late is because he got side tracked.”

“Sorry the boss held me late. I had to fix something the new kid broke.”

“I find that slightly hard to believe.” Zev muttered. “Give up Keir told me all your quirks. That and I can smell a lie a mile away.”

Akira then pointed at him with the end of his pencil, “You also look like you got into a fight with an alley cat.”

He held his hands up. “Okay okay. I got jumped on my way to my car by one of my ex’s older brothers. Something about making her cry.” His hand waved. “I find it funny when they always drop me. Something about not being serious I’m serious when it’s called for.” Then he quickly changed the subject. “I’m sleeping on the couch right?”

The two of them sighed at the same time and nodded.

“Night.”

“Night Max.” Akira looked at Zev who was holding his head in his hands. “I’m going strangle him. Why can’t he tell me why he’s going to see mom and dad?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.” He looked back down at the book and then wrote something down. “Get some sleep Zev. You’ll need it in the morning.”

“Not without you.”

“I’ll be there in a few.” He watched Akira then sighed. Leaning over some he bushed reddish brown hair to the side. A chuckle escaped Akira. “Fine let me write this down.” Zev rested his chin on Akira’s shoulder as his arms wrapped around a slim waist. Once Akira sat his pencil down he turned to look at Zev. “I’ve got to get up.”

“Mmmm I know.”

“Then let go.” But he didn’t. Instead he picked the brunette up off the chair. “Zev!”

“Shhhh the kids are sleeping.” The wolf laughed as he walked down the hall and took the stairs two at a time. Akira was trying to get out of his hold then yelped when they both fell onto the bed. “G’night.”

“Zev…” He gave a loud growl then tried to squirm out of his hold. “Zev!”

“Nooooo I wanna cuddle!!”

The brunette gave a mutter, then went limp. He could feel Zev breathing against his back. “Fine.”

“I love you.”

He squirmed around till he was facing Zev with his arms wrapped around his neck. His fingers ran through ebony hair. He made sure his nails dug into the right places. A soft murr could be heard followed by two black ears soon folding back under his chin. Something brushed against his foot and he buried his face against Zev’s hair. “You tell me every day.”

“You only tell me once every month if I’m lucky.”

“Don’t like over using it.”

That head tipped back to look at him. “I still love you.” Akira slipped his fingers into his hair again as he kissed him.

He pulled away to mutter against his lips, “Love you.”

Zev tightened his hold on Akira and smiled. His head pressed against his chest as Akira continued to run his fingers through his hair. They fell asleep laying like that.

~~~~

Ev looked at the gym uniform. “Really?”

Kyden nodded her head, “Yep.”

“It that a?”

She started laughing as Ev shook his head. “Really it is.”

“It a… wow… silver bunny?”

“I know but Grandda called it a Jackrabbit.”

Kieren tugged at his shirt. “I feel a little degrading wearing this…”

Akira walked out to find Kieren wearing the PE uniforms shirt. “I’m not going to ask.” The two at the table snickered as Kieren yanked it off and tossed it to Kyden.

“He wanted to call them Fallen Angel.”

They looked over when Akira choked on his water. He was doubled over coughing when Ev called out, “Forget how to breathe?” His head rested against his arm as he waved at them. Standing he quickly left the room leave the three teens in silence. “Sooooo, why didn’t it work?”

“Ma said no. She said it wouldn’t be right naming the mascot after someone close to them. It made it seem like they were dead or something.”

“I see.” He folded the shirts up. “Thanks for dropping them off.”

“You’re welcome. We got PE tomorrow so be ready.” The fire user stood up. “Tell Rowdy I said hi.”

“We will.”

She left and Kieren crossed his arms. “I’m not wearing it.” Ev rolled his eyes as he reached out to tug on his bandaged arm. “What?”

“Stop hiding from it.”

He snatched his arm away, “I’m not hiding from it! I just don’t want people asking stupid questions.”

“Sure like they’re not going to think something else.” His brother stood while picking up his and Rowdy’s uniform. “I’m going to go leave Rowdy’s on his desk.”

Kieren shrugged his shoulders as he looked away. He walked onto the porch and dropped onto the swing. It creaked as he laid out on it closing his eyes. One knee was bent resting on the armrest while the other pushed on the ground swinging the swing. There was a thump causing him to open one eye. He looked at the white and black cat. “Buzz off.” Then he looked away. That cat walked over to rub against his leg. He growled and shook his leg. “I said to buzz… Ouch!” He sat up and dove for the cat. “You little fucker, I’ll toss you into the lake.” It took off with Kieren chasing after. The cat dashed across the yard into the forest surrounding the house. He rushed after, only to come to a stop as he stepped on a pine cone.

A few curses later ended with him leaning against a tree rubbing his foot. He finally glanced around to find the cat sitting five feet away from him. His mismatched eyes narrowed as he flipped it off and limped out of the woods. As he got back to the porch he caught a wisp of black smoke out of the corner of his eye. The teen jerked to the side as a throwing knife thudded into the wooden post. He looked back at the woods to see no one. Reaching up he yanked the blade out of the post. “First cats, now knifes. What’s next?”

The screen slammed closed behind him.

~~~~


“Alright class you’ll be split into groups!” The coach was a graying man. He was one of those people who were at their prime in high school but quickly fell to the bottom when they graduated. “Give me six people to a group.”

Kyden dropped next to Rowdy as Jason sprawled out on the bench in front of the group. “We have five. If we’re lucky we can stay that way.”

“To bad Surge is on the other side.” Kieren muttered. He really wanted to put his plan into action.

Rowdy looked at him, “I thought he was a reaper kid.”

“He can see the dead and who’s going to die in the next hour. That’s about it.”

“Must suck.”

“He said he’s use to it. It was the ghosts that freaked him out for the longest.”

The gym door slipped open. Ev glanced over and chuckled, “Looks like a late student.”

“Oh no.” They looked at Kyden.

“What is it?”

“Please don’t let us be the only ones with five.”

The brothers looked around and then nodded as they said together, “We are.”

“That is creepy what you three do.” Jason then looked from the three brothers over to see the other student. “Hey it’s Damon.”

“Who?”

Kyden shook her head as Jason looked back at them. “Damon is known for getting into fights. He must’ve been in one to be late.”

The coach didn’t even look up as he called out, “Damon Rhydian.” The figure froze. “You’re late!”

“Uh… well…”

“No excuses find a group of five and sit!” Damon flipped the man off as he walked by. “Please don’t make it easy for me to give you after school cleaning!” He just stuck his tongue out as he climbed the steps of the bleachers.

“Make it easy on him and just call him over.” Kyden shook her head at what Jason said. “Kyden.”

“Hey!” They all looked at Ev who was standing. The teen froze and looked over. “We’ve got room for one more.” He shrugged as he walked over.

His head nodded, “Jason.”

The chrome haired teen tipped his head back. “Yo, Damon.” He motioned to the others. “My friends.”

“Do they have names?”

“Yes. Yes they do.” His hand motioned to the three brothers individually as he called out there names. “These three are Rowdy, Ev and Kieren.” Rowdy waved slightly as Ev grinned. Kieren looked away when he said his name.

He nodded stiffly as he dropped on the bleacher by Jason’s head.

“Alright first off pick a captain. Then get on down here.” The coach walked off through two gray doors.

They sat there looking at each other as Kieren growled out, “I’m not being the leader of any team. So don’t even look at me.”

The blond looked at his younger brother. “Why not? You’re one hell of a player?”

“I’m not into the whole sports thing. I’ll play if I have to but don’t make me team leader.”

Ev sighed, “All right the oldest will be leader.”

Damon leaned away slightly, “Count me out.”

“Well that leaves me and…”

“But I want to be team leader.” He looked at Rowdy.

“Are you turning eighteen anytime soon?”

“Yes!”

“I turned eighteen last month.”

“Damn it.” he muttered. “Why couldn’t we have been born earlier?”

Ev sighed, “Don’t push it Rowdy. We’d have never made it.”

“But…”

“You can be the vice captain.” Rowdy rested his head on his hands when Ev called out. “Hey look Coach Calings has basketballs.”

They stood when the other students made their way down the bleachers. “Alright kids, get a ball and follow me to the outer area.”

Kieren watched as Rowdy walked over to get a ball. “Outer area? Doesn’t he mean outside?”

“More room for us. You’ll see, Grandda thought of everything when it came to this school.”

As they walked outside the three brothers went still. “Wow.” The outer area was as large as an arena. Four basketball courts were set up already. Kieren looked at the ground as they walked along. You could see slight marks on the floor. He looked over to see that there were dents along the walls. He stopped to look around and take in the area. His eyes looked up and he found glass windows up above. Kyden stopped and looked back.

“Kieren.” She glanced up then grinned. “Some of the students can’t take sunlight so well so he got tinted windows installed. I think it’s awesome.”

“Oh. The dents in the wall?”

“Those are to change the floor. There’s soccer and football. They are one field and then you have this one the basketball court. The hockey one is below this one. If you put your hand on the ground you can feel the coolness seeping up through the ground.”

“It’s different.”

“Yep.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him along. “Well, come on. We have to catch up.” They walked up to the small group as the coach finished talking. “So what’s going on?”

Rowdy looked back at them and grinned, “We’re being put against each other. Two to each court. We’ll go against each other then onto the next team that wins.” He tossed the ball to Kieren. “First to five points wins.”

“Got it.”

Jason looked at the two. “What’s going on?”

“Kieren is the best out of us when it comes to athletics. Go figure really and he’s the laziest out of us.” Ev muttered. “Anyways, if you want five quickly, you ask Kieren.”

“Let them get the first basket. I’ll switch in then.” He played with the cloth wrapped around his hand. “Let every team get one and I can guarantee you’ll get the next five.”

Damon tucked both hands into his back pockets, “Why should we?”

Those mismatched eyes looked at him. Then he shoved the ball into Damon’s chest. “It takes only one for me to read the team.” When he let go of the ball, those murky yellow brown eyes were slightly darker. The both of them were about the same height, give or take an inch. Damon’s hand came up to grab the basketball before it fell to the ground.

Ev took the ball from Damon and grinned as the other team walked up. “The easy part is making them all think that Kieren is the worse player. The hard part is keeping that in their mind.”

Kyden looked at Damon, she made a face at him and then walked after Jason. The male rolled his eyes at her behavior. They landed on the back of Kieren’s head. He had to see for himself if the teen was as good as his brothers claimed. His hand raked through his two colored hair. The top layers were black with the lower layers white. The bangs ended up falling forward some in his eyes. So he puffed some air out to get the hair to move out of his eyes. That failed quickly.

He stood off to the side as Jason and Rowdy planed out the game. Kieren was looking up at the windows above them. His fingers were messing with the cloth wrapped around his arm. After the other team played, their group was called up. Rowdy glanced back at Kieren. There was a nod and then the whistle blew.


Kieren jumped up with the ball in hand. It bounced off the back bored and fell into the basket. Ev, Kyden and Rowdy cheered as they won again. Kyden grinned as she took in deep breaths. She was sweating a lot but it was worth it in the long run. The way they had played even impressed the coach and that was saying something. The whistle went off and the coach shouted, “Alright, you have ten to put your stuff away and get changed! We’ll continue next class!”

Damon stopped Kieren, “Look, sorry about earlier. Most people now days just blow smoke to get people to like them.”

He just stared at him, “I could care less what you think of me. It’s not like I’ll lose any sleep over it.”

Those yellow-brown eyes blinked in confusion. “I’m just trying to say sorry.”

“And I’m saying there’s nothing to apologize for. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been judged by the way I look nor will it be the last.”

The male frowned as Kieren turned away to go put the basketball away. The confusion was clearly written on his face because Ev was shaking his head. “Leave it be. Kieren is an odd ball.”

“No, your brother is fucking confusing.” He was walking off towards the lockers when a shout caught his attention. He turned around to see another teen standing behind Kieren. His feet started to carry him forward when he stopped. What the hell was he doing? He was about to turn when he heard a loud snarl.


He stopped next to the ball cage to drop the basketball in when something collided with the back of his head. The gym grew quite as he stood there. He turned in time to see the ball roll back to rest at another male’s feet. He had dark brown hair and golden eyes. A snarky look was on his face. “Well, I’ll be damned. He’s exposed at the back.”

Kieren turned his back on the other teen to drop the ball into the cage. There was a loud thump behind him. Ev called out, “I wouldn’t do that!”

The teen was taller than him by a couple of inches. That basketball thumped him on the back again. His fingers curled into a fist. “Just ‘cause he’s good on the court doesn’t mean he’s good off it.”

A low growl was working its way up his throat. “Don’t touch me.”

“Why? You going to cry to your alpha, puppy? I bet he’s a softy. Probably couldn’t take on a real man. I heard he’s rather pitiful for falling for some crazy person. But then again you’d have to be crazy to go for the same sex. Maybe he needs to have his head checked out.” Kieren caught sight of Ev yanking a snarling Rowdy back.

“Bret, leave him alone!” Kyden was standing near Ev, her arms crossed with a frown on her face as she spoke to the teen. “Yer just sore for losing at something you’re good at.”

“What’cha gonna do about it?” Her eyes narrowed but she didn’t move. “That’s what I thought.” The teen, Bret, watched as Kieren turned towards him.

“You’re in my way. Move.”

“I don’t have to listen to you. I’m not a part of your father’s pack.” He smirked, “I bet my old man could kick his ass even though he’s a beta.”

A smirk appeared on Kieren’s face, “I’d hate to have to rely on you as a beta then. I bet you fight as well as you play on the court. Suckish.”

Bret growled at him as he shoved the ball into his chest. “At least I’m not a mutt who can’t even change. Hell, I bet you can’t even fight against a full blooded wolf. Or have you ever seen one seeing as your father has dirty blood running through his veins.”

Kieren held his hand up towards Rowdy when he heard him growl again, “I don’t know why your fur is so ruffled, but my dad has nothing to do with the fact that I kicked your ass playing basketball.”

“I’m piss because a mutt like you out did me, a full blood.” Mismatched eyes looked down at the ball that was still pressed against his chest. He grabbed the ball causing golden eyes to look down at his hands. “What are hiding under those? Regretting the fact you could end you fucking pathetic life or the fact you can’t handle being pushed around. But then again I’d try to off myself if I had a dirty wolf who fucks another male.”

That smirk grew wicked as his eyes darkened. “Tell me, have you ever met my other father?”

“Why the fuck would I want to?”

Kieren yanked the ball from him, “Cause he taught me how to fight.” He slammed the ball hard into Bret’s stomach causing him to double over. Then he grabbed a fist of hair to hold his head in place and rammed his knee into his face. A loud crack reached his ears. Bret dropped to his knees holding his nose. Then Kieren took on a look of shook, “Oops, did I break the little puppy’s nose.” He knelt down some to look him in the eyes. “You can insult me all you like, but once you bring my family into it you can bet I’ll get pissed.” His cheek rested on the back of his bandaged hand. “You don’t want to piss me off.”

Bret growled, “Is that all you can do?” He lunged at Kieren who ducked back, tossing the ball into the air. His knee came up to connect with Bret’s chin and it snapped shut. The wolf fell back only to scramble to his feet. He swung and his fist connected with Kieren’s face. Kieren took a few feet back as he rubbed at his jaw. Yeah that was going to be ugly tomorrow.

“Wow. My ex threw better punches and she was a girl.”

“Fucking mutt.”

Bret tackled him and both tumbled to the ground. He grabbed a fist full of Kieren’s hair to yank his head up only to slam it onto the ground. “Shit.”

Ev shouted at him, “Fuck, Kieren, fight back!”

The wolf teen stood up. He watched as Kieren pushed himself up. One hand came up to wipe at his face blood smeared across the back of his hand. His blood. He gave a growl then stood up as the coach’s voice filled the gym, “What is going on here!?”

“You’re pathetic. Your fathers should have let you die when you tried to off yourself. Then again maybe they’ve both gone crazy.”

The coach shoved his way through the crowed just in time to see Kieren whip around and slug Bret. The other brunette’s head snapped back and he dropped to the ground. Then Kieren was on top of him. His fist came down and Bret caught it as Kieren’s other fist connected with his face. He kept punching till Rowdy appeared behind him. His arms hooked up under Kieren’s arms and behind Kieren head locking his arms up above him. “Fucking bastard I’ll kick your ass! You don’t know shit about me and my family!” The teen jerked hard against Rowdy’s arms. “Let me go Rowdy! I’ll fucking kick his ass!!”

The whistle screamed through the gym causing everyone to grow quite. “You two! To the office, NOW!”

Kieren sat with an ice pack pressed against his face. He couldn’t wait to find Ev and get this fixed. His eyes narrowed when he saw Bret sitting on the opposite end of the table. The both of them were sent into the conference room. Alessandro had made sure that both teen were placed on either side of the table far from each other. Bret also had an ice bag pressed to his face.

The door opened and Kieren’s whole body sunk lower in the seat at the sight of both of his parents. He caught the muttered words from Bret. His fist tightened on the ice pack causing the ice cubes to crack. A low growl was working its way up when Zev gripped his shoulder. He frowned at the table. Both were mad. He could tell. Zev always had a grin on his face but this time it was void of any goofy grins and Akira… well Akira’s eyes where that steel gray they took on when he was three seconds from banning him from everything fun. Yep he was fucked with a whole month of yard work on top of it.

Not even a few seconds later a woman was walking into the room. She had the same brown hair and golden eyes as Bret. They landed on Zev then Akira to finally drop to Kieren. The woman gave a sigh. She stopped in front of them and lowered her head, “I’m sorry for what my son did.”

“Mother!”

“Shut up Bret! You argue with me and I’ll call your father. You should be disappointed in yourself! Are you trying to start a fight between our groups!?”

Akira spoke up, “I doubt that would happen any time soon.” His eyes landed on Bret. “I believe it would be better if we just let this go.” They held the same hard look as he gave her a soft smile.

She looked at Kieren again. The nodded, “If there is anything I can do to make this up to you…”

Zev shook his head. “There is nothing that needs to be done. It’s just a quarrel between two boys. One that’ll end as soon as we leave this room.” Kieren muttered something as he looked away from Bret at the wall. “I didn’t catch that maybe you should speak louder.”

Those eyes turned to him, “I said fine.”

“See? All settled.” He gave a half hearted smile.

“Alright if you say so. Sorry for my son’s behavior. He’s most likely the instigator in this whole thing.”

Bret muttered, “I ain’t sorry.”

“Bret! You open your mouth one more time…” She growled then rubbed at her forehead, “Just go to the car! I’m taking you home. Me and your father will have a long talk about this later.” The teen shoved himself up momentarily showing his bruise covered face. “Well… not like we can hide that from your father anyways.” He sneered at Kieren as he walked by causing Kieren to bristle slightly. The woman lowered her head once again, then left the room. He could tell his weekend was going to be gone because of this.

“Go get your things. We’re taking you home.”

“Fine.” He stood up and walked to the door. His hand yanked his hood up before he could open the door, Akira called out to him.

“Don’t even think about asking Ev to heal those.”

The door slammed shut behind him as he stalked off to his locker.

---

If you have any questions, comments or missed errors to point out please tell me. All answers to questions will be answered at my live journal under the same name or you can message me in the forum under the same ID name. I will only answer questions to a point as long as it doesn’t give the plot away. Thank you for reading my story.

Shade :)