Shadow Prince

So it starts. This is something I decided to do after watching a shounen-ai anime. I decided to make a fluffy cutesy story.

This takes place in an American summer camp, seeing as I have high doubts that the Japanese have summer camps.

As for the names, people should know, I choose WEIRD names for my characters and always have.


Enjoy


--

Rave was sitting on the bus, staring out the window, his face expressing nothing. The other kids were laughing or getting yelled at as they threw things, but the seat next to him was empty.

The tall boy was sixteen years old with bright golden hair and shining yellow eyes. Pale skin reflected the light nicely across his fair features, shadows of fences and trees and telephone polls occasionally covering it as they went by.

The bus slowly pulled to a stop and Rave looked up and smiled. They pulled under the crude archway of the summer camp, which read "Camp Neston."

With a slight tug as they stopped, everyone began to gather their things and make their way towards the exit, Rave following the last of them.

Rave had attended at Camp Neston since he was very young, and had no intention of stopping, even when he reached the cut off age of eighteen. He intended to apply as a councilor then.

Neston was an all-boys camp where parents sent their children whenever school was out. Really, the place was a free-for-all and everyone got to go where they wanted and do what they wanted for the most part.

As he stepped off the silver stair of the bus, he was suddenly met full force with another body.

"Rave!" a voice said and Rave flailed as he was pushed to the ground.

"Oi..." he glared up at the younger boy who was pinning him, "Get off me..."

"But I missed you!" he grinned.

The boy on top of him had bright red hair and a large obnoxious grin on his face as he wrapped his arms around Rave, nuzzling his face like a dog.

"Would you get off?!" Rave flailed, trying to sit up, but the boy was applying all his weight to him. "Len!"

Suddenly, Len sat up, training bright red eyes on Rave. "You don't seem like yourself," he commented.

Rave looked away a moment, before glaring. "Of course I do, you mutt, now get off." With that he shoved Len away.

"Nice to see you again, Rave..."

Rave looked up to see a tall smiling boy with green hair to his shoulders and forest green eyes. He was leaned over in greetings.

"Hi there Forest," Rave said, standing. Len immediately jumped up and wrapped himself around Rave's arm.

"How was the year for you?" Forest asked.

"It was okay," Rave shrugged, "Oh! Let's hurry so no one steals our bunks!"

He quickly grabbed Len's hand and ran towards the cabin houses where everyone was to stay. In his flurry of greetings, he forgot that if one doesn't hurry, they might not bunk with who they wanted to bunk with.

"I forgot, too!" Len said as he jogged behind him.

Since the three of them had met five summers ago, they had always shared a bunk. The fourth person to stay with them often came and went, but it was consistent for them to insist on being together.

"How could we forget this year?!" Rave lamented as he reached their usual bunk. He jogged up the steps and opened the door.

Two boys looked up, both of them having already claimed their spots on two of the beds.

"Let's go see if another one is empty!" Rave said urgently.

"This was the last empty one," one of the boys said. "All of them have at least three people in them, except the two person bunk at the end..."

Rave, Len and Forest all looked at one another.

"So... who stays?" Rave asked.

"We could draw straws..." Forest replied.

"Can I talk to you a second, Rave?!" Len said suddenly, shoving Rave out the door. Rave gave a startled cry and whirled around on his friend.

"What's the big idea?!" he growled.

"Please let Forest and I stay..." Len said, clasping his hands together.

"What?" Rave tilted his head.

"Please!" Len bowed his head, "I want to stay with Forest..."

"Why is it so important?" Rave asked, scratching his head.

Len said nothing, just blushed and looked at the ground. Rave blinked and tilted his head, a little confused.

"I just... He moved to my town this year, remember?" he said quietly.

"Yes..."

"And he and I... I really like him..."

"Well he is your friend," Rave reasoned.

"No, you don't..." Len looked away.

"Len, what is it?" Rave asked.

"I really, really like him..."

Rave tilted his head again, confused. "Oh I see..."

Len glanced at him. "You do?"

"You like him more than you like me," Rave sighed.

"No!" Len said, "No, not that! I mean I like... like him..."

Rave paused. "You like like him? As in like like?"

Len nodded.

"But..." Rave started, then stopped, "How...? I'm confused."

"I just do!" Len said, smiling.

Rave was frowning at him. "Fine, okay, okay..." he sighed, "I'll go find a room and tell you guys where I ended up later..."

"Thank you!" Len cried and jumped over, hugging him, before running back into the bunkhouse. Rave frowned after him and gathered his things, going from bunk to bunk.

Every single four bedroom bunkhouse was completely filled, he realized as he checked the last one, seeing four boys inside. Carefully, he glanced at the end of the line. It was a cabin house that was a little smaller than the others. It only had one bunk bed in it because it was smaller. When it was just Rave and Len, before Forest came along, they would make sure they got that one.

Rave briefly wondered if he was going to not have a place to stay supposing that house was filled as well. The people who only had one friend usually fought tooth and nail for it.

"Well, then maybe they'll let me set up a cot in Len and Forest's room," he reasoned, "They can't just kick me out." He paused. "Or could they?"

His mind was filled with over-dramatic images of the councilors pushing him out the door with his stuff, guarding him from going back in.

Quickly, Rave ran over to the door of the smaller house, knocking softly before peeking inside.

"Anyone here?" he called.

The bunkhouse appeared to be empty, he saw. Annoyed, he wondered why those two who caused Rave to be booted from the other cabin didn't grab this one. They said it was the only one that wasn't completely filled, but Rave assumed at least one person had been inside for them to not choose it.

"Hello?" Rave called, wondering if he could bargain with those two boys and have them come over here instead.

"Hello?" a small voice said.

From the bathroom a small boy walked out. He had long dark gray hair and a very pale face. His eyes were as black as coals and he was very petite.

"Um... I thought this was an all boys camp..." Rave said without thinking.

The boy blinked, then blushed, glaring. "I am a boy!" he replied.

"You look like a girl..." Rave commented.

"Well, I'm not!" he growled, "What do you want?!"

"Is there someone staying in here with you?" he asked.

"No..." the boy replied.

"Then this is the only spot left in the whole camp for me to stay," Rave said.

They both paused, neither seeming to like this idea.

"No other spot?" the boy said.

"None," Rave replied.

"Then I suppose you'll have to sleep outside," he replied coldly, turning and lifting up his suitcase on his bed, opening it and removing his things.

"Like hell!" Rave growled.

"Well you can't stay here," the boy replied.

"I don't wanna anyway!" Rave hissed.

"Then you better find a place in the forest," the boy commented.

"Why don't you sleep outside and I take this bunk?!" Rave insisted.

"Me? Sleep outside?" he said, as though it should be obvious this was a bad idea.

"Well, what about me?" Rave asked, annoyed.

"It's okay for you to," he replied, tucking his things away in one of the dressers.

Rave started to reply but stopped. "Fine," he said suddenly, "I'll go somewhere else." He stared at the ground, just before he turned to go.

The boy glanced back at him, then sighed. "Wait..."

Rave turned.

"I suppose you can stay..." he went on. "Just keep things neat."

Rave glared. "It's not your cabin, you know..."

"I said you could stay, what else do you want?" the boy glanced at him.

Rave sighed and walked in, seeing that the boy had elected to take the bottom bunk, so he walked over to his dresser and tossed his suitcase on top, deciding to unpack later, taking his smaller bag and climbing up to his bed.

"What's your name?" the boy asked.

"Rave..."

"I'm Light..."

"Really?" Rave asked, "That's unusual..."

Light paused. "I didn't say you had to like it, I just said it was my name!"

"Geez, sorry..." Rave sighed and laid down, pulling out some of his more personal things. A book to read, a handheld video game system, and a picture frame, which he glanced at.

Silence filled the cabin awkwardly as he and Light said nothing to one another. Light finished neatly folding his clothes and placing them in the dresser, sitting on his bed.

"Where are you from?" Rave asked.

"None of your business," Light replied, suddenly laying down and closing his eyes.

Rave sighed again and pulled out the video game, playing.

Suddenly, the door burst open.

"Hello, happy campers!"

Rave recognized the voice and sat up. "Rail?!"

He glanced down at the door to see a blue haired boy smiling up at him, his eyes a fantastic shade of blue as well.

"Hi there, Rave!"

"I thought you'd left!" Rave grinned, climbing down.

"I applied as a councilor!" the older boy grinned, "Now I'm in charge of the high school boy's bunks. I heard you got separated from your friends."

"Yeah, we were a bit late in choosing bunks..." Rave shrugged.

"Who's this?" Rail asked.

Rave shrugged. "Some kid," he said coldly.

Light had sat up and was looking at Rail, not saying anything.

"I'm Rail," he said, "I'll be your leading camp councilor. What's your name?"

"I'm Light," he said quietly.

"Well, Light, I'm pretty sure this is the first year you've attended Neston, am I right?" Rail smiled.

Light nodded.

"All right, just a few general rules," Rail said cheerfully, "No going out of your cabin after ten PM. No wandering off into the forest by yourself. We have special permission to have our camp in a National Park, but that means there is a lot of wildlife in the forest and some of it is dangerous. No hazing, playing pranks on or otherwise harassing the other camp members. Listen to your councilors and have a good time."

Light nodded. "Understood."

"Right, well, have you named your bunk?" Rail asked, lifting a clipboard to write their response.

"Name...?" Light asked.

"Every bunk is considered a team. At the beginning of every camp year, each bunk decides on a name for their bunkhouse," Rail explained.

"The Sunrise Bunk has been taken, huh?" Rave asked.

"Len and Forest took it, yes," Rail smiled apologetically.

"Hmmm..." Rave paused to think about it, "Light can name it."

Light blinked, surprised. "Ah... How about... the Twilight bunk?"

Rail smiled. "I like it," he said, writing it down, "Don't you, Rave?"

"It's okay," Rave shrugged, crawling back up to his bed.

Rail glanced at him. "Well, campfire starts on thirty minutes. You two behave."

"Bye, Rail!" Rave waved.

Rail gave a brief wave before disappearing out the door.

"How do you know him?" Light asked.

"He was a camper up until this year," Rave said, stretching out and picking his game back up. Once again everything fell into silence and Rave sighed, wondering if the whole summer was going to be like this.

~:~

After twenty minutes, both Rave and Light walked down to the campfire, which was the center of the whole camp. The little elementary school campers were gathered on one side. They were kept a much closer eye on and assigned bunks, though usually with regard to who their friends were. They slept on the other side of the camp.

The high schoolers chose their own bunks and were given permission to go and do almost anything they wanted to do, within reason.

Rave stepped over and saw Len and Forest waving at him. He quickly walked that direction.

"Hey!"

"Hi!" Forest smiled, "Have you seen Rail?"

"Yeah, he came by," Rave nodded.

"So who did you end up bunked with?" Len asked.

Rave turned to see if he could pick Light from the crowd, then jumped to see him right behind him.

"Geez, are you stalking me?" Rave growled.

"No," Light said, blushing, "You're the only one here I know..."

"Are you Rave's roommate?" Forest asked, "I'm Forest and this is Len."

"Light," he replied, nodding at them.

"So you're polite to them but a cold jerk to me?" Rave scowled.

"They're not as stupid as you," Light said, turning up his nose. Rave growled at him, but suddenly, the councilors were trying to get everyone to settle down.

"Hi guys," one of the councilors called, standing in the center of them all.

The veterans of Camp Neston had to suppress their groans. The man that had addressed them was Compy, a very annoying and possibly the only disliked councilor in the whole of the camp. He had always had a tendency to choose favorites and make unfair decisions.

"I see lots of new faces," he commented, glancing at them under his black Neston cap, "I also see lots of familiar ones."

He seemed to look right at Rave, who scowled. So maybe Rave had done a few questionable things and Compy had been the one to get him in trouble for them. That made him an enemy?

"All of you veterans should know that Head Councilor Jones retired and can no longer be here with us at camp," Compy told them, seeming delighted. "I am the new head councilor."

A few people did groan at this, one of them being Rave.

"Let's get things started," Compy said, "I've been thinking and some things are going to be a little different this year. First of all, I'd like to introduce the Bunk Competitions."

Rave glanced at Rail for some indication of what this all meant, but Rail's expression was one of trained indifference. But the fact that the happy-go-lucky Rail wasn't smiling meant this was no good.

"The Bunk Competitions are going to be a contest between all the bunks," Compy smiled to himself, "We will be having trials every week in which all the bunks will compete. Whatever bunk has won the most competitions by the end of the summer will get a prize."

"Compete?" Len frowned, "But Rave's not in our bunk..."

"Afraid I'm going to run you into the ground?" Rave grinned.

"I was more concerned that you would have a temper tantrum at losing since there's only two in your bunk..." Forest commented.

"Hey!" Rave growled, "I don't throw temper tantrums, I don't, I don't!"

"What makes you think we're going to lose?" Light added.

"I suppose you might win," Forest commented apologetically, "It's just that..."

"If anything, he's going to slow me down!" Rave pointed at Light.

"Excuse me?!" Light growled, "I'm sure if it comes down to it, I'll end up carrying us to any kind of success..."

"... Rave doesn't work well with others..." Forest finished with a sigh.

"You look like a toothpick might break you," Rave commented, "How do you expect to be better than me?!"

"I am better than you, that's why!" Light growled.

"Excuse me!"

Light and Rave both stopped and looked over at Compy, then realized that the tall dark haired councilor was not the only one staring at them. Almost the entire camp had their eyes trained on them.

"Is there a problem?" Compy asked, annoyed.

Both Rave and Light seemed properly embarrassed.

"Rave, stand up," Compy said.

Rave sighed and got to his feet, putting his hands in his jean pockets.

"Yeah?" he said.

"Could you please explain to the camp what you were arguing with your peers about?" Compy said. Rave downcast his eyes a moment. Rail was scowling at Compy.

"It's none of your business..." Rave said finally.

"Oh?" Compy commented, "I'd like to see you after campfire, Rave... In the meantime, if you can't respect what I'm saying enough to be quiet, have a seat over here to make it easier on yourself."

Rave glanced over at a section of benches where no one was sitting, glancing at Compy coldly for a moment, before walking over and taking a seat.

"This is bad..." Len sighed.

"What is?" Light asked.

"Compy has always tried to torture Rave," Forest remarked quietly as the head councilor began to speak again.

"Like how?" Light asked.

Len and Forest were quiet a moment.

"Rave's older brother used to attend Neston a long time ago, when Compy was still a kid. The two of them had a bit of a rivalry going. Compy's still sore that he always lost to Rave's brother..." Len replied.

"So Compy takes it out on Rave," Light said, glancing at the blonde boy. Rave caught his glance and stuck his tongue out at him. "... He deserves it."

"Ignore Rave," Forest commented, "He's a bit forceful, but he's a nice person. He just never knows how to take things people say."

"I'm sure," Light replied, focusing back on Compy as he went over a list of rules that were redundant and somewhat obvious.

Even if Rave was a jerk, he decided he was less fond of the head councilor. Obviously, he wasn't mature enough to handle his position without allowing personal feelings to get involved.

"All right, that's all for tonight," Compy said finally, "Everyone, head back to your bunks and get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow."

Everyone murmured together as they stood and wandered back to their places of stay. Len and Forest immediately walked over to where Rave was sitting. Light hesitated and followed.

"Are you going to be okay?" Forest asked.

Rave glanced over at them. "I can handle Compy."

"But he... I know how he always seems to..." Len looked away.

Rave was quiet for a moment, as if trying to reign something in, then said, "I can handle it."

"Excuse me, boys," Compy said, walking over. "I need to speak with Rave alone. Go back to your bunks."

"I think Rail should've been made head councilor, don't you, Forest?" Len said as he turned, glaring at Compy.

"I agree," Forest said.

Compy seemed annoyed, but said nothing. He directed his gaze at Light.

"You," Compy nodded at him, "Get going."

Light seemed to hesitate, glancing at Rave.

"Whatever," he shrugged, turning to go.

However, after he'd gotten halfway back to his cabin, he paused, turning to look at the two of them. Rave had remained sitting as Compy spoke, but even at this distance, Light recognized the expression on Rave's face. The expression you take when you aren't trying to make one at all.

An indication that Rave was desperately trying not to let Compy get to him.

"... Serves him right," Light said softly, then went back to his cabin.

~:~

Rave got in that night, pausing and looking at Light. The boy seemed to be asleep, curled up under his padded comforter.

"I think I like him best asleep," he commented to himself as he crawled up the ladder and stretched out across his bed. He reached over and picked up his cellphone, reading the time. Nine. It seemed too early to go to bed for him, but with Light asleep and his friends several cabins over, there was little to do. Carefully, he crawled into bed and propped himself on his elbows, playing his video game.

He wasn't sure when, but after only a few minutes of playing, Rave was asleep with the game still running on his chest.

Besides a few bad dreams, Rave was still during the night, and as the many birds of the forest began to sing, Rave opened his eyes a little, wondering when he went to sleep.

He glanced down at the handheld and saw it was flashing a low battery signal, then sighed an switched it off. Slowly, he rolled over to place it in his bag, which he kept at the head of the bed.

Instead, he found himself reaching for the bag, but freezing completely still. His nose was merely centimeters away from Light's as the gray haired boy stirred a little, then sank deeper into Rave's pillow.

Rave wasn't sure what to do for a moment, processing what was going on in his head. Light was in his bed. Next to him.

Rave suddenly sat up in a panic, his head slamming into the ceiling, then ducked, clutching the newly made bump. The sound caused Light to open his eyes.

Light sat up, rubbing his head as he watched Rave with half-lidded eyes. The blonde boy just stared back, utterly confused.

Suddenly, Light seemed to register what was going on, his eyes widening.

"What are you doing in my bed?!" he gasped, backing away, but as he did, he backed right into the meager railing, tipping backwards.

"Watch it!" Rave warned, grabbing the boy by the shoulders and steadying him. Light blushed and shoved his hands away, but he was just realizing that the bed was Rave's, not his own.

"What happened?" Light asked.

"You tell me," Rave said, obviously annoyed.

"I... I..." Light glared, "You made me do it somehow!"

"Like I could!" Rave snapped, "I totally carried you up a flimsy ladder and put you in my bed without waking you up."

Light shut his mouth, realizing Rave had a good point.

"Well, you must have done something!" Light accused, then sighed. "Well... I do get cold easily... so there's a chance I just... went seeking warmth..."

"You might've asked for another blanket," Rave growled, turning and quickly climbing out of the bed. He stormed to his dresser, snatching out clothes. "Or we have this lovely heater they installed, why not turn that up?"

Light glared and snatched up one of Rave's pillows, tossing it at him. It hit it's target directly, and Rave glared at him hatefully, throwing it back. Light squeaked and ducked, the pillow hitting the wall.

Rave elected to change in the bathroom, slamming the door.

"It's not like I'd get in bed with you while conscious anyway!" Light called.

"It's not like I wouldn't kill myself if you did!" Rave's voice replied.

"That's it, I'm asking for a different bunk!" Light shouted, storming down the ladder.

Rave stepped out, dressed, glaring. "Good luck! I would've gone elsewhere if I could have! The only reason I stayed here was because these guys took my spot in my friends' cabin!"

"So go sleep in one of their beds!" Light shouted, clinging to the ladder, halfway down.

"I'm not like you!" Rave replied.

Light didn't reply, just started to climb again, but suddenly his foot missed a rung in his hurry and his fingers were jerked from the bed altogether. A gasp escaped his lip as he began to fall backwards.

Suddenly, Rave was behind him, his arms wrapped around his torso as he fell, pulling him a little. Rave stumbled back into the wall with a small "oof!" However, he managed to keep his hold on Light, who hadn't quite regained his feet. Slowly, he put weight on them again.

"... Are you okay?" Rave asked quietly.

"Y-yes..."

Rave let Light go, and the smaller boy immediately moved away, leaning against the ladder.

"No more climbing up to my bed," Rave said, suddenly resuming the same tone, "That's the second time you nearly fell. It's God saying to leave me the hell alone."

"Rave..." Light said quietly.

Rave paused and glanced at him, quickly masking any concern he had as Light's soft voice reached him.

"Yes...?"

"Thank you..."

Rave watched Light, who was leaned against the ladder, his hand over his heart, taking slow, deep breaths through his nose. The blonde boy walked back over.

"Did that scare you...?" he asked.

"N-no!" Light shook his head, blushing. "I'm just ashamed of being saved by you!"

"Well, come on," Rave said, not responding in his angry tone, "A bit of breakfast will make you forget about it."

"I said it didn't..." Light tried to protest.

"Whatever," Rave said quickly, giving him a way out, "I won't wait more than five minutes for you to get dressed."

Light glared a little and walked over to his dresser, digging out some clothes and walking into the bathroom. Rave waited for seven minutes and the two of them walked in cold silence to the mess hall.

~:~

"Rave!" Len waved frantically, grinning.

Rave smiled and ran over, holding his tray of processed food. He took his seat next to Len, who was sitting next to Forest.

Suddenly, Light set his tray down next to Rave.

"You seriously don't have any friends, do you?" Rave asked.

"Of course not, I'm new here!" Light snapped.

"I don't mind if he sits with us," Forest said agreeably, receiving a dirty look from Rave.

"Thank you, Forest," Light said, nibbling in a finicky way on his lunch.

"So the first of the competitions is supposed to be today..." Len said, "... Rave, what did Compy say to you last night?"

"Oh, the usual," Rave said calmly, taking a bite of eggs, "I shouldn't follow such rotten examples like my brother and that if I don't straighten up, I could get kicked out of the camp, blah, blah, blah..."

"He's a jerk," Forest said, gazing at his friend sympathetically, "We'll try to keep you out from under his radar."

"Do we know what the competition will be?" Light asked.

"So far, all we know is that most of them are going to be physical," Len replied, "Like races and obstacle courses. Probably so Compy can just watch us suffer through them. At least when we're not doing these competitions, we can just go on as normal."

"Hi guys!"

"Rail!" Rave, Forest and Len all said together.

Rail smiled and sat down. "How are things?"

"Why didn't you tell us Compy became Head Councilor?!" Len griped.

Rail sighed. "Maybe a vague hope he'd get fired before being able to do anything...?" he replied, "I'll try to keep him in line, but he doesn't listen to me..."

"Why would he?" Forest asked.

"He wouldn't," Rail said quickly. "The competitions might actually be fun, though."

"As fun as getting your arm cut off," Len commented.

"Or as fun as the end of the world," Forest added.

"Possibly as fun as rooming with Light," Rave smirked, but received a smack over the head from Light immediately afterwards, "Hey!"

"I see you two are getting along," Rail smiled.

"Can I switch bunks, Rail?" Light asked, glaring at Rave.

"Not right now," Rail replied, "We're filled to capacity. But someone always ends up leaving in the middle of the summer, so maybe then."

"Good," Rave commented.

"We'll see if you still want to change then," Rail said as he stood.

"I will," Light replied.

"I most definitely will, too," Rave said.

"We'll see," Rail smiled, then walked over to the councilor's table.

Rave sighed and finished eating his breakfast. Rail was acting a bit strange this year. Though, he couldn't say much. This whole summer was off to an unusual start. Compy as head councilor, separated from Len and Forest, bunking with the bratty Light. Maybe he should just go home.

Except... home was worse.

"What's wrong, Rave?" Forest asked.

"Uh?" Rave grinned, "Nothing."

Len and Forest glanced at one another.

"Okay..." Len said.

"Oh, Len, you have food on your face," Forest commented, grabbing a napkin and taking it to Len's face. Len blushed but seemed strangely happy as Forest carefully wiped away the smudge of syrup.

Light and Rave stared, then both looked away.

"All right, guys!" Compy suddenly called, "Competitions start in fifteen minutes, so hurry up!"

Rave grumbled and finished, standing to dump his tray.

"I'll get your tray, Forest!" Len smiled brightly and reached over, gathering things up to throw them away.

"Thanks," Forest said, seeming a little confused.

Rave was dumping the contents of his tray in the trash can, only to be met by Len, who was happily taking out his and Forest's mess as well.

"You really do like him, huh?" Rave asked.

"Yep!" Len smiled.

"Doesn't it bother you that... He's a guy?" Rave asked.

"No," Len said, placing his tray in the sink nearby and starting on Forest's, "I feel the way I feel. Why fight that for something as silly as gender? It's a wonderful feeling."

"I suppose," Rave shrugged, "It's a little weird to me, but if it makes you happy... Have you told him you like him?"

"No..." Len said with a small sigh.

"You should say so..." Rave replied.

"I'm scared he'll say no, so I'm waiting to try and make him fall in love with me," Len grinned, "I think it's working! Come on, let's go out to the competitions."

Rave nodded.

"Coming, Light?" Forest asked as Rave and Len came back over.

"Uh...?" Light glanced at his food, "Wait one second..." He quickly stood up and dumped his tray, coming back.

The four of them walked out to a large field where everyone else was gathering. Rave sighed as he saw the old obstacle course set up. In the past, it wasn't a requirement to run the course. A few of the athletic boys opted to do it simply because they wanted to.

Compy was standing in the center holding a clipboard, calling roll. They arrived just in time to have their names called and Compy nodded.

"Right, everyone find your bunk mates," Compy called and the boys shuffled around. Rave remained where he was standing as Light was already next to him. Forest and Len's roommates came over, standing with them.

"Oh, Rave, this is Chester and Dee," Len pointed to them.

Chester was a tall boy with sandy blonde hair and Dee was shorter with brown hair. Both gave a quick wave before watching Compy.

"Here's how this works," Compy said, "We're going to split up into teams of two and run the obstacle course. The first team finished with the best time wins a point for their bunkhouse. The cabin with the most points in the end wins. Got it?"

Everyone seemed to nod.

"So no one shoves anyone else, we're going to run you one team at a time... Ready?" Compy asked.

They nodded.

"Sunrise Team, choose one of your sets and have them come up," Compy said,

Len and Forest walked over with a shrug.

"Len, you run the course first, then hand this stick to Forest at the end," Compy explained, "And he'll run back. Understand?"

Len nodded.

"All right!" Compy said, stepping back as Forest jogged to the other-side of the course, "When you're ready, Len."

"Ready," Len smirked, crouching at the starting line. Rave sighed suddenly. Len would win if he wasn't partnered with Forest. Len had once explained to Rave about all his track trophies and his sports awards. Forest, on the other hand, spent his days reading and being president of the Science Club.

"Go!" Compy shouted, and Rail, who was next to him, started a stop watch.

Len was off like a light, surprising everyone. He reached several obstacles but was able to go over them efficiently, jumping and jogging through tires, then hurdling over a low wall. Finally, he reached a tall tower, climbing the ladder.

"What's that...?" Light suddenly said.

"The tower?" Rave asked, "We call it the Citadel because sometimes we have water fights and that's where we keep the balloons and water guns..."

"What is it?" Light said, sounding small.

Rave glanced at him, seeing the boy seemed somewhat pale. "Well... Watch Len, you'll see."

Len got to the top and grabbed hold of a set of handles connected to a rope angling down. As soon as Len's weight jerked the handles, they rushed forward and he slid till his feet touched the bottom, stumbling over and handing Forest the small rod Compy had given him. Forest began to climb the Citadel, hurrying for the other-side, where another tightly strung rope waited with more handles.

"See, the handles come back to the top because they have this elastic stuff on em that pulls em back up," Rave pointed to Len's handles, which had risen back to the top.

"I can't do that!" Light said suddenly.

"What's wrong?" Rave frowned.

Light had taken a step back. "I can't do it! I'll fall!"

Just then, Forest grabbed the handles, but couldn't hold on, falling, but was met by the soft cushion of an inflated padding below, simply standing and running to the next obstacle.

"Look, see, Forest fell," Rave pointed out, "He's fine. Geez, are you afraid of heights or something?"

Light remained silent.

"Oh, suddenly you freaking out about falling from the ladder this morning makes sense..." Rave said.

"Shut up!" Light shouted suddenly, "Everyone's afraid of something!"

"Maybe, but the Citadel can't hurt you," Rave pointed out, "I mean unless you fell just right..."

"I won't do it," Light looked away.

"Then I guess I'll tell Compy we forfeit," Rave sighed.

Light paused and glanced at Forest, who was struggling through the obstacle course. Len had run back to the finish and was cheering him on. Then, he glanced at Rave, who was watching, trying to mask the disappointment on his face.

"I'll do it," Light sighed.

"You sure?" Rave asked, surprised.

"Yeah, it's just a stupid tower," Light folded his arms.

A cheer rose as Forest reached the finish line. Rail called time and wrote down what the stopwatch read. Len and Forest walked back over, Forest panting heavily.

"You did good!" Len said.

"Sorry if I slowed you down," Forest said, still trying to catch his breath.

"You did not!" Len protested, "You were great!"

Chester and Dee went next, then all of the other boys, two by two, went through. Rave was getting exciting, watching how they got over every obstacle, trying to think of how he planned on doing it. Light, however, was keeping his eyes on the Citadel.

Finally, every team had gone except their own.

"Twilight Team!" Compy called.

"Do you want to start it off, or finish it?" Rave asked, walking to the starting line.

"Um... Finish," Light replied, then turned, walking to the end of the course.

Rave glanced at Len with a smug grin, telling him with his eyes that he intended to do better than he did.

"The time to beat is the Sunrise team at 03:06:18," Rail said.

"Ready?" Compy called, "Go!"

Rave pushed off hard and fast, flying through the obstacles, pausing once to glance at Len, who was yelling out things and shaking his fists. He and Len had always been somewhat competitive. Rave dashed through the tires and gracefully jumped the low wall. Finally he reached the tower, skipping steps, heaving himself to the top and leaping onto the handles, flying down to the ground.

He landed somewhat roughly on the mat, rolling and holding up the rod to Light, who took it and ran for the Citadel, pausing to look up at it before closing his eyes and climbing. Rave scrambled to his feet, running around to the other-side to watch Light.

Light reached the top and took hold of the handles, but suddenly looked down. Rave stiffened. He imagined he had beaten Len's time by several seconds, but Light's hesitation was causing him to lose them.

"Come on!" Rave called, "You can do it!"

Light was staring at the ground, his eyes making it obvious that he was terrified. Rave forgot about winning and looked up at Light, concerned.

"Light, just take a breath and jump!" he called.

Light glanced at him and suddenly moved back to get away from the edge, but instead, his sleeve got caught on the handle, causing it to jerk him forward and make him lose his balance. All the boys fell silent as Light fell forward, headfirst.

Light screamed, realizing in that moment that a mat couldn't save him from a headfirst fall, but suddenly, something hit him from the side. Rave and Light rolled a few times until they stopped, Rave underneath Light.

Light sat up, confused.

"... I'm not going to be able to do that every time, you know..." Rave grunted, sitting up as well.

"Rave!" Rail's voice shouted as he ran over to them, "Are you two okay?!"

"Fine..." Rave smiled up at him, having some scratches, but otherwise fine.

"What about you, Light?" Rail asked gently.

Light had yet to speak or react, just stare at Rave disbelievingly.

"Y-you..." Light said suddenly, "Twice today and I..."

"Calm down," Rave said, "If I had known you were that afraid of heights, I would have just forfeit..."

"What about winning?" Light asked.

"What about it?" Rave said, "You made me lose." He snorted. "But you're alive, which is more important, I suppose."

With that, the blonde boy stood up and looked at Light, holding out his hand. Light just looked at the ground, staying on his knees, seeming upset.

"Idiot!" he shouted and got up suddenly, turning and running.

Rave stood there, letting his hand drop.

"What did I do?" Rave asked with a frown.

"I'm not sure," Rail replied, "Well... I suppose the two of you will have to forfeit..."

"I suppose so," Rave sighed, "I hate losing..."

He turned and walked back over to Forest and Len, who were watching him.

"That was amazing," Len said, "I've never seen someone move so fast."

"Hm?" Rave smirked, "Jealous that I ran the course faster?"

"No, I mean when you snatched Light out of the air like that..." Len replied.

"Oh..." Rave sighed, "Yeah. I'm going to go make sure he's not hurt."

"Rave...?" Forest said suddenly, "How do you feel about Light?"

"He's an annoying, insecure baby who's afraid of heights," Rave replied as he walked away, "I wish I could have just bunked with you guys, really..."

Len and Forest exchanged a confused glance, shrugging as he walked away.

"He never said how he felt about him, though," Forest commented.

"That's so like Rave..." Len smirked and turned to see what else there was.

~:~

"Light...?"

Rave scowled as he glanced into the cabin and didn't see the smaller boy.

"Hey, Light!" he called, "Where are you?"

No reply. Rave walked inside and glanced around, then noticed the bathroom door was shut. He stepped over and rapped his knuckles across it.

"Go away..."

"Light, what's wrong?" Rave asked.

"I don't feel good..."

"Are you okay?"

Light was silent.

"Whatever," Rave shrugged, turning and crawling up to his bunk.

After a moment, the bathroom door slowly opened, but Rave kept his back to it, not turning to check on Light. Light glanced up at him.

"Thank you. For saving me again."

"Someone had to keep you from breaking your neck," Rave commented, never turning around.

"I'm sorry that I made us lose the race..." Light said softly.

"Is that what you're worried about?" Rave turned, "I mostly just wanted to run the course and I did. Plus, I beat Len, who's the only one I care about beating. So why are you upset?"

Light shook his head.

"I think I'm just shaken up from the fall," Light replied.

"Well, you're okay now," Rave commented, "Are you okay here by yourself, or can I go find my friends...?" He started to climb down the ladder, then paused. "Or... do you want to come with?"

"I'll come with you," Light said suddenly.

"Gonna miss me that much?" Rave grinned.

"Not on your life!" Light said, sounding more like himself.

"I don't get you," Rave narrowed his eyes, "One second you act like you feel guilty and now you're yelling at me again."

"I just remembered you were such an idiot," Light said, walking by him, "Are you coming or did you change your mind?"

"To see my friends?" Rave asked, "They're my friends! You come with me, not the other way around!"

"Then move faster," Light suggested.

"You're an ass!" Rave growled as they walked out the door.

"I'm ignoring you..."

"Hey! Don't do that! Would you answer me!?"

Light smirked to himself as Rave continued to yell behind him, making his way to Forest and Len's cabin.