Quiet Summer

Some relationships were best kept secret from others. One such was the relationship I had with my work partner, Tobi. It was a bit of a love-hate relationship. He was annoying and ground on my nerves almost all the time, but at the same time, it was as though Tobi was the only one who really got me, you know? He teased me, sure, but it was all in good faith, I'm sure, because on the other side he really did love me. He was so caring and gentle, yet rough when he really got into things. He wanted to have fun, yet he wanted to protect me.

It was a Sunday morning. I'd been feeling a bit off lately. I got up, kicked off the covers and grabbed my cloak, but there was some unholy ache in the pit of my stomach. I sat down as I dressed, wondering what it could be. It was a peculiar feeling, as though something was there when it shouldn't have been, like when you are walking and step on something, and it gets stuck in your foot, or when you have a splinter in your thumb and you can't dig it out. You can feel it there but you can't do anything about it, and it hurts but you just have to put up with it. Grumpily, I made my way out to where the others were gathered, eating breakfast. I hadn't been eating well lately as I was ill, but still my appetite was low and I didn't really want much. I couldn't even finish a small bowl of porridge without feeling sick and the pain getting worse. I had to admit I was in such a bad mood there and then.

Throughout the day, my temper flared. Despite being the youngest on the team I shouted out so many times, hitting out. I wanted to be alone, but as the day progressed and I go angrier people started to lose their own patience and ask what was up. Finally, Konan came into my room just in time to see me rip the head off of one of my clay birds. It was absolutely awful quality thanks to the waxing and waning pain in my gut. I needed to redo the entire thing. She stood before me, unamused, arms crossed, and it took me a moment to realise anyone had come in at all, I was so preoccupied with my art. When I did notice, I slowly looked up and inched my feet off the bed, to the floor, as she addressed me.
"You're having a problem." She stated simply as I stood.
"It's nothing."
"It's effecting your abilities to work within the Akatsuki."
"No, I...It's just a stomach ache, un."
She looked me over for a moment before rolling her eyes. "You realise that even if your attitude wasn't worse than normal, your hands are a fair giveaway anyway. You're either clenching fists or digging your nails into something."
My hands sprung away from my cloak, as though desperate to disprove her point. Half an hour later, we were walking down a narrow path, cloaks back in base. At the end of this road lived a woman who called herself Witch Doctor, or Majikisha. A specialist in all sorts of maladies and mishaps. She was the nearest expert who would be willing to see known members of the Akatsuki. Konan was made to wait outside while Majikisha pulled me into her 'office'. It was more a weird little wooden room with a hammock in one corner and various shelves and boxes of bottled and tubed items across the rest of the walls. I was forced to lay down in the hammock while she asked stupid questions about what it felt like and how bad it was and how long I'd had it for. She then smeared some strange purple stuff on my belly, which numbed the pain a little.
"I take it you are a homosexual." She suddenly stated matter-of-factly. I sat up with a scowl.
"No!"
"Bisexual then? Well, we could run through the list of every sexuality on record, or we could get down to things. No matter what your particular...preferences, you have had sexual intercourse not too long ago with a man."
I lay back and shook my head, scowl darkening.
"There's no reason to be ashamed." She scolded, rolling her eyes. "It doesn't make you any less of a person...You have had successful dealings against the tailed beasts as well, I believe. Plenty of victories." She pulled a heavy-looking volume from one of the shelves, opened it to a certain page and blew away the dust. Her finger trailed curiously down the images and words until she found the right section. "You see, if two men have had successful dealings with certain legendary creatures, such as the tailed beasts, it is possible for them to conceive together. There are various ideas why this might be. The writer of this book believes it is because of their Chakra. Personally, I believe it is a gift they bestow and only those who deep inside want a child may use this gift. There are no certainties. Heck, there have only been three recorded cases in all of history. A very rare and rather unpleasant affliction, so I hear."
I got up then. She asked where I was going.
"Away from here, un." I answered firmly as I left the messy little room. "Crazy old lady..."

Konan of course asked what the verdict was. I lied. Well, on that note, I didn't believe what I'd been told by that point, I thought. It was ridiculous, after all. It made even less sense than the notion that Kisame and Hidan could ever be an item, and that was already an idea that made a total of no sense.

Not entirely sure where my mind was taking me, I returned to my room, oddly tired. I didn't sleep for long, and I'm pretty sure when I woke up, Tobi was hiding under my bed, but I let him stay there. I didn't want to have to bother with the stress of trying to get him out and making him stay out. I lay still, pretending to still be asleep. Everything around me seemed silent and stationary, as though the entire building were empty. I lay there for hours, letting my thoughts collect. I remember at some point during the night Tobi wormed his way under my covers and cuddled up to me, and I just couldn't care less as my mind was elsewhere. I may have even reacted a little without realising, playing with his hair or hugging him back.

The thing about men is they don't really have the parts to grow a child, you understand. There's no space in there for an embryo to develop, so how does it even work? In my experience, it forces space for itself. I guess that's why the old hag said it was unpleasant. I could feel where it pushed and moved even in those early stages, because it wasn't meant to be there. It was forcing my organs out of place, shifting fat and muscle around to make itself a comfortable little nesting ground ready for the world outside. All things considered, I couldn't deny what was happening forever.

I remember one night just deciding to leave. I mean, I wouldn't be any use to the team in this condition, and who knew what people like Kakuzu would do if they found out? I wasn't about to get sold off. Bag on my back and cloak left where I'd slept, I walked away, thinking that this was probably a bad idea. On the one hand, they could protect me if my condition prevented me from fighting, but on the other, they could be the ones I'd have to fight.

It didn't take long for my supplies to run out. The nausea from the pain was wearing off and getting replaced with a deep set hunger I couldn't seem to shake. Now I think back on it, I think it was cravings going wild. There was a village nearby to spend money in for rooms and meals, but once the money ran out I had to move on. I tried to keep my face and my arms hidden, and as I gained weight I guess I didn't mind people mistaking my gender any more...it made things a lot less embarrassing for people to think I was a pregnant woman...at least I kept my face hidden, and I tried to avoid contact with people...

Fights were inevitable, of course. I was an unfit thief in lands protected from my kind, and escape without conflict was pretty much impossible. Leaning against a tree, I took deep breaths, trying to get my breath back. I don't think I'd ever hated running as much as I did there and then. I was feeling pretty sick now and all.

It was a summer evening, the sun setting in the distance, a beautiful and fleeting view. Soon it would be dark and I would have to find somewhere to camp up and get some rest. Heaving a sigh, I went to walk on when a wrenching pain shot through my stomach. I hadn't been hit there, I was certain. I'd clearly been in a fight not too long ago, evident in the odd bruise and my broken and bloody nose. I clutched at my belly, digging my nails in as though I could take hold of the pain and remove it. What was this?

I stepped out, only to see others approaching. I recognised them, I think, but my mind was fuzzy. I went back to hiding behind the tree, trying to hide, trying to prevent myself from making any noise. That lasted for a good two seconds before another wave of pain drove me to empty my stomach over the forest floor. It felt like my legs were going to give out, my whole body was shaking. I just didn't understand what was going on, but it was agonising...

And then I heard a voice calling. Those kids not too far away, calling to know who was there. When I gave no response, there came a threat. A 'show yourself or else'. I took a moment to wipe my mouth and compose myself, waiting for the pain to fade away before stepping out. Hopefully I hadn't missed anything. Fighting stances all around. If they recognised me as a member of the Akatsuki, there wouldn't be much I could do to defend myself or my child. I put my hands together, meeting their glares with my own. "Stay back." I warned, reaching for my clay. "You don't know what you're dealing with, un."
"Are there any more of you?" Asked one of them. A dark-haired boy who clearly meant business. I was pretty certain both answers would get me in trouble. I couldn't even stay standing that much longer in the state I was in.
"We're not afraid to fight, un." I warned, deciding not to exactly say, but at least suggest I had backup.

That was when my body gave up and I ended up on the floor. I felt like my head was going to burst. My vision clouded with tears I was unaware I was crying. My nails found the mud beneath me, raking large welts in the ground as the others came closer. They were talking, but I wasn't listening. Something about 'don't attack'
'He needs help'
'He's in no state to fight'
'He has people to help him when he needs it.'
'But then he'll get away'
'We can't just leave him here'
'We'll take him to the village. Patient and prisoner.'
I felt them take my bag away from me and their hands as they tried to heave me up. Everything blurred together but at the same time took an eternity. I hardly remember it. Being put on a bed, watching them try and figure it out, seeing the same book I'd seen in Magikisha's office, hearing them speak, say that of three recorded cases there were no survivors of the birthing process, including the children...I don't think I can explain how it felt to be in that situation. I heard them say to hold me down, and that it would be hard to save us past this point, felt the hands close around my wrists and ankles and though my mind was screaming not to struggle, the pain drove my limbs to pull anyway. They were going to cut in and take the baby out. I knew that from the moment they found the book, but it still didn't prepare that.

Even though it still hurt, I felt oddly calm and relaxed when I heard the cries of the child. It was alive. They took it away. Too small, too weak, too sick...I wanted to see her. I wanted to see my child.

I think I must have passed out at some point. When I awoke, I was shackled to the headboard of the bed. I must have been given some heavy-duty painkillers, because I could hardly feel a thing and my tongues just felt like lead weights in my mouths. I barely remembered where I was and I felt so tired I could barely keep my eyes open. I'd been changed out of my filthy, torn clothes and into something thin that fit me perfectly and made my skin itchy. There were a few lights on, and on the other side of the room, two men were watching me with nervous eyes. Assigned guard duty. I made sure to give them a glare, laughing a little internally at their frightened reactions. I wanted my child. I wanted to go home. My eyes were drawn to a window. I wanted Tobi...

I think I was there in that bed a week at the least, drifting in and out of consciousness. Slowly, the painkillers were reduced and I found myself able to speak and see and move properly. I was certainly thankful for that, especially when one night I woke up to find someone leaning over me. I snapped up the palm of my free hand, catching them in the jaw. They fell back with a grunt and I sat up. The cuff chains rattled as I pulled at them, trying to raise my hands to protect myself. The next thing I knew, a gloved hand covered my hand.
"Deidara-senpai, it's me!" Someone called in a whisper shout. My eyes adjusted to the darkness and I realised Tobi was stood before me. He stepped back, and behind him I saw the guards. Both dead, or at least heavily injured. "Oh senpai, I've been so worried! You've been gone for months! I was looking for you. I'm glad I've found you now though. I'm going to bring you home, come on!"
"T-Tobi...Tobi, un..." I pulled at the shackles again, biting my lip. "I-I can't..."
His hands were at my wrist then, helping free me of the shackles and then helping me stand. My legs almost gave out again, just refusing to support me. I leant heavily on my partner as he helped me out of the room, careful not to rub on my stitches. "Th-the baby..." I managed, trying to dig my heels in as he tried to get me out the front door.
"Baby?"
"The baby, our baby, un." I pointed back inside, to the door I'd seen them take it through. "I had a baby..."
Tobi was silent for a moment, just looking at me. I could tell he thought I was delusional.
"I'm not leaving without it." I warned, managing to get my feet under me and head back in. He hesitated before following me.
"Deidara, wait!"
I pushed my way through the door and tried to figure out where they could have taken it. We must have spent another half hour in there, me weak but determined, him trying to support me and get me to drop this ridiculous search, but finally we found it.

Her. A small, scrawny, pale thing, awake and alert, being watched over by two people at all times. A tuft of dark hair was present atop her head, and two little mouths on her palms. She wasn't well, but she wasn't dying. Tobi handed me back my clay and we stepped in. All we wanted was the child, and by the end of the night we would have her, treatments and all if we had to take them. I might even take the book with me to help explain this to everyone. The child was very quiet as we walked home, just snuggling into that familiar smell. I wasn't properly recovered yet, it was a long journey back to whence we came even if I wasn't slowing us down. Our girl was definitely ours. It was obvious. We kept her warm and had to take a lot of rests, and along the way we decided she would be our Shizuka. The quiet, summer-born daughter. Her eyes were a bright blue, just like mine.

Tobi has her at the moment, while I write this up. He seems quite good with her. I've just about recovered now, at least. I think we all have.

The Holiday

School trips at Kisaragi High were always a blast. This year the entire class was going to go on a hiking and camping holiday. Not everyone could come, of course, but there most of us were, early in the morning, before the sun even rose. My best friend, Seiko, wouldn't be coming, as she had to help care for her younger siblings. I was spending time with some other close friends of mine, and I would be for the whole week. At least there was no-one here I particularly disliked. Kishinuma and Shimasaki could be a bit perverted at times, though, and you cannot explain in words how annoying that can be. Besides, we had Mr Jun with us, watching over the class, among other teachers. All the girls loved Mr Jun. He was just so young and hot and cool. Provided people like Morishige didn't complain too much, it was geared up to be a great week.

I say that, but within seconds of walking, my legs were already hurting. There was excited chatter all around me and I couldn't help but join in. The countryside was lovely, and the fresh air smelled delightful, but nothing all that interesting happened during that walk. I saw Morishige trying to spin some story to Mr Jun and Ms Yui in an attempt to be excused early. It didn't wash with them and he sourly sloped back to the group. It was a bit funny, actually, but nothing really interesting happened until we were setting up camp.

I remember as I put up my tent that Suzumoto approached one of the teachers to ask where we were meant to go for bathrooms. Her and another girl from class left the clearing we were camping in, and I just kept my eyes on my work as I spoke to my friends, but everyone looked round when we heard the screaming.

It was Suzumoto and the other girl, Kawasaki. It kept coming, that blood-curdling screaming, slowly getting louder and louder. Finaly, Suzume broke free from the nearest cluster of trees, tears in her eyes and a horrified babbling coming from her throat as she pointed back where she'd come from. Finally, she fainted. I remember Mr Jun and Morishige running to catch her, but both failing, and then Mr Jun picked her up. "I'll take her back to the school and to the nurse's office." He told everyone. "But first I ought to see where Kawasaki is." And with that, he left, and we all began to quietly discuss what on earth we had just seen. Shinozaki started spinning this story about how there are all sorts of creatures and stuff in these woods. When Mr Jun returned, he announced that Kawasaki had purposely frightened Suzume (which is very unlike her) and so had been sent home by him, effective immediately. It didn't seem right, but it was quickly brushed aside by talk of marshmallows and games.

The night was cool and peaceful, and everyone slept soundly. The next morning, we were going to go to a museum. Nobody really wanted to go, but Mr Jun was doing his best to get us all really enthusiastic. Some of us pretended, just to make him happy.

Morishige stood near him most of the day, asking how Mayu was and whether he could go home to check up on her, but he was told no, he had to stay with the group. He sloped back to the rest of us and we kept going, but suddenly there was another scream, and we turned to see that one of the boys had thrown up. Great. Mr Jun offered to take him home. We didn't see them again for the rest of the day.

The museum was pretty dull, as expected, and half of the class just walked around comlaining that they wanted their lunch. At some point I heard a crash from somewhere else in the museum, and all I thought was 'someone's in trouble'.

There were no more complaints for the rest of the day, thank god. It was nice, and quiet, and Mr Jun met us at the next campsite. Mochida was no longer with him. Must have gone home he was so ill.

On the third day, I noticed Morishige was limping. He hadn't been the previous two days, and for once he wasn't bothering the teachers. Instead, he hung back, looking dishevelled. He looked like he hadn't had much sleep last night. Looking closer, I noticed why he was struggling to walk. One of his shoes was gone, the exposed sock becoming torn and filthy over the rough terrain. I assumed he must have lost it at the museum, as he had been the one to fall. I didn't want to imagine the state of his foot, but I could clearly see the swollen ankle and the way his leg shook when he tried to put weight on it. Why hadn't be told the teachers?

I hurried to the front of the group. "Mr Jun, Ms Yui, I think Morishige's been hurt."
"Hurt?" Yui asked at once, concern flooding her very being. "How?"
"He fell at the museum. He's walking weirdly and one of his shoes is gone, I think it broke."
"If it was really bothering him," Jun replied, "he would have said something. Even so, if this is the case, perhaps we should stop a moment, and certainly see about getting him properly equipped."
So everyone stopped for a rest. My friend and I went over to see if Morishige was okay. We found him curled up against a tree, attempting to hide his injury.
"What's up with you?" My friend, Atsumi, asked, hands on her hips.
"Can I help you?" He asked uncertainly.
"You've been trying to get out of doing this trip since it first started but now you have a legitimate excuse you're hiding it!"
He was silent for a long moment. "I saw what he did to Mochida."
"Mochida?" I asked, frowning.
"Mr Jun. He said he would take them home, but he didn't. I can't tell him about my leg or he'll get me too."
"Now you're just being stupid." Atsumi scolded. "Honestly, you must have a fever or something."
"Why would he hurt anyone?" I asked. "He's our teacher."
Morishige got to his feet then. "I can prove it!" He insisted, beginning to hobble off. "I saw where he took Mochida."

Worrying for his safety and sanity, we followed him, unaware of Mr Jun following close behind. Morishige led us for a while, until he came across a deep pit, lazily covered by vegetation that had red handprints on it. A little more worried now, we moved aside the grasses and peered into the pit. A pungent smell hit the three of us, and down there we definitely saw Mochida. I screamed, stumbling back and landing on my bottom as tears streamed down my face. Atsumi started off just whimpering, but then she pointed to a point over Morishige's shoulder, trying to warn him of something, but the words wouldn't come.
"Naughty children." Jun scolded as his arm wrapped around Morishige's throat. He began to strangle the life out of our struggling classmate and Atsumi finally found her voice.
"Ms Yui! Help! Ms Yui!" She ran into the woods screaming, and I lingered for a moment, trying to figure out a way to defend my struggling classmate, but the glint in Jun's eye told me all I needed to know. I was next. I took off in the same direction Atsumi had gone. It would lead back to Kisaragi Academy and we might even pass the museum on the way. I couldn't see where I was going, tears clouding my vision. I passed a mutilated body hidden in some bushes, and Atsumi crouched nearby, still screaming, too far gone to help. She was just hugging the bush that contained Kawasaki's remains and crying. I tried to pull her along with me, but she stayed in place. Jun came closer, axe in hand now, something else gripped in his other hand. Morishige's head. Just the head, dripping blood, eyes devoid of life, hair gripped in the teacher's savage hands. Still Atsumi would not move, so I ran, covering my ears as the axe cut her open. I shut my eyes as well, just praying to anyone who would listen that he wouldn't catch me.

Alas, my prayers went unanswered. I tripped and fell onto something cold and wet. Please, I begged, not another body, but when I opened my eyes I was faced with the lifeless, agonised gaze of what had once been Mayu Suzumoto.
"Nakashiiiiiimaaaaaa?" Cooed a terrifying voice. I turned, and found him there, axe raised, poised to strike.

I'm sorry, mum.

Creeper High

A big building loomed over the students. Students who never made the cut when leaving their respective scare schools around the world, teenage bodied forms all summoned to the Himalayas to enter a veritable palace. Caspar made his way up the frosty path, surrounded by strangers. Creatures being trained in how to truly be a monster. He hadn't seen anyone from Scare School for a good few years now. It was uncertain if any of his old friends would be there anyway.

There were too many people. Monsters everywhere. Seven years worth. Demons and alligator creatures and vampires, Cyclops and genies, ghosts and cat things and the odd dragon or two, zombies, witches and wolves. It would have been intimidating were these not all being viewed by other second rate creatures in the exact same situation. He made his way into the entrance hall and found himself swept away at once, gathered with a few other ghosts from around the world. The effective youth of the spirit world who weren't quite good enough. There were more creatures here than there had been in Scare School. Ones who didn't even speak the slightest bit of English. Specialised classes.

Everything seemed like a blur. The headmistress, some kind of zombie named Principal Marshwood, gave some speech on how these students before her had no reason to fear as their path to true scariness was almost at its end, and then sent any and all zombies off to start the tour. One group of creatures at a time. Casper craned his neck, trying to see into the group. A balding male in baseball clothes, a pair of twins with bleach blonde hair, something with only one working leg...Mantha wasn't there. He couldn't spot Ra or Wolfie anywhere. Harpy managed to stick out like a sore thumb though.

He barely paid attention during the tour, where all the other ghosts were too focussed on messing about to do anything else. There was a science lab and specialist classes for different students, a room where they could all lay back and relax, maybe play a few games, and one big scare ball court. And then there were the dormitories. 2B. The second set for the boys. The female ghosts were sent to 2A. Casper found himself with the other three ghost boys, an icy blue one who seemed to leave the cold wherever he went, a pink one whose first instinct was to hide in the corner and one that looked like he had a Mohawk.
"Uh...hey..."
The three of them looked at him as though he was filth.
"I'm Casper..."
"Albie." Replied the cold ghost in a bored tone.
"Waylon." Mohawk muttered sourly.
"R-R-Ra-Rash-sh-shid..."
"...Rashid?"
The pink ghost nodded quickly, then shrieked when a knock came on the door. A bored-looking reptilian woman came in and handed each one their class timetables for the next day. No time to get settled, no time to work things out or get to meet people. Just...straight in.

The first class the next day consisted of 14 students. A science class. A pale woman with her mouth slit from ear to ear was teaching. "Now, most of the students in my class have been taught by...incompetents...taught utter nonsense about how your victims work. I am here to tell you the anatomy and physiology of a human is the same as that of a zombie, vampire, witch or myself. With no offence to the zombie, witch and vampire in the class." Casper took a look around then, trying to gage if anyone he knew was there. A vampire covering his face with a long fringe. A large bear-like wolfman. Between them sat Harpy. On either side of Casper, Pumpkinhead and a large rat-like creature with protruding teeth and a horn the colour of its fur. Behind him sat a fly boy...the same one from school. Three people recognised. And behind Flyboy was an armoured female with great golden wings. By the window sat Wolfie, and right in the middle of the room was a green haired lad who resembled Mosshead. Two skeleton females with calavera markings. Mickey and Monaco? More people had failed Scare School than he thought...Mantha and Ra definitely weren't here. There was a pink thing that resembled a turtle with no shell as well. All listening intently and taking notes. Casper didn't know what to make of the strange rabbit-chicken-antelope thing kicking the vampire cheerfully. Just leave her to it, that would be a good idea.

"Wolfie!" He called, jogging after the werewolf. Wolfie looked over with a smile.
"Hey man, how's it going?"
"Great! I was worried I wouldn't know anyone here."
Wolfie looked at him a moment, frowning. "Casper? No way! I didn't think I'd ever see you again!"
"I was afraid of the same. You still in touch with Mantha and Ra?"
"Yeah, I am! Man, it's great to see an old friend here again!"
They were interrupted by a loud clang, and turning, they saw Albie and a few others stood over the vampire from class. By the looks of things, they had just hit him over the head with a pan. Wolfie ignored it and walked on, but Casper hung back.
"Albie, cut that out!"
Albie just laughed. "Stay out of this, Casper. Manora's getting just what he deserves right now."
"Manora?" He repeated uncertainly as the vampire attempted to crawl away.
"Let it slide." Wolfie warned. "They'll just go after you too."
Casper flew after him. "We can't just let him get beaten!"
"They're probably creature-puritan or something. They brought up the Outcast's name."
"You mean Manora?"
"It's a really fancy vampire family, isn't it?"
They were silent for a moment, and then Manora himself came past, head down, books clutched messily to his chest. Casper heaved a sigh. "Great."
"He's got to share a room with the other vampires." Wolfie pointed out.
"What's the big deal with him?"
"I'm not totally sure. I know there was a family called Manora that was like super important or something...never heard much about them, but they outcast their son..."
"Why?"
"They labelled him the defective son or something, I don't know."
"I didn't know you knew any of this stuff really."
"I've been more in tune with things, I guess." He shrugged and sped up as the clock struck the new hour. The werewolf was late for his next class, and Casper had to go elsewhere.

The students for this class were made to stand by the door as the teacher wrote his name on the chalkboard. The chalk scratched sharply against the board, noise grating against everyone's ears. The troll, with bulging muscles and protruding tusks, turned to the students and let out a loud roar. The students shrieked and clumped together, apart from a younger troll who was clearly very used to this. It was obvious he was related to the teacher off the bat.
"Good evening, students. My name is Mr Bridger, and I am your tutor for scare dynamics and stratagem. And as you can see, my son is a model student. Come here, Junior."
The younger troll walked to the front of the class.
"Brave, unflinching, powerful, and with great lungs. You could do amazingly well if you can become even half as good as my boy."
There was a collective groan amongst the others. Perfect. He was this kind of teacher.
"What was that, new meat?" He snarled at them. They all pretended it was nothing.

Lunch time. It was a big hall, with plenty of stuff to look over. Casper stood uncertainly by the door, not sure what to do. It seemed too big to search for his friends here, if indeed he had any. Everything seemed too strange. He couldn't see anyone in this crowd apart from those who passed him directly. Manora walked in and took a tray, going off to get his food. Casper followed him uncertainly. Maybe he could make a friend here.
"Hey, excuse me..."
The vampire ignored him. Casper stopped and sighed, but a loud crash drew his attention, and the next thing he knew, Manora was storming out, covered in what was supposed to be his lunch.

He found him curled up on a bench next to the scream ball courts. "Manora?"
He didn't look round.
"That is your name, isn't it?"
"It's Thatch, actually. That's my first name."
"Thatch?" Casper repeated uncertainly before placing a lunch tray next to him. "I used to know someone called Thatch...anyway, I saw what happened in the canteen and I thought you might be hungry..."
The vampire glanced down at the tray. Casper could get a proper look at him now. Skinny, in a loose white shirt and black trousers, an old, rusty chain serving as a belt. He had a small, white bat shape clipped to his shirt. He had violet eyes, or at least the eye Casper could see was violet. The left side of his fringe was clipped short, but the right side hid the right side of his face, which was probably sporting some damage. He picked at the food placed before him miserably. "This is just perfect...everyone here hates me except Caspuke the wimpy..." He stopped and heaved a sigh.
"What are you doing here?" Casper asked, trying to hide his surprise.
"Same reason you are." He answered bitterly. "I'm a useless failure."
"No you're not. And neither am I." He rested a hand on Thatch's shoulder. "If we're failures, so are the rest of the hundreds upon thousands of students here."
"Triclops passed. Triclops. I was in my final year and I was good but I still failed!"
"And...your parents kicked you out, right?"
He was silent but after a moment gave a slight nod, and stood. "I'm not sitting here and talking to you."
"I'm on your side!"
"You're friendly. I actually plan on passing this time, but you're just a little wimp with no interest in being a real monster."
There was a long silence as Thatch walked off.
"I'm here for you if you need a friend." Casper offered before taking flight.

The Beginning Spark

A late night stroll through a brightly lit city is a pleasant prospect. At this time of night, most of the normal people were asleep, tucked away nice and warm in their beds. He was alone for the night, as far as he was concerned. That was how he liked it, in all honesty. It was nice to take a walk through the streets and truly appreciate the city when there was no-one staring at your unusual appearance or whispering about you, or hugging their children close to stop you getting near them.

Ah. Great. He'd gone and depressed himself. He hated having feelings, that was for sure. Plus the fact was, like most superheroes, he had a lot of issues and whatnot to get over. Suddenly, he froze, ears straining to listen. It was a girl. She sounded distressed.
"No! Get off me! I told you ages ago, we're through, just let me go!"
Lightning knew these streets like the back of his hand now. He hurried down a side street, through the maze of alleyways. He stopped just short of re-entering the main road. He could just about see the big guy pinning the girl to the wall, but not the girl. It was clear enough that she was struggling though, not consenting to whatever he was doing. He had her by the shoulders, keeping her in place as he tried to kiss her. Her shirt was torn and he had a gun in his pocket, and for another thing, he was clearly a mutant. A giant spider where his head should have been, legs and all. Great. He had to handle this with care, that was for certain.

Gathering his nerves, he stepped out onto the street and held his hands out, charging up. "She said no, so step away." He snapped. This drew the big guy's attention.
"Who called you, bug zapper?"
The girl turned to him, bright blue eyes full of fear. "Help me!"
"Now now, Kitten." spider-head scolded. "You be a good girl for your Fangy-poos." He gripped her by the chin.
"Let go of me, you ass!"
If he just shot, he would undoubtedly injure the girl as well. Letting out a groan, he powered down and charged in, ducking beneath the stick-like limbs and striking up with his elbow. It had little effect. Again, he struck up, the exoskeleton jarring his forearm, but this had the desired effect as his armour smashed the strange beast's jaw. He released the girl and moved back, but Lightning kept close in, trying to strike again and again as out of the corner of his eye he saw the girl run. Hitting out with his left arm, he reached to the man's pocket with his right hand, reaching for the gun, but the next thing he knew, he was airborne. Spider boy had pretty strong legs for an invertebrate.

Good thing Lightning was agile. He managed to twist in midair, arm outstretched to catch him at the end of the fall. He would keep that momentum up, push himself off the ground and get himself upright. His hand caught him and he went to push himself off, but pain shot through his forearm, and he fell sideways, scraping against the asphalt. He pulled his injured arm to his chest with a hiss of pain. Looking up, he found the spider form looming over him, gun in hand. Probably thought the Titan was already down and out. Well, a good thousand volts would soon sort that out.

Lightning got to his feet as Fang convulsed, walking over and trying once more to disarm him. It was difficult with only one hand, and the human hands of the spider creature naturally fought back, digging his clumsy fingers into the trigger. There was a bang and a flash as the gun went off, but Lightning barely registered much else. He slammed his foot into the villain's mouth and charged up again.

Everything seemed to blur together then. He went to walk away, got a good way down the road as pain blossomed in his gut. He realised he'd been hit by the bullets, and then he heard something as though through water. Muffled and distorted. He turned just as Fang charged in, spitting out some thick, sticky substance. It wrapped around Lightning's good hand and insulated his power. He gasped as the man charged him, knocking him away. Damn it. Pain shot through him, he arched his back in response and kicked out. His foot connected and he sent a shock through to help kick things up. There was a smash as Fang slammed through a window. It looked like he'd blacked out, and Lightning was willing to chance it. He took off down the main road until he reached another alley.

When it opened out back onto a main road, he'd lost track of where he was. He was disorientated. He needed a moment to get his bearings. That was in no way a lost fight, he told himself as he forced himself to press a hand against his wounded belly. It would get okay soon enough, he told himself. How far away was Titans Tower? Turning up to see them at one in the morning would be no bother if he really needed help.
"Oh my god!"
He looked up at the sound of the voice. The girl from before, the one he had fought to save. She was okay. Uninjured. She ran up and pulled him onto a tight hug. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" She drew away then, taking in the face of her saviour. "You're a Teen Titan...?"
He gave a slight nod.
"Wow...I thought they all hated me." She shook her head, clearly in some form of shock. She glanced down at herself and saw a small stain of red. Her attention went to him and her hands flew to her mouth. "He shot you..."
"I'll be fine." The Titan insisted in a strained grunt.
"No, you need a doctor. You have to go to hospital!"
"I can't afford a doctor!"
"You're a Titan, it'll be fine." She grabbed his wrist and pulled, but dropped it with a gasp when he cried out. "Sorry!"
"I think my arm's broken..." He explained meekly as the girl took out her phone.
"You relax, okay? I'm going to make sure you'll be okay. My name's Kitten, by the way."
"...Lightning."
"Cool name."
He wasn't sure what happened next, because the next thing he knew, he was waking up in a strange bed, surrounded by bright lights and distant voices. His left arm was bound in bandages, as was his abdomen. Slowly, his vision became sharper (probably as sharp as it could go. He was pretty sure he had some form of visual impairment) and he saw the girl from before, sat beside him. Holding his hand and running a thumb over the back of his hand as she spoke to someone, recounting what she knew of what had happened. She glanced over and saw he was awake, and she beamed.
"Morning!"
"Morning...?" He responded blearily.
"How do you feel?"
"...Okay, actually..."
"I'm so glad you're okay, thank you so much for helping me."
"It is...merely my job." He answered softly, smiling at her. He was acting uncharacteristically meek, he could tell. Maybe it was the blood loss, mixed with the way the light shone on this girl's golden hair. He didn't think he'd looked at a young lady with such thoughts in his head before. I mean, he'd seen girls and thought they were pretty and that he would love to get to know them, but this was different.
"Yeah, but the Titans hate me." She began as his thoughts raced through all this stuff. "Especially the main ones. I think they'd only help me if I'd die otherwise because, well, I guess they're sick of me. I guess for good reason...I'm a pretty unpleasant person to be around."
"I don't think you are unpleasant." Lightning argued at once.
She seemed surprised by this. "You seem real nice yourself, actually."
He let out a little laugh then. "Funny. Robin and Cyborg both say I am an irritating delinquent..."
"You don't get along with them either, huh?"
He gave a slight nod. "I had a fight with the robotic one not too long ago. I did something he did not like so he insulted my faith so it sort of escalated...I don't think he'd be too happy to see me...perhaps it was best I came here in the end..."
"Wow...so I guess you're on a similar page to me, huh?"
"Perhaps."
"Do you live in Jump City?"
He hesitated then. "Sometimes."
"Sometimes?"
"I travel. I never stay in one place for too long."
"Good thing you were stopping by then, or who knows what would have happened?"
Lightning gave a hum of agreement. "It would be nice to stay in touch..."
"Yeah, sure! How though?"
"Simple." He replied, handing over a communicator. "It is a little damaged, but I cannot give you my brother's, and it still receives information fine. I can talk to you through this."
She stared at it in shock, and then at him. "Are...are you sure?"
"Anything...for a friend."

Angels and Demons 3

I haven't been able to sleep lately. It's been a week, and I've just been tossing and turning while the world around me is violently disturbed. I'll pass a reflective surface and I see my little brother. He's there at his mural every day. He kicks at the flowers and cards and everything. The initial burst of excitement from the limitless world of spirits has worn off, and now the realisation is setting in. He's realising we're separated, that he's trapped, that he had wanted to do so much with his life but never got to. I don't know if he's noticed me watching him. He seems lost in his own little translucent world. I can't go anywhere without seeing him though. Is he following me?

Two more weeks passed. The mural disappeared, cleared away, and life around continued as normal for most. He took to sitting by the road, where it used to be, and staring out at the cars, counting the children as they passed. He'd always wanted children. I stood by, watching him in his sorrow as I lit a cigarette.
"You shouldn't smoke." He said suddenly. It took me by surprise and I managed to choke on my own breath. I turned to look at him, and he was watching me now, the sadness in his dead eyes reminding me of our childhood, when he had been such a crybaby...
"You can't really lecture me about health." I pointed out softly, although some people turned to stare at me.
"I didn't die from poor health, I got hit by a car." He hissed.
"You still died."
"Why are you so bitter?"
"Why do you think? I've not only lost my little brother, but he's everywhere I go. Are you following me? I always see you, and I'm forced to watch you suffer! It's painful, because I love you, and I just wish I could help you, but I can't!"
He got up then and came over, putting a finger to my lips. "Quiet. People will think you're insane."
"I'm seeing ghosts. Of course I'm insane."
"...Are you saying I don't exist?"
I stopped then, uncertain. Did I believe in ghosts? I believed in spirits, but at the moment of death those spirits were moved on to their next life, surely. "I..."
He sighed then, hugging himself and looking away. "I wish I could help you too. I don't like causing you pain, but I can't leave...and I can't leave you. I'm so lonely here, nobody else can see me or hear me! Not even the other spirits I see...they seem more solid to me than you do and it hurts because I want to still be your brother...I wish I could come back."
"I wish I could join you." I conceded.
"We could be together..."
I thought things over for a moment. "If I died I could join you."
"Don't."
"You wouldn't be lonely any more."
"Shut up."
"We could be together again, we could cross over together."
"Thunder..."
"I want to make things okay."
"Killing yourself won't do that." He tried to take my wrists, but nothing happened. I felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning, I saw the concerned eyes of Starfire. Looking back, my brother stepped away, hands clasped before his chest as though in prayer. He was pleading with me.
"Friend Thunder? You are...worrying me."
I turned to her again, frowning. "What do you mean?"
"You are...always staring at empty spaces and talking to the air...there is never anybody there..."
"He's there. You just can't see him!" I insisted. "Look, he's right here, you just need to try harder to see him."
She stood beside me, and Tavis waved uncertainly, but she shook her head.
"Nobody's there."
I stepped back so she could stand where I had been standing, positioning her. "Now?"
She shook her head. "Thunder, please. Your brother is gone."
He looked to the floor, rubbing his arm with a sigh.
"You're upsetting him..." I grabbed her hair and pulled her along then, right up to my little brother's face. I feel awful about it now. "Here! Right here! He's right here! You're almost touching noses! Can't you see him? He sees you, I see him, the blonde girl sees him, it isn't just me! I am not lying and I am not crazy!"
"Please! You are hurting me!"
"He is here! He is! He has always been here and he can't move on!"

Three Brothers

It all started off with the birth of a little boy. He was born in the middle of November to a man and a woman during nighttime. It was a long labour. Some complications were involved. It was a curse, she cried. It will never be born. But after a lot of pain, they had a son, with pale grey skin, a thin top of violet hair and emerald green eyes. Rorek Gomez Logan, son of Raven and Garfield Logan.

Rorek was a very spiritual child, very in touch with his mother's abilities. He could transform as well, and it had to be said, it was a great source of amusement for such a small child. He loved to read and play like any other child and he loved his parents. Of course he did.

His parents were proud. Their child was bright and playful and, in their opinion, beautiful. Their gorgeous little boy. And he didn't react badly at all when he was told his mother and father were going to have another child.

This time a girl. Bonnie Cilla Logan, a playful girl of green skin, and hair and eyes of the same beautiful purple as her brother's hair. She didn't like the stuffy old rooms with the irritating books or the sickening nausea that came with her mother's powers. She was good with healing, and very good with animals. She was affectionate, especially towards her big brother. She absolutely adored him, and he would get so annoyed by all the hugs and kisses and 'I wub yous'. He really did like her though, he just wished things weren't so full-on with her. She was only two years younger than him.

It wasn't until she was five that the third and final Logan child was born. Mark Ezekiel Logan. A boy with silver skin, leafy green hair and eyes the colour of amethysts. He in all honesty irritated his older siblings. He liked to charge around screaming, playing pranks with his telekinetic powers and making animal calls. He wasn't too good with transforming. It made him afraid and sick and really upset him. He didn't like being animals. He didn't like feeling guilty about eating meat. He just decided to stay away from animals in the end.

But they grew up together. Siblings who fought for each other and protected each other.

Rorek, the eldest, a quiet and collected man. He likes to read, by himself, in his room, occasionally coming out for food, drink, and maybe the odd game on the gamestation. He held within him something he affectionately called 'the demon gene'. A link to his maternal grandfather. Something that could bring the destruction of the entire world. Something to keep him on his toes, certainly. Something that makes him like a secondary portal. Something he cannot resist.

Bonnie, the middle. The girl. Stylish and mature, yet not afraid to have a bit of fun. She was stable and playful and loved nothing more than a night out with the girls and a good game. Only she had her problems as well. She would hear voices in her head. She was being told bad things, only it wasn't just voices. It was an outside force.

Then there was Mark. The youngest. The flirt. He liked girls. Simple as. And he considered himself to be the most attractive person he knew. He wore his hair long and let his muscles show and practically paraded himself like a peacock. Goodness it annoyed people, but eventually he would settle. Like his siblings, he had his link to the demon grandfather. It seemed as though his body was a vessel. The monster could get inside, the skin turn red, the hair icy white.

Three siblings.

Three siblings, happy to be together, happy to be related despite their faults and their embarrassing moments. There to support each other. There to protect each other. There to carry on the legacy of Raven and Beast Boy.