A Slice from the Past

"First day at academy huh, Kenji?" Iven always talked with a huge smile on his face.

"It sure is, you nervous?"

 I on the other hand always looked serious at least that's what Iven always said.

"Nervous? No! Of course not, I at my grown age of 17 soon to be soldier shall never be nervous!" It was obvious that he was nervous, I could see it on his face, yet he kept smiling. I wasn't nervous on the other hand; I didn't care too much about becoming a soldier, I had only joined the academy to be by Iven's side.

"Really? You sure. You're sweating like crazy; you're going to make all the girls run away." I said jokingly to point out the fact that I could tell he was lying.

"You don't know what you're talking about! Your little kid mind could never understand. Plus, why would I need any girl when I have Ellie!" I had almost forgotten that Iven had a girlfriend named Ellie, she was a bitch, and he deserved better.

"Whatever, anyway we should hurry and enter the building to get our uniforms and name tags. Also, because we look like weirdos standing at the front entrance talking."

Me and Iven were definitely outcaste as weirdos on that first day but that changed later. As Iven and I walked into the academy we were both shocked by how big and nice it was. We were lower-middle class citizens, and the academy was funded by the upper class, so we weren't used to anything so expensive. As we walked to the gym, we looked around very impressed by everything. We eventually found our way to the gym, and we sat in chairs next to each other while the academy president began the speech.

"Hello everybody! Ladies and gentlemen, we are so glad to have you here in the first year of this academy ever! I should start with introducing myself, hi I am Kojo, the academy president and I will be here with my fellow lieutenants to make sure you all get the best education and training to become the best soldiers possible. The classes will be chosen depending on your strength and intellect, the class rankings are A-F 1-5, for example if you're super weak but very smart, your class will be A5, but if you're really strong and kind of smart your class will be C1. Everybody understanding? Well then, we already have your scores for the pretests you all took before getting accepted into the academy, so please turn over to your right and please wait for your name to be called."

Iven and I looked at the stands and waited, our last names were mid alphabet, so we had to wait for a while as they called names. I was sitting, bored, until Iven whispered to me.

"I was thinking of buying Ellie her favorite flowers and some chocolate to send her, how's that sound?" I rolled my eyes; he was such a Romeo. He might as well climb on to her balcony and sing her a song.

"Yeah, sure, because Ellie and her high-class having ass would love some flowers and chocolates. How did you all even meet?"

 I knew it was something with Iven trying to sell something to the higher class and Ellie making fun of him, but I didn't know the whole story.

"Well~ you are in for a story!" Iven started to go on a long rant about how he met Ellie, he made her sound like an angel, but an angel, as if.

Soon enough they called my name.

"Next! Kenji Osoto, come get your uniform and name tag." I stood up and Iven was still telling the story of how he met Ellie.

"Oh, shut up Romeo, they're going to call you soon." He looked at me surprised; he hadn't even realized that he had been talking for so long.

"You're right! I'll officially be a soldier academy student soon!" Wow, he was really excited.

I walked over to the desk and the woman quickly handed me my uniform and name tag and told me to go to my class assigned on my schedule. I looked at the paper and it had all my information like any regular school. "Kenji Osoto, 14 years of age, male, 5'6, class D4." The paper felt like an insult, I thought I was decently strong, but I guess I was wrong.

I walked out into the hallway and waited for Iven instead of going to my class. It didn't take long for him to come out with his uniform, name tag and schedule.

"So, what did you get?" I said as I leaned over to look at his schedule.

"Class C3, you?" I was looking at Iven's paper and reading it. "Iven Raskolnikov, 17 years of age, male, 5'10, class C3."

"I got D4. We won't be in the same class, damn it." I felt a bit frustrated. "We can still go over to each other's houses, since I sure do love your mom's cooking, or we could go to the arcade."

 Iven was always smiling now that I think about it, even when he was sad. He always had his emotions in check.

"We should probably head to our own classes now huh?" Iven nodded in agreement as we both went our separate ways.

My class was mostly full of girls since I was on the weaker side, I was so embarrassed. If it weren't for my unique looks, I wouldn't have attracted so much attention. The moment I sat down a girl sat next to me and began to speak.

"Hi! Oh my god, you're cute, what's your name?" Then another girl appeared on my other side

"Yes, he is! Look at his purple eyes, so rare and beautiful. They've got to be fake." I was shocked and tried to respond but was quickly cut off by a girl who appeared behind me.

"Look at his white hair though, what kind of paint did you use? How is it not killing your hair?" And before I knew it there was a crowd of girls surrounding me. Touching my arms, chest, and hair, I panicked and didn't know what to do, most guys my age would enjoy this, but I didn't.

Soon the instructor came in and spoke very loudly.

"What is going on here!? Ladies have a seat at once!" The girls scurried to their seats and the instructor gave me a look, like I was going to be trouble.

Class was boring and it was 4 hours long, it was a one-hour lecture about each subject. After class we got an hour break period and I quickly left to look for Iven. I searched everywhere and Iven had disappeared from the face of the earth then while I was walking, I felt a punch land on my face.

"What the fu-" I looked up, and who would have guessed, some upper-class snobs, the ones that were my age.

"Well, if it isn't the weird looking lower-middle class." I didn't know what to say or do, I couldn't fight and there was 3 of them. They started to kick and punch me and there was nothing I could do, until again came my hero yelling.

"Hey! Get away from him or I'll kick all your asses!" Iven punched one of the kids and broke his nose, they ran away, and Iven put his hand out for me.

"Hey, you've got a little blood on your face." Iven smiled at me as he spoke. I took his hand as he pulled me up.

"I don't need your help; I could've taken care of them by myself." Iven pulled me to my feet and began to drag me by my wrist.

"If you can "take care of yourself" then how come you were on the floor and why is your face all bloody." Iven was being sarcastic and though he was right, he was seriously annoying me.

"Iven let go, I don't need your help. I- I can take care of myself."

Iven insisted I wasn't fine, and he dragged me all the way to the nurse's office. If I could go back, I would have thanked Iven for it all.

Once we arrived at the nurse's office, he sat me down and took out some alcohol wipes, there was no nurse in the office so Iven decided to do it himself. He put one hand on my chin and gently lifted it.

"Listen Kenji, this might sting a little… or a lot since you have a ton of cuts. Haha, man I can't believe it." Iven was laughing and smiling but he looked slightly mad, I was never sure why.

"It's not like I needed your help anyway I-" He moved his hand to squeeze my mouth shut.

"Sorry? I didn't catch that." Iven chuckled as he cleaned my face.

That was 3 years ago.

I'm now 17 and Iven is 19. We're still in the academy its just now they've built dorms and so they gave us updated schedules with our dorm room number and roommate. I looked at my new schedule and read it

"Kenji Osoto, 17 years of age, male, 5'9, class B2, dorm room 803, roommate Iven Raskolnikov." I had just gotten my key to the apartment when I read Iven's name. I had thought it was a joke when he said he was going to put in a word with the academy president.

It was our 1-hour break period, so I went to go check out the apartment, I left the academy and walked over to the dorm building and as soon as I was going to walk up the stairs the 3 snobs appeared.

"Where do you think you're going? Not up these stairs creep." I didn't feel like dealing with them, I had grown taller, stronger, and faster than all 3 of them yet they still dared to test me.

"Move outta my way. Don't you have better things to do, like licking the commanders ass so you can pass the class? Or getting mommy and daddy to pay for your good grades because you're a failure." He looked insulted and then swung his fist at me, I moved to the side and tripped him as he moved forward to hit me, the other two then tried to attack me so I put them on the ground as well and broke one of their arms so that they would learn, then I walked up the stairs past them.

I took my key once I got to the 8th floor and unlocked my apartment, the moment I opened the door I saw Iven standing in his boxers making out with some girl. I slammed the door and stayed outside, I turned and looked out the hallway at the school. Then Iven swung open the door this time with the uniform pants on as the girl ran past him and down the dormitory stairs.

"K-Kenji! Listen, I didn't think you would come to the apartment so fast! I thought you would stay out with the girls, or I don't know!" I turned to Iven and walked past him into the apartment.

"Buy me an ice cream or a pack of cigarettes and I'll totally forgive you." Iven looked at me and smiled.

"Fine! I'll be back in no time." He ran off down the hallway.

Meanwhile I entered the apartment to look around. It had a bathroom, a living room and a bedroom with two twin sized beds. It was kind of plain but it's not like I planned on staying here forever, I did find it strange that there was no kitchen but whatever, Iven had clearly bought a minifridge and a small stove, he like to cook so it was whatever. After looking around for a bit I put my bag down on the not messy unoccupied bed because clearly Iven had already made himself at home. I took out some fresh clothes and went to the shower, the water was warm, and it was refreshing to take a shower after training, I wanted to be fresh before classes.

I was wondering what I should do for Iven's 20th birthday. It's in 3 days and I was thinking that I sho- BANG! The bathroom door swung open.

"I got it! I'm back! I- I, I got the ice cream! Kenji!"  Iven was panting as if he sprinted all the way from the apartment to the store and back. I quickly covered myself, my face was red with embarrassment.

"Iven! You don't go into the bathroom when someone is in the middle of showering!" He turned around quickly, and took the ice cream out of his pocket.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I forgot that you're shy or I don't know! I just really wanted to bring you the ice cream!" When I realized he sprinted into the bathroom without warning just to give me the ice cream I couldn't help but start laughing.

"Ha… hahaha. Hahahahahahahah! You serious?" Iven stood with his back facing me and his hands up as if I was going to arrest him.

"A-are you laughing?" Iven spoke nervously but I could tell that he was smiling, I quietly put on my uniform and snatched the ice creams out of Iven's hand as I walked past him.

"Hey! Not fair! I bought that second one for myself, I only owed you one!" I put the ice cream in the minifridge

"Well you already owed me 1 and then you walked in on me in the shower, so now you owe me 2 or a pack of cigarettes." He just smiled as he started to change into his uniform in the living room.

"Fine, you can keep both, because I'm never going to buy you cigarettes. They'll kill you; you know that." I rolled my eyes and lied down on my bed.

"Whatever, wake me for class alright?" I looked at Iven as he jumped to the floor and started doing pushups. "Yeah, of course."

 "Wakey, wakey, Kenji! Get up! Kenji, wake up!" My vision was blurry as I woke up.

"Who's there? Iven?" I rubbed my eyes and Iven was sitting on my bed shaking me.

"Iven, what are you doing?" I looked up at Iven, as I began to sit up on my bed. I turned to look out the window and it was dark outside.

"How long was I asleep? Iven?" Iven looked a bit worried but smiled.

"Kenji, are you feeling, ok? You don't look too good." I nod my head and then I tried to stand up, but my legs feel weak. I tried to walk but I began to fall, Iven was quickly by my side, as he held me and sat me back down on the bed.

"I-Iven I'm f-fine, leave me alone." My vision was getting blurry again and my body felt hot. "I'm going to get something to take your temperature, wait right here Kenji."

I watched as Iven smiled; he was quick to his feet as he left the apartment. I was having a hard time thinking, my vision was getting blurry, and my body kept heating up, it felt like the room was spinning, there were faces staring and laughing at me, I just lied down on the bed waiting for Iven to come back. He was quick to return and was quickly at my side again.

"Kenji! I'm back, but I need you to sit up, ok?"

 I had never gotten sick as a kid, so I found it hard to believe that I was actually sick. I forced myself to sit up, but I kept my eyes closed, I was so tired and just wanted to go back to sleep.

"Open your mouth and lift your tongue." I didn't think, I just did what Iven said. I just wanted to get it over with and go back to sleep. He put the thermometer in my mouth and we waited until it beeped, Iven took it and looked at it.

"You're running a high fever, damn. Guess you'll be skipping class for a bit." He laughed at his own joke, but I just fell back into the bed and went to sleep.

While I was falling asleep, I could hear Iven talking, not sure about what.

"Kenji, you know, when I went to the president's office to see if they had a thermometer since the nurses office was closed I overheard a conversation that I don't think I was supposed to hear. They were talking about…" I quickly fell asleep and when I woke up the next morning Iven was making his bed.

"Iven? Good morning." He turned to me and as usual he smiled.

"Morning, you slept a lot last night. Feeling any better?" I shook my head, and sat up on my bed, I was still wearing my uniform from yesterday.

"Iven, how come you woke me up 3 hours after I told you to wake me up, you made me miss class then woke me up at night." I turned to face Iven as he walked over to the minifridge.

"Well, you were sleeping so peacefully so I didn't want to bother you, then later when I came back from class you were sweating and tossing and turning. Here." Iven tossed me a cooling pack and I put it on my head.

"Oh, well. Did you tell the academy that I was sick and wouldn't make it?" Iven walked over to my bed and sat on it while shaking his head.

"No, last time someone got sick they never saw her again. So I'll make some dumb excuse for you alright?" I nodded my head, and stood up to change my clothes, I picked a pair of clothes and left to the bathroom.

"Welp, I'm going to head to training. Catch ya later!"

 Iven left the apartment and went walking on his way to class. Once I got changed I felt like I couldn't even stand any longer, the walls were closing in and my head was spinning, and the roof was disappearing. Everything was really tripping me out and I honestly- THUMP.

 "Good morning honey, get up, it's time for school Kenji!" I opened my eyes, and my mom was next to me.

"Mom? What are you doing here?" My mom smiled; she was always so sweet. "You're so silly Kenji, now hurry and get ready for school or you'll be sorry."

 My mom stood up and began to leave my room.

"Oh, and that sweet boy named Iven is waiting for you outside." I got out of bed and walked to the window and saw Iven standing outside. That was strange, Iven looked like he was 15 years old again, whatever. I entered my room again and it looked childish, I hadn't realized that earlier. When I walked past my mirror I finally realized, I was 12 years old again. This must be a dream I thought, it must be. I wasn't 12, I was 17 and Iven was 19, and I was going to take him to see fireworks for his birthday since we had never seen any. So now I had to wonder, why am I in a dream. I don't remember going to sleep. That's when I remembered that I passed out on the floor of my apartment mid thought. Well, I guess I'd better "get ready for school."

"Kenji hurry up! You're going to be late!" Mhm, I am aware mom. Let's see what we have to wear.

 I was kind of used to having dreams like this, I dreamed a lot and I would always be living a normal life, but I could never seem to wake myself up. Once I got ready I headed downstairs and my mom handed me 40 monas.

"Kenji, use these monas to buy some breakfast for you and your friend. He's been outside for almost an hour and I'm not sure if he's eaten." Iven really waited outside for so long? I knew he would wait for me every morning but I was never sure for how long.

 I took the monas from my mom and walked outside, Iven waved at me.

"Hey! Your finally out." I didn't respond, I never talk to Iven in my dreams because last time I did I said something that he had told me recently and he got weirded out.

"How was your game? The new one you bought, is it fun?" I kept walking and Iven followed behind me, we walked to a café and ordered some food, I tried to pay for him but he ended up paying for the both of us. We sat down and ate meanwhile he kept talking.

"I'm glad those idiots from before didn't hurt you too bad. I'm also glad I was there, and that they didn't break your game." I just nodded and kept eating my food, though there was no point in doing any of this since it was all a dream.

 Iven stood up and said he was going to the bathroom, he left his bag on the chair and even if it was a dream I slipped the monas into his bag and sat back down. That's when everything began to fade to black, which meant I was going to wake up, so I just closed my eyes. Then when I opened them again I was back in the apartment, on the bathroom floor and I heard the apartment door open.

"Kenji! I'm back. Kenji! Kenji!" Iven opened the bathroom door.

"There you are. What are you doing on the floor Kenji?" I stood up and shook my head.

"I passed out and I just woke up. Is it break period already?" I walked to the sink and turned on the water, then I splashed some on my face.

"No classes are all over today. Wait, what's this about you passing out?! Are you alright?!" I thought for a moment and surprisingly yeah, I felt better. My vision was normal and I didn't feel hot, and my head wasn't hurting anymore.

"Yeah, I feel fine actually. So I'll go to class tomorrow."

 I walked out the bathroom and Iven followed me, I went to the living room and took out an ice cream from the freezer. Tomorrow was Iven's birthday and I think he thinks that I forgot, but I haven't I have everything planned out.

"Iven, what are you doing for break period tomorrow?" He turned to me and smiled.

"Going to beg on Ellie's doorstep to take me back." I rolled my eyes and tossed him the other ice cream in the freezer.

"Seriously. That's not even funny man. There are so many girls better than Ellie." Iven opened the ice scream and smiled again.

"Would you be an example of a good girlfriend?" I can't believe he says things like that when we're both men.

"Haha. Very funny."

 We both then sat down and started eating our ice creams on the couch. Eventually after that we both went to sleep.

The next morning I woke up before Iven and thought I was up early until I looked at the clock, it was 10am and classes started at 8am. I quickly rushed to my feet and started shaking Iven.

"Iven get up! We're late wake up!" Iven woke up and I began to change in the middle of the room in front of Iven for the first time. I think I put him into shock because he rubbed his eyes but then was jaw dropped and wide eyed as he stared at me.

"Kenji, what… what are you doing? Am I dreaming?" I turned to Iven a bit ashamed but there was no time for that.

"Iven! We are 2 hours late for class!" Iven turned to the clock and then he began to panic and rush again.

He threw off his clothes and started to put on his uniform.

"Why did we wake up so late?!" I shook my head as I slipped on my shoes and rushed out the door, Iven was quick to follow since he was faster than me. Once in the school we ran our separate ways, the moment I got to class my instructor looked pissed.

"Well look who finally decided to show up? You're two hours late you missed science and math." I quickly rushed to my seat and sat down.

"Sorry, me and my roommate overslept. This wont happen again." My instructor nodded and kept teaching, the girl next to me turned to me and said.

"I can hand you my notes if you would like?" I nodded and smiled, she was named Abby and was one of the only girls in my class.

"Yeah that would mean a lot thank you."

She handed me her note book and there was a pink envelope in it.

"Uh, I think you forgot to take this out, here." She looked embarrassed but shook her head.

"N-no that's for you." I looked a bit surprised but said ok and put the envelope in my bag, then I started to copy her notes.

Once class ended I went to the cafeteria to eat with Iven. I saw him sitting with a group of girls and guys and felt a bit nervous to go up to him so I decided to see what was in the envelope that Abby gave me. She asked me to meet her in the courtyard during break period, I decided that I might as well go since it didn't seem like there was any room for me at Iven's table.

I left the cafeteria and walked to the courtyard, and I didn't see Abby at first but then I spotted her.

"Hey Abby, is there something you need to tell me?" Abby turned to face me, and her face looked like she got sun burnt it was so red.

"Abby are you ok?" I wanted to make sure she wasn't about to faint.

"Y-yeah, I'm f-f-fine. I just w-wanted to tell you something." I looked around and the courtyard was surprisingly empty.

"W-well Kenji. I… I like you a lot. I have for a while now and I- I finally found the courage to tell you to your face, a-and I was wondering I-if you would like to see the fireworks with me t-t-tonight."

 I was surprised to say the least, and I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to say yes because I wasn't interested in her, but I didn't want to be a dick and say no. As I was trying to think of a response, I felt an arm around my shoulder, and I looked to see Iven who responded to her with a straight face.

"Sorry Abby, me and Kenji have a date tonight and you're not his type he's more into guys like me." Me and Abby's faces were jaw dropped. Was he serious, this was no time for some dumbass homo joke. Abby's eyes began to tear up.

"I-I didn't know! I'm sorry. I didn't know you were going on a date with a class A1 student!" Abby then turned around and ran away.

"Abby! Wait!"

I tried to call out to her, but she had run off.

"You dick, what the hell is your problem. I'm not a homo." I pushed Iven off me, but he just smiled.

"You look like you were having a hard time telling her no, I'm sorry!" I rolled my eyes and began to look for Abby when Iven called out.

"How many ice creams do I owe you for this one?!" I stuck up my middle finger but then I found it a bit funny and yelled back.

"A pack of cigarettes or I'll never forgive you!"

Eventually break period ended and I never found Abby and then soon enough classes were over and I found myself lying in my bed not doing anything. Then Iven entered the apartment, and he threw the cigarette pack at me, I took it, and it was already open, and one cigarette was missing. I sat up to look at Iven and he had a cigarette and a lighter, I smiled and took a cigarette and stood up.

"First time smoking Kenji?" I nodded.

"Yeah, you?" Iven smiled.

"No, second."

I took the lighter from his hand and walked outside.

"Let's go to the roof and watch the fireworks, I didn't forget it was your birthday." Iven closed his eyes and smiled before following me outside to the roof.

On the roof me and Iven sat down, and he lit his cigarette, he grabbed my face since the cigarette was already in my mouth and he took the lighter and lit it.

Iven smoked peacefully and beautifully like he knew exactly what he was doing. I didn't and quickly started choking on the smoke, I began to cough, and Iven started to laugh.

"Wanted to smoke so bad yet you don't even know how, hahaha! This is awesome." Iven took the cigarette out my mouth.

"You're not supposed to swallow the smoke, you're just supposed to hold it in your mouth then spit it out, watch." Iven then did a demonstration before handing back my cigarette. I tried it and was better this time, but I still coughed, then I threw my cigarette and stepped on it.

"Fu-fuck, cough, cough smoking sucks." Iven smiled as he kept smoking his cigarette.

"I told you, didn't I." I looked at him, he acted like it was the worst thing ever, yet he was so good at it.

"This isn't only your second time smoking… is it…?" Iven got quiet then the fireworks started, but then he looked towards Kenji. "You want to smoke like a pro?" Kenji smiled at Iven a nodded, "Who wouldn't?" Kenji laughed and so did Iven a little. "Alright I show you how but you have to close your eyes." Iven took a puff out of his cigarette. "How are you supposed to show me if my eyes are closed stupid." Iven laughed as he looked at the fireworks in the sky. "Just do it!" Kenji complied and closed his eyes waiting for something to happen. Kenji heard Iven moving around and he waited curiously he was starting to get impatient.

Just as Kenji was about to open his eyes he felt a pair of lips press onto his own. Kenji's eyes open wide and his pupils dilated, all he saw was Iven's face in front of his own. He felt the smoke in Iven's mouth pour into his own, as his face grew bright red. Iven opened his eyes and smirked, his eyes sparkled in the light of the fireworks. Iven's arms were on the floor around Kenji, meanwhile their legs intertwined.

"How was that? Disgusting?" Iven smiled as he looked at Kenji seeming a little nervous. Kenji was stunned, he wasn't really sure what just happened, but it didn't feel disgusting to him. Iven sighed as Kenji didn't respond and started to stand up. "Cowering out already?" Iven was surprised and he looked back at Kenji. Kenji was smiling, his ears and neck were still red, he was confident yet embarrassed. Iven's face became a slight shade of pink as Kenji responded.

"N-no. How could I ever cower out." Iven leaned back towards Kenji again smiling. Kenji wrapped his arms around Iven's neck, Iven leaned in and kissed Kenji again, the fireworks continuing in the background. And like that the night went on and the next morning I woke up rushed like I had just had a nightmare.

"What the fuck?" Those were the only words that I could get out of my mouth. My breath smelt like alcohol, but I didn't remember drinking, I was only 17 how would I even get alcohol? Then I looked around and watched as Iven walked out of the bathroom clearly fresh from the shower.

"Oh, good morning. I was just about to wake you! Today is our mission we'll be on different teams but still together on a mission. Want some breakfast?" I just nodded as I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom.

 When I looked into the mirror my hair was a mess and so were my clothes, I had slept in the same clothes since yesterday and it smelt like smoke and alcohol, so I decided to hop in the shower. Once I was out Iven was already dressed and he had breakfast prepared.

"Here, I introduce Kenji to Iven's famous waffles, eggs, bacon, and strawberries breakfast! Eat up and get dressed, hurry, hurry!" I laughed a little but quickly sat down to eat, it was really good it was probably the best thing I had ever had.

Once I was dressed, I left the dorm with Iven, and we cracked jokes all the way to the academy. At the academy they separated me and Iven, which I was used to since he was better than me. I was seated in the back of a military truck; I was so excited for my first mission. I was handed a sword that was made to specifically fit the way I fought. Once the truck started moving, I felt a bit nervous for the first time, but I was too busy to think about being nervous since I was admiring my sword. I never cared about being a soldier but now that I was holding my sword, I felt a slight sense of joy.

The truck drove for hours without stopping and I was feeling more nervous by the moment. I was on team B.A.R. The name was stupid, but it stood for something Back up and Rescue or like I just mentioned B.A.R. I know I was only back up for Iven's team which was split into 2 different teams, and who could have guessed that his team was named Alpha for being the highest team in the rankings. Iven's team was split into two squads, squad 1 Alpha and squad 2 Alpha which is the team Iven was in.

While in the truck I was wondering how Iven was doing right now, and what kind of sword he had. I bet he was smiling even if he was nervous. Finally, the truck stopped, and we were let out onto the "battlefield" we were in the middle of a ghost town, there was no one outside and it seemed abandoned, until my team captain spoke up.

"Alright listen up soldiers! This town has been bombed though it might not seem like it. Regardless it is our job to look for civilians and bring them to the trucks so that they can be brought to safety. Do you understand me?" All of us B.A.R soldiers said yes sir and then were ordered to search separate areas. I was sent to search an apartment building with two others.

"Hey, I'll start from the top floor." My teammates nodded and I headed up the stairs.

Once I finally reached the top floor, I began to look through the rooms, most of them were destroyed since the bombs hit up here first, obviously. I went through a few apartments and to no surprise I found nobody except for a bunch of bloody bodies. Why would anyone in their right mind bomb a town full of innocent people? It made me feel sick to my stomach seeing all the families, children and people on the floor all disfigured and messed up. No one deserved to go out like this, except for the person who caused this. Once I finished on the 10th floor I went down to the 9th and heard quiet crying.

I quickly went to the room with the crying and found a little girl sitting in front of a huge rock that was probably part of the building.

"H-hey! Girl! Hey, are you alright?" I went by her side quickly.

"Hey, uhm I-I'm here to help you, what's your name?" She didn't even turn to face me, she just cried.

"M-mommy won't wake up." I finally turned to what she was facing, and I realized under the rock there was a pair of legs. What the fuck, I felt like I was going to vomit. I had already seen a ton of bodies but to think this woman's daughter was just sitting here for who knows how long trying to wake up her dead mother.

"Sir, why won't mommy wake up? I've been calling her for forever now. Why won't she answer?!"

The girl finally looked at me. The room around her was covered in blood, and her eyes were empty but filled with tears.

"Uhm, here how about we step out of the room really quick? I think your mommy is just really tired, give her some space, ok?" I stood up and helped the little girl up and we walked out of the apartment.

"So, uhm, what's your name?" I had to hold myself together for this poor girl.

"I- I'm Marry." I nodded and thought for a moment.

"Ok! Marry, I'm going to ask you a few questions and then I'm going to bring you somewhere… nicer." I kneeled to Marry's height.

"O-ok, but what about my mommy? Oh and my daddy and my little brother?" I was a bit shocked, there was more people in the apartment.

"Don't worry I'll bring them out after you're safe alright? Ok, so, Marry how old are you?" I tried to smile, but I didn't even want to imagine what her dad or brother looked like.

"I'm 8, and my little brother was about to turn 5!"

Marry seemed glad to tell me about her brother, so I tried to smile at her.

"Almost? So his birthday is coming up soon?" Her face grew sad, damn it I messed up.

"Well, his birthday was yesterday and we were going to throw him a surprise party but him and daddy locked me and mommy out of the bedroom." I began to feel sick again.

"Can you point to the room that your brother and daddy were in? After you can tell me all about this surprise party you guys were planning!" Marry's face seemed to light up as she entered the apartment and pointed to a door.

"Daddy is being mean though and he won't open the door." I walked Marry back outside because whatever was in that room surely she didn't deserve to see it.

I walked back over to the room after telling Marry to wait for me. I tried to open the door and sure enough it was locked, I used my body weight to try and bust it open and eventually I did. When I entered the room I wasn't surprised when I saw a mans arms and a little boys body sticking out from under a rock, it looked as if the dad tried to protect his son but failed. I left the room closing the door behind me and I walked back over to Marry.

"Your daddy and brother are sleeping so it's best we not bother them. So how about you tell me about that surprise party while I take you somewhere nice." Marry nodded and held my hand.

She began to tell me about everything they had planned as we made our way down the stairs when I realized Marry had no shoes on. So, I lifted her up without thinking.

"Mister! What was that for?" She seemed nervous by my suddenness; I get it as a child randomly getting picked up by a stranger with a weapon can be alarming.

"Sorry Marry, I just notice that you had no shoes on, and I didn't want you to get injured since this building is falling apart, and if you would like you can just call me Kenji." She smiled and laughed as I carried her to the trucks.

I handed her off to some other people to put her with the rest of the civilians, but she held on to me and wouldn't let go.

"Sweetie, come here. We've got to take you somewhere safe." The two soldiers at the truck tried to convince Marry to go.

"No! I won't go unless Kenji comes with me!" Marry held on to my leg tightly and wouldn't let go.

"Marry, I don't know if I can go with you just yet, I would have to check with my captain."

Marry stayed firm on my leg and the other two soldiers shrugged and told me to go ask the captain. So, I picked Marry up and walked over to my captain's camp.

"Hey captain, I got this little girl out of the apartment and she's refusing to go in the truck unless I go with her." My captain sat up.

"Well, it is about to be sunset, and the night team will be here soon, so I guess it's fine if you leave early." I thanked him and as I turned to leave, I heard my captain's radio go off.  

"We still haven't gotten contact with team Alpha, squad 2, it's been 2 hours!"

My heart dropped, but I couldn't panic. I had to make sure Marry got on that truck but I'm afraid I couldn't go with her, I had to find Iven.

I carried Marry to the trucks and sat her inside and I turned around to get out.

"Kenji! You're supposed to come with me! I got out of the truck and faced Marry. I will I promise, I just uh need to get something really quick." She nodded and stayed seated I went to some other soldiers.

"Do you guys by any chance know where Alpha squad 2 is stationed?" One of the soldiers turned to face me.

"Yeah, I think it was something like 46, 290 coordinates. Why do you want to know?" I thanked him and left, there was a truck and the driver had left to go to the bathroom, so I quickly got in and turned it on. I hit the gas and started driving, I knew I was driving straight for the battlefield. I kept driving, the town beginning to disappear into the distance.

The radio in the truck started to go off.

"Truck 07 is missing!" My captain and a soldier were talking over the radio.

"What?! What happened?" I already knew I was going to be in severe punishment.

"The driver said he went to the bathroom and when he came back it was gone!... Wait, where's Kenji?! He's not on the truck we sent him on." My captain began to yell at me over the radio.

"Kenji!? What the hell are you thinking?! Get your ass back here this second or I'm sending someone after you!" They're tracking me?!

I should have known, but I couldn't give up. I could see the battlefield where Iven was supposed to be.

"Damn it Kenji!" My Captain yelled, I was almost out the woods and on to the battlefield, so I decided to rip out the radio. Damn it, why won't this wire break! Snap.  Finally, it's out. Oh shit! CRASH. I should have put on my seatbelt.

 Everything's going black but I could see Iven, he was there, but is that the academy president…? W-why is he stabbing Iven… I began to wake up, everything hurts. I have to get to Iven. I was crawling, well it's hardly considered crawling, I was more dragging my body. There is a shard of glass in my gut, shit. Iven, I have to make sure you're ok. He's right there just out of reach. Iven, please. I'm right here. His leg is gone holy shit, what the fuck. I don't understand…

What's going on. I could feel myself getting sick, but it doesn't matter Iven he's right here.

"Iven… w-wake up." I grabbed onto his hand.

"Iven, get the fuck up…" I coughed up some blood, but I was by Iven's side now.

Everything was going to be ok now that Iven's by my side.

"K-Kenji, what are y-you doing h-here? Get o-out of here." No way, how could I leave.

"No way, If we die, we die together."

The sky began to cloud up, and rain began to patter on the ground. What a total coincidence, who would have guessed that would happen now.

"You don't understand Kenji, you have t-to go… while you still can." I shook my head, I was going to die by Iven's side, and I'm ok with it.

"Just shut up, let me die in peace by your side." Iven squeezed my hand.

"Kenji, I can die. But you have to live on, you have to become a true soldier and save everyone." I never understood why Iven wanted to save people so badly.

"As if, I'm no soldier and definitely no hero. I can't save anyone, look at me I crashed a car for crying out loud. The only person who could become a real hero is you." Iven closed his eyes and frowned, that was the first time I had seen him frown.

"I don't want you to die Kenji, but I can't force you to live. So fine, rest with me until we both die." I closed my eyes; I didn't mind this. The rain was refreshing on my face and Iven was by my side. I could hardly even feel the blood and organs pouring out of my gut. I was quick to pass out.

 Just how I was quick to pass out, I was quick to wake up. I rushed up like I had just had a nightmare, but when I looked around, I was in a hospital. Iven? Where's Iven? My first thought, I rushed out of the bed, but immediately vomited, a mixture of blood and water. I lifted my shirt where I felt a lot of pain and there were a bunch of ugly stiches on my gut. I could hardly walk but I had to find Iven. I swung the curtains open, and I couldn't find him, there were injured civilians and soldiers but no Iven. I left the room holding on to the walls and my gut, I think I tore some of my stiches, but it didn't matter. I had to find Iven; I went through rooms with no success. Damn, my vision is getting blurry and my gut hurts. I was in the hallway with a blood trail behind me when a doctor and nurse found me.

"Oh, my stars! Sir are you ok?!" The nurse was quick to my side and the doctor followed.

"Doctor, I think his stiches have reopened!" Honestly everything they said began to blur I just kept trying to walk forward.

"I-Iven…" The doctor ordered the nurse to get a bed and she ran off as the doctor tried to get me to stop moving.

"Iven is your name. Well Iven I'm going to need you to stop bleeding." Iven wasn't my name, I was Kenji, but where was Iven?

"N-no, not until I-I know Iven is ok." The doctor seemed surprised but realized that I wouldn't budge, just as the nurse came back with the bed the doctor turned to her.

"Sorry May-Rin but could you get me a wheelchair instead." The nurse sighed but quickly got one and came back, they sat me on the chair and the doctor kneeled in front of me. I felt like Marry, I wondered how she was doing.

"Who is Iven? What is your name, boy?" I looked up at the doctor and I felt something die inside me at that moment. As if I knew the result of looking for Iven.

"I-I'm looking for Iven, Iven Raskolnikov… and my name is K-Kenji." The doctor nodded and walked over to the nurse and whispered something, I felt lightheaded.

"Kenji, I'll take you to see Iven if you let me put your stiches back together, ok?" I felt like a child the way he talked to me, but he wasn't giving me much of a choice. I just nodded and let them take me to a room and put my stiches back together. I refused the anesthetics because I wanted to see Iven right after. The pain was awful but as soon as they finished, I told them to take me to Iven. The doctor put me in a wheelchair and took me to an elevator with the same nurse as before. We started to go down; we went down for a while until the elevator finally stopped. When the doors opened it looked creepy, it was dark and dirty. I felt my heart drop, I don't know why but it didn't feel good or right. The doctor pushed me down a hallway and we turned into a room, where the doctor opened a curtain to show a bunch of black bags on tables, I laughed.

"T-this is funny, but where is Iven…" The doctor wasn't smiling or laughing.

"Kenji, that is Iven. You can go look for yourself." I stood up and stumbled over to the bag, the nurse tried to go up to me, but the doctor stopped her. I slowly unzipped the bag and saw Iven's face. I couldn't even feel the pain in my gut anymore, everything was just blank for a moment, then my breathing began to become heavy and fast passed, my vision became watery. It felt like there was a lump at the back of my throat, I began to sweat and then it was so sudden, I just started to scream. I didn't even know why I was screaming but I crouched down covering my ears and screaming. The doctor and nurse hardly expected it the dropped their stuff to cover their ears. That's when the realization hit me, Iven was dead and there was nothing I could do about it. Weeks passed and I was finally released from the hospital, from then on, I decided I would live and get my revenge for Iven.