Eric grinned. "Now THAT'S the way to travel! Come on Rainy!" he trilled, leaping onto the rooftop also before extending his neatly folded wings. They were covered in some sort of dew, and needed cleaning before flight. However, this wasn't too much of a problem as they needed a running start and the wind sweeps the little droplets of dew off, or simply dries them. Eric was a reasonably low-flyer and thus, loved the thrill of flying just a few inches or so above ground level, or maybe even a few feet. Rainy on the other hand, was fond of higher flight levels, preferring to drift along wind currents. And this was how they did it. "The wind isn't too bad today, is it?" she yelled at Naofumi who was running along the rooftops with Akinori. Eric was gliding a few inches above the rooftops, his long tail swaying behind him. It balanced him amazingly, and what was better, he had 11 of them. Thus, he had impeccable balance. But a problem always followed him. Wherever he went, a flurry of bats would flap noisily above him, before roosting on anywhere on his body that they could gain access, and latch onto. A reason why he was constantly in a bad mood. They wouldn't leave him alone. "For the love of.... Will you just go away?!" he snapped heatedly, trying his best to avoid the mini missiles attempts to perch on him. His yelling worked. "Y'know what'd be funny? If you guys got chased by CATS."

"Ok. Hold on tight. This thing goes pretty fast." Cloud grinned. He revved up the bike and they zoomed through the town, heading to the school. They soon arrived and Cloud parked his motorbike. Vincent, Justin, Ed and Alec got out of the side-car and waited for Cloud and Lacy. They were also waiting for the others to get there.

"It's actually quite good for once!" Naofumi yelled at Rainy. "Normally bugs are blown into my face." He jumped onto the next rooftop and nearly tripped but his cat-like balance kept him steady. The next jump was considerably big but it was no problem for him and Akinori. They jumped over it gracefully and landed in a admirable way. "Very funny Eric." Akinori yelled. "It's actually never happened to us." Naofumi decided to break the tension by saying, "Hey look! We're almost at school."

Eric's scowl broke into a smirk. Then with the next strong gust of wind, he was gone. 'Against time' they called it. Were a bat would disappear due to increased speed; to the point where time slows considerably. During that time, they can stop to a walk, and since time is slowed, they can easily manipulate the environment, and see people and things, moving at a very slow speed. Breaking out of this state is difficult, so they have alot to pay for their speed. If they go on for more than 45 minutes, their brains become damaged, and being quite fragile species, the can die in an instant. Bat's may have seemed very God-like, but in all honest truth, despite their incredible speed and power, their defence was very, very poor. "He's so impatient!" Rainy snapped. But then, the worst happened. Every Bat's nightmare; a tear in the wings. Rainy started to panic. A bird had just flown into her left wing, and was struggling to escape. It was a sheer drop, but she had to stay calm. She managed to land onto a nearby rooftop, and lick at the blood pooling around her wound with her insanely long tongue. It eased the pain, but the bird was still stuck in the large tear. Pulling it out was risky. It could easily widen the gap, and cause even more extreme pain to her. She started to weep in distress, wondering about what she would do. Fumbling in her pocket, she pulled out her mobile with shaking hands, and started to dial a number. "Hey Cloud? P-please tell someone I may be a little late..." she whimpered. The bird was still struggling. Damn Seagulls.

Ooc:....Really. I hate those things.

Out of the corner of his eye, Naofumi saw Rainy drop from the sky. "Go on ahead Aki. Tell Cloud I'll be a bit late." He said. "But Nao..." Akinori began. "Just go!" Naofumi yelled. He skidded to a halt and turned around, heading back to Rainy. "Rainy, are you ok? Do you need any help?" He looked at the seagull. "Meow?" He coughed. "Sorry...um...force of habit...after all cats do eat birds..."

Cloud's phone rang. "Hey. Cloud speaking. Oh, ok sure." He put his phone back in his pocket. "Hey guys. Rainy's gonna be late."

Lacy smiled at Cloud "Thanks for the lift." She took out her cell from her pocket and checked to see if she had any messages. She had none what so ever which was a good thing. She hoped that her father hadn't seen her arrive on a motorbike, let alone with a guy. He would be furrious and she would get a talk later about how a guy ruined her life in the last town she lived. She always hated how over-protective he was over her.

"You're welcome Lacy." Cloud smiled. The school bell rang. "Let's go." Cloud said. He walked through the main doors and into his form-room. He waited for the others to come and sit down before saying, "There's a few things you should know about this school Lacy. It's a bit unusual because the teacher's rarely show up. This school also has a violent reputation but stick with us and you'll be fine." Justin and Vincent nodded in agreement. "That's the reason that Cloud here carries around his sword all the time." Vincent told Lacy.

"If you can find a way to take it out without damaging my wing, be my guest." Rainy muttered in between sobs. The pain was unbearable. She turned to lick at the blood still dripping down her wing. It tasted sharp and nasty; tainted blood. It also made her head feel fuzzy, and she lurched forwards, almost fainting. "Be careful..." she groaned shutting her eyes tightly with the pain. "...Nao..? NAO?!" She started yelling for no apparent reason, screaming her throat raw. Even though he WAS there with her, her shrieking must've been due to shock. "Don't leave me here....Please..."

"Well I could eat it but I'm not a fan of seagulls." Naofumi said. "Hmm...aha!" He picked up a stick that was on the roof and poked the seagull until it fell out of Rainy's wing. "It's out now Rainy." He grinned. His grin soon faded as Rainy fell forwards. He quickly caught her. "Hey. Take it easy there." He said. Then she started screaming his name. "Hey. Calm down. I'm right here." He said in a soothing way.

Rainy wiped a bead of sweat forming on her forehead. "S-sorry...To put you through all of this..." She yawned. "Thanks Nao." she murmured gently, staggering to her feet. She steadied herself against the chimney pot of a roof that she was standing on, and started clumsily walking, a sway in her step. Every now and then, she would trip up and stumble back to her feet. "Nao? Are you coming?" she said eventually, looking behind her. The way he looked at her....She couldn't help but smile at him.

"It's ok Rainy. What are friends for?" Nao smiled. He watched her walk for a bit. After she had tripped up a few times, he decided to help her. "Yeah I'm coming. Do you need any help Rainy?" He didn't wait for her to answer though. He lifted her up and carried her along the rooftops and back to the school.

"Kaede? Kaede where ARE you?" a voice demanded, coming from deep inside the main house. It was coming from the throne room; where her father had held meetings with the top leaders of all the districts, where her mother held ballroom dances which she had attended on several occasions, and where they both sat down to talk to their children for a severe scolding and punishment. Kaede was dreading this. She was 14 now, and looked back to ten years ago, where she was the most treasured and spoiled child of the household; as she was the youngest. Now familes don't hold favorites, but it was obvious that Kaede was the apple of her parents eyes. She went into the throne room, where her mother and father were sitting, faces serious. "Kaede....We are sorely disapointed in you. You were strictly TOLD, and FORBIDDEN, to engage in a relationship with a male bat until you reach your 25th coming of age ceremony. Now I understand, that a girl of your age and stature are vulnerable to the lure of males, as I was, and I am willing to cut back on account of this. However, we CANNOT have our youngest daughter prancing about with males. Do you know what this does?" She knew it was unwise to answer, even though her mother was asking her a question. It would only get her in further trouble. But she ignored this. "It lowers the respect our districts has for us." Her mother glared at her, but answered. "Correct. I will not have our only daughter being a...a...teenage mother! That is all." And that was it.

Rainy blinked. She hated thinking about her past, but it couldn't be helped. She felt safe, being carried by Nao. She never thought that something like this would ever happen to her, and it seemed like a dream. But the wind blowing against her face and the feel of his arms, strong and steady under her light frame was all too real. She was instantly lulled. After a while, they arrived at school, but...There was something about Nao that she liked alot. But she was stuck for choice.

Lacy walked in with the crowd "Umm, okay." she smiled. "It's good to have friends to take care of me this time..." She then looked down remembering her old school. She used to be an outcast because her father had sent her to a prep school and she was picked on for being scene. She hid her arm behind her back, away from the people so they couldn't see the bad habit she had had because of that school. She had then wished that she had worn her arm warmers, so it would be more easier on her. She then remembered that she had a spare pair in her book bag for that same reason. She took her book bag off and searched the front pocket. Finding her gloves, she put them on both arms and looked at the group with a nervous smile hoping they hadn't seen her scars.

Ooc: Tycoon Treats IS really that funny =3

Bic:

When they arrived at school, Naofumi put Rainy down. "Do you think you'll be ok Rainy?" He asked, stroking her hair gently. "Or do you want me to help you get around?" He blushed. He had never been this close to anyone before...but Rainy...Rainy was different to other people. He blushed again, turning a deep red colour. His tail flicked in a friendly way and he purred quietly.

"What do you mean by this time?" Cloud asked, tilting his head to the side. "I'm glad you think of us like that Lacy." Justin smiled. Vincent blinked a few times before yawning. "Does anyone know what lesson we have now?" He asked.

Akinori jumped down from the roof and dashed into the school just after the bell rang. "I wonder what was wrong with Rainy." He thought. He scanned the corridors until he saw Cloud and the others. He ran over. "Hey. You don't mind if I hang out with you guys for a bit do you?" He asked.

Gwynne looked at Cloud "Umm, in my last school, i was kinda the outcast. So I always got picked on and beat up." She then looked at Justin "Yeah, you guys are kinda all I have and I am glad I stopped to talk to you guys this morning." she smiled.

Kaede threw her plush cat at the wall in sudden rage and it landed with a muffled thump on the soft carpet. She hated her mother so much now that she was 16. But she couldn't let that take over her life. Her father, despite being the Lord of the household and of the districts he ruled was a pushover. But the rule where men were introduced was no exception. It had been 2 years since her first meeting with her parents about men, and today was to be her 13th. She reached down and picked up the cat plush...And hugged it tightly to her chest. Would she ever break away from this? She had her own life to lead, and was already succesful at it. Her parents had spent years crawling up the inheritance ladder, her mother especially. It was by chance that they saw each other that day, and it was love at first sight. But her mother had spilled the beans on their early relationship. She had fallen in love with her father at the tender age of 16. And it was in secret. So what right did she have to tell her that she couldn't court until she was 25? This was it. She was going to leave this life. Her parents, still oh-so young had years to go before they moved on, so it was obvious Kaede would be away for a LONG time. And that was how it was.

Rainy blinked rapidly. Why? Of all the precious moments.... These intruding memories had to come back into view at what could be one of the most precious moments of her life. She had been restricted for so long... Never to be in contact, and after her 16th birthday, never to speak to them again. "Just call me Kaede, ok?" She had never allowed ANYBODY except for family members to call her Kaede. She flushed a rosy pink and smiled. "..That is, if you want to." she whispered shyly. She felt..odd. Like her heart was swelling in her chest. Whatever it was, along with the sudden outburst of butterflies flitting about in her stomach, it made her feel great; like she was floating on air. A gentle purring echoed through her ears, sounding like music. She responded with a little squeak from slightly parted lips. Being unable to make noises of contentment that sounded appealing, she had to make do with a simple bat squeak. It was kind of cute in it's own way anyway. She touched his hand gently. "I'll be ok."

ooc: NOT FUNNY. Tycoon treats are NOT FUNNY whatsoever XD Although I am laughing X3

Ooc: It was SO funny. The way you came out with "Birdo just wastes all her money on Tycoon Treats" lolz!

Bic:

"Oh, well I'm sure you'll be ok here." Cloud smiled warmly. "I'm a pretty decent fighter myself but I only use it for self-defense." "We're glad too Lacy." Justin nodded. "Oh Akinori. Of course you can hang around with us." Vincent said. "Thanks. Um...I think we have Art now..." Akinori said. "Should we go?"

"Um...ok...if you're sure." Naofumi said. "Kaede." It took him a few minutes to realise that he was purring and flicking his tail in a happy way. He stopped purring and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry about that. I didn't realise I was purring. Was it annoying?" He suddenly grabbed his head in agony and fell to the floor. Turns out he had a curse mark...he just didn't realise yet.

"Of course not! It's kind of cute actually," Rainy started, before covering her mouth. "Oh I'm sorry..! I can just come out with the strangest things at times!" She giggled nervously. But it died down after seeing Naofumi fall. Automatically, she rushed over without a second thought and pressed her large bat ears against his chest; where his heart should be. His heart rate was climbing, and fast. But what could she do? She was young and inexperienced. But the best she could do was to calm him down. The dramatic increase was probably due to panic. Grabbing his shoulders, she leans him against her and starts to caress him in one of the most gentle animal tongues; cat. Astonishingly enough, she knew it fluently, but cat tongue wasn't TOO hard to learn. "Please be okay..." she whispered. Then, her memories came flooding back again.

Kaede stared outside of the window. Time flies when it's raining, but it seems like a lifetime when you're looking foreward to something. She loved the rain alot, and she would willingly take long walks in it, only to return bedraggled and soaking wet. That was why she was shut up inside her room by herself, two maids, and two guards standing outside her door. She was surrounded. And then, she heard it. A cry for help coming from outside. NOW she had an even bigger reason to leave her room, but still, she couldn't. That's it. Unlatching the lock to the window with the key she'd stolen the week before, she takes off through and out of it like a shot, and into the open, wet world outside. Straining her ears, she detects the source of the cry, and lands in front of a young gentleman, her age. He was very good looking, and was curled up in front of a tree, his face smoothed down once she arrived. But Kaede thought twice. She didn't want to be in an even bigger disgrace, or let this man die. "Oh, Lady Kaede! Please help..! I-I'm in so much pain, I can't bear it!" Kaede sat down beside him, and took out a book. "There's not much I can do, but I'll spend your final hours with you. " And she read the book out aloud, whilst he leaned his head on her shoulder. After a while, she gave him the book to read aloud aswell, and he enjoyed that even more so. Then, after an hours reading, it fell silent. The book slipped from his hands, and he lay there, dead.

Rainy snapped back into reality and ran her fingers through Naofumi's hair gently. "Relax..." she whispered calmly, trying not to burst into tears from the painful memory. "Just relax..."

ooc: "Snake, turn up the music! We're gunna play musical chairs!"= Funny XD

Lacy smiled "That's a good thing, Cloud." She looked at Akinori and said "Oh hi, I'm Lacy." Lacy was liking this having friends thing. She has never really had friends and she is determined on getting more. She was putting on her nice act. Once her new friends get to know her they will see that she is a fun loving girl who can get pretty open to new and old people.

Naofumi opened his eyes slowly and blinked rapidly a few times. "Ugh, what happened?" He moaned, clutching his head. "Where am I?" He looked around but his eyesight was still blurry. "I think I see the light..." He whispered holding up his hand.

"Ok." Cloud nodded. "Akinori Nagasaki." Akinori said. "Nice to meet ya." "Do you want us to show you around the school Lacy?" Justin asked. Vincent looked at the clock. "We don't have time now Justin. How about after we've had lunch?"

Rainy started to panic. "I think that's just the sun..." she said wearily, grabbing his outstretched hand and setting it down on his lap. "Try not to move too much. I need to seal a blood pact," She removed her jacket and lay it down on the floor, moving Nao onto it. Rolling up her sleeves, she pulls out a syringe. "This will hurt, so I'm going to numb the pain abit, okay?" She stuck her long tongue out and a very thin, viscous purple fluid dripped from it and into the little syringe capsule, filling it halfway. "A blood pact is a bit like a bond through blood. If something should happen to you, I can take samples of my own blood to see what's the matter. Stuff like that." The needle of the syringe sank into the flesh of his arm, injecting the odd substance into his bloodstream. The fluid creates an entire body numbness, because quite often the pain of the bite can cause very painful muscle cramps, only lasting 30 seconds. The syringe emptied, and Rainy gently pulled it out of his arm. "Brace yourself!" And she sank her sharp teeth into his arm, the strength of it making his arm bleed considerably. "There. It's done." She wiped her mouth with a special cloth from her pocket and then wiped the blood around his arm. "The bite wound will take less than an hour to heal. Hey look! Yours is healing already!" She paused and stared at him, before starting to cry a little. "Don't scare me like that!" she scolded, lifting him off of his back and leaning him against the wall. Rainy kneeled in front of him, and cut at her arm a little with her inscisors. Licking at the blood pooling around her own wound, she pauses thoughtfully. "You...Have a..." she trembled as she started to say it, but kept quiet and shook her head. "Never mind. You really ought to take the day off school today though." She reached out and placed her hand on his cheek. "Be careful."