The walk to the school was mostly silent. Even Akira's cheerful personality didn't cheer up the atmosphere around them. The chirping of the birds and the sounds of the wild animals, the sun rays filtering through the leaves casting their beams to the ground went unnoticed by the two princes who were engulfed in their own worlds of thoughts. As they reached the school they realized that they were the last people to arrive. The rest of the students were already their in the main grounds waiting for them. The heavy chattering died down as soon as they noticed the two princes coming to them. Zac jumped up with his usual cheery voice. "Akira! Orochi!"

Akira smiled as his shoulders slumped down, relieved to be escaped from the tension filled air. Orochi smiled doing a simple wave to acknowledge him. But before anyone could reach the group the headmaster arrived. They fell into silence as he walked to Shu and Lui. "What's the lesson you learned back there?" He asked, simply getting to the point rather than messing around with riddles. He always had simple ways to educate the young warriors but as many of the kingdoms knew his simple ways designed many powerful warriors who are invincible. 

Shu turned his red eyes to the headmaster. "You can't trust everyone in this world." he said, his eyes slightly glancing at Lui. "Everyone is not the same, we have to look through someone's intentions if we are to make friends. Some people are just there for hurt you and nothing else" The last words intentionally aiming toward the person beside him. 

The headmaster nodded. He looked at the Prince of the Hyoketsu kingdom. "And you prince Lui?"

Lui gave him an apathetic look. "You can trust a few in this world, a very few. But if I got the chance I would rather do a fight by myself than to trust anyone to have my back. I still don't see the importance of having allies when no one in this world are selfless enough to sacrifice there life for another"

"Are you?" The headmaster asked, Lui raised his brow. "Are you selfless enough to sacrifice yourself for another person?"

Lui crossed his arms. "If that person is important to my life, I will. I will do anything to save a person I care for"

Shu was surprised by his answer. Till now all he saw from Lui was a self centered person who would do anything to save his own self. But Shu knew that he deeply cared about his sister and his parents. Maybe, Lui is a different person, but Shu knew that all his life he wouldn't be able to see that personality of him. They were enemies and forever will be. Drawing him away from his thoughts their Headmaster talked. 

"I hope one day you'll realize the value of true friends Prince Shirosagi" He said, "And you two are the last to finish your journey. You two will be in charge of cleaning the school grounds today."

"Yes sir" Both of them said in sync bowing slightly. The man turned around and left the arena advising the students to attend to their classes. The students didn't scatter even after the Headmaster left the grounds. Instead, they all watched the two princes staring at each other. Red and Violet glistening in pure hatred. Zac silently inched toward Akira. 

"Did something happened between them?"

Akira let our a shuddered breath. "I thought those two would kill each other, it as terrifying"

Free sighed, "Well that's nothing new"

Orochi shook his head. "If those two combined their powers, no one will be able to defeat that strong combination. On the other hand if this hatred continued, it will end in a mass disaster"

"Let's hope that won't happen" Akira said thoughtfully looking at the two princes walking away from each other, none of them even giving a second glance toward the other person. The rest of the day went much quietly. Lui didn't talk to anyone. Even Gou stayed silent knowing that one single word would draw out a furious Lui. Shu was also having a similar situation. Except for the occasional talks with Valt Shu stayed mostly silent. 

The day passed without them even knowing. As the sun started to set from the horizons Shu stepped to the main ground to clean. As they were advised they were to clean the school ground after classes, when every student left the school heading to their dorms. So at that time of the day it was only Shu and Lui at the school. Shu started his work silently. He noticed the presence behind him approaching to the school ground with hurried steps. He didn't need to look to identify the person because from every fiber of his being he knew that it's none other than Lui Shirosagi approaching to do his part of the work. The footsteps stopped right behind him. Shu frowned, debating whether he should turn or not. 

He was cut off from his thoughts from a sudden attack. Shu dodged to the left with his pure instinct and turned around. It was indeed Lui Shirosagi standing in front of him. His eyes narrowed, one of his hands covered in see through crystals. "You have instincts" He said nonchalantly covering his left hand with another shard of ice. 

Shu took a step back, his eyes focused on Lui. "What are you doing?"

"Attacking you" Lui said, "Obviously" He let out another ice attack aiming for Shu's legs. Shu moved swiftly and stepped to the left. 

Shu felt fire licking at the end of his fingertips, wanting to be escape. Wanting to let out it's burning flames to attack Lui. "It's against the laws." He said gritting his teeth trying to focus on repressing his flames. 

"Coward" Lui spat out stomping his foot on the ground as a slide of ice appeared trapping Shu in a ice ring. "You scared that much? That one fight will end your days? you poor thing"

Shu glared at Lui. His red eyes lighting up with hatred mixed with determination. This time he didn't oppress the fire wanting to be free. He let out his power, flames lighting along his arms in shades of rich crimson just like his eyes. Lui licked his lips smirking. "Two can play the game"

It didn't take Shu much time to melt all the ice surrounding him. He lunged at Lui but Lui, using his quick reflexes stepped back and attack Shu from a different direction taking Shu off guard. The fight seem to go forever, none of them wanted to back down from the fight. Fire and Ice colliding and clashing on and on. Shu blocked another ice attack and stumbled few steps back, trying to catch his breath he wiped the sweat rolling down his forehead. The exhaustion finally catching up to him. 

Lui was rather impressed, he knew that Shu would probably fight back with him. In this few days he recognized, he recognized the dignity Shu had as a prince. He had this aura around himself almost screaming about his royalty. It was something uncommon, he knew that well. People knew he was royalty as soon as they saw him. Because he was strong and brave, because he's the ideal picture of a prince that everyone had in their minds. But Shu was rather a different case. He was not strong as him, he was not the ideal picture the others had about princes. Shu was graceful, unlike the other princes he was thin and pale but still his red orbs played the most part of his princely identity. The burning passion, the dignity he held as a prince. 

Lui attacked him again. Shu's attacks were turning sloppy, he realized and his speed was dropping in a slow phase. But Lui was indeed surprised seeing the still burning determination inside his eyes. No matter how exhausted he looked, his eyes remained the same. That stunning crimson burning with courage and persistence. 

"What are you two doing?" A voice boomed startling both of them halting them to a stop. Shu turned around to see their material arts teacher looking at them with a furious mood. 

Lui crossed his arms. "We're cleaning"

The man raised his brow. "Quite a unique way of cleaning you two have" He spat out narrowing his eyes. Their material arts teacher was known for his strictness and his short temper. Students made sure that they are extra careful when they're around him. Lui was the only person who wasn't intimated by the high arrogance of their teacher. 

"Well, unique is the best" Lui said looking around the school grounds, now messy with water puddles and burned patches dispersed across the once cleaned grounds. Shu looked in between their conversation. Lui was only making their teacher more furious. Doesn't this guy has any common sense? He thought panting heavily. And before Lui could attack with another smart comment Shu interrupted. 

"We'll clean up sensei" He said shooting a glare at Lui. Their material arts teacher frowned. 

"No, first go and see the headmaster. Fighting in the school grounds is prohibited" He said, fury engulfing his tone. "Now" He said raising his voice. 

Lui opened his mouth to spat at him, but was stopped from a hit to his side. He turned to Shu with a glare. Shu silently shook his head and signaled him to walk. Both of them bowed to their teacher and walked to the quarters of their headmaster. Shu was wheezing with his every step, he slowed down and stopped leaning against the wall to catch his breath. Lui clicked his tongue annoyed. Shu waited to hear another insult or joke about his death but instead Lui took his wrist and dragged him toward another darkened hallways which was situated in the opposite side to the headmaster's quarters. 

"L-Lui" He breathed out. "The office is that way" 

"I know brat" He said, leading him to a room at the end of the corridor. Shu knew the place too well. The medicine room. He was introduced to the place by the headmaster himself telling him to visit at any moment he wanted his medicine. 

As soon as they entered the odour of different kind of medicines hit their noses. Shu scrunched his nose in dismay. Out of everything in this world, one of the things he hated the most is this awful smell of medicine. Lui didn't seem to be affected by the smell, he didn't loosen the grip around his wrist either. "Hey" He said waving to take the servant's attention. "This guy is about to die, can you give him something to make it faster?"

Shu blinked letting the words sink in. The servant looked the most horrified, she dropped the jar in her hands with pure horror, her eyes big enough to fit two sauce pans. Lui waved her away. "Kidding, where is his medicine?"

The maid pointed at the shelf at the farthest corner. Lui dragged him there and pushed him to a nearby chair looking thoughtfully across the shelves. "How do you make it?"

Shu took a minute to process everything. The great Shirasagi was asking how to make his medicine. "Oi" Lui snapped. "Are you dumb?"

Shu scowled. "Why are you asking?" He asked trying to keep up with his breath. 

"I don't want you dying on me idiot. They will kick me out of the school if that happens. I don't want to get kicked out because of a low life like you" 

"Of course" Shu muttered, dismissing the even small thought of Lui being nice to him. It was hopeless. "I'll make it myself" He stood up from the chair, as soon as he does, a sudden feeling of dizziness washed over him making him stumble back to his chair. 

"See" Lui said with a triumphant smirk. "You're dying, now tell me the medicine"

"That red one" Shu said, giving up.

Lui took it and examined the liquid closely. "Is this blood?"

Shu scowled. "Stop joking, it's the juice of a flower"

Lui pursed his lips and continued to make the medicine, Shu informed him with the ways to make it and finally when it was done he handed it to Shu. "Such a disgusting smell" Lui commented looking at the drink. 

"The taste is even worse" Shu said hesitating to drink it. 

"Well you can be happy because no one added a dead frog or something more disgusting to that."

Shu gagged. "What the.. stop making it even more disgusting"

"Hurry" He said ignoring Shu. Shu plugged his nose and finished it in one go, placing the cup beside him, he took several breaths letting the medicine sink into his veins and ease his body. 

"Grandpa let's go" Lui said, impatient to get over with everything. 

Shu didn't say anything. He knew that this was the closest thing for being kind that he'll ever see from Lui. Shu stood up and followed him to the headmaster's room. Both of them looked uncertain about their decision as they looked at the polished wooden door standing in front of them. Lui knocked twice, for a moment the only sound they could hear was the sound of their own breathing. After some nerve wrecking minutes the headmaster's voice called from inside. "Come in" he said. 

Shu and Lui shared a glance as they walked inside. The heavy air inside the room made Shu's skin crawl. He didn't think that he would get caught in something like this in the first few days at his school. Specifically, the second day. The headmasters heavy gaze settled on both of them. "It's illegal to fight in the school ground, specially using your powers"

Their material arts teacher have already told the headmaster about the situation. The Headmaster walked and stopped in front of them. "As the Princes of two leading kingdoms I expected better from you two"

Shu instantly looked at the ground. Shame, that was the only emotion that crawled inside his mind. He had always been a person who worked to the rules. And he couldn't believe he lost all his patience due to a ruthless comment of Prince Lui. He was better than this. Cutting through the silence Lui spoke. "In our defense we did that to make us both understand something"

Shu looked at him. To understand what exactly, he was tempted to ask but instead he kept his silence letting the headmaster do the talking. "And that is?"

"To see whether he belonged here or not" Lui stated.

The Headmaster wrinkled his brows and turned to the albino prince standing beside Lui. Confusion clearly evident in his features. "So, do you think you belong here?" He asked from Shu. Rather than Lui's idea about it, the headmaster wanted to know about Shu's idea. When he sent the invitations the the students he knew that this certain invitation to Prince Shu would raise many doubts inside people's mind but, he wanted to give him a chance to see the world, and to realize that Shirasagi's aren't the real enemies in this war. 

Shu blinked at him. His eyes moving back and forth between Lui and their Headmaster. Did he? He asked from himself. But till now he really didn't know the real intention behind Lui's attack. After listening to his motivations Shu was clearly taken aback. He didn't realize that the Prince Lui really wanted to make sure about his worth in this school. And most importantly what he wanted to know was Lui's idea. Did he belong here? "I" He started hesitantly, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his belt. "I don't-"

Before he could answer Lui cut him off. Shu scrunched his nose. He was seriously pissed off with people cutting him off all the time. "I think I know why you appointed him here. He does belong"

"Eh?" Shu asked rather loudly than he would've like. "From the first day till now you blamed me for not being worthy enough. And now you say I do belong here? Are you high or something?" After a beat Shu pursed his lips. Shit, he cursed inwardly realizing the presence of his headmaster. He wanted the ground to swallow him up, the humiliation was too heavy inside his mind. The headmaster laughed taking both of them by surprise. 

Lui whispered. "See? Even the headmaster thinks you'd do better as a comedian"

Shu innocently moved his foot and stomped it against Lui. Lui groaned moving his foot as Shu smiled sweetly at him. "Next time, I'll kill you"

"Okay both of you are forgiven for this once." 

Shu let out a relieved sigh, that was close he thought when the Headmaster added. "But you two still have to clean the school grounds"

Lui groaned. He opened his mouth to reject saying that he's not up to do anymore of that when Shu pushed him toward the door. "Of course sir, thank you for forgiving us. Sorry if we wasted your time"

Shu pushed Lui out of the room and closed the door behind them. "Can't you keep your big mouth shut for a minute?" He asked, a sudden feeling of dizziness washing over his body. 

"You dying?" Lui pointed out boldly. 

Shu sighed, yawning to the back of his hands. "Just how much flower juice did you add to the potion?"

Lui shrugged, "Five or six I guess"

"FIVE?" Shu asked stumbling a step back. "You need to add only three, not five"

"Which means you're dying?" Lui asked, a hint of amusement evident on his features. Gods he was enjoying this. 

"Why are you so obsessed with death? Are you a grim reaper?" Shu asked sleepily, his eyelids drooping. Lui grinned taking his wrist as he started to drag the albino to clean. 

Once they arrived, the moon is already shining on the sky. The stars making thousand of pictures all across the sky glistened like beautiful crystals. Shu took the broom, struggling to keep his eyes open. Lui looked at the male who was in a hopeless battle to stay awake. Shu Kurenai is hopeless he muttered to himself grabbing the broom away from him. 

"Go and sit down there, I'll finish this" He exclaimed.

Shu blinked hazily. "I'm so sleepy that for a moment I thought you said you'd do the work for me"

Lui raised his brow. But Shu didn't look like he was joking. His face was dead serious which made Lui laugh. "You idiot" He said pushing him to the bench. 

It didn't take Lui much time to finish cleaning up. He was glad that Shu didn't join him. Even if he did he wouldn't be able to do much work except for lazing around engaging inside his own battle to stay awake. After finishing his work he went to the bench Shu was sitting to see that the albino had fallen asleep. His head tilted to the side making the bangs cover up half of his face. Lui frowned, over his right eyes was a scar. Fairly big and clearly evident in the faint light of the moon. Unconsciously, he moved his hand to touch the rough edges of the scar which stood out in his pale features. "If he didn't go to battle, how the hell did he get this?"

Shu whined moving away from his hand. Trying to get comfortable he curled into himself. His arms wrapping around his own body. Lui shook his trying to wake the boy. After few more attempts he was able to wake Shu. The walk to the dorms were the hardest. Shu looked like he was ready to pass out at any minute, Lui had to yell several times to keep him on his toes. Once they arrived the dorms, they were met with several pairs of concerned eyes. 

"Shu" Valt yelled running to his friend. "Are you okay? Why did you two get late?"

Shu blinked looking around trying to register everything. Zac eyes Lui's hold on Shu's wrist. "What exactly happened?" He asked, a hint of a smile creeping across his features. 

Lui groaned releasing his hand. "Nothing"

Shu yawned again. He walked to the bed and slumped down on the comfortable blankets. His eyes closing firmly as soon as his head hits the pillows. Lui did a double take. Did that moron just went ahead to sleep in HIS BED? A murderous grin came through his features. Lui cracked his knuckles. "I'll kill that bastard"

"Whoa whoa whoa" Xander said holding him back. "Calm down Lui, I'm sure it's not intentional"

Valt walked to Shu and shook him awake. This whole ordeal was hilarious. He, out all of them knew how much ridiculous Shu can be when he's in this state. Shu whined opening his eyes just enough to reveal the hint of red. "Why?" He slurred. 

"Let's get you to your bed" Valt said helping him to stand. 

Shu didn't register his statement but, he trusted his best friend. He stood up groggily making his way to his own bed when Lui blocked him. His arms crossed as he stared down at the albino. "Do you understand what you just did?"

Shu blinked stupidly. "huh?"

"You're pissing me off"

Shu hummed, and taking Lui off guard he slumped fair and square at Lui. His head falling to the others chest. "Is he dead?" Lui asked looking at others who was watching the whole incident with amused faces. 

"He's sleeping" Valt stated smiling. 

Lui turned his head back to Shu. Soft breaths coming out of his slightly parted lips. He didn't seem to care that he was sleeping in a standing up stance leaning against his enemy. Lui was just about to take a step back when Free caught Shu by his shoulders. "Don't be rude" He said picking Shu up. 

Lui watched him as he placed the albino on the bed placing the covers over him. Lui narrowed his eyes. "That brat piss me off"

"Everything piss you off" Free said with a small smile. 

"Well" Zac asked. "Care to explain?"

"No" Lui answered simply walking to his bed. 

"Oh Lui" Free called out taking everyone's attention. "Just when I placed the cover's over Shu he said something" Lui raised his brow while Free continued. "He said you're the biggest jerk in the planet"

Lui's eyes twitched. "I'll kill him" He said lunging at Shu. But thankfully Xander held him back laughing loudly. Everyone watched the two with amused faces, clearly enjoying everything. The first step to build the bridge between their relationship was taken and hopefully it won't stop there. Zac tilted his head as Orochi's statement came back to his mind.

"If those two combined their powers, no one will be able to defeat that strong combination. On the other hand if this hatred continued, it will end in a mass disaster"

It took me sometime to update this book. Sorry for the delay guys. And thank you so much for 1k+ reads. It hadn't been that long since I started this book but, it's already at 1k+ reads and 100+ votes. This means a lot to me. I love you all! Thank you again.

See ya!!!