"Kane," Akito said. "Huh yea sorry," Kane replied. "The bell rang. Are you coming to lunch with us," Akito asked. "Yea sorry," Kane said. "Is everything alright Kane? You seem distracted," Ezra said. "Yea," Kane said. Akito had an idea of what was on his mind but said nothing. They went to the cafeteria with their lunches and sat down. Akito got up and went to buy them some water. "Does anyone know why Akito's limping," Ezra asked? "I don't know," Kane replied. "It's obvious that he's hurt," Atlas added. Kane looked over at Akito who was slowly making his way back. He saw a bit of blood on Akito's pants and shirt. He got up and went over to him. "How badly are you injured," Kane asked. "Not too bad," Akito replied. Kane took the water from him. "Your bleeding," Kane stated. Akito looked down at his leg. "It appears that I am," Akito responded. "I'll take the water to the table. You go to the restroom," Kane said then walked away. After he sat the water down he went to the restroom as well. He heard Akito talking with someone over the phone. "Can you just bring me the bandages? I left them in my room," Akito said. "Why you should just come home," Tokoyami replied. "You know I can't do that. I already disappear too much," Akito said. "I'm on my way but you're coming home with me. This isn't healthy Akito. The wound on your leg is deep so you need to be resting. Since you're bleeding again you might have popped a stitch," Tokoyami said. "You're worrying too much brother," Akito said. "If I don't worry about who will. Ever since you started this you have been getting hurt. You almost died so many times that it's frightening. Look I'm here now. Where you at I can come to you and help you," Tokoyami said. "There's no need im with someone already. I'll come to you," Akito said hanging up. "You knew I was here," Kane said walking over. "Yea I saw you duck behind the wall," Akito said putting his phone away. "Do you need help meeting your brother," Kane asked walking over. "If you don't mind but you might be late for your next class," Akito said. "That's alright. Um, may I know what happened," Kane replied? "I was being stupid," Akito answered. "Oh," Kane said. Kane wrapped his arm around his waist and helped him out of the bathroom. Akito saw Tokoyami at the entrance talking with the dean. "Brother," Akito said as they got closer. "Akito let's go," Tokoyami said walking over to him. "Hold on Mr. Akashiro I need to speak with Akito," the dean said. "Another time mister Dean as you can see I'm kinda bleeding here," Akito said. "Sorry Dean but we're going now," Tokoyami said. "I think this is unnecessary Tokoyami," Akito said. "You're coming with me and that's final," Tokoyami said. "Your bleeding so just go with your brother. I can take notes for you," Kane said handing Akito his bag. "Okay I'll go but there's no need for you to take extra notes," Akito said. Tokoyami helped Akito into the car and then turned to Kane. "I'm sorry are you a friend of his" Tokoyami asked. "Yea im Kane," he replied. "Well he listens to you better than he does me," Tokoyami said. "He's stubborn," Kane said. "For sure. Anyway thanks for helping him," Tokoyami said. "You're welcome," Kane said. "Im gonna go now. You should head back to class," Tokoyami said then got into the car and drove away.
"Your friend is nice," Tokoyami said. "He's a little too nice," Akito stated. "Why did you say that," Tokoyami asked. "He's been around me while I'm with the gang. He's gonna end up finding out," Akito said. "Wait was he with you in that alleyway," Tokoyami asked. "Yes, but it wasn't supposed to turn out the way it did. The SlitThroats showed up unexpectedly. Also didn't expect Reaper himself to be there," Akito said. "He's in jail now," Tokoyami stated. "Yea but he'll get out eventually," Akito said. "You're probably right. How's your pain right now? I already messaged Arlo that we were on our way home," Tokoyami asked. "Not too bad at the moment," Akito said. They arrived at the house and Arlo greeted them with Veronica and Kimberly. "I put everything in his room already," Arlo said. "Thanks, Arlo," Tokoyami said helping Akito inside. He helped him up the stairs and into his room. Akito took his bloody clothes off then changed his bandages. Tokoyami and Arlo entered right after he had finished. "What are your plans if Kane finds out that your Snake," Tokoyami asked. "I'll worry about that when it happens," Akito replied. "Akito no one is supposed to find out that you're Snake. If they do your life would be in even more danger," Tokoyami stated. "We don't want to lose you, brother," Arlo added. "Kane wouldn't tell anyone. Considering he hasn't told anyone about the alleyway or the fact that we may have hidden in his house a while back," Akito said. "Take this seriously Akito. Wait you what to his house," Tokoyami said. "We hid in the house when I got shot in the abdomen," Akito said. "Are you insane," Tokoyami shouted, "how do you know that he won't say anything." "Bones and Riot may have threatened him," Akito replied. "You let them threaten your friend. What's wrong with you," Tokoyami shouted. "Calm down. I won't let them hurt Kane. I'm not a cold-hearted monster besides he doesn't know that im Snake and so far he's keeping quiet. Though I can tell that it's bothering him," Akito replied. "Can't he talk to you about it after all your Snake," Arlo asked. "He could but I don't think he will," Akito responded. "Talk to him Akito," Tokoyami said then left. "If it is bothering him he won't be able to focus on anything," Arlo said then left as well.
Akito messaged Kane to see what he was doing and asked him to come over. Kane was confused but ended up going over to Akito's. Veronica opened the door as she was on her way out anyway. "Oh hi, Kane. Are you here to see Akito," Veronica asked. "Yea he asked me to come over," Kane replied. "I see you're not with Atlas and Ezra. Did they not want to come," Veronica asked. "They went on a date so I was alone when he messaged," Kane replied. "Oh well, he's in his room. He's still recovering. I'll be back later. So it will be just you two and the maids. Akito's room is upstairs first door on the left. Oh yea, Francis should be here somewhere. Im not sure anyway bye," Veronica said then left. Kane went upstairs and to Akito's room. He knocked on the door and waited for Akito to answer. "Come in," Akito said. Kane entered the room nervously shutting the door behind him. "How you doing," Kane asked. "I'm okay. How have you been doing? I noticed you've been a bit distracted lately. Is there something on your mind," Akito replied. "Nothing important," Kane said looking down. "Come over here and sit down," Akito said patting the bed beside him. Kane hesitated but went over and sat down. "You can tell me anything Kane even if it's not important," Akito said. "I can't say I promised I wouldn't," Kane said starting to tremble. "No need to be afraid you're safe here but if you don't want to talk about it that's fine. I won't push you," Akito said standing up. "Wait should be up moving around," Kane asked getting up. "It'll be alright I'm just gonna open the window and change my shirt," Akito said. Akito opened the window and changed his shirt. Kane saw the wound on his shoulder and then realized he had treated Snake who had the same wounds. Just then there was a knock on the door. "Master Akito, Hymir is wanting his snack. Should I give it to him for you," a man's voice said. "Yes, Francis if you don't mind. Im with a friend right now and will feed them later," Akito said. "Yes sir. Maya will be up with your medicine soon," Francis said. "Thank you. You may leave now," Akito said. Francis left and Akito sat back down. Kane realized that he had that name in the alleyway as well as at his home. He looked over at Akito who just smiled slightly. "Are you ready to talk now? You seem confused about something," Akito said. "I'm not sorry. I was just thinking," Kane said trembling and looking down. Akito hesitated a minute then hugged him. "You don't have to be afraid," Akito said. Kane blushed a bit before hugging him back. Kane stayed for a few more hours before leaving.
"Kane there you are. Where you've been," Atlas said. "I was with Akito," Kane replied. "We tried calling you but you didn't answer," Atlas said. "You did. My phone never went off," Kane replied pulling his phone out. "Yea Ezra tried to but he said it kept going to voice mail," Atlas said. "My phone is dead. I didn't realize it sorry," Kane said. "That's alright at least you were Akito," Atlas said. Ezra came downstairs and saw Kane. "Your back. Did your phone die," Ezra asked. "Yea sorry," Kane said. "That's alright. Do you work tomorrow," Ezra said. "Yea I do," Kane replied. "Dang so does Atlas. Im gonna all alone," Ezra said. "I work in the morning," Atlas said. "I work at night," Kane stated. "So I'm not gonna be alone," Ezra laughed. "No you big baby," Atlas laughed then hugged Ezra. Ezra hugged him back laughing. "You guys are crazy," Kane laughed then went upstairs. That next night Kane went to work but when he got there he saw Keighley crying and someone inside waving a gun around. He heard the man with the gun shouting and started to back away. While doin' so he bumped into someone. Kane turned around and saw Snake standing there. He backed away and wanted to run but before he had the chance Snake grabbed him. Two people went inside the store but all Kane could hear was gunshots then shouting. After a few minutes, Snake released Kane who then stepped back quickly and turned around. Keighley was still sobbing on the ground. "The person with the gun is gone," Snake said suddenly then went inside. Kane ran inside and over to Keighley hugging her. Keighley hugged him back tightly. "Were you hurt," Kane asked. "No," Keighley said trembling. "It's alright that man is gone," Kane said. Keighley continued hugging Kane crying. Snake walked over to them. "Give her this," Snake said handing him a bottle of water. Kane hesitated but then took it. "Drank this to try to calm down," Kane said. Keighley broke the hug and then took the bottle. She saw Sanke and his men then froze. "Don't worry they wont do anything to you. They helped," Kane said. "Imma go in the break room," Keighley said getting up and going into the other room. "We didn't mean to scare your friend away," Snake said motioning his men to wait outside. Snake reached his hand out to help Kane up. Kane hesitated but eventually took it. "Can I ask you something," Kane asked. "Go ahead," Snake replied opening a soda. "Who are you. By the way, you didn't pay for that," Kane said. "I'll pay for it no worries," Snake said handing him some money. "This is too much. Your soda is only two-fifty," Kane said. "Keep it," Snake replied getting ready to leave. "Wait you never answered my question," Kane said. "Nows not the time Kane. Oh and one more thing. You haven't told anyone have you," Snake asked. "No I haven't and I don't plan it," Kane said looking down. Snake left and Kane continued with his work.