Shadow Of Akihito (boy x boy) COMPLETED

Hell

I wonder what I'm walking into. The Headmaster says that I get today off to rest, but I start lessons tomorrow. That's okay with me, I like training. However, looking at this place, I have to wonder if that'll change. It isn't only the Headmaster that looks unforgiving. There's no laughter in the halls. In fact, I don't anybody smile at all.

The room I'll be staying in is so plain. The bed is more like the cots in the infirmary. It's uncomfortable to even sit on. There's no pretty courtyard here or anything beautiful. It seems to be imitating a military base. And that makes me even more uneasy. I definitely don't feel comfortable here. I need to hurry up and master that skill so I can leave. I don't want to be here any longer than necessary.

I spend the day lounging around my room. I don't want to walk around and see what this place is really like. I'd seen enough with the small glimpses I'd gotten earlier. So, I pull out a few of the books that Suguru lent to me. He'd already read these ones, so he said I could keep them for a while. Still, I want to return them soon. More like, I just want an excuse to leave this horrid place.

~*~

I get up early with the alarm I'd set on my phone the night before. I put on my Nishimura Academy kimono and make myself some toast for a quick breakfast. Then, I head out the door. Unlike back at Akabane Academy, we don't have locks on our room doors. Anyone could just walk in, but I guess I'll just have to ignore that fact. Then again, this doesn't seem like the kind of place that understands boundaries.

The history lesson is the same; only there's no kids sleeping, talking, or doing anything other than listening to the lecture. Which is unusual for a bunch of teenagers. They simply stare forward, shadowed eyes empty. It's actually pretty eerie. They look like robots.

My next class is Training. I'm looking forward to this, I've always enjoyed this one. Unfortunately, since I'm new here, I don't get to join in this class. Sensei wants me to stay after and he'll see what I have. Good, at least I won't embarrass myself in front of everyone. The bell rings and I continue sitting on the bamboo floor. When everyone's left, I stand up.

"So," Sensei begins. His voice is scratchy. "let's see how good you are." He comes at me and, instinctively, I parry his blow. He continues striking, his blows solid. I'm too busy blocking his attacks to strike out myself. Suddenly, he enters his Form. I know that I'm completely screwed because I can't change into mine. Quickly, I infuse the sword with my energy. It won't be enough, but it's all I've got. It seems he wants to test my Form, but he'll have to deal with this. 

His eyebrows raise, but he charges without commenting. His Weapon clangs against my sword. Since my infusion is stronger than most, it doesn't break like he obviously expected. His mouth quirks at the corners, but I feel more like he's sneering at me than smiling. His attacks are fast and strong. I'm having difficulty blocking them. He's definitely not going easy on me, but I won't either. 

I block one of his attacks, but he brings the hilt up and smashes it into my face. I taste blood in my mouth as I reel back. Then, his foot slams into my abdomen. All my breath leaves me in a whoosh and I crumple to the ground. He stands over me, a disapproving look in his eyes. He kicks me again.

"Such a disgrace. Get up." I slowly stand. "Listen and listen close. You feel nothing, got it? Pain is simply something that fuels you. You feel no injustice, no joy, no love, nothing. Emotions are only a barrier and they could get you killed. We make Warriors here. Nothing more. I know about your situation. Here, you won't have that problem. What's your Trigger?"

"Protectiveness. Whenever someone's in serious danger."

"You won't need that anymore. Emotions cloud your judgement. Here, you'll learn to enter your Form without needing a Trigger. They're useless." He puts his sword away. "We're done for the day. Go. Tomorrow, you'll learn. Oh, you'll learn so much." The smile on his face is demented. I don't know what we'll be doing tomorrow, but I know that I'm not going to like it.

As I'm walking back to my room, I end up getting lost. All these hallways look the same and so do all the buildings. I can't figure out how I get here, but I should already be back at the dorms. However, this part is unfamiliar. It looks only slightly different than everywhere else because there's large metals doors spaced along the walls. There's a little window with a slide covering it at the top. Cautiously, curiosity burning, I open the slide.

I nearly scream, bile rising in my throat at the sight before my eyes. There's a figure in the room, which is blank concrete. The only things in the room are the person and manacles which secure her to the wall.  Her hair is dirty and matted. I wonder how long she's been in there. But these aren't what horrifies me. The worst thing is the blood and vomit she's laying in. Her mouth is running with it as if she's bleeding internally. There's bruises covering her entire body.

Where the manacle wraps around her ankle, the skin is torn and seeping. On the wall behind her, are bloody scratch marks. Looking at her nails, I see why. They're almost nonexistent and her fingertips are torn. It looks like, in desperation, she'd tried to claw her way out. I see her chest rising and falling, so I know she's alive. However, I'm surprised she is. With the amount of abuse she's been through, I'm stunned she's still hanging on.

Horror heavy in my heart, I close the slide and check others along the hall. They're all the same, just at different stages of torture. What's wrong with this damn school?! I shout internally. Why are these people being tortured? What could they have done to deserve this? I have to get out of here before I get caught. I certainly don't want to end up like them. I know now where I am. This isn't a school. This is literally Hell.