Squad Eight Unites

Kei decided to take a walk and bringing along Ashley felt like a good idea. He needed to get to know his squadmate. They would be spending a lot of time together. May as well establish bonds.

Ashley was in her house all alone in the kitchen. She sighed. "I wonder how long mother and father will get here." Ashley walked to the door and opened it.

Kei arrived at her house sluggishly. He knocked on her door three times then leaned against the wall outside. He hoped she wouldnt take too long...

She saw her newest squad member Kei outside. "Hello Kei is there anything I can do for you?" Ashley asked closing the door behind her

He responded quickly with a big smile. "I was only wondering if you happened to know where our third member is... I didnt see him at graduation." Then again, Kei would have skipped too...

"Oh Kuro I think he is at his house...why do you ask?" Ashley said fixing her hair a little. She wondered why Kuro didn't go to the graduation. Ashley almost made Valedictorian but lost by .001%

"I am just curious... I haven't seen him. Ever. He must be hiding from me." He said with a chuckle. He didnt say anything about her sad expression in hoping to not drop the mood.

Ashley giggled. "Why don't we change that and go find him ourselves?" she asked. Ashley opened the door to her house and grabbed his hand then entered. "Sit,want anything?"

He held her hand and followed her in. "If he's not in your house and we are going to find him, why are we in your house?" He felt extremely puzzled by the current situation.

"Well I didn't want you to wait outside plus I have to get some of my gear.." she smiled.

Kei sat down, crossed his legs, and found himself admiring the walls of her house while he was waiting. He wasnt bored, yet he wasn't excited. He was balanced. And so he waited in silence.

"I'll be back stay here please." she said running up her stairs to her room. Ashley got her mission clothes and changed. She pushed a button under her bed to her storage and training room. She got her favorite rapier Sword, her folded fan, a few needles and some tags. Ashley got out and went to Kei. "Ready!"

An entire change of outfit in just a few seconds was nothing short of impressive. Kei was a bit taken by her speed. He couldn't even mimic that. "Youre pretty fast huh?"

"You could say that." she chuckled. "Ready to go?" Ashley asked as she put her hood over her head

He walked out the door as opposed to giving a simple answer. After a few seconds, he decided she should be leading because he had no clue as to where they were going. Not even a general direction. "You first."

She started walking infront of him. "So how is everything Kei?" Ashley asked as she walked

His father was an abusive, drunken, lowlife and his mother just didnt care about anything anymore. His life was, in a word, bad. "Nothing out of the ordinary, could be worse." He walked behind her.

She could tell he was lying but she kept it too herself. "So what was your grade before you graduated that is." Ashley said

He didnt really think it was important. His score was just that, a score. A way to pit children against eachother. "Eh... it was nothing special really." He knew she barely dropped out of first place and felt bad.

"Ahh..." she said. "I can't wait to tell mother and father about my score when they get back..." Ashley said smiling as it slowly faded.

"Dont be glum, you should be proud of that score. Just because someone does better, you shouldnt get sad, just work harder to be better than perfect. Youre already so close." Kei blushed and turned away.

Ashley giggled. "Thanks Kei." she smiled "He doesn't know the half of it.." Ashley thought. Ashley saw a house that was close to the academy's so she knew it was Kuro's house. She ran to the door and heard yelling. Ashley frowned and knocked on the door.

Kuro's dad was yelling at him since he caught him cutting himself again. "WHY DO YOU ALWAYS CUT YOURSELF"? 
Kuro was angry and yelled back "BECAUSE I FUCKING CAN JUST DEAL WITH IT. FUCK THIS IM GOING OUT FOR A WALK". He grabbed his leather jacket and walked outside and slammed the door. He saw Ashley and Kei and sighed. "You heard that didnt you?"

"You shouldnt cut yourself. If you like pain, join the military. They have six branches." He said while looking at the ground. "Im Kei by the way..."

Ashley kept quiet. "I'm Ashley..." she said softly

Kuro sighed and said "Just forget about it". Kuro rolled up his sleeves and saw he was still bleeding. He sighed again and put his sleeve down and said "Well Ashley and Kei im guessing you guys are a part of my squad". He smiled and said "I look forward to working with the two of you".

She nodded. "Um want me to heal that?" Ashley asked

Kuro rolled his sleeves up and said "Please and thank you. Your very kind". Kuro smiled at her and put both of his arms outward revealing tons of scars.

Ashley got a hold of his hand. It was freezing but she healed it. "Done..."

Kuro gave her a big smile and said "Thank you i appreciate it". Kuro rolled his sleeves down and said "I guess i owe you one Ashley".