Excerpt: Awakening Shadows

-Favorite/most amusing/or proud of scenes- *Homosexuality, be warned that same sex relationships are not an "taboo" in this world. Everyone has the ability to love anyone. There is no such thing as "gay or lesbian"

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“Did you know you have hair the color of strawberries?” Eian asked Robert. He grinned as he nibbled on said fruit. It was true he had no hunger at all, though eating was so pleasurable. It filled something he was missing at least for a while.

Robert blinked, giving Eian a confused look. A hand went up to run through curly strands of hair. “Thank you, I didn't realize that,” he teased in a reserved tone of voice. He really was a quiet person. Eian kind of liked him.

“I just learned about red and pink,” Eian pointed out. “Together it makes a pink, blondy look like your hair.”

The former professor just gave Eian an amused look. He was adapting decently it seemed; a real hyper sort of fellow once he got started.

“You were born blind?” Robert asked to make conversation. He was never the best at small talk; he only ever really talked to Angel. They had a deep connection.

“Yes, and you have muddy eyes,” Eian went on. Roberts eyes were a soft, gentle brown.

“I... excuse me?” Robert turned toward Angel who had just walked into the kitchen. “My eyes are muddy?”

“Your eyes are just fine,” Angel assured, “he means they are brown like mud is brown.”

Eian wasn't very good at describing things; he was only really starting to get used to seeing colors and shapes and knowing what they were. Other things he knew because he had touched them while he was blind, now he was just learning their colors and shapes.

“You should see how he described Cidney's eyes and hair,” Angel whispered, not wanting to upset Eian. “Apparently Syder showed him a black widow on the grounds, so he told Cidney she had eyes and hair like a black widow.”

@@@@@@@@

“Ouch,” Eian cried. He glared up at Syder. “You didn't have to hit so hard,” he said. He got up from the ground, facing Syder again. He tried to stand in the fighting stance Syder had taught him, though he was very wobbly, not used to this at all.

“A hunter isn't going to hold back, Eian,” Syder said. He came at Eian again, pleased when the teenager ducked just in time. “That's right, good.”

“How come we don't have super strength or anything?” Eian complained.

“We are still human, Eian. We're not super heroes.”

Syder eased up on Eian when the boy started to become tired. That was something every Shadow had to keep in mind; they were still more or less human. Their only difference besides having abnormal abilities was the fact that they no longer had a beating heart. They still had feelings, they still bled and hurt when somebody attacked them. They didn't have to eat, yes, but they still had the desire for the taste of food. Most important of all, they still loved and wanted to be loved.

“Okay, take five,” Syder said. He dropped down on the damp grass, flopping onto his back. Gazing up through the treetops, Syder imagined how he wished things could be; peaceful, perfect harmony with living folk. Free to love and be loved by others, free to be a part of society again. No more hiding. If only; that would be perfect. Syder was sure Shadows everywhere wished the same thing, especially the newly born like Eian.

“The sky is blue like your eyes,” Eian said with a yawn. He laid down next to Syder, his eyes closing. His body was in pain from fighting with Syder, though he felt surprisingly at peace. He had only been with Syder and the others for a month, but time dragged on. It felt like years. He was thankful that he no longer got a shock when he opened his eyes and didn't see just darkness.

“You're learning quickly,” Syder said softly. “Lana did too. It was even more of a shock to suddenly be able to hear these alien sounds and finally able to speak. She picked up the ability quickly.”

“I can't imagine that. Not seeing is one thing, but not hearing or having the ability to talk?” Eian felt his heart tug for the little girl, at least metaphorically speaking.

“Do you know how she died?” Eian asked. He had this morbid curiosity over everyones deaths, especially the sweet faced little girl.

@@@@@@@@

"So what were you doing outside all day?" Lana asked in a playful voice. The four year old was sitting on the kitchen floor covered from head to toe in paint. Eian watched as she finger painted on the tiled floor. He glanced around, wondering if Cidney was going to come in and scold the child, but he shrugged it off. Who cared. The kid should be able to be an actual kid every once in a while, right?

"Fighting," Eian answered. "Syder didn't hold back once. Why is it that we can still bruise when we don't have working organs? And we bleed." He pouted down at the blond. She looked up at him and gave him an eerie look as if she knew all the answers in the universe. It scared Eian a little.

"We're still human," was all that Lana would say in answer. "Want to paint with me? You can use the blue paint. It's this one," she pointed to one of the colors. Eian grinned.

"I know my colors now thank you very much. Syder's been teaching me." He was glad he had the ability to see now.

"I know that," Lana said. "I was just testing you." She poked her tongue out at him. "Its never a bad thing to brush up on the things you aren't as familiar with." She held her hand out for Eian, obviously really wanting him to sit down next to her and paint the floor blue. Eian blinked a couple of times, before sitting down. He had never really liked getting dirty before, but what did he have to lose now? Honestly. He poked his finger in the blue paint, noting it was a deep blue, unlike the pale blue of Syder's eyes. He liked blue.

@@@@@@@@

“I'm ready,” Eian said. He got into a fighting stance, his knees slightly bent and his fists up in the air, in front of his face. His stance was a little off, but Syder gave him credit for at least trying.

Walking over to him, Syder moved his fists into the right position. His hands lingered against Eian's soft skin longer then was necessary. Eian felt flustered, though it was Syder who stepped away, looking embarrassed, as if he had been caught doing something naughty.

“Don't hold back, okay,” Syder said, “now hit me.”

Eian hated this. He was a bad punch, but even still, he was worried he'd really hurt Syder. He shut his eyes, though quickly opened them again when Syder yelled at him.

Here it goes, Eian thought, forcefully punching out at Syder. He hit the man in the gut, wincing when Syder grunted in surprise. Had he really hit that hard?

“Syder? Are you okay?” Eian put his hands on Syder's shoulders, trying to get the man to look him in the eyes. He feared he had ruptured his spleen or something, then he remembered that wouldn't be an issue. “Look at me.” His voice became small.

Syder glanced up. “I'm fine. You would have knocked the wind out of me if I had any to knock out. That was a really good hit.” He grinned to cover his pain. He was used to feeling pain anyway.

With a frustrated whine, Eian leaned against Syder, suddenly hugging him. “Don't do that, dummy. I thought I really hurt you.”

“Eian... you can't be so soft, this is war, whether we like it or not... Look, I'm fine. Really. It just surprised me.” Syder awkwardly patted the boy on the back, before he gave in and hugged him back. Maybe having favorites would be okay, after all. Syder had to remind himself how innocent and sheltered Eian really was. He grew up living in the dark. To think the first time he was let into the light was when he had died in a horrible way, and somehow, Syder knew Eian's death had been a brutal one.

----------

“I want a cat,” Eian wrote. He grinned. “Look.” He snapped to get Syder's attention; the elder Shadow had been lost in his own little world it seemed. “See what I wrote?”

Jumping out of his thoughts, Syder looked down at Eian's paper. He raised an eyebrow, before meeting Eian's eyes. “Did you just write that on a whim?” He wondered out loud, or did Eian really want a cat. He smiled.

Eian shrugged. “I just wrote it because when you write “cat” it looks cool.” “Oh and I can change it too.” He crossed out “cat” and replaced the word with “hat.”

Hiding a grin, Syder just nodded as if he were a thoughtful professor. “Impressive. You can change that last word with many of the words you have learned today. Before you know it, you'll be able to write a novel.”

“A novel about a cat, who wears a hat, and carries a bat,” Eian joked. “It will be a bestseller for sure.” Eian stood up, dusted his hands on his pant legs, and then looked out his window. “I can see the moon. Is winter always so white?” He asked, looking down to the grounds at the freezing landscape.

“There are places where snow never touches, but Cidney chose this place to settle down because winter time here is the perfect season for Shadows to have a little freedom.” He reminded Eian about when they had went to the movies before, with a smile. “See, the excuse to bundle up and hide our skin is great during times like this. Nobody would question you if they see you outside.”

“Can we go outside?” Eian asked. He opened his window and leaned out as far as he could without falling. Syder came up behind him and held onto him so that he wouldn't fall. Eian just laughed and leaned out even further, risking falling out the window. He liked how Syder got so protective over him, even over the smallest of things. Not that falling out of the window was small. Eian reached out as if he were trying to catch the falling snow, enjoying comparing his pale skin to the pure white of the snow. It looked almost exactly the same. Thankfully the snow was whiter. Eian did not want to look like an albino or something.

“We can go outside, but we're not going this way,” Syder laughed, trying to pull Eian back into his bedroom. Just as he got Eian back into the room and his feet firmly on the floor, Gunther walked in. Syder had almost forgot Eian roomed with Gunther; they'd been so into their study session, and if he was being honest, into each other just as much as Eian had been into learning new words. They would have got a lot more done if they had stopped pausing so much to catch each others eyes and talk about unrelated things.

“What are you doing?” Gunther asked. Syder was surprised he actually asked an actual, coherent question. Lana must really be getting to him. Gunther was strange; it really was unsettling, even for Syder who was used to everything by now.

“Attempting to keep Eian from jumping out the window, what's it look like we're doing?” Syder asked. He let go of Eian, stepping back from him, and then not caring that Gunther was in the room, he reached for Eian's hand and gave him a gentle tug toward the door. “Now we're going to go outside and jump in snow piles.”

Eian blinked. “Are we?” His voice had an excited, child-like ring to it.

“Oh?” Syder raised an eyebrow. “Of course if you really want to.” He tugged Eian out of the room, right when they had almost closed the door, they heard Gunther call out “Okay, have fun,” in his eerie calm voice. Syder did feel this wonderful sense of relaxation as if nothing could ever be bad again. He shook it off, before leading Eian toward the front door.

Once they were outside, Syder let Eian run ahead. The teenager seriously seemed to never have played in snow before. Just how sheltered did his parents keep him? He had been blind for crying out loud, not ill. Syder felt a warm glow where his heart should have been beating. He knew that it was just a metaphorical feeling. His heart couldn't actually feel warm.

“Hey, be careful,” Syder suddenly shouted. Eain glanced up to give the man a confused look. He hadn't been doing anything at all; just piling up a bunch of snow balls.

“What am I doing wrong?” Eian asked, dropping one of the snow balls on the top of his pile.

“I was worried,” Syder said, sounding serious. “You could have burned the snow.”

Eian's open mouth clearly was enough proof that the teenager had no idea what Syder meant.

“Your adorable hotness would have burned the snow right through.” Syder shook his head in mock sadness. Eian blinked a couple of times, before he understood what Syder meant. He groaned in embarrassment at Syder's forward manners, picking up one of the snow balls and throwing it. The aim was perfect. It hit Syder in the forehead. Eian was surprised.

“Hey!” Syder complained. “That is not very nice, but good aim. I'm pleased to see our training has really improved.” He rubbed his forehead, even though the hit hadn't hurt; it was just a reflex from when he was alive.

“You say weird things,” Eian pointed out. “Snow balls are for throwing anyway.” Eian grinned in an evil way, bending down to pick up two snow balls. One for each hand. Syder was defenseless.

“It's already in the open that we kind of, sort of like each other,” Syder chuckled, slowly backing up. “Don't you dare,” he said, though his eyes were challenging Eian to just try it.

“I know I kind of, sort of like you, but that won't stop me from paying you back for saying such embarrassing things,” Eian said. He glanced around. They were further away from the estate then he had realized. Good. “Nobody can help you now Syder.”

“Oh you're a mean one,” Syder mock trembled. “I doubt you could have such a perfect aim a second time around.”

“Try me,” Eian said.

Syder turned around as if to run away from Eian. He wasn't but two steps away from his spot when SPLAT SPLAT, two snow balls hit him in the back of his head. The force of Eian's throws were very impressive. If Syder had been a living, breathing creature, he would have fallen over. With that thought in mind, Syder fell to the ground when he felt the impact.

With a concerned squeak, Eian started toward Syder, gullible enough to think he had somehow hurt the older male. “Syder are you okay?” Eian asked as he came up on him. Syder was laying on his stomach, his face pressed against the snow. When Eian was close enough, Syder yelled a war like cry, turning onto his back. He grabbed Eian and pulled him down into the snow.

“I have to give you the praise you deserve,” Syder chuckled. He propped himself up on his elbow and looked down at the small teenager who was looking up at him with wide, surprised eyes. “Your aim was just as good the second AND third time around.”

“You're the mean one!” Eian pouted. “What kind of person purposely pulls someone down in the snow? I mean, snow is wet, and kind of cold, and wet....” He knew he had no real reason to complain, and it wasn't as if he was really upset. He did have his pride to think of though. The cold barely touched him, but the wetness was, well wet.

“You look like some angel, laying there in a blanket of snow,” Syder said. Maybe he was mean, but he Eian was easy to tease and he looked so cute.

“D-don't change the subject,” Eian stuttered, becoming flustered.

With a smile, Syder leaned down closer to his wet little object of his affection. “I wonder if you would be breathing really fast under normal circumstances.”

“W-what?”

“If you knew I was going to kiss you.”

And “normal” would be alive, Eian supposed, his eyes widening at Syder's blunt forwardness.

“You're going to kiss me?” Eian blinked a couple of times, his eyes focused on Syder's lips. Did they seem closer then before? Eian swore he would have been able to feel Syder's breath if Syder had been a living creature.

“I thought about it,” Syder said seriously, “But I suppose I shouldn't...” he trailed off, a small smirk on his lips.

“W-why? I mean...” Eian glared up at Syder, and then pushed him away easily. “You are mean and a tease.” He had really wanted Syder to kiss him. The feeling was unlike anything he had ever felt before.

“You are so cute.” Syder stood up and then pulled Eian to his feet. He didn't even hesitate when he leaned down, brushing his lips over Eian's. This time he didn't pull away as quickly. He let his lips linger over Eian's, imagining he could feel real warmth coming from him. This was the life... that is, the un life. Syder grinned against Eian's lips, before he pulled back.

Almost in a daze, Eian stared up at Syder. Okay, there went that tingling lip thing again. Looking down at his feet, Eian hid a pleased smile. “We should get home.”

“Yeah,” Syder agreed. He reached for Eian's hand, squeezing it back when he felt Eian's fingers tighten around his hold.

-------

"We might have a problem," Eian said. The fear in his voice was more noticeable then he liked. He had been training for a month with Syder. He felt like he knew how to defend himself, but he never wanted to have to test this. If Gunther kept up his obsession, then he might have to.

Realizing the seriousness of Eian's tone, Syder's playful smile fell into a worried frown. "What's wrong Eian?" he asked, wanting to reach out and bring the teenager to him in a hug. He held himself back though. There was a place and time for cuddling and this didn't seem to be a time for that.

"On a good note, Gunther is less crazy, talking in full sentences and making sense, but..."

"There's always a but," Syder groaned.

"He said he left the grounds on his own..."

Syder's eyes went wide. He tried to hide his anger as best as he could. He just didn't take too well to rule breaking and right under his nose!

"That isn't the worst of it," Eian said, "Gunther is talking nonsense about love and such. He said he saw the guy of his dreams or something like that. Though from his description, I think he was spying on a group of hunters."

"You mean to tell me one of our own has fallen for a living human? A hunter at that?" Syder groaned, pressing his palm to his forehead. He knew when they took Gnther in that he was going to be a problem, though he hadn't expected this. "Was he seen?"

"That is exactly what I mean," Eian confirmed. "He claims he wasn't seen. I made him promise that he wouldn't sneak out again, but I don't know if we can trust him. He's not exactly right in the head. He might not understand the real danger, you know?"

Syder knew Eian was right. He really didn't think Gunther understood anything. He knew what he was, but he didn't seem to grasp right from wrong, and this situation was no different.

"I'll have to watch him closely. The disaster coming from his obsession over a hunter is... is... Well, it just can't happen. Gunther has to nip this in the bud right away." Syder said, though deep down he knew that wouldn't be too easy. Nobody could help who they liked. Love at first sight was rare. Syder wasn't even sure he belied in that, but if Gunther really felt like he was in love with this hunter, then it was hard telling what he would do.

-----

Eian walked into Syder's room. He looked around for the brunette, though he didn't seem to be anywhere. Where has he gone again? Eian inwardly grumbled to himself. Syder was always missing it seemed ever since he had that vision. “Syder!” Eian yelled. “Where are you?” Eian was angry. He didn't like how Syder always disappeared whenever Eian needed to talk to him, or just know he was okay.

“You called,” Syder said, popping out of his closet of all places. Eian actually jumped. He really hadn't expected Syder to answer him. He felt embarrassed for the tone of voice he had used.

“You're always gone,” Eian accused. “Whenever I need you, you're nowhere to be found. Why do you keep vanishing?” Eian's voice was beyond frustrated. “What's shaken you up so much?” He walked up to Syder, pulling him further into the room. “I thought we had a sort of understanding between each other? Why are you keeping this to you? If it's bothering you, then you should have somebody to talk to. If not me, then find someone.”

Syder was so taken aback by Eian's outburst that he actually backed away from him, as if expecting the small teenager's anger would make the redhead lash out at him, not that Syder had anything to worry about if that did happen.

“Calm down,” Syder said. He clasped his hands over Eian's shoulder, as if to hold him back. “I have my reasons. Just because I haven't told you doesn't mean I don't trust you or care about you. That's why I haven't said anything. I don't want to burden you with what I saw.” Syder's face fell as if he had lost all strength.

“What if I want you to burden me?” Eian pointed out. “have you thought about that?” He felt angry tears prick at his eyes. “Don't shut me out. I didn't come back from the dead to only to have what I care about taken away from me again.”

“Eian, I'm not going away. I just need time to think by myself. Can't you understand I can't tell you?” He pressed his palm against Eian's cheek. Syder leaned forward, pulling Eian against his chest. “Something is coming that I need to think about.”

“But you said it wasn't for another few years.”

“I might have stretched the truth a little.”

“When?” Eian demanded. “When is this something coming? It's a Shadow, isn't it? You only have visions about other Shadows. That's what I thought.”

“Soon,” Syder said in a hushed voice. “Too soon,” he squeezed Eian closer to him as if he was afraid to let go of him. “It is a Shadow; you're right, I only have visions about the “birth” of fellow Shadows. I've never had a vision about anything else.”

“But who? Why can't you tell me? What is he going to do?”

Syder groaned quietly. “You're not making this easy.”

“I didn't plan on making it easy,” Eian said, glaring up at Syder with upset eyes. “I don't want to be shut out. Isn't this important to all of us? We need to know what we're up against. Think about Lana and Gunther. They can't defend their selves very well. How well will they do if they have no forewarning of something that is coming?”

“I, I...” Syder stuttered.

“We have a right to know. You might be the one who sees the visions, but we're all in this together. We should have no secrets.”

“All I can tell you at this point that the man who will soon die has lived his life in a evil way. I foresee him continuing his “work” even as a Shadow.” Syder knew he had said too much. It was obvious by the look on Eian's face.

“A murderer or something?” Eian whispered.

“Serial killer,” Syder weakly corrected.

“And you thought you had to keep that from us?” Eian demanded. “Isn't our goal trying to get living humans to coexist with us? They fear us because they think we're evil, and now someone is actually going to be evil?” Eian knew he wasn't making much sense, but he knew Syder would understand him.

“I told you in the beginning that when you are re born you are the same as before you died. Some are good and some are bad, just like any other creature.” Syder licked his lips nervously. The person he had seen was obviously not your normal Shadow though.

“You said people who lived bad lives or died in horrible ways were the ones who were reborn. Why would a serial killer be given a second chance?”

“I couldn't even begin to tell you the answer to that,” Syder said.

--------

"Why can't we have a tracking ability?" Eian complained as they followed Gunther's tracks in the snow. They had come to the end of his snow tracks and had no idea how to proceed. "I mean we can do a load of amazing things, but we can't follow a scent trail or anything." He groaned, dropping down into the snow. The snow swirled around his head, a beautiful image for anyone who happened by, not that anyone would.

Syder looked down at Eian and tried to smile, though it was hard to do in their current situation. "We're not dogs," he said. "Of course I don't have a list of every single ability we have. Maybe someone can follow someone's scent." He wrinkled his nose at the idea. It just seemed sickening to be able to smell everyone, but useful he knew.

"How could his tracks just stopped though?" Eian asked. "Here it is, and then it's nowhere to be seen. The only tracks I see is a small animal track and we know Gunther can't transform into a little furball." Eian forced himself up, looked all around him for some kind of sign, before he looked back at Syder. "Maybe we should have thought more about this before we left the estate. What if we're seen?"

"Then we'll have to deal with it, I guess." Syder hated the idea of putting Eian in danger, but the bigger danger was having Gunther only the Gods knew where. He could lead a whole swarm of hunters back to their home.

"He doesn't know better," Eian said in Gunther's defense. He felt like he had to be on his roommates side at least a little bit. He was innocent and honestly everyone thought he was crazy because he couldn't adapt to the big change his body had went through. Despite all that, he had still found someone his unbeating heart had bonded to; it was just the wrong person. Way wrong and it could hurt them all.

"Hunters are not bad people," Syder said, surprising Eian out of his thoughts. "They're only following what they are told to do, what they are made to believe growing up. They honestly think we're evil, killing machines." He shook his head sadly. "We have to find Gunther before it's too late."

"What if it already is?" Eian asked softly.

Syder didn't want to think about that. He had to keep everyone safe. He was their leader; they trusted him to know what to do. He just didn't know. This hadn't been expected at all. When he had the vision telling him Gunther was going to be re born, he somehow knew the teenager would be trouble. But how could he have known it would be over something like this? A forbidden bond of minds, at least on Gunther's side. He shuddered to think what the hunter would be like.

"We're not going to get anywhere if we just stand around," Syder said instead of answering Eian's frightening question. Syder might have believed hunters weren't truly bad, they just followed what they were told they needed to survive, but he didn't want to leave Gunther alone with them longer then necessary. That was if Gunther had found 'his' hunter.

"Just what way do we go?" Eian said in a frustrated voice. He held his arms out and spun around. "The possible paths we could take are endless."

Opening his mouth to answer, Syder was interrupted when a flash of blond hair darted just outside his range of sight. He spun around, his eyes horrified when he saw Lana running in the snow away from them.

"You should have let me come!" Lana yelled. "This way, hurry." The child ran at a speed far too fast for any of them, as if there was a demon on her trail. Syder took off after the child, alarmed beyond anything he could describe. He didn't even have to say anything to Eian; the redhead quickly followed, too shocked to say anything. They had been stupid not to notice Lana had been following them. How did she know where Gunther was?

When Lana suddenly stopped, Syder practically ran into her. He barely had enough time to dodge her so that she wouldn't be knocked over. Eian came up to them, looking around wildly. Lana's eyes were big. Eian followed her gaze, his blood seeming to run cold, even though he knew that was impossible. Gunther was backed against a tree, three hunters, a man, and two girls cornering him. He had no chance of getting away. The man had a gash on his cheek; it was bleeding. Eian had sense of pride bubble in his stomach when he realized the untrained Shadow had at least tried to defend himself and against the object of his obsession at that. The girls, Eian noticed they were twins, and young. In fact they were all young, the man the oldest, probably in his early twenties.

"Why are they just staring down at him?" Eian whispered. He wanted to do something. With Gunther there, they did out number the hunters, if you could even count Lana in the number. He looked down at the trembling child. Somehow he had a feeling she could do a lot of damage if she wanted to. "Is he hurt?"

"Oh dear," Syder groaned. "Gunther is doing his famous babbling again. The hunters just look perplexed. At least they're not attacking, though it looks like they did, if judging by the cut on the man's cheek." Syder studied Gunther; the crazed teenager had slid down the tree, hugging his knees to his chest. It was hard to see what he was saying, but by how fast his lips were moving, it was obviously incoherent nonsense. "I don't think he's hurt. You have to remember we're made of tougher stuff then living creatures."

"No!" Lana screamed, causing the three hunters to look back at them. They tensed up, automatically moving into fighting stances as if they had years of training for this. Lana ignored the danger and ran up to Gunther. She glared up at the hunters, who were now looking down at her with shocked eyes. Apparently they had never seen a child Shadow before, at least it looked that way to Eian.

"You should be ashamed of yourself!" Lana yelled at the man. She shook her little fist at the man. "Daddy is sick. You made him ascared."

"Rin, what are we supposed to do? That's a kid," the girl with long brown, and red tipped hair asked. Her twin who had short, wavy brown hair looked to the man for orders too. Rin looked down at Lana, and then back over at her daddy, before he glanced back over at Syder and Eian. They were out numbered with the child there, but like Hysen said, she was just a kid. Rin opened his mouth to answer Hysen, though all that came out was directed toward the small blond.

"Impossible," Rin said, his voice full of confusion. "Shadows can't have children. What are you?" Was she some other sort of demon they knew nothing about? She looked innocent enough, if not seriously pissed off that they had attacked her father.

"I'm Lana," the girl smart mouthed. She put her hands on her hips, her glare intensifying. Under any other circumstances the sight would have been comical. "What are you? Some monster? Do you normally hurt people who have come to warn you of great danger?" Lana advanced on Rin, no fear in her eyes at all now. "Well?"

Rin actually took a step back, knocking into the twins. He seemed at a loss for words. His sisters looked around him at the little girl, before blinking up at Rin.

"She thinks we're the evil monsters," Addie said.

With their attention so focused on Lana, Syder and Eian were able to easily advance on the hunters. Syder felt pleased when Rin backed up even further when he noticed them. Good, he had some sense. At least he wasn't a killing machine like some of the hunters he had ran across. Rin knew he was out numbered.

"You know," Syder said in a dangerously low voice. "Lana has a point here. You are the monsters if think it's okay to attack someone who hasn't even done anything to you. Did Gunther attack first?" Syder looked at the cut on Rin's cheek.

"They aren't acting like he told us they would," Hysen hissed into Rin's ear.

"Shut up, Hysen," Rin said between his teeth.

"Who, the so called "Big Cheese?"'" Syder laughed. "I can't believe anyone believes a thing that comes from that creepy old man's lips." Of course the "Big Cheese" was their current leader. He always had lies spread across the news about Shadow's evil doings. "Are you living folks so stupid you believe everything you hear?"

"I bet we're the first Shadows you've ever seen," Eian added. "Doesn't he say 'attack and ask questions later?' You're having doubts, aren't you?" He looked right at Rin, knowing the man was and had probably had doubts for a while. At least I know my ability works on living folk. Eian told himself. Thank God.

"H-hey!" Rin shouted. He held his hands up to his head, as if to push Eian out of his mind. It seemed not even humans liked their feelings known. He probably had no idea Eian could really sense them like he could. "Why wouldn't we believe him? You're dead. It's not normal!" Rin glanced down at Gunther, seeming to falter slightly, though he turned a glare back to the other two, pushing the image of the frightened teenager out of his mind.

Why isn't Gunther using his ability? Eian thought, remembering him when Rin looked at him. He ignored the look the man was giving him, instead crouching down next to the golden eyed male. "I know you're scared, but it'll be okay," he whispered. "Remember, what you said? No stress. We'll take care of the big bad hunter."

Despite whispering, Rin heard Eian just fine. It seemed like Eian was trying to comfort a small child. "Whats wrong with him?" Rin found himself asking.

"Why do you care?" Syder spat, "but let's see, oh you attacked him, and probably didn't even give him a chance to explain why he had come to find you in the first place, and we're probably not helping with all the hostility. Gunther isn't trained to defend himself, though I see he gave you a nice gash. Thank the Gods for small favors. May the scar remind you that you left a deeper scar in a helpless boy's inner core."

"None of you have hearts! How can I have... whatever," Rin glared, eyes betraying that Syder's words had really shaken him up.

"Does it look like we don't have hearts?" Lana asked.

"We have hearts," Gunther mumbled, "but they stole them, away they went. It hurts sometimes." Everyone jumped as if forgetting Gunther was there; they looked down at him. His fellow Shadows couldn't hide the sadness in their eyes at the confused state Gunther seemed to be in all the time. Pity flashed in Rin's eyes, before he shook himself, reminding himself who he was looking at.

"Who stole your hearts?" Addie, the more curious of the twins couldn't help asking. Hysen elbowed her in the ribs, hissing for her to shut up, though Addie ignored her. Rin groaned. Who's bright idea was it to train hunters from such a young age? Oh, yeah, their leaders, but that didn't mean they were liars!

Gunther looked over Eian's shoulder at the short haired twin. “The Gods probably,” he said.

“Oh come on,” Syder groaned, looking over at Rin. “You have to admit it seems he has a “heart” at least feelings. He's a little... unstable, but he's innocent. Are you just going to stand there staring at him, or are you going to admit you were in the wrong?”

“He doesn't know what to believe,” Hysen muttered, throwing up her hands. Their parents were going to kill them if they knew they were just standing around having a conversation with a bunch of Shadows.

“Shut up, Hysen!” Rin growled, turning on the seventeen year old. “This isn't a game. They may or may not have evil intentions... I'm not a monster.”

“You're just going to wait until you've got your back turned and let one of them...” Hysen started.

“Ahem,” Syder cleared his throat, “point of interest, his back is turned. Oh scary!”

Addie giggled, her brother and sister both telling her to “shut up.” Rin turned around to face the four Shadows, eying each of them one at a time. His eyes lingered on Gunther's face; the boy's golden eyes were wide and confused, as if he didn't understand what was happening. Rin seemed to remember something he had heard before.

“Why did you come to find me? How would you even know about me?” Rin asked, speaking directly to Gunther. Surprised flashed across Gunther's face and then he smiled nervously, seeming to forget how he had been frightened by them earlier. Rin talked to him!

“I saw you,” Gunther said, “when you were doing a strange dance with your friends,” he nodded to the twins. “Your hair was like golden sun beams, and your eyes like the sea. You looked pretty.”

“Pretty?” Rin sputtered. “That word is not in my vocabulary.” Rin glared as his sisters started to look amused, both giggling, even the serious Hysen.

“The dead guy gots a crush on you,” Addie burst into laughter.

“You make his heart feel r-real,” Hysen gasped, tears coming to her eyes from laughing.

“S-shut up, shut up!” Rin yelled. “Not possible! He's obviously confused.”

Eian rolled his eyes, and Syder smirked. Lana just looked around with a knowing look on her face.

“Look dude, Gunther may be a little strange in the head, but deal, his “heart” has totally bonded to you.” Syder groaned. “The Gods only know why he had to go and pick a living folk.”

“Wait a minute, don't I have a say in this?” Rin asked, seeming to forget just who he was talking to with the strange turn of events.

“Oh no,” Lana said smartly. “You're going to be my other daddy. It's been decided.” The four year old grinned as if she had just been given a cake.

“What the Hell?” Rin rubbed his eyes. Maybe this was a dream? Yeah, it was so surreal. Not that Gunther was bad on the eyes, he was just... well, he was dead for one. That had to be a bad omen for any relationship, plus he had a kid. Rin had no time for jealous lady friends, especially of the Shadow variety.

“Relax,” Syder couldn't help taking pity on the hunter. He had a small amount of respect for him for not trying to lash out at them; he seemed to actually listen. How long would it last? The twins seemed more wary then Rin did. Maybe Eian was right? Rin had doubts about Shadows being evil.

Rin turned on the twins. “Go home, both of you. Now. Do not speak to our parents about this, or I will smack you both upside the head.” He turned back to the Shadows, avoiding Gunther's look of affection. He didn't even know the kid. How in the world could someone suddenly feel bonded to him?

The twins groaned, though they knew a direct order when they heard it. Rin was their elder brother and the highest ranking hunter there. They turned with out a word and slumped away, glancing over their shoulders a couple times, before they were out of sight.

“Do you realize what you've just done?” Syder asked.

“No what?” Rin asked tiredly.

“You sent your protection away. You believe we're harmless.”

Realization dawned in Rin's eyes. Crap, they were right. “Yeah, so, now what?” Rin muttered. “We could just go our own ways; forget this happened.”

“You can't forget,” Eian said, knowing all too well. “You know it and your partners know it too.”

“My sisters,” Rin corrected. “Okay, fine, what do you suggest?”

“Well we have your wedding to plan,” Syder pointed out, smirking. When Rin went pale, he started to laugh. “Geeze, there isn't really a Shadow ritual where you're forced to marry one, but...”

“No, no... stop right there. The four of you seem decent enough, despite what I've heard, but I'm not about to shack up with one of you.”

“What's shack up?” Lana asked.

“Watch your mouth. She's still just a child, you know?” Syder scolded.

-------

“Family meeting!” Syder yelled, purposely when he was standing right behind Rin, making the blond jump.

Eian, Robert and Angel walked into the living room, sitting in various places. They knew what was coming and didn't really want to hear it again. This was all for Rin it seemed. It felt so strange that the hunter was even there. Was he still a hunter after all this?

“I, Syder Una Risten am a Shadow and I have visions when another Shadow is going to be born.”

Everyone but Rin rolled their eyes. They very well knew Syder was a Shadow, he was just being dramatic for Rin's sake.

“What's with the theatrics?” Rin asked, crossing his arms. He set down next to Gunther, shooting him a warning look when the teenager tried to hold his hand. “Can you really see the future?”

“Oh yes, do you not believe me?” Syder grinned. He looked as if he had been wounded. Eian couldn't help smiling up at him.

“Don't know what I believe anymore,” Rin admitted, shooing Gunther's hands away from him again. What was up with that kid? Seriously.

Syder got a grave, serious look on his face. “Well whether you believe me or not, I saw Ernest being brought back as a Shadow. I trust you know of his name. Its been plastered all over your news.”

Rin paled. “No way. But, why would that make Gunther want to warn me? I get why it's a problem if Ernest really comes back, for both groups, but..” Rin was just confused. Were Shadows good or not? If they were good for real, then what was this serial killer going to do for their name?

“Dude,” Syder groaned. “Where were you when Gunther told you how pretty you were? He wanted to warn you because he couldn't bare seeing your pretty self being hurt by Ernest. Whats the chance Ernest will go after you, but still.”

“Number 1, stop saying dude, you're not a surfer, number 2, pretty is not in my vocabulary!” Rin glared at Syder, wondering just how someone like him became the local Shadow's leader. He was so annoying!

“But you are pretty,” Gunther said in a small voice.

“Geeze, can't you pick another word at least?” Rin groaned.

Gunther honestly looked like he was trying to think of another word, making Rin shake his head. The kid was cute, he had to give him that.

“What do you prefer to be called?” Gunther finally asked, unaware everyone was staring at the pair, wondering if they were crazy to be ignoring the threat of Ernest for flirting? Rin would deny any flirting that was for sure.

“My name? Or a variation of my name,” Rin mumbled.

“I forgot your name,” Gunther admitted sheepishly.

“Ah, how can you like me so much and forget my name?” Rin gave Gunther a wide eyed look. He was a little touched in the head, wasn't he? “Rin Ollen Witter and don't forget it this time.”

“I won't Rinny.”

“Rinny?” Syder snorted.

“Oh of course, I should have guessed you'd call me that,” Rin complained.

“Okay, can we get back on the serial killer subject?” Eian asked, looking around the room. “Anyone? Hello?”

“But the show is so interesting. Better then day time TV, not that I watch TV,” Angel laughed. Robert gave him a scolding look. Angel just stuck his tongue out at him.

----

“Stop looking at me,” Rin muttered. They were in Gunther's room and of course Eian wasn't around. He had tricked him! Rin knew it. The estate was so huge; it was only natural Rin had been curious about it, so Eian offered a tour, and then vanished when they got to his bedroom. Now Gunther was just staring at him and standing in front of the door.

“If you really don't want me to stare at you then why are you standing in front of me? You could move out of my view.” Gunther tilted his head to the side and smiled. “You could even leave, so why don't you?”

“Its important I stay and learn as much as I can about this Ernest,” Rin explained.

“Oh, is that why you're in my bedroom?” Gunther asked. “Ernest isn't awake yet. Well, he's awake, I mean he's alive right now, but first he has to be killed and then he will become a Shadow, it's a whole dying and being reborn thing. Very complicated.”

“Are you trying to be funny or something?” Rin just couldn't figure Gunther out.

“Yes! We need a little humor in a situation like this, because before you know it, you might be killed and that would be sad.” Gunther frowned. “Will you try not to be killed?”

Rin's eyes softened and he sighed. What was up with this kid? Did he honestly like him that much? Rin had no idea what to do? Everything was so different then what he had been forced to believe since a child. What would his parents think if they knew he was possibly thinking about comforting a worried Shadow? Though looking into Gunther's eyes, he saw a person, not a monster.

“I won't die,” Rin said softly. “Aren't you used to it though? Death I mean...” It was a personal question, but Rin was curious.

“I- I,” Gunther shook his head. “No, I've only been like this for a short time. It's not right. Its sad. Before I had no family, so that's okay. I didn't leave anyone behind, but Eian and, Syder, and everyone, they had families and now they can't go home! At least I don't have to worry about a home.”

It never really accrued to Rin before that Shadows had families and loved ones they lost when they became what they were. Hearing that was like a slap to the face. He didn't know what to say to express how sorry he was for asking such a question. He just assumed Gunther had been this way for a long time.

“You have a home and a family,” Rin said. “Everyone here, don't they love you? Don't they take care of you? When they thought you were in danger, they came for you, remember? Lana looks up to you. Isn't she your child?”

Gunther blinked. He hadn't thought of it that way and Lana was his baby now. “I love them too.” Gunther hung his head and stared at his feet. “That's why I'm scared the bad guy will get them... and you.”

Screw his parents, and screw anyone who thought he was crazy. Rin put his arms around Gunther's thin waist. “Are you crying, because you shouldn't cry. I know you're confused about your changes, who wouldn't be, and I know you're worried about everyone, but you've got to calm down.”

The teenager gave a watery laugh. “Calm down, that's what I always tell everyone.”

“Listen to your own advice.”

Later on in the story-------------

“I need to talk to you,” Syder said seriously as Rin walked through the front door. For the last two weeks, Rin had been visiting often, almost becoming a normal house guest. It was strange for everyone at first, mostly because of who Rin was, but it was obvious something kept bringing him back. That something being a someone. Gunther.

“Its very uncommon for a Shadow and a living human to have a sexual relationship,” Syder started, making Rin pale to the point that he looked like a Shadow himself.

“What, we haven't, we aren't...”

“Shut up. I want you to be extra careful. Wear protection, I do not think we are capable of handling a baby in these times,” Syder said gravely.

“M-male S-Shadows can get pregnant?” Rin's eyes widened.

“Well I don't know, it hasn't been tested,” Syder said thoughtfully. Rin's face became blood red.

“Oh! You're so lucky you're already dead,” Rin pushed past Syder, “you have a sick mind, I tell you, sick!”

“Hey just a joke, shesh, come back here, I'm not finished talking to you. Ernest died two hours ago.” Syder became serious. This time for real. “I don't have an exact time for his re birth.”

“What's the possibility that he is going to cause trouble close to home?” Rin asked, turning back to Syder, though he was giving the brunette a glare that could have killed.

“You read the news, don't you Rin? His last murder was twenty miles from town. I believe he is near and I have no idea how he died, or where to find his body. In the vision I had, I couldn't tell much of anything.”

Rin sighed. “Does everyone know this?” He asked, though he was mostly worried about Gunther.

“Yeah, Gunther's in his room. He won't come out.”

-

“Gunther,” Rin called, knocking on the door. “Come on, let me in.” He sighed, pressing his forehead against the cold wood. “It's me. Please let me in.”

The door cracked open slightly, a pare of golden eyes peering out fearfully. “Is it just you?” Gunther asked softly.

“Who else would be with me?” Rin whispered, horrified by how upset Gunther was. He knew the teenager wasn't all there upstairs, but surely he wouldn't think one of them would just let he serial killer inside the house. “I came to see you.”

“You did?”

“Yeah, I missed you. Let me in.”

“Well, if you're sure it's just you. You are sure, right?” Gunther parted the door a little more and smiled. “Come in.”

“Gunther, hun, I can't fit through.” Rin reached out, ruffling the teenager's hair. “I'm flattered you think I'm so thin, but I am a bit larger then that.”

“Well you have a very pretty body,” Gunther said, giving a shrug, before opening the door fully, though not before his eyes darted around the hallway.

“Pretty doesn't mean thin, and I thought we discussed that word wasn't in our vocabulary?” Rin teased. He didn't mind being called pretty so much when nobody else was around to mock him about it. Though he couldn't help blushing. Gunther was so innocently blunt.

Gunther shut and locked the door, and then turned around pressing his body against Rin before the blond could even blink. “I'm scared, just hold me,” Gunther pleaded.

“Hey, you're safe here. Syder might be a complete ass... well to me,” Rin's voice turned annoyed, “but he's serious about keeping this place protected and everyone in it. Amazingly, probably myself as well.” Rin shook his head. It was not healthy thinking thoughts that could lead him into thinking Syder was a nice guy. He was so childish!

“Would you protect me too?” Gunther asked, looking up, golden eyes meeting greenish blue eyes.

“If I didn't care about you, do you really think I would keep coming back here? Of course I'd protect you.” He might have been against the thought of Gunther liking him so much to begin with, but the guy kind of grew on him.

“You like me, don't you?” Gunther beamed, forgetting his fear in exchange for the better topic. “You want to kiss me right this second, don't you? What else are you thinking about?”

Rin blushed. Unlike Gunther's skin, Rin's had the ability to turn a perfect scarlet, betraying how flustered he had become. “Are you as innocent as they say?” he asked weakly.

Gunther shrugged. “I don't know. Answer my questions, please. Or I'll answer for you.”

“How could you answer for me?” Rin asked, avoiding the questions obviously.

“Well, you like me, and you do want to kiss me right this second, and probably the next million seconds too, and you are probably thinking about touching my bottom, because your hand feels lower on my back. Oh and you might be a little excited, because I feel you.” Gunther grinned. “Did I answer correctly.

“I am not... how can you say such things? You-you tricked me! I thought you were shy.”

The teenager blinked. “I was, but what's the point now that I know you like me too?” He seemed confused.

“You, I... I don't know what to think about you,” Rin mumbled. “You're not like anyone else I've ever...”

“Liked?”

“Fine, liked, there happy?”

“Well yes, but I think you're the shy one,” Gunther said thoughtfully. “Or maybe it seems that way because you can actually become flushed when you are flustered. I can't.” Gunther pressed his palm against Rin's hot cheek. “Warm, I miss warm.”

Rin closed his eyes, sucking in his breath when he felt Gunther's palm against his skin. Gunther didn't really feel cold as Rin would have expected, but he supposed he wasn't warm either. “You can have my warmth,” Rin said, before he even knew what he had said.

Gunther's golden eyes darted to Rin's face. “Can I?”

“Yeah,” Rin said in a calm, happy daze. Gunther's voodoo magic was calming his nerves and he didn't really care.