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Chapter two: The arrival of Veil Academy!

"So what ever happened to that silver haired nymph?" Said Shiro. "She hasn't exactly been around for the last few days."

Koji's ears pricked up as he stuffed a shirt into a bag. "Who . . . Stephie?" It had just been announced that Veil Academy was about to arrive and he was busy packing. "Oh. She was just some nymph." Holding up a shirt he said. "Does this smell clean to you?"

Shiro waved his hands in attempt to ward Koji off.

Koji sniffed it once, shrugged and put it into the bag along with everything else. "You now how they are, at least, I hope you do." He finished packing. "Monks don't take vows of celibacy do they?"

Shiro scoffed at the idea. "Of course not. Were would new monks come from if we weren't encouraged to have children."

"That sounds reasonable enough." Koji slung the bag across one shoulder and headed for the door and suddenly stopped. "Wait. Wait. Wait. Back up for a second there. Just what did you mean by encouraged?"

"It just means that, uh, well." Shiro took a deep breath, smoothing out the front of his robes. "In order to help achieve conception. We're expected to know a wide variety of certain. Well." He whispered the word. "Techniques."

"Techniques." Koji raised an eyebrow at that. "You mean techniques like that chakra blocking thing you did."

"Sort of. Only they're more refined. Instead of just halting the flow of energy. You shape it instead. It's actually simpler just to show you."

"I don't know. That paralysis thing was demonstration enough."

"All you have to do is hold out your hand."

Koji reached out tentatively.

"Hot, cold, pain, pleasure." Shiro made a different motion for each one, tracing them into the palm of his hand. "They're just a few of the sensations you can cause. If you wanted to. You could even spread the sensation to anywhere in the body." Koji suddenly pulled his hand away, a spooked look on his face. Shiro stiffled a laugh. Consider that payback for the flagpole. Out loud he said. "But it works better if you touch the intended area directly."

Koji stared at his hand, a sly grin stealing across his face. "So what your really saying is. Your some kind of love making master."

"N-n-not at all." Shiro was growing redder by the moment. "Just because I've been trained to harness the energy that flows through the body, guiding its form and controlling its intensity. That doesn't mean I should."

"Cause a women to say, orgasm just by touching them?" Shiro blushed. Trust Koji to turn a technique originally intended for healing into something . . . naughty.

Koji clapped his hands together. "I knew it! You really can do that. Can't you?"

"That would be wrong!" Shiro was adamant. "If people knew I could do something like that." He shivered. The consequences were horrifying just to contemplate.

"Relax Shiro. Your secret is safe with me. Just uh, feel free to teach me that sometime. A little." He cocked his head back and howled ow-ow-awhooo. "Action. Can go a long way with the ladies, ya know." Koji's ears suddenly flicked forward. Shiro had learned early that when Koji did that he was listening to something even he couldn't hear. "C'mon." He said. "We have to hurry or we'll miss it."

"Miss what?"

Koji started steering him towards the deck. "You'll see."

* * *

Apparently, everyone else had had the same idea as well. The deck of the Hespera was filled to bursting with elves, humans, nymphs. And one werewolf.

Shiro sighed, feeling more like an outcast than ever. There hadn't been this many people a few days ago. And there was no way a small ship like the Hespera could have accommodated so many; at least; not without taking on more supplies. And they had been flying constantly for over a week.

So were where they all coming from? The overcrowding was even starting to get so bad, Koji couldn't wag his tail without hitting somebody.

Fortunately for him, when a werewolf told someone to back off. They listened.

It did however; give them a nice little island of territory all to themselves. Something Koji took to defending with a will.

"There sure are a lot of people out here."

"Of course." Said Koji. "They're all waiting to see the same thing we are."

Shiro was mildly suspicious. "You still haven't told me what it is."

Koji's tone was pure mischief. "You wouldn't want me to ruin the surprise. Would you?"

Shiro shuddered, recalling how one night, he had made the mistake of falling asleep before Koji. "I'm not sure I agree with your taste in surprises."

"Oh ye of little faith. Have I ever misled you?"

"We've barely known each other for a week."

Koji ruffled Shiro's hair playfully. "Don't spoil the moment."

They stood in companionable silence. "Koji?" Shiro was watching the sky intently. Searching for . . . something.

"Yeah?"

"There aren't just humans and elves at this school, are there?"

"Course not. Veil accepts beings from all walks of life. Gryphons, Dragons, of course they can fly so they don't need to ride an airship." Shiro felt relieved. That makes sense.

"Accidents. And of course, good old fashioned therianthropes like you and me."

Shiro nodded as he heard each one. "Wait. Accidents?"

Koji just shook his head. "Trust me. It's better if you don't ask. Sometimes magic just. Backfires."

"That isn't making me feel any better." Shiro muttered darkly.

"Relax Shiro. Stuff like that only happens when you meddle with magic you don't understand." The way Koji said it only sounded reassuring. "So no worries, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so. I was only wondering because the only ones on board are, well." Shiro said it so low only Koji could hear. "You know."

"Snobs?" Koji offered helpfully.

"Exactly."

Koji choked back a laugh. "That's because the Hespera is . . . well . . . its public transportation. And you know what that means." Koji watched as Shiro's face fell while he said it. "Sorry, it's easy to forget this is your first year."

Shiro waved it away. "Its okay. Really."

"Alright. While we're waiting. I'm going to teach you your first unofficial Veil survival lesson. Consider yourself lucky to have a mentor like me. Someone who is smart, handsome, courageous."

"Just get on with it already."

"Okay. What's the first thing you notice about the people on board with us."

Shiro took a good look at the people surrounding them. The clothes they wore. The way the talked. Even their gestures when they talked. "They're all the same."

"Uh-huh, go on."

"And they're clearly well groomed."

Koji urged him on. "Which means?"

"That they have a lot of money." Shiro was getting wrapped up in the game. Even to the point of forgetting that he was supposed to be depressed.

"And that makes them?"

"I've got it." He said excitedly. "Rich!"

"Ehhhhh! Wrong. The correct answer is, they're peacocks."

"Peacocks?"

"You see Shiro. Its like this. Almost everyone on board the Hespera has been sent here by their family. That means, to them, appearance is the only thing that matters. Most of these people are nothing more than mindless puppets who will attach themselves to anyone with even a hint of money or influence. And if you want to do that." He puffed out his chest like a peacock spreading it feathers. "The first thing you have to do is look good."

"So then why did Stephie attach herself to you." He started blushing as he said it.

"You see my shy friend. I have mastered an ancient art employed by people everywhere. Its called lying. These people don't know I'm not rich. But it doesn't hurt me to let them think I am."

"Oh." Koji was right. Cultivating an illusion of wealth would do a lot to make his life at Veil easier. At least in the short term.

Maybe living at Veil Academy wouldn't be so different from growing up amidst the intrigues of Seirei's imperial court. The game remained the same. It was just a matter of learning a different set of rules.

"It wasn't about love." Koji said. Interrupting his train of thought. "If that's what you were thinking."

It wasn't but . . .

"We both knew we were using the other. So why not enjoy it as well?"

"I guess so." Shiro wondered if that was all it really was to Koji. "Still, I'd like to find someone I could fall in love with."

"Yeah." Said Koji softly. "So would I."

* * *

The crowd aboard the deck of the Hespera had been steadily growing larger for some time now. Already it was getting hard just to move. In fact, it was already so bad, that even the threat of a snarling werewolf wasn't enough to give people pause.

Come to think of it. The sky around us has been filling with airships as well. Shiro took a closer look. Scattered amongst the airships were a handful dragons and their riders.

They were all lining up in a row. An entire armada of them, and all of them waiting. "Koji?" Said Shiro. "Where did all those others come from?"

"Any minute now." He whispered.

The sky was still empty. "Any minute what?"

"Shhh. This is the best part."

Shiro redoubled his efforts. Trying to watch all of the sky at once.

"Don't blink." Said Koji. "You'll miss it."

A glimmering tear fell to earth. And then another. The sky was suddenly filled with them. Shining drops of light that you could catch with your hand. Only. They were starting to fall up, not down. And all of them moving in tandem, weaving intricate patterns in the air.

A massive pillar of light burst forth from the ocean piercing the heavens and stripping the clouds away. The world grew as dark as a night sky, suddenly alive with stars.

Shiro stared up at the immense shadow hovering above them. "What are those?" He pointed to what appeared at first glance to be diamonds, but they flickered and danced as if alive with an inner fire.

"Etherium crystals." Koji said offhandedly. "Same thing that allows an airship to float."

"It's an entire island." Shiro said as he suddenly realized what it was. "Just drifting through the sky."

It was slowly descending through the clouds, coming to rest a few feet above the ocean below.

"Welcome to Avalon Island; home of the prestigious Veil Academy. The whole thing travels the length and breadth of the empire. And since it can even teleport, the only way to reach it is to know exactly where its going to appear. What makes it even better, is the fact that it will never appear in the same place twice. That makes it the perfect place to train the empires best and brightest. I can't speak for all these other people of course."

Shiro stared at in awe. There wasn't just a school, there was an entire city. The island was even replete with mountains, rivers, forests. "Its amazing." There was no small amount of wonder in his voice.

Koji smiled, remembering the first time he had seen it. "Yeah, I guess it is."

* * *

The shipyard was a hive of activity. Men and golems were busy trying to load all the airships, make whatever repairs they could, and still keep things moving smoothly. It was chaos. And with more and more airships arriving each year, they were hard pressed to find room for them all.

They won't expand the docks. They won't build us new golems. How do they expect us to work like this?

"Chief." One of the workmen yelled out. "We got a problem with the line."

He chewed on the end of his cheroot. Purple smoke hanging in the air. "Again? Which one is it this time?"

"Forty-nine."

"Damn." Useless golems. Why do they always pick this time of year to break down? He kicked one of the metal monstrosities. Almost breaking his foot in the process. "Musashi." He yelled. His gruff voice cutting through the din caused by hundreds of metal feet.

A young man, his hair covered by a bandanna, was busy using a cloth to wipe the grease from his hands. He set the cloth down on a nearby workbench.

No accidents with that one. He noted admirably.

Musashi weaved through the chaos of a busy shipyard with an ease born of long practice. "What is it chief." He said, not even breathing hard.

"Number Forty-Nine is breaking down again. Fifth time this week" He grumbled, marking it off on his clipboard. "Go see what you can do to fix it." Musashi grabbed a toolbox and set off at a run. He shouted after him. "And make it fast."

* * *

Musashi put down his wrench. Fixing Forty-Nine was proving to be more difficult than he thought it would be. "You're an antique old man. It's a shame you can't talk. You could just tell me what's wrong and I could fix it." The golem tapped its chest. "Inside." Musashi placed his hand against the golem's chest. "Something inside?"

Forty-Nine nodded.

That's going to take more than just a quick once over with a wrench. He rubbed the stubble on his face with grease stained fingers. And taking him apart to look inside myself will take too long. If only I could find someone who could look inside for me. He spotted a group of students who were busy disembarking the Hespera. His face split in a wry grin. There. That one. He's perfect.

* * *

Shiro tapped the ground with a foot. It seemed to be solid enough. Not that he was particularly inclined to trust it. It had appeared out of the sky after all.

A few others around them were also tapping the ground as well.

"It's not going to suddenly disappear out from under you." Said Koji. "If that's what you're worried about."

Shiro suddenly imagined it doing just that. "Oh thank you oh so much for that comforting mental image. Jerk."

Koji was doing his best not to laugh. Unfortunately his tail still managed to betray him. "You're welcome."

Shiro sighed as he watched his friend struggle to hold it in. If he wags that thing any harder its going to fall off._Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a group of students doing their best to try and climb back aboard the _Hespera. Apparently they had heard Koji's comment as well. He smiled. It really was kind of funny. Shiro stared up at the ceiling of the immense cavern the Hespera had docked in. He had half-expected it to land on the surface of the island, not inside it. "Still, It's kind of hard to believe I'm actually here."

A massive hand suddenly clamped down on his shoulder. Sizing up its owner Shiro found himself looking into the hazel eyes of a mountain made of living muscle wearing a sleeveless white t-shirt. "Is something wrong?" He asked.

Musashi measured him with a critical eye. "You.You'll do." He tossed Shiro over his shoulder like a sack of flour.

"Koji. Help. Somebody's kidnapping meeeee!" Shiro's cry of protest was silenced as he was carried off into the employee's only section of the shipyard. Koji shrugged his shoulders and followed after him. After all. He had always wanted to see for himself what went on behind the scenes of Avalon's shipyard. And this seemed as good a way as any.

* * *

Shiro found himself unceremoniously dumped in front of a massive metal golem. Its chest plate lay on the ground. Scattered around it was a mess of spare parts and hastily discarded tools. "I need you to look inside for me" Said Musashi. "And see if you can find anything that's broken." Shiro looked at him as if he had just sprouted a second head.

"You have got to be kidding. If you want me to just stick my head into a strange hole." He started shaking his own head. "You're crazier than you look."

Musashi placed a hand on Shiro's shoulder. "Listen kid." He suddenly pulled his hand back in surprise. It felt like he had just tried to grab a burning hot coal with his bare hands.

"My name isn't kid. It's Shiro." He eyed Musashi suspiciously. "Who are you?"

Shiro's attitude made him pause for a second. The kid has spirit, I like that. "I'm Musashi. Now. Listen up cause its important. We've got hundreds of airships arriving today. Most of them only have a few hours to be resupplied before they have to set out again. If we lose even one of our golems. It could backlog us for weeks." He needed to make Shiro understand just how important fixing Forty-nine was. "It'll only be for a second. Besides, aren't you even the least bit curious to see what's inside?" Shiro raised an eyebrow at that particular choice of words. Musashi went to his knees, his forehead touching the ground. "Please."

Shiro looked away. "Alright. I'll do it. Stand up already, I'm not made of stone." Besides, if I turned away someone who asked for help. Master would never forgive me. Shiro started walking towards a pile of crates waiting to be loaded aboard an airship. "Just let me change first."

Musashi called out after him. "What do you mean change?"

* * *

Hidden from sight Shiro removed his robes. Folding them into a neat pile he placed his medallion atop them. It felt strange to actually take it off. He had worn it for so long, he felt naked without it around his neck.

His tails waved in different directions. He stared at them for a moment. How long has it been since I've last seen my own tails? Wrapping them both around his waist he began relaxing the barriers in his mind, opening himself to the change.

Shifting was something he had had to practice until it came to him as easily as breathing. Most shape shifters practiced until they could do that anyway. But learning to control the change was something he had been forced to do on his own.

Shiro tried to bury his memories deep, but the ghosts of the past haunted him still. He had had no parent to show him the way. No lover to hold him when that first terrifying change had gripped him.

Most hereditary shape shifters considered making love while in the throes of their first change to be the ultimate act. A consummation of all that they are. His had been a lonely and frightening experience.

Soft white fur flowed across his skin in a rippling wave, leaving a pleasant tingling sensation in its wake. His perspective was shifting drastically as his body decreased in size. The change continued until.

* * *

A cat the color of newly fallen snow stepped out from behind the crates. Musashi stared at him for a moment, a look of absolute horror on his face. "You're a, you're a."

Its that look again. The same one everyone gives me when they learn what I really am. "A Nekomata." Shiro snapped out. "Why? If you've got a problem with that feel free to find someone else."

"Not at all." Musashi held his hands out apologetically.

Koji let out a low growl as he caught the scent of Musashi's fear.

"Its just, well. Werewolves like your friend here I'm used to dealing with. I've never seen a."

Shiro cut him off before he said something stupid and caused a panic. "We're rare. Okay? Whatever stories you've heard about us. . . forget it." He said despondently. "Why should someone like you care. You're human. You don't have to worry about . . ." Shiro's twin tails flicked impatiently. "Look. I don't particularly like being in this form. So. Let's just get this over with, before I decide to curl up in a sunbeam or something."

* * *

Musashi helped Shiro crawl inside the golem's chest. Handing him a glowrod so he could see. "What am I looking for in here?" His voice was muffled by all the metal.

"Loose gears. Maybe a cracked valve or two. Most golems run on steam power. But they use magic as a catalyst to generate water and heat. So look for any spells that aren't working properly."

"Oh that's helpful!" Shiro's reply was positively laced with sarcasm. "I don't know the first thing about magic and what happens? Some random wacko comes along and sticks me inside a creature that requires magic just to function. Absolutely brilliant; you know you deserve an award."

Musashi leaned towards Koji. "Is he always like this?"

"He hasn't gotten laid in over a week." Musashi made an. Ah. Motion.

Koji had to jump back as the golem's massive hand reached out and tried to grab him.

"I heard that!" Shiro hissed.

Musashi was impressed. "Kid. You got it to work."

"That was the golem, not me." Koji and Musashi both shared a look and taking a few steps back. Put themselves well out of the golems reach. "Besides, it still seems like there's something wrong. It feels, I don't know." Shiro struggled to put what he was sensing into words. "Sluggish somehow. Like its laboring to breathe."

"I thought you said you didn't know anything about magic."

"I don't know how I know. I just." He shrugged. Realizing they couldn't see him he said. "I just know. It doesn't make any sense to me either."

Musashi nodded knowingly. He had been fixing golems long enough to develop a feel for what was wrong just by touching them. "Trust me kid. It makes more sense than you know."

"So what should I do?" Shiro didn't want to accidentally break something important. Especially since he was still inside. This feeling. Its almost as if . . .

* * *

The inside of the golem was a complex series of interconnected clockwork gears, cogs, and things Shiro couldn't even begin to identify. Add to the fact that most of them were covered in some kind of glowing runic script and he was hopelessly confused.

"Think of a golem like a living being." Musashi's voice was oddly distorted by the metal around him, causing a strange kind of echo. "It functions in much the same way we do."

A living being? A machine? Then maybe I could. "Stand back I'm going to try something." If the golem uses steam to power its motion. Than water is like its blood. He placed his paws on a large silver cylinder. Then that must mean this is his heart. Shiro centered himself. Repeating the oft spoken words in his mind. Focus on the flow of energy. See it with your mind. Understand the pattern and release yourself into it. Yes . . . just a little more. "I can see it know." He said. "Hang on. Almost got it . . . there." The golem stirred as it came back to life. The sluggishness that had marked its movements were all but gone.

Shiro crawled out of the chest cavity and into the golem's waiting hands. "Thanks big guy."

"Kid." Musashi stared at him in wonder. "How did you. What did you. That was incredible."

Shiro smiled, managing to look smug, even for a cat. "His arteries were clogged. I just cleaned them out."

"Clogged . . . arteries?" Musashi wandered around the golem, tapping it in various places. Sometimes oil and rust can get mixed in together with the water and . . . "You mean you removed the impurities from his filtering system."

"I guess you could call it that." Shiro started to stretch, moving himself this way and that. He sighed. It's going to take forever and a day just to get the smell out of my fur. "Anyway. He seems happier now."

Musashi placed a hand against Forty-Nine's chest protectively. Amazing. If the artificers had found something like that. They would've sent you to Junk Island for sure. "It would have taken me months just to find something like that. Not to mention fix it. Kid. If you ever want a job working with golems."

Shiro's response was an emphatic. "No." When he realized that sounded rude he said. "But thank you for offering anyway."

To say Musashi was disappointed would be an understatement. "To each their own I guess. But natural talent like yours could go a long way." He smiled as he had an idea. "Still. I think I'll keep my offer open. In case you ever feel like stopping by." Forty-nine lifted Shiro gently, placing him on his shoulder. "I'm sure it would make Forty-nine here happy."

Shiro made himself comfortable, clearly enjoying the view. "You know. I think I just might do that."

* * *

Musashi had led Shiro to a public washroom so he could clean up. He sat on the edge of the counter, using a paper towel to wipe most of the grease from his fur. Filling the sink with warm soapy water had helped. It was actually starting to feel pretty good to be cleaning himself off. Well. He thought. As clean as you can get without giving yourself a tongue bath. And there's no way in hell I'm going to do that.

Simply changing back had been an option. But the idea of pulling all that grease into his skin along with his fur was particularly unappealing. I'd never get the smell out.

Halfway through he noticed someone had carved the words. No mundanes allowed. Into the back of the door. "No mundanes allowed?" He asked out loud. "What does that mean?"

Koji, who was standing guard on the other side replied. "Mundanes are humans who can't use magic. Those who carry magic in their bloodline don't want their children intermarrying with those that don't. Since it decreases the likelihood of passing the ability to use magic on to their children" Shiro stepped out of the bathroom. "Its considered a fairly derogatory term. So watch who you say it to."

He was frowning. "That's just crazy. There are lots of things magic can't do. So who cares who can use magic and who can't."

"They do." Koji pointed out a group of people standing by the exit who were passing out pamphlets and shouting slogans like. 'Keep our bloodlines pure.' And. 'Magic for mages only.' "Just walk fast, don't make eye contact and if they say anything to you. You dye your hair. Got it?" Shiro nodded solemnly as Koji laid his ears flat against his skull and hid his tail. "They despise therianthropes like us. In their eyes we're tainted somehow. It would be better to avoid them entirely but. We can't."

Walking past them as quickly as possible short of breaking into a run became a torturous process as they had to wait for someone to check their tickets before they could pass through the turnstyle to leave. Shiro had to fight with himself just to keep from looking over his shoulder.

The booth was occupied by a stuffy looking woman named Sharyl. Koji slapped their tickets down in front of her. "We're kind of in a hurr, so if you could make this quick. We'd be eternally grateful." He gave her an award winning smile.

Her tone was all business. "You boys just arrive."

"Yes." Koji hooked a thumb over his shoulder. "On the Hespera. That one. Right over there."

She marked something off on their tickets. "Species?"

Koji mouthed the word. "Therianthropes."

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear that. Could you repeat it for me?"

Koji flicked his ears in annoyance. "I said we're therianthropes. I'm a werewolf he's a . . ." Koji was at a loss for what to say.

"Werecat." Shiro offered helpfully. "We're cousins." He tugged on his ears. "See."

She looked them over and glanced at the people handing out pamphlets. "Everything seems to be in order." She said politely, stamping their tickets. "You boys stay out of trouble now."

"Oh we will." Koji was quick to say. "Bye now."

They passed through the turnstyle without incident.

When they were finally out of earshot Koji seemed to relax. "Those freaks were here last year as well. Spouting off the exact same garbage about how people who can use magic are inherently better than everyone else. My first year." Koji paled visibly. "I made the mistake of disagreeing with them." Shiro wondered what could give even a werewolf pause. Fortunately he didn't have to ask. Koji hooked a finger and made a slicing motion just above his groin. "They tried to make sure I wouldn't be able to spoil one of their precious virgin flowers. Permanently." Shiro winced in sympathy.

They climbed the stairs to the surface, emerging into the noonday sun.

"So who were those people anyway?"

"They call themselves Purists." He growled as he said it. "Which is fairly ironic since most of their bloodlines aren't exactly what you'd call pure anyway. Most humans who can use magic. They have at least one ancestor who was something else lurking in their family tree. Not that they'd ever willingly admit to it. Elf, dragon, maybe a nymph or two. Dilute it with thousands of years of inbreeding to preserve the bloodline. Add a dash of superiority complex, a little money grubbing and voila. Instant aristocrat. Trust me Shiro. Walk far and wide around anyone who even mentions the word 'Family' in the same breath as the rest of a sentence. They care nothing for people like us. To them," Koji paused. A coach drawn by four iron horses flew past them in a blur of speed as if to illustrate his point. People who saw it coming were making a mad dash for safety as the carriage barreled recklessly down the crowded street. "We're just in the way."

I guess even here, people can still be horrible to each other. To Koji he said. "Humans aren't all bad. Some of them just . . . forget that they share the world with others."

Koji wasn't convinced. "Maybe. But as bad as the families are. The truth is most of the humans here aren't half as bad as some of the members of my own pack. Don't get me started on werewolf politics. Where I come from." He grinned as he said it, thinking of the frozen archipelago he called home. A place that cared nothing for weakness, and everything about strength. "Let's just say, ripping your opponent's throat out is considered an acceptable argument. Polite too."

* * *

The wall had to be at least three stories high. Made from enchanted marble it was completely seamless save for the few runes inscribed on its surface.

Koji set his bag down on the ground. "We have arrived. Veil Academy is just on the other side."

Shiro looked to the left, and then to the right. The wall seemed to go on for forever in each direction. "There's no door. So how do we get across to the other side?"

"You'll see." Rubbing his hands together Koji touched one of the runes.

Like a stone cast into still water smooth ripples flowed outwards across the surface of the wall. A door appeared. Standing guard were two demons locked in an eternal struggle, both of them held a spear against the other's throat.

"Amazing." Shiro reached out to open the door. The detail is incredible. It almost looks alive.

"Um, Shiro." Koji said warningly. "You might want to take a few steps back."

"Why?" Something about the wall was calling to him. It was even warm to the touch. _Its that feeling again. Just like the one I felt around Forty-nine. I wonder what it is?

The carvings on the door suddenly came to life. "I am Agni." Said one.

"And I am Rudra." Said the other.

Together they said "We are the gate-guardians. Speak your name if you wish to pass."

Shiro hissed as he stumbled backwards, his heart racing in his chest.

Koji helped him up. "You okay Shiro?"

"Yeah, just help me catch my breath. I think its around here somewhere."

"Hey guys." Koji walked up to the wall. "Remember me?"_

Agni and Rudra studied him for a moment. "Koji Fafnir. We remember you." They began speaking to each other in hesitant whispers. "Should we let him in?"

Rudra replied. "Do we want to?" They lowered their spears, albeit hesitantly. "Listen, since you've come back for another year. Just know that some of the discipline committee members are getting on in years. And they can't handle incidents quite like they used to. So for their sake. Go easy on them."

"And ours." Said Agni.

"Right right. And ours."

Koji struck a pose. "I make no promises and I take no prisoners. I am loves divine soldier. Here to spread joy between the legs of women everywhere." To Shiro he said. "I'm considered something of a local legend among the faculty."

Shiro wondered why he wasn't surprised.

Koji patted him on the back. "This here is Shiro. He's new. But he's sure to make a name for himself among the female population."

"Just what we need." They said. "Another Koji."

Rudra pointed his sword at Shiro. "Look, just having one of him is bad enough. Anything he tells you, has taught you, or will teach you."

They yelled in unison. "Don't do it."

Agni said. "It will make all our lives that much easier. Now. What is your name?"

Shiro wanted to run as far as his legs would carry him. Golems he could understand, vanishing islands was a stretch, but a talking door? This was getting to be too much. Koji isn't running. That fact alone gave him the strength to stand his ground. "Sh-Shiro." He took a deep breath. "Shiro Tora." The world didn't suddenly come to an end. That was a bonus, wasn't it?

"Yes. We know that name. In fact. We've been waiting for you." Rudra held out a small leather pouch. "This is for you."

Shiro took it gratefully. "Um, thanks. I think."

"It is yours to keep for as long as you remain at Veil."

He opened the pouch, his eyes widening in surprise. "There's money inside."

"It is your daily stipend." Said Agni. "See that you don't waste it."

I hadn't even thought about what I was gong to do for money. "Thank you very much. But." He looked at his friend. "What about Koji?"

Koji patted his bag. "I've already got mine. Besides which, my pack sends me money so I don't qualify for a stipend."

Shiro counted the coins inside. He held the pouch open so Koji could see them. "Um, Koji. The money here is different. Is this a lot?"

Koji let out a low whistle. "Somebody must really like you if they're willing to give you that much."

"Ahem." Agni coughed into his hand.

"Oh." Shiro tucked the pouch into a pocket. "Sorry."

"Kids these days." Rudra said as they opened the door. "There was a time when people used to run screaming when they first saw us. I miss that."

* * *

Apparently Shiro and Koji weren't the only ones who were arriving late. People here and there were still stepping through the wall. A few of them even had expressions similar to Shiro's. He watched as the door dissolved into the wall.

So much for turning back now. Shiro thought morosely.

The courtyard of Veil academy stretched out before them. A lush green field that led to a castle built into the edge of a cliff. It reached with stunning spires and sweeping parapets into the sky. And reeked of secrets both mystic and benign. Shiro took a few tentative steps forward. I guess this is home. For now.

"Ah I almost forgot something." Koji said. Pulling a black leather collar out of his bag he began putting it around his neck. "It's part of my probation. I have to wear it while I'm on school grounds."

Shiro found he wasn't as surprised to hear that as he should have been. Now he just had to decide if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

"You've got your letter right?"

Shiro pulled it out of his pocket, surprised he said. "Its changed."

"Of course. That's how they let first years know how to get inside. Its sort of like a test to see how determined you are. Helps weed out the glory seekers. People who think magic is all; wand waving and spell chanting. Anyway. Your dorm number, course outlines, class times and a list of whatever else you might need will all be written in the letter." He turned to leave. "Oh. And before I forget. If you think something that isn't written down. Just ask. The letter will do the rest." Koji shouted as he walked away. "I'm in dorm seven, room 36. Feel free to drop by once you get settled in."

Shiro just stood there as he watched Koji leave. He was suddenly all alone. Again. Holding up the letter he said. "How do I get to my room."

From out of the letter a wisp of light rose into the air. It hovered a few seconds before it said in a female voice. "Well, don't just stand there gawking. Follow me."

Shiro was forced to admit. This was magic he might actually be able to get used to. Maybe.

* * *

I've decided I should keep a Journal. I'd hate to think of forgetting something important and well. . .so many things happen to me. I'd like to look back someday and make sense of them all. Koji. . . he makes me laugh. Though I'll never admit it to him! Although, when he smiles, it never quite reaches his eyes. I know he's only saying the things he does to hide his pain. Still. Whenever I'm with him I begin to wonder. Is this what it's like to have a brother?