Walking in to the building I can't help but wonder why I'm even here. This is third school in four months. Looking around I see the usual group of students rushing around and thankfully they seem to be ignoring me.

Just about to think that maybe this school wouldn't be so bad my thoughts were interrupted by one of the worst things I could run into, a pack of wolves. I guess I should explain why. I'm Nathen, a hybrid, or as most would say a mongrel. I'm a small wolf-mouse mix, mostly mouse to those who see me from a distance until they see my ears and tail.  

((Are hybrids looked down on in this society? Some other reason that they would be picking on you? Or just because you're small? What prompts these wolves to pick on you? The explanation why they 'are the worst things you could run into' is a little thin.))

The typical pack alpha walks up and I can already see how this going to end. "Hey look, the new guy's a runt!" the leader of group, obviously the bullying type, making a stupid attempt to make himself look scary.

"I don't feel like dealing with your kind today, how 'bout you just go around saying you did whatever it is you were going to do and give me some peace." I figured that this ploy was going to fail anyway, but I did promise dad I would at least try to avoid getting kicked out again.

The lower ranking members didn't help either as they keep egging their leader on. "You going to let some runt half bread talk to you like that, boss?"

The larger moved forward and I steeled myself.

"No, runts need to know their place."

He swings, I duck and get ready to bring him and his lackeys down. As the fist goes over me I start to go into the Tyrant Rave. I am about to land it and knock this guy clear across the building when a familiar and unwelcome voice pours like a bucket of ice water over my head.

"What the hell are you doing here?" my twin sister Noel. The group backs off and I back flip away from them. The leader responds first.

"You know this jerk ?"

(((  'Interject' is used quite a bit. As a writer sometimes it's hard to avoid overusing words, but there are other ways to imply that you've interrupted another's conversation. )))

I decide to speak up at this point "I thought dad wasn't going to send us to the same school anymore. At least not after the last time."

Noel said. "Well what did you expect, you are running out of schools that will take you."

Irritated by the current state of things I simply said. "Fine, I'll make you a deal. Keep your 'friends' off my case and stay out of my way, in return, I will keep a low profile so you won't catch grief, deal?" I pause waiting for an answer.

It only takes a moment but she nods. "Fine, sounds fair."

I walk off knowing that the deal probably won't last long, but for today I should be ok.

"Sorry about that Jack, he wasn't always like this." Noel said to the alpha wolf as I walked away. ((( Descriptions are very useful for writers. :D  For example, when we first see Noel, we know nothing of what she looks like other than she's your twin. But she'll of course be different in some ways! Is she taller than you? Does she really look EXACTLY like you since you're twins? What does she wear? Just a little something to give the reader an idea of how she looks would be helpful. Even at this point after she's been talking in the confrontation, a small description in the 'downtime' after the confrontational climax would be appropriate. Plus, little descriptions are helpful to flesh out a story and give it life. Instead of just having her just talk to the wolf guy, she does so while you walk away, making the scene feel a bit more dynamic. :)  )))

The pack leader looked confused at this point "Why are you apologizing Noel?"

She shook her head, "Think about it, we're twins. You didn't notice but he was going to use Tyrant Rave on you, and had he landed that technique we would not be having this talk."

((( Another example of the importance of proper description above. Describing 'that technique' by naming it is better in this case. I'm having difficulty trying to explain the rest of the changes in that sentence. You see, the wolf obviously knows what Tyrant's Rave is by his reaction after this so why did he continue if he knew what it meant? So while it's good that Noel pointed out that he would be dead or injured by the technique (for the reader's benefit, since many readers (me included) may have no idea what Tyrant's Rave is or does), the reader is left wondering why the wolf would continue his bullying if he saw you starting to use the technique. So we point out that the bully didn't notice. Just a little nudge to keep the story flowing smoothly. )))

At this point it dawned on him what she meant. "So he can fight like you?"

Walking up to him she answered, "Yes, he has been kicked out of  several schools already"

I meanwhile, by some miracle, make it to the end of the day without further incident. Well, other than usual nonsense of having to be stood up in front of the class for introductions. Which for all intents and purposes marks you as target for all of the established cliques.

While grabbing my stuff from my locker at the end of the day, I hear another voice behind me. Out of pure habit I swing around and try to knock the daylights out of whoever is behind me. To my surprise the taller fox catches my fist and smiles. "Noel was right, you have changed man."

Being to irritated to recognize him I simply state "What part of 'leave me alone' does my sister not understand?" What surprises me next is the expression on his face, a hurt look coming over him.

"You really don't remember me?"

"Kain?" Is all can say at this point, the rough exterior I have been using for a long time now falters.

"Man, I'm sorry, I thought I told Noel to let you know I was at this school." I don't say anything and as always he seems to read me like a book "You two still aren't good terms are you?"
 
Relaxing a bit, I answer "No, we disowned each other after the huge fight two schools back." The look he gives me cuts to my heart, making me actually feel bad about it.

"You can't hold that against her forever, I can forgive, why can't you?"

"She betrayed us, I can't forgive that. I was happy there, had friends, was not hassled about being a hybrid. Now I can't even stay in a school...."

Kain in his gentle manner interrupted gently. "Ok, you have a point about that, but what about the other incidents?"

I want to object, but deep down I know he is right, "They had it coming" my voice was wavering now.

"I thought as much, but think of this way, I can be here for you now." At his soft words my cold exterior dropped, remembering all the good times. "That dose make things seem better."

"I know this a touchy subject, but she is your family"

I am unconvinced by his reasoning, too much had happened. I turn and look at him "Blood doesn't equal family, guarantee love, or make every wrong magically go away."

Kain looks a bit worried now, this wasn't the furrson he remembered, he did however drop the subject for the time being. Deciding a more private place would make more sense to talk over his concerns and questions he smiled. "You doing anything after school?"

I shrug "Not really, just need stop by my place."

Kain chuckles a bit "Your dad actually keeping you under control?"

I kinda laugh "Not really, I think he will be pleased with how today went though, the last school did not go so well. Why do you ask?"

Kain smiled "I was wondering if you would like to come to my place tonight, it's Friday so we could have the whole weekend to catch up."

Thinking for a bit I nod in agreement "That really sounds like a good idea. Maybe I can finally relax a bit."

The walk back to my place was quick. We went in to find my dad waiting. He didn't quite look upset nor did he look all that happy, seeing Kain did complicate things a lot too. ((( I would imagine that you and Kain were, ahem, a hot 'item' at one point and your father didn't approve, which would complicate things more than just 'a bit' ;)  )))  "Hi dad." I try to act normal, not knowing what's going on.

"Your sister called, said you picked a fight with a group of her friends."

Kain spoke up. "He didn't do that, they were giving him grief."

Dad looked skeptical, but seemed to accept that for the time being. "Well, I guess since it wasn't the school or police calling today I can call that good news" He glanced at Kain again, not in very welcoming manner.

I caught this as well as Kain. "Get over it dad, you said you wanted me at school to make friends in the first place."

Dad was still not too thrilled, but did realize that me meeting Kain again was something that helped the situation. I didn't notice to begin with, but the cold and emotionless exterior that I had been using had softened a bit.

 "You are right." he paused thinking about all that happened recently. Mostly changes in my personalty, I used to be a bright-eyed happy go lucky kind of guy. Then there were several events that caused a lot of pain for everyone, eventually splintering the family. I could see in his eyes the decision to try and start from scratch, worrying about the growing rift between us.

At this point he looks at Kain, then at me "You could try to get along with your sister, you're twins after all."

"I can only promise to have nothing to do with her, if I had any say at all in the matter I would be an only child."

Both dad and Kain were taken aback by the venom in my voice.

Kain spoke first "That's harsh."

Dad was surprised by that response, he expected Kain to just jump in and defend my position.

At this point I stomped up to my room to ditch my school stuff. (((Why would you do such a thing? What are you feeling? Do you feel that you don't have to explain yourself? Or...what? The reasons why you would do this are a bit unclear. Just a little explanation of your feelings would be helpful. )))

Kain went to follow but my dad laid a paw on his shoulder, turning him back to ask him something. "Do you think he is capable of anything other than resentment?"

Kain's voice was quite but kind "I think so, but he needs time. furrsons handle things differently, and we were all hit hard. I think the best thing to do is to just let him work it out for himself till he wants help dealing with it. It doesn't show, but deep down there's a lot of depression and sadness."

He looked at Kain, this time impressed and more approving "Maybe, maybe you're right. You've grown in more ways than one I see." (( One thing I've been having difficulty with is that there isn't a lot of landmarks showing the characters growth or how they're interacting with one another. As a reader I can surmise a lot, but a great deal has been left unsaid. While it IS good to let your reader's imagination make up quite a bit of the story, there are points where imagination isn't enough. The reader sometimes needs to have touchstones, or guidance, to show how the characters are changing or interacting. For example, the above sentence. Instead of just saying 'You're right.' and letting the reader surmise that the father sees more value in Kain, why not guide them into a little better understanding. By saying 'I see you've grown in more ways than one.', it guides the reader to see the father acknowledging that Kain has not only grown up physically but mentally too, and that the father is appreciating this fact, and thus giving a little bit of approval to Kain's re-entrance into your life. )))

Kain took the opportunity to ask a question. "Would you mind if Nate spent the weekend with me?"

Dad look at him thoughtfully "You really do care about him, don't you."

"Yes, a lot" Kain answered without any hesitation.

"Ok, I doubt me saying no would stop him anyway."

Kain looked at him "He is not rebelling, he is just miserable. I know you see it.”

Before anything else can be said I walk back downstairs.

I toss my backpack over my shoulder. "I'm ready Kain." I say as I walk out the door.

But outside I find Noel standing there, waiting for me. "What do you want?" I say in a very cold voice.

"You cannot hold this grudge forever." She says, standing her ground.

At this point I'm really losing my patience. "Leave me alone, we are NOT family anymore."

She shakes her head, "Not family? We are twins, how can we not be."

I put my pack down and hold my arm out, a flaming sword appears in my clenched fist."Leave now, I have nothing to talk to YOU about.” I force my weapon forward, a sizable stream of flames flies in her direction as I recite. "Gun Fang"

She jumps out of the way looking surprised and a bit hurt, she really wanted to try and apologize. “You're right, Sol, your not my brother. Your just a weapon now."

Kain and dad rush out of the door at the commotion ((( Wouldn't they hear something like that and be immediately highly concerned and be in a rush to see what the matter is? Especially knowing how you react to even the slightest provocation...))) and see what me standing there holding the flaming sword aimed at my sister. ((( a description of 'what is transpiring' is usually helpful. )))

"If I'm a weapon, it's your fault!" ((( a description of 'what's her fault' is usually helpful. )))

Kain walks up to me now "Lets just go." he looks me in the eyes and I quickly give in.

"Ok." The blade dissipates from sight and we depart, leaving dad and Noel speechless.

Still shaken from the encounter, Noel quietly spoke "How does Kain do that?"

Dad responds "I'm just surprised he will still listen to anyone anymore."