Never Accepted [Rubble]:

No one was sure when they woke up, and not a single witness thought they would. But they did, and when their eyes opened there was a newfound rage within them as they saw the cause of the attack, the aftermath never going to let them be the same. There, amidst the smoke and rubble was someone no one would expect, someone no one thought was capable of such destruction. The look in their eyes sent chills down their spines as the team rose to their feet, not questioning how they survived virtually unscathed. A sting occurred in Lloyd's eyes, and the rage that emanated in his voice took everyone by surprise. Just one word, but everyone could feel the pain behind his stature; his pain fed the others' rage, and they new this would be a satisfying fight.

"Astrum."

"Glad to see you have your buddies with you Lloydie!" Astrum's mock was followed by a menacing laugh as he stood there upon the rubble, bullets whizzing by them from the surrounding buildings, "Hope you didn't mind me bringing some of my own friends."

"What the actual fuck dude?!" screamed Kai, scrambling to his feet in front of the other with flames in his hands, these more blue than red, "Why? More importantly, how?!"

"Friendship is magic~" was a coo from the other male, walking down to Kai and tracing his jaw with his finger.

"Puh-lease," Kai rolled his eyes and moved his head away as his friends slowly stood behind him, but Astrum grabbed his chin and pulled the Fire Ninja's attention back to him.

"Be quiet you. Or else everyone else here will realize how big of an attention whore you are~" the male laughed in Kai's face, before directing his attention over to Lloyd who was approaching, "Lloyd dear, did you know Kai-Kai over here has kissed the other ninja too? You're not special. He's a fag, and so are the rest of you!"

"Oh fuck off!" Lloyd screamed, the anger from the others emanating around them while sirens were heard in the distance, "This is why you tried to kill everyone?! Because we're gay?!"

"Mhm~" Astrum laughed and gave a nod up to the other buildings, though no one saw who it was to. A sense of unease fell over the team, all eyes on Astrum and his every move towards them, "It's so cute, you all. You're really confused."

"No shit," Cole spoke up, giving a stomp to the ground so the earth beneath them shook. Astrum's balance never faltered, and as his glare remained on the ninja, theirs' did not remain on him. Their attention was directed up to the sky, roars echoing in the sky. After searching the sky, not a source was found. They looked back to where Astrum was, only to find an emptiness in the spot.

"This is not fair!" Jay screamed, looking around in a fit of fear and fury, "Where did he even go?!"

A search broke out within them, shoving past the firefighters and police who were trying to secure everything and help however they could. The only two who didn't join in were Kai and Lloyd. They looked at each other in silence, neither one willing to speak first, but looking away wasn't an option. It was as if the world had froze within them, everything happening around them in slow motion. Kai couldn't bear unpleasant situation anymore, and he let his head drop in silence.

"Was he right...?" Lloyd asked, his voice breaking in pain. He felt as if his world was crumbling faster than the hotel they were in not an hour ago.

"You knew about Cole and I!" the brunette was quick to defend, though his own pain was clear. He knew it was only a matter of time before he himself was buried in the rubble beside them.

Those words were what jerked Lloyd into his memory, his heart slowly starting to shatter and give in under the weight of the words; he wished he forget what had happened that night, and he instantly regretted not speaking up.