Highschool Wars: More drama, More resolutions, and more guns.

FAMILY ISSUES

THE 33RD DAY.

MONTH THREE

Tyler woke up to find he hadn't moved an inch. Nor had Dani. She was still wrapped in his hug and he was till face deep in her breasts. He smiled at the sight. That is one HELLUVA a sight in the morning. I may love Llyia with all my soul, but DAMN do I love a busty blonde. He was smiling as Dani's bright blue eyes opened with a smile in their sparkling depths.

"Wow, Tyler. Good morning."

He hugged her a little tighter.

"Good morning Dani. Sleep well?"

"I did. You're very warm."

"Thanks. You're warm too. Oh, and I'm getting one of these."

She laughed as she sat up.

"Nice right? Though, only downside is you can't have sex in them."

"I got a bed for that."

they got out of the hammock and showered together. He helped her with her thick blonde hair and her his back. Once they were done he made her breakfast. Tyler having only put a pair of pants on and Dani a light pair of panties. He was smiling as he worked till he looked out the window.

"Well, that sucks."

She looked and sighed. The sky was blanketed in a cover of dark grey storm clouds.

"Well, at least we don't have school."

"I guess. I guess balcony shooting is out?"

"You still can. Actually, if you do, I'll join you as we all need some storm shooting practice."

"we won't get struck by lightning will we?"

She nearly fell off her stool laughing at that one.

"No, we got lightning rods all over the building for that reason. Some are even magnetized."

"Neat trick."

Tyler had made a simple breakfast of bacon eggs and some toast for him and Dani. She smiled as they ate together and did the dishes together before he took the half full bucket of casings to the armory for dumping. As he did he saw it was now half full, and tilted his head. I AM second in command here. I wonder if it falls under my power? Fuck it I'm trying it. He pulled his tablet out and looked at it as he headed back to the room. Dani was sitting on the couch watching the weather report when he came in and joined her. She saw him looking at his tablet and got curious.

"Looking for a new gun?"

"More wondering if I can set the date for that casing dumpster to get swapped out. Things half full and Fuji's still out cold."

Dani smiled.

"You ARE her second in command."

She looked at it now herself.

"hey, there's a command tab."

"Nice one Dani."

He hit it and got a list of school orders he can give. He ignored the others as he found the one for dumpster swapping. He hit the one for their floor's armory and the next scheduled swapping was in two days. He smiled proudly as he set it down.

"Nice to pretend to be her for once."

Dani chuckled fondly now as she hugged him.

"Odd ain't it? When we met, I outranked you. Now YOU outrank ME, and are MY squad leader."

"I know right? Weird world."

They cuddled on the couch as they saw the forecast.

"Wow. I guess we got hit with a typhoon."

"yeah. Sucks we'll be stuck inside for a few days. No schools launch raids during typhoons and normal schools get canceled even in our world."

He pulled his tablet up.

"I'll order a few more guns then."

"Can I watch?"

"Sure."

She got even closer and he just wrapped her in and arm and held her like that.

"Kinda feels like we're a couple in our own apartment, don't it?"

"It does, Dani. Feels nice right?"

"Yeah it does. I like it."

He smiled as he pulled up his account. This time around he had 225,000 to play with. He pulled up the AUG he'd looked at earlier, and Dani smiled.

"Good choice. I've used the AUG before and loved it. Plus it's got a conversion kit to make it take 5.56 NATOs too."

"I needed an SMG. Sherie said it was a good one."

He made it a red/blue tiger stripe and it cost 6500. He next looked at Dani and smiled before pulling the Barret 50 cal up. The Sexy blonde sniper's blue eyes lit up as she saw him go for the visuals.

"Okay, Tyler. I will make you a deal."

"Okay. Shoot."

"Cute. I'll let you cuddle me again tonight, if you let ME shoot that thing FIRST."

"Deal. Though, you didn't have to bribe me, Dani."

She smiled sweetly.

"I know. Still wanted to though."

"Wow, alright then. Love you too."

She laughed as he made the Barret a curious blue topographical pattern with white lines.

"Wow, that's a pretty eye catching weapon there."

"Right? Since you really can't put a suppressor on it, might as well say hey! I dare you!"

She grinned at that one.

"Oh I LOVE the way you think."

The Barret cost a whopping 15,000, and the two thousand rounds for it cost 2500. The ammo for the AUG cost him 1500 for four thousand. He was scrolling through assault rifles now as Dani tilted her head.

"You haven't shot that SCAR in a while."

HE blinked.

"You're right. I'll plink with it later. I can't really trust it in battle though. Thing fights me way too much."

Dani nodded sagely.

"I keep hearing the same thing. So, what were you thinking?"

"Maybe an M4 or an ACR."

"The M4 is a solid bet. You could go for an M16."

"Yeah, I could. Oh, hello."

He pulled the page up for the M8 assault rifle. He smiled as he looked at it.

"I always loved how that thing looked."

Dani frowned.

"I wouldn't. That thing's got a bad history here."

"What happened?"

"We got attacked few years back and I was in the second floor window with my Dragonov. The guy three heads down was using the M8 and it had been cleared by Sherie. Well, he was using it, when it jammed. He dropped to try and unjam it and it sparked. Thing blew up in his hands and killed him, and the two on either side of him. He'd had the 203 attachment and it went too. Sherie was nearly stripped of her gunsmith license by Milo for that one. Fuji talked her out of it saying it was a known fault in the gun."

Tyler frowned now.

"Knowing Milo's hatred for Sherie, kinda thing she rigged it."

Dani gasped and looked at the rifle with new eyes.

"Oh my Shiro. Now you say it, I DID find it odd just how NASTY Milo was to Sherie about it. I mean, poor Sherie was TORTURING herself over it, and Milo didn't do anything to really help her. Sherie nearly gave up her gunsmithing altogether, but Fuji literally walked into Sherie's bunker and stayed there with her for three days and nights. We have no idea just what the hell they did in there, but Sherie was fine when they came out. Milo was PISSED though. She even demoted Fuji from Major to mere corporal for it."

Tyler sighed as he rubbed his eyes.

"That poor girl. Okay. I'll get it and you say nothing. Okay?"

Dani nodded.

"I understand."

He made the futuristic rifle a deep blue with the stock a bright red and it some how made the oddly fish shaped gun look MORE like a fish. It cost him 7800 and he moved on. He moved to shotguns and was looking when he spotted one that made him smile.

"Nice. Model 1887 lever action shotgun."

Dani smiled as she looked at the old school gun.

"Shiro loves shotguns. I think she'd love to shoot that one."

"I'll get two."

HE did. One he made a blue like her hair with a ribbon of white wrapping around the thing, and his another tiger stripe. Only her hair blue and white. That set him back 12,000. He also paid for triple the shells, 6000 all told, spending 8000 on ammo. Dani was resting her head on his shoulder as he worked.

"Can I make a suggestion?"

"Sure."

"try a machine pistol."

"Oh, good idea."

She smiled as he took her advice and was now flipping through the lists. He blinked as he saw one.

"The Skorpion? Hmm. I wanna but the thing's accuracy is worthless beyond say 30m. Fire rate is nasty. What, Sukie's got one. I'll ask her if I can't shoot it."

"That's a good call."

"Oh, here we go. MP7. Sherie once told me she can make it a laser."

Dani smiled.

"Oh she CAN. I have one myself as my backup. Things fun. Plus I can dual wield them."

"nice to see cannons aren't the only things you can dual wield."

"Soft aren't they?"

"Very soft. Loved cuddling them, last night."

"Thanks for not trying anything with them in your face like that."

"Sure Dani. Though, I MIGHT try snuggling them like I saw Sukie doing."

She laughed.

"Acceptable."

"Love you."

"Love you too."

HE got two MP7s and decked them out with a rippling blue that was weirdly eye catching, and the pair cost 4500. The ammo cost him 3400. He then sat back.

"Now what? Ohhhh, I got a good one for Shiro!"

Dani watched curiously as he typed into the search bar.

"The Jackhammer? Oooh she is going to LOSE it!"

"Right? I'm getting two and two AA12s as well."

"You spoil her too!"

"She's a Goddess! These are her tributes!"

Dani burst out laughing as he bought the four weapons. Grand total? 25,000 not including ammo. That cost him another 12,000 mags included. He was looking for his next buy when they heard a low yawn behind them. They looked and saw Yuki walking up in a little gown rubbing her eyes and her ass.

"Morning Yuki."

"Sleep well?"

The carrot head's hair was matted and she seemed rather wobbly, but she smiled cheerfully nonetheless.

"I did. We had fun yesterday too. Though now my poor butt hurts a little."

Tyler reached over the couch and patted her hair.

"Go take a shower Yuki, you'll feel better after."

She smiled weakly.

"Kay."

She walked in and closed the door. He looked at Dani.

"It weird I'm worried she'll hurt herself in there?"

Dani smiled at his clear affection for the smaller girl.

"I'll go keep an eye on her. She kinda had me worried too."

"Thanks Dani."

She got up and went inside the bathroom as he settled down to keep looking at guns. There was a clap of thunder outside and he smiled at the sound. I can even tell the difference between a thunderclap and a tank blast now. He looked at another auto assault rifle and found the TAR-21 that Maria had. He smiled as he bought that one too, feeling that having a bullpup was a good idea. HE then laid back to consider what else.

"Oh! I know!"

He pulled the Kar98K Llyia and Shiro had and got one for himself. He made the thing black with copper lining and a silver scope. He was out of ideas now, and set the tablet down to relax. He then heard another set of footsteps walking from the stairwell. He looked to see Shiro limping up the staircase and he smiled at her.

"Morning, Shiro."

The blue haired girl smiled at him as she winced a little.

"Good morning Tyler. How are you this morning?"

"I'm good. You okay? You look like you're in pain."

She smiled ruefully as she replied.

"I overdid it yesterday. It was fun, don't get me wrong, but now it kinda hurts to walk."

"well, we got a few days to recover. Look out the window."

She did and sighed with relief.

"Oh thank me. I was going to beg Fuji into a day off to just recover."

Tyler got up and let her lean on him.

"Better?"

"Much, thank you. Yuki in the shower?"

"Dani's in there making sure she don't hurt herself."

She smiled weakly now.

"I'll join her."

He helped her to the door and Dani chuckled.

"Looks like we're on recovery duty today, Tyler."

"Yup. Looks like it."

The door shut and he went into the kitchen to start making some easy to handle foods for the no doubt to be weak ladies. Yuki came out and had to put a cushion on the hard stool to sit on it. She was still yawning, but she seemed to have more life in her now. Tyler set some toast, orange juice, and a poptart in front of her. She smiled at him.

"Thanks. My belly hurts a little."

"Get your cute back."

She munched away as he made more for the girls. Tyler had his tablet next to him when he got an update.

"All War activities are to halt until the Typhoon passes. No raids, battles, or Sneaker activities. Repeat."

Tyler smiled as he saw it.

"Well, we get a few free days."

Yuki smiled around her food.

"We can recover in peace."

He smiled at his cute little sister.

"I'll most likely do some plinking. Not sure though."

Yuki blinked and looked out the window.

"In THAT?"

her concern was warranted, as they could hear the howling wind and dull thuds of the thunder, and see the flashes of lightning through the window. HE shrugged.

"I came from a region known for rather intense thunderstorms. To me? That's not even worthy of the title. Plus, I need to practice really."

Yuki tilted her head.

"Where DID you come here from?"

"A state in America called New Hampshire."

"Ahhh, no clue where that is."

"Where'd you pop out from?"

"Me? I'm from Japan. Northern Japan actually."

"Wow. Nice to see I got a native to teach me the language."

Yuki giggled as Shiro came out with a noticeable limp. Yuki set another cushion down for her and she took it gratefully.

"Thank you Yuki. Think we went a little overboard."

Yuki smiled as Tyler placed the same food in front of her.

"it was fun though."

The blue haired girl nodded as she blushed a little as she remembered.

"It was. But, for the sake of our bodies, we really can't play like that more then once a month."

Tyler smiled as he set more bread in the toaster.

"If the other ladies like it, you could make it a birthday thing."

Shiro smiled as she thought of it.

"That would be a really nice gift from all of us. But what about you? Me and Fuji can't have you."

"I'll figure something out. Maybe for Fuji a rather intense sparring match. You? Umm, not sure. Maybe full blown worship?"

She laughed at that one.

"That would be a funny one."

He smiled as well. Dani was doing some pullups on the rings when Tyler frowned.

"How's the bolts on them things look Dani?"

The busty Russian looked.

"Still firm. I can't see any signs of wear yet."

"We'll have to keep an eye on them. Those things make me nervous."

They smiled as Yuki got down and did her plate and cup before going to lay on the couch. Shiro smiled as she looked at her.

"I have some ointment I can rub into you butt and groove Yuki that will numb the pain."

Yuki smiled from her spot on the couch.

"Could you please? I can't really move."

Shiro sighed and looked at Tyler.

"I can't really move much either. Could you please?"

"Sure Shiro. Where do you store it?"

"Oh thank you. That small medicine cabinet by the cot. It's called Night Cream."

"A pink bottle with a red cap?"

"That one. You know it?"

"Yoko uses it."

"Okay."

Dani and him swapped as he had toast in the toaster. He walked down the spiral staircase and into Shiro's mini clinic. He found the cabinet and took the bottle before heading back up. He saw maria had come to now and smiled as he went. He gave Dani the bottle as she was the only girl able to help. Shiro laid on the couch with Yuki on a towel as Dani set to rubbing the pain relief cream into their aching bodies as Maria came up the stairs. She had a less noticeable limp, but it was there. She smiled weakly at Tyler as she went into the shower. Yuki was squeaking in relief as her pain receded, and he found it oddly cute. Once Yuki was done she walked to the other couch with a more comfortable stride, and settled down to let her body recover. Maria came out in a light gown and sat on the cushions and smiled as she got her food.

"Thank you, Tyler."

"Maria, once you've eaten, it'll be your turn for pain cream."

"Thank you Dani!"

Shiro was done and she took another spot on the couch to brush her long blue hair. I cannot WAIT to see her react to her new guns. Maria ate and Tyler cleaned her stuff with Shiro's as she went for cream. The next to appear was Fuji and Sukie. The Major full blown wincing with every step, and poor Sukie in the same boat. Tyler smiled at them.

"Morning ladies. Get cleaned up and I'll set the food out. We got an update, but after."

Fuji nodded gratefully, as she was in no fit state to really do anything as they went into the shower. Tyler sighed as he pulled his tablet up. He ordered another two galloons of the Night Cream for the squad before setting it down. Maria got her cream and was now resting on a lounge chair as Fuji and Sukie came out. The Major and the green bean sat on the cushions and he set their food out. Fuji chuckled.

"Thank You Tyler. We can't really eat the normal stuff right now."

He chuckled.

"Not my first morning after Fuji. I wouldn't recommend anything heavier then this today."

She nodded.

"I agree. So, the update?"

HE showed her his tablet.

"I also scheduled that dumpster's swapping as it's over halfway now."

She smiled proudly now.

"Thank Shiro you have initiative. So, even the Sneakers got the warning. We get our recovery."

"I'll take command Fuji. Right now, you can't even MOVE."

She sighed ruefully.

"Agreed. We went way overboard this time. So, orders?"

"YOU eat and get that cream, then rest. That's the order of the day. You all need to recover."

Sukie had finished her food and was now getting her pain cream from Dani.

"I ordered two more gallons, Dani."

"Thank you."

Fuji sighed.

"Anything else happen?"

"Not yet."

She nodded.

"Okay. We're going to be next to useless today, so we'll try to stay off our feet."

He nodded as she finished her food and went for her creaming. Tyler did their dishes as Llyia and Rikka came up. Their stride much more comfortable and easy, as they were accustomed to far worse. Tyler got a morning kiss off Llyia before she went into the shower with Rikka. He had food waiting for them when they came out. Llyia smiling at him as she got hers.

"Thank you Love."

HE chuckled.

"Sure. Did you have fun?"

"I did. It was great."

HE patted her arm.

"We got a few days off so go get creamed and relax."

"I will."

They ate and went to get their cream as he did their dishes too. Sherie appeared next, and she was near crying from the pain of each step. Tyler kinda felt bad seeing his favorite spaz so weak and so utterly lacking her energy that he loved so dearly. She took her shower and came out as Yoko came up with a spring in her step, the Masochist loving the discomfort immensely. Sherie ate her food as she fought the throbs from her body. She then hobbled over to Dani and all but fell onto the couch. Tyler smiled inspite of his pity and set Yoko's plate out as the pink eyed beauty sat down. Then last to appear was Yuna and the group was all accounted for. She showered, ate and got her cream before finding a spot to stretch out on and just laying there. Tyler and Dani cleaned the mess and took a seat on the couch with his tablet. The Live feeds were dead, so they were scrolling through some movies and shows. Fuji had gone to her cot and was laying on it, Shiro was laying on the same couch as him and Dani, Yuki and Sukie had gone to Yuki's small bed and were laying on the pink comforter, Sherie was resting by her workbench, Llyia was resting on another piece of Shiro's couch, Maria had gone to her bed, Yuna was laid out with Maria, and Yoko and Rikka were resting together on a twin sized lounge chair. Tyler looked at Sherie and sighed.

"I'll go throw her bedding in that washer. She'll get sick if she sleeps in it."

Dani watched wordlessly as he got up and did yet another thing for the spaz without asking. He headed downstairs and Sherie sighed.

"Now I kinda feel bad."

Shiro looked at her from her spot on the couch.

"I do too. We had all the fun yesterday, and he got left out. I mean he had Dani to hang out with, but still."

Llyia smiled.

"I'm sure he had plenty of fun hanging out with her. Right Dani?"

The busty blonde in question sighed.

"We did. He mostly just practiced with some of the guns he hadn't shot in a while, and I tanned beside him."

Sherie smiled with relief.

"And I'm sure he loved your company. At least he wasn't alone out here."

Dani sighed again.

"Ya know something ladies? You DO realize he was the only one you DIDN'T invite, right?"

They just looked at each other, and Llyia was the first to speak.

"If he wanted to join, all he had to do was knock."

"Yeah. He's not shy about his lust for us."

"I love it about him. All it takes is a mere look and he's ready!"

The ladies giggled as Dani just sighed again.

"And how many times as HE done things for YOU without asking? Or telling you? Or, just up and invited you to do something with him outta the blue?"

They fell silent now as they all knew the truth of this. Then Llyia sighed herself.

"Okay, Dani, what happened out here?"

Dani just looked at her.

"We had a talk me an him. And ya wanna know something he told me?"

"What did he say?"

"I told him his way of thinking, how everything we do for him beyond just being his friend was like winning the lottery and him not being worthy was a way to get taken advantage of. His response? He said he'd rather get taken advantage of by the ones he loves and get to keep them all, then push for more and risk losing it all."

They stared at her. Then Shiro spoke up.

"Just what the hell were you talking about?"

Her voice had a faint tremor now, as if hearing his mindset was making her sad. Dani leaned on the couch as she replied.

"I told how it was kinda bothering me how he got left out of your orgies twice. I mean, you invite ME, but not HIM? When he does all that he does for you?"

Shiro blinked.

"Me and Fuji can't handle a man."

"Oh, COME ON, Shiro! He'd have LOVED just being able to WATCH. Hell, he'd have had a damned field day watching the people he loves most enjoying themselves around him."

Dani rubbed her eyes as Sherie spoke up now.

"You're talking like he doesn't get anything from us, Dani. We include him plenty. This was just another gift from him to us. Us having fun, and him on watch as always."

Dani looked at her.

"He spoils us all. Yet, we don't even TRY to do the same. I'm sorry, everyone but as much as he takes us for granted, he has NEVER stopped trying to come up with different ways to make us smile. Seriously, Llyia, when was the last time you sang for him? He loves that voice and it makes him shiver every time you open your mouth. Sherie, you haven't jumped him for a little bit either. Yoko get's let off for this since her kinda play is a rather hard one for us. He does take us for granted, and it has only gone to his crotch. Yet, with US, we've started to just use him for a damned doormat."

Dani sighed as she stopped speaking, and Shiro had tears in her blue eyes as she spoke.

"We DO try, Dani! I tried yesterday to put a smile on his face and I couldn't do it! He has saved my life five times now, and I can't even do THAT for him. He wasn't even mad or disappointed. No, he turned right around and shoved me into the alcove so I would be happy. What more can I do?"

Sherie was right there with her, tears in her hazel eyes.

"He does so much, and yet we can't do even HALF. I try. I really do, yet, all I can think of is either sex or guns or jokes."

Llyia sighed as tears fell from her green eyes too.

"It seems I've forgotten much. He loves me so much."

She looked at the girls.

"we HAVE started to just walk all over him like a damned doormat. He can't see it, because in his mind, it's the LEAST he can do to makes us smile. That's it. Long as he puts a smile on our faces, he wins."

Rikka and Yoko sighed as well.

"I can't really give him anything, as it would hurt you as well."

"I don't really see him in a way that I can sleep in bed with him."

Dani sighed now herself.

"Guys. He is a hopelessly perverted horndog. But he is not just a sex addict. Is that really all you can think he likes? Just our bodies?"

Sherie was now trembling with her emotion.

"No. He is not just a pervert. I. I can't believe I started to see him THEY SAW ME! He has always had my back when someone just saw me as a walking talking sex toy, and I even LECTURED him on it too! And I did the same thing to him. Jesus I feel like shit."

Lylia was just angry with herself.

"I know him better then most since we like the same things, and yet I have never ONCE even ASKED him to watch an anime with me or played for him again. It nearly made him cry the last time."

Shiro was full on crying into a pillow.

"we love ghost hunting, and all I could think of to try and repay him was sex. He has saved my life so many times, and yet I was seeing him like Sherie."

Dani just looked at them.

"Well. There. I said it. We take him for granted FAR too much."

Tyler walked down the stairs to go strip Sherie's bed for her. Poor girl can barely stand. HE passed Fuji laid out on her cot and she chuckled.

"Still not done?"

He laughed.

"Nah. More looking to stay busy for now. Once the wind dies down I was looking to do some storm shooting."

Fuji chuckled fondly as he walked over to Sherie's alcove.

"Good idea. I'd join you, but I can't really move much."

HE shrugged as he started stripping his friends bed.

"Eh, no biggee. You had fun yesterday."

Maria was curious.

"Why are you stripping Sherie's bed for her?"

"Poor girl can barely move today. So, I'll throw her bedding in the wash for her. Be amazed what clean sheets can do for a recovery."

The girls all smiled with a slight glow. Tyler took the first load to the washer in the vault they stored their bullets in and set it to run. He then headed out and was looking at his brackets.

"Gonna need more room soon."

Fuji smiled.

"We can had more brackets when you need them."

"Nifty."

He took his SCAR down and was field stripping it when Yuki looked at him.

"Hey, I was wondering, what DID you do yesterday while we played?"

He chuckled.

"I plinked mostly with some guns I haven't used much, and me and Dani had a chat."

Sukie rolled onto her back to look at him.

"What'd you talk about?"

"She seems to think you all are starting to just take advantage of just how much I do for you."

They all looked at each other in a stunned silence. Then Fuji spoke in a slightly angry tone.

"Did she give an example of this?"

"Well, her main was how you all had two orgies in there, and invited everyone BUT me. That, and just little things here and there. Like, how I'll just do stuff for you all, like invite you outta the blue or nearly break Yuki's mind with gift days, and yet, in her eyes, I get so little back."

Fuji's eyes were angry now.

"I can't have a man for long. If at all. And Shiro can't even LOOK at it."

"I know, and she knows. Her point, was SHE got an invite whereas I DIDN'T. Plus, her point was I could have just had llyia and bam, set. Of just watched and still be set."

Maria sighed.

"I see her reasoning."

Yuki had a hurt look on her face as Fuji now glared at Maria.

"Explain, now."

"It's simple. We ASKED Dani, and she refused. Okay? Fair, right? Yet we didn't even BOTHER to think of asking him. Did you? I didn't."

Fuji blinked, before going to look him.

"How did you respond?"

He shrugged as he put his gun back together.

"I told her I'd rather get taken advantage of by the ones I love and keep them all, then try for more and risk losing it all."

That got a gasp of sadness from the girls. Especially little Yuki. The silver eyed girl now seemed like she was about to cry.

"That's what they told ME when I was growing up! My parents always told me I was better off just doing what they said or I'd lose them. So I did everything I could think of to keep them happy. Often at the cost of myself."

Sukie held her, and Fuji slumped in her cot.

"I see it now. And I'm ashamed."

"Why? I LIKE doing things for you. Hell, least I can do, since you all WANT to be near me to begin with."

His again sincere, nonchalant acceptance of them just using him as a doormat shook them. Fuji lifted the eyepatch he'd given her and looked at him with her cobalt blue eyes.

"IS that truly how you look at it, Tyler? That you need to do everything you do just to KEEP us liking you?"

He tilted his head now.

"Not exactly what I meant, but I like yours better. Seriously, LOOK at yourselves in a mirror, and look at me. Guy like me? Has no business being anywhere NEAR girls of your calibers. Yet, some freakin reason you all LIKE me. A lot. I've had sex with a bunch of you, slept with ALL of you, you walk around nearly naked, you allow me to cop feels at will basically, and even LOVE me to boot? Seriously, I don't know how or what I did to get such a great thing nearly handed to me on a silver platter, so. Yeah. You bet that tight ass I gonna bust mine to do everything I possibly think of to KEEP your affections, as you all don't HAVE to like me. And I often struggle to understand just WHY you do. That just might be me, but not the issue."

Fuji just fell to her cot now, as Yuki and Maria sighed sadly. Then the Major looked at him.

"We've come to take you for as granted as the very air we breathe. You're so used to doting on others to MAKE them like you, you're incapable of seeing when you ARE getting just used."

Yuki looked at him as he was now looking down his sights.

"I'm sorry!"

He looked at her confused.

"For what? You haven't done anything wrong."

Yuki got off her bed to walk over and hug him tightly.

"I'm sorry you got left out yesterday."

He hugged her back, still very confused, but not sure what to do in that moment,

"I didn't feel left out, Yuki. That was your party. Not mine."

Fuji sighed now.

"we still should have at least made the attempt to include you. Hell, you go out of your way to find ways to include US in as many ways as you can. Yet, do WE? No."

Tyler now had Yuki sitting on his bed beside him, still visibly confused.

"Look, you don't HAVE to go out of you way. Like you didn't have to invite me. They were Sherie's party and Yours, Fuji. I didn't have a place in YOUR love fest. Plus, if I HAD been there, you and Shiro wouldn't have been able to enjoy your selves as much as you did."

Fuji sighed as Yuki pulled hi head to look at her.

"I'll tell you a secret."

"No, Yuki. I'll do it."

Fuji got up with a groan, only Tyler went to get up for her.

"Easy, Fuji. Here, I'll just got to you."

HE walked over as Fuji now had a tear in her eye.

"See? You got up just so I wouldn't have to. Considerate, yes, but the point exactly."

Tyler sat next to her on the cot.

"Okay. Still don't see an issue here, but okay."

Fuji sighed as she looked at him.

"I'll tell you something from inside the alcove."

"You sure? You don't have to you know."

"I am and we do. We do have to."

HE reached up and made sure his comms were indeed off before leaning down next to her mouth.

"When they used a toy on my or Shiro or Sherie, or any of us, it was YOUR name we'd yell and scream. Plus, we missed you."

HE blinked and sat up to look at her.

"Um, okay. Not sure what to say here, except, thank you?"

fuji sighed deeply.

"We had fun that is true, yet when we would take breaks to catch our breath, we'd talk about how much more fun it'd be if you'd joined us in there, yet not ONE of us even CONSIDERED asking you to join us. even though we KNEW you'd love it, have been as considerate as you are, and would have jumped right in. Not even Llyia thought to ask you. So, now we feel guilty."

Tyler just sighed.

"You have nothing to feel guilty for, everyone. You were having fun, just be happy with that. I know I was."

Maria sighed.

"Can you say that so easily if you keep getting left out?"

He looked at her.

"Long as you're all having fun, sure. Plus, if I HAD joined you, this morning woulda been a nightmare."

That got a chuckle inspite of the heavy discussion. There was a beep and he switched Sherie's bedding over for her. Then Yuki hugged him as he came out.

"We still shoulda at least asked you. And we need to stop taking you for granted."

HE hugged her back as he chuckled.

"I don't feel taken for granted, but okay."

He went back to his alcove and looked over his collection again as he had the SCAR next to him.

"Oh. I need to get Sherie's opinion on that HDR before I shoot it."

He took it down and set a timer for the washer on his tablet, before looking at the room.

"You good or need anything?"

Fuji sighed.

"I'm good."

Yuki and Sukie looked at each other.

"I'm set."

"Me too. I just wanna cuddle now."

Maria shrugged.

"I'm good too."

"If you need anything give a holler. You all need to recover, so minimal effort today."

They sighed as he left them to head back upstairs. Soon as he was gone, Yuki just started crying softly.

"He's like I was back then, and I never noticed."

Fuji had her fists clenched in a guilty anger.

"He's all too willing to put US ahead of his own well being and needs. So he can keep our affection? Jesus, that's sad. Now my heart hurts."

Maria just sighed.

"We just saw him as a mere vending machine. We need to do better ladies."

Sukie shrugged.

"Not sure what I can do. But, I'll do SOMETHING."

"Hey, Sherie, need a favor."

Tyler had the two rifles in his arms as he came up the stairwell, only to find Llyia waiting for him tapping her foot with a most intense look in her green eyes. Soon as he saw it he gulped.

"Umm, whatever I did, I'm sorry?"

Lylia took the two rifles out of his arms and set them aside and now he looked behind him at the stairwell.

"Llyia, you're scaring me."

She grabbed his face in her hands and kissed him hard, and he blinked before kissing her back, and loving this surprise. Then she pulled back to hug him.

"I'm sorry."

He was now even more confused.

"For what?"

"I got so used to you just being there, and forgot to be there too."

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Love, but okay?"

"She means she's sorry she's been taking advantage of you. We all are."

He looked at Sherie, who'd spoken.

"You…have?"

The olive skinned girl sighed sadly.

"Yeah. We have been. You never noticed since you feel you have to do stuff for us to keep us interested in you."

"Isn't that how it works? A relationship? I do stuff for you, you do stuff for me?"

Shiro poked her head up now.

"Yet, you do so much for us, and what do we do for you?"

"You're my friends, ladies. Anything beyond that is MORE then fair trade."

"No. No it is not."

Llyia looked into his eyes now.

"Just BEING your friend is nowhere near enough for you. You do so much for us, yet we do so little. Seriously, Tyler? Raise that bar for yourself. Please. You deserve better."

He blinked, shocked.

"Raise my bar? To what? I get to be with you all. The hell more can I ask for?"

Sherie sighed.

"You could have asked to join us in the alcove, or just stuff in general."

He rubbed his head,

"I still don't feel like I've been taken advantage of though, but okay."

"You wouldn't tell. You're too used to it, Love."

HE sighed now.

"Okay, you've a point there. Alright, if you all think you've been taking advantage of me, even though I still can't see it, then fine. Where do we go from here?"

Sherie looked at the rifles.

"You said you had a favor."

"Um, yeah. Just wanted you to look at the HDR I got off that Lights bastard. I won't shoot it till you clear it."

Sherie took the sniper to her bench as Shiro spoke again.

"We'll try to remember you're not just a doormat. And, if you WANT something from us, ASK. Okay?"

He rubbed his head as he got another kiss of Llyia.

"Okay. I guess."

He set the SCAR by the window and sat next to Dani. He sighed.

"Now I feel like their party yesterday just got ruined for them. Like the fun they had will just make them sad now. Great."

Dani just sighed as well.

"Well, maybe it needed to BE ruined."

"Okay THAT I have an issue with. Ruining a great experience for them, just to make a point? No. Just no."

He got up and grabbed the bullet bucket and headed toward the stairs as Sherie looked up from the bench.

"We feel bad."

He looked at her.

"I LOVE doing things for you all. Okay? I think I need to make a point here."

He set the gun down and leaned on the stair case railing, knowing the girls downstairs could hear him.

"Dani said she thinks I'm getting taken advantage of by you. Ya know what? Probably am. Same time? I love it. When I do stuff for you all, and you appreciate it, or lose your minds or love it or whatever, I feel like I matter. I was raised to believe I was useless, worthless, unwanted, and always in someone more importants way. So, when YOU all like the things I do for you, well, makes me feel like I freakin MATTER. If only for a little bit. Plus, well, I just LOVE putting smiles on your faces, since I never GOT to smile much."

Dani blinked in shock.

"Are you saying, that you do all that you do for us, just to feel WANTED?"

"I'd say more like I actually did something of WORTH."

The blonde sniper sat back as Llyia sighed herself.

"I get it. Yet, it still hurts a little. Hearing your servant-like mindset, makes me feel like we just own you."

Shiro just hung her head.

"I feel really bad now."

Tyler just groaned.

"Look, just be happy you HAVE someone that likes to do things for you as much as I do. God knows we experienced far too little kindness growing up."

"Yet what about YOU?"

He looked at Sherie.

"Me? You all seemed to think I get nothing out of it. I get plenty. Hell, it I want something from you, don't I usually just up and go for it?"

Yoko spoke up now.

"He's got a point there. He wants one of you, doesn't he usually just tap you on the shoulder and say so?"

Dani looked at the pink eyed beauty.

"My worry was he doesn't do it ENOUGH."

Tyler tilted his head now.

"Sooo, you worried about what I get from them, when I myself am perfectly satisfied? Don't you think that's kinda controlling, for lack of a better word?"

Dani looked at him.

"Not when you are not able to see it yourself. You do so much, yet ask for so little."

"Perspective, Dani. When I get a mere hug from say, Shiro, my damned heart sings for the rest of the day. Or, when I'm shooting that 44. With Sherie. Same thing. It may seem small to you, but means the world to me."

Yuna had stayed quiet during the friends conversation, and now she added her own two cents.

"I think Tyler's point it he loves you all so much, and has no real way to show it the way he wants, so he does anything he can to make you smile like his heart does whenever he's around you. Yet, same time, Dani's point is he needs to balance that giving nature by getting the same in return. Though, he does need to raise his standards a little."

They looked at, and Tyler rubbed his eyes.

"We're going in circles. How can I raise my bar, when just a hug makes me feel like I'm friggin flying? Plus, if they have to FORCE themselves to do something they are otherwise not comfortable doing as a mere REPAYMENT, then it ruins whatever I just tired to do for them. Like Shiro yesterday. It HURT seeing her try and force herself to do that."

Shiro had tears now.

"I just wanted to make you happy."

"Just a damned hug is enough! You don't need to go to any real great lengths for me, okay? I do those things, just because I CAN."

Llyia gasped then.

"We missed something here ladies. He sets the bar for us so low, because he thinks even LOWER of himself. Remember the squad motto he came up with? And how he keeps calling himself a demon, or a monster? Look at our damned squad insignia!"

Dani blinked and they all ran for their jackets. The insignia was a rising demon from a burning river with seven points enshrouded in the things wings as angels wept with envy and jealousy. They looked at it and then back to him.

"He just sees himself as an evil creature, and US his lights in the dark."

Tyler blinked.

"Um, okay. NO. I picked the name Demon, because I like how it sounds. I may not think much of myself, that is true, but that said, I know my own worth. Look ladies, if this keeps up, we'll lose our squad from this. Just be grateful I am HERE. I know I am. And, if it is THAT big a deal about the doormat thing, well, just ask this: If I'm such a doormat, why is it only YOU that gets to use it?"

Sherie sighed now.

"He's right. We're on opposite sides here. He thinks what he gets is fine, we think he deserves more, and yet he's just fine. Let me just ask one question."

"Okay, Shoot."

"Cute. Look us in the eyes and TELL us you're fine with how we've been."

Tyler took a deep breath and looked at them.

"I swear by Llyia, that I had not seen a single problem with how we have been."

Dani nodded.

"Okay. We'll let this go. But, I will still try to prove my point."

"Sure Dani."

There was a collective sigh as Tyler headed back downstairs to the small vault. As he did, fuji looked at him from her cot.

"So you know, we made a plan."

"Don't wanna know, Fuji."

She smiled as he loaded the bucket with mags.

"Fair enough. And, so we're clear? I'm sorry."

"And so I'm clear? Ya got nothing to apologize for."

There was a beep and he switched Sherie's bedding over before heading back up to the balcony. He opened it and the wind had died down by the thunder was still booming, it was still dark and lightning still forked. He set it down as Dani came out with her Dragonov and her own bucket. He loaded a mag in his SCAR and pulled the bolt back.

"I don't regret opening that door, Tyler."

"I wish you hadn't."

He started firing as she did as well.

"You deserve to get the same treatment you give them."

"NOT at THEIR expense. You do realize we could have lost the squad there, right?"

She sighed and reloaded as she emptied her mag.

"If the squad had broken up over just trying to give you what you give us, then we don't deserve it to begin with."

"When you say us, do you mean ALL of you, like YOU and THEM, or just YOU?"

She jumped, and missed. She now looked at him with shock in her blue eyes.

"How could you say that to me? I am trying to HELP you!"

Tyler just looked at her.

"Dani, LOOK at what we have here. We have a family. A True Family. Yet we nearly just lost it because you went probing at a crack in the floor when the entire building was stable. Help or not, we NEARLY lost it all. And you have no idea just how SCARED I was there. I was literally seeing our family nearly crumble."

She was gaping at him.

"This is how families grow together. We had an issue, and we talked about it, and now we can get closer!"

Tyler set the rifle down and gripped the railing of the balcony.

"Dani. I'll say this once. Just be happy with what we have NOW. I can't lose this family. Okay? I just can't. And I nearly did. Look at them. Tell me what you see."

Dani did look, and gasped. Sherie was looking over his HDR, but without her usual cheer. She looked like she was about to cry, and was shaking as she looked at it. Shiro was crying into a pillow, and was doing her best to hide it. Llyia had a mask of serenity on her beautiful face, and it was the same look she'd worn BEFORE Tyler rolled into town. Rikka was doing pullups on the rings, and was going faster then she should be. Yoko had a small knife and was scratching herself with it. From her spot Dani could see into the lower floor, and she saw Yuki and Sukie arguing, and rather hotly too. Maria was sitting in a corner with a book, and Fuji was gripping her katana with white hands. Even Yuna had ben effected, as she was flipping a small knife in her hands. Tyler looked at Dani now.

"See it? That one discussion and you undid all the work I've been doing since I got here. Happy?"

She snapped to look at him with horror.

"You KNEW you were getting used!"

He glared at her.

"I was NOT getting used, Dani. I was giving them something they could rely on absolutely without having to worry about repayment. THAT was MY goal. I do so much for them, because A: I feel happy making them happy. B: They NEED someone like me. I give to them without asking for repayment, whereas the repayment I get is seeing the pain in their hearts recede ever so slightly. C: At the end of the day, I sleep like a damned baby because I am content in the knowledge I made their days just THAT much brighter. We have enough dark as it is. D: I LOVE being relied on. Makes me feel a special kind of fulfilled. And last? I know I will never buckle, never crumble. Never leave them. So, since I never had anyone to cling to growing up, I can be what THEY cling to. If only a little."

Dani then saw how mistaken she was and just how much damage she had done to their family.

"I've broken their spirits."

Tyler sighed as he looked at her.

"Nearly. VERY nearly."

She had huge tears in her face now.

"What can I do to fix this? Please. Tell me!"

Tyler leaned on the railing and looked at the room.

"I have no idea Dani. Not this time."

She looked at the room, and slumped down.

"Why did I have to open my mouth?"

Tyler crossed his arms as he looked around at the group.

"If we had to go into battle right now, they would all get killed."

Dani was sobbing heartbrokenly as she saw it through his eyes at last. Tyler rubbed his eyes.

"I gotta go get her stuff from the drier."

He had the gun out of the rain and he headed downstairs to see Yuki and Sukie arguing about something and he sighed.

"What this for you two?"

Yuki looked at him with burning silver eyes.

"We can handle this. Okay?"

He sighed sadly.

"Was just trying to help."

Yuki squeaked as he walked into the vault and found Fuji switching Sherie's stuff over.

"Hey, Fuji, you shouldn't be moving. Here I got it."

She glared at him.

"I am NOT helpless, Captain."

"Yes Ma'am. Sorry Ma'am."

He walked out and just went to his alcove now and closed the curtain. He settled onto the sheets and just sighed sadly.

"Guess it's time to wake up. Was fun while it lasted."

He put an arm over his eyes and just basked in the memories of their good times.

Dani watched him go and blinked through her tears. What have I done? She watched as he got snapped at by Yuki, then barked at by Fuji. She felt her heart break as he just slumped in on himself and retreated to his alcove and closed the curtain.

"Well, congratulations, Dani you succeeded in doing what no other could: You broke his spirit."

She looked over to see Sherie come out then.

"Happy?"

Dani was sobbing hard as Sherie looked to Tyler's alcove.

"I'm sorry! I just wanted him to get the same from us!"

Sherie just sighed.

"I heard what he said, as my comms are on. And so were yours. And you know what? I kinda KNEW that was why he was doing all that. He loves doing stuff for us. Yet, you weren't happy with that, and ended up taking that from him."

Dani was crying piteously now as she saw her own blindness had all but broken the one she'd come to depend on.

"What can I do Sherie? Please I have to fix this!"

Sherie glared at her.

"You've done enough. I don't know how to fix this and to perfectly blunt? THEY don't either."

Dani looked to his alcove, and Yuki, Sukie and Fuji were now gathered around it looking concerned. Soon as she saw it, her blood ran cold.

"Why are they gathered around his bunk?"

Sherie was white in the face.

"No, he didn't."

The two girls watched as Llyia, Shiro, Yuna, Maria, Yoko and Rikka all bolted for the stairwell now. The two girls were through the door the next instant. As soon as they were on the floor, they heard it. He was crying. Like heartbrokenly sobbing inside the alcove. Sherie looked at Fuji and she had a look of alarm.

"What do we do?"

Llyia and Rikka looked at each other.

"There's only one thing we can do."

"right."

The two scarred girls walked over and threw the curtain back, and found a most disturbing sight. Tyler was flat on his back with his arm over his eyes, CLEARLY asleep, and sobbing in it as well. Llyia sighed.

"He's relieving all the times we had together. And it's killing him."

Fuji looked at her.

"Killing him? WHY?"

Rikka explained.

"Think. You mean the damned world to him. And right now, that world is in danger of imploding entirely out from under him. He can't take the stress of trying to fix it since he has no idea how. So, he's on the verge of just giving up entirely."

Sherie sighed now.

"Plus, he LIVES for us. We are all he has left, and has been working so hard to protect us and make us smile. Now, it's been tainted. It's just too much for his soul."

"I'm sorry."

They all looked to see Dani on her knees with her own tears flowing now.

"I'm so sorry. I just wanted him to get a little of what he gives us."

She looked at the ladies around her.

"I DIDN'T WANT THIS! Please! I'm sorry!"

Llyia sighed.

"We all wanted to give him a taste of what he gives us. Yet he already had it. What he was giving us was a shield from our pain. WE were HIS shield. His heart. His soul. He's now seeing it crumble."

"NO!"

All eyes turned to a now trembling Fuji.

"We ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE! We're right here!"

Yuki had tears in her eyes too.

"But we can't DO anything for him!"

"Like hell we can't! Put US in that spot, what would HE do?"

Shiro clenched a fist.

"He'd kill himself trying to help us. And he'd make it happen."

Fuji walked over and climbed into the alcove and rested her head on the still sobbing boy's chest.

"Right now what we need to do is SHOW him we're still here."

llyia was right in after her and prying his arm off his face. Hie eyes were closed and tears were falling as she snuggled against him. Soon the others all joined them. Yuki climbed up onto his chest with Sukie, Shiro next to the Major, Rikka next to Llyia, Sherie with her head on his waist, Dani took a spot with Yoko on his legs, maria and Yuna beside them, and they swathed their rock in their body heat. Yuki looked to Fuji now.

"What do we do now?"

She held him tightly.

"We relax and rest with him. And hope it's enough."

The last thing Tyler remembered was putting his arm over his eyes and relaxing. Next thing he knew he was sitting in his old room, looking out the window. HE blinked and looked around.

"What the fuck just happened?"

His memories of Sakamiya were all present, yet when he reached for his guns, he found they were not there. He then pulled his shirt down to see his scar collection, and he found the ones he'd gotten from the wars were still there oddly. HE sighed.

"Okay. A dreamscape. Fuck this."

"Heeeeey Reeeetaaaard!"

HE looked to see his whale of a sister walk into his room with a broken plate.

"Yooouuuu arrreeee iiiin trouuuubllleee!"

Tyler chuckled. I remember this. Okay. NO. He walked to his small bureau and pulled the switchblade out as his mother's husband came in with a long chain.

"You know the routine, turn around and drop the pants."

Tyler laughed.

"If you want my ass, you're gonna need to kill me."

The man sighed.

"And THAT'S why those girls just dumped you back here. Just can't do what your told."

He smirked.

"You just mad they better en your whale."

Tyler knew the girls would NEVER let him go back. We may have an issue and a crisis in the family right now. It may even be on the verge of crumbling. But, so long as I can still make a fist I WILL NOT let that family be taken from us. Dani had made a mess and he did not know how to fix it. But Shiro be damned he was going to try! The man swung the chain at Tyler with a malicious force, only for the experienced war fighter to sidestep and wrap the chain around his arm. He yanked and it pulled the pencil of a man off balance as Tyler flipped him over his shoulder. He hit the floor with a nasty thud, and Tyler stabbed him in the heart.

"That's one!"

His sister screamed in horror before falling backwards down the stairs as his mother shrieked in horror as well at seeing her angel falling down the stairs.

"I felt the house shake!

He was laughing as he looked to where he'd hidden his two swords. He took them out and sheathed them on his back as the screaming continued. He walked into his parents room, a long slanted roof deal he'd always kinda liked, and fished in their dresser before pulling his now dead step father's Colt 45 out and the extra two mags.

"Better. But Sherie'd beat the piss outta him for just how badly maintained this thing is."

He coked it and walked out whistling as he saw his whale of a mother cradling his unharmed heffer of a sister on the floor as she sobbed. Tyler shot them both in the face before walking out the front door. I got no clue how to get outta this thing, and I think up and killing my self is a bad idea. Where's freddy kreuger when you need him? He laughed to himself at his own joke as he walked to the garage.

"I got no idea how to get out, so, I'll just go back to the school."

He opened the garage to find his hog sitting there.

"Wooow, alrighty then,"

HE walked over and looked it over as his family, now sporting bleeding holes and rents came out of the house to wail at him.

"You can't keep them."

"They're too good for you."

"You failed them."

"No matter what you do or now hard you fight, you'll always be a useless retard."

"A worthless waste of a life."

"An unwanted."

"We are wanted by each other."

Tyler was smiling as he straddled his bike.

"We are the unwanted castaways of this world. No one wanted us, and no one misses us. Yet. We thrive. We make new families and we fight tot the death to defend those families. We love each other fully and completely. We accept each other without reserve, for we truly understand the others pain. YOU may not want us. But, we want us."

The specters howled in anger as he kicked his bike to lifer and tore out the drive before craving it down the high hill and hitting the throttle and roaring down the road.

"Throw the doors ladies. I'm coming home!"

The doors were indeed thrown, as the long winding street he was riding on transformed into the tree lined main entry road to Sakamiya Academy. He revved the engine and popped a wheelie as he heard the gun fire ahead, and pushed the bike as fast as it could go. He pulled Fenrir from the holster and took aim as the besieged gates of the school became visible. He fired and there was a ragged cheer from the roof as the girls all waved.

"Tyler's back!"

"He came for me!"

"Yay! Brother's home!"

"About damn time Captain."

"Welcome home love."

"Guy loves to make an entrance."

"Yup. Ohh, Now I want em."

"We're not gonna be able to walk later."

"Tasty's back!"

Tyler emptied his rifle as he slammed into the attacking army of faces from his past and drew his blades. He laughed as he cut them all down before racing to dive into the many armed hug of the girls.

"I love you all. And I'm not going anywhere."

HE was smiling when he blinked and found himself staring at the roof of his alcove.