The rest of the train ride was rather uneventful for Kurogane as he shared the food with the two in his compartment. Mostly letting them have at all the sweet stuff - he didn't care for sweets anyway. Instead of tuning them out, like he would have done otherwise, he chose to try and pay (some) attention to them - to keep up with this whole 'being friends' thing and all. Besides, what they brought up might become useful later, he reasoned.

The absence-presence blond kid showed up for a while and made chatter before excusing himself to do another trolley delivery. None of it was important. Most of it was redirection anyway.

The April scenery zoomed by outside the window that Kurogane chose to look at when conversation was not being made as the train zigged and zagged towards the top of the sacred Fujisan. It was serene as the train ride drove them up the mountainside, and at one point through a thick layer of clouds that obstructed most of the external view.

It was getting late in the day for the sun as the hints of a sunset formed as the train made its way to the outskirts of CLAMP. Arriving on the lower grounds belonging to the school, yet still an area traversed by muggles on school trips of their own, students gathered their things before departing from the train.

Awaiting them was the school's Groundskeeper, a massive man in his own right - big enough he probably had Giant blood, Kurogane thought, was the first to welcome them all to CLAMP with a warm smile and several of the older students greeted him with friendly smiles and 'how was your summer? Find any new creatures?' Just looking at his aura, and Kurogane surmised he was mostly the honest sort. Gentle and compassionate. His demeanor seemed to say the same. He never quite caught the answer to the inquiry of the Groundskeeper because a flickering aura had caught his attention at that moment, as it was near the front of the train before it was gone.

"Welcome to CLAMP mages alike." Kurogane turned his head around to face the adult. "The name's Kusanagi Shiyū. Can I get all of our first years to gather round while the rest of you can head on ahead. Third years and above, I expect you to show our second years where to go."

While the second years moved to join the older years as they headed to the school first, Kurogane watched a couple of them hush hushing between each other, as the older students walked off to what appeared to be an old shrine building but like the other first years, stayed with the Giant man.

Kusanagi led the first years to the center of a magical star that has been set into the ground itself. However from the angle visible, Kurogane could only make out a small glow to the lines nearest them. There was magic etched permanently to the ground, and Kurogane guessed, it was likely a Transporter of some type, because there was no school in sight, and the only building around was that shrine looking one the older kids went to.

Kusanagi placed a single prewritten talisman where the lines interconnected on the ground and the lines of the Star glowed in activation as the talisman disappeared with the brighter glow and there was a small rumble as students noticed they were no longer standing on the dirt ground. An invisible yet solid platform lifted all of the students and Kusanagi from the ground and straight through the higher clouds. The feeling of the precipitation was similar to the feeling of a ghost passing through, leaving a lingering coolness, yet no tangible remnants behind. Kurogane glanced around, observing the area around and at first it was just magical auras and clouds but soon, the clouds parted way to reveal the layout of the school, nestled in the top on Fujisan, the rim of Fujisan's crater having a visible eight point star lines and points only seeable from above, giving the students a bird's eye view of the school and the grounds below before slowly descending toward the school in a space that only appeared after they had gone through the cloud like layer. Or perhaps, as the whispers of some students, they weren't clouds at all, but a translucent barrier that kept the school invisible and in a pocket dimension from the world around them.

From the sky, the lands stretched on, the pagodas that made the majority of the school buildings were close together, arranged in clusters with bridged connecting the buildings while flowering trees loomed pleasantly about the area. Lakes and hills were apart of the property and sometimes there would be movement visible as animals and creatures lived there too.

The platform slowly lowered down towards the entrance of the school before halting at the top of the steps leading up to the main building. The stairs led to what looked like a large training ground, or perhaps Quidditch practice. Maybe it was just simply an open space for the students to gather during their leisure time. No matter what it was intended for, it would have to wait.

Tall front doors welcomed the students that many assumed were mostly opened by magic instead of actual brute strength, although their Groundskeeper had enough strength he could open them by himself, doing just that as he pushed them wide open before them. The doors swung easily for the half Giant, and the headmistress, Yuuko, stood a half meter behind the double doors.

The witch was clad in ceremonial robes, choosing refinement and finesse for the welcoming ceremony. Kurogane got a feeling from her that she was not just a figurehead for the school.

"First years, this is Headmistress Ichihara Yuuko," Kusanagi Shiyu introduced. Kurogane overheard a whispered 'I wouldn't want to piss that witch off' from one of the first years in the back. Although he had no idea to which one it was, he was pretty sure she did from her giving a student a once over before starting.

"Welcome to CLAMP, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Yuuko started with a calm face, "In just a little bit, the welcoming ceremonies will begin and each and every one of you will be sorted into a House most fitting, where you will join others seated at your House's table. When you are Sorted, that House will be like your new family while at CLAMP. As such, while building friendships between the Houses is encouraged, visiting another House's Common Room and Dormitory is not permitted. Rulebreakers will cost their House points while those who have triumphs here will earn their House points; at the end of the year, the House with the most points earns the CLAMP Cup, an honor which many of your peers will strive to attain."

"The four Houses are called Tamon, Jikoku, Koumoku, and Zochou from the founders of this school, and as such, those who have virtues and vices most similar to a particular original Founder will be sorted into that House. NOW. Please wait here, while we finish preparing for your arrival. When the ceremony is ready, one of our school's mascots will greet us."

Kusanagi bowed a little at the Headmistress before he headed down the hall and walked through a set of doors that close behind him into what Kurogane could only guess is where the opening ceremony was going to happen. There were plenty of nervous whispering going on amongst other first years while they waited, while Kurogane kept an eye open for the two that shared his compartment on the train.

As the newest students stayed in the same area, eventually Sakura caught up with him, smiling, her owl making small squawks. "So it's your first year too, Kurogane-san?"

"That should be obvious," Kurogane murmured. He glanced through the auras looking for the other kid, "where's the puppy?"

"Syaoran-kun?"

"Yeah, him…"

Sakura smiled a bit softer, "he got fascinated with the school structure. So he's behind the doors."

"Hope he ain't squashed too much," Kurogane murmured.

"Oh no, do you think he's hurt?" Sakura asked with a tiny gasp, now concerned.

".. probably not."

Either way, off she went to go check on him.

Kurogane made a quiet breath, "too kind for her own good," he muttered.

Minutes passed before the doors opened and a blue eyed black fur… bunny, more or less, came in bounds hopping towards the Headmistress. And as though practiced, the creature hopped over her shoulder and landed in her arms. Its ears seemed the most bunny like but otherwise it looked like a fat dumpling with paws and feet, a blue jewel in the forehead and a silver hoop piercing on one ear that had a blue stone dangling off of it.

"The ceremony is ready for them," the bunnyish creature said.

"Please leave your belongings here. Once you have been sorted into a House, your things will be taken to that House's Common Room," the Headmistress said.

Kurogane let out a quiet huff; he wasn't about to leave Ginryuu's safety to who knows what, so he slipped the dragon into his pocket instead of leaving him in his traveling cage before following along with the other children. They headed through the set of doors and down a hallway that had doors shut off and as the kept walking , the doors in front opened up slowly before the Headmistress and the first years.

Golden lanterns illuminated the six sided room, suspended in the air of the room by magic, casting a soft glow over things. The older students were already seated at one of four separate tables - each one near a different wall of the room. In the middle was the staff table, a large square table with a side facing each of the student tables and the staff standing to greet the new students, wearing their finer robes. Just as the side they had entered from had no table directly near it, neither did the wall on the far end, each wall having currently closed doors, but the one they just walked through.

In front of the staff table was a stool with a similar yet white creature, with a red jewel in the center of the forehead. It had the other ear pierced, dangling a gold hoop like earring with a red stone.

"Before we start, a reminder of what our Houses stand for. In Tamon, located at the North," she paused for the cheers from the Tamon table, "Tamon believed in 'Always Learning, Always Listening'."

"In Jikoku, located in the East," a pause for the excited rawrs, "Jikoku believed in 'Keeping Peace, Guarding All'."

"In Zochou, located in the South," a pause for the boisterous clapping, Zochou believed in 'Growing Wise, With Moderation'."

"In Koumoku, located in the West," a pause as that table made loud whistles, "Koumoku believed in 'Seeing Through All Things'."

The students were called one by one by this creature, alphabetically by last name and then first name. Kurogane barely paid attention to what House others were joining, more interested in how the creature could tell - if it was like his ability of sensing auras or was it something else altogether - until he noticed the kitten was called upon.

"Kinomoto Sakura."

Sakura stepped up to the creature from her peers, before the white creature hopped on her head like all the others. It didn't take much time before Mokona called out, "Zochou."

The Zochou table clapped excitedly for their newest member as Sakura gently placed Mokona back down on the stool and headed over to the table with her new fellow Housemates.

"Kurogane Youou."

Kurogane walked up there, and let the magical being hop on his head. Sitting on Kurogane's head, the white creature poked fun at him because she could, "You're not a very nice guy are you?" Mokona spoke for him to hear.

Kurogane turned a little red in the face and had the nerve to throw her, but just mentally yelled at her to shut the fuck up, instead.

"Jikoku," Soel announced.

There's rawr like cheering from Jikoku as Kurogane removed the white creature off his head and left her there as he goes to the indicated House table. So he didn't have the same table as his so-called friend. He supposed it was better that way. Several more students get their turn before he heard the puppy have his turn.

"Li Syaoran."

Stepping out, Mokona sat on Syaoran's head, and crossed her small paws, debating momentarily before shouting out "Tamon."

The Tamon table cheered loudly at that, and Syaoran headed over to the others, while Mokona hopped down and waited on her stool for the next student.

More students went, and after a set of twin girls whose last name sounded like a typo of a musical instrument shared the same House, and one sister couldn't be happier to gesture for her sister to sit beside her at their new House table, have all the students been sorted and the white Mokona hopped her way into the Headmistress's arms, joining paws with the black Mokona

As though waiting for that signal, the food suddenly appeared upon the tables, and many eyes grew wide at the display of magic, while others, used to this, just eyed the food hungrily and piled food onto their plates and drinks into their cups.

During dinner, a large fiery chimeric wolf-like lion with a large single horn strode into the hall and approached the Tamon table. Three of the new students freaked out initially. Syaoran was surprised but his curiosity and fascination overpowered it and he began to iterate what he'd read about Rayearth to the other new kid next to him. About the same time as Rayearth showed up, a giant green bird resembling a phoenix known as Windham flew to rest near the Koumoku table while a blue European dragon names Celes flew in before landing by Jikoku. Meanwhile, a creature named Ushagi - which looked like a giant stuffed bunny with wings too small for its body silently floated in carrying a sunflower to the Zochou table.

Several students from Tamon reached to pet Rayearth as he walked by in passing. And while more than one student tossed food for Windham and Celes to eat, Ushagi would hold the sunflowet towards different students and have a half private conversation with them.

During dinner, Kurogane kept Ginryuu in his pocket but sometimes sent a bite his way.

After dinner and before the tables would be filled with desserts, desserts were held back a few minutes so any important information about the school could be announced.

"All classes will begin in three days. Tomorrow will be a free day for all students. However you must stay on the premises. The following day, First Years will be given a tour of campus and all Second Year and above will have the full day as a free day. It would be wise to make sure you know how to get to your classes in those days. After that, classes officially begin."

Yuuko had each House's representatives stand up and face their whole table. Each House held three representatives, the House mascot, the House teacher and the Top Mage, an honorary student from the House who received special privileges in exchange for special responsibilities. For instance, as Top Mage, they had similar authoritative powers as a teacher, and could give any House points for exemplary behaviour or redact House points for poor conduct. However only a teacher could hand out detention or expulsion of a student. A Top Mage can request such for serious acts of juvenile or criminal mischief, but it was the administrative staff's place to issue it. One had to be in their 3rd year of school to be eligible for Top Mage and show outstanding House conduct.

Shidou Hikari was the Top Mage of Tamon, Hououji Fuu was the Top Mage of Zochou, Ryuuzaki Umi was the Top Mage of Jikoku, and Cephiro Emeraude was the Top Mage of Koumoku. Hikari, Fuu and Umi were in their Fourth year while Emeraude was in her Fifth year. As Top Mage, they were also in charge of sharing the password with their fellow House, so that would have to happen later when they headed to their House's Common Room. It was things like this that made it in every student's best interests to be on at least decent standing grounds with their Top Mage.

The Top Mage of Jikoku introduced herself for the first years' sake. The rest should have already known who she was.

"Good evening. My name is Ryuuzaki Umi," Umi introduced herself "As Top Mage of Jikoku, it is my job to help ensure peace among the Jikoku House. If any of you need help, you are welcome to ask me questions."

Fuu, Hikari, and Emeraude shared a similar message with their House, using their own words.

Once the students sat down the Mokona mascots sang a short song. When the song ended, the desserts showed up upon the tables.

Of those desserts, the only one of interest to Kurogane was the pickled plums.

When the meal had ended, all the food remaining disappeared and the staff stood as the students slowly filed out of the door nearest their table. Umi led those in Jikoku to the eastern quadrant of the school, where their Common Room was located. Kurogane briefly checked on the puppy and kitten that they seemed fine before following his House.

Outside of the main pagoda, they crossed four bridges and one meandering path to get to their House's Common Room. Near the meandering path was a small pond with koi fish that swam in the air as much as they did the water.

On the outside, it looked too small to house them all, but using the password that Umi provided, it proved to be a lot bigger on the inside. And just as Yuuko had said, their things had managed to make it into the center of the room. The Common Room had a cozy fireplace and a flowing waterfall, comfortable furniture for starters, with natural looking materials and cool, calm colors, lots of blues and soft whites.

"There are bedrooms and bathrooms you can access from here," Umi said, the older students knowing and going about their way. "There are boy and girl bathrooms. Those of you who are neither can use either, depending on which is more comfortable."

One raised a hand as though in class, and timidly asked, "what if I only look like a girl on the outside?"

Then you got cursed at birth to look like something you ain't, Kurogane mentally thought.

"If you know you are a boy, the bathroom and bedrooms will know you are a boy, and let you in."

The student almost cried at that.

Umi explained which bedrooms and bathrooms were which and when there seemed to be no more questions, wished them all to enjoy their time and went to the girls bedroom to start unpacking. Some of the student headed to the bathroom and some the bedrooms.

Kurogane grabbed his things and headed to the bedroom, finding an available bunk bed near the far wall and set his things down by it. Even if it meant more walking it was nice to have one by a wall. Ginryuu after a little tried climbing out of his pocket and he put his dragon up on his shoulder before heading back out and explored the Common Room, getting familiar with it. After a while, he found a chair that was rather comfortable. It had a nice view of the front door, the fireplace and waterfall. He could watch students without having to worry about a lot able to sneak up on him. Just because he could see auras doesn't mean he can see behind his head. He liked that chair.

He watched as most of the flyers left the room and didn't come back. He was a little curious where they went but it didn't matter to him because he wasn't sending Ginryuu to join them.

It soon got late, where even Ginryuu was trying to knead a spot for sleeping, so he got up and noticed that one kid…. Shy voice still wandering about. Still hadn't gone into a bedroom and claimed a bed.

He walked over and well, it wasn't an owl. Or a dragon. Or any other flyer associated with the magic world. Nope, this kid brought in a ...well it looked a lot like a green parakeet with just a little blue around the neck and some black feathers as part of the wing and had a red beak.

"That bird yours?" Kurogane asked.

He received a nod, "my parents didn't know why I needed a flyer for school, but they got me this bird anyway."

"Ah," Kurogane murmured. Most likely muggles then, he mused.

Not that he was the boss or anything, but most the others had already gone to the bedrooms.

"You gonna put your flyer with the rest?" Kurogane asked. Probably look like dinner, but maybe the others were better behaved than that.

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea."

"Then, you should bring your bird with ya and go find yourself a bed."

The kid seemed still a bit unsure, even while gathering up their things.

"You're a boy on the inside, right?" Kurogane asked, making sure this kid was. For all he knew, could have been agender or something like that. He just knew the kid implied was only a girl on the outside.

"Y.. yeah," he said.

"Then let's go." He grabbed the bird's cage and headed to the boy's bedroom.

The boy seemed surprised by that and slowly followed with his things. He set the bird inside the room before checking on the kid who was stalling at the door.

"What's wrong?"

"This is still new to me…"

"You'll be fine, alright… just go on in and find yerself a bed."

He gently pushed on the boy's back to get him going, and it still surprised him, he was allowed in the room.

"See? Wasn't so hard."

He then walked off towards the bed he claimed, not bothering to unpack yet and moved to sit on the bottom bunk. After a little while that kid came over towards him.

"Is there a bunk available with you?" He asked.

"Probably …" He stood on the edge of the bed and looked at the top bunk.

"One available. You one of those restless sleepers?"

"I don't believe so."

"Then you can have the top bunk."

"What about Pistachio?"

He assumed that was the bird. "Less you want to sleep together, probably best to leave in the cage. We can hang the cage up tomorrow. Here we can leave Pistachio over on this side tonight, so none of the boys here will bump into the cage." The cage and Pistachio got moved over closer to the wall.

"Thank you…"

"It's Kurogane.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Just go to sleep already," Kurogane encouraged as he moved to lay on the bottom bunk.

"Alright… g good night, Kurogane-san," the boy said climbing up to the top bunk.

"Night."

Ginryuu curled up with Kurogane and soon they were all asleep.