AN: I'm sorry this took basically a year to get done. Also this is unbeta'd because I can't wait any longer otherwise I'd never get this posed. Again, sorry for being a year late with this 2nd chapter and that it's relatively short compared with the 1st chapter. Honestly this went through about seven or eight rewrites so...

Over sleeping happened to be one of Juuzou's specialties and one of the childish habits which had managed to stick around long after his graduation into, supposed, adult-hood. Not only had he slept through breakfast, but also his multiple morning alarms because one or two just couldn't cut it. He felt no guilt for missing History of Magic, Potions, and Divination; they all had sounded boring on parchment, so they must have been boring in person. Potions was the only one that sounded even remotely interesting, but Juuzou just couldn't be bothered to wake up to go to that class.

At least he woke up in time to attend his last class of the day, Defense Against the Dark Arts, which was a feat, in and of itself, worth a pat on the back seeing as Juuzou would have been sorely upset if he had missed his first chance to do some real magic casting. He figured that missing the other classes was now considered water under the proverbial bridge since he could just attend them another day―if he felt like it, that is. The act of getting Juuzou to attend class, any class at all, was as difficult as it came, but making him attend a boring class or one that he didn't want to was even more difficult, well-nigh impossible.

Anyone who had known him during his time at the CCG Academy, or even knew of his bad habits, would understand that Juuzou had often played hooky in favor of spending his time outside off the beaten track. In his mind, he had rationalized that he was already capable of killing a ghoul so what would be the point of attending classes to be lectured on a task he was already able to accomplish. Apparently the faculty and administrators thought differently than him since on multiple occasions they would attempt to track him down and force him into a lecture hall.

Lazily Juuzou tugged on his favorite oversized black button-up with rolled up sleeves, some black slacks that had been cut to knee length, and to finishing the look he clipped on his signature red and black suspenders. A curious thought crossed his mind as he mentally went over some of the details of the mission; what if he possessed the inherent ability to do magic like the rest of the students, and what if, maybe, that had been the reason for his selection for this mission; but then again Juuzou could merely chalk it up to be because everyone else at the CCG was old and wouldn't have been able to fit in at a school nearly as well as he could, seeing as his personality and appearance could easily be that of a teenager.

Nonetheless even mulling over the idea that he could be a real wizard was cool, but in reality it didn't really focus on his interests in life―eating snacks and killing ghouls. While Juuzou had been given a wand―twelve and three quarter inches, dogwood, thestral heartstring, and unexpectedly lithe―he had yet to try testing it out with a real spell, and almost hadn't gotten the chance to, nearly snapping the stick in two once he had gotten it back at Diagon Alley; Juuzou tended to be rough with his possessions.

The robes which had been bought and tailored for him lay bunched up and hidden away near the bottom of his suitcase. After the first test run he had concluded that they were stupid looking and not very original, even after the red accented pieces to show which House he had been sorted into were added. Juuzou much preferred his own style where he could move better as well as be himself. After adjusting the crimson bobby-pins in his hair to, as per usual, resemble the Roman numeral thirteen, Juuzou slipped on his fuzzy red slippers and hopped down the spiral stairs and into the Gryffindor common room, which of course was sparsely populated due to the timing.

Leaving Gryffindor Tower, Juuzou maneuvered through the maze of ever changing staircases and moving pictures. He still marveled at how the stairwell had a mind of its own and how the pictures just got up a left their frames with no hesitation about leaving any particular frame completely void of its designated personnel. From the painting leading to Gryffindor Tower―whose name currently escaped Juuzou―to the supposed floor he was going to, it was a few staircases down so with time in mind Juuzou thought that sliding down the railing would be a much needed time saver in comparison to walking down each flight of stairs; also sliding on the railing just felt like the more fun and adrenaline pumping option, so naturally Juuzou went with it. Soft fabric slid against the marble handrail and Juuzou grinned to himself as the air current brushed against his face, making his raven colored hair flow behind him. Occasionally a painting would yell at him, saying the same thing as the last painting, that what he was doing was dangerous and that he should stop. His well thought out response to said yelling paintings was to completely ignoring their disapproving words and pretending that they weren't there.

Slippered feet tapped onto stone flooring as Juuzou came to a stop at the bottom of the last staircase and hopped off the railing. This was accompanied by a couple of relieved sighs from the worried onlookers. Juuzou's pale hand came up and pulled at the red threads stitched on his lower lip as he glanced around at the paintings that gave him disapproving looks while they moved within their golden frames. Getting caught up in this morning's thoughts and antics Juuzou had forgotten to grab his map to each of his classes. After the third tug on the red thread, an ah-ha moment came to him and Juuzou nodded to himself before choosing which hallway to take. Hopefully he had recalled how to get to the Defense Against the Dark Arts room correctly, otherwise who knows where he would end up.

Trotting down the hall he kept his fingers lightly brushing against the stone like the put-your-finger-on-the-wall thing a five year old would do in elementary school. The stone was cool to the touch and Juuzou rather enjoyed the smooth to indented back to smooth feel he got as he ran his fingers along it. As he rounded the corner of the hall his ears picked up yelling from behind a wooden door marked Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Curiosity rose inside him and he knew that he just had to see the argument; he hoped it would end in colorful spells being thrown around from various magic sticks because that was the only thing Juuzou could think could make an argument at a magic school worthwhile. His one track mind brought his hand against the slightly splintered wood of the heavy classroom door and he pushed it open to reveal what looked to be a scream off exploding between Umbridge and Harry. Instantly his hopes were crushed for a chaotic spelling using fight and Juuzou deflated a little.

"Detention Mr. Potter!" Umbridge's shrill voice hurt Juuzou's ears and while he loved the prospect that this heated argument could eventually bring magic into play―which he would so very much want to see―right now he just wanted her to stop speaking, possibly for the next forever and a year. Her voice felt like a tiny nail being drilled into his skull with the metal against bone squeaking in his ear the entire time.

During a pause in the fight Juuzou spoke up, making his presence known and all eyes, including Umbridge's, turned to stare at him. His dark red eyes first noticed, in one of the aisle seats around the middle of the classroom, a round faced boy who wore Gryffindor colors try to, with success, catch his attention before scrunching his eyes shut and cringing. Juuzou only had a moment to wonder what the set of facial expressions was for because a second later ice cold water and small partially melted cubes of ice doused his entire body while an echoing laughter came from above.

Glancing up through wet bangs he saw a ghost-like figure above him with a dripping pail, obviously the culprit. Before Juuzou could react the figure snickered and zoomed down the corridor, dropping the dripping metal bucket onto the stone floor with a resounding clank. Juuzou was about to run after said figure, who he assumed to be Peeves―the Prefects and some of the students had warned him about the poltergeist―but as soon as one of his sopping wet slippers squelched onto the floor he was stopped by a shrill and grating voice owned by none other than Umbridge.

"Detention Mr. Suzuya! Now get to your seat! You are late." Juuzou paused and about-faced, frowning through his wet mop of onyx hair. This seemed like a poorly disguised act for her to get back at him. Remembering his promise to Hanbee to give his best attempt to not cause trouble, Juuzou obliged with a soft grumble. He said that he would try his best, but Juuzou had a penchant for getting in trouble or for trouble finding him.

The toad woman looked very smug as Juuzou walked down the rows, dripping from head-to-toe as he searched for an open seat, ending up sitting next to a pug-faced girl in green accented robes. Umbridge had obviously been waiting for a moment to grasp and assert some sort of authority over him, even if it was the authority to assign him a measly detention―which he may or may not go to in the end―and force him to sit through the rest of class in discomfort.

Her inferiority complex was glaringly obvious every time she tried to command Juuzou to do anything. He wanted to laugh at her and her miserably feeble attempts to rein him in. He was a wildfire that couldn't even be tamed by the CCG, maybe guided and occasionally contained but not tamed. He had been raised and scarred for life by a ghoul and no amount of teaching or counseling will ever make him go back to acting like that quiet obedient doll again, let alone a normal human being.

A textbook floated over to his seat, landing with a thump on the scrawled and etched upon wood. Juuzou eyed the thick book, and lazily flipped through it cover-to-cover, ultimately deciding it wasn't worth his attention. He could tell that he wasn't going to have the pleasure of watching stuff get blown up or horribly mangled in this class, so he tuned out.

His mind was more intent on focusing on considering where the ghouls could be hiding. So far he hadn't encountered a single one, which was disappointing and surprising. Juuzou knew that his particular scent was like the greatest thing since sliced bread to them. He didn't know exactly what about him smelled so good but he knew that just his existence was like ghoul bait, really really good ghoul bait. Offhandedly Juuzou noted to himself to later ask Haise to describe to him his smell.

That train of thought came to a screeching halt when he noticed a very tacky pink blob standing in his line of vacant sight. "Mr. Suzuya I think it is in your, and the class', best interest that you quit daydreaming and start paying attention. Or you would like to make everyone else join you in detention."

Protests and yelling came his way as soon as Umbridge finished speaking. This was definitely another one of her schemes so she could make him into public enemy number one. If all the students started hating him then she would be able to hide in the crowd and make more trouble for him, probably till she got him kicked out since she hated him so much.

Either way, Juuzou wasn't going to submit to her just because she wanted to pull a move elementary school teachers had perfected since the dawn of kindergarten class. He didn't care if he became disliked by the students; it wasn't his job to get along with kids who made mountains out of mole hills and were too caught up in their own world that they couldn't see the big picture. He had more important and, for a matter of fact, interesting things to do and think about than his public image, which in the first place hadn't been a big concern for him. Besides he couldn't care even remotely at all if other students were forced into detention because of him, it wasn't likely that they would have spent that hour being useful to his mission, so it wouldn't matter to him if they spent it in detention or not.

Instead of responding to her threat, Juuzou picked up the textbook and threw it at her―it felt like the most interesting option. He didn't care about the legality of what would happen if the bounded papers hit her, he just wanted the satisfaction of maybe giving her a concussion or at least a big bruise. To his great disappointment the book stopped a couple inches short of its mark, floating in the air gently for a few moments, then placing itself back nicely on top of the pile of extra textbooks by the front table.

The face of an overjoyed Umbridge brought bile up his esophagus and Juuzou surmised that he needed to be extra sneaky if he was going to attempt to cause her bodily harm. In her eyes he had taken the bait, but really he had her dancing in the palm of his hand. Though she might not merit as much fun as a ghoul would be he did enjoy toying with her because she so utterly and unequivocally annoyed him. For a moment he wondered if biting off her ear would be as fun as it was with that disbelieving policeman. The sour taste in the back of his throat had Juuzou scrunching his nose in disgust and he remarked, with a slight upward tug to the corners of his mouth, "You don't have to give me detention. Your face is punishment enough."

Despite the current hatred and loathing towards him, some of the students in the class laughed at his insult. And like his sense of taste, Umbridge's expression quickly turned sour before she yelled in her shrill voice, "Detention for everyone!"

Throughout the rest of class Juuzou could feel eyes trying to bore through the back of his skull. Once class had been adjourned he hopped up from his seat, which was thoroughly dripping and damp with water as was the area around his seat, and left the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom with everyone else. At least the class time had given his clothes a chance to dry from their previous drenching, albeit they were still damp by the end of class. People pushed and shoved him through the door and out into the hallway; a couple of mean looking Slytherins actually came up to him, probably with the intention of hexing him or something for giving them detention.

The bully-esque group backed him into a secluded corridor away from where the rest of the students were filing out. This was too boring to merit any expenditure in energy to escape. It was a group of five against a single one hundred sixty centimeter Juuzou, not that he couldn't handle these green bullies on his own. He noticed that the only girl in the group was that pug-faced one he had sat next to in class. To her right were two huge lumpy boys and to her left was a tall boy with slanted eyes. At the forefront of the group was a boy with sleek blonde hair and a pompous expression.

"You've made a big mistake." The blonde paused and peered closer at Juuzou, while motioning for his two hulking friends to come closer to give his presence a more intimidating effect. "Blimey. Are you really a boy?" For a moment the blonde boy abandoned his anger, which was replaced by confusion and curiosity.

The blonde's grey eyes glanced over Juuzou, examining him as if trying to unravel his appearance and why he looked so androgynous. Juuzou locked up for a second before taking a slow breath to calm his slightly frazzled nerves. No matter how many times it happened he would never be comfortable with the looks and comments about his gender. Intention and reason didn't matter when it came to this touchy subject; he would rather it never be brought up since it always brought with it trauma and memories. Relaxing his tensed up muscles Juuzou was brought back to the current events that were unfolding.

A voice shouted from around the corner and the group of Slytherins turned to see who was disturbing their fun. Juuzou peeked around the mass of green and his large eyes met Harry sprinting down the hallway with Ron and Hermione close behind. He waved nonchalantly at the arriving trio, as if trouble wasn't just beginning to brew right in front of him. Harry's hand hovered over his wand, daring Malfoy to make a move. "Leave him alone, Malfoy."

"Why should I, Potter? Just because you already had detention doesn't change how the rest of us feel about joining you. I'm going teach this kid a lesson about causing trouble to his betters." The blonde, who was now identified as Malfoy, grabbed his wand and pointed the stick at Harry; to which, in response, Harry also pointed his wand at Malfoy. And of course the rest of the students present pulled out their own wands, pointing them at someone from the opposing group.

Juuzou would have pulled out his wand as well to join in, if only just to appear like he also could hold a shiny wooden twig and look menacing since he had no idea how to say any spells let alone even cast one, but he had misplaced it somewhere; it was probably on his nightstand back in Gryffindor Tower or with Hanbee, either way he didn't have it. Too bad, and he had so wanted to finally do something with that magic stick―like break someone's leg, but now he'll just have to wait till his next chance.

"You don't scare me," sneered Malfoy. He paused for a moment, noticing a few teachers walk past the hallway they were using as a fight scene. "If you really want to play hero, Potter, then-" Malfoy was abruptly stopped in the middle of egging on Harry by a scream that echoed down the hallway. Soon after a few teacher rush through the corridor towards the direction of said scream. A gut feeling told Juuzou to go that way too and that it was going to be trouble.

Slipping past Malfoy and company with ease, Juuzou dashed down the corridor. Noticing his escape Malfoy and company ran after him with the Gryffindor trio close on their heels. Skidding to a stop behind a mob of students and teachers, Juuzou ducked down wiggled his way to the front. Nearing the front of the mob, he noticed Hanbee who motioned to Juuzou to come quickly. Once close enough he could deduce the situation and what needed to be done. Raising his voice Juuzou called out to all the staff and students. "Everyone I need you all to clear the area."

On the stone floor lay Haise writhing and groaning. Students and faculty alike gaze upon him with a mix of curiosity and worry. The order was taken lightly and pretty much ignored. People were calling for someone named Madam Pomfrey, who seemed to be the school's nurse from what Juuzou could surmise. One girl reached forward towards Haise. Juuzou dashed over and pushed her back just as Haise's hand reached out, grabbing ahold of black dress shirt instead of yellow accented robes. In a moment a blur of black was thrown through the air and collided with a hard stone wall then fell to the floor with a thud.

Students and teachers gasped and backed away slightly from Haise, some crowding around Juuzou to see if he was alright after his short flight. Shakily getting onto his hands and knees, Juuzou loudly ordered once again that everyone leave the area. The wind had been knocked out of him and he could barely catch his breath, but he said it again for everyone to get away quickly. Finally the onlookers realized the severity of the situation and started running away from Haise.

Back onto his feet Juuzou told Hanbee to be ready to go with Plan B if Plan A didn't work. Right now Haise didn't seem bad enough for Plan B to need to be put into action immediately. Cautiously Juuzou circled around Haise, inching his way closer ever so slightly till he could reach out and grab Haise's wrists. Gripping tightly on his fellow investigator's wrists he pinned them to the floor and tried to subdue a writhing Haise, who was now screaming incoherent words and sentences.

Recalling what Arima had told him and what the files said about dealing with one of Haise's so called "break downs" Juuzou tried applying the methods. There had been a few different method for deal with "break downs" of different severity; there was Plan A for "break downs" where Haise is of no immediate threat; then Plan B for when Haise begins losing control of himself; next Plan C for Haise lets loose his kagune and can become a bigger threat; then Plan D for when Haise becomes a major threat and cannot be stopped without sustaining heavy damage; and finally Plan E when Haise loses himself completely and must be stopped at any cost.

For now Juuzou just tried to reason with Haise, tell him that everything was going to be fine and remind him who he is. A tense few minutes pass where the screaming and flailing gets even worse; Haise's fist makes contact with Juuzou's abdomen before being pressed against the stone floor again with more force. If the situation escalated then Juuzou wouldn't just sustain some bruises. Finally the writhing and screams cease. Haise seems to be back in control of himself and Juuzou lets go of his fellow investigator's wrists.

Haise whispers a gravelly and weak thank you to Juuzou; his throat must hurt from screaming so much and he looked tired. Haise and Juuzou help each other up, providing support for one another and slowly make their way to a bench to sit. "Haise would you like a cup of coffee?" The Rank Two Investigator nods and Hanbee walks off.

"Sorry for causing trouble for you." Looking up Juuzou gave Haise a smile and replied, "Don't worry about it. If I couldn't handle you do you think Arima would of let you come on this mission with me?" After all Juuzou had become an Associate Special Class Investigator, one half-ghoul tantrum couldn't stop him. He wanted to reassure Haise and keep him from worrying about what-if's when they had bigger things to be worrying about like a rising ghoul population and possible ghoul attacks.

"Hey Haise, what's your schedule like tomorrow?" asked Juuzou offhandedly to break the slightly awkward silence between them. The taller of the pair reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of parchment, scanned it then replied," Potions, then Muggle Studies, Care of Magical Creatures, and Herbology." The Associate Special Class Investigator would have been more animate in his response if he didn't have a huge growing collection of bruises peppering his pale body. "Really?! We have Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology together!"

It was nice to know that he would get to have at least a few of his classes with Haise. He didn't want the other going through the day alone after the incident that just happened. It would be hard dealing with the curiosity and persistent questions of students and faculty. Juuzou wondered how dinner would be since that would be the first hurdle.

Hanbee finally returned with the coffee and received a soft thank you accompanied by a warm smile from Haise. Sitting across from Juuzou and Haise, Hanbee waited a moment before speaking up, asking the question on all of their minds. "So how should we deal with the questions that are sure to come from the wizards?"

"Well we can't really tell them that Haise is half-ghoul...that probably won't go over well see as these wizards don't really understand his situation or much about ghouls in the first place," mused Juuzou out loud as he pulled at the red stitches down his hand. Looking to his right he noticed Haise's dejected look. "Don't blame yourself Haise, it was bound to happen eventually."

"But I'm a hazard and I've pretty much already jeopardize the mission and so soon..."

Puffing out his cheeks with frustration Juuzou reached into his pocket then nudged his fist towards Haise's hand, dropping a small round candy into the other's palm. "It's my favorite special coffee candy!" said Juuzou as he beamed at his fellow investigator. The half-ghoul looked surprised but graciously accepted the candy. "Don't worry Haise I have a brilliant idea," declared Juuzou as he stood up quickly, a little too quickly because Hanbee had to catch him.

His partner looked a little worried, which was rightfully so since most of Juuzou's "brilliant ideas" rarely lead to ideal situations. Despite the worried expression plaguing Hanbee's face Juuzou grinned and reassured the Rank Two Investigators.