Author's Note: So, I'm divulging into a post-apocalyptic fic. I have all the chapters laid out and summarized so, for the most part, everything is all planned and I'm going to try to keep the up-dates steady and not with weeks in between. If all goes well there should be up-dates every four to maybe five days. I hope you enjoy reading it, leave a review or a little comment because I love to know if people even like what I've written or if it's just complete rubbish.

Century Breakdown: Chapter One: Homecoming

In all honesty, Sebastian was shocked just by how far he ended up before trouble even came up. He expected it a lot earlier than a handful of miles into the city's limits. So all in all he supposed that he couldn't complain about the fact that it had taken him until he breached the city's entrance and had already gotten deep enough to be nearly at the heart of the city itself before anything even remotely blimped on the radar. Sebastian supposed that he did find it odd that it was so quiet, but he arrived late, when the sun had set and the swirl of pastels faded into darkness and a blanket of stars covered the sky over the city where no city lights greeted eager passerby's or hopeful youths. It was both safest at night and the most dangerous and it was rare that many dared to journey out of whatever crippled building was keeping them safe and concealed from any danger that might have been lurking in the shadows. The only ones who usually ventured out at night where the most skilled at protecting not only themselves but the others around them as well. Those who could slink and mold into the shadows and were rarely, if ever caught, and who were the 'leaders' of their division.

There was the distinct sound of a scuffle and Sebastian knew that it wasn't any of the Warblers catching their evening treat of some kid that had been idiotic enough to go out after dark and who wasn't careful enough not to be caught. No, the echo of a body being thrown into a brick wall and the repetition of fists against bodies was enough of an indicator that a group of guys decided to play it tough and go after one of their own. They probably considered themselves better than anyone else that was in the exact same position as they were and decided to prove it by ganging up on the first person they crossed paths with. They were the morons that weren't going to survive much longer if they kept up that attitude. If you didn't stick with a division and traveled around with a gang of sorts, attacking people every other corner, they were bound to piss off someone with enough power to see that they were seen to so they didn't bring any attention to the Warblers. If they really fucked up it would be the Warblers who found them and then they would have wished they'd been dealt with by a head of division.

Sebastian sighed, resigning himself to helping the poor kid. He'll make it his one good deed for the day, or year.

So now that he resigned to doing this, he was actually doing this, helping this stranger. He also decided that this was either going to be the best decision of his life, or he was going to regret this for as long as he lived, which might not be much longer if this turns out to be a total fuck up.

He headed toward the alley way where the source of it all was occurring, and really, an alley, could it be any more cliche? Add in a damsel in distress, thugs and that makes him the knight in shining armor, he thought with malice. One dismal light flickered over the alley, illuminating the group enough that Sebastian could make out a handful of men surrounding a figure silhouetted in the dim lighting. By the looks of it the person the men were attacking was holding their own well enough, but with five to one odds, it probably meant that they wouldn't be able to hold off to much longer. Idly Sebastian flicked out his the blade he kept hidden in his jacket sleeve, the sliver of silver glinting with the night.

"Now this doesn't quite seem fair does it," Sebastian asked, catching the group of men's attention, "Five to one, really? Neither of you can even pretend that your not so pathetic that you need a group to take down one person," he glanced over to the figure who had shifted so that the lighting illuminated their face just enough that Sebastian could make out their basic features, "And a fucking girl as well? Really? You big guys can't take one girl down?" Sebastian caught the scowl from the figure and he replied wordlessly with a cheeky smirk.

"You really don't need to get involved with us," one of the men replied, pulling himself to his full height, no doubt an attempt to intimidate Sebastian, and not doing too good of a job of it either.

Another man spoke up after him, "We just want to finish our business with this one," he gestured to the damsel in distress, "And be on our way."

Sebastian caught the way that all eyes were on his knife, and he supposed that they didn't have anything on them, only their fists, and the knowledge that Sebastian was armed with a potentially lethal weapon caused them some concern.

Good, Sebastian thought, that means that this should be faster than expected.

"Look, I don't want to be wasting my time with any of you," Sebastian said, his grip loose and relaxed on the blade as he fiddled it around with all the ease of someone who was very much used to handling dangerous objects long enough not to be overly cautious and still be safe with it in his hand. The little movements, quick and sure, of the blade kept each man's eyes on where it was moved to next, "So let's all just break this up before we all get sent to the Warblers," he grinned, "And we all know that it won't end very well for you gentlemen."

One of the bigger men snorted, eyes rolling, "There ain't no Warblers out this night."

Sebastian raised his eyebrows, "Oh are you so sure of that? I just walked in around here and I barely missed them," he shrugged, "Shouldn't be much longer before they're headed this way."

The men were anxious now, openly fidgeting, eyes now shooting back and forth between the only exit out of the dead end alley and the person behind them that they were after in the first place.

"Tick tock boys," Sebastian continued, swinging the knife like a pendulum.

"Come on," one of the men commanded, "There's no use in us getting caught and our necks wrung out."

Sebastian watched as the rest of the men readily agreed, apparently more worried for the Warblers than they were finishing what they started. At least they weren't complete morons, but Sebastian doubted they would live out there much longer, especially if the kid they got to had any kind of connections.

They all filed out of the alley, eyes wary of the knife still in Sebastian's possession, but none of them tried anything so Sebastian waited until they were out of earshot before he turned his main focus back on the damsel he had saved.

"Well, are you going to come out here and thank me or just stand there and wait for the next group to come out and try to finish off your ass," Sebastian demanded, slipping the blade back into the hidden pocket of his sleeve and waited until the figure stepped out closer, not as a frightened rabbit as Sebastian was waiting for, just on cautious feet, which was smart in any situation around here. Rabbit screamed prey, at least this one was alluding the air of a predator stalking it's surrounding before advancing forward.

"And who would I be thanking," asked the figure, whom Sebastian could more clearly make out now that the light was hitting their face more directly.

The person standing in front of Sebastian was male, it was almost obvious, even with the softer features that would be a better fit for a female than any male Sebastian would bother his time with. He was dressed in ripped jeans that fit well against his legs, curving nicely to his body. The shirt peaking out of the leather jacket was much the same, clung snugly, which had to be useful when one was running and didn't feel like being snagged on barbed wire or a broken pipe, as loose shirts were often known for. Sebastian had learned that little piece of clothing knowledge through trial and error when he first ventured out and began his run away from the jacket looked as though it had seen better days, as in, it wouldn't be seen anywhere but some high fashion magazine they made years ago, with the buckled embellishments on the sides and the studs that clung to the lapels. That jacket told more about the owner than the torn jeans and scuffed steel toed boots that laced up his calves. Again, Sebastian's eyes were directed to the strangers face and he caught sight of scarring, not all too visible in the darkness, but Sebastian bet that they would be obvious in daylight. Nothing to gruesome, battle scars maybe, or he managed to severely piss off someone who wanted his pretty face cut up.

"I haven't seen you around here," the stranger crossed his arms in front of him, a protective gesture Sebastian filed, "I would know, I know everyone who passes in and out of this division."

Sebastian smirked, "Do you now sweetheart? What about those men that cornered you just now? Know them too do ya?"

The man straightened up and glared wholeheartedly at Sebastian, "As it is, yes, I do know who they were. Trust me; they won't be getting much farther through this area."

"Oh, of course the pretty face would have friends in high places."

He scowled, "What is your name?"

"Now, do you have to be so rude about it," Sebastian asked, thoroughly enjoying himself.

The stranger only rolled his eyes and stood there, clearly in no mood for games.

"Fine, fine, if you must know, Your Highness," Sebastian let the name slip out with as much sincere sarcasm as he could muster, "My name is Sebastian, and I haven't been around these parts before," and just for kicks he added, "I'm from the bigger city and I just wanted to get out of there and into a...safer environment I suppose you could say...one that wasn't so run by our oh so lovely overlords."

Sebastian waited as the stranger studied him, obviously looking for a lie in his statement. Again, not too dumb, Sebastian had to admit. It would be stupid to outright believe any stranger, whether they helped you out of a corner or not. So he waited as patiently as he could possibly muster as his clothes were taken in. From his own torn jeans, although looser than the man's in front of him, he enjoyed feeling circulation in his legs thank you very much, and ratty, beat up jacket, down to his boots, it would be easy to catch him if he was lying. The Warblers were terrible at sending in spies because they always looked too polished and held that air around them that gave them away so very easily. Sebastian was glad that he was never one for propriety...or posture.

The man nodded, his approval Sebastian supposed, and his posture relaxed, hands shifting to the pockets of his jeans rather than crossed defensively across his chest.

"I'm Kurt," he answered with another once over, "You said you came from the big city? Well then, you've certainly made it far without getting killed."

Sebastian shrugged, "It's not that hard if you figure out quickly enough where you need to be at the different times during the day...or night as it is now. Anyone could make it just as far as I went if they adapted quickly enough."

Kurt nodded, almost absently, as if he really didn't need Sebastian's answer to confirm any details.

"Most people coming from that area are running away from more than just oppression. Usually people don't bother to leave because it's safer in that city than anywhere around here or out in the desert. This city is most defiantly better than journeying out there, but most don't trust the divisions to be able to hold their own, let alone keep them safe enough from the Warblers to even think about leaving."

Again Sebastian shrugged, "Are we just going to stand here until we exchange background information? Because my reasoning for venturing out here is purely for me and me alone. I hated it there and I decided that, although I'm not the nicest person in this world, my conscious and ability to utterly throw away my own beliefs was just too much for me. I'm also immensely stubborn and I do not like to adhere to strict rules that suffocated that city and the other areas that the Warblers control. Is that enough for you Princess or, again, are we just going to stand here all night and risk exposure?"

Kurt sighed, not resigned, but in knowing that he really couldn't keep this up much longer and Sebastian knew he was going to help him out. Firstly, Sebastian saved him from getting his ass kicked and adding to the bruise that was forming on his cheek and the cut on his lip. For another, Kurt already didn't seem like the type to leave someone out where they could very likely get caught. You had to be careful in the unclaimed districts and if you didn't help others out how could you expect the same courtesy to be returned (something the men out there better learn quick and fast before they actually do end up dead.

"Come on, because it actually is coming up to the time where the streets are searched. Fruitless of course because no one really has a death wish and would dare be caught out this late, and they can't search the buildings."

Kurt gestured for Sebastian to follow him as he walked past and moved out of the alley. He stuck close to the buildings on the cracked and pebbled sidewalk, farthest away from the streets. The buildings were boarded up but Sebastian was willing to bet that if there was any sign of being caught, there would be a way to jump inside of one before they were in actual danger.

"We have a few miscellaneous hideaways around here. We have quite a handful of people in this district and we can't fit them all in one area, it's too dangerous to do that in the first place," Kurt explained without any questioning from Sebastian and he wondered why that was and figured that it wasn't bad to get to know the area and the way everything was rearranged, he was planning on staying around, for what he hadn't decided.

Sebastian continued to follow Kurt through the streets and listened as Kurt continued on about the district.

"So everyone is spread out in warehouses, abandoned apartments, and a few of the more sturdy rundown buildings," they veered a sharp right and although Sebastian could keep pace, the sudden change in direction startled him for a moment, "You already know that this is the head district I'm sure, everyone does. Soon we'll have all of the leaders of the outer districts joining us so we can fill out a more extensive plan together. Until then we're waiting things out, trying not to stir up to much trouble around here."

Sebastian nodded absently; it explained why he hadn't heard word of anything going on in the city. It was normal for there to be news reports about the movements of outsiders, but as he traveled there was little, if any, word on their movements.

"So where are you taking me?" Sebastian asked, curious.

Another sharp turn down a road and Sebastian saw that they were headed toward a theater. Old posters and Broadway signs were cracked and shattered, the only remnants of their former glory.

"With me," Kurt said as they neared the building, every movement calculated and sure footed.

"Did I make that good of an impression," Sebastian knew Kurt heard the grin and mocking in his voice when Kurt's shoulders stiffened and relaxed.

"You could be useful," he said simply.

He continued to follow Kurt until they reached the side of the theater building where a battered door stood, nearly hidden against the charred building frame. Kurt took hold of the handle and jerked until it opened, he immediately dove into the darkness allow little time for Sebastian to fall in behind him before the heavy door fell shut with an ominous bang. Sebastian blinked against the dim lighting and managed to trail behind as before.

The hallway they were slipping through was thin and long, occasionally Sebastian caught the glimmer of dulled metal, which he assumed was a door handle, so there were other rooms, none of which Kurt walked through until they were near the end of the corridor where two doors swung open to reveal an old lobby. They stepped through the doors onto tarnished red carpeting and walked under chipped carvings that must have once been elegant in their day, and continued through another set of doors, more chipped paint and rusted metal, to open up to the theater stage.

Amazingly enough, inside the theater looked much more preserved than the outside. Rows of fabric covered chairs lined the ground floor while the box seats above held one row in the front, all were weary torn from lack of upkeep. The floor was stable and you could easily make out the old pattern of gold and green thread against background red.. The original carvings were in better shape as well, obviously scratched up but nothing detrimental to the original style and grace. The stage was barren, the curtains open and hidden away backstage, the orchestra pit was still intact, not a brick overturned.

"Well I can see that this place has certainly seen better days," Sebastian commented loosely.

Kurt turned around to face him, "Have you ever been here before...before all of this mess?" He asked without any heat behind his words, which was what Sebastian was expecting, so it was a nice little twist.

He nodded and shoved his hands into his jacket pockets nonchalantly as he continued to eye the theater.

"Came here a few times with my parents, saw a few plays, musicals. Mom was big on those kinds of things so we came here once or twice a year," Sebastian studied Kurt's reaction, caught a glint in his eyes that wasn't there before. It reminded Sebastian of a child making a wish and when the spark died out it was like the dream had died...which would make sense for anyone in this situation.

"Where you ever here before all of this," Sebastian asked cautiously, he could guess what the answer was but decided that it couldn't hurt to ask.

Kurt shook his head, "Never got the chance," he hesitated before he edged on, "There was an opportunity, once, but I denied it."

Again, Sebastian found himself curious and on edge to satisfy his curiosity.

"Regret it at all?"

"No," Kurt answered.

Sebastian took that to be the sign to end that conversation. He'd maybe save it for later, if he was going to be sticking around here like he had planned, he'd better get to know the people he was going to be with. He blanched at the idea that it meant that he would have to, eventually, divulge his own information as well. For now the little tidbits about before this disaster were the safest for both of them. Sebastian was well aware of his own clean slate, he might have been a little reckless and indulgent before and it certainly followed him after the blow up, but it was nothing he couldn't admit freely without there be any reason for his trustworthiness to be questioned. He briefly wondered if it was the same for Kurt, but he dismissed that prospect. Kurt, scars and hard eyes aside, had that air around him that screamed innocence, ambition and that kindness that meant he pushed his own feelings and needs aside in order to make sure that everyone else was well cared for. Sebastian figured that the first and last idea outweigh the ambition, he couldn't see it getting so far in the way that he would revoke helping people in order to succeed, it never worked that way. And if Kurt was leading part of this mess it meant that his latter idea was probably still in effect and Sebastian was surprised he was even alive, those people tended to die fast and easy because they didn't put as much stock into their own safety as they did their own.

"So, who actually runs all of this side of this wasteland? I get that you're working for him, or her, whoever it is, watching over sections like those you mentioned before, but where is this person?"

Kurt's face twisted into some sort of weird half smile-half smirk thing, like he couldn't decide if he wanted to laugh or look superior in front of Sebastian. As it was, a harsh, quick laugh bubbled out of his throat until it was a full on giggle.

Sebastian glared, "What the fuck is so funny."

Taking in deep breaths, Kurt wiped away invisible tears that threatened to pass behind his eyelids, "You are. Damn, I guess I really should have formally introduced myself, name, rank and all of that formal stuff, but usually people catch on fairly quick, well, unless they meet my second in command, usually he's the one they think is head of this whole 'underground' operation we have going on," spitting out all of that he had finally stopped with the high pitched giggling that was seriously beginning to piss Sebastian off.

"Wait, no," Sebastian said in disbelief, "You're the head leader of this?"

Kurt nodded and a figure stepped out onto the stage. Sebastian looked up and Kurt followed his gaze up to the imposing man, who Sebastian was seriously questioning because who the hell shaved their head into a mohawk anymore?

"Hey Puck," Kurt greeted, "I found another one out wandering about."

Sebastian scoffed and the man...Puck smirked.

"Doesn't seem like much," he called out from the stage, which was seriously unnecessary because of the acoustics, but Sebastian didn't bother pointing out the obvious.

Kurt shrugged, "He helped me out back there, seems to like twirling his knife around, give him a gun and I'm sure he'd do just fine. Besides, it's about time we get someone new around here to help out. We were just talking about getting someone to help me when I go out."

"Wait, what?" Sebastian glared at Kurt, "No way am I playing babysitter."

Puck laughed, "I think I like him already," he said so, but he didn't really look convinced of his own words, "But whatever you want Kurt," he looked back over to Sebastian and addressed him directly, "Trust me, watching this one is worse than a toddler, slips right by you every time and you somehow end up the one shot up to hell and back," he meant it, but he also spoke fondly, like he gladly took those bullets so that Kurt didn't have to and Sebastian questioned what he was just signed up for.