Yuuri was always bullied by girls.

Yuuri was always fawned over by guys.

"Hey, hey, what's a cute little guy like you doing in a place like this?" The men's breath reeked of alcohol and their words slurred together. He had seen this a thousand times, drunken fools looking for a good time.

He ignored them.

"Hey pretty boy, don't be shy, come one over here and entertain us"

"Yeah, we don't bite" the second thug winked and layed a hand on Yuuri's ***.

"But I do" the hand was swiftly knocked away. "Sorry but employees are not for touching." He turned to Yuuri. "See me in my office." Yuuri breathed a sigh of relief and followed his boss into his office.

Yuuri smiled warmly. "Thankyou, Evan."

Evan sighed. "I hate it when this happens, are you alright?" Yuuri melted at the concern in his voice, he kissed him passionately. "I'll always be alright if you stay by my side." Evan chuckled and kissed his forehead. "Of course. I'll always keep you safe."

⚜⚜

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you home? I can just finish my shift early." Evan fussed after Yuuri."Evan, for the thousandth time, don't worry, I'll be fine." Yuuri planted a reassuring kiss on his cheek.

"Fine then. Text me when you get home. Be safe." He pulled him in for a long kiss.

They said their final goodbyes and Yuuri set off.

Suddenly a gloved hand shot out and grabbed him, pulling him into the alleyway. It was the guys from earlier, their vile breath making the hair on the back of his neck prickle. Yuuri struggled but they had a firm grip on him. Holding back his arms and forcing him against the wall.

"Hey settle down princess, we only wanna play." The mans voice oozed as his disgusting slimed tongue left an uncomfortably sticky trail along his face. He shivered. He wrenched and twisted trying to break free, but to no avail.

"Come on hot stuff, let's have some fun"

⚜

The rough painful thrusting made him throb with pain. He would've cried out or screamed if not for the grimy hand holding his mouth shut. Pain. Motion. Pain. Would Evan save him? Agony. Motion. Pain. Could Evan save him? Would he even be able to face Evan? To tell him what shameful thing had happened to him tonight? No, he was sure his Evan would forgive him, he couldn't wait to fall into Evan's arms, to cry it out. To have Evan stroke his hair and tell him he'd be alright, that's it would all turn out ok.

Suddenly a sharp stabbing pain, then a warmth spread across his back like a blanket. He slumped to the ground and he could see the feet of the men running away. Had Evan come for him?

Everything had gone blurry and quiet. He lay there cold and alone, his life slowly trickling from his back and into the street.

Oh.

He forgot to text Evan.

Evan.

I'm home.

"Oh hell Evan, this place stinks, how are you still alive?"

Evan groaned and pried open his eyes. Lasts night's hangover beat in the back of his head like drums of war.

"Ughhh, what time is it?" He groaned, trying to shield his eyes from the sudden light. Rin stood at the curtains, hands on hips. "Time to get up. Today's the Catalyst."

The Catalyst. Shit.

⚜⚜two hours later⚜⚜

"Could you put that out now? It's about to start." Rin gestured at Evan's cigarette with disgust.

He sighed and flicked it onto the pavement, squishing it out with his boot. "Better?" He punctuated this with a flick of his shoulder length black hair.

Rin flashed him a smile that was half hidden by his long pink bangs.

"Ladies, gentlemen and unspecified beings-" an automated femal voice sounded over the P.A system and the huge screen came to life.

"Oh it's starting!" Rin whispered, nudging Evan.

"Welcome to the 301st annual catalyst"

Applause and cheers. Boos and yelling. The crowd was as torn as ever in their opinions on the trials.

"Every year, seven of our valued citizens are randomly chosen to compete in the Trials of Humanity. They represent our greatest sins so that we don't have to. We thank you for your sacrifice."

The crowd was split with those cheering with pride, and those nearly causing a riot, but one and all chorused; "we thank you for your sacrifice."

"We will now announce our new Warriors for this year's Trials"

Rin nudged him and whispered; "I wonder if it'll be anyone we know this year?" "Hopefully" he replied, nonchalant. Rin hit him and shot him a stern look.

"Year 3026 Trials of Humanity: Warrior number one, warrior for greed- Hyunbe Sakamoto.

We thank you for your sacrifice."

A tattooed, ruffian-looking man's image was displayed on the screen. He looked capable. Good for him.

"Warrior number two, warrior for envy- Mia Hernandez. We thank you for your sacrifice." A small Latina that looked no older than 19 scowled from the bid screen and there was a ruckus in the front of the crowd of angry Spanish that Evan couldn't understand.

"Warrior number three, warrior for pride- Rinsuke Suzuku. We thank you for your sacrifice."

He looked at Rin. Rin slowly turned towards him.

"Theodore Smith"

He smiled sadly, fists clenched by his sides. "Well. I'm honoured."

"Yuzu Yaoruzu"

He couldn't comfort his friend. As much as he wanted to, he just couldn't. It had been so long that he'd forgotten how......

"Yuuri Hinamori"

He flinched at the sound of that name. He knew it was a common name. He knew it had been nearly ten years. But he couldn't help the feelings, the pain it caused him just to hear his name, it was probably the only thing still human about him.

"And now, last, but perhaps most important. Warrior number seven, warrior for wrath- Evan Hoshikawa. We thank you for your sacrifice. That concludes our listings for this year. The seven of you will know what to do. Through the Trials of Humanity, may the few, bear the many."

"May the few bear then many." A solemn hum from the crowd and then they disperse leaving the few, to bear their many thoughts.

The whirring of the elevator set Evan on edge. He itched the irritation only to flinch his fingers away, startled by the stinging pain.

⚜⚜four hours earlier⚜⚜

"Rin?" He whispered. Rin clenched his fists and turned towards him, eyes glistening.

"Don't you worry about me, I'll be fine! Besides, this'll be quite thrilling for my fans."

Rin was a popular J-pop artist and he was very confident in himself. But there was something in his voice that Evan had never heard before. Before he could think further into it, Rin doubled over, clutching his upper-arm. Evan reached out to help him up but he was stopped cold. Rin had removed his hand to reveal a sizzling golden number "3".

Then suddenly his own neck his own neck started to itch, then, there was an explosive pain. He clutched at the side of his neck as if to contain the agony, as a crimson red "7" seared into his skin.

⚜⚜present⚜⚜

The elevator shuddered to a halt and with a creak, a dark and dripping locker room was revealed.

"Huh, I guess I'm the first one here" he thought aloud. He caught movement oh of the corner of his eye.

The small blonde made him jump out of skin. He hit his head on a low beam.

"Ow, shit man, you scared the crap outta me!" He rubbed his head and moved toward the other guy.

The room was too dark to see his features clearly but his platinum hair and violet eyes seemed to glow eerily.

The small blonde stretched out a ghostly pale hand and Evan took a step back. And the guy took a step towards him. He brushed his fingers gently over the side of his neck. Evan shivered under his touch, the only person who had ever touched him like that was- "your number" an air of fascination lingered in his voice "it's red."

Evan was confused and a little embarrassed at how he had reacted. "Yeah. Yours?" He had seen that Rin's number had been gold so he could only assume everyone's was a different colour.

He looked away. "None of your business"

First Evan felt offended, then realisation hit. "Oh?" He smirked "I bet it's pink." Yuuri flushed and looked away, his emotionless façade slips.

"No- no it's not!" Evan gasps "it is! Where is it?" He moves around trying to find it but to no avail.

"Hey I just realised" he stopped in front of Yuuri, "who are you, blondie?".

"Yuuri Hinamori, warrior for lust." Yuuri sighed.

Evan flinched hearing this name and Yuuri's keen eyes caught it. "Something wrong with my name?" He folded his arms, triumphant to have returned to his cold indifference.

"Fuckin' love birds, get a damn room"

A vulgar looking thug bustled through the dank locker room. The smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke filled Evan's nose.

"Get lost man." Evan took a protective stance between Yuuri and the newcomer.

Yuuri looked like he couldn't care less and closely inspected his finger nails as the two men sized each other up.

Another screech of the elevator doors brought Evan great relief. Pointing at the doors he turned to Yuuri. "Well Hinamori, I gotta go, call out if you need anything" and with a that, he jogged over to meet his pink-haired friend.

"Rin" Evan tapped him on the shoulder. Rin turned, grateful to hear his friend's voice. Rin looked past Evan to see a very pissed-off looking thug.

"I see you've met Hyunbe" he teased. "Huh?" Evan answered unattractively. Rin sighed and pointed to the guy then he focused Evan's attention to the navy blue "1" on his throat.

"Great. He makes a very fitting warrior for greed" Evan noted. "So do you know everyone here?"

Rin shook his head. "Only tell by people's numbers" he looked to Yuuri "speaking of which, where's that guy's number?" He pointed. "Everyone else's numbers are in noticeable spots, but not his."

"It's pink"

"What?' Rin asked, confused. Evan points to Yuuri.

"His number. It's pink."

"Oh then I'm guessing he's lu-" he stopped "wait. How do you know? Did he show you? Where is it?" Rin fired off questions faster than Evan could keep up. He sighed. "Idon'tknow. I haven't seen it. Hekindatold me."

"Kinda?" Rin puzzled.

"Outta my way" a small guy with white black-tipped hair barged past them.

"Oi! You-" Evan was stopped by Rin's now raised hand.

"Sorry man, we didn't notice you there, our bad." Rin apologised.

The guy turned towards them and that was when Evan noticed the black "5" that snaked across his left eye.

"Rinsuke Suzuku" he grabbed the guys hand.

"Yuzu Yaoruzu" he mumbled, shaking hands.

Rin smiled warmly. "Well, Yuzu, you can call me Rin. I hope we can be friends!"

Before Yuzu had a chance to respond, a loud metallic "thunk" sounded and light spilled into the room. They faced what could only be, the beginning of the trials ahead.

They faced the beginning of a new chapter.