Hey y'all! This is gonna be my first published piece of writing, and I'm very excited to share it with you! I'm new to this whole thing, so forgive me for any grammar/plot issues that may come up. Please feel free to R&R and tell me some ways to improve!

Disclaimer: 9 is not my property.

The night was dark and damp for the first time in ages, as rain descended upon the battered and broken earth. Each drop was quickly absorbed however, as the soil hadn't seen the liquid in far too long. It wasn't an occurrence to be expected. In fact, the only reason the rain was there was due to the actions of the stitchpunks, in particular the ninth one.

In the midst of the precipitation stood a lone, white canvas warrior, searching with tears in her eyes. She had told 9 and the twins that she was leaving them to find supplies, but they all knew she would find nothing in the rain. In truth, she just wanted to find a place to mourn the loss of her friends and family alone. However, this choice had cost her a great deal of trouble, as she could no longer see where she was in the torrential downpour that was the night.

7 wandered aimlessly, sniveling and waterlogged, as she found herself a rusted out car to wait out the storm in. She hated herself for this moment of weakness, but was extremely grateful that there were no witnesses around. It was better to be soaked and alone than to be dry and in the company of the others. She could never look weak in front of them. How would they ever feel confident leaving the confines of a building if they thought none of them stood a chance against a beast?

Her thoughts drifted from those who had passed to those of her current reality. 3 and his sister 4 were strong in the mind, but were nothing more than children in the body. She could never allow them to feel as though they had no chance. The light in their eyes (both literal and metaphoric) would be so much dimmer; she couldn't bear the thought.

Then she thought of 9… And wasn't sure what to think. He was both strong and weak at the same time… Competent and utterly careless… And, she had to admit, a bit cute in his clumsiness. Although she hadn't known him for long, he was one of her best friends, and the most courageous individual she'd met. He had a somewhat boyish charm, and yet he acted as if he had lived a thousand lifetimes. She found that every time she laid eyes on him, she would hold her breath without noticing, or, even worse, she would shy away from his gaze. Not even 8, whose hulking mass was more intimidating than any beast, could make her avert her eyes. Yet the gentle, caring look from 9 was enough to make her lower her gaze, loosen her grip, and, possibly blush?

She shook her head free of those thoughts. No need for them right now. She was now focused on finding her way back to her group. The rain seemed to be clearing up a tad. Perfect. She slowly rose from her sitting position within the car, and in an instant, was out and sprinting about the ruins of a city around her. Unfortunately, the rain had faked her out with the clearing, and now began pouring even harder than before. Even though she was a natural born explorer, she couldn't even find her footing in this heavy of a storm.

Just when it seemed she would be stuck out in the rain until her frame rusted, she spotted a bright, glowing light penetrating the veil of water. She managed to get her footing and walked over to the light, and found that it was radiating from a bulb attached to a pole. Of course, it was 9's light staff. 9 himself wielded it, wearing a thick hooded cloak fashioned from a discarded gardening glove. As soon as he laid eyes on 7, he took her hand and pulled her over to him. As she looked for him with her drenched optics, he quickly removed the cloak and put it around her shoulders. She could hardly argue as she was shivering cold, and clenched 9's hand harder than before.

"Lovely weather we're having," she said, barely able to see the now soaked 9 through her fogged and wet optics.

He rolled his 'eyes' and pulled her along. "Very funny. Now let's get you home before your joints lock up and you catch your death." He wasn't very amused by the situation. As he lead her through the ruins of what once were streets, he couldn't help but drag her a bit as she was soaked through and couldn't move at the same pace. When he looked back and found her sneezing, he sighed and scooped her up, knowing that she soon wouldn't have the strength to go on. 7 would've blushed had she been in any other mindset, but at the moment all she could think about was getting home.

"Just a little bit further 7, we're almost there." She heard the words, yet they didn't mean much of anything to her as she slowly drifted off, her optics decreasing her field of view until she could see nothing but a crack. Then, nothing.

When 7 awoke, she found herself inside of the one of the rooms in the library, lying on a soft fabric bed, with blankets all over her. She tried to sit up, but the pounding headache kept her down. 9 noticed her stir and sat up in his chair, then gently placed his palm on her shoulder.

"Hey, don't get up, okay? You're still not well enough to do that yet." He spoke softly and sweetly, much like a mother.

"Ahh… My head is killing me."

"Well, who told you to stay out in the rain for so long?"

She sighed and looked over at 9, noting that he too was sniffling a bit. However, he didn't look half as bad as she felt, likely due to the fact that he wasn't out as long as she. But, he did give her his cloak…

"…Thanks for the cloak." Was all she could choke out as her pride tried to keep the words suppressed.

"What kind of a friend would I be if I let you get soaked out there by yourself?" His words made him smile, and his smile was quite infectious as a small smile appeared on 7's face.

"Where are the twins?" She asked, slightly concerned.

"They're off reading or something. I told them to stay away from us so they wouldn't have to worry about getting sick themselves."

"Oh." Was all that she could say.

He then rose out of his seat, his mechanical parts creaking and sighing in protest. He slowly, methodically came over to her bed and gently stroked her cheek.

"Get some rest. Nothing will happen while you do."

She felt a slightly tingly sensation as he stroked her cheek, as if it were somehow causing her wiring to fail. Or maybe the rain had done that. Regardless, she nodded and shut her optics, preparing to rest. As soon as she felt 9's hand leave her face, she knew that there was no other reason to stay awake, and gently drifted into the dark, wondering what she had done to deserve such a caring and noble friend.