"...mi."

"...zumi."

"Nezumi! Wake up!" My eyes spring open upon hearing my name.

I feel something sitting on me. It's Shion.

"I'm up. I'm up. What's going on so early in the morning?" Shion has the same goofy smile on his face as always.

"Here. For you!" He hands me a wrapped rectangle.

"What's this for? It's not my birthday." I ask confused.

"It's Christmas silly. What did you think the tree was for?"

"That's a tree? Haha I thought you just got bored." His smile fades. Maybe that was too harsh.

"Well anyway, I hope you like it!" He smiles again.

I tear it open and see that it's a book. I thought I already had all the books in West District. Once I open it I see its not a book, but poems. They are made out of cut out words from books.

"Did you make this?"

"I did. I wrote them too. I hope they aren't too bad."

I decided to read one.

When our eyes meet I feel at home

I'm so glad to be away from that dome

Your smile is all that I wish for

It is something that I adore

Please never leave my side

Then it'd feel as if I'd died

Just being with you makes me content

Every word I said I meant

I turn to see him blushing. "Shion. I didn't get you anything I'm sorry." He feels this way?

"Oh I don't care! As long as you're happy thats all that matters!" I pull him into a hug and kiss him. How did I ever make it without this kid?

"Oh that reminds me! I told The Dog Keeper we'd be over for Christmas dinner."

"Shion, I've never had a Christmas before. So I don't really know what to do."

"Ah! No Christmas?! Well that changes today! Lets go."

We grab our coats and scarfs and walk out into the cold winter air. As we're walking I stop. The sight of Shion in the snow is breathtaking.

"Nezumi are you coming?"

"Oh yeah sorry. Just got a little cold."

"Oh then lets hurry!" He grabs my hand and starts running.

"Shion, wait! We're gonna fall if we ru…" We crash into the snow.

Our clothes are covered in snow by the time we get to where we were going. We arrive at a open field.

"What are we doing here?" I'm confused as to why we are here.

"We can make as many snowmen as we want to!" He has the brightest smile I've ever seen. It's amazing the snow hasn't melted because of it's brightness. "Look Nezumi! I made us! Come look come look!" Sure enough there was one with my hair next to one with his hair.

"This is us?"

"Of course haha. Look at their hair." He pouts.

"Oh I see it now. We look rather cute." He smiles that smile I love. When did I start loving him? Was it when I saved him? No, it was when he saved me. I was helpless and about to die and helped me. I'm sure he would have done it for anyone.

"Why don't you make one?" He wants me to build something so childish. I guess just for today is fine. "Is that a giant rat?"

"Haha of course. That's my name isn't it?"

"I guess you're right. Let's get going to the hotel for dinner and gifts!"

"There's more gifts?"

"Of course. I've only given you the first one!"

The first one? I'm such a bastard. I didn't get him anything.

We change clothes when we get the hotel. We leave spare there in case of trouble.

"Okay let give presents!" Shion's so happy about this.

"Here you go Nezumi, one free job!" The Dog Keeper hands me a paper with "IOU" written on it.

"Here Nezumi." Shion hands me a bag, I open it and theres a colourful scarf inside.

"Did you knit this?" It's beautiful. The colours go so well together.

"I did. It took a while but I finally did it. Safu's grandmother taught me how to."

"I love it. Thank you." I put it and and smell it. It's Shion's sent. He smells of happiness.

"Here's yours Dog Keeper. A new dog collar."

We eat and laugh then head back home.

"Shion. I'm sorry I didn't get you anything."

"I already told you. A long as you're happy nothing else matters"

How can you say that? I've been nothing but mean to you since you've been here. I'm so glad to have met you. I can feel my hatred for No.6 growing. They put you through hell. They will pay for this.

"What do you want for Christmas Shion?"

"For you to be happy."

"I'm already happy, so say something else."

"Okay then lets dance. When we get home let's dance like we did before. When I first got here. Oh and I want to kiss. Not a peck, a real kiss filled with love."

I'm not so sure about the last one.

'Okay sure"

We arrive home and put on our pj's. We dance till our feet and move anymore.

We lie on the bed, his head on my lap and his eyes barely open. "Kiss me, you said you would."

I lean down and press my lips to his. I want to put all of my feelings into this kiss.

"Merry Christmas Nezumi."

'Merry Christmas Shion." His eyes close as he smiles. I lean down and kiss him on the forehead. I'll get you something next year. If we're together next year.

Oh how I wish I could take you somewhere better. Somewhere safer. Somewhere you'll be happy. I know you're not happy here. I'm sorry it turned out this way. I told your mother she'd see you again and i'll be damned if she won't. You're the first person I've cared about. It's scary to think you might leave me when you still want to save No.6.

My eyes blur with tears. I love you.

"kaze wa tamashii o sarai, hito wa kokoro o ubau

daichi yo, amekaze yo, ten yo, hikari yo

koko ni subete o todomete

koko ni subete o todome

koko de ikite

tamashii yo, kokoro yo, ai yo, omoi yo

koko ni kaeri

koko ni todomatte

kaze wa tamashii o sarai, hito wa kokoro o ubau

sore de mo, koko ni todomari

utaitsuzukeru

douka

watashi no uta o todokete

douka

watashi no uta o uketotte"

English

"The winds sweep away souls, and people snatch away hearts.

Oh earth, oh rain and wind, oh sky, oh light,

please harbor everything in this place.

Please harbor everything in this place,

and thrive in this place.

Oh souls, oh hearts, oh love, oh yearnings,

please return to this place,

and abide here forever.

The winds sweep away souls, and people snatch away hearts.

Nevertheless, I shall remain in this place

and continue singing.

Please, somehow,

send my song to where it must reach.

Please, somehow,

receive and accept this song of mine