Hello! I suppose you can call me Luna :) I think this chapter's a little shorter…but I hope you enjoy it!

DISCLAIMER: Everything belongs to its original and rightful owners


Gilbert sat up sharply, his heart thundering wildly in his chest. The sheets were tangled around his legs, the soft silk soaked with sweat. Cool moonlight shone through the window, flooding the room. Oz's room. Gil felt sick.

He pulled the blankets up farther, a fading scent of fresh grass and old books reaching his nose and making his eyes sting. That smell was home. That smell was Oz.

He focused on trying to blink back the tears, but they slid out anyway, trailing slowly down his cheeks and dripping down onto the expensive sheets. Oz's sheets.

A quiet whimper escaped him and he buried his face in his hands, mindful of the chain sleeping in the adjoined room. To his horror, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Master Gilbert? Are you alright?"

Gil took a shuddering breath, hurrying to wipe the tears from his cheeks. "F-Fine,"

A pause. "May I come in?"

Gil fumbled for words. "Umm..." he pressed his face into the blankets, praying it would be good enough. "I-I guess..."

There was a quiet click as B-Rabbit slipped into the room and closed the door behind him. "Are you alright?" He repeated.

"Did I wake you?" Gil whispered.

The chain shook his head, moving to stand by the edge of the bed. "I was already awake."

Gil blinked. "Oh. How long?" B-Rabbit shrugged. There was an awkward pause, and Gil suddenly realized what the chain was doing. He quickly patted the space beside him.

Sending him a fleeting smile, B-Rabbit perched lightly on the edge of the bed near Gil's legs. "Are you alright?"

Gil frowned. "I already told you, I'm fine." His words were met with a soft, lopsided smile that turned into a slight grimace.

"People don't always say what they mean though, do they?"

Gil laughed shakily. "I guess that's true."

"Was it a nightmare?"

Gilbert stiffened. A small cloud passed over the moon, faint shadows dancing over the chain's face. Crimson eyes watched him sadly. "May I ask what it was about?"

Gil shifted, absently fingering the small locket concealed beneath his shirt. "Oz." He said at last, giving a bitter chuckle and glancing away. B-Rabbit sucked in a quiet breath.

"...Oh."

"I constantly worry about him," Gil continued, "I always picture every horrible possibility of what they could be doing to him, even as we speak." His fingers tightened around the locket. "Here I sit, cozy and warm, wrapped up in his luxurious sheets, while he's who-knows-where, and I—" his voice broke, "—I don't even know if he's still alive!"

B-Rabbit shifted, moving to sit beside him and leaning against the pillows. "So you dream about the what-ifs," he murmured, gazing vacantly at the opposite wall.

Gil nodded miserably, running an anxious hand through his hair. "Sometimes I think that maybe it would be better if I at least knew for sure, if I at least knew if he was off being tortured somewhere, or i-if he was lying dead on the side of the road..." He buried his face in his hands.

"If you knew that there was a chance." B-Rabbit's voice was quiet.

"Exactly," came the watery reply. Gil pulled the locket from his shirt, watching it glint in the moonlight. "I blame myself every day for all of this,"

B-Rabbit's head whirled toward him, crimson eyes wide with alarm. "Master Gilbert, from what you've told me it sounds like your Master was being incredibly stupid. You tried to help him and he rejected it. Any trouble he might be in now could have been prevented if only he'd listened to you!"

Fingers tightening around the locket, Gil answered, "but maybe he would still be here if I had been more convincing!" He pressed his hands to his mouth, stifling a sob. "You have no idea how much I miss him, B-Rabbit."

His voice dropped to a broken whisper. "He was my best friend."

The chain beside him stiffened. "What's that?"

Gil looked up, blinking back his tears and following the his gaze. "This locket? I gave it to Oz on the day he was kidnapped..."

"H-Have you ever opened it?"

Gil shook his head. "That would be an invasion on my Master's privacy." He laughed wistfully. "And besides, I don't really think he would have had enough time to put something in it anyway..." He glanced to the side just in time to see the pained look that crossed B-Rabbit's features.

"What woke you?"

The chain smiled sadly. "Nightmares."

"O-Oh..." Gil looked away. "Um...may I ask what they were about?"

B-Rabbit shrugged. "Old friends, things that happened while I was serving my Master. Nothing too bad."

Gil hummed thoughtfully. "But they were enough to keep you from trying to sleep again?"

Another shrug.

Gilbert gave a kind smile. "Why don't you stay in here for the night then? I've heard company keeps nightmares away..." he gently tucked the locket back into his shirt.

The chain shook his head. "Oh, I couldn't ask that of you, Master. But thank you for your generosity." He lowered his head.

Gil's brows furrowed. "Think of it like...you'll be helping me too. This way I don't have nightmares." He smiled shyly. "But neither do you."

The chain looked up at him in surprise.

Gil glanced out the window again. "And besides," he murmured, fingering the sheets, "being here, in this room, without my Master..." he shivered. "It feels so cold...like all the life is being sucked out of me by this emptiness."

"Why do you...care about Oz Vessalius so much?"

Gil smiled sadly, brushing his hand over the cover of a Holy Knight book that had been left unfinished on the beside table. It was covered with dust. He swallowed.

"Young Master Oz was...full of light. He was bright and strong and beautiful; the opposite of everything that I am." B-Rabbit opened his mouth to protest, but Gilbert continued, "I know there was darkness in him as well, and I realized that we were connected by that darkness." He smiled sadly. "He was like a brother to me, someone who would always be there, and who I had to protect, to keep beside me at all costs." He looked away.

"But I failed him."

A tentative hand slipped into his. "You haven't failed. Look at you, you and Master Oscar go out every day to search for him when his own father wouldn't pay the ransom. That's not failing, Master Gil."

Master Gil. Gilbert blinked, suddenly realizing it was the first time the chain had called him that. That voice, those expressions, that face...Gil shuddered, giving B-Rabbit's hand a tight squeeze.

"Sometimes you remind me so much of the Young Master it hurts."

B-Rabbit's soft smile faltered. He looked away. "I-I'm sorry..."

Gil shook his head, tracing absent circles onto the back of the other's hand. "Don't be. No matter how much you look or act like him, Master Oz wasn't a chain. I just have to keep reminding myself of that and it'll be fine."

The hand in his pulled away sharply.

"A-Ah..."

Gil blinked in surprise. "You know, s-sometimes you just seem so...human."

B-Rabbit pulled his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around his legs and burying his face in them. "I would give everything just to be human." The words were so soft Gilbert wondered if he had even been meant to hear them.

"W-Why? You have amazing power, why would you give it up just to be normal?" He reached out a hand to brush B-Rabbit's shoulder. The chain jerked away like he'd been stung.

"I'm a murderer, Master Gilbert!" He whirled, red eyes flashing. "I've killed hundreds of innocent people!"

Gil found himself instinctively shrinking away from the sudden swirl of energy he could feel pulsing from the chain.

B-Rabbit's eyes widened, and the power around him vanished. He was breathing heavily. "N-No...I...I wouldn't hurt you..."

Gilbert realized that his terror must've shown in his expression, and he struggled to force himself to smile.

He reached out a hand to the trembling chain, pulling him into a soft hug. "I know, B-Rabbit," he murmured, resting his head on the other's shoulder. "You just surprised me. Don't worry."

The chain's breath hitched, and Gil could feel him fighting back tears. "It's okay to cry," he breathed. All at once, B-Rabbit fell against him, small sobs wracking his body. Gilbert pulled him closer, leaning back into the pillows and pulling the blankets close around them.

He curled himself around the smaller boy, pressing his face into the thick black hair. The scent of ash and dust reached his nose, and he closed his eyes, leaning into the familiar smell of books.


Gil woke with the first light of dawn, surprised to find the skinny chain cuddled up to his chest, fingers fisted in his shirt. He was also surprised to realize that he hadn't had a nightmare again after falling asleep for the first time in months.

He shifted, turning his head slightly to catch sight of the clock. Still early. Gil sighed, relaxing back into the pillows. Oscar wouldn't be awake and in need of assistance yet. B-Rabbit made a soft noise of protest at the movement, and Gilbert realized with a jolt that the chain was still asleep.

He stiffened, hoping he hadn't woken the smaller boy prematurely. Despite what he might say, Gil knew how desperately B-Rabbit needed the rest. And some healthy food, he decided. One arm was looped around the chain's waist, and he could feel his ribs through the thin shirt.

Gilbert sighed. That was another matter to worry about. B-Rabbit was taller than him, but so skinny. He feared his clothing would be too short, and the chain would be swimming in anything of Oz's. Maybe one of the other servants would have something to spare.

B-Rabbit shifted, curling closer to him and letting out a soft murmur of, "Gil..."

Gil froze. Why couldn't he shake the thoughts of Oz from his head whenever B-Rabbit was around?

"Ah...Master?"

He suddenly found a pair of sleepy red eyes blinking up at him blearily. Gil flushed guiltily. "Oh, I didn't mean to wake you,"

The chain yawned. "'S'okay...wh'time is it?"

"A little past dawn," Gil murmured, brushing some of B-Rabbit's hair from his face. The chain went rigid.

"Shit!" He jerked back, away from Gilbert and nearly flung himself off the bed.

Gil sat up quickly. "What's wrong?"

B-Rabbit had raced to the small washroom, emerging with a small set of rags. He paused, glancing back at Gil in confusion. "I...what?" The rags slipped from his hands. "You're...still here?" His face paled, his legs buckling as he sank to the floor. "Oh."

Gil hurried to his side, pressing an anxious hand to his forehead but finding no sign of a fever. "What was that?"

"This is real?" The chain whispered, crimson eyes a strange mixture of hope and fear.

"Oh," said Gil quietly, sitting back on his heels. In his exhaustion, B-Rabbit had forgotten where he was. "Uh...if you didn't think I was really there...do you usually hallucinate companions?"

The chain flushed, glancing away. "Ah...sometimes..." he fidgeted with one sleeve. "I've gotten used to it by now. Sometimes...I don't know, I guess I just miss my friends so much that I will myself into seeing them..."

Sensing the rest of Gilbert's questions, he quickly stood. "What time does Master Oscar usually need you?"

Gil frowned. "Seven."

"Oh...we have a while then..."

Sighing, Gil stood as well and made toward the door that joined to his old room. "Why don't we get cleaned up and find you something to wear?"

B-Rabbit ducked his head. "That's not necessary...this is fine."

Gil raised an eyebrow, taking in the stretched collar of his tattered shirt. "It's no trouble," he rummaged through his drawers, managing to find a shirt and some pants he hoped would be long enough. "Um, could you please try these on?"

B-Rabbit sighed, pulling off his shirt and grabbing the one Gil had given him. Gil froze, gaze locked on the chain's suddenly bare skin.

Red eyes softened as they caught his stare. "Master?"

"How could anyone...hurt someone else like this?" Gilbert breathed. B-Rabbit's chest was littered with bruises, faint scars scattered here and there.

Gil stepped forward, tentatively brushing his fingers over a long one that stretched from one shoulder to the opposite hip. It was fainter than some of the others, indicating its age, but Gilbert could tell it had been deep. Painful. He swallowed.

B-Rabbit pulled back sharply, slipping the new shirt on and bowing his thanks.


"Did you two sleep alright?" Oscar wondered, sending Gil a quick smile as the servant handed him his breakfast.

"Yes, thank you Master Oscar," said B-Rabbit quietly.

"This breakfast is very nice, Gilbert, you're quite the cook," he winked. The raven flushed, bowing his head to acknowledge the compliment.

"Will you be at Pandora today, Master Oscar?"

Oscar sighed. "'Fraid so, Gil. We'll go out and search a little more tomorrow, all right?"

Gil nodded, sighing slightly. "What would you like us to do while you're away?"

Oscar patted him on the head. "Take another day off."

"B-But Master, there must be something that needs to be done!"

The Duke laughed. "Yes, and the maids will do that. I want you to focus on relaxing, alright Gil?" He ruffled the raven's hair affectionately. "You've been so stressed since Oz was taken."

Gil sighed. "I suppose...if that's really what you want, Master. But there must be something you had in mind...?"

"What're some of your favorite pastimes, B-Rabbit?"

The chain fidgeted. "Erm...it's been awhile, but...I suppose reading is fun...and I think I like picnicking..."

Oscar smiled. "See, Gil? There you go,"


"What kind of books do you like to read?" Gil wondered, perusing a shelf for a title that sounded interesting.

"Um...I used to really like the Holy Knight series..."

Gil stiffened on the ladder. "O-Oh, Young Master Oz likes them too..." He paused for a moment before stepping up another rung. "We have most of the series around here somewhere. He um...liked to leave them in odd places, jumping from one book to another as he waited for new ones to come out..."

"Volume six is a favorite of mine," said B-Rabbit, pulling the book from the cushion of one of the sitting chairs. Gilbert stared down at him in surprise.

Finally choosing a thin cookbook, Gil made to step down from the ladder saying, "Oz liked that one too—" He let out a surprised yelp as his foot slipped and he rocked backward off the ladder.

"Master!" B-Rabbit gasped, lunging forward, arms outstretched to catch the raven. He grunted as Gilbert's weight plopped into his arms, sending him toppling forward onto the ground.

"Are you alright?" asked Gil, standing up quickly.

The chain nodded, though he moved a bit slower than Gil as he got to his feet. "Just a bruise. How about you, Master?"

"I'm fine, thanks to you," Gil smiled warmly. B-Rabbit tentatively smiled back.


It was early afternoon when B-Rabbit snapped his book shut. Gil stared at him. "You finished it already?"

"You like cooking, right Master Gilbert?"

Gil nodded, marking his page and closing the cookbook.

"Um..." B-Rabbit shifted uncomfortably. "Would you teach me to make something? And then maybe we could have a picnic?"

Gilbert blinked at him. "Um, sure, if that's what you want," He stood and stretched before heading toward the kitchen. "What would you like to make?"

"Blueberry muffins are your favorite, right? We could make those..."

Gil stopped walking. "How did you know I liked blueberry muffins?"

B-Rabbit looked away. "You...bookmarked a recipe for them in that cookbook...I just assumed…."

Pushing open the kitchen doors, Gil laughed. "You're pretty observant, B-Rabbit!" He pulled out some berries and milk, running a hard through his hair. "To be honest...I've only made these once. Oz had—has—a bit of a sweet tooth, so muffins weren't ever really a request."

He blushed, looking away. "Too plain for him."

Attempting to hide his wistful smile, Gil stretched up to one of the cupboards to grab a bowl and some sugar. "Could you get the baking powder? It's in the drawer to your left."

B-Rabbit nodded, sliding the drawer open and extracting the requested ingredient. Gilbert rummaged around in a small bucket filled aesthetically with varying bottles and pulled out some cooking oil. He turned to pick up some blueberries from a small basket where they'd been left after being picked. At Gil's instruction, B-Rabbit gathered the milk and an egg.

Stepping back, Gil rubbed one arm a bit anxiously. "Alright so...we need to mix the dry ingredients first..." He poured the baking powder and sugar into the bowl. "Um, could you grab the flour from that cupboard over there while I get some salt?"

B-Rabbit nodded, climbing up onto the counter upon realizing he wasn't tall enough. Gil dropped a pinch of salt into the mix, snagging a bit of vanilla from a cupboard as he did so. There was a quiet gasp from behind him, and Gilbert turned just in time to see B-Rabbit go toppling backward off the counter with the bag of four in his arms.

There was a loud thud as the chain's body hit the ground, and—to Gil's horror—a large poof of white as the flour bag split. B-Rabbit groaned. Gil quickly knelt beside him. "Are you alright?"

The chain pushed himself upright, his eyes frantic. "I-I'm so sorry!" He moved to his knees, scrabbling to wipe at the mess with the hem of his shirt. Gil frowned, not missing how gingerly he was holding his left wrist.

"Wait, you're hurt—" he broke off, startled to find tears trailing their way through the flour coating the boy's face.

"I'll clean everything up, I promise!"

Gil pulled a washcloth from the counter, catching B-Rabbit's shoulder and holding him still as he wiped the four away. "It's okay, we can clean it together," he said gently, watching the chain wipe at his eyes in embarrassment.

"B-But Mrs. Kate will be angry with you..."

Gil tried his best to offer a reassuring smile. "I'm sure she'll understand it was an accident," he pulled a spare roll of bandages from one of the drawers, "a-as long as we do a good job cleaning up, that is..."

He took the chain's wrist, wrapping it gently. "Um, please be a bit more careful, alright? It's only a little sprained right now, but if you keep being so reckless with your health, you could seriously injure yourself..." Catching B-Rabbit's indifferent look, he added, "...and then you might not be able to do your job properly..." The chain's eyes grew wide.

Gil stood, offering the chain his hand. "Why don't we put the muffins in the oven? We can clean while they're baking." B-Rabbit nodded shyly, carefully picking up the torn bag of flour and setting it next to the bowl.

He instructed the chain to stir the dry ingredients while he cracked the egg, poured in the milk, oil, and vanilla and stirred them in a separate bowl. Finally the boys poured their bowls together and Gil mixed while showing B-Rabbit how to fold in the blueberries. It looked lumpy and thick.

The chain frowned down at the finished mixture. "Er...are you sure these will turn out?"

Gil bit his lip, brushing some of the flour off of his hands. "I'm fairly sure...I just hope I remembered the recipe right…" He set to the task of pouring the batter into each muffin cup, catching B-Rabbit's curious gaze out of the corner of his eye. He smiled.

They got to work cleaning the kitchen as soon as the muffins were in the oven. Gilbert had to admit, he was a little surprised at what an efficient worker B-Rabbit was. The chain seemed to know exactly the fastest ways to scrub the flour from the floor, and they were almost entirely finished by the time Gil declared the muffins fully cooked.

The boys allowed them to cool while they finished scrubbing, stuffing them into a small picnic basket and grabbing a blanket on their way outside.


A cool breeze stirred the air, pulling at the edges of their picnic blanket. Gil sent B-Rabbit a warm smile, pulling a muffin from the basket and taking a cheerful bite. The chain mimicked his actions, blinking in surprise when the flavor of the muffin reached his tongue.

"These actually turned out okay!" His eyes were shining, and again, Gilbert found himself growing curiously happy. There was just something about that expression on the normally subdued chain's face that was like sunshine to Gil.

"That's why I like cooking," said Gil, leaning back onto the blanket and watching the clouds drift across the afternoon sky. It was rather overcast, he noticed.

"What?"

"You take small things, pieces of a puzzle, and mix them together to create something wonderful for everyone."

B-Rabbit fell silent, and Gil glanced over to find him staring down at his muffin, a strange sadness flickering behind his eyes. Another breeze ruffled their hair.

"That's so like you, Master Gil," The chain murmured at last, picking a berry out of the muffin and rolling it between his fingers. "Always trying to make everyone happy…"

Gilbert opened his mouth to respond, but B-Rabbit looked up at him then, his crimson eyes burning with a sudden intensity. Gil's eyes widened.

"I swear to do everything in my power to show you how grateful I truly am for all that you've done, Master."

Gilbert blinked. The blaze in the chain's eyes was warm, like a fireplace on a cold winter night. It was startling, if he were entirely honest. To think that this skinny, shy boy was capable of such fierce passion...Gil realized that he was only getting a tiny glimpse of what B-Rabbit was truly capable of.

"Ah...thank you, B-Rabbit, really," He sent the chain an affectionate smile. "You've...ah, actually helped me, too…" Gil blushed, averting his gaze. "I was so lost, without Oz, and I feel a little like you've helped me to busy myself in his absence…" Inwardly cringing, Gil bit his lip. That sounds so selfish….

But to his surprise, B-Rabbit laughed. Startled, Gilbert realized that he'd never heard the sound before. It was soft, melodic, almost a giggle. It was also tentative, as though worried it might not be accepted. Bittersweet, Gil decided.

"That's good," he smiled, running a hand over the surface of his–still unfinished–muffin. "You seemed so...empty, Master Gilbert, and I just couldn't let you destroy yourself like you were, so I...I was...hoping to distract you…" He glanced up shyly. "I'm glad it's working."

Gil stiffened. Suddenly his dreams were flashing before his eyes, terrible and horrific images of his master's agony...the clouds above blurred together into one soft mass of gray. Oz could be dying, and what was he doing? Having a picnic.

"Master?"

Gil willed himself to sit up, to take another muffin, to send B-Rabbit his most grateful smile. The chain had only been trying to help, after all.

And hadn't it been working?

B-Rabbit seemed to see through Gilbert's cheer, for his eyes dimmed. He finished off his muffin with small bites, running a thoughtful hand through the grass.

A small drop of rain landed on Gil's palm. He glanced up. The clouds had darkened.

"We should get under those trees,"

He followed B-Rabbit's gesturing hand, still blinking away the slight sting that had sprung up behind his eyes. "But what if there's lightning…?"

B-Rabbit looked up into the gray sky. "There won't be."

"How can you be so—"

The chain stood, ignoring Gilbert's protests and holding out a hand.

Sighing, Gil complied, and together they stuffed the rest of the muffins and their blanket into the basket and made for the forest.

They were almost there when the clouds let loose, and it began to pour. Gil gasped as the cold water soaked his hair and clothes, dripping and running into his eyes. He could've sworn he heard B-Rabbit giggle.

It was slightly darker under the trees, and—B-Rabbit had been wise—the rain was reduced to a steady trickle.

Gilbert stared out at the fields in awe. It was astonishingly beautiful to watch the rain pound the grass, streaking through the overcast sky and dousing the hills.

He turned to see B-Rabbit smiling, ebony hair plastered to his cheeks and dripping with raindrops.

Gil smiled widely back.

The chain opened his mouth, stiffening suddenly when a sharp roar echoed through the forest. Immediately, B-Rabbit's slim fingers locked around Gil's wrist, and he pulled the boy after him into the undergrowth.

"Wha—"

"Chain!" B-Rabbit hissed. Gil caught a glimpse of the terror in his eyes as they whirled round a large tree.

He swallowed.

If B-Rabbit was afraid, there must really be danger.

The chain yelped as his feet slipped on the slick deadfall, and suddenly the two boys were tumbling down a muddy hill, coming to a stop in a crumpled heap at the bottom.

Gil sat up quickly, rolling off the chain at B-Rabbit's pained cry. B-Rabbit pushed himself to stand, cradling the wrist he'd sprained earlier with one hand.

Sensing Gilbert's panic, he said quickly, "I'm fine, it's not broken."

Gil frowned, brushing some of the mud from his face. "Still, please be caref—"

"Is that B-Rabbit, I smell?" A low growl rumbled all around them.

B-Rabbit whirled, seizing Gilbert's shoulders. "Go back to the house and find Master Oscar!"

"But—"

"I'll be fine! Go!"

Gil stood his ground. "I'm not leaving you!" He could feel the chain trembling.

Something unreadable passed through B-Rabbit's eyes. The fire was suddenly ice. "Master Gil, go or I'll sick Mistress Ada's cats on you!" His tone was fierce, sharp. A command. And, instinctively, Gilbert obeyed.

Blinking back tears, he spun and fled, glancing back to see B-Rabbit watching him go, and Gil pretended not to have seen the tears shimmering behind the chain's eyes.


"Master Oscar!"

Gil burst into the noble's study, startling the poor blond as he jumped up from his desk. "Gil? What's wrong?"

The raven gasped for breath. "P-Please...you have to come, Master Oscar! B-Rabbit...in the forest...there's a chain!"

The man stood sharply, cursing and pulling on his coat. Gil didn't miss the handgun he shoved into one of the pockets. "Where?"


The rain had slowed to a faint drizzle, and Gil found himself blinking back the occasional drop that ran into his eyes. At least, that's what he kept telling himself. It's just the rain….

They came across the picnic basket on their way, and Oscar picked it up with an anxious frown. "Can you take me to the last place you saw him, Gilbert?" Gil nodded, desperately trying to make sure their route was correct.

The forest had fallen silent but for the quiet drip of raindrops on leaves. Gil wasn't sure if it was reassuring or terrifying. He swallowed.

The clearing where he had left the chain had been ravaged. Full grown trees were uprooted, tangled roots muddied from the rain. A few trunks were dangling precariously, about to fall. The grass was in tatters.

Gil gasped, racing toward the dark-haired form crumpled in the mud. B-Rabbit let out a muffled groan as Gilbert scooped him into his arms, burying his face in the chain's shoulder. The chain shivered.

Gil instantly pulled back, tugging off his coat and bundling it round B-Rabbit's thin form. "You're soaked to the skin," he breathed, rubbing the chain's shoulders as he looped an arm around him and helped him to stand. B-Rabbit's legs buckled almost immediately, and he slumped against Gilbert.

Oscar hurried over, offering to help carry the chain, but Gil refused, only asking for assistance in hoisting B-Rabbit onto his back.

"'M fine…" B-Rabbit mumbled, his chin heavy against Gil's shoulder. "I c'n walk...jus' tired…."

Gilbert shook his head. "I've got you," he said, grip tightening around the chain's knees. B-Rabbit was far too light.

Oscar picked up the picnic basket, glancing over as they walked. "What happened to the other chain?"

"Kill'd it…"

Humming thoughtfully, Oscar added, "Are you hurt anywhere?"

"N—"

"He sprained his wrist," Gil interrupted, frowning deeply. "It didn't seem too severe, but it's probably still enough to be troublesome."

Oscar let out a soft breath. "You boys," He gave a bitter chuckle, his eyes darkening. "Always getting into so much trouble…" He smiled wistfully, wise enough not to mention Oz.


That night, Gil curled up in his bed with a small smile. He was pleased by the way B-Rabbit seemed to be opening up to him. He was glad to feel needed again. Closing his eyes, he snuggled up to his–Oz's–pillow, breathing in the sweet scent of his Master.

A sudden thought occurred to him and his eyes shot open. How had B-Rabbit known he was afraid of cats?