A/N: Thanks for the reviews, follows, and favorites! I really appreciate it! I'm not sure how many chapters this story will be but I have the basic idea for what I want it to include. I'm hoping to update at least twice a week from here on.

Enjoy chapter 4! :)

Opening the door to the bakery, Shion and Nezumi heard a gasp and then the sound of a basket falling to the ground. They both tensed up at the loud noise and quickly directed their attention to the woman standing behind a display with her hands covering her mouth.

"Mom? Are you okay?" Shion questioned, taking a step towards Karan.

The woman felt tears prick the corners of her eyes as she took in the two men standing in her bakery. She knew without being told who the man standing beside her son was. It had been a long time since their meeting but there was no doubt in her mind that this was the same man who had kept her son safe years before. Nezumi dropped Shion's hand and bent his head towards Karan.

"I apologize for intruding, ma'am," he said, extending his hand to Karan.

The woman took the offered hand in her own, then pulled the young man to her for a warm hug. She would never be able to express her gratitude that her only son had survived the ordeal he had gone through years ago, thanks to the help of this dark haired man.

"Nezumi, our home is your home," Karan responded. "This is quite the special occasion then, now isn't it Shion? A birthday and a reunion... Isn't it just wonderful how things work out sometimes?"

Shion blushed lightly but smiled back, showing his agreement.

"We were hoping to have some breakfast mom. Do you mind if we grab something to eat?" Shion questioned, looking around to the many rolls, pastries, and breads within his reach.

"Oh, of course not honey, help yourself!" Karan responded. "I did however make a special cake for today, to celebrate your birthday."

Karan stepped to the back of the counter and pulled out a cherry cake. Shion and Nezumi glanced at each other, both with smiles on their faces.

"That would be great mom, thank you," Shion said.

Karan cut them all a hefty slice of cake and sent the two men to the small dining room off of the hallway. Karan finished her piece quickly, stating that she had to return to the front of the store in case any customers dropped by. She grasped Shion's hand and leaned forward to kiss her son on the forehead. Then, to the surprise of the two men, she proceeded to do the same to Nezumi. Shion watched as a slight blush crept onto Nezumi's face and smiled at him.

Once Karan had returned to the front bakery, Shion leaned across the small dining table and placed a hand onto Nezumi's. He still could barely believe that Nezumi was back. The other man's hand turned over automatically and he began to rub circles on the top of Shion's hand with his thumb.

They exchanged no words, only looks. They had so much to say to one another but neither wanted to be the first to disrupt their quiet happiness. Neither knew where to even start in regards to telling the other about the years they had spent apart.

Shion, I'm sorry I left. I missed you so much. I am so thankful that you waited for me all this time. I'm sorry, I'm home now.

Nezumi hoped that their former way of speaking without saying words would still work. He repeated these words in his head over and over, silently wishing them into Shion's brain. He remained in eye contact with the white haired man and felt a sudden surge of emotions. The look on Shion's face had changed as he seemed to take in the unspoken words in Nezumi's head. Shion's eyes began to tear up against his will. He knew how weak this made him seem, Nezumi had always told him in the past to keep his emotions to himself. No matter how hard he tried though, Shion couldn't stop the tears from spilling over, slowly making their way down his face and toward the red snake across his neck.

Nezumi stood up and moved in front of Shion. He bent his head down and lightly kissed the white haired boy's tears away.

"No more crying, Shion. This is your special day. Don't ruin it with these wasted tears," Nezumi whispered to him. I'm not going anywhere.

Shion took in a deep breath and smiled in earnest. He felt all of Nezumi's unsaid words straight in his heart. Nothing meant more to him than the man in front of him. Nezumi had kept his promise after all this time, the least Shion could do was show he still had the strength the other man had taught him.

No more tears, Nezumi. I will show my gratitude in other ways from now own. Thank you for keeping your promise.

The rest of the day was filled with celebration. Many friends of Shion stopped by the bakery to wish him a happy birthday as well as take advantage of the sale Karan was having on cherry cake for the special occasion. Inukashi and the small child Nezumi had met the previous night came by around five that afternoon.

Karan closed the bakery early to celebrate Shion's birthday. Inukashi, Karan, Lili, the baby, and even Rikiga all spent the evening at the bakery with Shion and Nezumi. There were plenty of sweet baked goods thanks to Karan and the baby, who was now approximately three years old, had everyone in hysterics when he suddenly fell asleep at the table, landing face first in his slice of cake.

Inukashi decided it was time to return home after this incident. Lili and Rikiga both left soon after as well, wishing Shion a happy birthday and welcoming back Nezumi. Lili was still a bit sullen all night but the change in the young girl went unnoticed by Shion, the one she was most upset with. Lili knew that Shion was often lost in his own thoughts and she had a small hope in her heart that he was simply daydreaming about being with her. However, after this time spent with Shion and this new man, Nezumi, it was quite obvious to the teen that there was more here than simply friendship.

Lili noticed the way Shion was smiling and how he kept sneaking glances at the dark haired man. She saw a side of Shion she never had before, one who was genuinely happy. She was even watching him as he slid his hand underneath the table to reach for Nezumi's leg. Lili was shocked at this gesture and felt herself blushing at the action she had spied on. When she glanced up after seeing this, she noticed Nezumi staring straight at her. Lili's face went redder as Nezumi grinned at the young girl, signaling to her that he knew she'd seen Shion's hand.

Lili's heart was heavy as she left the bakery that night but she was also extremely happy to see Shion in such a good mood. He was always nice to her but there was something in the way he would stare off into space at random times and wouldn't be all the way "there." Now that Nezumi had returned, Lili knew she should remove her feelings for Shion immediately. She was not a dumb girl, she knew when she was not wanted by someone and when she would never have the chance to be with someone. For her, it was a hard lesson to come to terms with and she cried herself to sleep that night, dreaming of a world where Shion loved her the way she felt for him.