Disclaimer: I only own a tiny bit of this crap plot. Sorry to disappoint.

"Promise me you won't leave"

Sion knelt before Nezumi, changing the bandages once more during his preparation for his first day of college. Sion had been excited for this event until it was time to walk out of the door and leave Nezumi alone in his house. He didn't want Nezumi to leave.

Now, it's not like he would keep him away from whoever was in charge of him if they came. But until that happened he wanted to make sure that Nezumi was safe. It also wouldn't be beyond him to ask his guardian a few questions when they came around. If they came around as the case may be.

"Why would I leave? Do you actually think I want to go back to the shit hole I was living in? If you keep asking it'll seem like you want me to leave." Nezumi's expression changed and he spoke gracefully "The lady doth protest too much, methinks"

Sion pursed his lips and tried not to be upset with Nezumi. All Sion had wanted was a clear expression that would allow him to go to school without worrying if he would be met with grey eyes upon his return or not. But alas, Nezumi was getting cheekier and cheekier throughout the moments they spent together, thus making any conversation harder to deal with.

"Nezumi, please promise me" He said gently after tying a tight knot to secure the fresh gauze and pressed his fingers to the floor.

Nezumi sighed. His eyes penetrated Sion's and spoke the words that would soon fall from his lips.

"I promise I won't leave"

Sion smiled and ruffled Nezumi's hair, standing up swiftly. He slung his bag over his shoulder and said his goodbyes to his new roommate. A pale hand was inches from the doorknob when the sound of knocking came from ahead.

Sion paused, his hand floating around the doorknob and the knocking came again.

Sion had a bad feeling.

He looked back to Nezumi who was staring quietly at the door, almost like a dog waiting to attack whoever had the gall to step in on his territory.

Sion closed his fingers around the doorknob slowly and pulled the closure open.

In the middle of the doorway stood a tall man with a careful smile. He held out a thin hand that Sion took instinctively. He spoke with a gentle tongue.

"Hello. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?"

"U-uh... um"

This has to be about Nezumi right? Could this man be his father?

Sion didn't like that thought and immediately pushed it to the back of his mind. Father and son, no matter what blood relation, should never have such differing eyes.

Nezumi's eyes were like the tinted windows that every car seemed to be fitted with now. He could see you clearly but you couldn't see him unless you managed to get into the car with him.

But this man... his eyes were nothing. They were stagnant and murky in the most unappealing way. Sion almost cringed at the sight.

"Is everything alright young man?" The man's smile remained sowed to his lips as concern filled his tone.

"Yes, everything's fine. But, I'm afraid I don't have time to answer questions. You see, this is my first day of college and it wouldn't be too good if I was late."

"Congratulations" He said with mock enthusiasm "But I can send you in with an authorized note from the Security Bureau that has enough authority to dismiss a month of absences"

"Ah, well I still wouldn't want to miss anything impor-"

"Young man, this will only take a few moments... as long as you cooperate" The last words sent a chill crawling down Sion's spine.

"Of course sir"

They walked into his home and Sion almost yelped when he saw that Nezumi had remained seated on the floor, just before the large passage to the kitchen. The boy only glared at the investigator and Sion could just make out a small clicking. The boy was either dumb - which Sion thought true in some ways. Nezumi probably hadn't gotten proper education, but he picked up on things fast and retained information well. - or impossibly brash. Sion couldn't believe that he hadn't made himself scarce.

Sion tried to heed Nezumi no mind as he lead the man to an armchair that angled away from the couch Sion had sunk into. Sion hoped that Nezumi wouldn't end up doing something tactless. He didn't know how well the child was at retaining his emotions but he seemed pretty capable at expressing his annoyance and anger - and those two words were written boldly across his narrowed face.

Sion was soon to learn how hard it was to keep emotions under control.

"Um, so what did you want to speak with me about?" Sion asked hesitantly.

"First, let me introduce myself. My name is Rashi and I am the Interrogations Official at the Security Bureau."

Interrogations?

"I'm Sion, 18, student at AAU. Nice to meet you."

"Same to you. Now, I want to talk to you about the child who went missing a few days ago."

"Alright, what about him?"

"I think it's a bit late to play dumb, no? As the child in question is sitting on your floor." Rashi advised with a smile that Sion returned.

"I wouldn't say that I am. I never denied the fact that he was here, I only asked what you wanted with him." Sion stated blandly.

"You knew he was missing then?"

"Eventually, yes"

"Then why did you not call the police immediately?"

"Well..."

"Answer my question. You don't need to rush, just give a clear and accurate answer."

"Well, he's young and severely wounded, so I wanted to make sure that he was going to be okay. Plus, it didn't seem like he wanted to leave."

"So you sympathized with this child, and kept him in your home. Not even thinking that his parents would be worried for him?"

"Well, I'm sure that if his parents were that worried about him then they would be here now" Sion said hotly. He didn't like the way the man addressed him as if he were a child that knew nothing. He knew enough to decide that Nezumi would be safer in his home than with the people who had driven him here in the first place.

"I'd advise you to calm down young man, I would like to make this as easy as possible." He continued to smile as he spoke icy words from a gentle tongue.

Such a contradicting man.

"What do you want with Nezumi?" Sion questioned bluntly.

"Nezumi?"

"Yes" Sion gestured toward the boy sitting quietly on his floor.

"Well alright then. I would like to take Nezumi and bring him back to his rightful owner."

Sion scowled and he felt the sharp pain of fingernails digging into his palms.

"He's not a dog"

Rashi's smile grew. "Yes, apparently he's a rat. I must say that you were kind in calling him something as appealing as that. I might have chosen something along the lines of bug or maybe beast. Really, he doesn't even deserve to be addressed at-"

"Shut up!" Sion shouted as he stood. "He's not some animal that lives in a cage, a person shouldn't be treated like this! It's people like you who did this to him! If anyone's a beast it would-"

Sion's words quieted as a hand closed around his wrist. He panted heavily as he looked down to Nezumi who was steadily returning his gaze.

"Relax Sion. Save your voice for yourself."

"Nezumi... he doesn't have the right to say those things."

"He can do whatever he wants Sion. I don't care so there's no way that you should." Nezumi let go of Sion's wrist and sat on the far end of the couch.

"Thank you young man" Sion sent Rashi a black look as he took his seat.

Nezumi smiled and spoke warmly "Your welcome, but I was only saying that someone like Sion shouldn't waste his breath yelling at a lowlife bastard like you"

"Nezumi!" Sion scolded halfheartedly, a smile seeping through his yell.

Nezumi's face stayed passive but Sion could sense a slight smirk in his eyes. And Rashi's sutured smile remained as he spoke bluntly.

"Yes of course. Your guardian is waiting so you'll need to come with me."

Sion looked to Nezumi who had been lounging in the corner of his couch. The lost boy opened his lips and a cropped sigh escaped, hastily being swallowed back. His brow wrinkled in what seemed to be anguish that disappeared instantly. Nezumi stood and turned to Sion.

"I promised I wouldn't leave you know."

Nezumi spoke like Sion was supposed to do something about that, so he tried.

"It's all right. I meant not to leave on your own. And if you really feel bad" Sion leaned forward slightly as he spoke "then you'll just have to come back sometime."

Nezumi rolled his eyes but looked to Sion honestly as he nodded.

"Thank you for helping me. I'll pay you back somehow"

Oh... That's what he said when I stopped him, when he first came.

Sion felt like his heart was caught in his throat, but he wasn't sure why.

"You don't have to pay me back. I was happy to do it."

Sion smiled as Nezumi clicked his tongue and even as he walked out of his door with Rashi at his heels.

I think my titles are getting too misleading. Do not fret, they shall be reunited in due time. In other words the next chapter. Thanks for all of the alerts and favorites. They are all so appreciated that I can't convey it with my vocabulary. Special thanks to Allena Moyashi Walker, MyNameIsSara, Moniqe007, whitetear,and Violin of Soup for reviewing. What I do next varies on what you guys think, so if you don't like something or want more of something I'd love to know.

whitetear: Yeah, I'm not going to do anything scandalous with a fourteen year old. Honestly I probably won't do many scandalous things at all. (unless they are insisted upon)