Disclaimer: You get the idea

Warning: Not much. But I do want to kick myself for saying this story wouldn't be scandalous, because it is. So much for that.

Crash!

"Wah!"

Sion gripped his desk to keep from falling off in the shock of having his teacher angrily slam a book into it.

"Mister Sion" She started sternly "Would you like to tell me the reason why you find the outdoors more interesting than my class?"

Sion didn't mean to, but he glared. He wasn't in the mood to be yelled at.

"Do you actually want to know the reason or should I just pay attention?"

The teacher looked down her bony nose at Sion and replied caustically. "Well, since you insist, I would like you to inform all of the class of your thoughts."

"Fine" He answered curtly "I was thinking that Nezumi is such a... stupid... idiot, because just a few days ago I found him half-dead on the street. And then after I brought him to my home, unfroze him, and put food in his... dumb stomach, he leaves right out the front door as soon as I turn my back. Now I have to find him again before he's full circle dead. Sorry." Sion leaned into his hand boldly, and the teacher's lips thinned.

"I don't think it's a bad thing to have compassion, but I think that you should save that compassion for your future and not some dirty street rat."

"Don't talk about him that way! He's not just some animal that can be classified in a few words. He's better than that and should be treated as such." Sion, not understanding that people would take 'Nezumi' as an actual rat, was appalled that someone who didn't even know the teen would say such a thing.

They would hide themselves before, but lately Sion was catching glimpses of humanity rotting. The words people used that weren't understood a few years ago, or the crimes that were previously veiled by an innocent mind. The more Sion understood the worse things seemed. So now he just wanted to help whoever or whatever possible. But at the same time, he found that that wasn't the reason he wanted Nezumi to be safe. It was simple instinct that brought him to the point where he knew that it would be bad if the boy with unbelievable grey eyes disappeared. And now, Sion didn't know what he'd do if that happened. But it probably wouldn't be good.

"Well then, now that your outburst is finished, would you be willing to pay attention to my class Mr. Sion" The teacher asked as soon as she was over her shock and the rest of the class was through laughing.

"Yes. I'll pay attention."

...

"Sion, pay attention! I know you have a lot on your mind with that kid, but you might as well hear me when I talk." Safu scolded, walking side by side with Sion as they exited their campus.

"I'm sorry Safu. I haven't been sleeping much lately and I'm rather tired."

Thoughts of Nezumi had been violating his mind while trying to get rest. Thoughts of him beaten, battered, burnt, torn, frayed, half-dead, fully dead, sleeping, creeping, weeping, talking, walking, crying, dying, lying, smirking, smiling, laughing, old, young and clicking his tongue. Most of those were completely his imagination as Nezumi wore an emotionless mask for the most part. Still, they wouldn't leave him alone.

"Then I hope you'll agree to relax somewhere with me this afternoon"

"Somewhere?" Sion yawned.

"Yeah. I just want to walk around, go into a shop if we feel like it. I'm getting too used to everything being planned and scheduled."

"I know what you mean. I'll come, just let me stop at home real quick." Sion was glad that Safu shared some of his ideals in that their city wasn't the perfect community it was made out to be. There was too much structure and the stress to fit in could be suffocating. And then if you did stray from the structured path that was paved in perfection, you ended up like Sion. Or worse. Sion had been lucky since he was an elite, if not then you wouldn't be as fortunate.

"I'll give you a ride. It'll be easier that way."

Sion sighed. Whenever Safu came over to his place she always tried to clean it up or convince him to take a loan that they both knew he wouldn't be able to pay back. But it would be more efficient. "Alright Safu."

...

Sion rounded his lips and exhaled sharply into a Styrofoam cup, steam blew back briskly in retaliation and he took a sip of the still blistering hot cocoa. The street was dimly lit from flickering bulbs overhead and the light glow of the moon was reflected in puddles. Sion and Safu strolled down the road, considering a trip into the few shops as they passed them. They were in a more barren part of the city, enough traffic to sustain minimal businesses but solitary to the point where there were never any lines. There were drawbacks, such as the wild dogs that would go away only if you gave them part of your meal and the homeless men who followed the same protocol. But it was nice all the same.

"Sion, I think there's something going on."

"Hm?"

"Let's go" Safu's fingers curled tightly around Sion's and she jogged forward with an air of excitement.

"Wait- Safu, what is it?"

"Cheering"

"Huh?"

"Just come on Sion. I heard cheering."

"Uh, alright"

They trotted about fifty feet and turned a corner. Sion's drink was halved and the sidewalk steamed from the new heat as he looked ahead to small crowd dispersing.

Safu huffed out a disappointed breath "I guess it's over now. I wonder what was going on."

Sion strained his eyes and peered through the scrambled crowd to see a modest platform that supported decorations and a few theatrically dressed people. He saw them bow and turn to leave the stage by the small stairs off to the side. His pace quickened along with his heartbeat when dark hair entered his gaze. It was a stretch, but he would take any chance he was given.

A vague protest from Safu was heard as he started running forward, making it to the stage as it was being expertly disassembled and folded up. It was just a big empty lot without the crowd and platform, but he saw people trickling down an alleyway that he knew was a dead-end.

Sion walked through the cold, wet alley - noticing and somewhat ignoring the fact that Safu hadn't followed. There was a short line of men and women that stared at Sion in a way that made his skin crawl. Grimy hands reached for him as he passed by and he wiped the sweat off on his shirt after he fended them off. At the top of the line, a man walked into a crumbling building after he handed another man a small leather pouch. No, wait... it wasn't just another man. It was the man that Sion had taken Nezumi from.

Sion tried to keep his composure as the situation sank in and he confronted the fat man with a small mustache leaning by the door.

"Excuse me?"

"Who d'ya want"

"Um, what?"

"Who d'ya want. Pick anyone from the performance."

Sion could only be thankful that the man wasn't wasted and didn't remember him from before, but apparently Sion hadn't properly let the situation sink in. Because he felt his stomach turn violently as he reworked his hypothesis.

"T-the boy with dark hair and grey eyes." He uttered numbly.

"Since you cut in line, and want our best, that'll be fifty"

"Fifty dollars?"

"What else boy?"

"Ah, no sorry. J-just a second" His wavering fingers searched through his pockets as he tried not to slam his fist into the man's fat gut. He would make sure to thank Inukashi later for giving him a raise; he just barely collected the fifty dollars that chubby fingers grabbed hungrily.

"Take a left an' he'll be in the back." greasy lips spoke as he counted the bills.

"A-alright"

Sion pressed open a thin door and was faced with a small path that was settled in between dirty, yellow sheets that hung from twine strung across the room in neat sections. The room was just as cold as the outdoors and the lighting was probably worse. It smelled of dust and the stained walls threatened to collapse.

He could see the shadows of people in the sheets. Three out of four sections in the first room had one person, sitting quietly on what Sion could only assume was a bed. Then one unit made Sion rush out as he heard grunts and saw a mass of sheets and limbs tangled together. The next room to the left was worse and by the time he reached the last he was out of breath, on the verge of tears as he looked between two sectioned areas that were stagnant. A long section was pushed to the side and a square one sat in the back.

Nezumi's was the back.

Sion pushed the thin curtain to the side.

Nezumi leant against the back wall, a bed to his left and nothing to his right. Sion shivered as he noticed the same one piece as the other day covering his thin body. Nezumi almost looked surprised for a moment, but it didn't last long.

"Did you pay to get in here?" His words were stale and he pushed from the wall so he stood erect.

"Huh, uh- yeah" Sion answered absentmindedly as he unbuttoned his coat in order to transfer it to the skinny boy before him.

Sion paused as he noticed Nezumi smirking and advancing towards him slowly. Nezumi's words were slow and smooth. "I hadn't planned on paying you back that way. I didn't think you'd accept a payment like that. But I guess looks can be deceiving."

Sion didn't understand what Nezumi was talking about. His confusion level doubled as Nezumi spoke again, looking into his eyes as a finger dragged slowly down his thinly clad chest.

"I always had doubts that there was a person so oblivious. But you only had me fooled, huh? You're just like the rest, you only think from down here." Nezumi's finger stopped at the base of Sion's abdomen and his hand flattened against the muscle.

"Nezumi? What are you-?"

The grey haired boy continued to smirk as he gained a slight surprise in his eyes. "Oh, I see. You want me to take charge." Nezumi stepped forward so his face was hidden from view, and Sion's brow knit as he felt a hand slink behind his back. His eyes widened and insides quaked as fingers slipped under his waistband. Sion snatched the wrist that was barely outside of his jeans and he yanked it forward harshly.

"What are you doing?" Sion screamed in anger and offense that depleted in a flash.

In the split second when Nezumi revealed his face, just before the smirking mask was replaced, an awful expression with lips curled in hate, nostrils flared in anger, and eyes narrowed in resent was displayed on the thin face. Sion had put that expression on Nezumi's face; he had made him feel those feelings. And he couldn't be forgiven for it.

"Nezumi, I'm not here to hurt you." Sion whispered sheepishly. He didn't want to see Nezumi like this. He didn't want Nezumi to do these things thinking that this was all he wanted from him. Nezumi didn't deserve to feel that way.

"Of course, of course. You're just here to screw me." Nezumi's face shifted to a humbly passive expression and more plastic words floated from his lips. "So sorry your majesty. I was dense in thinking that royalty such as yourself would be that eager. Of course you would want to play a bit first, no?" Nezumi pulled from Sion's dazed grip and wrapped his arms around a scarred neck. Dry lips parted and a pink tongue slipped out.

Sion's body reacted before his mind and he pressed his hands harshly to Nezumi's chest, sending him staggering backward. Sion let out a shaky breath and gripped the sheet behind him, closing his eyes for a moment. He looked back into storming grey eyes and steeled himself.

"Nezumi please" He pleaded, taking a cautious step forward. "I-I'm not going to do anything to you. I don't want to hurt you." He prayed to the god he didn't believe in that Nezumi would understand.

The young boy's expression stayed cold and he spoke accusingly. "I know, don't worry. Everything's going to be alright so I should just relax, right? Make it better for both of us."

Desperation filled Sion's gut and he strode forward, grasping Nezumi's chin and tilting it upward, speaking with a brash tone that faded to a whispered grief. "Nezumi! Look at me Nezumi! I don't want this, okay? I don't want this." Tears stung at his eyes and he tried to fill every word with emotion to make Nezumi believe him. That unfortunately made his voice quake and crack more than it had in his entire life. "I-I'm not here t-to do anything to you or have you do s-something to me. Y-you understand that right? I-I don't want this, s-so... please stop." Sion pleaded and dropped his hold.

Nezumi's face stayed cold and indifferent, but grey eyes washed over with realization and shaky knuckles slid slowly down Sion's cheek.

"... Sorry. I didn't mean... " Nezumi's words drifted off and Sion's fingers grazed the hand on his cheek before it was jerked away. Nezumi's hand paused in the air, clenched tightly, then fell to his side as he trailed to the bed and sat down. He propped up a knee and rested his arm atop it, supporting his head with a thin hand. A flat voice filled the room "Did I hurt you?"

"No. I-I'm alright. I was the one that pushed you."

Nezumi pressed his head further into his hand "Not like that. Did I... did I go too far at all?"

"Um, I don't think so." Sion replied lightly.

"Ugh" Nezumi looked to him incredulously "Well I guess you'd know if I did"

Sion sat beside him on the lumpy bed and leaned forward to look straight to the youth next to him. He spoke shakily. "Nezumi, what are you doing here?"

He lifted his head "Shouldn't that be obvious by now"

"Why are you doing this?" Sion asked, excusing Nezumi's remark.

Grey eyes looked to him skeptically, but they closed and a sigh was released. "Have you ever seen a play?"

"No"

"I have. They're... they're something else. The city doesn't like them though. I think it's because plays are exactly what No.6 wasn't able to be. Plays have a structured freedom, where you have to follow a script but can say it however you want and even change a line here and there. Rikiga, the guy out there, started an acting group but some guy payed him money for illicit photos of the performers. Things got somewhat out of hand, and now we're here. Nezumi explained himself blandly, waving a graceful hand waving in the air but Sion could see the passion in his eyes, the awe. Sion could imagine him on stage, he would only need to speak and Sion wouldn't be able to turn away.

"But, why are you doing it? No one can make you do something like this Nezumi." Sion didn't think that Nezumi would let people do this to him, no matter what.

"He wouldn't let us on the stage otherwise. I don't really care what I go through, it doesn't matter to me."

"It should!" Sion snapped, "You should care about your life and not let it get ruined by unneeded things!"

"I know." Nezumi barked lightly "I'm not just some pushover. Usually, whatever guy comes in here ends up in the hospital. And if it's a girl I just shove her out."

Sion felt a tear roll down his cheek "Why did you say usually?"

"Because it's true"

"What happens when it's not usual?" Sion asked, terrified to hear the answer.

"I shouldn't have to say that"

Sion tried to hold back. He really did. But his tears overflowed and his arms moved on their own as he pulled Nezumi ineptly to his chest.

"Let go." Nezumi growled but Sion only held tighter. Nezumi roared louder, almost childishly as he tried to push Sion away. "Let go you old man!"

Their fumble stopped and their gazes connected, Nezumi glaring with three of his limbs pressed defiantly to Sion's torso, and the former with a slightly offended but mostly distressed look. "Who are you calling old man... you brat." Sion drew back when faced with a glare that was obviously meant to set him on fire, and released his hold on Nezumi.

Nezumi shifted, and leant against the wall. "What are you here for in the first place?"

"I've been looking for you"

"Why?"

Sion made sure to look into the grey eyes that hooked him to Nezumi "Because I'm worried... and scared and anxious and I don't want you to be away from me Nezumi"

"So what? What will coming here help that?"

"I can talk to you, and see if you'll come home with me."

"I won't"

"Why? I can get you into a school and you can act there and you'll be able to get away from here Nezumi." Sion spoke desperately, leaning towards Nezumi.

"Even if you could, what would you do if Rikiga came and tried to take me back? Or that Rashi guy. What happens when you get tired of me, huh?"

"I would find a way to make them leave you alone and you shouldn't talk about yourself like you're something I'm buying on a whim. I won't get tired of you Nezumi."

Grey eyes narrowed. "Whatever. I'm not going with you. I just don't want to be anywhere near you."

Sion's chest throbbed. "What do you mean? Is it really worse being around me than these people!"

"Yeah, I don't care about these people at all and they won't care about me. But you... you'll care. You'll cry if I get hurt and scream if I leave. I already told you that I still owe you. I'm not going to screw up your life more than I already have."

"What makes you think you screwed it up? I love my life Nezumi and it's because of you that I do. And right now I can't sleep or eat and I probably failed the test in math today because I can't think of anything but you"

"What chick flick did you watch to want to say that?"

"Huh? None, I'm serious Nezumi"

"No you're not. I don't know what you mean, but it's not that."

"Yes it is Nezumi. A-and you can pay me back by coming with me. I'll be able to eat, sleep and focus and then... then if you want you can work at the pet shop with me so that you won't owe me for the rest. Please Nezumi, I don't want you to stay here." Sion ran an unsure hand through Nezumi's loose hair. He would do anything to have Nezumi safe at his side. If you asked him why he wouldn't be able to explain the reason. It just needed to happen.

"I don't care. I won't live with you."

"Then what Nezumi?" Sion half yelled "What should I do to get you out of here?"

"Nothing. I'll stay here and you'll just give up on bringing me with you"

"Nezumi, please. Don't do this, just come with me for a small while, and if you don't want to stay I'll let you leave."

"No you won't"

"You're right. I wouldn't, but you'll be able to leave anyway."

"I'm not coming with you"

"I'll steal you, Nezumi. Right now"

"You wouldn't be able to." Nezumi spoke skeptically, with cautious eyes.

"I've done it once. You're still the skinniest person I've ever seen. I could take you Nezumi"

"You'd seriously do it wouldn't you" Nezumi spoke almost proudly with a slight smirk.

"Yes"

"... I don't want anything other than to act."

"That's all you'll get"

"... I'll pay you back"

"Ill be waiting"

Nezumi clicked his tongue and Sion smiled.

"Fine, but Rikiga's not going to like it." Nezumi's last few words were muffled as his torso was pulled forward and his face pressed into Sion's shoulder.

Red irises hid beneath shut eyelids and Sion pressed his forehead into the curve of Nezumi's neck. He murmured lightly against Nezumi's skin. "I promise I'll take care of you."

"You shouldn't promise something like that."

"Only if I won't be able to keep it. But I will, I'll take care of you."

"I can take care of myself."

"Not well enough. I'll keep you healthy and happy to the best of my ability."

"Whatever, just let go. He'll probably try to come in soon"

"Wha- why?" Sion stammered and pulled away from Nezumi.

"Because you're taking too long. If it takes this long for someone to leave then they're either unconscious or dead."

"... Have you killed someone in here?"

"It doesn't matter, he's coming now."

"What? How can you te-"

Sion whipped around as he heard the curtain rip harshly to the side. Rikiga stood before them and time seemed to slow down in Sion's eyes as emotions flooded through him.

This was the man who hurt Nezumi. He was the one who sold not only Nezumi's, but also probably dozens of other people's bodies for his own gain. He ruined innocent lives and he had thrown bottles at Nezumi when he refused to do something awful and... unforgivable. He was revolting and the first person that Sion had ever truly hated.

Sion's mind was absorbed in a white, hot rage and when it dispersed Nezumi was tugging his arm, talking loudly. "Sion, what the hell was that?"

Sion looked down to an unconscious Rikiga who had a red ring around his neck that would probably end up as a dark bruise. "I-I don't know. W-what happened... is he alri- ?"

"Just hurry up, idiot," Nezumi commanded, still pulling uselessly on Sion's arm "he's got a taser up his sleeve somewhere, so we need to leave before he wakes up"

"Right, uh- w-what about the others?" Sion nodded his head to the section beside them.

"They'll be fine, they're like me. They don't want to leave; this is the only place for them. So unless you plan on giving them all a home we should leave, now."

"Ah, okay" Sion let Nezumi lead him out of the now eerily silent rooms, and when they exited only a few people remained in the line. They called out the name 'Eve' and Sion covered Nezumi protectively with his jacket and hurried away when he realized they were talking about him.

Sion had about a hundred questions, but right now he was just happy to be headed home with Nezumi nuzzling peacefully into his coat.

So there's that. That one was pretty long compared to the others. The longer they get the worse my judgement is though, so I really need you guys to tell me how I'm doing on these ones... if you would be so kind. Thanks to MyNameIsSara, whitetear, and Hermina05 for reviewing. They are always always always appreciated.

To whitetear: Yeah, I kind of want Sion to think of Nezumi as just a little kid, then when that changes the whole story will take a turn. You know, that kind of deal.

Thanks For Reading!