14:23 | West Block, Orphanage

Flames.

"Shion! Stop!"

Nezumi coughed and quickly followed the white shock of hair dyed in blazing orange. Fire was everywhere. It was dangerous.

"SHION!" The smoke poisoned Nezumi's throat and burned every cell in his body.

Children cried. Screams of terror reached his ears and revived suppressed memories. His voice sounded distorted, strange and panic-fuelled.

It's hot. It's so hot. It hurts. Shion… Let's run away. Please!

Although Nezumi had lost his mother, father and newborn sister to the burning flames of the Mao Massacre, he had never been afraid of fire, at least not for a very long time. For a while after Gran's and his escape, Nezumi was scared of the color, the roar and the memories it brought back to him each time he saw the lambent flames of their campfire. But Nezumi had understood that it was also important end essential for his survival.

Humans were the ones he had to fear, not fire. It was not just death, fire was also life.

But now, he was afraid, in panic. The fire was out of control, and the orphanage, which was just two crossroads away from Inukashi's hotel, was a mass of flames. They burned high and fierce, causing the old keloid scar on his back to throb and ache.

"Shion! Wait!"

Finally, he caught hold of Shion's wrist to stop him from running into the burning facility. How was he even able to move at all? And so fast at that? Nezumi knew Shion was still in pain, even though he tried to hide it.

"Don't go!"

It was no demand, but a desperate plea.

"I can't," Shion whispered and turned around. He was deathly pale. "Nezumi, children are dying because of me. It is my fault! How am I supposed to stand aside and do nothing?" His voice trembled. Tears filled his eyes. "Nobody should die because of me. Never again!"

"Nobody dies because of you!" Nezumi yelled. "You were not the one who set the orphanage on fire!"

"But you've read the threatening letters, Nezumi," Shion cried desperately. "It's my fault, because I didn't react. And now they shall pay the penalty instead of me. I can't allow that. They are just children!" He tried to break away. "Let me go!"

"No!"

Shion trashed around, trying to get Nezumi off, but he grabbed him tighter, lifted him up and carried him away.

"There's nothing you can do! Absolutely nothing! Face it, Shion!"

"You're wrong! I have to save them!"

"It's not your responsibility!"

"Let go of me!"

"You'll die!" Nezumi screamed and hit Shion in the guts, then grabbed his collar with trembling hands and smashed him on the ground. He straddled Shion's lap and slapped his face. "Idiot! Idiot! Snap out of it! Why won't you understand? You'll die, you idiot! I won't let you die! I won't let you—"

A desperate sob left Nezumi's lips and he gritted his teeth, trying to suppress his tears. But he failed miserably. The intensity of his emotional outburst astonished him, scared him even. It didn't take long and he lowered his body to bury his face in the crook of Shion's neck, covering the shivering skin with a flood of hot tears.

"I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lose the last person who's important to me," Nezumi cried, trembling. "Don't go, please."

Don't leave me alone. Don't go. It's hot. It's so hot. You'll burn. It hurts so much.

After a while, a gentle hand stroked the back of Nezumi's head. The other one rested on his back and patted it slightly.

"Alright, Nezumi," Shion whispered. "Don't cry. I'll do what you say. Just like back then."

Nezumi slowly raised his head. A couple of tears fell on Shion's face. He wanted to apologize to Shion. He wanted to apologize for hurting him and for scaring him so much, but before he could open his mouth, a desperate scream for help interrupted him. Nezumi and Shion faced the orphanage and saw the silhouette of a child with long hair in one of the windows. It was surrounded by dancing flames.

Shion shoved Nezumi away and got up to his feet in a second. Then, he hurried hastily in the middle of the burning inferno.

"SHION!"

Nezumi followed him, but stopped once he saw Shion with widespread arms and surrounded by flames. Nezumi's eyes flickered and his heart skipped a beat. And suddenly, he knew deep within his very being that he was going to witness one of Shion's miracles.

The child jumped in Shion's arms without the slightest hesitation and carried him off his feet. Nezumi held his breath, but once he realized that Shion didn't move anymore, he fought his way through the flames without thinking, grabbed Shion's shirt and pulled the two of them as far away from the flames as possible.

Shion was unconscious, but he still held the crying child in his limp arms. It was a little girl, probably around the same age as Inukashi's foster-son. But a falling body is heavy, even the body of a child. The impact of their crash was strong and Shion was already injured.

"Shion!"

Please, be alright!

"Say something," he begged. "Shion!"

Purple eyes opened slowly. Everything was blurry, but Shion didn't care. He brushed Nezumi's hand with his own. The other one comforted the back of the child.

"It's okay. You're alive. You'll be fine," he breathed with an effort and tried to sit up, but Nezumi grabbed his shoulder and forced him to stay put.

"Don't—"

"Natsuki!" a female voice screamed in panic. The little girl turned her head.

"Hana-san!" she answered, stood up and staggered in the direction of the child care worker, just to be tightly embraced by her gentle arms.

"Are you hurt? How did you escape? You were in the second floor, right? I'm so glad you're still alive", the young woman cried. She examined the girl's body, but fortunately, she had just a few little scratches here and there.

"You're not hurt, right?" Hana's face was dirty with grime and her tears made clean tracks down her cheeks.

"I'm fine. He caught me," the little one said.

"He caught you? He—" she asked confused and faced Nezumi and Shion. "Wait, you're Shion from the Restructural Committee. Oh my god! You saved her! Thank you, thank you so much!" Hana bowed a couple of times. Every time she moved her heard, her short dark brown hair fell forward. But then, she suddenly stopped.

"But you're hurt. You're bleeding. Oh no. What shall I do now?"

"Get the kid and yourself into safety," Nezumi instructed her. "I'll take care of him."

"B—but…"

"Hurry!"

Hana nodded and carried the child away. Shion tried to sit up for a second time, but Nezumi pushed him down once again.

"Don't move. You're bleeding from your mouth. I'll get you to the hospital."

"It's nothing. I've just bitten my tongue. She was heavier than I thought," Shion whispered and breathed heavily. "But she reminded me of you."

A little child surrounded by blazing fire, branded for life. She'd never forget the fear, pain and heat. The screams of those who burned to death would remain in her memory forever. And it would remain in his memory forever.

"I'm so sorry, Nezumi."

"Don't talk so much, damn it!"

"Because of my stubbornness you had to experience it again," he whispered. His voice was barely audible. He raised his hand to stroke Nezumi's arm, but once he felt a wet sensation, he moved his fingers back. Shion's eyes widened.

"You're hurt!" he said louder, managed to sit up and examined the burn wound.

"It's nothing. And I told you to stay put!" Nezumi answered sharply as he gritted his teeth to endure the pain.

"But—"

Chuckle. Chuckle. Chuckle.

Confused, Nezumi and Shion looked at each other for a second, and then turned their heads to make out the origin of that unfamiliar, muffled voice.

"Did you enjoy the spectacle, mayor?" the tenor voice asked finally. It sounded young and arrogant.

"I'm not the mayor and if you live here you should know that."

"Oh, my bad. Pardon me. Almost mayor, of course."

"What do you want? Show your face!" Nezumi demanded, squatting defensive in front of Shion. His heart rate increased and his breathing quickened while his body tensed up on alert.

"Wary like a watch-dog, huh?" the voice said. "But I doubt you'll be able to fight properly with such a severe burn wound." He chuckled again and stepped out of a dark alley. It was a young man with slender body and black clothes. He was wearing a horned crown and a long grey mask, just like the men who had attacked Shion two weeks ago. He took a few slow limping steps towards them.

"Your leg," Shion gasped. "A bite injury?"

"I see. You're the firebug who tried to set the dog hotel alight. Too bad that stupid mongrel didn't bite your legs off. You'd deserve it," Nezumi spat and kept a wary eye on the stranger.

The man laughed.

"Too bad I had to save ammunition. It's so hard to get weapons nowadays. Isn't that so, almost mayor?" he asked and whipped a small gun out of his sleeve, cocking it.

"Any last words—? No—? Fine! This time, I'll end it myself," he whispered, and even though Nezumi was not able to see his face, he could imagine the sardonic grin under the weird mask.

Nezumi clicked his tongue and dashed forward, kicking the gun out of the stranger's hand. He grabbed his wrist while driving his knee into the stomach of their assaulter. He brought him down and pinned him to the ground, burying his knee deep in the man's stomach until a choking sound escaped his lips.

Amazing, Shion thought. Nezumi hadn't even taken 10 second until the man was completely immobilized.

"Thanks for your concern, but I think I can still fight awfully well!" Nezumi said and punched the mask off the young man's face. Shion's eyes widened.

"You?" He shook his head. "I remember you. We went to school together. The gifted curriculum!"

"Oh, I'm honored. The almost mayor is remembering me. And I thought you were always spaced out, you weirdo."

"You made fun of Safu."

"Ah, right. You're weird girlfriend. I heard she's dead. Hah, serves her right!"

The young man's dark eyes grew wide once his own gun was held against his forehead. Shion had moved quickly and soundless. Even Nezumi stared at him startled.

"No! Shion!"

Shion's eyes were blank, his face emotionless.

"What's wrong with him?" shouted Shion's old classmate. He was in panic and tried to free himself from Nezumi's grip. The cold gun clinked against the dark-haired man's black spectacle frame.

"Shion! Snap out of it!"

"Safu died a senseless death. She had her whole life ahead of her."

"Shion!"

"She was clever. She was destined for greatness. Don't dare to talk about her like that!" He screamed the last sentence.

"Give me the gun!" Nezumi begged once he stretched out his hand. "Please."

"She didn't deserve such an early death. No one deserves it. Not even you," he whispered. Tears filled his eyes once he put the gun in Nezumi's hand.

"You have killed and injured several humans and on top of that the most vulnerable of them. Little children. Are you proud of yourself now? They had to pay the penalty instead of me. And why?" he asked and clenched his fists. "Do you want the elite system back, so that the city can pamper your sorry little ass?"

Shion's former classmate didn't answer.

"It always comes down to money, huh? And in your case also jealousy."

"Pff! Don't make me laugh!"

"You were even envious of Safu back then."

"Think whatever you want, almost mayor. I'm not going to tell you a single word about my reasons."

"You've already told him more than enough, you bastard. I know what you're thinking. How could an airheaded school-leaver become such a big shot? You're so easy to read," Nezumi interrupted the two of them. "You're an ulcer of that damn city. You're an arrogant, ruthless and autocratic asshole. Missing the old hierarchies, huh?"

"No. 6 was a utopia!"

"It was rotten!" Nezumi answered sharply. "And you're a fool if you're still thinking that it was a good place. You were brainwashed and used, don't you get it? You guys served as human guinea pigs. You're a lucky one that you were not one of the poor lambs the city has lead to the slaughter, literally."

"Shut up! I have no idea what you're on about!"

"And I thought elite students are at least a little intelligent."

"No. 6 was perfect!"

"It's easy to say that when you're on the top of the hierarchy," Shion snorted. "But you're wrong. You haven't seen the cruel reality."

"No, you're wrong, you fucking thief! You're just supporting the poor, because you've lost everything back then. It's your way to pay back, huh? You were one of us. Never forget that! Hah, do you even listen to yourself? You've a pretty big mouth and that's it. But we won't tolerate your behavior!"

"We?" Nezumi asked and raised his eyebrow. He grabbed the man's collar. "How many of you are there?"

The spectacled man grinned, giggled and then burst out into laughter. And even when police arrested him, he couldn't stop his guffaw.

17:56 | Lost Town, New Hospital

Quick steps echoed like rapid fire through the hallways of the hospital. The door flew open and Karan entered the room with a concerned expression on her face. But once she saw her son and Nezumi sitting together on Shion's bed eating vanilla pudding and watching TV, Karan let out a long breath, her expression changed to pure relief and her tension eased.

"Thank heavens. You're alive," she whispered and went to the bed, cupped Shion's cheeks and kissed his face all over. "I'm so glad. And you—" she added and repeated the process with Nezumi. His eyes grew awfully wide and he grabbed Shion's hand, hoping for help. "You saved my boy again. Thank you! Thank you so much!" She placed another kiss on Nezumi's cheek and finally simmered down again.

"N—no problem," Nezumi answered, his voice unnaturally high; he coughed awkwardly and tried to sooth his tousled hair.

It was in the news, over and over again. Amid tears, a young woman told the reporters that Shion had caught the child and that Nezumi had burst into the flames to pull the two of them out of the burning inferno. It was Hana, the child care worker. Her face was still dirty and stained.

"They saved the child. She would be dead without them. They were so brave!"

But they had to pay the price for their bravery. Apart from little cuts and singes, Nezumi's arm was severely burned, two of Shion's rips were broken, and he had a couple of major bruises. Anyway, they were also lucky in the circumstances, since none of them had smoke poisoning.

"You two are heroes," Karan said in awe and stroked Shion's white hair tenderly. He bit his bottom lip, tensed up and grabbed Nezumi's fingers. Nezumi pressed Shion's hand in return to reassure him, then gently stroked Shion's knuckles with his thumb. He nodded slightly and intertwined their fingers.

Are you ready now, Shion?

It was about time to tell her the truth.

I'm right here. You are not alone. Never forget that.

He knew Shion shouldn't talk too much in his condition, but telling Karan the truth was a very important step for coping with his traumata.

Let's get over with it. You agonized over it way too long.

Shion took a hurtful, shaky mouthful of air.

"Shion?" Karan asked worriedly. She was confused.

"I'm not a hero, mom," he breathed and tensed up, his eyes glued to the white bed sheets on his legs.

"Hm? Why not?"

He trembled. Nezumi held Shion's hand even tighter.

"I'm a mu—"

He swallowed heavily and took another breath.

"I've— killed someone."

The room grew heavy silent. It felt like an eternity, but the small hand in Shion's hair never stopped stroking. It was unbearable. Shion bit his bottom lip and turned his head to face his mother.

Say something, please! Yell at me! Despise me! I'm a monster!

"Mom?"

She raised her head and both locked eyes for the first time in three or four years. Nevertheless, Karan's overflowing hazel eyes were not filled with disgust or hatred, but with sympathy, endless love and sorrow.

"Oh, Shion," she whispered, stood up from her chair and folded her arms around her son. She cradled his head against her bosom and continued stroking his hair very gently. "I'm sure you would never take a life if you could avoid it."

Shion trembled and clenched his teeth. He didn't even realize that silent tears were rolling down his cheeks. But they were also healing.

"You've been through terrible things. Things I can't even imagine. Both of you," she spoke calmly and threw an affectionate look at Nezumi as well. "I saw you were suffering and it hurt me so much that there was nothing I could do for you. I know you just tried to protect me, Shion. But I've told you that before. I'm a lot tougher than you might think. You don't need to suffer because of me. I'm your mother and I'll always love you, no matter what."

She kissed the crown of Shion's head and held her crying child close.

"It was just because of me! He protected me. We would both be dead wit—" Nezumi tried to help, but Karan just raised her finger and pressed it against Nezumi's lips.

"Hush, dear. It's alright. I blame neither of you."

Nezumi nodded and squeezed Shion's hand gently. He also started to stroke Shion's back, since he was barely able to calm himself.

"But what about Renka-san. It's our fault that—" Shion sobbed, but Karan stopped him with a wave of his hand.

"Shhh, don't talk so much. And don't worry about Getsuyaku, dear."

"What do you mean?"

"Inukashi also seemed to feel guilty because of Getsuyaku and told Renka and me everything about your little operation. Renka didn't even know that her husband worked in the Correctional Facility. You can put your mind to rest, Shion. It was Getsuyaku's decision to take the money. He was an adult and knew about the dangers of such a bold venture."

"But—" he gasped.

"He's another victim of the former city, Shion. It's not your fault. Relax now."

"But what about his children?"

"Of course they'll miss their father, but they have a lot of friends who love them and take care of them. You included. Don't worry about it and get well as soon as possible."

Shion's tension finally eased. A tide of relief washed through his body. He leaned back in his bed and exhaled slowly. After a while he even snuggled up to Nezumi, whose caresses seemed to comfort him. He relaxed more and more. Karan smiled at the two as she sat back down and started to peel a couple of apples for them. It touched her to see the boys cuddled together in the small hospital bed. Both seemed to seek each other's warmth and closeness.

Karan got the feeling that it was better to leave them alone for now, so she left after preparing a little fruit plate for the two patients. She also had to deal with what she had heard. Anger budded deep inside of her. She was not angry with her son or Nezumi. They were just teenagers when they were forced to endure and experience horrors she couldn't even imagine. Shion had never talked about it, but he had often cried in his sleep. It had hurt her so much to see him like that. And it still hurt. She felt the tear-stained spots on her chest and touched the damp fabric with her fingertips. Shion's tears seemed to burn her skin.

It's not your fault. It's the fault of the old power and us adults, including myself. I never wanted to know or understand. I accepted everything silently and I never questioned decisions. If only we adults had been a little smarter, you wouldn't suffer so much now. We could have spared you from so much pain. And perhaps we could have saved Safu, too.

But it's too late now. I failed to protect you, Shion.

I'm so sorry.

Karan crossed the street, wiped away her tears and turned around. She looked at the hospital, trying to spot the window of Shion and Nezumi's room. Her hand stroked the wet spot on her chest again and Karan swore to herself to do everything humanly possible to save her boys from harm. She'd support them with all her might.

"Fine," she said to herself and nodded in reassurement. "I'll bring them cherry cake tomorrow. And some cravats. They also like cocoa. Ah, and something hearty. They really shouldn't eat hospital food…"

Meanwhile, Nezumi crawled back into Shion's bed. One of the nurses had tried to shoo him in his own, but the effect of her ranting didn't last long. Even though he didn't want to admit it, but seeing Shion in the fire had left him slightly traumatized. He really had thought he was going to lose him, just like his family so many years ago. The Correctional Facility had burned as well, but he was barely conscious back then.

You must have been so scared. I nearly died and you were all on your own. But you stayed calm and managed to escape with me as a burden.

"You're so strong, do you know that?" Nezumi mumbled against Shion's hair and kissed it slightly.

"Hmm?"

"Ah, it's nothing." He grabbed Shion's hand and intertwined their fingers once again. Shion smiled and leaned his head against Nezumi's shoulder. Then, he stared at the TV, his long white lashed half-lidded.

"Tired?" Nezumi asked quietly and stroked the skin of Shion's hand with his thumb. "Do you want me to turn off the TV?"

"No, it's fine. I like to let it wash over me." It was difficult for them to read and Shion was not allowed to talk that much, so it was a nice alternative, especially since Nezumi seemed to be a little riveted by it. He had never watched TV before and it was a pleasure to look at his mesmerized face every once in a while.

"At your desire, Your Highness."

After a while Shion fell asleep. Nezumi stroked his arm and kissed his temple every now and then, but his eyelids also got heavier and heavier and he felt his head leaning to the right. He turned the TV off, nuzzled his cheek against Shion's soft curls and allowed himself to drift off to sleep as well, but a couple of hours later, a static noise woke him up. Nezumi rubbed his eyes and scratched the back of his head, wondering why the television was still on.

"Hm? I'm pretty sure I turned it off," he mumbled and changed his position a bit, accidentally waking Shion.

"What's wrong? Are you in pain?" Shion asked sleepily.

"No. I just thought… Ah forget it. Go back to sleep," he said and searched for the remote control, but before he was able to turn the TV off again, a giant wasp was on the screen for a second. After that, a couple of screaming men ran out of an underground bunker and then, the screen turned black.

"Oi, did you see that, Shion?" Nezumi asked and turned his head, but Shion was already back to sleep.

"That was fast, Shion," he whispered with a soft smile on his face and yawned. "Well, I'm probably hallucinating."

Nezumi shook his head and closed his eyes again.

The next morning when he woke up, Karan was already there. She was busily arranging some flowers on the table and the room was filled with the smell of freshly baked bread. Shion's head was still on his shoulder and a curl of white hair tickled his nose.

"Oh, you're awake," Karan said with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah," Nezumi answered, his voice slightly hoarse. "You're already up? You're always so busy."

"One does what one can," she laughed and placed a cup of coffee on the hospital bed table.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Karan chuckled slightly and placed another cup for Shion.

"A little strong and with lots of milk. Just the way he likes it," Nezumi stated and took a sip of his own mug. The coffee was perfect. Shion was still asleep and snored quietly. It made Karan and Nezumi chuckle. But after a while, the sleeper also opened his eyes and sat up. He looked a bit confused and his hair was tousled.

"Mom?" he asked and yawned as he blinked the sleep away. "Why are you here? What about the bakery?"

"What kind of greeting is that, Shion? Good morning, mom!" Karan said half-strict.

"Good morning, mom," Shion answered ruefully. Nezumi laughed into his coffee mug.

"Good morning, Shion. Don't worry about the bakery. Renka and the girls are taking care of it," she said as she placed plates with bread on the little table. It smelled mouth-watering. After that she also put some breadcrumbs in front of Cinnamon's nose. The little mouse had hogged Nezumi's bed and was still lying spread-eagled on the soft pillow, but the smell of tasty bread quickly put some life into the small rodent. Karan chuckled and gently touched the soft fur of Cinnamon's back with her fingertip.

"Ah, before I forget… I think you haven't heard it yet."

Both boys looked at her – Shion curiously, Nezumi with a mouthful of bread.

"Tonight, a group of men turned themselves in to the police. They belonged to the resistance group. Some of them are on the run, but a special force is on to them, and the Committee has intensified the safety measures. I heard it on the radio while baking fresh bread rolls."

"Really?" Shion asked in relief. The information took a load off his mind. Karan nodded and took a sip of her own coffee.

"Yes. They also said that a giant wasp appeared to them."

Shion's eyes widened.

"A giant wasp?" he asked and turned his head to face Nezumi.

"I've seen something weird on TV tonight. You were sleeping. I've seen Elyurias and she was chasing a couple of men. You know that she can control people..."

"But why would she do something like that? I mean she gave us a second chance, back then. I thought she'd rather destroy the city if we fail to turn it into a better place. Why should she fight against a small resistance group?"

Nezumi blinked and took another bite of bread while thinking. He scratched his head and shrugged his shoulders.

"Maybe it's the doing of your friend."

"My friend? Do you mean Safu?"

"Yeah, she was connected with Elyurias. Maybe, she just stayed with her and they watched over the world together. And you sure paid great tribute to her yesterday."

"You really think so?" Shion asked enthusiastically. His voice was higher than expected and his purple eyes sparkled.

"Uh," Nezumi winced. "I can't tell for sure. But back then Elyurias delivered a message from Safu to you, didn't she?"

"Yeah…"

Safu…

Are you still here? Are you watching over us? You're protecting us, right? But that means you're not completely gone. A part of you is still alive.

I hope you're doing well.

Shion closed his eyes and folded his hands for a little prayer. Karan joined in, and even Nezumi closed his eyes and stopped eating, even though it was a very difficult task.

"Well, we have to be thankful," Karan said after a while and opened her hazel eyes again. "The police was able to find the hideout of the resistance group. Their next plan was to poison the potable water."

Shion gasped. He folded his hands for a second prayer. Nezumi and Karan joined in again before they finished their breakfast.

It was a peaceful morning and the three of them enjoyed every second of it.