}{Next Night, Building 4, Cell 10}{

Phoebe traced the cool bars with her fingers, following the rhythm of Musashi's breathing across the way. He didn't snore, but there was a weight to his inhales; like he struggled to take the air in. Was it because of his ability?

He's definitely a new one. Phoebe thought, resting her back against the stone wall of her cell. All the prisons she'd traveled to... the inmates she'd encountered. People she would never have pictured herself meeting.

You wouldn't have even called them 'people'. Phoebe admitted, disgust twisting her stomach. Boy, were you a snob!

If nothing else ever came of this, at least she would be wiser. That Sugoroku though, he beat out all the guards she'd crossed paths with. Most wound up in their jobs for the money, for narcissistic fetishes, for the lack of any other job offers... but something else drove Hajime Sugoroku to get out of bed every morning. Phoebe could sense it, pulsing below his taunt, undaunted surface. And it bugged her that she couldn't figure out what it was.

"You awake?"

Phoebe glanced over as Musashi sat up from his bunk. "What is it?"

His proud and pointed chin motioned toward the stairwell. "We got company."

Suspicion raised Phoebe's heart rate. Hitoshi had done his round 10 minutes ago. Cell 10 comprised of the two of them, so he spent most of it making small talk with her and Musashi. Besides that, one could hear the click of his bow-tie boot heels, or see the sparkling flowers of his aura before you could see him. Phoebe's senses had caught wind of neither.

"It's us, Musashi." a familiar voice came out of the shadows; Jyugo, Rock's cellmate that wore the fancy jewelry. Ugh, and his flirty friend. He'd introduced himself in the infirmary, but Phoebe was terrible with names. She was better at remembering people through their physical traits... and who could forget that pink and yellow braid?

"What're you guys doing here?" Musashi stretched his arms above his head.

"How did you get here?" Phoebe asked. Just leaving the infirmary, there had been fingerprint recognition deadbolts, retina-scans at every elevator door...

"We knew you were on lockdown." Braid Boy- Uno!- sidled up to her cell, folding his arms so she'd catch his biceps. Oh brother!

"And I promised you a dashing rescue." he went on whimsically. "I keep my promises to a woman." He winked. "I'm super dependable that way. Comes with being super handsome."

Phoebe cringed. "You realize I'm feeling safer in this cell with every word you breathe."

Musashi and Jyugo snickered. Uno carried on undeterred. He snapped his fingers and Jyugo moved up to Phoebe's door. The bolt slid back and it swung open. Phoebe's jaw dropped. What?! Did... Did he even touch it?

"Jyugo's gonna stay here and protect your absence." Uno rubbed Jyugo's head like a puppy's. "C'mon."

Phoebe stayed where she was, brow cocked at him through the bars. "Where?"

"Top of the world." was Uno's vague reply as he turned for the stairs. Phoebe looked at Jyugo and he nodded. "It's ok. He's harmless."

Trusting the guy she'd known for 10 minutes over the guy she'd known for 2 minutes. Prison was just full of nourishing options! Phoebe followed Uno up the stairs and through hallways until he reached a red EXIT door. He flung it open and bowed to give her passage. Phoebe stepped out... and found herself under the most breath-taking sky she had ever seen. The thin midnight clouds arched out above and beyond her head, thrown into shadow by the illustrious half moon. It left extra space for the stars to shine between faint ribbons of the Milky Way, stretching out until disappearing under the horizon. Phoebe, mesmerized, just kept walking. The railing stopped her, but her eyes never left the stunning panorama.

"What'd ya think?" Uno's voice grinned behind her.

"I don't think there's a word for it." Phoebe said, amazed. "Getting here, I didn't take the time to..."

She shut her mouth, not wanting to ruin any of the dazzling atmosphere. She took it in for another moment, Uno resting his arms on the railing beside her. Together, they took pleasure in the colors above, with the sound of breaking waves below. Phoebe left the sweet night air replenish her lungs before breaking the spell. "Musashi explained to me that you're one of Rock's cellmates."

Uno chuckled, blinking reflectively. "More then once. Somehow, the 4 of us just keep running into each other."

That comment relieved Phoebe somewhat. She searched his cocky features for an answer. "How's Rock been? Is he eating alright?" She shook her head at the ocean. "Rock has always discarded his vegetables... does he still snore? Are people mean to him?"

"Whoa!" Uno held out his palms, sweat forming on his brow. "Ease up, sis. Your head's getting bigger with each question."

Phoebe realized this and calmed down. "Sorry, I... haven't been able to ask them in awhile."

She felt the chill of the night and did her zipper, taking comfort in the snug material of her hoodie. Uno seemed puzzled by this, since he remained in his black wife-beater. "How long have you been looking for Rock?"

"Eight months and eleven days." Phoebe told him. She attempted a smile. "I'm thinking of having Yozakura put that in as my number."

Uno considered this, then matched her smile. "#811. Gotta a certain ring to it."

"He just might have to give it to me, if..." Phoebe swallowed the sudden emotion in her throat. "If Rock keeps refusing to see me."

"Our supervisor's brought every one of your requests personally." Uno told her after an awkward pause. He tried to chase it away with a suggestive tilt of his head. "Can't really press Rock on an issue he's never opened up about. So, thought I'd come press you."

Phoebe sighed, flicking his head back with a finger. His striped cap flew off and he scrambled to get it back. "Hey!"

Phoebe giggled as he huffed back to her. "Ya know, beauty's only a good thing if you know how to share it."

"It's only sharing if it's mutual." Phoebe bristled slightly. Uno noticed the guarded position and backed off, propping an elbow back on the railing. "Jokes aside, we can all tell Rock's bugged by this."

And he hasn't told them why? Phoebe watched the stars' reflection across the water. "I knew coming here would make trouble, but I'm not here to cause any." she turned meaningful eyes back to Uno. "For Rock or anybody."

"Why are you here, then?"

Phoebe searched the sky. So many ways to answer that... "On a whim and a prayer. Rock refused to see me when he was first sent to juvie. Then he broke out, disappeared..." She closed her eyes, felt the soft tears in their corners. "He's the only brother I got. I miss him..."

"Sounds like you don't even know." Uno remarked, his hand resting on her arm. Phoebe laughed dryly. "I've always prided myself on reading other people's motivations; but I can't peg my own."

Uno shrugged. Then Phoebe realized that in her emotional moment, he'd moved shoulder to shoulder with her. He must have a mental condition.

"Rock's your brother." Uno declared, his sky blue pupils gazing gently on her. "Good enough for now."

Phoebe studied him. "You're more considerate then I've given you credit for."

"That too comes with being handsome." His grin came back. Phoebe rolled her eyes, suppressing her laughter. "When you get back to your cell..."

"I'll let Rock know." he assured her, taking in the sky once more. "He'll come around. I promise."

}{}{Morning, Building 13, Cell 13}{}{

"I'm NOT gonna see her!" Rock reiterated, praying the words would finally get Uno and the others off his back.

"But I promised!" Uno cried, on his knees, imploring Rock with watery eyes. "I made a whole speech about it and everything!"

Rock gritted his teeth. He wasn't even going to start on his and Jyugo's secret mission to see Phoebe last night. He turned away, but there was nowhere for him to go. He had felt their cell getting smaller by the day. It shrunk every time Hajime came up to the door to say his sister was waiting for him in the visitor's room. He didn't know how much more he could take. She just needs to leave!

"And how could you never mention her to us!" Uno came up behind him, the waterworks still cranking. "After all we've been thr-"

Rock spun, pushed Uno into the wall, and slammed his fist into the same wall, his knuckles an inch from his friend's shoulder. "Like I'd ever give a pervert like you details like that!"

His gaze refocused as Uno slid down the wall, shaken. He looked over, seeing Nico's face in a whimper alongside a tense Jyugo. Rock released his fist, regretting his lack of control. "I'm sorry, Uno... look, me being in prison and Phoebe being my sister have nothing to do with each other. And I want to keep it that way. Please." He eyed all of his cellmates with desperation. "It's just what's best."

They all watched the floor for a minute. Nico was the first to look up. "But... you're angry and worried."

Jyugo nodded. "You stayed up all night when we told you Phoebe would be in Building 4."

"And," Nico stepped up to him, even though he shook. "Last time I saw her, she cried. How's that best, Rock?"

Rock bit his lip hard. Why'd Nico have to go and have a guru moment?

"Look man," Uno got up, wary of the small crater beside him. "None of us ever ask about your life before juvie because... well, you'd tell us if we needed to know. Bottom line though, they're not letting your sister go until she spills about how she found this place. And she won't do that until she sees you. She wants to see you. One way or another, you're going to have to face this."

Rock's stomach turned rancid with the breakfast he'd eaten. Which had only been half. Shino had been giving him puzzled and hurt looks. Still, Rock would rather bear that then the look Phoebe would give him. He had wronged her! As a brother, as a protector...

Rock groaned as he heard the lock turn and they all looked to the door. Hajime's buttoned-up and brooding presence stepped in, his eyes immediately on Rock. Rock gulped. Ooohhh, he looks mad!

"I don't give half a bull's crap about your backstory, #69." Hajime spoke in a clipped tone. "But playing messenger between you and your sister is a real pain."

He glared until Rock looked away. He crossed his arms, scrounging his nails into the bulk of his muscles. Everybody wants me to face this. But... I'm not strong enough.

Hajime sighed. "#15, you've got a visitor."

"Huh?" Jyugo's head erected. "Who?"

"Who'd ya think?" Hajime rolled his eyes and about-faced.

"No way!" Uno cried, chasing after Hajime. "She wants to see Jyugo? Not me?"

"Guess the girl's got some class after all." Jyugo walked backwards out of their cell, so as to rub it in Uno's face.