(*No.6 does not belong to me)
(*Nezumi's POV)
After the awkward hug I let Shion use the bathroom to clean up. And with some convincing I got him to let me re-patch him up.
And with that we stayed the night here. Once in bed he was out like a light.
I went downstairs to put his clothes to wash when I was startled by the old lady.
"He's to soft to be so tough." She spoke in a whisper.
Shaking off my startled state I barely caught what she said.
"I know." I said softly as I pressed the buttons on the washing machine.
"You say that. But the poor thing is swinging on monkey bars with nothing below him."
There was a moments silence where I pondered her words.
"That's not true. I..."
"You'll what?"
"I want to help."
"Does he know that?" She questioned.
"Yeah."
"You sure?"
"Yes I'm sure! He...just won't let me." I whisper yell.
"Does he trust you?"
"I'd like to think so." I say as I stare at the washing machine.
"So the problem is that he is not letting himself open up fully?"
"Basically." I respond and crossing my arms.
"Well have you opened up? Showed him that your also willing to do your part?"
I was silent. I knew she was right.
"See? Start there. Gain his trust by trusting him."
"I guess." I said hesitantly.
"But remember it won't be easy. The boy has been subjected to some nasty beatings. I can't say by who but I do know...is when you get a child who has been hurt it takes even longer to let them trust again. So be nice." Was all she said as she turned to leave.
"Oh and Rat..." She continued.
"What?" I replied.
"Don't run away this time." Was all she said as she walked away.
I just blinked as her words didn't set in. I shook my head as I decided to go to bed as well.
I decided to leave the clothes to wash as I go upstairs. I look around at the old house.
The old lady must already be in bed. She sure still moves around quickly for a lady her age.
I make my way up the squeaky stairs. I go down the hall and slowly open the door.
I walk inside and shut it quietly. I forget these rooms don't have locks. I give a small sigh as I began to strip.
Putting my clothes in the hamper I then pull out the drawer to see it my old pj's from middle school.
The pants barely still fit me. They were a bit short.
I decide that's good enough. I climb in bed and cover myself with the floral quilt and comforter.
I frown as I couldn't get comfortable. I turn on my side with the bed creaking with every movement.
This dam house is so old. Everything either creaked or squeaked. I turn back on my back.
My mind was to full of thoughts to even get to sleep.
From the stupid field trip, the weird car chase, and mostly Shion's predicament.
He says he was mugged but I just don't buy it. Everything just seems off.
And his only family is his father. What must he think of his son getting beaten?
Shion didn't want us to go to his house cause his dad was there.
Why? It's none of my business any ways-
"Don't run away this time."
I gave a sigh again. I know she's right but it's easier said than done.
My mind drifted back to when I was treating Shion's wounds.
His back seemed to have been...impaled with glass.
With my knowledge of wounds I could tell he wasn't cut...rather pressed onto glass beneath him.
I felt my face scrunch up at the thought. He must have been so much pain.
You're wrong old lady...he must be stronger than he looks.
Too strong. He can't just keep everything to himself. It's so freaking frustrating.
So what do I-
"Well have you opened up? Showed him that your also willing to do your part?"
Open myself up? What do I do? Tell him about my life? That's seems over personal doesn't it?
He seemed happy about leaning about my past. Tell him about my past? Again that seemed over personal coming from me. Maybe with time I could.
But even with time it seems I'm in a rush. Perhaps the fear of what could or will happen to him.
I mean with having seening how he was just earlier I could tell he was slowly crumbling.
But he picked himself up. Yet he seemed fustrated he had let his hold slip.
"You say that. But the poor thing is swinging on monkey bars with nothing below him."
What is he holding onto? What could possibly be holding onto that is a better option?
Who else is he close to? Wasn't there that Safu girl? Wonder what happened to her.
And he just lives with his dad. I never met his dad before.
I'm surprised that he hasn't picked up and moved with his son having been beat up twice.
I frown at the thought.
Seriously though what is his dad doing? Does he not care where his son is right now?
He must have family issues. He said his mother died right? Could that be part of the issue?
A soft sound of crying snapped me out of my thoughts. Shion?
I quickly get out of bed and make my way to his room next door.
I creak open the door to see the source of the sound. Shion seemed to be tossing and turning.
He mumbles incoherent words as he whined in his sleep. I stood there for a bit pondering if I should wake him or not.
I drew closer and closed the door behind me. I turned on the lamp to see that Shion looked very red and possibly was or is crying.
A nightmare? I gave a quick sigh and the grasp his swinging wrists.
"Shion...hey...Shion!" I whisper yell. He began fighting my grasp.
I let go and felt the forming frown on my face. Okay not the wrist then.
I then grasp his shoulders. He still lightly fought me. How is he not awake?
"Shion. It's me Shion. It's Rat-ah I mean Nezumi. Come on Shion wakey wakey." I said as I lightly shook him.
He suddenly sat up. Startling me for a bit. He hung his head and tightly held onto my upper arms.
"Rat?" He said with a trembling voice.
He caught that? I didn't think he was awake.
"Yeah it's me. You okay?" I try to say consolingly. I'm not good at this kind of thing.
"Is it really you Rat?" He said with jagged breaths.
"Yeah it's me." I said as I awkwardly pat his arm. I hope he hasn't taking a liking to that name.
He began chuckling for a bit. Or was he crying?
"I'm so glad to see you." He said as his nails slightly dug into my skin.
"Right...so uh...you okay?" I ask as I sat across from him as he still didn't let go.
He hesitantly nodded his head.
"Do you need water or uh..." I stopped and thought of anything he could need.
"No...it's alright. I'm fine. Sorry for waking you." He said as he slightly lifted his head and rubbed his eyes and face with his sleeve.
"It's fine. Get back to sleep. You need it." I say as I peel his hands off my arms.
He didn't say anything as I stood up to leave.
"Thank you Nezumi." He said softly as I opened the door.
I stopped and turn to glance at him. He was clutching his sheets head still hanging low.
I gave a sigh and shut the door and walked back over to him.
"Move." I say momentarily crossing my arms.
"Huh?" He asked me dumbfounded. His already red eyes rimmed with pink stared at me confusedly.
"Don't huh me. Move over." I said moving my hands in a shooing motion.
He blinked a couple times then did as he was told and scooted over towards the wall.
I lifted the covers and eased myself into the warmed up bed. I stretched my hand over to the lamp and struggled to find the switch.
Finally with the lights off I tuck myself in and face away from Shion.
I heard him finally slide underneath the covers and lay on his back.
"Why?" He whispered.
"Why? Because if you start balling again I don't want to get up and out of bed to see if you need warm milk or whatever." I rambled on.
I heard Shion snort and face towards me.
"Warm milk?" He added with a laugh.
"Well warm milk for the crying baby right?" I ask annoyed at his light teasing. I was to tired for this.
"Your logic is undeniable huh?" He said with a soft snicker.
"Completly undeniably undeniable. Now sleep." I said while not bothering to open my eyes.
"Kay." Was all he said as he shuffled a bit but quickly fell asleep.
With having no longer been probed by many thoughts and worries I also easily drifted to sleep.
(*The Next Morning)
"Wake up Rat!" The old ladies voice peirced my ears.
I heard her next door. I shot out of bed and went over to her.
"Be quiet!" I whisper.
She turned towards me and frowned.
"Why were you in his room?" She then whispered seemingly understanding I wanted to let Shion sleep.
"Things happened. Either way you need to pipe down." I said irratibly.
"Ooh...I didn't think I was right. Well congratulations I guess even rats like you can get lucky huh." She stated simply.
"What are you going on about? You know what I don't even want to know." I say as I close Shions door and head to my temporary room.
"You going to school?" She asked.
"Isn't that why you woke me up?" I asked with a sneer.
"Not quite. I wanted to ask you what have you been doing?"
Not feeling embarrassed as I changed in front of her I stopped my actions to stare at her confusedly.
"What do you mean?" I reply as I slip on my shirt.
"Two officers came here early this morning asking for the location of you two. And they seemed determined to find you."
"Yeah well I'm just as confused as you. They stared chasing me for no goddam reason yesterday."
"Watch your language. Look Rat you know your work isn't quiet legal or is in a very legal location either. Should you get arrested you'll be sent to a correctional facility then shipped of to another foster care. Your not even supposed to be here for a twenty four hour period."
"I know."
"Well if you understand then I suggest you and you boyfriend leave before they decide to come back." She said strictly.
"My what!" I said in a whispered shout.
"Come down stairs I have a quick breakfast before you go." She said as she went down stairs completely ignoring me.
I groan and then pick up my back pack after changing and go back to the other room to wake up Shion.
He was surprisingly still asleep. I think.
I put a hand on his shoulder and begin to shake his a bit.
"Hey Shion time to get up. Come on get up." I said as I shook his a little harder.
He started to stir awake. Once he was turned on his back his eye shot open and he sat up quickly hitting his head on my arm.
"I'm awake I promise-ah...Nezumi?" He said finally coming to his senses.
"In the flesh. Do you always wake up like that?" I said with a raised brow.
"Uh not usually. I'm just not used to being woken up." He said as he rubbed his fore head.
"Right. Anyways we gotta go. The old lady has breakfast come on." I said as I turned to leave.
"Ah wait Nezumi!" He called out.
"What?" I peaked my head back in the room.
"Um if you don't mind me asking but where are my clothes?" He asked hesitantly.
"They're in the dryer still." I recall.
"So am I supposed to go down stairs in this?" He asked unsurely.
"Yeah it's fine. Why? You embarrassed?" I asked raising a brow.
"Well...kinda. But I guess here's no other option is there." He said as slowly slid from the sheets.
He stepped out revealing his bare legs with that pink mark ringing around his leg.
He stood up showing that he was in one of the old ladies dressing gowns.
"What?" He asked in a sharp tone. His face showed his embarrassment.
I began to snicker at the sight. "Oh it's nothing. Come on." I said leading the way down the stairs.
"Is that you boys?" The old lady called as she heard out footsteps on the creaky stairs.
"Yeah. Say are Shions clothes done drying?" I say.
"Hm? Oh his clothes? Let me check." She said as she left to the laundry room.
We approached the dinning table and saw two granola bars and two ripe bananas.
Although she could cook she often took the easy route. She finally came back.
"The washer broke down again." She stated frustratedly.
"So there not even washed?"
"Well its very soapy. It didn't get to the rinsing cycle." She said with a sigh.
"Well that's just great." I added with my own sigh.
"I'm so sorry love. I will get these clothes cleaned up for you real quick and you can pick them up whenever you get the chance. Sound okay?" She said sweetly to Shion who was conflicted at the moment.
"Oh thank you ma'am but I can take it home and take care of it-"
"No I insist. It be rude to have you rude to have you do that. So that's that." she said with a kind sternness.
"Ah well then thank you so much."
"Its my pleasure dear. My you two best be on your way. Oh but here take this for breakfast. I know it's not enough but hopefully it will tide you over." She said with a smile as she handed the snacks to Shion and threw them at me.
"Now off you go." She said as she shoved Shion's shoes and our backpacks into my chest/face and guided us out the door with a slam.
We stood there in a moments silence.
"Oh let me help you." Shion said finally noticing my position. He took his bag and shoes from me.
"Thanks." I said silently as he slipped on his shoes with out socks.
"And sorry about the old hag she doesn't like to smoke with guest in the house. So I guess she was on her last nerves." I explained as I put the snacks in my bag for later.
"Oh It's fine. I understand. I think its kind of her to do that." He said with a smile as he finished tying his shoes.
"Well I guess. Also you can't go to school like that. So want to go home?" I suggest as we began walking.
"No! I mean I'd rather not. Cause...well you see my dad is-"
"You got family issues I get it. It's not a problem." I intervened.
"Yeah...thanks. But what about you? Are you going to school?"
"And leave you here in a night gown inured and alone...sure." I say sarcastically.
"Oh...okay." He said dejectedly.
"Shion I was joking." I said slightly dumbfounded.
"Oh right right! Ah well thanks but you really should go. I'm not an a excuse to miss."
"Your also stupid." I added slightly annoyed.
"Huh why?" He asked confused.
"Look Shion I know it's tough and during times like these you tend to belittle yourself but believe it or not but your still someone. And being someone who is wearing my old ladies gown I can have you getting blood all over it." I said rather quickly.
That's as close as I'm going to get to admitting my concern for him.
We walked in silence for a bit. Perhaps he was contemplating what I said. Despite his outer exterior of social intelligence he is still pretty smart.
Thats putting it lightly.
"Thank you. It seems it's your turn in teaching me a life lesson huh?" He said with a sort smile as he walked a little closer to me.
"God knows you need it." I say with a sarcastic tone.
He laughed a bit and carefully shifted his bag to his other hand.
"So where are we going?" He asked as he played wig the laced hem of the gown.
"I guess we can go somewhere a little more seclud-
"...Gain his trust by trusting him."
"-ed or uh...we can go to my place." I suggest remembering my conversation with the old lady.
"Really? Why did you change your mind?" He asked see seemingly cheering up a bit.
"Well it's not like I have many other options. Plus with your injuries it'd be best to rest on something softer." I reply.
"I see. I'm not in much pain though." He added.
"Do you want to go to my place or not?" I asked irratibly.
"Yes yes sorry. I just think you'd do that. So I was just curious as to why."
"Well we don't always get the answers now do we?" I said without thinking.
He went quiet. Ah crap. I didn't mean to make him feel guilty. Dam.
"That's why we have to be patient and persistent." I added hoping to fix what I said earlier.
He agreed with a 'mhm'. Great job Nezumi you just had to be a dick didn't you.
"You upset?" I asked not wanting to beat around the bush anymore.
"Huh? No I was just thinking...you're right. I've been a terrible friend." He said with a sad look.
"Perhaps your right. You've been a bad friend. But I think your excuse is more than worthy. Having paid the price in a more physical manner. And more than you deserve really." I said dipping into my sentimental side.
Do I have one of those? I didn't know I did.
"I'm not sure wether to be upset or not by what you said." Shion's said with a honest laugh.
"Well I meant it more in a positive manner. I'm not good at his kind of thing." I admitted.
"I can tell." Shion replied with a snicker.
"Hey you can't make fun of my consoling technics considering what your wearing." I said with a smirk.
"Ehh...I guess you win." He said as he pulled at the gown.
"Natrually." I said with a grin.
We continued walking in silence as we drew closer to the west block area. It was daylight so I was less nervous.
Although with how Shion looks I can't be to sure.
"I got a joke." Shion broke the silence.
"It's been a while since we last did that huh?" I say with a thoughtful grin.
"Yep wanna hear it?"
"Yeah go for it." I said with a questioning look wondering what'd monstrosity of a joke he'd say this time.
"Why can't you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom?
"Why?"
"Because the "P" is silent."
It took me a second to register he had just said. I snort and gave a breathy chuckle.
"That was the best one so far." I say honestly.
"Really?" Shion said with a smile.
"Yeah really." I replied.
"Okay you do one." He suggested.
"A joke?" I questioned.
"Yeah."
"Uh...okay this one is terrible." I said with a light groan.
"Come on yours can be worse than mine."
I made a 'pfft' in response as I though of how the joke went again.
"It's hard to explain puns to kleptomaniacs because they always take things literally. Gosh dang that was awful!"
Shion began laughed a lot probably at me.
"I don't care what you say but that was good."
"Yeah right. Maybe you for you."
"Hey! I'm not that bad." He defended.
"Right. Keep dreaming kid." I said with a smirk.
"I'll make a joke that will blow you away!" He said with more enthusiasm. It's nice to see him more cheerful.
Again I don't know where this side of me came from.
"At how bad it is?"
"Hey I can do it if I try!"
"Hah knowing you it'll be so bad that'll make me laugh." I said kiddingly.
"Well you'll see! If I didn't think I could," his face was sparked with determination.
"Why even try?"
A/N I had no clue what to do with this chapter if you couldn't tell. Still Shion discovered Nezumi's identity! Yay! Now time for Mr. Rat to figure it out. Still I want to thank you all for your wonderful support! And tell me what you think and if you have any ideas! Thanks for Reading!
