Author's Note:

Hello guys! I'm sorry for the late update, but I wasn't able to focus on FoT properly. Work kept me more than busy and I'm super stressed and it's still super hot here. (At least too hot for me, not my working temperature. ^^°) I really had a little struggle with this chapter.

Nonetheless, here's part one of the finale. The next chapter will be the last and I hope I can finish this story this month. I also hope you'll stay tuned until then.

Thanks to MadameVonPresident, Pugslover and Reznikov for your comments on and AO3. ^^ And also thanks to every reader and everyone who followed and liked the story. As always, I'm sorry for my mistakes. Please don't be too strict, it's not my mother tongue.

Warnings: blood, violence, character death

Well, then until the next time. Take care of yourself, guys.


Danger

"Let's go to No. 6!"

"Yes!" Shion said enthusiastically, but then a little worry wrinkle appeared right between his soft white eyebrows. "But do you really think I'll be able to leave the core now."

"You said the barrier is breaking, right?"

Shion nodded.

"Then there shouldn't be a problem. I don't see it, but the gifted eyes of yours can tell that, right? We'll find a way out for you."

The white-haired smiled slightly and took Nezumi's hand. The older felt the coldness of Shion's fingers through his leather glove and pressed them slightly.

"Are you okay? You're still freezing, right? Before we leave we should return home and get some warmer clothes and food."

"Yeah, and we should also get some other equipment. It's a long way," Shion added and looked at the sky. Night would arrive soon. And it snowed again.

"Let's go."

Both boys slithered down the stony ravine, supporting each other. Even though it was better to say that Nezumi supported Shion by telling him where he should place his feet, or he held him to secure his friend. Shion thanked him with sweet smiles and was more than glad when they finally reached the beach of the Mao Lake, just like Sasori had told them.

"I bet it's really nice here in summer."

"No, it's not. Too many brats. Good thing we have our private lake, huh?"

Shion rolled his eyes. "Stop kidding. We have to hurry, Nezumi."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Yeah, yeah means: Lick my ass," Shion stated, his vibrant eyes narrowed. The other male chuckled and started to fight his way through waist-high snow. Shion followed Nezumi's path.

"The amount of snow is just insane."

"Really? It's normal. I'm used to it. I guess they even control the weather in your city, so you never have to freeze your little asses off. So it's probably too much for a pampered little prince like you."

"You're right," Shion whispered and lowered his head. "We're nothing but sissies and not used to pain, heat, coldness or labor including our bodies."

Nezumi stopped and turned around, causing the smaller boy to bump against his body since his gaze still stuck on his feet.

"I didn't mean to insult you, Shion. I can't even imagine wanting to hurt you."

"You didn't. But you're right. We're like that. Because we don't know it better. We're born into the city. It's not that we had a choice," Shion whispered and raised his head, looking straight in Nezumi's face. "Nezumi, I love this forest. But I can't deny my origin. I'm still a resident of No. 6."

"I know. I'm sorry," the young man whispered, putting his hands gently on Shion's shoulders. "I should have thought a little more about your situation. I nearly forgot about it, you know. I mean it's just as if you've lived here forever." He turned his face to the side and blushed slightly. "Everything's better now. And I'm sure it's all thanks to you." Nezumi looked at Shion again, stroking a strand of white hair behind the smaller boy's ear.

"I don't want to hurt you."

A faint smile decorated Shion's face. He nodded slightly and gave the older boy a little peck right on his cold lips.

"I know. Let's go, Nezumi."

"Yeah."


It took a while until the boys reached the ruins. The snow and their exhaustion gave them a hard fight. They rested a while, drank hot tea to warm up and packed some clothes, food and other necessary things in Shion's big backpack. When they were ready to set off, Shion turned around and let his gaze wander once more. Like back then, when he had seen Nezumi's underground room for the very first time, it was bathed in a dim light, giving the hideout a cozy atmosphere. Purple eyes scanned some of the book titles of the books standing neatly in the bookshelf next to the door and he remembered all those hot summer days he had spent in the pleasant coolness of their room, recovering from Elyurias' failed death penalty while reading and sorting hundreds or even thousands of Nezumi's books. He took a deep breath and enjoyed the smell of grass, vanilla, dust and musk – the smell of old books and the memories bound to them. Candlelight reading sessions, stormy nights, cozy studies, reading aloud or listening to Nezumi's beautiful voice, enjoying his acting…

Shion loved it. He loved the old ruins, the books, and the atmosphere of their little private part of the forest. He loved the little spring and its fresh, delicious water, and the crystal-clear lake where they had their first really sensual kiss. Shion loved the fresh air and the sound of rustling leaves; and the feeling of a gentle breeze caressing his face; the herbs and berries, the warm sunshine and refreshing rain, the harmony, tranquility and peace, and the whole beauty of their woodland. It was like magic, like a fairytale. He loved the forest and its wonderful charm.

But it was also thanks to Nezumi. It wouldn't be the same without him.

"Throwing a last glance at the room, huh?"

Shion flinched slightly and turned around to face Nezumi.

"Last glance? We'll be back soon."

Nezumi blinked in confusion.

"So you want to come back here?"

"Of course. Who or what gave you the idea I don't want to return to the forest? I love this place. It's our room."

"Our room…" Nezumi whispered, a faint smile flashing over his face. "Yes. It's our room."

Shion nodded slightly and took Nezumi's gloved hand. They left the room and closed the door. None of them looked back, since both of them knew they would return to their peaceful, fulfilling life as soon as possible...


At dusk they trudged on foot through the snow again to reach Youba's cottage. It was still silent and neither of them was able to enjoy their natural surroundings in all their peace. They were trapped in the white darkness of ignorance, and of unknowingness what was going to happen.

"The fastest way out of the core is the path behind that old witch's house," Nezumi panted. White clouds of air left his nostrils and lips. "I hope you can leave it there. And we can check on that old hag once more."

"Are you concerned about her?"

"Stop kidding, Shion. I'm just concerned that you'll keep bothering me the whole march back to your precious city", the older answered, rolling his eyes.

"Why don't you want to admit that you're also worried? She's your grandaunt after all, Nezumi. She's your only relative."

"She is not my grandaunt, Shion."

"Not again. She is, Nezumi!" Shion sighed, slightly annoyed. Why was this man so horribly stubborn?

"Jeez, Shion. Stop it, will you? You're going on my nerves. Always the same old story," Nezumi muttered. "Let's check on her and after that we should get out of here."

The younger male nodded slightly, following his friend quickly, but before they could reach the cottage, two uniformed men blocked their way. Immediately, Nezumi stopped. His silvery eyes flickered slightly, his body trembled. Nonetheless he raised one of his arms and shielded Shion with his body. Shion bumped against the taller male's back, letting out a startled sound. He blinked confused.

"Nezumi?" he whispered, catching sight of the both men as well. They were wearing dark grayish blue uniforms – a thick jacket with four golden colored buttons, two breast pockets and stiff stand-up collars and unit patches and also matching trousers, tucked into robust black boots. In addition to that they had black multifunctional belts around their waists. Shion gulped seeing the unit patches. They showed the landmark of No. 6 – the city-hall and place of administration, the "Moondrop". The building looked like a gigantic hive and the city's logo was also half of an ellipse with a couple of hexagons, just like honeycombs.

"It's a small world, right?" one of the men said looking at Nezumi. He was brown-haired. The man curled his lips. Shion gulped. What a sardonic smile. He used his white-gloved hand to shove his light-framed glasses back on the bridge of his nose.

"What does he mean? Do you know him?" Shion whispered, grabbing the fabric of Nezumi's jacket firmly.

"Poachers," Nezumi answered quietly. Shion's eyes widened.

"What? No way…"

A vague memory made its way in Shion's mind and became clearer. He remembered one of their very first conversations, the day after Shion had saved Nezumi's life.

"What happened to you?" - "What do you mean?" - "You know perfectly well what I mean. Who dared to hurt you?" - "Poachers." - "What?" - "You heard right. Poachers." - "Why should they shoot at humans? Or did they fire at you by mistake?" - "I guess not." - "That's against the law." - "Who cares? Poachers, exploiter – they don't give a damn about other people." - "But that doesn't mean they can kill you as they please. It's practically your forest!" - "That's just the point. I'm living in the forest, so I'm fair game. You know? There are hunters, and the hunted."

There are hunters, and the hunted. Those words resonated right in Shion's mind and he remembered them as if it was yesterday. His eyes widened. They weren't poachers. They had tried to kill him on purpose, to get rid of him. Because they knew Nezumi was connected with Elyurias.

"Excuse me for not properly introducing myself last time, singer. My name is Rashi and my real profession is a military special force instructor. Our aim is to find the core and capture Elyurias."

"What are you? Some kind of cliché villain? Telling us your evil plans before you finish us?" Nezumi asked. A bitter smile decorated his face.

"Sharp tongue, huh?" Rashi murmured. "But you'll soon be laughing out of the other side of your face. This time I'll make sure you really breathe your last, my boy. Too bad, though. You're a pretty tough one. I'd rather recruit someone like you, but unfortunately we have to get rid of you. For the sake of No. 6. For the sake of finding Elyurias."

"What the heck are you talking about?" Shion yelled. "The forest doesn't belong to the City. The same applies to Elyurias."

"Shion, stop it," Nezumi whispered.

"Shion?" Rashi asked, raising one of his eyebrows. "I've heard that name before."

"There was an elite student named Shion who went missing a couple of month ago," the other uniformed men said. His chin-length black hair fluttered in the cold winter breeze. "They said he left the Holy City because he was a spy."

"A spy, huh? So you're in cahoots with the forest people?"

"If you want to call it like that – yes, I am!"

The black-haired man grinned slightly. Rashi clicked his tongue.

"Shion," he said slowly. "I suppose you are a smart boy, since you were one of our child protégés back then. Unfortunately, you're not smart enough. But well, you're still young."

"What's your point?"

"I accuse you of high treason against the Holy City. My rank allows me to inflict a penalty on you. In your case it's the immediate death sentence. Be glad. You're allowed to die together with your forest friend – the last singer."

Two gun barrels were pointed their way.

But before they were able to shoot, a resonating deep woman's voice cut through the air. The voice sang a harsh melody but cracked once in a while. It seemed to be old Mao language, but even Nezumi wasn't able to understand those words. He shivered due to the song's disharmony. Once the singing voice fell silent, the earth started to quake. The armed men lost ground and both of them shot uncontrollably. One of them graced Shion's hip, the other Nezumi's shoulder. Pain tore through their injured body parts. They looked at each other, then at the ghostlike person that stood right between the boys and their attackers.

It was the old woman. Her long, yellowish white hair fluttered in the wind. It looked like swirling tendrils and gave her a scary atmosphere.

"Taka-san!" Shion breathed, his eyes glued on the old lady.

"As long as I live, I will not allow anyone to hurt my boys!" the old woman said. Her voice was low but sonorous. The soldiers looked at her horrified.

"What's with that woman?" Rashi yelled.

"She caused an earthquake!" the other man answered, trying to stand up. "She's a witch!"

"No," Rashi murmured. "She's a singer. And on top of it a mighty one!"

He stood up, grabbing his gun.

"Kill them! Kill all of them!" he shouted and fired a couple of times.

The boys' eyes widened and both saw a red blossom blooming on the grayish white nightdress of the old lady. After a while she slumped down. Nezumi supported her automatically.

"Taka-san!" Shion yelled panicked.

"Bastards!" Nezumi added, kneeling behind the old woman.

"Don't worry! You'll be the next ones!" Rashi grinned, but before he could fire his last bullet at Nezumi, a piercing pain raced through his chest. The gun slid through his fingers and hit the frozen ground. He got on his knees and his trembling gloved fingertips felt the knife handle protruding from his chest. A thin rivulet of blood left the corner of his lips and he raised his head, his eyes meeting intense purple ones.

Nezumi turned his head in confusion, looking at his heavy panting boyfriend who sat next to him. He felt that his pocket was empty. His knife was gone.

"Shion…" he breathed. "Did you…?"

But the boy didn't answer, instead he grabbed Nezumi's spare knife and started to run, letting out a sustained, deep-throated scream.

"SHION, STOP IT! SHION! SHION!" Nezumi cried.

"Nao…nusyu…nanta," left the old woman's pale lips.

"What?" Nezumi asked breathlessly. "Punishment?"

A barely audible sound reached Nezumi's ears. Buzzing. Just like the buzzing of insects on a warm summer day. Suddenly, a little swarm of bees appeared out of nothing. They crossed Shion's way and caused him to stop, staring at the insects bewildered. In a matter of seconds they reached the men and surrounded them, stinging them even through their thick uniforms. Both men screamed in pain and horror and collapsed to the ground. They died fast but in agony. It happened in the blink of an eye, even though it felt like an eternity.

The knife in Shion's hands slid through his fingers and hit the ground, sinking into the fresh snow.

"They're dead," he whispered and turned around. His face was pale, nearly white. He gulped and crawled back until he reached Nezumi and the old woman. His eyes watered, his lips trembled. "Taka-san…"

"Elyurias' poison… is strong," Taka whispered, raising her arm weakly, although it was nearly impossible. "You are a strong boy." She managed to touch Shion's hand. He grabbed her fingers and pressed them slightly.

"Don't move. Don't talk," the boy said in horror. "You won't die! Nezumi, sing for her! Where's my first aid box?" Shion quickly rummaged through his backpack, pulling the big metallic box out of it. But before he could staunch the profusely bleeding wound, the old woman weakly touched his hands once more, preventing him from doing more.

"What are you doing? Let me help you!" he cried and pressed the sterile gauze against the bullet wound in her stomach. His sobs cut through the silence and after a while, Nezumi started to sing quietly.

"Mao words…are mighty," Taka inhaled the cold winter air deeply. "A…Always ponder…them carefully," she advised. "You… will learn it… when you… are older…"

She panted and closed her once silver-grey but now milky white eyes slowly, listening to the beautiful singing voice of her nephew. Suddenly, she felt as light as a feather, gently carried away by a melodic spring breeze. Nezumi's voice embraced her soul and accompanied her last final journey.

Taka opened her silver eyes and was able to see the landscape below while she flew across the highest mountains, freshest rivers and most beautiful and greenest forests she had ever seen. It was spring – her favorite season. The air was fresh and clean, the azure sky clear and her heart felt young and delighted. The spring breeze caressed her long, beautiful grey hair and Taka's curious silver eyes observed the world at her feet. She heard a baby cry, and then a young child's laughing while small shadows in white dresses hurried through the lush green. Nezumi and Risu – Inari's pride and joy. Taka heard Inari's soft singing voice resounding through the air. She knew the beautiful old lullaby; after all she had sung it together with her beloved younger twin sister nearly every day when they were still young.

Tori.

Inari's mother.

Tori's face crossed Taka's mind. Back then she was beyond beauty – sharp silvery eyes with long lashes, long silky dark-grey hair, porcelain skin and a resonating voice. She was a mirror of Taka's younger self and a classic example for a singer's magnificence.

"Our… family resemblance is… remarkable, my boy," the old woman whispered. Shion knew that she talked to him. "Leave… this rude rascal… as soon as possible. He will—" she started weakly, but talking was exhausting for her. A small rivulet of blood left the corner of her mouth, but she breathed in shakily and continued; her voice nearly silent: "He will look like me when he gets old."

"Stop talking like that…" Shion cried, trying to stop the bleeding desperately. His whole body trembled.

"Shion," Nezumi whispered. The younger looked at him; his watery purple eyes flickered while the older shook his head.

"It is… al…right, dear," the old woman breathed. "I lived…. a long…and fulfilled…life. 103… years..."

"What?" Shion gasped and sniffed horribly. "I don't believe you."

"Let... me go."

Even more tears filled Shion's eyes, but then he nodded slightly.

"…kay." Trembling, blood-stained hands searched old bony ones, holding them tightly while Nezumi's clear, low voice echoed through the white forest, soothing her again. He held the old, weak body in his arms while one of his gloved hands stroke Taka's fuzzy yellowish white hair tenderly.

A smile decorated the old woman's face and a single tear rolled down her wrinkled, cold cheek.

The old woman breathed her last and passed away peacefully.

"Good bye," Nezumi whispered after stopping his singing and humming.

"Good bye," Shion cried and let go of Taka's lifeless hand.

Nezumi laid her down gently. A red flower bloomed on the snow, right under the old woman's body and stood in deep contrast to the pure white snow. After that he pulled Shion into a tight embrace. He let him cry. Shion was very close to the old woman and she was his mentor since they had a common interest regarding plants and medicine. Sometimes Nezumi had even felt a bit jealous because of their good relationship. But well, Shion was quite a mama's boy. He knew how much he was worried about his mother and how much he valued the possibility of their little 'mice mail' to stay in touch with her. They older boy didn't think Shion saw in mother figure in the old woman, but maybe she was like a grandmother to him. Or an aunt, even though she was Nezumi's aunt, and he always had refused to believe it. He bit his cold lips and closed his burning eyes. Something hot pushed against the back of them. Nezumi swallowed hard and embraced Shion tighter.

After a while, the younger moved his head backwards. His face was wet and it was so cold that the wet traces on his cheeks slowly turned into a thin coating of ice. The dark-haired slowly raised one of his hands to free Shion's face from it, but the sharp pain in his shoulder stopped him and caused him to grit his teeth in pain.

"Ah, your shoulder is bleeding!" Shion yelled in realization, his wet purplish eyes widened. Everything had come so quick and fast the white-haired didn't even notice that Nezumi got injured. He also felt a slight burning pain at his left hip but ignored it. The adrenaline did a good job in easing the pain.

"Inside. Let's go inside. There's a disinfectant. I'll treat you there," Shion said while grabbing his bag and shoving Nezumi in the direction of the old woman's cottage, but before they could open the door, a small framed person tightly wrapped up in a superfiber cloth and two large dogs came running, heading the boy's way. Dark eyes widened in shock.

"Oh my gosh! What happened?" Inukashi panted heavily, voice trembling. Hamlet was sitting on the tiny shoulder and squeaked in terror after seeing his master and Shion in such a mess. The white mouse made a lionhearted jump right on Shion's shoulder, snuggling up against his neck.

"Hamlet!" Shion let out and patted the small animal. "You've found Inukashi. Well done."

"But unfortunately it's too late now," Nezumi added and sighed slightly, turning around to face Inukashi to answer the earlier asked question. "Two No. 6 soldiers intruded into the core and tried to kill us. The old ha— I mean my aunt saved us, but unfortunately—"

"I see." Inukashi's boyish voice was low.

"Something's wrong with Elyurias. The core isn't safe anymore. No. 6 tries to capture Elyurias forcefully," Shion added. "Inukashi, please warn the people in the settlement. And please tell them to— tell them to,"

"Tell them to take care of Taka-san," Nezumi helped him, stroking Shion's back with the hand of his uninjured arm.

Inukashi nodded. "I will. And what are ya going to do now?"

"We'll go to No. 6, trying to stop them," the dark-haired answered, his voice was nearly emotionless.

"That's insane," the tanned one breathed.

"We don't have another choice," Shion said and pushed Nezumi towards the cottage. "And now hurry, Inukashi. And get little Shion out of harm's way. There's a cave behind the tricolored waterfall, which is hard to find. I think you all will be safe there."

"Understood! Good luck, you two!" Inukashi said vigorously and turned around. A sharp command followed. "Heel!" Gaspingly, the dog lender turned around and hurried in the direction of the Mao settlement.

The boys followed Inukashi's small frame with their eyes for a while until the tiny body was nothing but a small dark dot surrounded by pure white, then both of them entered the old woman's house.

Shion made Nezumi sit down on the bed and removed Nezumi's cloth and jacket, then pulled off the boy's bloody sweater carefully. Shion was sure it hurt, but he needed to treat him properly. After all, they had a long way to go.

"How could this happen?" Shion asked and washed and disinfected his hands. "You had the cloth wrapped around your shoulders."

"It doesn't help if you don't wrap it tightly enough."

"Why didn't you wrap it tightly, then?" They white-head asked and cleaned the injury with water. Unfortunately he didn't have sterile saline solution, but Nezumi's immune system was beyond good and evil, so he didn't worry too much about it.

"I didn't expect something like that would happen," the older admitted. "They must've already been in the forest, close to the core. They've found it way too quickly."

"Do you think they've combed the forest for a sign of the core?"

Nezumi nodded slightly while Shion patted the injured area dry with a clean towel. The older flinched.

"Sorry. Bear it a bit longer. I'm almost done," he whispered and kissed Nezumi's cheek gently, then applied one of the sterile dressings he found in his still well-organized first aid kid. Luckily they didn't got injured that often during the past months, so Shion's little supply of medical tools, medicine and bandages was still nearly complete. And the Mao people Shion had treated preferred homeopathic quack remedies, according to the motto: 'I won't eat anything I've never seen before'.

"Do you want a painkiller?" Shion asked after finishing his treatment. But it wasn't a question, he was already freeing one white little pill out of its plastic prison.

"I don't need—" Nezumi started and automatically swallowed the pill Shion had thrown into his mouth while he dared to open it. He coughed. "What the heck, Shion?

"Just a precaution, I mean, we still have a long way to go. And I don't want you to catch a fever."

"And what about you?"

"I'm fine."

The older clicked his tongue. Shion didn't look fine at all. He was even more pale than usual, but it was no wonder. It was probably the first time he had seen human beings die in front of him. Nezumi didn't know it for sure but it was also Shion's first time he had lost someone beloved and important to him. Long gentle fingers wrapped around the younger boy's thin wrist.

"You did it to protect me," Nezumi whispered, even though it wasn't what he wanted to say.

Why did you throw a knife? Why did you try to kill another human?

Nezumi pulled him closer and leaned his face against Shion's chest. He felt gentle hands stroking through his messy, long hair.

It's soothing. You're so gentle. But you can also be so cruel. Why?

It's scaring me. You're scaring me.

You're a healer, not a murderer.

"Because he loves you, you horrible idiot! You'd be dead without him – again!"

Huh?

"And because he loved auntie. You'd do the same! In the end it was nothing but a kneejerk reaction in an exceptional situation. Now stop thinking stupid things and come off your high horse. Or do you want to blame him for helping you? He didn't even kill him. Auntie gave him the rest, you dimwit."

Nezumi flinched slightly. His silvery eyes widened and he encircled his arms around Shion's slender waist.

Risu…

"What's wrong?" Shion asked worriedly. But Nezumi just slightly shook his head against Shion's chest.

"Nothing. Just—let me stay like that for a while," he whispered against the rough fabric of Shion's coat.

"S…sure," the white-haired answered and continued his endearments. He kissed Nezumi's hair tenderly and stroked his back and his head without cease.

"He had no other choice."

I know.

"We should leave now," Nezumi whispered thoughtfully. He leaded Shion's hand to his lips, giving him a long kiss on the back of it. Shion blushed; then nodded.

"Yes. I thought it might be better to wait until dawn breaks, but if there really are soldiers out there and searching for the core, we should go right now. Maybe those two were just on night patrol."

"Hopefully. Didn't one of them say he was an instructor? I hope they weren't able to report their discovery. Wouldn't it be strategically more advantageous to fall upon the core under the veil of darkness?"

"Of course," Shion answered, rubbing his chin with his thumb. "But how did they know that the barrier was getting porous? Did they think Elyurias' power might weaken during wintertime?"

"I don't know." The dark-haired stood up and patted Shion's shoulders. "And it wouldn't help to know at the moment. Let's borrow their uniforms. This should keep us save when we meet other soldiers."

Shion nodded. That wasn't a bad idea.


After changing clothes in Youba's house, both boys left the core without difficulty. It was a strange feeling for Shion to go that easily. Even though he was trapped he had never felt like a prisoner, it was quite the contrary. The boy had never felt that free before. He was free to think whatever he wanted; he was free to feel the rain, the wind and the sun. It was a simple life and yet it had taught him the most essential things in the world. He didn't want to miss it anymore. But in the end, home was there where Nezumi was. That was also crucial.

He sighed. Seeing the dead forest made his chest hurt. Shion had nearly forgotten that the core was the only part of the forest that was still healthy. Anger began to take root, and also the feeling that he wanted to protect the remains of the forest. Their home….

They had to stop the City, even though it was already way too late.

The boys walked in silence for a while. Both were exhausted and just their heavy panting cut through the dead silent air. The two of them bypassed ditches and frozen streams, and the forest was even more deadened by winter. Shion carried the heavy bag since Nezumi's shoulder was injured, but after a while he was at the end of his rope. Nezumi stopped and turned around to smile at him encouragingly.

"I know you're tired. Hang in there," he said softly and grabbed his hand, tugging him along. "Pull yourself together for a little while. We can't rest here."

Shion nodded. Even though it was freezing cold, his forehead was damp with sweat. He felt hot, but he also didn't feel his fingertips anymore.

"I know," he breathed. It was barely audible, but nonetheless it reached his friend's ears. He was just glad that they hadn't met other soldiers yet. Again he put one foot before the other. His legs felt like lead. The boy slipped and was in danger of falling, but Nezumi encircled his friend's hip and grabbed him hard to prevent Shion's tumble, stabilizing him again.

"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly. Concerned silver gazed into glassy eyes. "Shion, what's wrong?" Nezumi voice was more serious now. He grabbed the black peak of Shion's military cap and lifted it a bit, then came closer to touch Shion's forehead with his own.

"You're burning hot. Damnit, Shion, why didn't you tell me you're not feeling well?"

"I'm fine, really. It's okay."

"It's okay? Nothing's okay you idiot!" Nezumi said and removed his hand from Shion's hip. He narrowed his eyebrows. Why did his hand feel so wet? Thanks to the darkness he wasn't able to see it properly, but he was pretty sure that his hand was full of blood. He could smell it.

"You're bleeding. Why are you bleeding?" He yelled, panicked. "Don't tell me they struck you, too?"

"It's just a graze wound."

"Why didn't you tell me then?" Nezumi asked angrily.

"I don't know. I forgot about it when I saw you were hurt, and after Taka-san—"

Nezumi sighed, then clicked his tongue.

"Really, it's hard to take care of you. You're just hopeless," he said. "There's a trunk. Sit down. And give me the flashlight."

The younger did as he was told, hanging his head. Somehow he felt like a scolded little kid. But he was so confused when all those things happened – Taka-san's death, the bees and the soldiers, Nezumi's shoulder injury – he had forgotten about his hurting hip. It was just a graze wound, anyway.

"Take one of those pain killers. They are also antifebrile, aren't they?"

"Yes..." Shion said and too the pill Nezumi gave him. Meanwhile the dark-haired removed the fabric of Shion's pants carefully. The boy trembled.

"You've to bear with the cold a bit. Stay still. I don't wanna hurt you even more, Shion. Hold the flashlight."

"Okay."

"I can't clean the wound properly here. So we definitely need to take care of it later," Nezumi said and used one of those magical sprays Shion had in his high-tech first aid kid. It stopped the bleeding immediately. Nezumi cleaned the injured area provisionally and applied a compression bandage.

"Really, what an idiotic little prince," Nezumi breathed and cupped both of Shion's cheeks with his hands while looking straight in Shion's eyes. The younger closed them slowly, lowering his long, white lashes. It felt good, so nice and cool. "You'd be a good pocket warmer," the dark-haired whispered and kissed the tip of Shion's nose, then hugged the weak body tightly. "Don't scare me like that again," he mumbled, pressing his lips against the boy's sweaty forehead.

"I'm sorry," the white-haired answered, wrapping his arms around Nezumi's waist. "I'm sorry, Nezumi."

"Hey, what are you doing?" an unfamiliar voice asked. Both boys flinched and turned around, facing another group of two soldiers. Nezumi was able to feel Shion's heartbeat. It went at least 100 miles per second. He pulled the visor of Shion's cap and tried to cover his face a bit to avoid questions about Shion's scar and white hair, then did the same with his own head covering. It was dark though, but Rashi seemed to know about singer's typical grey hair and eyes, so it was better to hide them properly.

"He's injured," Nezumi said. "He slipped and one of the frozen branches pierced his hip," he lied perfectly. Shion blushed slightly and looked up at his friend in awe. It came in handy that Nezumi was an actor by chance.

"Oh, really?" one of the two young soldiers answered. "Then let's call it a day. The radio communication to our instructor is broken off a couple of hours ago and we don't know why."

"That's right. We can't reach him as well," Nezumi said and nodded several times. It was cold, but several beads of sweat formed on his forehead and temples. Good thing they had removed the characteristic golden stripes on his and Shion's collar, so that the uniforms looked like ordinary ones. Otherwise they'd have a big problem now.

"March unit?"

Nezumi faltered, but Shion answered for him. "Yeah," he said with a weak voice, a plan was forming in the gyri of his brain. "I can barely walk anymore. You're from the ATV team, right? Could you give us a ride back to No. 6? He injured his shoulder a few days ago and I told him like 100 times he should take a sick day, but you know. Keeping your work is important for the less privileged."

"Yeah, man! Fuck the elite system. I have a little daughter and my wife is pregnant with our second child. It's hard to earn enough money to feed all of them," one of the men said. The other nodded. "Right. I'm still bachelor, but it's barely enough for myself. But it's not that we have a choice." Even though both of them seemed to be in their early twenties, they looked exhausted and spent.

"Shut up, man! Who knows if they're wiretapping us…"

"Do you think so? Jeez! That's scary!"

"Yeah. They are capable of anything."

"Uh-huh!"

Both sighed in unison while Shion and Nezumi looked at them open-mouthed.

"Ah, right, we should bring our injured buddies home, right?" the taller, dark-haired male said. "Our AATV is right there. You're lucky ones, we've a four seater."

"It's not far away. Can you walk there, kid?" the other soldier said. He had short, dishwater blonde hair.

"Yeah, I think I can manage it," Shion answered and stood up. His legs were shaking, but he was able to stand. Nezumi supported him and the taller soldier carried Shion's big backpack. Luckily it was a good quality No. 6 product, so it wasn't suspicious at all.

"Thanks for your help, that's very good of you," the white-haired breathed and grabbed hold of Nezumi's uniform jacket while walking. Fortunately, the amphibious all-terrain vehicle really wasn't that far away.

"She's a beauty, isn't she?" the blonde soldier said enthusiastically.

Nezumi raised one of his eyebrows. Never in his whole life had he seen such an ugly thing. But well, as the saying goes: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

"S…sure," he pressed through a fake grin.

"Six-wheel-drive, the body is vacuum-formed ABS plastic, and she has a 2-cycle recoil-start gasoline engine. The tubeless tires were specially designed. Her name is Polly. Get in, guys!"

"O…okay," Shion said and managed to climb in. Nezumi gave him a lift with his uninjured arm and followed him. He chuckled slightly while he remembered their very first encounter. He had placed his hand right on Shion's little ass, helping him to climb up a tree.

Shion leaned against his boyfriend. He was tired, exhausted and he struggled with his fever, and all Shion wanted was a snatch of sleep. Nezumi put his uninjured arm around his shoulders and let him rest, gently patting him every now and then. The taller soldier turned around while his colleague was focused on driving "Polly".

"You sure are close, huh?" he asked while Shion's eyes fluttered closed. Nezumi's thumb stroked Shion's shoulder tenderly. He wasn't aware of it, but the young soldier apparently saw it immediately.

"Wouldn't you do the same for your comrade?" Nezumi asked, his voice low.

"I don't know," the soldier answered, earning the other man's sharp protest.

"Hey!"

"Simmer down, man. I'd do everything for you! Everything, got it?"

"Somehow I can't believe you anymore", the blonde answered. He pouted.

Nezumi closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then slowly breathed out through his nose.

"Does your shoulder hurt?" Shion whispered.

"No, it's ok. How do you feel?"

"Better."

"That's good to hear." A faint smile flashed over the singer's tired, pale face. Both boys kept silent for a few seconds, listening to the babbling of the young soldiers and the cracking sounds of dead branches and frozen puddles while their chained vehicle moved through the plethora of damp and fresh powder snow. But there was another sound – one the boys couldn't recognize. It was a strange sound. Just like a buzzing, or rather like a hum. The sound was barely hearable first, but it became louder and louder.

"Do you hear that, Nezumi?" Shion whispered in Nezumi's ear. The older shuddered slightly.

"Yes. It sounds just like—"

"WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?!" the taller soldier yelled horrified. His dark eyes were widened, flickering, his face ashen-pale.

The boys turned around, slowly. Both of them caught their breaths. Behind them was a massive, swirling wall of swarming, blackening the early morning sky slowly.

"Bees," Shion breathed in disbelief.

"What?" the driver shouted in panic.

"There are thousands of bees behind us! No, millions of them! Get going! Hurry!" the taller soldier instructed and turned around once more.

"What shall we do now?"

"Shion!" Nezumi said sharply.

"Yes?"

"What's the highest point in No. 6?"

"Uh, the Moondrop, why?"

"Get me there. I hope Elyurias can hear me when I'm on the highest possible spot."

"What are you guys talking about?" the taller soldier asked.

"Don't ask stupid questions," Nezumi shouted back. Shion grabbed his arm and patted it slightly to calm him down.

"Listen, he's probably the only one who can stop her. We've red alert, do you understand? Those bees can kill people instantly. I've seen it with my very eyes," Shion explained.

"What are you talking about? Killer bees?"

"Yes," the boy answered, looking in the dark eyes of the taller soldier with steely determination. The man gulped.

"Your eyes…"

"My hair, my scar. I've survived Elyurias' poison for intruding the forest. She punishes everyone. And when you tried to destroy the forest she'll punish you even more."

"W…what? That's a joke, right? We didn't have a choice."

"Shut up! We don't give a shit about that. It doesn't matter at all. You were a part of it," Nezumi panted with rage. "Whether you liked it or not, you all made a contribution to the destruction of the Northern forest."

Shion nodded.

"Not just you soldiers, but everyone in the City. Elyurias' forest is almost dead," he said.

"Correct. Every man, every woman, even every child in this damn city is a delinquent," Nezumi added. "That's why every single one has to pay a penalty."

"You're kidding," the blonde said while steering the vehicle until the walls of No. 6 finally came closer.

"I'm dead serious."

"Who the hell are you?" the other soldier breathed.

"That's none of your business. If you want to help to rescue that rotten hell of a city, stay calm and do what we're telling you to do."

"Or else?"

"Or else we have to get tough," Nezumi whispered with a grin, flipping his spare knife out of his pocket. "You can choose how you want to bite the ground, then. So, what do you prefer? Bees or rather a sharp blade, huh?"

~ to be continued