Author's Note: Okumura Tsuki and Literally Dirt, thank you for your comments, as usual.

Synopsis:

Karneval: Pyromancy

Chapter 30

Gareki rolled over in his sleep and subconsciously reached to where his Nyanperowna plush would have been sitting on his bed back at Kuronomie. He blinked his eyes open, when instead, he felt himself grabbing a hand full of human hair. His face turned red, as his vision cleared and he found Yogi curled up next to him. He shot up into an upright position and accessed the situation. Somewhere along the line, Nai and Yogi had somehow moves their beds next to his, similar to how they had pushed the beds together that night in Karasuna.

"Seriously?" he sighed, looking at the sleeping Niji half on his left and the peacefully snoozing blonde on his eighy, "When did you two...?"

Yogi gave off a quiet sigh and fluttered his eyes opene. "Gareki-Kun?" He sat up and rubbed the corner of his right eye. "Sorry, did we wake you?"

Gareki hoped it was dark enough Yogi couldn't see the blush he felt sweeping his cheeks. He was too embarrassed to admit he'd been reaching for the blonde, or rather the blonde's effigy, only mere moments before hand, even if it had been subconsciously.

"When did... this," he pointed at the beds, "happen?"

"Um, what time is it?" the lieutenant mumbled, glancing at the clock, which read 2 am, "About two hours ago, after Nap and I snuck back from getting a late night snack from the vending machine down the hall," he admitted .

Gareki choked back a laugh. "You're a bad influence, Yogi," he commented. He rested his head on his knees and hugged his legs. "But ya' know? I'm not even mad. You both managed to leave the room, eat something, come back, and move both beds together next to mine, without waking anyone else. That's impressive. How did either of you expect to wake up before the rest of us and make sure nobody noticed?" Yogi's face blanched at that question. "Idiots," Gareki quietly chuckled, "You didn't even think that far ahead, did you?" Gareki sighed again. "Whatever, the crew of ships one and two... They can think whatever they want. It's none of their business anyway." A moment of silence passed before Gareki leabed back against Yogi. Tepidly, Gareki looked up at the blonde. "So, you're really ok, now, right? No adverse side effects from getting trapped in the pod, or when I had to give you mouth to mouth resuscitation or or anything?" he asked.

Yogi smiled and hugged him. "Awe, you're worried about me," he cooed. Gareki smiled and wrapped an arm around his neck. "I'm fine, Gareki-Kun. You didn't hurt me."

"Perhaps it's because it's a simulation, then," Gareki sighed, feeling relieved, "They say it's common to crack a few ribs during CPR." His blue eyes locked with Yogi's beautiful violet ones. "I didn't want to hurt you, but, losing you to a hologram would have just pissed me right off," he admitted.

Yogi blushed and gave a soft, embarrassed chuckle. "That would have been an embarrassing tombstone, too," the blonde noted.

A moment of silence passed between them and Gareki looked as though he were list in thought. "Say, Yogi, can you do me a favor tomorrow?" he asked.

"A favor for you? Yogi blinked, "Name it."

"Tomorrow, after Koroku and I finish repairing Naira, would you see if Hirato will let you take me back to Karasuna before we head back for Kuronomie?" Gareki asked.

"You want to go see Tsubame-Chan's Grandpa before you go back?" Yogi presumed.

"That would be nice, too, if we have time," Gareki admitted, "But I was thinking something a little more somber. I dunno, maybe it was the play that put the idea in my head, and maybe it's a little unfair to Tsubame-Chan, since she's not here, but I want to go visit Tsubaki's grave."

"Eh!?" Yogi was surprised by the request. "That seems kind of out of the blue. Have you been having dreams about her again?"

"Not since I returned to Kuronomie," Gareki admitted, "But still... I think I'm overdue for a visit."

Yogi sighed and hugged Gareki tight. "I'll talk with Hirato-San and see what I can do," he promised.

Gareki noticed a hesitancy in Yogi's voice. "Yogi? What's wrong?" he asked.

"It's nothing, Gareki-Kun," Yogi said , softly.

"Don't lie to me," Gareki scoffed, turning so he was facing the blonde, looking him in the eyes, "I think I know you well enough to know when you're trying to hide something from me! Something's bothering you an it's not what I just asked you to do. Now, what's wrong?"

"He's worried the Varuga might find you, Gareki," Nai intervened .

"Nai?" Yogi and Gareki both looked to the Niji halfling who was sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

"You really are a tattle tell," Yogi said .

"How long have you been awake?" Gareki asked.

"The whole time," Nai admitted.

Gareki looked back to Yogi. "Why are you worried the Varuga would find me?" he asked.

"They're still looking for you," Yogi admitted. He looked from Gareki, to Nai, to the still sleeping Koroku, and back to Gareki, "All three of you. If not for Naira, they may have managed to get away with Nai this time." He sheepishly looked away from Gareki.

"But, they have no reason...?" Gareki started to argue.

"Whoever was holding Koroku wants him back," Nai insisted, "The Varuga, they made it clear they were looking us. They we're using about it."

"Singing?" Gareki asked.

"Three brothers true, " Nai started, "Eyes Ruby red, Hair Icy Blue."

"Skin Snow White," Yogi chimed in.

"And Hair a Raven's Hue," they both finished.

"We encountered four Varuga while we were away," Yogi ventured, "And all of them kept chanting that poem. Hirato-San asked them if that last line was referring to him or Jiki-Kun, but they said they didn't want someone with glasses."

"One of them even insisted, 'Bring me goggles '," Nai reminded Yogi.

Gareki's eyebrow twitched, "And you guys didn't say anything until now because...?"

"We never had an opportune time," Yogi answered, "You were already too high strung after your play and we didn't really have time to talk before we entered the simulation. I didn't mean to hide it, Gareki-Kun. But you're safest here in Research Tower, or back on the ship, or back at school."

"So, what, then?" Gareki scoffed, "Am I supposed to love the rest of my life cowering in fear? When you said you'd ask, we're you planning to turn around and tell me he said 'No' without asking at all?"

"Of course not!" Yogi defended, "Gareki-Kun, I wouldn't do that to you! Besides, Nai would know if I were telling the truth or not. I promise! I'll ask Hirato-San. If he gives his ok, I'll take you to Karasuna. You trust me, don't you?"

Gareki sighed. "If not you, then who can I trust?" he said .

"What am I, chopped liver?" Nai whimpered .

Gareki chuckled and ruffled his hand through Nai's hair. "Of course I trust you, too. You're my good luck charm, after all."

Nai giggled and hugged Gareki. "Can I go with you this time, Gasreki?" he asked .

"That's not my xasll, ,Nai," Gareki answered, "That's up to Hirato, Koroku, and Yogi."

"Me?" Yogi asked.

"Do you think you can keep both of us safe all by yourself?" Gareki challenged.

Yogi smiled, wrapped his arms around both of them. "I've managed it before, haven't I?" he chuckled, "It's a promise, Gareki-Kun, I'll ask Hirato-San and Koroku-Kun tomorrow."