"Hiyono! Are you almost ready?" Ayumu called out for his daughter who was, as far as he knew, still asleep. She certainly took after Kousuke in that aspect.

"I'm coming daddy!" She called. A second later a five year old in pigtails bounded down the stairs. She had on a school uniform and was smiling brightly at Ayumu, it was her first day of school, "Sorry to keep you waiting daddy!" Hiyono said as she ran over and hugged Ayumu.

Ayumu smiled and hugged her back, picking her up and kissing her nose, "It's okay. Are you all ready?"

Hiyono nodded enthusiastically, "Are you taking me?"

Ayumu nodded, "Yep, we just have to wait for Kanone, he can be so lazy sometimes."

"Now that's just ridiculous, Ayumu. I'm nothing of the sort." Kanone commented, coming downstairs, hair and clothes slightly ruffled.

"Oh? You look like you just got out of bed." Ayumu replied, giving Kanone a sceptical look.

"Well, technically..." Kanone thought and just smirked, "Well despite my appearance, I am ready." Kanone straightened his clothes and ran his hands through his hair, "There, better?"

"It'll have to do. We don't want to be late for Hiyono's first day."

Kanone looked to his daughter and walked over to the two. Hiyono immediately jumped into Kanone's arms and hugged him, "Good morning, daddy!" She yelled into his ear, nearly deafening him.

Kanone smiled and hugged her back while wincing at the pain in his ear, "Good morning, Hiyono. You're quite loud this morning."

Hiyono just giggled and Ayumu gave him a look, "She's just excited. Now let's go." Kanone nodded and the three left for Hiyono's first day of school.

After hearing the door shut, the rest of the Blade Children walked downstairs, "Do you think he's told Ayumu yet?" Kousuke asked.

Ryoko would have normally called him an idiot and hit him, but today she just shook her head, "No. He probably wants to wait until the last minute. I doubt he wants to worry Ayumu any more than necessary."

Eyes nodded, "He'll tell him when he feels the time is right; just like he did with us." The others nodded and fell into a depressed silence.

"Do you think...he'll be able to save us?" Kousuke asked, looking to Eyes; the others doing the same, waiting for his answer.

Eyes shook his head, "I really don't know. It doesn't seem likely...and I think Kanone feels the same way. Or else he would have told Ayumu by now." Kousuke sighed, "What will happen with you and Rio?"

Eyes looked to the small girl, "If we escape this year...it won't be long." They all considered these words, knowing they couldn't escape their fate.

"What will happen to Hiyono and Ayumu?"

"Kanone will want Hiyono out of here." Eyes replied, already having talked it over with his husband, "I'm sure Ayumu feels the same way. He will, however, want to stay. That I'm sure of."

Kousuke shook his head, "No. I won't put his life at risk. Not when I could be the one to take it; I refuse to let that happen."

Eyes sympathized with the redhead; he and Kanone shared the same fate, but Ayumu had a future ahead of him. One that could be cut very short if he chose to stay with the Blade Children. Which they all already knew he would.

Just then Kanone and Ayumu walked through the door and saw the four standing there, obviously depressed by something. Kanone knew immediately was bugging them but Ayumu was confused. He walked over to Kousuke, "What's wrong? What were you guys doing?"

Kousuke looked to Kanone who just shook his head and then looked back to Ayumu, "It's nothing, we'll talk about it later, okay?" Without giving Ayumu the chance to answer Kousuke kissed him. Pulling away he looked to the others, "Hey, what about breakfast?"

The others agreed even though they really weren't hungry. However, it would be something to distract Ayumu, so they all nodded. Kousuke looked to Ayumu who eyed the five suspiciously but nodded, "Yeah, sure. What do you want?"