Disclaimer: I don't own anything!

Author's Note: I bought a new bookshelf and am currently in the process of emptying out my old one. So far, I've filled four boxes to the brim, with two stacks of ones I'm giving away. It's astounding how many books a person can have.

I might be going to see Wicked soon when it comes to town. Can't wait for that.

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A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world. ~Lois Wyse

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"What's going to happen?" Yuan asks. He sounds very small, crouched in the corner like he is.

"I don't know." Kratos replies, sitting right beside him. The world seems suddenly large, too large for two little people like them. "I-I don't want to go to military school."

"We could run." Yuan suggests quietly. His eyes flicker up to Kratos. "It wouldn't be hard."

"Where would we go?"

"Somewhere. Anywhere. We could make our way back to my people's lands. They won't think to search for you there."

Kratos leans his head back against the wall. "Your people wouldn't accept me, won't hide me. Especially if the humans did the things you said they did."

"People can change. If they know you, they won't hate you." Yuan said it like it was an accepted fact. "…We could change things. I mean, we could make our peoples see things differently about each other."

"Yuan, that's impossible."

"We're kings of the world, remember? Nothing's impossible for us!"

"We're just kids! No one would listen to us. And there are bandits and things on the road. They'd kill and rob us and then we'd be no better off."

"I think you read too many adventure stories."

"And besides, what about my dad?"

Yuan looks at Kratos and feels a sudden rush of anger, though he doesn't know why. "Kratos, an I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Why do you care so much about what your father thinks? I mean, he's always been kinda mean to you. Even I can see that and I ain't—haven't—been here that long."

"He's my dad. I—" Kratos can't explain it. He's seen the other kids with their fathers, has seen the proud smiles on their parents' faces. He's heard the proud talk during the dinner parties. (Didn't you hear? My son…amazing…done so well…) His father never talked about him like that. He wanted to do good by his father, wanted to give him something to talk about at the dinner parties too. "I want him to notice me."

"But…you don't want to go to military school. Why make yourself miserable, just for him?"

"Maybe this'll be my chance." Maybe he would finally look at his son and say 'Good work' or smile like the other parents did.

Yuan studies Kratos, sees the hopeful expression on his face. "…Is there any way that you could take a slave with you to military school?"

Kratos stares at him. "Yuan, you're a genius."