A warm glow remained in Claire's heart until the next evening when she decided to head into town. She tucked her hands into her pockets as she walked along the cobblestones, the fall breeze playing at her hair. She didn't have the spare money to be eating out, but a social call to the local inn sounded like a lot of fun.

Besides, it wasn't really the dining room she was interested in visiting…

She could hear the chatter from inside the inn as she approached it and she wondered at what point she had begun to seek company of Mineral Town's residents out of pleasure.

It was definitely the place to be that evening; Ann was standing silently behind the bar, massaging her temples and muttering to herself while her eyes darted from table to table. It was a definite change from her typical bubbly, cheery demeanor she showed around guests. Claire looked at the dining room and noticed the reason for Ann's behavior.

The inn was packed that night – Saibara, Duke, Basil, and Barley were all drinking together, and there was a large party at the other end of the bar. Rick and Karen were drinking at the counter, and Gray and Mary were sitting at a secluded table in the back. Elli, Stu, May, Carter, Trent, Harris, and Thomas were all crowded around a table, talking animatedly. A couple of tables had been pushed together to accommodate for the large group, and Ellen had a wheelchair pulled up at the head of the table. Claire grinned; she knew the elderly lady couldn't get out of the house much.

"Oh, hey, Claire." Ann gave her a distracted smile. "You come over for dinner?"

Claire shook her head. "I'm pretty broke. I just came to say hello. It looks like the whole town's here tonight." She was ready to get back into her regular routine, and she came to visit tonight with the hopes of bumping into a few friends. It looked like she picked a good night.

"Well, feel free to grab a free chair from one of the dirty tables, I guess…" Ann laughed unenthusiastically.

The couple of tables that weren't packed were covered with dirty dishes. "Where is Doug?"

Her reply was rather evasive. "He took the day off."

Claire frowned. It was more than obvious that her friend was overwhelmed with the amount of guests. "Well, he picked the wrong day for a vacation. It looks like they're throwing a party over there."

Ann was preoccupied as her eyes darted around the room. "Oh, yeah. It's Stu's birthday. They have a big bash here every year."

The situation only seemed more confusing to Claire. "Then why did Doug take off if he knew the party was today?"

Ann shook her head. Of course Claire didn't understand; she didn't grow up in Mineral Town. "It's the anniversary of my mom's death. I don't remember her much, but Dad likes to take the day off to reflect. I believe he deserves that much."

"I see…" Claire swiftly began stacking dishes and started to carry them to the kitchen.

"Claire, you don't have to-!"

"Let me help," Claire smiled, stacking a few cups. "I never really properly thanked you for last night. I didn't realize how badly I needed you two by my side." She placed a handful of dirty cutlery in an empty water glass smudged with Manna's signature red lipstick.

"Are you sure?" Ann hesitated, watching Claire's quick technique with longing eyes.

Her friend nodded, swiftly stacking a few plates and placing the glasses on an empty tray. "Besides, I spent quite a few of my teenage years bussing tables and cooking at a diner."

Relief reflected on Ann's features, and her face gradually lit up. "Why didn't you say so?" Ann giggled and tossed an apron on her friend's shoulder. "Welcome to the crew!"

"Crew?" Claire balanced another tray on her other arm, her muscle memory handling the load with relative ease.

"Yeah. Go in the kitchen and introduce yourself to your new coworker!" Ann laughed, giving her a wink and shoving her past the doors behind the bar. She grabbed a stack of dirty plates as she followed her. The additional help seemed to perk her up.

The sight before her lifted Claire's spirits as well.

"Oh, hey, Claire." A very sleepy Cliff looked up from washing dishes.

Claire observed him as she fastened her own apron. His hives had already cleared quite a bit just from the other day, and his bandages looked freshly changed. Besides looking completely exhausted, he appeared to be relatively healthy. Claire was about to express her concern over Cliff's hunting activities when Ann unceremoniously dumped her heap of plates into the sink, splashing soapy water all over the young man.

"Aw, come on, Ann! I told you to cut that out!" he sighed. He took off his sopping apron and Claire watched the liquid drip onto the tile floor beneath them. He groaned as his hide tunic was soaked through as well. He took it off, shivering a bit with cold; he was grateful the simple cotton shirt he wore underneath was still mostly dry.

Ann shot him an apologetic look, handing him a fresh apron and snatching his wet shirt, hanging it on a hook on the wall. His sleepiness was causing him to work at a sluggish pace, but some help was better than none. "I really wasn't expecting it to splash that badly - honest! Just a little splash!" She ruffled his hair. "Just trying to keep you awake!"

He gave her retreating figure a sour look that was dramatized by his fatigue. Claire bit back a chuckle; he looked as if he had bitten into a lemon.

"I came to help out," Claire told him, hoping that it would cheer him up a bit. "I'm going to bus tables, but then I'll help you clean when I clear them all."

Just as she had hoped, his frown disappeared and was replaced with a smile. She found herself beaming. Perhaps the love she tried to send to him the night before had worked! A giddiness overtook her when his fingers delayed leaving hers as she passed him a dirty plate.

"Th-thank you…" His eyes returned to the soapy tub of water.

She had a hard time pulling her eyes from him. Claire was eager to ask him about Cain's progress; there was so much to talk about. For the moment, she was just grateful that he was safe and under Ann's care. Remembering the promise she made to help her friend, she headed toward the kitchen door. "Be right back. I'll go and clear some more tables."

He gave her a nod, and as she left, the worry lines reappeared on his forehead.

Claire carried a plastic bin of dirty plates and began throwing away the scraps, being sure to drag the rubbish bin to a work station right beside Cliff.

"I heard you were up late hunting." Her words weren't accusing, but she was unable to hide the worry in her voice.

He gave a simple nod as he took the plate from her and added it to the sink.

Claire scraped some fish bones and a corn cob into the bin, her eyes locked onto the bandages wrapping her friend's arms. Wielding a bow couldn't possibly be good for his injuries; he was being far too reckless. "But why?"

He remained silent, and when he didn't answer, she held the dirty plate out to him and he reached for it with a soapy, wet hand. However, her grip remained firm on the plate as she waited for a response from him, giving him a meaningful look.

"Why?" she repeated, holding onto the plate as if it was a reward for answering his question. She refused to simply hand over the plate, to give this all up without trying her hardest.

His eyebrows furrowed as he avoided locking eyes with her. "It's hunting season," he replied with a bit of an edge to his voice, tugging the plate from her hand. The dinner plate slipped and fell on the floor between them with a loud crash.

Their eyes locked and Claire's mind couldn't block out all the noise inside of it as she struggled to read Cliff's expression.

Ann poked her head into the kitchen, her eyes wide. "Is everything okay?"

"A plate slipped," Claire explained, hanging her head. "Sorry about that."

She heard a muttered apology from Cliff's direction.

Ann shook her head. "Happens more often than you'd think." Seeing their glum expressions, Ann gave them a playful wink. "It's just a plate. Just don't go breakin' my heart, okay?" she giggled, popping back out to the dining area.

Claire bent down to pick up the broken plate and brushed her forehead against Cliff's as she squatted down. They looked at each other in quiet surprise, and in that moment time seemed to freeze.

Why does it suddenly feel like we're drifting apart? What is happening? Why is this awkward? This is Cliff, the person I feel most comfortable around! Why does it feel like I'm interacting with a stranger?

A gruff laugh from Duke in the other room snapped them out of their spell and Claire looked down at the broken plate. It had split neatly down the middle into two even pieces. The young woman watched as Cliff picked up the other half and her eyes widened in shock at the fact that no shards remained. As she slowly stood up with the broken piece of ceramic in her hands, she felt her heart sink.

Cliff tossed his side of the plate in the bin with a loud clank. "I'm sorry, Claire." His words lacked any real feeling as he blinked his tired eyes, the dark circles pronounced under the fluorescent lights of the kitchen. "It's just… hunting season is a very limited time. I need to make the most of it."

Her eyes welled up with tears and she slammed her half of the plate in the trash and her posture became rigid. "I-I don't know if I can support you if you're going to choose to ignore your health… Don't you care about that? So many people are worried about you!" She struggled to keep her voice level and she wasn't sure if she wanted to push him away or hold him close. Before she knew what was happening, her arms were around him and she buried her face in his damp apron, not caring that it was old dishwater she was pressing her cheek against.

"Thank you." Cliff's voice was quavering.

His words brought a bit of calmness back to her. There was warmth to them. She wiped her eyes, remembering Karen's and Ann's words the night before. "I'm sorry. I know you're a grown adult. It's just…"

Isn't there something else you can do that is easier?

She bit her tongue. With none of the shops hiring, and being short on cash herself, she knew that not much was available. She wouldn't be able to pay Cliff in anything but promised money for the future, and entertaining that proposition made her uncomfortable.

"I make most of my money this time of year," he said quietly, but his words had a tone of finality to them.

Claire saw Ann's red head bobbing past the window on the kitchen door over Cliff's shoulder and she recalled his words from the night before.

"He's lived outside for a long time before he moved here. He knows what he's doing."

Claire wiped away the dampness from her eyes. "Yeah." She swallowed the lump in her throat and gave him a cheery smile. "I really hope it goes well for you."

He had turned back to washing dishes, and nervousness was written all over his face. "Th-thanks…"

She couldn't stop herself from asking as she handed him another plate. "How is Cain doing?" She adopted the soothing tone she used to comfort her younger brothers when they were upset. Claire realized it was also the same way she spoke to Cliff when they had just met.

She was expecting to see more relief on his face; while he was smiling, there was something about his expression that was very sad. "He's recovering alright. I'll be picking him up tomorrow…" When he caught Claire looking at him, he quickly ducked his head, giving her an apologetic look. "Ah, I'm sorry… I'm really tired."

Claire handed him a stack of bowls. "If anyone can get through all this, I know you can."

One of his favorite things about his girlfriend was that she understood his personality so well. Mary was able to see beyond Gray's gruff exterior and comprehend what he was saying even when it often came out as what he deemed "the wrong way". In her clever yet gentle method, she would guide him through the sea of books she ruled over and manage to pluck one from the pile that spoke to him personally. Over the course of reading her selections, Gray had learned things about himself – he enjoyed reading about people who got things done, perhaps, he reasoned, because he dragged his feet on any important decision he made.

Finally gathering the courage to ask Mary to be his girlfriend, choosing a new life in Mineral Town, eventually severing the last of his ties with his good-for-nothing father…

Reading books didn't solve his problem by any means, but they made him feel a little better about the choices he had been brave enough to make, clumsy as the processes had been.

Gray flipped open his latest book and slowly walked up the stairs while attempting to focus on it at the same time, quickly learning it didn't work very well. It didn't stop him from reading about the high speed chase that Detective Arnold Ralph was leading against his elusive perpetrator. Gray unlocked the door and stepped into his bedroom, throwing himself down on his bed to get more comfortable as he stuck his head back between the pages. He heard the jingling of coins on the opposite side of the room and jumped in surprise.

"Goddess! I didn't even notice you!" Gray's heart pounded as he sighed. He hadn't seen his roommate in a couple of days, and he had gotten used to having the place to himself.

The thought of sharing was no longer unwelcome, but he was hoping to see a more cheerful Cliff on the other end. Gray looked over at his friend; he was idly clanking the coins together, staring off into space. It was likely Cliff hadn't heard him, as his glazed over eyes focused on the wall unblinkingly. He looked very pale and the fact that he had lost weight since they first met was more apparent than ever; his hunched posture made him look very small. Gray stood up and walked over to him, carrying his book with him as he snapped it shut in an effort to break his friend's stupor.

His words were gruff, simple, and to the point. "You look like hell, Cliff."

The young man didn't move from his spot. "I haven't slept since I stayed in the Valley…" His voice was scratchy from lack of use.

Gray noticed the young man was shaking with fatigue. "Well, why?"

Cliff buried his stubbly chin in his hands, rocking back and forth a bit in his anxiety. "I-I-ve… I've got to catch s-something… anything…" His tired eyes blinked, the dark circles underneath them causing Gray to frown.

Gray sat down on the bed beside him, setting his book next to him. The loud creak from the furniture seemed to snap Cliff back into reality and the bed sagged toward the heavier occupant of the bed. "You're exhausted! No wonder you can't take anything out; I'm sure you're a terrible shot right now."

"Thanks…" Cliff's voice was emotionless as he avoided his friend's gaze.

His roommate's body language began to make Gray feel nervous. "So the hunting trip didn't go well… Sorry, man…" His eyes moved to the splotchy bandages on Cliff's arms. "You probably shouldn't be trying to use a bow if you ever want to heal." He ignored the blank stare from his roommate and looked at the pile of coins and empty wallet sitting in front of Cliff. "Hey, what's going on here? What's with the money?"

Cliff frowned and shook his head.

Gray saw this as an improvement; at least he was getting some kind of emotion out of him. "So what are you buying?" he pushed.

He hesitated before speaking, rubbing two coins together between his fingers. "I've… got enough f-for a… t-ticket… Cain's medical bills… and mine… took up everything else…"

Gray's blood ran cold. "Ticket?" He could only think of the ship that headed back out east. "For the ferry?"

Cliff nodded. "… It leaves on the first and last days of winter…"

There had been a time where Gray would have reveled in this news; today it made him want to vomit. The solemn look on Cliff's face told him that he needed to take this seriously.

My best friend… leaving? He can't! I can't be alone again! Not like after Dad…!

He felt a well of anger rise up within him and he quelled it, clenching his fists and biting his lip. When he spoke again, his voice was steady. "Hey, a lot can change in that time." In his panic, Gray mentally tried counting the money in his own wallet. Would he be able to cover the both of them?

Cliff shook his head. "It's not going to pick up… I should've noticed the warnings all summer… If there even was a herd, it's moved on… I can't find anything out there." His voice was groggy.

Gray was furious; it was if there was a sudden distance between them. Why didn't I let him know he could count on me before? That I actually cared? Damn my stupid awkwardness! Why did I waste so much time fighting with him? "So what? Y-you're just going to leave town?" His voice was gruff.

Cliff looked up at him with sad eyes that contained an emptiness that sent a chill down his spine. The emotion quickly wiped from Cliff's face as he tucked away his feelings on the matter. He never had anyone care that he was leaving before, and it would be easiest if he hid his own torment over it. Saying his plans aloud hadn't worked well with Carter, but he wasn't sure what else to do. "That's how it usually works… Only I'm usually camping, and I've usually already bulked up for winter…" He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, his nerves quickly rising to the surface again. "Ugh, I didn't plan this out at all… I-I'm going to have to take the earlier ship..." Cliff gulped; the coldest season was always rough, even at the best of times. "Everything was going into rent instead of preparing for the next move…"

Stupid. You should have known better. This is the way it always is. You thought you could lose sight of that?

Gray wasn't sure what his friend's definition of bulking up was, but he was doing it wrong; Cliff had been steadily losing weight since he first moved into town, and he wasn't big when they first met. Gray lifted the brim of his cap a bit, staring at him in silence as his eyebrows rose. "You know, Gramps will never forgive you if you leave," he finally threatened.

A pair of deep blue eyes was quickly busy observing the wood grain on the floor panels. "I know…" His voice was barely above a whisper as the young man swallowed the lump in his throat.

Gray knew that he confided with the priest on everything. "What about Carter? Does he know?"

Cliff nodded glumly. He preferred not think about that right now. "He… wasn't very happy…"

Gray clenched his jaw; despite the fact that he knew Cliff stopped by the church most days, he was furious that Cliff had already told someone else he was planning on leaving. He couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of abandonment.

He doesn't care about me as much… Perhaps it's never been an equal relationship… That's why he's leaving; he just doesn't give a damn…

"Ann and Doug?" he asked fearfully.

Cliff stared at the covers on his bed. "I'll… tell them when I give them my rent next week…"

"You really think that they're going to just let you leave like that? That I will?!" Gray raised his voice, ignoring the fact that it cracked with emotion.

Cliff's eyes met his, and it angered him that they were so calm. "If they respect me… yes."

Gray was seething; he'd snap some sense into him. "Well, what about Claire?" He folded his arms across his chest, a small bit of hope shining through; surely he'd see reason…

Cliff looked up at his roommate and it made Gray's heart hurt; he had never seen such a look of agony on anyone's face. His face was dull and lifeless, his eyes reflecting a pain Gray couldn't understand. "Daydreams and fantasies are only that, Gray… I… was stupid…"

Gray wasn't expecting his throat to tighten. He grabbed the hardcover book and slammed it down on the top of the nightstand. It let out a loud clap that echoed throughout the whole room. He had half a mind to hit his friend with the book. Reasoning wasn't working… "You are an idiot!" he roared. "Why are you giving up so easily?! I thought you were the resourceful one!"

"What am I supposed to do? Hunt for animals that aren't there?" Cliff's voice was strained.

Gray could recall that muddy day in winter when Cliff had arrived. He was quiet, meek, and a little bit pathetic, if Gray was going to be honest with himself. In time, they had learned to tolerate one another despite their differences in interests and personality, and Gray had dealt with jealousy, frustration, and even a brush of affection for the young man, which was something that had shocked himself. His icy blue eyes moved to Cliff's unfocused ones. He'd be lying if he said Cliff was in the same shape as he was back then; he was far worse now. Back in winter, Cliff appeared to be overcautious, but a hint of hope had always glinted through his expressions. It was that simple light about him that made Gray feel like he should try a little harder in his own endeavors.

That light was currently snuffed out, perhaps permanently, and quite frankly, it terrified Gray.

"I'm going to get us two orders of curry. Fat slabs of pork katsu on top. And something hot to drink, too."

Cliff said nothing.

"And dessert. You'll feel better with something in your stomach. Maybe then you'll start thinking clearly."

"I need to stop taking from other people…" Cliff didn't look up from the comforter on his bed.

"And people say that I'm stubborn," Gray sighed, standing up and retrieving his wallet.

While Gray loved reading about people who took action and he was proud of the fact that he had been motivated to do something for his friend, however small it was, he found that he was unsuccessful in this venture. A cold plate of uneaten curry sat on the table while Gray finished his tea and licked the frosting from his fingers, unsure of what to do.

Author's Note: Things are getting a little more desperate for Cliff! This chapter was very hard for me to write emotionally, as I try my best to get in the same state of mind as my characters. This can be really exhausting sometimes, especially in more dramatic chapters like this one. I hope I was able to come off as genuine, and I hope you enjoyed!