The car spluttered along as I saw the neighborhood shrink away behind us. I was rather grumpy that Hiro was not riding with us, apparently Hiro's mom had a bad morning, so he rode the bus to school earlier with Kara! How rood! Though it did let me sleep in earlier… Either way! Rood! Hmpf!

"Sladkij?" MaMa called from the front. I crossed my arms all the tighter, ignoring her. Defiantly staring at the roadside attractions that whizzed by. A tree stump here, a signpost there. Real fun stuff! Her few other attempts ended with a grumpy sigh on her part. Only the sound of the engine filling the silence as Daddy was too lost in his own thoughts of the big photoshoot he was going to take later! My rebellious streak could only last so long however, until boredom gnawed its way to my heart.

"MaMa…?" She gave a rather bemused snort.

"Da, Sladkij?" I groaned, forced to switch to MaMa's home language.

"Mne zhal'," I am sorry. I knew she was grinning up there! Big meanie! I could not hold back my giggles though. MaMa switched back to English.

"It's okay, Sladkij." That made me feel warm and fuzzy. Reaching over to hug my backpack, pausing as my heart skipped a beat.

"AHHH!"

"WHAT THE-!" Daddy shouted, car swerving.

"I FORGOT MY BACKPACK!" I heard Daddy say some not nice words under his breath, MaMa did not look happy. Leaning over as best as she could from the front seat.

"We do NOT shout in the car, Keitaro!" GASP! MY FIRST NAME! Paralyzed to the core, I nodded as quick as I could when I felt the icy grasp start to release my heart.

"B-But I need my backpack! It has my sc-science pro-project…" Tears welling in my eyes, knowing it was for a big grade too! "P-Please, MaMa!" She whispered something about a beaver again, turning to Daddy who firmly shook his head. I saw his dark green eyes flash through the rearview mirror.

"You should have thought of that before we left, Keitaro!" N-NO NOT MY F-FIRST NAME AGAIN!

"I-It's n-not my f-f-faaaaaaaaaaaaaaault!" Sobbing now, hands thrown into the air, kicking at MaMa's seat in frustration. "Y-YOU MADE US LAAAATE!"

MaMa's angry voice came out now, "Ostanovka!" Stop!

"N-NO I WON'T STOP BECAUSE YOU ARE SO MEAN! I HAT-"

Silence.

Utter. Silence.

"D-Daddy?" Reaching out, grasping the warm body hovering over me. A pleasant oaky scent comforting me as I clung tighter, crying out. "D-Daddy!" Nuzzling across the broad chest, feeling safe in Daddy's arms. The figure paused, hesitantly wrapping its arms around me.

"Keitaro…?" The voice was off, though it filled me with warmth. Thawing the icy grip on my heart. "Are you okay?"

"Y-Yes, Daddy…"

"Uhhh…" I heard shuffling then a shout.

"KEITARO'S AWAKE!" Hiro? Why are you at the hospital now?

"LUNA!" Y-Yoichi? A-Alpha? N-NO! THIS IS WRONG!

I gripped Daddy tighter, realizing too late the shoulders were too broad, the scent was off. Bravely opening my eyes, blinded by the light until a corona formed around a sandy blonde head. D-Daddy has brown hair like me! "You okay, Scout?"

My heart broke. The concerned faces staring down at me only adding to my guilt. Fresh tears sprang from me, the burning on my cheek incessant. I touched the band-… F-Fuck. Uncovered by the bandage was a single burn. An old burn. My burn.

'Our burn,' it purred.

I rolled over, hurling into the trash bucket next to the bed. The boys jumped back in surprise while Yoshi dialed Scoutmaster Aiden.

'Our guilt," it muttered.

Another wave of retching. Another round of gasps. Alpha strode right up to the bed, gently tilting my head to wipe the bile away with a warm cloth. My hands, no, my whole body was shaken to the core. It took all my will to slump to my side and grip Alpha's hand as tight as I could. He leaned in, kissing my forehead, murmuring praise, love, warmth.

Aiden burst in, quickly making way through the crowd of boys where he took my vitals. Looking ever more confused when result after result came back… Normal. Fine. Perfect even. "I need to talk to Yuri," was all the whisper I heard. He came over to ruffle my hair, "You'll be alright. Little Man, promise!" All the while Yoichi was slowly scooting into the bed, taking my head to his chest, holding me tight. I looked up at him and my heart broke again. Such noble concern. Those amethyst eyes dripped with unbridled love.

"I love you, Luna." I murred in agreement, "Why didn't you tell me about…?" I flinched when his hand got close to my face. Holding it there uncertain until I closed the gap and leaned into his touch. His hand warm, cooler than the burning sensation. More tears came bidden, this time from relief as the scar cooled until I could feel nothing but Alpha's caress.

Someone came to the fore of the line, "K-Keitaro…?" Natsumi. He continued after my soft noise, "I am sorry for acting so selfish. Ever since you helped me stand up to Naoto, I have been trying to… N-No, I take full responsibility for my actions. I should have talked to Yoichi man to man. Yoichi…?"

"Hmmm?"

"I apologize, I should have told you how I felt, not yelled at you when it became too much."

Alpha shifted, grimacing at every movement as he carefully watched over my reactions. "I… I apologize too, Natsumi. You're my… Ugh! You're my oldest friend, my best friend!" He paused to shake his head from the mushiness, "Sorry I walk all over you sometimes, I just… I am a caveman." I opened an eye at that, making him snort. "I promise to think about my actions before involving you in them…" Shadow. "W-Wha?! GROSS!" Double warmth. Awwwww, they're hugging!

A polite cough from Scoutmaster Yoshi had everyone shuffling out, except Alpha, of course. He rubbed my back and ruffled his son's hair. "I am proud to have two strong smart boys." I opened my eye for that! Alpha's face surprised me. Pride.

"Thanks, Scoutmaster Yoshi! I am feeling better now." His loving smile made me even happier. "Yuri is on her way with some nice warm soup for the both of you, take your time. Don't worry about the boys, I will give them some exercise!" We both nodded, too concerned with snuggling to put any more effort into responding.

We laid there for who knows how long, minutes probably, until the tale tell sounds of yips got closer. The door opened, letting in out four rambunctious pups who attached the side of the bed to give their love to a mommy they knew was not feeling well. The clack of heels announced one Yuri Nomoru. Scoutmaster. Counsellor. Therapist. My heartbeat jumped when the sound of two bowls were set on the nightstand. Closing my eyes tight when those words came out.

"Let's talk."