It was a calm night. A light breeze pushed the swaying grass gently and small rippled appeared on the pond. Small fireflies danced between the flowers and a frog crocked somewhere in the distance. The clear water reflexed the moon almost mirror like and the whole place had a magical feel to natural garden as a beautiful place.

If Nezumi was thinking he would have wished that he had brought Sion here on a date. Of course, Nezumi wasn't thinking, if he thought about that he would regret break up with Sion. The dark-haired man walked silently across the grass. It softly brushed against his exposed ankle and fireflies few into the sky where he stepped. A gentle wind brushed his arms and lifted his hair. Although beautiful, it was still a slightly chilly evening. As he continued through the garden the wind picked up, causing small goose bumps to cover his arms. If Nezumi could feel he would have wish that he had brought a jacket. He couldn't feel though, if he could, he would have compared the chilliness of the evening to the warmth of that morning; where he and Sion sweated in their garden.

As Nezumi passed some trees the fairy godmother came into sight. She was sitting on a fallen log watching the sky. The old woman didn't hear him approach. He knew she couldn't see him very well either in the dark. Despite not having a single cloud in the sky, the moon wasn't full so sight as limited. This gave him a moment or to two to regain his composure. When he had saw her sliver of doubt entered his brain. He smushed it and continued to his destiny. Finally, he came up right behind her.

"Hey." Nezumi said is a dull voice. The fairly jumped up with a squeak and tripped over the log. She huffed as she pulled herself to her feet and turned to scold at the dark-haired man. If Nezumi could show emotions he would have smirked. Of course, Nezumi didn't have any emotions. If he did, he would remember all the times he snuck up on Sion so he could see his boyfriend's shocked face and hear his cries of protest.

"Don't scare me like that." She growled as she straightened her outfit. Nezumi watched her for a few second before realizing she wanted an apology.

"Sorry" Nezumi said blankly. If Nezumi was letting his personally show through he would have said a snarky comment. Of course, he didn't though, it would remind him that Sion used his snarky comments as a defense against nobles.

Even though his haze Nezumi felt a twinge of annoyance. Was there anything part of him left that didn't remind him of Sion?

"Let's get started." The fairy said clearly deciding on forgiving him. She rolled up her sleeves and let out a determined breath. Nezumi nodded mutely as he forced his feet forward until he was standing right in front of her.

"What do you need me to do?" he asked.

"First, you need to change into your footmen clothes." The fairy commanded. Nezumi almost sighed. He just wanted this to end. Why was she adding extra steps?

"It that necessary?"

"I suppose not…" the fairy grumbled twirled her wand. "but I made those clothes out of magic and I can't make them disappear unless you're wearing them."

"I didn't bring them."

"That won't be a problem." The fairy waved her wand and the clothes appeared in a pile. "Now put them on." Nezumi, resigning himself to her demands, picked them up from the ground. The fairy watched him impatiently.

"Are you going to watch me change?" he asked. The old woman glared at him and turned her back.

"I never met a rat who cared about such things."

"I spent too much time as a human." Nezumi shrugged attempting nonchalant. It wasn't working. His heart had started beating wilding against his chest and his whole body was tense.

"Well hurry up." the fairy said nervously. "I want this done and over with soon." Nezumi shrugged again picked up the clothes. As he did, he found the gray triangular hat that came with the footman outfit. The actor eyeing the horrid thing dubiously. It was as ugly and strange looking as he remembered it.

"Do I need to wear the hat?" he asked. The instance the words were out of his mouth he regretted them. That comment would have made Sion laugh. An image flashed in his mind of the prince's bright small followed by his wonderful laughter.

"Yes." The fair snapped.

"Fine" Nezumi said a little too loud. He wanted the fairy to keep speaking. He wanted to drown out the beautiful sound of Sion's laugher from his mind. The dark-haired man realized that he was shanking. H took a deep breath. "Where do you want me to put my clothes when I finish changing?"

"In here."

The fairy thrusted a bag over her shoulder. Nezumi started forward to pick it up. As he did something in the footman's outfit bumped against his arm. He picked up the pair of pants and noticed that there was something in the pocket. Confused Nezumi reached in and pulled out Romeo and Juliet. It was the copy that Sion had given him the day they had met.

The dam broke.

Fragments of memory from his first night as a human came flooding into him without permission. He suddenly found himself overcome by emotions.

He was sitting on the rail of the castle's balcony eying the strange white-haired human. He was half listening to Sion as they walked to the prince's library. He was standing in the library taking it all in. He was reading Romeo and Juliet and losing himself in their world.

As Nezumi desperately tried to suppress these thoughts another wall broke and memories of his time living in Cinderella's library seeped in.

He was reading all different kinds of books, each their own interesting world. He was standing on a stage bring the stories to life. He was bowing at the end of a performance listening to people clapping and knowing he got through to them. He was trying new foods that he wouldn't have access to as a rat. He was holding his first paycheck and realizing he could buy anything he wanted with it.

These memories caused a tidal way of emotions to break down yet another wall. Suddenly he was filled with memories of his time at the castle.

Sion was meeting him for the second time in his dressing room. He and Sion were walking in the rain. He was watching Sion go free and dance wilding in the downpour. Sion was teaching him about plants as they planned their garden. He and Sion were starting their garden and taking care of it as it grew. He was introducing classics to Sion and watching the prince's expression as he read. He was teaching Sion to dance. He was dancing with Sion at the ball.

The ball….

Remembering the second ball caused the rest of Nezumi's feelings and emotions to break free.

He was laughing along with Sion as they explored a nearby town. He was showing Sion how to get in and out of the castle unseen. He was dancing with Sion under the full moon. He was trying new things and enjoying them. He was holding Sion close as they sat on the beach watching the waves roll in. He was kissing Sion's hands and face and everywhere else he could reach except his mouth. He was being kissed in return and enjoying it.

He had never managed to kiss Sion on the lips. At that moment he wanted to do it more than anything else in the world.

"What's taking you so long?" the fairy demanded as she turned around to face Nezumi. "Why aren't you dressed yet!" she scowled at him. Then she noticed the book in his hands. " Is that the prince's book? Here give it to me so I can return it." She held out a hand to Nezumi. The dark-haired man ignored her. He was to busy struggling with the downpour of emotions.

He needed to be a rat. He needed to stay as a human. He wanted to be a rat. He wanted to be with Sion. He desired his freedom. He desired Sion.

Nezumi gridded his teeth. Why was this so hard? He already made his choice. He was going to be a rat. He couldn't choose Sion. He knew he would only regret it. What if thing didn't work out between them? What if it suddenly wasn't enough? He hated being a human, Sion was the only thing the made it barrable….wasn't he?

Suddenly Nezumi knew something was wrong. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he felt like he was missing something important. He thought back over his life as a human. The dark-haired man knew the reasons he hated being human but now he allowed himself to think about things he actually enjoyed. He enjoyed reading. He enjoyed bringing books to life through his acting. He enjoyed making people laugh and cry during his performances. He enjoyed comfy clothes and hot chocolate on rainy nights. He enjoyed intellectual conversations. He enjoyed learning new things.

These thoughts startled and scared him. He always connected the positives of being human solely to Sion. It was a life with Sion versus a life as a rat. He treated Sion as if the prince was the only reason to stay human. This wasn't the case. Sion was a big part of his human life, bigger than he could have ever imagine, but he wasn't the only part. Nezumi enjoyed so many things in the human world. If he had stopped worrying over his feelings for Sion, he would have seen how the little things in life made it worth living. Nezumi had been so blind to his own emotions.

Now the dark-haired man understood how characters in adventure books felt. Many of them were dragged off on an adventure without actually wanted to go on them. They always started off reluctantly, desiring to go back to simpler time, but always gained something valuable on their journeys that changed them. Nezumi couldn't give up his life here. He couldn't give up his thoughts and speech. He couldn't give up his hobbies and interests. Most of all he couldn't give up Sion. He didn't want to.

A lump grew in his throat. He would regret it in the future. He knew on long or painful days he would want more than anything to go back to simpler times and his freedom. Even so he also knew giving all of this up was running away. Humans had to deal with this all time. He had read many books about humans coming of age. They went from ignorant and free children to adults with responsibility. In a way turning into a human was his way of coming of age. Those humans couldn't go back to being children and they wouldn't benefit from do so. He was the same. Nezumi almost laughed at his own stupidity. He had been so blind, so stupid so stubborn. He wasn't a rat anymore. He was a human. He was Nezumi. He was Eve. He was the prince's boyfriend.

"What are you doing? Please just change already!" the fairy voice rang out startling Nezumi out of his revelation. He looked up to find the old looking around worriedly. "I shouldn't be here. Someone's going to catch me." Nezumi pocked the book and took a step back.

"I changed my mind. I want to stay human." The second the words were out of his mouth he felt better. A part of him was still sad that he would no longer be a rat, but he knew he was making the right choice. Now he had tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, and the day after that, to read and laugh with Sion. He could eat good food and act. He could argue and debate. For these reasons alone the aching in his heart became more manageable.

The fairy stared at him in utter shock then her expression hardened.

"What do you mean you want to stay human?"

"What part aren't you understanding?

"All of it!" the old woman twisted the wand fretfully through her fingers. "You wanted to be a rat. I wanted you to be a rat. It was a win, win situation. What changed?"

"I realized I wanted to stay a human more then I wanted to be a rat." He said stubbornly. The fairy narrowed her eyes and pressed her lips.

"Listen here." She snapped losing her temper completely. "I don't have time for this. You're a rat, Sion's a human. You were never meant to meet."

"But we did meet." Nezumi said. "And even if I didn't fall in love with Sion, I still want to be a human. I want to read and perform. I want to dance and see new things."

"But don't you also want to be a rat?"

"I do." Nezumi's voice caught in his throat. "I'm going to miss my freedom as one but it's time to move forward."

"That isn't an option." The fairy raising her wand. "I jumped through hoops to make sure this worked out and you're not ruining it for me! Cinderella will marry the prince and they will be happy!" The old woman looked closer to a evil witch then a fairy godmother. Any magical benevolence was gone replaced by an agitated anger. Her eyes were burning with rage and contempt.

Nezumi crouched down. If she attacked there was a good chance that he would be turned back. Even so he wasn't going down without a fight. He had to win this and then go back to Sion to apologize. The idea of turning back into a rat without saying sorry hurt.

The fairy godmother opened her mouth and Nezumi started to move forward. He had only seconds…

"Nezumi wait!"

Both the fairy and Nezumi froze where they were. The voice that called out sounded like Sion's but that didn't make any sense, why would the prince be here? Nezumi guessed he had misheard. The dark-haired man glanced over his shoulder. To his amazement the voice did belong to Sion. The prince was running toward them waving both arms wildly.

"Prince Sion?" the fairy gasped lowering her wand. Sion noticed her action and relax slightly. He opened his mouth to call out something and instantly tripped over a root. Nezumi watched in exasperation as Sion face planted into the ground with a soft "ow". The dark-haired man swore under his breath and hurried over to the collapsed man.

"Nezumi." Sion muttered dazed as the dark-haired man crouched down next to him. The prince sat up as Nezumi surveyed him. It was amazing to the actor how easy Sion could get hurt. From that fall alone he received scraps on his arms, legs, neck, and face. He had a bruise on his left shoulder and was covered in pine needles and twigs. As Nezumi eyes wandered to the prince's face he noticed that there was a trickle of blood dripping from the prince's nose. His eyes narrowed at the sight. He hated when Sion bleed. As a rat blood meant death. The prince noticed his expression and quickly wiped it away.

"What are you doing here?" the dark-haired asked. He mentally scolded himself. He wanted to ask him if he was alright, not question him.

"I've come to say sorry." Sion said seriously. "I don't want our last conversation to be the one at the library. I shouldn't have lost control of my emotions there…" he paused frowning "But to be fair, you did spring it on me. I mean you could have done that better. You knew you were going to break up with me when we started dating, why didn't you plan on how you were going to tell me? If dating me was such a problem they just talk to me!" Sion looked thoroughly pissed. " Do you know how long I cried after you left? You're nicer to your fans and you don't even like them! Even if you don't like me that way, we are at least friends. You should have put in more of an effort." He crossed his arms and huffed.

"This is an apology?" Nezumi asked bemused. Sion paused and uncrossed his arms. All the anger drained from his face.

"No…Sorry that wasn't what I wanted to say…It just came out." He blushed slightly. "I really did come to apologize."

"For what?" Nezumi couldn't think of a single thing Sion did wrong. Everything he said during his angry rant was right. Nezumi had been in the wrong not Sion.

"Well I was…" the prince lost his nerve and looked away. "I was selfish. I should have just let you go…" He suddenly looked very uncomfortable. "Cinderella kind of…told me the truth."

"She wasn't supposed to say anything" Nezumi muttered also looking away. Although he didn't want to admit it he felt anxious. The prince claimed that he wouldn't judge someone who used to be a different species then him, but Nezumi still had his doubts. Back then they were talking about The Little Mermaid and there was a big difference between a mermaid and a rat.

"I'm glad she did." Sion said softly and Nezumi forced himself to face the white-haired man. He found Sion staring at him, a small smile on his face. When the dark-haired man looked into the prince's eyes he found only love and acceptance. Only then could he breath easily.

"I understand why you broke up with me, even though it hurt….a lot. I understand why you didn't want it to be permanent. I've come to say sorry and" he gulped his eyes misting. "I've come to say …goodbye." He whipped his eyes quickly. "It's your choice to become a rat but I want to be with you until the end." He attempted a smiled which came out very forced. The actor's heart sored and ached at the same time. He couldn't believe he was going to give Sion up. He couldn't believe Sion accepted him. He couldn't believe how much he hurt the prince.

"I'm the one who should be apologizing." Nezumi said bowing his head. "I hurt you back there. I said those horrible things to make you angry. I thought it would be easier for me to leave you then." he gulped down his rising emotions. "It was selfish of me. I know I shouldn't have done it, but I was afraid… I thought I would never be free again if I stayed a human." The words sounded pathetic to him. "I'm so sorry." His voice cracked at the end. It sounded childish to him when he said it out loud. He could feel shame creep up his chest. The prince was quiet for a moment.

"You don't need to lie to make me feel better." Sion finally said with a sad smile. "I pestered you to date me after all. I wouldn't be surprised if you did hate it."

"No!" Nezumi reached forward and grabbed the prince's hands. "I loved dating you. I think you're beautiful. Every moment we spent together made me happy. I-I" Nezumi petered out. Usually he was good with words. He always knew the right thing to say. Now however he couldn't put his feelings into words. He took another deep breath.

" I see now that there's a life for me here." He looked Sion straight in the eyes. "I want to stay a human. I want to stay your boyfriend. I…I love you." He had said it. This time without any conditions or drawbacks. He said what he really felt. Sion's eyes watered and he buried his face in his arms. As Nezumi hugged him back he heard the prince soft cries.

"Are you alright?" the dark-haired man asked gently.

"I'm so stupid." Sion sobbed. "I promised myself I wouldn't cry and here I am balling like a baby." He lifted his head and pouted up at Nezumi. "This is your fault you know. You break up with me and leaving me sobbing on the ground, then you change your mind." He sniffed and rubbed his eyes. "You're really a horrible human. I think you'll be the end of me."

"Sorry." Nezumi muttered.

"Don't be." Sion buried his face back in the dark-haired man's chest. "You came back to me. You chose a life as a human over a life as a rat. I get to see you every day now. I'm so happy." He began crying harder. Nezumi leaned in forward and scooped up the smaller man into his arms. Sion curled up next to him. Instantly Nezumi was filled with Sion: Sion's scent, the sound of Sion's heartbeat and breath, the feel of Sion against him. It was wonderful. For the first time as a human Nezumi felt whole.

After a few eternities, though it was probably only five minutes, Sion pulled away. Nezumi shivered in the sudden cold and fought the urge to curl up in his boyfriend's arms again. This did not go unnoticed.

"You're not wearing a coat." Sion observed.

"I didn't have time to put one on." Nezumi muttered. "It was warm this afternoon." Sion smiled and put his own jacket around Nezumi.

"It's a nice gesture but you do know it has blood on it." Nezumi wrinkled his nose. Sion rolled his eyes and wacked his arm.

"Oh, shut up. You can change when we get back to the castle. It's not my fault I fell."

"It's totally your fault!" Nezumi scoffed. "We both know you can't see well in the dark and you could have at least attempted to catch yourself when you fell. I never seen someone get as many scrapes and bruises from such a small fall." Sion opened his mouth to retort but stopped when he noticed someone over Nezumi's shoulder.

"Oh hello." He said as he staggered to his feet. "you must be Cinderella's fairy godmother." Nezumi whipped around and jumped to his feet. He had forgotten all about the fairy. She was still standing there looking agitated. Nezumi realized that the only reason she didn't just turn him back while they were talking was because Sion was a prince and that would be disrespectful. He mentally thanked stupid social conventions for stalling her.

"I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier. I'm Prince Sion, the crowned prince of this country." He smiled politely at her. "Thank you for helping Nezumi change back into a rat. I'm sorry you had to come all the way just for him to change his mind." Nezumi wondered why Sion was being so polite. The fairy looked murderous right now. This wasn't time for pleasantries. It took Nezumi a moment to realize that the prince couldn't see her face to know how angry she was.

"Sion." Nezumi muttered grabbing the prince's sleeve.

"No." The fairy said loudly.

"What?" Sion looked confused. The fairy approached. Nezumi let out a small hiss and got into a crouch again. The white-haired man looked alarmed.

"Nezumi?"

"He can't remain a human. It isn't right. A rat cannot date a prince." The fairy continued.

"What?" Sion asked surprised turning back to the fairy. "What do you mean?"

"It's wrong. He isn't supposed to date you. You were supposed to fall in love with Cinderella." The fairy was now close enough for Sion to see her face expression. He stepped back in confusion.

"Why? Why would I date her? She's my best friend!"

"I brought her to the ball so you could end up with her!" the fairy exclaimed. "It was a flawless plan! Don't tell me you wouldn't have dated her if Nezumi wasn't in the picture."

"I would." Sion said shortly. "But only because it would be better to date a friend and have a mutual partnership then to date a noble." The fairy didn't seem to be listening.

"This is all going wrong!" she complained. "Do you know how much trouble I'd be in if you ended up with him?

"Don't I get a say in that?" Sion asked angrily. Before the older woman could answer Nezumi took the opportunity to spring forward. He grabbed her wand and tried to pull it away.

"Nezumi!" Sion cried in shock.

"She's not going to listen." Nezumi said as he struggled for the wand. "If we don't take the wand, she'd turn me back."

"Get off!" the fairy shirked. Sion hesitated for a moment longer then joined the fray. They struggled there for a few minutes. Nezumi had one arm wrapped around the fairy's neck and the other hand grasping the wand. Sion was holding the fairy's legs trying to trip her. The fairy was punching Nezumi's arm while also trying to shake off Sion. After a little while Nezumi felt the wand slip slightly from the fairy's grasp. His hopes began to lift. With the prince's extra help, he knew they had a chance at winning.

"ENOUGH!" A strong blast of wind knocked into Sion and Nezumi. Nezumi felt himself fly backwards. He landed in a roll and jumped back into a crouch. Next to him he heard Sion hit the ground with a small gasp of pain. The fairy godmother raised her wand again and Nezumi's heart sank. There was no way he could get the wand or avoid the attack at this distance. He was going to be a rat again. The fairy opened her mouth and started to babble while making a motion with her wand. Nezumi relaxed as he resigned himself to his fate. At least he was able to apologize to Sion. It was a small consolation, but it was the only good thing he could grasp on.

"No!" Sion's voice rang out in the night, loud and full of panic. Before Nezumi could react Sion suddenly appeared in front of him. He wrapped the dark-haired in his arms and held him tight. The two of them made eye contact. Sion's eyes were full of love and understand. Then suddenly his eyes went wide, and the prince arched his back.

"Nezumi." He cried out, fear laced in his voice. The dark-haired man pulled him closer.

"I'm here." He said. Sion didn't seem to hear him. His eyes had turned dull as a wild animal.

"No!" Nezumi chocked through the ringing in his ears. He pulled Sion tighter. "Sion stay with me please!" As he held Sion to his chest, he felt him shrink. When he opened his arms, he found a small white bunny. The red eyed bunny twitched his nose and trembled in his arms. Nezumi stared down at him blankly. This must a nightmare. He needed to wake up. He needed to see Sion. He managed to convince himself for a whole second that everything would be alright before reality crashed back down on him.

Sion was an animal. All of his human intelligence was gone. This animal did not recognize Nezumi. It did not enjoy gardening or learning new things. It had no thoughts only survival instincts. This animal was not Sion. The thinking, laughing, enthusiastic Sion was gone. Nezumi slowly looked up to face the fairy.

"That wasn't supposed to happen!" she stammered. Nezumi staggered to his feet.

"Fix him." He snarled staggering towards her. "Turn him back. NOW!"

"I-I-" the fairy backed away slowly. "It's more complicated then that!"

"You turned me into a human." He challenged.

"But you were a rat in the first place!" the fairy shook her head vigorously. "Human transformation is different. I…I need to go!"

"Wait" Nezumi yelled rushing forward. "Change him back! Don't run you coward." The fairy panicked and waved her wand. With a suddenly light she was gone. Nezumi slowed to a stop and swore ever vulgar word under the sun. His instincts told him that this time she wouldn't return.

"Fairy!" He yelled. "Get back here and turn him back! You did this! You monster!" He yelled and yelled to the sky until his voice was horse. When he could no longer yell, he sunk to the ground. Sion the rabbit sniffed his sleeve and tried to nibble it.

"I'm sorry." He whispered to him. "I'm so sorry." He pulled the bunny close to him. He could feel its tiny heartbeat pounding against him. In the distance the clock chimed midnight.

Nezumi felt tears streaming down his face. His Sion was gone. The intelligent, fun, beautiful man he loved was gone.

It was all his fault.