It took him a few hours to recover enough to actually get up. He limped slightly to accommodate the dull ache in his backside. Damn it, he hadn't slept a wink. How could he, that guy was making him worry again after leaving like that. He wasn't answering his phone, that little shit had better take responsibility and explain; because he was literally being a pain in the ass.

Jeez, he had to go search for that monkey himself. He would probably be at work at this time, government dog and all. Pulling some clothes on Misaki made his way to Scepter 4 headquarters, attempting to disguise his awkaward gait with a straight face. Flashes of yesterday replayed in his mind unbidden sending an involuntary blush to his cheeks, had that really happened or had it just been a crazy dream? He wasn't so sure, but the soreness spoke for itself.

He barged in without a care, it wasn't the first time he'd been here; but even now the blue surroundings felt cold and harsh compared to the warm tones of the Homra headquarters. He always felt completely out of place here.

As always the 'Ice woman" as Kusanagi called her was there to greet him.

"And what business does the vanguard of Homra have here?" her hand was already on the handle of her sabre, huh cautious as always.

"I need to see Fushimi NOW, he has some stuff to explain to me."

"Sigh if you're going to fight could you please organise it outside work hours, we are too busy to account for your petty squabbles today." Awashima was looking more tired than normal, it seemed that no amount of anko could lift her mood right now.

"Look I just need to talk to him, no fights ok..."

Awashima looked him up and down, noting the odd position he was standing in, she smirked a little.

Shit don't tell me she can read minds too. He could already feel the blood rushing again to his cheeks.

"As much as I'd like to help you Yata san, Fushimi never came in today."

What...no way...he'd never known Saru to skip work often, something must have happened.

"Though he may have been in the building, he left a note on the King's desk," Awashima gave another long suffering sigh "how he got past security I don't know but he said he was going to use his share of sick leave for some personal business, asked us not to come looking for him."

Ok something was definitely wrong here. The way he had said goodbye already sent alarm bells off in his mind, but this was going to be big if he had just up and left like this. He turned and ran out of the building, ignoring any sensation he pelted towards Saru's flat like a madman.

He leaned against the door, panting hard from the continuous run there.

"OOOIIII OPEN THE DOOR SHITTY MONKEY! WE NEED TO TALK!"

Misaki knocked loudly on the door, there was nothing but silence on the other end. Well this was a problem, he obviously didn't have a key hmmm...

Misaki tried the handle a few times, it opened inward without resistance. Saru had left his flat unlocked...suspicious.

He tread carefully into the apartment, keeping his ears open for any creaks or breathing...nothing.

"Saru..?" nothing but the quiet drip of a faucet answered him from the silent rooms. Misaki searched around nevertheless. It was a suprisingly small place and almost completely absent of personal items, the drab off white walls stared back at him as he found his way to what looked like the bedroom. It was empty except for a neatly made bed in the corner, it had obviously not been slept in for a while. Misaki lifted up the pillow, no knives, so Saru was definitely not home because in all the years he'd known him he was never without those throwing knives, he even slept with them under his pillow every night. Misaki had asked him about it a school once, it had been unthought of that the usually law abiding Saru at the time would actually have weapons on him at school. Saru had looked at him oddly before turning away to fiddle with them for a moment,

"...Just in case.." Saru had said it so quietly but Misaki had heard it all, he didn't press the matter when he saw the fear in Saru's eyes, he was too young to have that look in his eyes.

He tossed the pillow back before he noticed what was on the bedside table. It stood out, the only piece of decoration in the whole room. A photo frame, plain but of good quality. Misaki picked it up gingerly, noting how well taken care of it was. He stopped when he saw what the picture was. It was a new frame but an old photo. Misaki stared at his own face smiling so happily back at him, Saru laughing with him in their middle school uniforms, arms around each other, just so very happy.

Misaki staggered backward and slid down onto the floor, clutching the frame in his shaking hands. Why did he still have this? Misaki himself hadn't kept any pictures from back then but Saru had framed and kept it right next to him, he would have looked at it every day. The only source of color in the bare room and it was of Misaki. He was supposed to hate him right, or else why did he leave him those years ago, he just didn't understand what was going on in that guy's head, maybe he never did.

Looking down at those innocent faces, so ignorant of the world outside their own little bubble brought back to many memories. The rememberance of all those little happinesses he had taken for granted for so long just crashed down on him, pushing out a choked sob bubbling from his throat. He reclined his head against the hard surface of the table, his hands gripping the edges of the frame hard enough to leave marks on his hands.

"Saru you idiot...where the hell are you?"

He was running again. It was raining here, good it would wash the sin away right. Saru fell against a wall, the rough bricks cutting into his skin, panting. He looked down at the bloodstained clothes and the bloodied knives in his shivering hands. The trail of bloody footprints left by his own feet were already being dissolved, the red spreading into the rushing water, sucked into the drain. Who knew there would be so much blood. Saru covered his face with one red hand.

"What have I done...Misaki..."

Author notes: so people seemed to like the last one so I decided to continue. I don't actually want people coming after me. I actually finished watching K Project and SHIPS EVERYWHERE. I blame my friend icecreambender for getting me hooked on this so look forward to more. If you've noticed I'm also doing a series of oneshots as well as some art for it which are postdd on my da.

Reviews make me really happy so drop in and say hi!