Chapter 2: Alone

So on that day, the father of the two boys decided that if their town did not have enough to feed it's people, he would find food and work elsewhere. Seeking a place he'd only head of, rich in harvest and cattle, he would send word to his family. Little did he know that, things don't always turn out the way you plan them.

Kaito cried a bit more when dad left, getting another hug from him. He went about cleaning the house, even though moving hurt, doing something to keep busy. He didn't see much of his dad anyway, what with him working all day, and he kept telling him this wouldn't be any different.

Saguru did his best to hide his face, watching the ground as he did his normal chores and hiding behind some books that morning. He wanted to go out and find their cow but he was sore and walking that far would do no one any good. He would go to town the next day and offer help again. That afternoon, he used a piece of rope and hid behind a tree, practicing tying knots so he would never lose an animal again.

Sharon had a lot of time to think that day. Both boys were reserved, something she doubt they would be if it had been her that left and not their father. She didn't know why her kids didn't feel as close to her but she found that she was returning the feelings. She waited until the end of the day, when both would be ready to eat, before making a tough decision that Toichi would not be happy with. She grabbed Kaito before he sat. She wouldn't admit it was hard for her, but Kaito ate more than his brother, he made trouble, didn't work, almost fit in with the fact that there was an evil twin born with a good one. Saguru was a good boy, took after her in more than just looks. She could get his help. Kaito would only cause trouble. She wouldn't let both boys suffer when only one need to. "Kaito, I need you to come with me. You need to do what I tell you."

"Where are we going? It's dark out." Kaito was pulled towards where mom keep the cane and he winced, pulling away from her. She took it down but made no attempt to use it, pulling him towards the door. "We shouldn't go out at night."

"We have to right now. I said do as I say." She pulled him harder, not wanting to fight with him the whole time, as it would tire her out. She opened the door, not as afraid of wild animals as no creature seemed to have taken to the winter well.

"But I don't want to go outside." He looked back at his brother, his one free hand reaching towards him. "What did I do?"

"Nothing as of yet unless you keep acting this way." She pulled him towards her yet again, lifting the cane this time as a warning. She looked back inside as her smarter, more productive son. The two of them at least should make it. "Saguru, stay here. Watch the house. We'll be back soon."

Saguru wanted to stand but he was not even able to answer. Kaito reaching for him scared him too. Their mother had never done something like this before, he knew that for sure. Kaito had done nothing but help all day. He could not think straight but when the door shut it made him jerk. "Kaito." He knew there was no way he could just stay here when something was wrong but going out on his own... Saguru ran to the door, wanting, needing to see what was going on.

Sharon knew that Toichi wouldn't be happy. She could pacify him and Saguru, say Kaito had gotten sick or something, but she wasn't sure how well her obedient son would listen. Kaito, clearly, wasn't listening well and she goaded him forward a few times with the cane, unsure how useful it was through his clothes. It got him to calm down and follow her though, only putting up a slight fight when they reached the edge of the forest near their town where some of the farmers would try and trap game. She'd have to make sure to leave Kaito far enough in that he wouldn't come back. Odds were she'd be walking all night, and even then the boy had an odd streak about him that might have him coming back. She got an idea for that, feeling badly for having it, but knowing there wasn't any other way.

"Mom, where are we going?" The forest was scary at night, even for him. There might be animals in there or monsters. He didn't really believe in the later, but he couldn't be sure. He'd heard tales of weird things that made their home in the woods. "I'm tired. I want to go to bed."

"Shhh." She wasn't going to fall for his begging. He was truely an unruly child, and there simply wasn't enough to feed them all. She had to watch the floor as much as where she was going, not wanting to trigger anything the hunter's had set. Most of it was small but she knew, further in, would be what she was looking for. She looked down at her son, feeling bad for him, but as badly as she would if both were starving in front of her.

Kaito didn't know what they had done or where they were going. At first he was tempted to believe they were going to meet dad. He hadn't told him where he was going though, and he doubted going through the forest at night was safe. Time dragged on, his eyes half closing as his mom lead him to who knows where. He was hungry and tired and walking was still painful to an extent. Half sleeping, half following her as the moon hid above the trees, Kaito was jolted awake by pain. "Ow!" He tried to step back, something heavy not letting him move much.

"Oh, Kaito! Settle down!" Sharon whispered to her son, bending down. "Stop moving!"

Kaito whimpered a little, trying to stay still and upright while he was pulled one way and had his weight on his other leg. He let out a relieved breath when his mom undid the trap that he'd stepped on. Tears in his eyes, he welcomed it when mom picked him up. "Mom, that really hurts."

Saguru froze when he heard a cry of pain, recognizing it as Kaito. He had thought mother was taking him to the barn or something and maybe refuse to give him supper again. He still had the bun and had grabbed it to slip to him as soon as he could but they had kept walking. He'd lost sight of them in the woods and had to go quietly so he could follow the sounds. He was actually terrified now because the voice was Kaito's. He was heading the right way at least but if something or someone had hurt his brother, he knew from his books to approach quietly and not yell. It was so hard though, he knew he was crying but he pushed on.

"I know. It will be okay." Kaito was light enough she didn't mind carrying him right now. It wouldn't be for much longer. She ran her hand through his hair a few times, letting his cries die out into sleep. That would be perfect. She let him sleep as she kept on going, laying him down on the grass as the sunlight started to enter the forest. He turned over a little on his side but didn't wake. Hopefully the starving animals that had survived would get him quick enough. If not, maybe she'd tie him up if he returned. She inclined her head to him a moment, not wanting to cry. This is for the best, she thought as she headed back towards the house.

Saguru yawned again, never good with staying up at night. He heard something coming toward him and hid in a bush, shaking. He wanted his brother, badly, but he was worried too. He wiped his eyes and his breath caught when he saw mother coming through the woods... alone. Had Kaito been hurt and it was too bad? Why would she be alone? It made no sense. What about Kaito? He needed to see. Was he sick or something? And she wanted him to not know? Taking him away like that could only mean where his thought had gone to, as far as he was concerned.

He needed to see him, no matter what. If mother saw, after all this, he knew she'd take him away. He shivered, fighting the tears at that thought as she walked faster past his hiding place. He let out his breath and, trying to be brave and no longer that tired, he came out and continued toward where Kaito had to be. He saw him not to far away as the sun slipped though the branches and the smell he had caught a couple times was explained. Kaito's ankle had blood on it and he was so still. Saguru started crying now as he walked slowly over and dropped to his knees beside Kaito.

This wasn't fair. It wasn't. Saguru had no idea how to tell if he was alive but if mother left him here... Saguru shook his head, not wanting to think that. He knew to wrap up bloody injuries and used his new rope skill to tie his handkerchief to the ankle. His hands shook and he gave a small smile when Kaito shifted toward him. At least he really was still alive, maybe it would help. Saguru felt so tired suddenly, walking the entire way and his feet were killing him. He laid down next to Kaito, letting him hug him and cried himself to sleep.

Kaito was used to waking up hurting now and then. He'd fall off the bed a few times a week and he thought that was what he'd done again until he opened his eyes and memories came back. He noticed he was holding his brother, wherever he had come from, and that they were in a forest. It had to be near noontime with how bright it was, but it was hard to tell with the trees. He shook Saguru's shoulder, not knowing why they were here or what had happened. "Hey, wake up."

Saguru sniffed and blinked his eyes. He was mid-yawn when he realized Kaito was alive, awake and looking at him. He teared up and grabbed him, hugging him tight and trying to form words but all he could do was mumble.

Kaito was trapped by Saguru, making him have to lean closer to hear what his brother was saying. Apparently Saguru didn't know any more than he did. Confused and hungry, Kaito patted Saguru's back. "I'm fine, I think." He hadn't had a check up in a while, but that was because he wasn't sick. The new wound from him being half asleep that he'd walked into last night did get his attention and he saw his blood staining a cloth. He winced, feeling the pain from it more so that he was focusing on it, and winced. Those things really hurt. "Calm down."

Saguru took a few breaths and wiped his eyes before pulling away, looking at him and then his ankle. "Sorry. It was the best I could do. I think... I think mother thought you would die. I did."

Kaito had heard that some people did. He could very easily get sick because the metal was either coated with something or whatever it was that rusty metal did got to him. That was kind of depressing, but it wasn't like he knew he was sick or anything. He turned back to Saguru, his eyes wide. "What are you doing here?"

Saguru shook his head in exasperation but took a bite out of his anyway. He looked around, feeling nervous. They were really deep in, he was sure, but he had been to focused on following his mother and brother to pay attention to what direction they went in. He knew he should have but... "I'm sorry."

Kaito tipped his head to the side, confused, and stood up. It hurt to put weight on his foot but the longer that sat there being hungry, the longer until they got back home. "Okay... I don't know why. Come on, let's go home."

"But, we walked all night and I have no idea what way to go. I didn't think it would be this far when we started." Saguru stood anyway and eyed Kaito. "Do you need help?"

"You're my little brother. No way you're big enough to help me. Anyway, wherever I was bleeding is probably a bad place to be. I heard animals can smell blood. Which way did you come from? Do you remember that at least?"

Saguru nodded and pointed. He knew because it was the angle he had seen Kaito from. "That way. I followed mother's direction backwards when she passed me without you."

Kaito nodded and started off that way on a limp. "Come on then. Better go back there now when most of the animals are asleep."

Saguru hurried to where Kaito was before staying at his pace, still slowly eating his piece of bun. He wished that he had thought o bring more but it was just going to be for Kaito to hold him over through the night, not for them both to share through the day. "Do you think mother knows I left yet?"

"I don't know. I don't know where she was going. I didn't mean to get hurt last night." He probably screwed up whatever mom was planning.

"I heard you yell. I almost thought I lost you at that time."

"I'm sure mom wouldn't let anything happen to me. I was just tired and wasn't looking where I was going." Kaito tried to ignore the pain. It was hard though. That trap had teeth and he was starting to feel bad for the animals it was used on if not for the fact that he'd like to catch one and eat one right now.

Saguru swallowed the last bite of his bun and looked around again as they walked. He saw the bush he was sure he had hid in when mother went by and wondered something. "Do you think we could follow her tracks back? Like hunters follow animals? It should be easy enough, with shoes instead of different paw prints."

Kaito looked at the grass. There was no way it would be that easy unless it had rained the other day. They could really use some rain. "It might be hard. How do you find tracks in grass?"

"I think some say that broken or 'scuffed' grass show when something went by. It is worth a try. We already know she came this way so there has to be something here." Saguru hoped it worked because he was less sure about this kind of thing than others.

Kaito went to where Saguru had said she had come by, bending down and wincing for two reasons now. He didn't notice anything but the pain was distracting and he had to stand back up and get the weight off of his injured leg. "Ah, maybe you should look."

Saguru took a deep breath and crouched, trying to remember everything about tracking and looking for anything along the way. He thought he noticed some flattened patches and knowing Kaito needed help, went for it. "This way. Not all the grass is moving." He could do this, if he could not help Kaito walk, he would lead the way. He only realized now that he felt braver when Kaito was there. He could do this.

Kaito brushed Saguru off when he was trying to help him. His little brother was smaller and it would only make him hungrier the more energy he had to expend. Besides, he had to keep going to the ground to check the grass. Kaito was fine on his own and cheered him on, though as they kept walked it was getting harder and harder to put one foot in front of the other.

Saguru was not sure after a bit, biting his lip. Nothing nearby looked flat at all. He looked at Kaito and forced a smile. "You should sit for a bit while I check ahead for our path, her path, the path."

Kaito looked around. He was awake likely if they'd gotten far enough. He didn't recognize anything in the light though and realized he probably wouldn't. He was tired and it had been dark. "Maybe we should..." Kaito only needed that pause to take off his lightweight vest. He hadn't been able to change into his nightclothes and he always kept on a vest for the extra pockets in case he found something interesting. He put it in the grass where the trees weren't hiding it, the neck facing the way they had been going. "We should look for something to eat."

"I can do that. You know those bird sounds you can do, make those if you lose sight of me." Saguru held up a hand, knowing Kaito would usually argue. "I read enough books on identifying food, I can find something and you bring me back to you."

Kaito rolled his eyes. "The vest is for that. We should both look for food. I know you're as hungry as I am. If you can't find the vest, or if I can't, we can just yell. If someone hears us, great."

"People maybe but what if an animal finds us instead? Are you sure?"

Kaito nodded. "Most of the animals that would be after us only come out at night. You've seen me play in the forest before. Watch out for some of them, but they shouldn't go after you as long as you don't provoke them. And don't go near holes."

Saguru nodded. " Be careful with your foot too." He wished Kaito would stay off it, he always winced when he moved and had been walking slower too. He wished he knew more about treating injuries but that was usually their parents that did that.

Kaito nodded and went off to the left. He knew if he walked in a straight line from here that he'd be able to get back. It was going in a curve or a circle that could get him confused. "Just don't get lost."

Saguru wandered the other way, watching the ground as much as the trees and bushes now, looking for trampled grass or anything to eat. He headed back after awhile, knowing there was no food that way and when he saw the vest he started circling it in a wide arc, trying to find the trail again before Kaito got back and he had to admit he had lost the way.

Kaito didn't find anything. The leaves in the trees were bare of any fruit or berries and he didn't think he could get to them even if there were any. He ended up back at the start after traveling a way and giving up. He wasn't as hungry as he was hurt and he sat down by the tree, resting a bit.

Saguru had managed to fail even more at this than the cow milking. His only plus was an abandoned water pouch that had some water in it. he stopped himself from thinking about the 'why it was there' and went running toward the vest, spotting Kaito already there. "Here." He knelt and held it out, knowing sick and injured people needed it more.

Kaito's eyes widened. He had no idea where Saguru had gotten water. He held the pouch, seeing there wasn't much in it. "Where'd you get this?"

"Not far that way. There was nothing around, I looked, but we have something and if we find a stream, we can refill it." Saguru smiled brightly.

Kaito knew there was a river by the mountain but he wasn't sure if he was anywhere near that. The forest might have a small pond or something, which wouldn't be ideal but it was better than nothing. He nodded and took a sip, fighting hard to leave some. "Here." He handed it back, wishing they'd had dinner or something before all this had happened.

Saguru took a sip as well, loving the cooling feeling and longing for more but knowing it would not help. Looking down at the pouch he saw Kaito's ankle again. "You worked that loose. I could try to rewrap it, cut down on the blood more." He was sure it would hurt Kaito but it was better than nothing.

Kaito shook his head. "Leave it. I don't think I want to get up again." It hurt a lot and walking was too painful. Maybe if Saguru could find someone, or go find mom, that would work. He didn't think his little brother knew a lot about the woods though.

"OH, you should elevate it a bit I think. I'm not sure why but I remember when father's foot was hurt, the doctor came by and said to keep it up. It seemed to help him."

"And do what? Be stuck here all day? No way. We're trying to get out of here, not stay lost. You ready to go? I don't think there's any food around here. I'll look and you track."

"If that hurts too much you had better rest." Saguru knew there was no way he could carry him and it was better if he rested it for a little while but Kaito was too stubborn. He held the pouch out to Kaito. If he needed the last sip, it was his. Saguru turned and started toward where the pouch had been. Maybe together again, he could check further and find something about the person that dropped it.

Kaito rolled his eyes, getting to his knees and picking up his vest. He tied the pouch around where his shoulder connected to the inside so that he didn't have to hold it and started after Saguru on all fours. The rocks and twigs and stuff kind of hurt, but he'd done worse to himself and his leg didn't hurt so bad this way. "I'm holding this but I already drank half! The rest was yours! And don't you dare leave me behind!"

Saguru looked over his shoulder and frowned before rolling his eyes at Kaito crawling. He finally broke down and accepted the last of the water, swearing to himself Kaito would get first drink when they found water. The sun was almost gone and he finally shook his head. He sighed and sat down between a tree and some bushes to wait for Kaito. "Too dark to find any trace. I guess we wait until morning." He looked over at his brother and then at the ankle. "You can rest it on me."

Kaito laughed. "It's going to get cold." He waited until close enough before grabbing onto his shirt and snuggling close to him before they were even laying down. "I'd rather be warm tonight. We'll get home tomorrow."

Saguru nodded but slid one of his legs under Kaito's leg, hoping the little bit help. He was still scared but Kaito was like a big pillow and blanket in one. Warm and comforting.

Kaito winced, a few tears in his eyes. That really hurt. He was tired and really, really hungry though, and the darkness around them was a bit scary.

Akako had been wondering what strange thing was in the forest. She stopped near two young boys who looked like they were going to sleep right there on the ground. "What do you two think you're doing?"

Saguru sat up quickly at the voice, gripping Kaito's shirt and staring up at... the only thing was a witch. He knew the stories and Kaito couldn't run. He was terrified, she was pretty, in the way people said their mother was, but he was starting to think it meant they were bad. He could not even manage a scream, frozen there beside his brother.

Kaito was stuck, Saguru holding him too tight for him to move. He tired to back away on the ground but Saguru's leg under his reminded him moving would be stupid. Forced to stand his ground, his arm went over Saguru and he made sure she wasn't going to touch his brother. He'd heard only bad stories about witches, and this was clearly a witch. "Go away!" he shouted.

Akako had to straight up and laugh, hearing it echo around her even as she stopped. She smiled down at the two children, to young for her but almost old enough to be of use to her. "And if I did that, you'd die. You two look tired and hungry. Would you like to come to my house? I have some cake I just baked an hour or so ago."

Kaito blinked a few times, looking at the witch lady. She was offering them cake? Did she live near a town? He didn't think so. He would have heard of a town with a witch in it.

Saguru shied away a little but she sounded like she truly wanted to help them. Was that true? Maybe... "Are you... a nice witch?" Was there such a thing? Maybe nice ones hid so they were not made fun off or attacked.

"I'm nice enough and I really want to help you. Do you want to come with me or not? I can leave you both here but do you even know where you are?"

Saguru felt like an idiot already but that stung. "Can you prove it? Can you help my brother?"

"Prove I'm a witch? Wouldn't it be better for you if I wasn't?" Akako looked at the other boy, checking him over more. She barely saw that his leg was injured and not treated very well. She only needed one male, but she didn't think she'd get one without the other in this case. "I don't do healing magic."

"I meant prove you were nice. Any nice adult can help him, I have seen it and read about it, I just... " Saguru clenched his hands into fists.

Both boys looked filthy and she didn't want to pick up the bloody one. She sighed put her hands out. "Stand back then."

Saguru shifted, keeping a hand on Kaito's and watching closely. "Do- don't hurt him or... or else." It was lame and he could never hit a woman but maybe she would think he would.

"I'm aiming for the tree. Move more."

Saguru was really confused now. He thought she would check the injury and maybe wrap it better. He moved away from the tree to Kaito's other side. "What do you think?"

Kaito shrugged. "I'm hungry. At least we can get food. Why rescue us to poison us or something?"

Akako spoke a few words, the tree glowing slightly red as she worked her magic on it. A branch fell, startling the two boys. "There. It will only take you a foot or so off the ground, I don't have a broom to work with, but it will keep you off your foot until I can get you something from my house."

Kaito startled, staring at the branch. He looked back at Saguru. "So... what should we do?"

Saguru had no idea but Kaito had a point. Why would she help them just to hurt them. "Have her help you and if she is nice, she can get us home, if not, maybe you can run better with whatever she does."

Kaito nodded, standing up and doing all he could to keep his weight off his leg. He looked at the stick and then the witch, afraid it would spell him somehow. "What's the stick for?"

"Ride it, like a horse. It won't get you high or far but it's better then walking." Akako turned, her dark red cape catching the wind behind her. The boys wouldn't be able to get out of here on their own with the slight enchantment on the branch.

Kaito was unsure of how to go about this but he was hungry and thirsty and the older brother. He wouldn't let Saguru go hungry if there was a way to get food. He promised dad he'd take care of his brother, and he would. Stepping around the stick and trying to 'ride it like a horse', Kaito felt like an idiot. A second later he was grasping it tight and a foot further in the air than he had been before. His first thought was it was painful between the legs. His second thought he voice. "Wow."

Saguru had been beside Kaito when he suddenly went up. He was shocked enough to fall backwards on his butt, wincing from the pain from, had it only been two nights ago they'd been punished for the cow getting away? He stood carefully and reached out to touch the wood circling the entire thing. "This is... impossible."

"She's a real witch." Kaito was smiling a lot. It wasn't pleasant to be riding but it was really cool. Magic was cool. "If she is a good witch this will be awesome. Come on." Kaito lowered one of his hands. "Get on, before we lose her."

Saguru took his hand, feeling better about this since it was helping Kaito, or, at least, not having him hurt as much. He climbed on and made a face. "This is really uncomfortable."

"Yeah, I noticed that. Lean forward a bit." It was weird but Kaito didn't seem to have to steer this thing. It wouldn't really hurt if Saguru sat on his hands so long he didn't twist around.

Saguru shifted forward, blushing a little at the sudden cushion he had. "Kaito... ummm, thank you." He tightened his hands on the branch and looked toward where the witch woman had gone, wondering how to get it to follow her.

"Um, hiya? I don't know." Kaito tried to look around Saguru. "I don't read a lot of books. How do you get magic to work?"

Saguru had no idea but he had read about horses and they went by touch and voice commands. He had no idea how to shake a broom like reigns but he jerked the broom and tried to get it to move. "Go."

Kaito held on tighter as they were jerked forward, hoping Saguru had a better idea what he was doing then he did. He found he didn't really care though. He was in the air and this was fun. It was enough to make all the scary things not seem so important. "Weeee..." he said quietly behind Saguru.

Saguru held the branch tightly but raised his head. "No." He might be but Kaito needed help, more than he could give, and it was something at least.

Kaito wasn't going to say he wasn't afraid of witches but this one didn't scare him very much so he shook his head, not answering aloud since it would kind of be a lie and kind of not.

Akako laughed lightly behind one of her hands, leading them forward and towards her home. Because they were with her, they were able to find it. Only someone that she had already invited to her house could get to it. It was part of her spell to keep out those murderous naysayers. She swept her hand towards it not much later, showing off her abode. It was more of a joke house, really, but to two kids she figured it had to be one of the coolest things in the world.

Saguru's mouth dropped and he attempted to close it but the sight of a house made of sweets, some he had never seen for himself, made it hard. His stomach noticed it too and growled loudly. "That is amazing."

Kaito had to peek around his brother to see what he was seeing and quickly tried to get off and have a closer look. He had to nudge Saguru a bit to get him to get off first. "Come on, you're blocking my view."

Saguru quickly got down, not gracefully or easily but when he did, Kaito's reaction was worth it. He wanted to ask if it was actual sweets or just painted somehow to look like it was.

"Wow!" Kaito's eyes were wide. He didn't get sweets much, mostly because they weren't something they typically had money to spend on, but he had gotten some for his birthday and a few other holidays. He didn't care about his leg as he got off the stick, tripping a bit on the ground like Saguru had before half running, half limping over to the witch lady. "That is so cool! Why is your house made of candy!? Do you have candy?! I'm really hungry!"

"I have more than candy but if you want, feel free to eat what is obviously edible. The house is protected by magic, so it doesn't get dirty, and what ever you take gets replaced a short time later."

Kaito grinned, his hands fists as he bounced up and down with his one leg. "Can we eat it? Can we?" When it came to strange, new things, he always asked Saguru first.

Saguru knew the should have more than sweets but it was still food and he saw a few things he had only had once and Kaito bouncing, close to hurting his ankle more if he missed his footing, was enough to break his reservation. "Yes, lets."

"Yay!" Kaito ran towards the house, more wanting of food than afraid that something was going to zap him or something. He touched the siding on the house that had looked like paneling, making sure it really was food and not some trick. It was easy to snap off a piece and he tried it before Saguru could, finding something wheat-like and crunchy covered in white chocolate. It tasted awesome. "'on't 'ink it's 'ad."

Saguru pulled on a red and white striped pole, licking it and finding the mint taste really good. He shifted it to start sucking on it from one end while he looked around at the rest. "Mmmm. Thank you." He reached over and tugged off something that was small, red and spongy, popping it in his mouth and tasting a sweet... some kind of fruit maybe. He could not stop eating once he started, passing Kaito a few things he found tasty for him to try too.

Akako smiled at the two children. Truly this place was made for the young. It was also made to fool and confuse the old. What evil witch out there, after all, would live in a candy house? She let the two starving children eat, going inside and ordering a goblin, who had entered into her service when she was born, to make up some tea. After all those sweets the boys would be thirsty and she found herself a bit parched as well. She sat on a couch that felt like velvet and tasted like cherry for the two to finish and dare to come inside.

Kaito didn't have to stay standing to eat. Saguru was handing him bits of the house that were higher up anyway, and he found he could break the window easily by hitting it and was licking on the pane of frosted sugar between shoving other pieces of candy and dessert into his mouth. It didn't take all that long to get full, what with the speed they were eating. He smiled to Saguru. "For a minute there, back in the forest, I thought we might starve."

Saguru had not wanted to admit it and was glad it was not him that did so. "I will admit, this is better than mushrooms." He swallowed again and really wished there was water. He looked around and realized the only drinks would be inside and Kaito was still injured. "Are you thirsty too?"

Kaito nodded and tipped his head, but he couldn't really see into the house where the witch had gone. "Should we go inside? I know we followed her, but she's a stranger. We have food now, kind of."

"I know but your ankle is still hurt and we need water too. Once your ankle is a little better, we can leave. Father would help someone too, remember that lost boy last year? He trusted father before coming to the house." Saguru smiled and squeezed Kaito's hand. "If anything happens, or she acts funny, we leave right away."

Kaito nodded and stood up, accepting Saguru's help this time and going in the door with him. "Wow, it's candy on the inside too."

"If the house is all sweets, do you think something else comes from the pump instead of water?"

Kaito grinned. "Like what, chocolate milk?"

"Is anything not chocolate with you?" Saguru shook his head but did not hide the smile like he usually would.

Akako heard the children come in and sat back on the couch, one hand draped over the back. "Come, I have tea. I'm sure your thirsty. How long were you alone in the woods?"

Kaito was reminded again he couldn't run but he let go of Saguru and went over where the tea was. There were two comfy looking chairs so he didn't have to sit by the witch. He wondered if she had company a lot, what with the extra furniture. He took his cup and sat down. "Thanks. And umm, I don't know."

Saguru rolled his eyes. "Our mo- Umm, since yesterday evening, ma'am."

Akako nodded. "Not even a day yet and you already looked so hungry. If I left you there I don't think you would have gotten far. How about you stay with me until you're both able to travel? I don't mind the company and the house obviously doesn't need looking after. What do you say?"

Kaito looked at Saguru and shrugged. He could get his leg treated but he didn't really want to be walking on it come tomorrow. If she did something bad they could always just bolt like his brother had said.

Saguru nodded at Saguru and looked back at the woman. "That sounds alright." They needed to get back before father sent for them but that was still not for a week so Kaito could heal in that time.

"Good. I have two rules while you're here. Don't follow them and you won't like the consequences. The first, you may eat and drink whatever you like here. You are never allowed into my room though. It's in the basement, so that shouldn't be hard to remember. Second." Akako stood up and went over to both of them, snapping her fingers as a bracelet appear on both their wrists. "You may not leave unless I say you can, and even then I have to give you boundaries. I can't have others coming after me because they found out there was a witch in the woods."

Kaito thought the magic was still pretty cool but it was pretty scary as well. It was something he couldn't fight. He looked over the harmless-looking red band around his wrist, no clasp on it. He doubted he could cut it off if it were magical either but he tugged at it to test it out anyway.

Saguru looked at it and then up at her. "I would not go anywhere without my brother anyway." He shifted a little and let out a breath. "Besides, you are helping us, so why would we hurt you?"

"You're children and I'm a witch. Why would I believe you wouldn't? I'll be back. Your brother does need medicine for that wound and you've never given me your names."

Saguru blushed. "I guess because we never got your name... mine is Saguru."

"Kaito," Kaito spoke up. "And thanks, for helping us and giving us food and all."

"You're both welcome. Here I thought people didn't believe witches even had names. I'm glad to know there is some sense still about in your minds. My name is Akako. Make yourself at home."

"Thank you, Miss Akako." Saguru took another sip of tea and looked at Kaito. He had no idea what else to say but wondered how long it would take before the townsfolk realized they were gone.

"I bet mom's worried about us," Kaito said quietly. "She didn't even know you followed her, right? I hope she doesn't go looking for us and get lost."

Saguru clenched his hands tighter around the cup, feeling sick to his stomach at the fact that he did not care if she was. She had left Kaito, hurt and alone a full nights travel into the woods. He was going to tell father, that was for sure and maybe hope she had a really good reason, but since a witch was helping them and their mother had not helped Kaito, he did not think it mattered. "Maybe."

Kaito smiled when Saguru seemed worried too. "Forget what I said. Mom's smart. She wouldn't go looking for us in the forest alone. I'm sure she'll be really happy when we get back."

Saguru did not want to say more and just smiled back, nodding before taking another sip of his tea. Kaito would get better, then they would go home and figure out what mother was up too.