My eyes snap open, and with a groan, I sit up holding my head. I blearily gaze about the unfimilar room, my mind muddled with fatigue until a slew of images fly back at me. I feel my throat close up; turning my head, a small disappointed sound leaves my mouth when I gaze down at the empty space beside me.

I return to the squat house only to find that our things are being removed by other assassins. Kadar stands by the door, arms wrapped tight around his blanket, and expression worried. He looks up and runs to me, burying his face into the crook of my neck. "Where were you?" His voice is muffled, and his shoulders sag.

I bite my lip and wrap an arm around him, glancing up at the other assassins. Petting his dark hair, I place my chin on top of his head. "I'll...tell you later. What's happening?" Kadar pulls back, his brows furrowed as he glances at the movers.

"The Master is moving us to the fortress because-"

"-how's Azim?" Kadar sighs shakily and runs a hand through his hair; a small, barely noticeable smile quirks the edges of his lips.

"He'll be fine." I let go of the breath caught in my throat, nodding to myself; I turn and cross my arms over my chest. Kadar stands next to me, observing the assassins clearing our things from the house. "I have your journal."

I snap my gaze to my little brother, feeling a flush come to my face. The light of mischief glints in Kadar's eyes again, and I'm secretly grateful even as a sputtered reprimand tumbles out of my mouth. My younger brother giggles softly, blinking away the few tears that try to fall over his lids; he takes the leather bound book out from under his blanket and offers it to me with a small smile. "I-I looked through your drawings."

I snatch the book away, feeling my face burn brighter, knowing there were some sketches I didn't want Kadar to see. Ever. "Please don't do that again." I mumble, hugging my journal close to my body.

Kadar looks down at his feet, pushing a rock over with the toe of his boot. "I'm sorry, brother, I just-just wanted to see him again." I swallow thickly, but take Kadar's hand in my own. I give the smaller appendage a gentle squeeze.

"I'm going to leave the order." Azim lets out a long sigh, dark eyes glancing from between Kadar and I before they drop to his bandage covered hands.

My fingers clench around the bed's blanket, and my eyebrows furrow. Kadar bites his lip and glances at me before opening his mouth. "But...why, Azim?"

The once-assassin pauses, lightly touching the thick gauze winding around his stomach. "I've lost too many people I love to this life." I let go of the blanket and hug my arms around me; I look away from the older man, swallowing down a snippy retort. This man has lost someone he loved, just like us. Azim sucks in a breath; his hands tighten around each other, and he looks at my brother and I fully. "I'm also...going to ask the Master if I can adopt both of you."

Kadar gapes, his blue eyes wide while my mouth drops. "W-what?"

Azim looks sheepish, resting his hands on his lap palms up. "I don't have a house, so you'd still be living in the fortress...but you two would have the room connecting to my own." The older man looks up, gaze pleading. All I can see is a man who's lost everything, and this causes my heart to throb painfully in my chest. "I don't have any children of my own...and I would like for you to be my sons..."

Kadar is the first of us to act; he launches himself at the man, tightly hugging Azim while tears run down his face. His sobbing muffles any answer he might have given, so Azim looks to me for help.

I clear my throat of any tears and shift from one foot to the other. I clasp my hands behind my back and give a curt nod toward the older man, "Th-thank you."

Filler chapter -grumble- BUT the good stuff is to come in the next one. :D

ALSO I was very honoured to recieve FAN ART, and I would love for you guys to check it out! http:/ ilikebirdies . deviantar t. com /art/ Will-you-miss-me- 170110014 just take out the spaces!