((AN: Okay I'm sorry for not updating for a while guys. A lot of stuff is going on now and I got a little distracted writing B3. I'm flattered you guys are excited for new chapters and this story has gotten more popular than I expected lol. xD But thank you for the reviews and thank you for reading! I appreciate it. And I know some of you guys read chapter 11 so I suppose I should thank you for supporting us. My partner reads my updates and reviews and when she saw that she was very excited so I personally thank you guys for being understanding people. c: Anyway, without further ado, read on!))

"The winds sweep away souls, and people snatch away hearts.

Oh earth, oh rain and wind, oh sky, oh light,

please harbor everything in this place.

Please harbor everything in this place,

and thrive in this place.

Oh souls, oh hearts, oh love, oh yearnings,

please return to this place,

and abide here forever."

His voice really was beautiful… I have no doubt that he could be an amazing actor or singer. After that night we started hanging out more and more; nearly every day. The more we saw each other, the more my feelings grew. I thought about him every day whether we were together or apart. It had been 14 days exactly since that night. I kept track because I could never forget it. A lot of things have happened since that night. I found out my Foster father was taken in by police for drug possession. I'm not sure what else is going on, Yuffie didn't tell me any more than that. I think something else is wrong too. She's home more but she still doesn't say much. I wonder when my "father" will be back. It's strange not seeing him around.

Right now I'm pacing up and down my street, it's 5am on a Sunday morning. Rat said he was going to meet me tonight… He usually comes over somewhere between four and six. I've been waiting for almost an hour. Where could he be?

"Shion…! Shion!" I heard a faint voice yell. I looked behind me and saw Rat jogging up my block. He didn't look so good. His pants were ripped and he was all dirty. He ran up to me and slumped over, trying to catch his breath. "Shion… We need… To talk…" He said in between breaths.

"Okay…" I said, confused. "About what?"

"... Us." He stood up tall and wiped some dirt from his face.

My eyes widened. What did he mean "us"? I stayed cautious. I didn't want to cry in front of him if he decided to abandon our friendship. I'd understand, but I don't know if I'd be able to get over him. I've never liked someone so much before.

"... Go on?"

"I need to ask you a serious question." Rat stepped closer to me and gently stroked my hair.

"Yes?" My cheeks tinged pink.

"Do you love me? Truely love me?"

I searched his face for a sign. Was this a joke? He better not be using this as an excuse to tease me. He sounded rushed when he was talking. I wonder what was wrong?

"... Yes."

He smiled and pet my cheek with his thumb. "Good." He leaned forward and kissed me. I flinched because of the suddenness. I slowly relaxed into the kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed back.

He pulled away from my lips and before I had a chance to complain he spoke.

"Run away with me Shion."

"... What?" My eyebrows creased in confusion.

"You heard me. Run away with me, Shion." He leaned towards me ear and whispered. "Come with me."

"Rat… I-I dunno…" I looked down at the ground and blushed. That's a weird way to put it.

"Please? You said you wanted out of here right? I know a way to get us out of here, let's just go. Pack your stuff."

"Where will we go?"

"I know a place just trust me." He gave me puppy dog eyes. I didn't know if it was intentional or not, but he begged me with those glossy, bright, big silver eyes of his. I didn't want to admit it, but he was wearing down my resistance.

"... Okay." I agreed eventually.

Rat grinned. "Yes! Alright, go pack your stuff. I gotta go. I'll meet you back here in less than an hour. Bye!" He waved and started running in the direction of downtown. I started to wave back before I remembered something from our conversation.

I frowned. "Hey!"

He paused and turned in his tracks. "Yeah?" He yelled back at me.

"... Don't you love me too?" Rat looked blank faced for a second. Then he smiled a big white toothy smile.

"I love you, Shion!" He shouted. My face flushed red. Those aren't the kinds of things you're supposed to shout to other people.

"Hurry up!" I yelled as he continued running. I watched him disappear into the distance.

When he was out of sight, I sighed and walked myself back to my house. I climbed up the siding and hopped through my window. I searched around for a bag. Hmm… I wonder if there's any in my foster parents' room? I never had a use for any bag besides my school bag but that wouldn't fit very many clothes in it. Yuffie traveled, I bet she had a suitcase or something I could use. I made sure to walk quietly across the floorboards, just in case Yuffie was still sleeping. I carefully pushed the creaky door open and peered inside. I gasped in horror of what was in front of me, accidentally pushing the door too hard. It banged against the wall and I saw horrible dark eyes piercing into mine. I saw a greasy smile appear and large sweaty arms push his fat body from the bed.

"Did you miss your daddy, Shion?"

My foster father.