Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, only the plot.

Beta'ed by: MysteryPT

I had planned to update this so much earlier (like 3 weeks ago LOL) but after checking my plan, I was supposed to have written this part in chapter 10. So I had to write a long chapter...so enjoy! This one is almost 2 chapters long XD

Chapter 11: Unexpected Reunion

The sky was clear; a nice day to enjoy the breeze, Frau sadly thought. It was a nice change to see Teito excited. If not for the condition. They were at war and literally joining in the middle of the fray. Much as he hated ruining the boy's enthusiasm, Frau wouldn't want the boy to get hurt again.

"Glad you seem to like the scene, but I'd appreciate it much if you would stop protruding too much. It's dangerous, Teito."

Teito looked back at him, eyes pleading. If not for the bad situation, Frau would probably fell for those puppy eyes. But he remembered; thus hardening his gaze.

Knowing there wasn't much he could do to change the King's mind, the boy gave up with a huff. Smaller frame rounded his body into the corner, trying his best to ignore Frau. That in itself was cute and entertaining enough for the King. Sadly, it didn't work both ways.

Frau averted his eyes back at the paper he was reading. This war had becoming more and more confusing. No matter how many times he read these papers, they made no sense. Frau knew Krom. They pledged to stop the war when they were crowned. But the investigations submitted to him pointed that Krom initiated this pointless war.

Headache threatened to invade and Frau couldn't resist to massage his temple. Still, it was his job to verify what was written in the papers. So, despite the pain, Frau persisted.

As the sun hung higher above, Frau finally stopped. He couldn't handle reading anymore of these papers. He might have to trick Castor into reading them for him instead. With a smile twisting his lips, Frau looked up to his companion.

Teito looked uncomfortable in his sleep. It took long enough for Frau to notice that the boy had been moaning softly. With his eyes closed and hair covering his face, it was hard to realize.

Papers left in the stack beside his seat, Frau kneeled closer toward the boy. His breath became erratic as the moan grew louder. This time Frau could make out some words. Ouka. The girl in the tower, as Teito mentioned before.

"Teito?" Frau shook his shoulder gently. "Teito, you okay?"

The boy stirred but never woke up. Before Frau could try once again to wake him, all of a sudden, he screamed and thrashed. His feet flew to Frau's side. The King grunted in pain, then struggled to hold the boy in his seat. With his bigger and stronger frame, halting Teito was a cinch.

Teito never ceased struggling. It was time to wake him, forcefully, Frau thought urgently.

Hard slap stung the boy awake. His eyes opened with a snap. Those green orbs were frantic and fearful as he looked around for any leftover of the dream.

"Teito?"

Green eyes landed on Frau's concerned face. He took a moment to inhale and release shuddering breath. Eyes returned to his calm green.

"Are you alright, Teito?" He was probably good enough, the King thought. He then released his iron grip and retracted his hands. But Teito halted the attempt, holding his inner arms by his much smaller hands.

"Don't," he pleaded. His voice hoarse from screaming. "Please..."

Of all things he wanted to do to this boy, to think that this boy would approach him so willingly... surprised was an understatement.

Teito shivered lightly and tensed until he finally let go of the tension. Frau felt his body relaxed and dropped his head to Frau's shoulder. His breath was warm and caressing his ear and neck. That stirred something inside him, but Frau didn't dare to move.

He waited, patiently. And he wasn't even a patient man. Teito finally stirred. Inhaling and exhaling deep breaths. Brown head raised and green stared directly, determined into his eyes.

"I'm alright now. Thank you, Frau."

That was Frau's cue to let go and put a distance. Too close proximity didn't do well for his heart. It was a good thing that he was trained to put up a front and got so good at it.

"Bad dream?"

Teito wearily watched the King took his seat and crossed his long legs. When Frau silently waited for his response, Teito nodded. His dream was so vivid, it was hard not to remember it to the smallest detail.

"I dreamed of Ouka."

Frau nodded knowingly. "I heard you called her name in your sleep."

"Mm..." was all the boy's response. After that, there was a stretching silence and the sound of wooden wheels turning. Teito didn't bother to clarify and Frau didn't want to push. So they both ended up immersed in their own thoughts.

Red lines marred the sky, casting red and orange hue across blue and white. It was a very long ride, but they had finally arrived. Frau grunted, holding himself from rubbing his bottom. Instead, he satisfied his need by stretching his arms and neck. They gave him loud cracks and he felt better already. Beside him, Teito followed suit.

"I'm sore," the boy complained.

"The feeling's mutual, kid." The King patted his head, ignoring the glare, then walk away to the tent where Castor and his others Generals had been waiting.

The tent opened with a loud flap. The occupants looked up from the map on the table toward him. In response to their automatic salute, Frau waved casually.

"At ease," he said, approaching the middle seat; the chair reserved to him. "Brief me on the situation."

Kal, one of his General with raven hair took a marker and drawn a circle to a spot on the map. Frau analyzed the drawing, remembering familiar landscapes. It was not hard to trigger his imagination. He sneaked out far too often–places and landmarks were practically imprinted in his head.

The circle Kal drawn was located nearby their camp, toward the neutral wasteland; the land marking of the two kingdoms' territory. To the north of the red circle was a small statue. Raggs army camp, he presumed.

Plans began to form in his head, taking measures of the land, success rate and provisions. One after another they discussed the strategy until finally only one was left. The best option they could formulate.

Day was late when Frau exited the tent together with his two friends in tow. He had become so accustomed with people serving his every needs that he completely forgotten that a certain boy was not born a royal. Frau had just made a big mistake by leaving the boy alone.

Teito was sitting, back rested on a dried tree trunk. His knees were drawn close to his chest and chin rested on top of his folded arms. With long strides, Frau approached the boy. His green eyes were unfocused and half-lidded from drowsiness.

"Teito," he shook the boy's lithe form. "Kid. Don't sleep here, you'll get sick. Why did you leave him here?" the King turned to a passing soldier.

The young soldier sputtered nervously, saluting and pulling his shirt down. "Sir! We have proposed to take him to rest at our tent but he refused, saying you hadn't allowed him to do anything as the place owner."

"Place owner?" repeated the king with a deep frown. Whatever that mean.

Behind him, Castor and Labrador suppressed their laugh, satisfying the need by chuckling. "You're the one who brought him back. I guess he regarded you as the owner of this place."

"Stupid kid," he muttered grumpily. Not that he was seriously angry at the boy. It was partially his fault as well for not noticing. He thought every person around him would've understood that their needs would be fulfilled without the need to ask.

But Teito was different. His life was spent in the tower, just the two of them. Common sense was a far away thing to him. Not that Frau's life was anything close to normalcy. Being born a King was in fact a rarity. And talking about rare, both of them could be said extraordinarily lucky...or unlucky, depending on the point of view.

Frau gently scoop Teito into his arms, intending to take the boy into his tent. His attendants should have erected his temporary living quarter. In his arm, Teito blinked blearily.

"Where are you taking me?"

The man smiled at the lazy tone. "Sleep, silly brat."

Frau didn't know if the boy heard him or not. He looked so tired already but stubbornly refused to sleep peacefully. As if he was afraid. But in Frau's arm, he finally breathed slowly, evenly. A sign of a peaceful sleep.

Dawn had yet to break when loud trumpet was sounded. Frau hurriedly scrambled into his thick black colored armor. The noise was unavoidable with metals clinking against each other on his body. The King felt a little bit guilt when the small bundle on his bed stirred restlessly. He finished donning his armor with a final click to his left boot, and turned just in time with the boy's awakening.

"You're going somewhere?" The boy rubbed his eyes and then looked around, confused. "Where is this place?"

"You fell asleep outside so I brought you in. Be grateful, brat."

When Frau first brought Teito back, the boy knew many words but they were polite usage. Calling him 'brat' had always been Frau's personal entertainment. Teito often looked confused, but seemed like he had learned the meaning. That, too, was amusing.

"Are you going out again?"

Frau froze. Was that his own delusion or Teito sounded like he was...lonely? He would gladly bring the boy with him, if not for the dire situation. War wasn't something he would like to show to a boy. Especially one as innocent and ignorant as Teito.

"To tell you the truth, Teito, I wasn't planning on bringing you out here," Frau started a bit too hastily. Upon looking the look of hurt across that youthful face, Frau bit his lips down in guilt. "It's war, Teito. It's not something I want to show you. It's not beautiful flower and scenery. You'll see me as a death god as they so called me."

"If that is so, then why did you bring me here?"

That, was a question he wanted so much to evade. Frau persuaded himself that he simply wish the boy close because he was too precious and dangerous to be left alone. But was that really all? Ever since they met, Frau felt the constant tugging. And because of that, he couldn't leave the boy alone. Especially after the attempt on his life.

"I-I guess that's just selfishness on my part. You are my responsibility and I can't trust my ministers enough to not do you any harm."

"That is a very sad and lonely life you led, Frau."

The King gave him a small smile. It was nothing but a slight tug of his lips, but his eyes were so full of sadness, it made Teito's heart ached as well.

"That is the life of a ruler, boy."

Teito followed Frau's back until the cover obstructed him from the boy's eyes. Just what was this strange feeling, the boy mused. His heart hurt more than his body. This was the first time he felt like this. He wanted to become Frau's strength. He wanted his trust. And no matter what people said about him, no matter how dirtied he was by blood, Teito would never avoid him.

The thought fueled him. He couldn't stay here and do nothing. He had to see for himself what the King meant for him and his life. Determined, Teito jumped out of the bed and donned himself with a set of clean clothing. Slipping out was easy since most of the soldiers would never suspect him. The hard one was to decide the timing.

Plan began to form in his mind as he prepared himself to slip away from the tent.

It was a very bright early in the morning, but strange how the weather turned around in such a very short time. Frau's frown deepen when trickles of water began to hit his face. It never turned into a heavy rain, but disturbing enough because the air was heavy and damp.

The King halted his army a few feet behind the line separating Raggs and Barsburg. The wind finally blew slightly, taking away the stale air. As they stopped and waited under the cloudy sky, Frau heard a familiar sound of galloping and armor boots hitting the hard sand.

Leading the other party was a man with pale purple hair. A very familiar face, Frau added begrudgingly. As if to remind the King of his humiliation, his last wound throbbed.

"How very nice to finally meet you, third prince of Raggs; Krowell." The blonde King greeted. Sarcasm didn't fail to make its appearance.

With equally sarcastic grin, Krowell responded, "The pleasure is mine, King of Barsburg. I heard you were wounded in some...unfortunate accident. Are you well now?"

If Castor didn't know the King better, he might have thought they were civilly conversing. While angry vein popped out on his temple already. Poison dripped between each exchange.

"You heard right, princeling. Fortunately, my attacker was rather weak so the wound wasn't that bad."

This time, Castor smiled as haughty grin disappeared from Krowell's lips. A tight line indicating his anger replaced it soon.
Krowell's tone suddenly turned serious as he urged his horse to walk closer to the borderline. Frau did the same, ignoring his soldier's surprise gasps.

"I heard that you have picked up some kid. Apparently that kid is mine. Would you mind giving him back, King?"

With a raise of eyebrow, Frau replied, "I do not see your name in any part of his body. I can't give him back to you, Prince."

"Well then, I guess I should take him by force," the pale-skinned prince draw the golden sword with exquisite carving from his right. "You left me no choice, Zehel."

Frau drew his own sword, voice lowered to a vicious whisper, "Don't call me by that name, Krowell. And I won't ever hand you the boy!"

The wind blew harder, almost a burst, signaling the movement. With a swift wave, Frau stroke his sword, defending his body from Krowell's hit. It was heavier than any blow he had ever received. That simply shown how strong his opponent was.

Strikes by strikes landed. Sometimes they missed, some other times the swords cut their skins. But never once a fatal blow was landed. Nor did they order their soldiers to attack. They knew- deep down - that this war was wrong. Both wished about peace. While they were in fact fighting was not for this stupid war.

Teito was important for both of them. Krowell convinced himself that his feeling for wanting Teito was simply his power-thirsty mind speaking. Meanwhile Frau owed the boy his life. It may be that debt that moved him. However, they had, in fact, began to developed feeling much deeper than awe or gratefulness.

Maybe they weren't supposed to meet at all. If both of them never found that tower, this fight would never happen. Still, there was no guarantee that the war might not happen. Not if the report from Castor was right. Someone was pulling the string in the shadow.

Anyway, he needed to focus right now. Krowell might not take his life yet, but didn't mean that he wouldn't take a limb or two.

Blocking another slash, Frau jumped a step back. He needed to correct his posture and renewing his stance. However, Krowell took that chance and pierced forward. It was as if the world suddenly moved in a slow motion to him. Frau watched helplessly as the point of Krowell's blade pierced his left side.

Frau hated to sound weak. Weakness in his position meant disaster. Political enemies were everywhere around him so allowing anyone to see or hear from him any kind of hurt was absolutely forbidden. Exception to his two friends, of course. And Teito. Just this one time he didn't manage in time to steel against the pain. Pained gasp escaped and he stumbled backward, clutching the hole on his side. Blood oozed out from between his fingers. Before Krowell moved back, Frau landed a deep stab to his thigh, earning similar pained voice from the prince.

Both of them were panting heavily and knelt, eyes never left from each other all the time. Silence surrounded their ears. The rest of the soldiers watched in awe and fear for both of their leaders' remarkable skill and fight. Their skills were obviously too far above every body else. They had heard that often, but to see the two prodigy fought for real was something extraordinary.

"Y-you're one annoying brat!" the King wheezed with effort. His side was throbbing and his vision blurred slightly.

With equally heavy pant, Krowell remarked the King with sarcasm, "We're about the same age, foolish King!"

"I won't hand him over to you."

"He's mine!" Anger and possessiveness fueled the prince with a new strength. This time, his strike would be true. Once again, Krowell flew toward Frau, blade ready to pierce the King in heart. This time, Teito would be his!

*****
Walking, no- trekking across the mountain was not something he often did. Never, in fact. In his whole sixteen years of life was spent in that tower. Though Teito definitely had trained his legs to climb it up and down everyday, natural staircase wasn't exactly friendly. The ground was uneven and often slippery. He had fell several times and branches scratched his face. He would have given up, seeing as he was actually lost, if not for the uneasiness in his chest. He had been feeling weird since a moment ago. Something bad was about to happen, he knew, and somehow, his feet brought him to the right path. So he only had to follow his instinct.

Slowly, the trees were thinning, leaving only several thin trunks randomly. Teito ran with hope and fear in his heart. For once, he prayed so hard. Frau's face kept flashing in his head, alarming him of something.

His feet brought him to the end of the slope. Soldiers with steel armors stood closely to one another in organized lines. They didn't fight. Not yet. Maybe never. Their attention was elsewhere, to the middle circle where two men were engaged in deathly dance. Their blade glistened under the sun and Teito could see clearly the lines of red marring their swords.

The two men stopped temporarily but not for long. Ayanami lunged forward, ready to kill his King.

His King?

Confusion rendered him immobile for a few second before finally he snapped. He wouldn't let Frau killed! They were both precious to him. Why did they fight this pointless battle?

"Stop!" he screamed. His power unconsciously flew him down into the circle, between Frau and Ayanami. But he was too late. Ayanami couldn't stop the blade from inching closer, not to Frau, but to him who shielded the King.

Maybe it was reflex. Maybe not. Maybe both. He couldn't think. He watched the tip of Ayanami's deathly blade as it was about to strike him. He couldn't close his eyes. He froze in fear.

"Teito!"

He heard Frau. His scream was desperate, horrified. His left arm was grabbed in tight grip and he was pulled back in a strong force. Everything seemed to fall apart in that moment. Frau twisted his body, in turn shielding Teito away from the assault.

It was probably the first time he felt such rage coursing through him. His vision turned black the moment Ayanami's blade made a hole in Frau's back and through from his abdomen. Red slipped away from his hands, soaking the Earth. Frau's blood. That was the last thing in his mind before everything went awry.

Krowell was in dilemma. He really wished to feel awe seeing such power displayed before him. Instead, he felt hurt. After all, Teito's power was unleashed not for him. Zehel's sacrifice triggered this...immense power. Did that mean that Teito had chosen the King of Barsburg over him?

Teito's body was slowly engulfed in fire. His eyes turned red respectively. Just before his whole body was swallowed by the storm of fire, he pushed Zehel aside. He retained enough sanity to realize that the King may not be as fire-proof as Teito did.

Krowell could only watched helplessly as the boy disappear into the flame and the very tower of flame rose higher and thicker. He might not feel this much of condemn if they both stayed out of the fire. Zehel thought otherwise.

It was astonishing and bothering at the same time; Zehel rose to his feet despite having holes in two part of his body. Blood streamed down, pooling beneath his slouching body. Krowell could see how much in pain the King was. Still he persisted – uncaring and determined – he ran to the wall of fire.

That was one moment he felt the bitter taste of defeat.

*****
Frau didn't know what made him did such stupid thing. All he knew was that he needed to help Teito. When Krowell made a hole into his abdomen, he heard Teito's cries. It sounded so painful, so hurtful, Frau felt the urge to ease him. And so he jumped into the column of fire, completely uncaring for his wound.

He was human. A mere human with no power whatsoever...maybe a little bit of Zaiphon. But in face of a power this great, his meager amount of Zaiphon could only protect him a little against the burn. The heat was unbearable and his back throbbed. Putrid smell of burned flesh almost made him throw up. His back was burning.

"Teito!" He called, hoping for a miracle. That never happened. Never to him. But he persistenly prayed for whoever God above who heard his plea. And for once, his prayer was answered.

Teito didn't regain his consciousness but it seemed to him that Mikhail did something. For just a moment Teito's gaze met his and a smile appeared. He was sure it was Mikhail for his lips were saying, "Take care of him."

Frau barely made it when the column disappeared as fast as its appearance. Just a few meters in front of him, Teito stood swaying. His eyes slowly shifted from red to forest green. As soon as Frau saw that, he caught the boy before his head hit the hard ground. It wouldn't be good if his head was injured.

Frankly speaking, Frau himself had felt his limit approaching. He fell into his knees with Teito wrapped safely in his protective arms. Then, he casted a quick glance to Castor, notifying with his eyes. He wasn't disappointed when Castor immediately picked up the clue and ordered the soldiers to put a man-wall, shielding him from the enemy.

"Far from that," he hoarsely spoke and coughed some smoke and dust. His eyes stung but more than that, his whole body throbbed painfully. Instinctively, the King gathered Teito closer. His consciousness was drifting. "Put him close to me, Castor." He managed to whisper before succumbing to the pain.

Frau never managed to catch Castor's response, but he knew, even without hearing it, Castor would understand what Frau wanted. They were friends for too long with Castor always knew what he needed. For the umpteenth time he thanked his best friend mentally.

He was supposed to feel cold. He always did after letting his power ran amok. Strangely, he felt only warmth and comfortable heaviness warping him close.

Opening his eyes, Teito's eyes unfocused for a while as he took in the blurry scene of leather ceiling.
"Where..." he groaned. His head was pounding and heavy as lead.

With his elbow supporting his weight, Teito pushed his body up. It was heavy as his elbow were weak. He sank back into the bed, exhausted. He couldn't gather his strength, and...there was a weight on top of his chest, preventing him to roll over.

Tilting his head slightly, Teito looked down to his chest to find an arm laid lifeless across his chest. And to his side, Frau slept restlessly with his back facing the ceiling. His face often contorted in pain and his breathing was short and heavy.

Seeing the King in that state, memories rushed back into him, filling his mind with pain and anger. He had caused this. He had harmed Frau with his power. The deepest fear he had had finally came true. Unaware, Teito felt salty drop of tears wet his lips and he chocked back a sob. His body trembled as he raised his hands to prevent the noise from slipping. He felt so bad; so disappointed at himself.

Unable to bear his shame, Teito squeezed his eyes closed; letting the tears of regret slide across his cheek and wet the sheet. He hadn't counted the time spent for him to lament; only when the weight was lifted from his chest and a soft caress to his wet cheek that he finally opened his eyes.

Blue eyes softly smiled; silently asking him the reason for his tears.

"I'm sorry," was all he could reply before letting his emotion took hold again.

Frau was strong. Both mentally and physically. So much stronger than Teito could ever be. Even with his face contorted in deep pain, Frau managed to shift slightly; bringing his body up a little bit, and towering over Teito for a while. His smile was kind and caring.

They need no words. Their eyes conveyed so many emotions. Too many, in fact, to be said aloud. Just when Teito thought Frau was about to reach his physical limit, the King's face descended down. Their lips brushed. It was not a lustful kiss. Just a simple affection. Care.

"You're worrying too much, brat." The King's whisper was nothing but weak but they resounded so strongly inside Teito. Finally succumbing to the weakness, Frau fell face first to the pillow, but with his remaining strength, Frau drew the boy closer, enveloping him with his arms. Protecting him.

Teito didn't think about the kiss or their pain this time. Being held so close to the King brought peace to his mind. And they both fell asleep again, drawing affectionate smile from both Castor and Labrador who came in later.

"Will you stop fretting, Teito," a blonde boy roughly Teito's age said with a cheery laugh.

Teito stopped in his pacing and turned to face the blonde with unhidden scowl. The boy – Mikage – ruffled his head affectionately and then pulled him down to sit beside him.

The tree they sat under was enermous and lush. Its branches grew in every direction and thicker than Teito's arms. Fallen leaves danced with the wind until they fell around them. And the day was warm. It was a perfect day and they should've started with a good mood. Instead, Teito was pacing restlessly. The reason, was obvious.

A little while after Frau regained consciousness, Labrador shooed him away; saying Frau needed his rest despite being the latter who grabbed and refused to let Teito go. The boy was hesitant to go as well. It took Labrador's meanest glare – which was actually very far from menacing – to finally drive Teito away. Even then, so much for Labrador's headache, Teito decided to sit and scowled right outside the door.

After half a day of that, Castor finally came to Labrador's rescue. And his solution was another being named Mikage. Yes, this human here who was overly cheerful and seemingly like had no burden on his shoulder; He was the very embodiment of positiveness. It was not a bad thing though, for most of the times, he could pull Teito away from dark thoughts.

Being with Mikage was fun and very different from when he was with Frau or Ayanami. Mikage didn't make his heart race. Mikage didn't make him blush. Mikage didn't make him conscious of their short distance; even when the blonde put his forehead to his. He felt slightly embarrassed of the close proximity, of course, but not enough to make him fluster and panic.

"Hey, Mikage," called Teito. The blonde boy tilted his head slightly with a warm smile, prompting Teito to continue.

"...planting your lips to other's, that is called kissing, right?"

Mikage coughed violently, choked. "W-what...why are you asking that?"

Teito gave him a confused look. "You look flustered."

"Of course I am! So what do you want to know about that?"

"...will you kiss me?"

At the words, Mikage turned to a completely different shade. It was gone in a flash though and Mikage turned to face him. His shoulders were held in iron grip. "That, Teito, is something you can only – I repeat, ONLY – do to someone you really love."

Teito seemed to consider his words for a while; then he finally raised his head and meet Mikage's eyes. "How do you identify love?"

"That is a very hard question...but for me, love means to care about someone deeply, to want to protect him, to feel that this person is very dear to you and a world to you." Mikage answered with a gentle smile.

"Someone told me before, a kiss is a vow to your beloved that you, your soul and body, belonged to him and only him."

"You can interpret it that way. It must work both ways though."

"Meaning?"

Affectionately, Mikage ruffled Teito's hair. "If someone kissed you, showing that you are his everything, but you don't feel the same – the same urge to kiss him back – then you have to reject that person."

"...i-if I feel fluttered in my stomach?"

Mikage thought for a second, then replied the brunette with another question, "Do you hate it then?"

Teito shook his head vigorously. "No! I don't. I felt...weird. My stomach fluttered, my chest warmed, and I can't help but shaking."

This boy here was truly innocent, Mikage thought to himself. He knew nothing of the world and was so pure still. Seeing him confused about his own reaction brought a smile to Mikage's lips.

"Hey, Teito, if you don't mind me asking, did the King kissed you by any chance?"

Mikage laughed out loud when Teito turned red from embarrassment. "How did you guess?" he asked with small voice?

The blonde had to wait a full minute until his laughed ceased slightly. Teito's reaction was so cute, he couldn't help but tease the boy. And...he was so easy to figure.

"Lets just say that I'm a very observant. Anyway, is he the only person ever to kiss you?"

"No," the brunette hesitated. "The person who taught me the meaning of a kiss did it once."

"...okay...so, did you feel anything toward that person?"

"Anything like what?"

Teito was confused. The emotions he felt with just a kiss was simply too strong and too much to identify properly.
Sensing his confusion, Mikage helpfully explained, "This weird feeling you mentioned, the flutter, racing heart, did you feel that with this person?"

"I don't. I did feel weird shiver to my spine. It wasn't unpleasant, but that was it."

Smiling still, Mikage continued, "Then, think about when the King kissed you. How is it different from the other person's kiss? Do you want to kiss any of them back?" Teito's frown deepen and he nearly answered. Mikage halted his effort before any careless words were thrown. "No, Teito. Don't answer right now. You have to think clearly and thoroughly since this is a very important matter."

"...I see..." the other boy nodded and for the first time today, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Thank you, Mikage."

By the end of the day Teito had finally realized, he had just made his first real friend.

'I should thank Castor-san and Labrador-san for introducing Mikage.' He thought with gentle wind blown softly to soothe his pained heart.