Hey everyone, thanks for waiting! Looking how things are, I can say that Neil's secret can be out soon. Hopefully you guys won't be bored waiting!

Now, enjoy this chapter ^^

Neil walked back to the town, clearly bothered by the words Vaughn had left him with. Vaughn wasn't the kind who would give an empty bark; he bit.

The blond man remembered one of his conversations with Hana. It happened when he was still very new to the town; Hana had been the one taking care of him as if he was her own grandson. She told him her real identity, even showed him the tapestry. It was a tapestry consisted wholly of red strings, but each string was of a different shade of red. He didn't know how it could be possible—how they were all red and yet different—but it happened. She pointed at one particular thread and told him that it was his.

We are all a part of the bigger picture, she had said back then.

He remembered that among all other strings connected to him, there was one particular string that caught his eye. It had joined with his string just in one stitch, but then came again after a few skips.

One encounter that leads to more, she told him. Whose string this is, I cannot tell. How the two of you will meet again is a secret not even I have the privilege to.

He could tell now that string must have belonged to Reine; it could only be hers.

If only he could know whether this would lead to…

"Neil?"

He perked up at the call of his name and the pinkette stood before him, her usually harsh green eyes emitted gentle concern he wasn't—but was willing to get—used to. Her name rolled on his tongue easily.

"Reine…"

"Something botherin' you?"

He looked at the sky; it was a bright autumn day with only thin clouds visible. "Are you free now?" he asked.

"Right now?" she asked back. "Yeah."

"Let's go on a walk."

"By walk you mean date?" she asked playfully.

His heart beat a little bit faster, but he agreed. "It's a date."

Reine chuckled and nodded, turning around so they faced the same scenery. "Where to?"

"You'll know when we're there."

Gwen stared at the package on the table with a heavy mind. The town doctor, Klaus, was the one who gave it to her.

It's entirely up to you, of course, but must I remind you that time is not in you favor?

Ever since she was diagnosed, she didn't know how many kinds of treatments that she had tried. As the treatment proved no match to the disease in her body, she slowly began to lose hope. Slow enough not to notice until it was gone and she was ready to greet Death, instead of a prince on white steed, to take her away forever.

She knew, of course, that Klaus was not an ordinary doctor. He was different. He was the closest thing to a witch doctor (or wizard doctor, as he was a male). She was sure that his medication would be different as well.

But, how much of a difference would it be that it would really save her? Plus, did she really want to be saved? What's being saved to her—living longer or finally dead?

Gwen sighed and put the medication into the drawer.

Perhaps some other time.

Neil snickered. "You're so slow."

"Oh, I'm sorry for having a human speed." Reine rolled her eyes as she took another step forward and upward.

Much to her surprise, the animal trader laughed, albeit lightly. "It's okay, it's fun waiting for you."

"Fun teasing me for it, you mean," she retorted. Part of herself regretted that she didn't take him up on his offer to carry her earlier, but the larger part of her was glad to see him loosen up. "Geez, thanks for being so easy to please."

Finally, she managed to catch up with him after he pulled her up in the end to help her. She didn't expect that there was a small plain field in the forest, just next to the waterfall. It was a pretty secluded spot.

Neil spread his arms and took a deep breath. "Isn't this nice, Reine?" he asked. "I don't think there's anyone else knows this place."

"There's me," she replied.

Neil grinned. The look that he gave her was really boyish and rather vulnerable, a fresh change from his usual tough thug shell. "That's okay."

Reine shrugged, trying not to be too obvious with her racing heartbeat. "If you say so…"

On one side, she wanted to ask Neil what's bothering him. On the other side, she didn't want to ruin his apparent jovialness; it didn't come too often. Besides, he would tell her what's bothering him when he wanted to, right?

He didn't tell you what he really is, a distinct voice in her heart told her. Was it her conscience? Her… mind?

He must have had a good reason—

Listen to how silly you sound right now, Renaissance.

"…Reine?"

Reine blinked once, then twice, and found Neil was looking at her, frowning. "What's wrong?"

"I…"

Feeling that words couldn't really explain, Reine reached out to him and wrapped her arms around his warm body. "W-What are you doing?!" he asked, obviously flustered.

Reine felt her heart beat faster by each second. So fast she could hear her own heartbeat. She didn't care if he could, too, she actually wanted him to hear that. Her ear was pressed against his chest and her fingers spread across his back.

She closed her eyes, slowly finding his heartbeat.

It was there; he had it.

He was breathing, live and well.

But… what was this feeling that kept nudging at her? Was it what Rod had told her?

She felt his hands on her back, pulling her towards him. The distance between their bodies was now simply their clothing. Slowly, one of his hands traveled to her face and she pulled herself slightly so their eyes could meet. A moment later, he bent down and kissed her.

When their lips pressed against each other, she didn't hold her breath; he took it away.

Stay tuned for the next chapter!

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