Gene's POV:

I shot up, disoriented as I looked around.

I was a room back at the inn, Yi was sitting at the end of my bed, Mai standing beside her.

"Morning." I smiled softly, and I gave her a quizzical look.

"Why're… We, in here? Naru…" I realised, moving to get up.

"He's still in that cell, remember?" Yi replied, laying a hand on my shoulder, and I looked at her with worry.

"But I don't want to leave his side again! It always causes trouble!" I stated, and Mai gently laid her hand on my chest, having me lie back down again.

"You're too worked up." Mai said softly, giving me one of her small, sad smiles. "Yi and I promise that we'll help Naru, whatever happens."

I looked at the slightly grey, fine fabric hiding Mai's eyes.

"But he- you-…" I attempted, "The dreams…"

"It's fine, Eugene. Osamu will be here when you wake up." Yi smiled, "No need to feel alone."

She began softly humming, and I found my eyes falling closed again as I fell, yet again, into sleep.

Masako's POV:

I watched as Ayako entered, standing over the sleep-deprived, messy-haired Monk who was on what was probably his thirtieth cup of coffee.

"That's enough!" Ayako yelled, snatching the cup away.

"Hey!" Monk snapped, though he was too tired to get up.

"You are getting some proper sleep." Ayako growled, grabbing him by the scruff of his shirt.

"But who-" Monk groaned, being helped up.

"They don't need watching." Ayako growled, looping his left arm over her shoulder.

That was when Yi and Mai entered.

"Eugene's asleep. Osamu, can you please watch over him, now?" Yi smiled.

"Yes, thank you." Yasu nodded from his seat, getting up gracefully despite his mostly unbuttoned shirt, before practically gliding over to the pair. "But may I ask one thing?"

"What?" Yi asked, and the pair appear to have a silent conversation with their eyes, before Yasu finally said it.

"Why are you helping us? We are led by and trust people related to Demons, as well as alternate religions. What is in it for you?" he asked, the calm, polite demeanour replaced with iced wariness.

Yi smiled at him, and he remained very still as she touched his cheek.

"A Doctor never tends to the healthy patients." Yi smiled, before retracting her hand, and leaving.

There was silence as they left, soon followed by Ayako and Monk.

"Why do that, Yasu?" I asked, the triplets and Kaede watching from where they were playing.

He sent me a small smile, as he shrugged.

"Someone has to be a grumpy narcissist with Naru not here!" he replied cheerily, correcting his glasses, before leaving.

"Are Bou-dàgē and Yasu-dàgē alright?" Hikari asked, looking slightly worried.

"Of course, bèn. Bou's just a tired and Yasu's just annoyed." Hibari stated, Hibiki looking slightly worriedly between the two.

"Hikari… Hibari…" he mused, sweat-dropping as Kaede gave me a small smile.

"It's fine, dàgē will return soon, then we can all either stay here with Mum or go and live with Kojou in Japan!" Kaede quickly smiled, before going on about how big Lin's house was…

I think there's a tinsey-wincey bit of bxb here (YxG – HAD YOU NOT WANTED IT YOU SHOULD HAVE SAID SO IN THE CHAPTER WHERE I WAS BEGGING ABOUT SUCH IDEAS!)

Yasu's POV:

I quickly changed my shirt before Gene woke, buttoning up the clean one neatly. Seeing as John's still in hospital, we've moved Gene onto John's bed, just for tonight.

Just as it needs to be.

Having tucked my shirt in, I lay back on my bed, rolling onto my side to watch Gene as he slept.

Gene's black hair was sprayed in softly curling strands against the pillow, knees tucked into his chest and left arm lounging over his waist as his right hand lay under his head. I looked towards the soft, perfectly positioned lips, which were ever so slightly open, slightly curious as to how soft they were.

Of course, I can't do that. As far as I know, we're simply best friends. If I kissed him…

Sighing, I began to move to get up, before I saw his eyelids flutter, and a soft moan escaped his lips.

"Gene?" I asked gently, and he sat up.

"Who's room-" he began.

"John's still at the Doctor's house. We thought it best to have you sharing with me." I explained, starting towards the door, "I'll just-!"

Gene had grabbed my sleeve, and I could see a slight fear in his sapphire gaze.

"I don't want to be alone!" he exclaimed. "I can feel it - the bond with Mai's not there any more, and the one with Noll is starting to be torn up, and it feels so lonely-"

I quickly pulled him into a hug as tears started running down his cheeks.

"Something bad is happening! It's like all the darkness here is eating the light!"

I felt myself frown.

"Gene… Promise me, whatever happens, you won't try and follow them, please?" I muttered, and I felt him tighten his grip on me as he looked up in confusion.

I was silent for a while longer.

"Just... Promise..."

He nodded, after a bit, and I gave him a small, sad, smile.

We stay like this for a moment, before he sighs.

"I want to talk to John, he shouldn't have used so much of his power... But I'm sort of glad..." he mused, and I raised an eyebrow. "He has a good healing ability, I thought I'd astral project near him, and he was sitting up!" Gene smiled.

I found a smile creeping onto my face.

At least something's going well...

Joker: YEY! I'M BA~ACK! And not overloading anyone! =w=

Gene: What's Yasu doing!?

Joker: Bein' cute! ;w;

Naru: You're being ridiculous. Stop talking with that fake accent now.

Joker: I can't! It's infectious! (and as Joker-chan, shouldn't I be annoying?)

Naru: *glares* Triple R. Now.