"Shion?"

Shion turned around.

He realized he didn't recognize where he was. It was night out, and the sky was dark and spotted with stars above a round open field. Trees circled the distant edges cutting him off from the rest of the world.

"Shion,"

Shion turned again, and there was Nezumi. His eyes bright silver in the darkness, and the wind blowing through his untied hair like dark flag.

"Nezumi," Shion breathed in surprise, "You're here."

Nezumi reached up and placed a hand against his face. It was warm, but rough and callused, and it sent a jolt through Shion like a shot of fire.

"Nezumi?"

Nezumi smiled, stroking his thumb along the end of Shion's red scar like he'd done only twice before, but this time it was different. It wasn't teasing or rooted in comfort. It was a touch born from something else entirely.

Nezumi leaned closer, his eyes so close that they were all Shion could see. He could smell the sent off Nezumi's skin, and feel his breath against his lips.

"Shion…"

Then the darkness began to lighten.

The light was like the sun was rising, reflected in Nezumi's eyes but that was all Shion could see of it. He wanted to turn around, to see it for himself. So he tried.

"Shion," Nezumi's voice halted him, it was full of something different then Shion had ever heard in it before. "Don't. Don't look away."

Shion wavered. Something about what Nezumi said sounded almost afraid, and that frightened Shion too. For a moment he was able to ignore everything else, and he wanted nothing more to lean closer to Nezumi, just to be with him. But then a loud roaring, something like cheers, rose up from behind.

Shion started. He didn't think when he spun around, his motions knocking Nezumi's hand away as he whirled.

Laid out before him was an afternoon lit plaza crowded with people cheering and shouting his name.

Shion sucked in a breath, so surprised it made him feel woozy. He looked down, his clothes were thick, vibrant robes, a heavy gold crown making pressure around the top of his head.

"All hail his royal highness! Long live King Shion!"

"LONG LIVE THE KING!"

Shion stuttered, "Nezumi… Nezumi it's—,"

Shion turned around.

Gone.

The field and the trees, the starry darkness and the wind.

And Nezumi.

It was all gone, and there was only the bright afternoon where Shion was King.

And he was alone.

Shion shot up in bed, gasping at a word with not enough breath for it. He swung into a seated position and ran into a sharp pain that shattered through his head, leaving him dizzy.

Shion groaned.

A musical laugh rang from near the wall.

"Don't get up so fast, you airhead," teased an amused, berating voice. "You probably have a hangover."

Shion blinked, raising his head, slowly this time, to look across the room.

What he found was Nezumi, already dressed in his jacket and scarf from last night. He was standing at one of Shion's bookshelves, skimming through his collection. One finger slid along the spines.

"Nezumi?" Shion was sobbingly relieved as his eyes took in the dark, pony-tailed boy before him. "You're still here!"

Nezumi glanced over his shoulder with a grin. "Well I didn't want to make you feel cheap a second time. Not after that display you put on last night to drag me into bed."

Shion flushed, so red his scar disappeared against his skin. "Stop it, Nezumi! I remember last night, I wasn't that drunk!"

Nezumi laughed.

A knock came at the door.

"Prince Shion?" A small voice asked from the other side. "Are you awake?"

"Yes," Shion replied rubbing his temple and glaring at Nezumi, "Did you need something Hana?"

"His Majesty asked us to serve a large breakfast for everyone in the dining hall. He requested your presence."

"Of course," Shion replied, "I'll be along shortly."

"And your grace? He asked me to send for someone named Eve as well. Do you happen to know to whom he was referring?"

Shion shot a look to Nezumi from across the bed. Nezumi smirked in reply, waving his hand as if beckoning Shion to respond.

Shion rubbed his forehead. "Don't worry, Hana, I'll find Eve, you just go help with breakfast."

"Oh, thank you, Your Grace." Hana replied, and Shion heard her scurry off down the hall.

"Get dressed, Your Majesty," said Nezumi brightly, "Seems we've got a breakfast to attend."

"Who is that?" Shion asked when Nezumi and he had reached the dining hall for breakfast. His eyes were on an older looking man whose head was leant together with Shion's father. The two of them seeming to be discussing something.

"My manager," Nezumi answered but his voice sounded suspicious and dark. Shion glanced over and found him with narrowed eyes.

"What is it?" Shion asked immediately, and Nezumi spared him a questioning glance.

"You seem anxious."

Nezumi looked affronted at his choice of words.

"Not at all," He said, sweeping away Shion's accusation with his tone. "It's just that he didn't travel here with us. I didn't know he was planning on coming at all."

At this Shion felt some of his own apprehension rise in his stomach. "I see."

The two boys sat down together in the two remaining seats.

"Well, it looks like everyone is here," said the king a while later, and Shion looked up. He watched the kings eyes fall on him for a moment before he continued.

"I have an announcement to make."

"I've spent this morning discussing with Mr. Ichigan an idea." The king began looking around the table. His eyes landed on Shion and stuck.

"The truth is that I have been considering a way for my son Shion to take on more responsibility now that he is getting older. I've thought over what would be the right stepping stone to teach him out to be a leader, and last night something just hit me."

The king looked around the table one more time. "I've decided that I am buying the West Side Acting Troop, and putting my son Shion in charge as the new manager."

Shion spat water. Nezumi's leg hit the table making a thump.

"What?" Shion sputtered, looking his father in the eyes. "I don't have any idea how to run an acting troop! Peoples livelihoods are at stake!"

The king smiled, "Don't worry Shion, I'm not sending you in alone. Mr. Ichigan will still stay on as a director and assistant manager to help. Your job will be the more practical aspect. Promotion, organization, and general leading of the troop in it's activities. This way you can learn how to be in charge of other people."

Shion stared at his step-father, "I…." his thoughts were going a little too fast for him. "I'm—-

"In summation," King Rikiga continued without notice. "The acting troop will now be staying at the castle and answering to Shion. Anything and everything you do goes through him now. And Shion, that means anything that happens is now your responsibility. Congratulations."

Shion sucked in a breath. The acting troop… will be staying…

Shion's eyes immediately went to Nezumi, without even thinking about it. When they did, he found Nezumi's eyes were already on him, but the look in them was surprising.

It was a look like ice.

"Well? Shion? You are up to the responsibility aren't you?"

Shion turned back, "Huh? Oh, yes. Thank you father." Shion bowed his head and the king smiled.

"Well then! It's settled. Enjoy breakfast everyone!"

There was a violent scratching of a chair.

Shion turned. Nezumi had gotten up and was stalking out of the room, his hair over his eyes so Shion couldn't see his expression. When he reached the door to the dining hall he walked out in a storm and let it slam behind him.

The room fell silent.

Shion felt something cold shoot through his chest.

"uh…" said one of the other actors "I'll go check on him…" he moved to stand.

"No!" Shion said, stumbling to his feet. "I.. umm… I'll go. I need learn to be responsible for things like this." Shion stumbled through the excuse before throwing his napkin on the table and dashing out of the room after Nezumi.

When he first reached the corridor he couldn't see him, but finally he noticed a dark shape standing by a window at the end of the hall.

Shion's eyes widened, "Nezumi!"

Shion ran up to him half out of breath and had to pause to catch it, but the dark haired boy didn't turn around. Instead Nezumi was staring out the window with one arm braced against it and his forehead pressed to his arm.

"Nezumi?" Shion asked, his eyebrows furrowing. "I know my dad must have surprised you. I'm sorry he got involved in your work like that, without consulting the rest of you. But I promise I'll work hard, and you can help me if you—."

"Shut up," Nezumi snapped.

Shion balked, his heart sinking in his chest.

"I'm sorry," Shion said again.

Everything in the small white haired boy seemed to lower then, like every part of him wanted to sink into the floor. Maybe it had only been a momentary thought… but part of him had wanted to see Nezumi excited to stay.

He didn't know why he wanted it. Only that it disappointed him when it wasn't there.

There were a few full moments of silence before Nezumi finally spoke again.

"Why are you standing there?" He hissed, still refusing to turn back.

Shion's eyes snapped up. "What do you mean?"

Nezumi half turned his head around, so that one silver eye met Shion's and the gold light through the window caught his black hair.

"If anyone else had run out of the room," Nezumi said, his eyes narrowing. "What would you have done?"

Shion blinked. "I…."

"You're our boss now," Nezumi said. He turned around and leaned his back against the window, his arms folding over his chest. "Do you understand what that means?"

Shion searched Nezumi's face, his heart beating faster in his chest. "I'm…trying to."

"It's means things are different," Nezumi said. "It means from this point on, you don't know me. I don't know you. Anything we've said to each other— anything you know about me…" Nezumi's eyes flashed as he looked up. "Forget it. Right now."

Shion's eyes widened, "But—,"

"You're part of my job now, Shion." Nezumi said, pushing off the window and walking around Shion back down the hall. "Besides that, I'm just like any of the other actors. And you're just the mighty prince—"

Shion bristled, "I told you I'm not—,"

"You didn't tell me anything!" Nezumi snapped, wheeling around. "That's what I'm saying. It never happened! None of it, got it?" Nezumi turned back around.

"Oh," He said, over his shoulder as he started walking away, "And don't call me Nezumi anymore. If you don't address me by my stage name, the other guys will notice."

Then he walked away and was gone.

Shion felt like something hard and dense was trying to force it's way through his chest and out the other side as he watched Nezumi walk away.

Why?

Why is Nezumi acting like this?

Why suddenly? Until now—

Shion's thoughts seemed to catch up to each other and run smack into a wall.

Until now… what is that really?

Last night? Four years ago?

Shion dropped his head, looking at the ground.

That's right, he thought.

Were me and Nezumi ever more than strangers to begin with?

Shion spent the rest of the day in meetings with Rikiga and Ichigan. They discussed details of the new arrangement with the acting troop. Rooms for the actors, the next play they should preform, when to start casting and rehearsals. When it was over Shion was so exhausted of talking and sitting that his bones ached.

The sun was beginning to set outside. The castle staff has begun setting to work on dinner, and the halls were dim and quiet as Shion made his way back to his room.

Maybe I should just skip dinner, Shion thought as he walked, gazing out the windows and watching the sun set over the castle grounds. I don't particularly want to face Nezumi— or… Eve— again today.

"Shion?"

Shion looked up to find his mother walking towards him down the hall.

"Hello mom," muttered Shion, still distracted by his thoughts. Shion's mother raised an eyebrow.

"Is something the matter, dear?"

"Just… " Shion hesitated, "I'm feeling a little tired. I celebrated a little too much last night I suppose."

Karen looked sympathetic, "Don't want to tell me what's really bothering you?"

Shion grimaced. He hated when she did that.

"There's just someone…" Shion hesitated, "Someone I don't understand. They seem to want nothing to do with me, but I can imagine what I did to them."

Karen eyebrows pulled together, "Oh, well… did they say it was something you did?"

Shion furrowed his brow, "Not really in words… no."

Karen tilted her head, "Then maybe you shouldn't jump to conclusions. Maybe this is something about them."

Shion frowned at that.

"I don't know…"

"Well, give it time," Karen said, smiling and reaching out to pull Shion forward and kissing the top of his head. "If you watch and listen, it might surprise what you'll see in time."

Shion half smiled, "Maybe you're right."

Karen's smile widened, "Are you going to head to dinner?"

Shion made a face. "Is it just going to be us?"

"I think the actors' troop is joining us," She replied, a knowing smile on her face. "You know Shion… watching and listening requires a little effort on your part."

Shion sighed.

"All right," he agreed, taking his mother's arm. "I'll try."

Karen laughed. "That's my boy," She said and the two of them walked towards the dining all for dinner.

Shion tried to keep his eyes straight ahead as he walked into the dining hall. He walked to the head of the long table, pulling his mother's chair out and then moving to sit in his own.

The table was mostly empty still. But as the servants finished setting out the food, the actors stumbled in from the hall. Even so Shion kept his eyes cast forward. Keeping up a constant chatter with his mother about anything he could think of just to occupy himself.

It wasn't until the king walked in and the room went quiet that he finally turned his head.

Everyone stood as the king came in. Standing in silence as he walked from the door to his seat. It wasn't until he gave a wave of his hand and sat in his chair that everyone finally sat down again. But still no one tried to speak.

"Good evening everyone," said Rikiga, "Please be at ease and enjoy the meal."

Finally everyone relaxed and sound once again filled the room.

Shion felt an almost painful pull to look for Nezumi as the meal began. He tried to ignore it as he filled his plate and struck up a conversation with his mother about the food. Then, after few moments though, the temptation became too much.

He tried to be subtle as possible as he glanced towards the rest of the table. Only moving his eyes and pretending to be taking a drink the whole time.

When his eyes found Nezumi he was instantly caught.

Nezumi looked up at him. It was like he sensed Shion's eyes the moment they touched him, the steel color of them seeming to darken as they met.

Shion looked away, trying to fight back a blush as he absorbed himself in eating his meal and pretending as if nothing had happened. He thought he could feel Nezumi's eyes for a few moments longer though, like a weight on the side of his face.

When dinner finally started to wind down– and everyone was finishing their wine– Shion was bouncing with impatience to leave the room.

A moment later though, his impatience was sorely crushed.

"Shion," Rikiga spoke up, having just finished a conversation with Karan. "When dinner is over, I'll need you too show the actors to their rooms."

Shion looked up in horror. "What? But I don't know which rooms you decided on for everyone."

"The scribe drew it up," Rikiga replied. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a piece of parchment with a small map scrawled across it. "Use this and show each actor to their room."

Shion took the parchment in dismay.

"Do it now," Rikiga said when Shion didn't immediately stand up. "Before everyone gets drunk off their wine."

Shion winced and stood at his seat.

"Excuse me," He spoke up, tapping a fork against his glass until the actors quieted down. Once they had all looked up at Shion, the faired boy felt a tremor run up his spine. He could feel Nezumi's eyes even as he did everything is his power to avoid looking at him.

"If the actors will please come with me, it is time to show you to your rooms. We have rehearsals starting early tomorrow in the grand hall, and everyone needs to get some sleep."

The actors faces spoke silent grumbles at this statement but they did all begin to stand up from their chairs.

"This way," said Shion, moving away from the table and heading into the hall. He didn't need to look back to hear the sound of the twenty or so men and boys turning to follow him.

Shion looked down at the map to find the room closest to him. He noticed small notes from Ichigan, detailing instructions about each of the actors. Why they needed to be in one room or another. Shion read them and then glanced up to find each individuals name on the map. When he located the closest room he headed in that direction.

"Nathaniel, and Jordan" Shion called, turning around and waiting for a response. A blonde man and a short boy stepped forward.

"This room," Shion instructed, reaching out and pushing open the door.

The two actors stepped forward towards the door.

"All your belongs should be inside," Shion explained as they entered and looked around. Please let me know if their are any problems."

The rest of the rooms went essentially the same way. Some of the actors were in pairs. Others were in small rooms alone. Mostly, they were all housed along one long corridor. It made organizing them go by quickly.

Each time another room filled, Shion became more nervous. He began to turning around less as the group grew smaller, and it grew more and more likely that he would have to call out Nezumi's name.

By the time they got down to only about four people, Shion started to panic and wonder if he'd somehow missed something. He decided to glance over the rest of the map, looking for where Nezumi got placed, worrying they'd somehow forgotten him. That's when Shion noticed the name Eve scrawled with some notes on one side of the page.

"Tends to be a loner, and easily aggravated" the notes said beneath Eve's name. "can also be a trouble maker so it would be best to keep him somewhere away from others where you can keep an eye on him."

Shion's eyes widened. He followed the arrow that pointed out the room intended for Nezumi, and found 'Eve' scrawled in the middle of a room.

Shion choked on his air.

"Something wrong, your highness?" someone asked. Shion looked up to find Nezumi looking at him from a few feet away.

"Eve," one of the other actors hissed to him below their breath. "Watch your tone,"

"Everything's fine," Shion said, gathering himself up. "I was just looking something over. This way, please."

Shion hurried to finish. Pointing out the last few rooms until there was just Nezumi. The second the last door closed Nezumi looked over at Shion with cold eyes.

"You didn't leave me until last on purpose, did you highness?" Nezumi asked, raising an accusing eyebrow. "I told you—,"

"Actually," Shion interrupted, unwilling to hear another one of Nezumi's speeches. "I was incidental. But probably for the best, so the others don't see your reaction."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Nezumi asked, seeming to tense like he was going to fight something. Shion swallowed.

"Here," he said, holding the parchment out to the dark haired boy. "See for yourself."

Nezumi took the paper and began scanning it with his eyes. He raised his eyebrows in response to some of what he saw there, but it took a few moments before his eyes widened and Shion knew he had found it.

"Ichigan," Nezumi sneered, "That bastard. What the hell is he doing putting me in the east hall by myself? What, I'm not safe to have around other people?"

Shion raised his eyebrows. "You didn't notice did you?"

Nezumi looked up. "Notice what?"

"You're room is the one just outside of mine," Shion explained. "it's the prince's guest room. Rikiga must have told Ichigan I never use it for anything."

Nezumi's eyes widened, "What? Why would they do that?"

"Sounds like they want me to look after you," said Shion, keeping his expression smooth and careless.

Nezumi's eyes narrowed.

"Do you want me to have it changed?" Shion asked. "I can have a word with Rikiga."

"No," Nezumi shoved the paper back at Shion. "I said I didn't want special treatment from you."

Shion frowned, "Nezumi—,"

"Let's go," The raven boy snapped. "I need to go to bed."

Shion looked away. "Fine. It's this way."

Shion lead Nezumi down the hall.

The east hall was just a short bend made from where the main hall turned a corner to wrap around the central garden. The wall on the right side was set entirely in windows over looking it, and at the end, sat tall double doors carved out of dark wood. This was Shion's room.

On the left wall though, was a pair of smaller, simpler doors that lead to the guest room. Shion stopped in front of these and threw them open, stepping back so Nezumi could see inside.

"Well there you go." Said Shion, gesturing into the room. It was simple, but it had a large bed and a seat by the window where someone could read. Plus a wash station pushed up against one wall. Shion also noticed there was now a handful of bags lying across the bed that must have been Nezumi's belongings.

"Have pleasant dreams," said Shion, turning around an heading towards his own room. "I'll try not to bother you."

It was a bitter comment, but Shion couldn't hold it back. Some part of him couldn't help but throw something back at Nezumi. Now that they were alone. Once he said it, though, he tried to hurry away towards his room as soon as possible. He was almost there when he heard a low voice say his name.

"Shion?"

Shion stopped and slowly turned around. Nezumi wasn't looking at him. He was facing into the room with his hands in his pockets, like he was hesitating.

"Yes?"

"It isn't about you, you know," said Nezumi, his voice low and hard to hear.

Shion turned completely around. "You're shutting me out, aren't you?

There was a long pause.

"You wouldn't understand" said Nezumi finally.

Shion frowned. "Don't look down on me."

Nezumi looked over at him. His eyes glaring.

"I'm not looking down on you!"

"Yes you are," Shion snapped back. "You're making a decision for both of us because you think your smarter than me. You won't even explain it to me! What exactly does that sound like to you?"

Nezumi scoffed and turned away.

"You brat," he growled, pulling his hands out of his pockets and storming into his room.

He grabbed onto both doors and looked Shion in the eyes.

"You don't know anything!"

And he slammed the door.

Shion glared at the closed door another moment before storming into his own room. He slammed the door loud enough that Nezumi would hear it, and for a moment after he just leaned against it. Pressing his forehead against the cool wood.

"Why do I feel like this?" Shion whispered to himself. "He's just some stupid punk."

Then Shion turned away and started to prepare for bed.