Kaoru gasped for air, barely conscious as his feet dragged the ground. Kyo and Shinya were dragging him down the road towards the house. The pain seemed to have subsided for the most part, but something wasn't right and they could both feel it. It wasn't long before they were making up to the front gate of the house and they gasped as they stopped in their tracks. Hizumi was lying face down in the dirt. Shinya took Kaoru's weight as Kyo moved to check on the alpha. He knelt down and turned Hizumi's body over and saw it drenched in blood, his eyelids closed, no pulse in his body.

"Damn you." Kyo whimpered. "Damn you Hizumi! Didn't you say you wouldn't die until you beat me in a match? Fuck you. Fuck you!"

"Kyo." Shiny whispered. "We have to find the kids."

"Shit." He whimpered. "This isn't good."

Kyo took Kaoru's side once more and helped drag him further to the house were they spotted two dead men, more than likely wolves from Gin's pack. As they approached the house they spotted two more bodies. One lying flat on the ground and the other propped up against the porch. As they got closer, they realized the one against the porch was Tsukasa and this time Shinya let go to check him. The alpha's jaw was open, blood dripping from his mouth and his eyes were half open.

Shinya shook pressing his fingers against Tsukasa's neck and found nothing. He held back his tears as he stood up and shook his head. Kyo cursed once more. Kaoru had long passed out from his injuries and Kyo gently laid him on the porch. As he did he heard Shinya gasp. He looked up in time to see Shinya taking off to the side of the house and Kyo was quick to follow him. Kyo saw the blonde drop to his knees before he got closer. When he did, he felt his heart ache. Shinya was crying, holding Ryoko's still bloody form in his arms. Next to her was Yuichi in the same condition.

"No." Kyo whimpered, dropping to his knees. He reached out with shaking hands, tears running down his face as he picked the young boy. He cried out burying his face into the boy's chest.

'This can't be happening.' Kyo thought. 'He's still warm'

"Ryoko? Yuichi?" Kaoru's deep broken voice caught their attention. The pack leader was standing behind them, tears rolling down his face. He whimpered before crying out in pain, falling to the ground. He reached out to his children, but couldn't bring himself to touch their bodies. Kyo and Shinya moved them to the porch before coming to find Kaoru standing in his wolf form. In front of him was another wolf holding something bloody in its mouth.

Shinya growled out. "Ren!"

The wolf dropped whatever he had and licked his snout. "Shinya, what a surprise to see you alive. Can't say the same for the wolves here."

Kaoru growled out and charged forward as the brown wolf fought back. Kyo and Shinya moved to help, but Ren's whimper stopped them. They stared in shock as Kaoru ripped the wolf's throat out of his neck. He tossed the flesh to the side and started walking forward. He sniffed the thing Ren had dropped before howling out in pain. Kyo gripped his own chest before he and Shinya followed their leader. As they walked passed the flesh the realized what it was. Kaoru's unborn child.

Kaoru had stopped ahead and was on his knees in his human form in front of Misaki who was laying on her back, stomach tore open. Sayuri was a few feet away, not moving. Shinya gasped out falling to his knees.

"M-Misaki…" Kaoru whimpered pulling his dead mate into his arms. He cried out her name once more burying his face into her neck.

Shinya washed his hands in the kitchen sink before turning the faucet off. It was so quiet in the house now. No kids laughing, no arguing between Hizumi and Kyo, no Misaki putting Kaoru in his place… nobody here. Shinya covered his mouth as tears ran down his cheeks. He walked to the living room and looked out the window. Bodies were lined up in a row with sheets covering them and a few had wooden coffins in front of them. Kyo had gone and retrieved every pack member. Now he was out there building the coffins for them all.

Shinya walked up the stairs to check on Kaoru in his room. The alpha had passed out after finding Misaki and has been sleeping since. His wounds were serious and Shinya was worried he wouldn't make it, but he managed to pull through, and now he just had to wake up. Shinya was worried he never would though. The beta walked back down to go outside to give Kyo a glass of water. As he approached he noticed the alpha crying with every swing of his hammer. Shinya knelt next to him and handed him the glass of water. Kyo dropped his head on Shinya's shoulder and cried out. The beta dropped the water and hugged his mate tightly in his arms.

Kyo sniffled as he pulled away and held Shinya's hand. "I'm sorry, I lost your bracelet somehow."

"What?" Shinya said softly looking at Kyo's bare wrist.

"I lost your bracelet." Kyo cried out. "I lost my family…I lost everything."

"You still have Kaoru and me." Shinya whispered hoping it would help. Kyo wrapped his arms around Shinya's body again and held him tightly.

The sun had set by the time Kyo placed the last body, Misaki, into her coffin and sealed it up. The next morning both Kyo and Shinya went to the clearing in the woods behind the house and dug a hole for each pack member. It took most of the day to do, but they managed it and worked together to bring the coffins to their holes, but they didn't place them in yet.

Shinya was covered in dirt, but he didn't think Kaoru would care if he tracked it in the house right now. He went up to the alpha's room to see if he could wake Kaoru up, but he was surprised to see the alpha sitting up in bed tears running down his cheeks. Shinya knocked softly on the door as he entered.

"Kaoru?" Shinya whispered.

"It's true. I hoped it was a nightmare, but it's so quiet. Misaki isn't next to me. Sayuri isn't in her crib. I can't hear Ryoko or Yuichi playing. They're gone."

"Kyo and I are getting ready to bury everyone. We thought you should be there."

Kaoru nodded. He got up from his bed and walked robotically to the door, not even putting on clothes, but Shinya didn't say anything. He just helped Kaoru walk.

Kyo was planting another cross into the ground when he spotted Shinya helping Kaoru walk through the trees. They approached the coffins seeing the names of the pack members on each one along with the crosses as well. Kaoru stopped in front of the one that said Misaki on it and sat on his knees in front of it. Kyo waved to Shinya and he walked down to the first coffin. Shinya read the name on it: Mao.

"Hey Shinya watch out, I heard Kyo's a beast in the bed. You might not be able to walk!" Mao laughed and Shinya's face blushed.

Kyo rubbed the coffin before he and Shinya used a rope to lower it down.

"I bet a hundred bucks on you beating Hizumi again. You better not lose!" Mao laughed rubbing Kyo's head.

They started shoveling dirt into the hole remembering all the time Mao made them laugh, piss Kyo off, and made sure embarrass Shinya every chance he got. Shinya laughed though his tears patting the filled hole.

They moved to the next one. Hizumi.

"Hey Shinya, you've gotten a lot better at being a doctor. When do you plan on opening a clinic for us?" Hizumi asked as Shinya wrapped his sprained wrist, which he'd gotten from losing another fight to Kyo.

"You think you're tough, huh? Well I'm going to beat that attitude out of you. Nobody's a better fighter than me." Hizumi yelled at Kyo the first time they met face to face.

"You stupid asshole." Kyo whimpered wiping his tears. He filled the hole thinking of all the fights he had with Hizumi since the first day they met just because neither liked to lose.

They continued filling each hole, remembering everybody as they did. They moved to the coffin, one of the smaller ones, and hesitated. The looked over and found Kaoru laying on Misaki's coffin with his hand on Sayuri's.

"Kaoru, it's time to say goodbye." Kyo said softly.

The pack leader took a moment before sitting up. He looked over at each of the mounds then at the coffin with Ryoko's name written on it. He felt his heart ache as he nodded his head. Kyo tapped Shinya's shoulder. Kaoru watched as the two lifted the coffin then lower it into the ground.

"Daddy! Look look I can change now!" Ryoko yelled as she changed in into a mini version of Kaoru's wolf form. She let out a squeaky bark and Kaoru laughed as he picked her up into the air.

Shinya and Kyo lifted Yuichi's coffin and lowered it into the next hole.

"Dad! I did it! I changed. Watch me!" Yuichi squeaked as changed and his sister clapped jumping up and down. Kaoru petted the young wolf's head and he rolled over for his dad to rub his stomach.

Kyo alone lowered Sayuri's coffin into her grave.

"Come on Sayuri, come to daddy." Kaoru coaxed as the young girl laughed taking her first step alone. She fell forward, but he was there to catch her and lift her into the air making her laugh more.

Kyo lifted a tiny coffin, one without a name on it. He lowered it down and Kaoru whimpered out looking at Misaki's coffin. The alpha could only imagine the child that didn't even have a chance.

"Kaoru, it's time." Kyo said standing at the head of Misaki's coffin. Kaoru stood up, but this time helped lower Misaki.

"Oh sorry." A teen Kaoru laughed rubbing his head.

The young girl he just accidently head butted glared at him rubbing her head, but then she smiled. "You can apologize by buying me a milkshake."

"Huh?"

"A milkshake. I'm Misaki by the way."

"Kaoru. Nice to meet you." Kaoru laughed. "So what's your favorite milkshake?"

"Vanilla. What's yours?"

"Strawberry."

"She smelt of strawberries" Kaoru whispered as Shinya and Kyo finished burying her.

The three of them were sitting in the living room drinking beer in silence. It had been four days since the funeral and Kaoru hasn't spoken a word. Shinya nodded to Kyo who took the hint and sat his beer down.

"Kaoru, Shinya and I have been talking. We think it's best if we leave this place for a while."

"Then leave." Kaoru whispered.

"We want you to come with us." Shinya said softly.

"No."

"Kaoru, we're not going to leave you here alone." Kyo said. "We need you."

"I'm not a pack leader anymore."

"You still have us." Shinya whimpered.

"I'm not a pack leader anymore." Kaoru growled. "I refuse to be one ever again."

"Fine." Kyo said. "Then join my pack. I need your guidance. We can start over in a new place. You always talked about finding somewhere bigger."

Kaoru looked Kyo in the eye. "There's only three of us now. We don't need anything bigger anymore."

"I was thinking," Kyo said. "Shinya had it rough and I bet he's not the only one. There are bound to be wolves out there like us. Outcasts, orphans, strays who all need a place to call home. I want to have place for these wolves to call home. To have a family. I need your help guiding the pack I want to create."

Kaoru closed his eyes not being able to stand the silence of this house any longer. "Okay."
~~~

The next day, they spent hours boarding the house up, covering everything up, packing and locking up the place. They closed down the restaurant, splitting the money from their savings into two halves. One half stayed in the house in case they needed to return and the other half went with them. They looked up at the house one last time before walking to the graves to say their final goodbyes. Kaoru took an extra minute at Miaski's grave before turning and following Kyo into the woods with backpacks and small duffels.

The first city they arrived in was Silverwood and it was a rundown place. More people sleeping on the streets than they had ever seen before. They got into a hotel for the three of them to share for the night. Kyo and Shinya shared a bed while Kaoru got his own. They all agreed to leave after a few hours rest. They didn't want to be here longer than possible. They were still healing from the fight with Gin and their bodies weren't as strong right now so they couldn't risk a fight. They all dozed off, too tired to think anymore.

It wasn't until Kaoru heard something that he awoke. He smelt a new scent and quickly sat up spotting a figure going through their bags. He started growling and the figure froze as Kaoru got out from behind. Kyo woke hearing Kaoru growling and he quickly turned on the lamp in the room. They spotted a man in all black, wearing a black mask as well. Kaoru sniffed the air once more.

"You're a wolf." Kaoru said.

"That I am. I figured you guys were too." He said pulled his mask off showing his long brown hair. "Few people tend to pass through this town and only those who can defend themselves would even dare stay here."

"Right. And you're in our room because?" Kyo asked, pissed off that his sleep was interrupted.

"Oh, the name's Toshiya. Master thief at your service." Toshiya said with a bow.

"At our service?" Kaoru asked. "You're stealing from us aren't you?"

"Bingo."

"I'll make you a deal." Kyo said. "Put back everything you took and I won't kill you."

"You drive a heavy bargain." Toshiya nodding, "But uh how else am I going to make my living? Can't certainly get a job since my skillset is kind of meant for thieving."

Shinya saw the bag he had on and realized which one it was. "Kyo he has our medicine."

The alphas started growling and Toshiya growled back. Kaoru ran in first, but Toshiya easily spun and dodged him before running to the door. Shinya ran after him with Kyo close behind.

He turned back to Kaoru. "Stay here in case he comes back."

Kaoru growled, but nodded. He wasn't used to taking ordered.

Shinya ran close behind Toshiya as he made his way through the city. Shinya looked back and realized they had lost Kyo in the process. Shinya pulled back, but stayed close enough not to lose Toshiya. The alpha slowed once he thought he lost the beta, but Shinya was still tracking him. Shinya followed him to a rundown place where he entered so Shinya went in as well. People covered in dirt and wearing rags were sitting around in the hallway.

Shinya spotted Toshiya turn a corner and went after him following him until he entered a room. Shinya peeked in and saw a teenage girl laying in pallet on the floor. He watched as Toshiya dumped the medicine on the floor.

"Hey, Nia, how are you feeling?" He asked.

"I'm…okay." The girl whispered. Toshiya looked through the medicines humming.

"One of these are bound to help you."

"Thank you…Totchi."

He nodded and lifted a bottle of pills. He popped them open and Shinya had to step in. "Don't give those to her!"

Toshiya turned, jumping to his feet. "I thought I lost you. You're not getting this stuff back. I'll kill you before you can."

"You idiot!" Shinya snapped. "You have no idea what you're doing. If you giving her those pills she could have an aneurism. Those are blood thinners."

Toshiya looked at the pill bottle then at Shinya who walked in and sat next to the girl. "Do you know what's wrong with her?"

Toshiya nodded. "The doctor said it was some sort of cancer. Leukemia I think is what he called it. I can't afford the medicine for her to get better so I'm taking whatever meds I can get my hands on. One of them is bound to cure her."

"When was she diagnosed?"

"About a year ago."

Shinya closed his eyes before standing up. "None of the medicine I have will help her."

"Are you doctor or something?"

"Yeah."

"Great, then you can help her." Toshiya said happily.

"No I can't." Shinya sadly.

"Why, because I stole from you guys? Fine you can take your stuff back." Toshiya said pushing pill bottles into Shinya's chest. Shinya grabbed Toshiya's hands gently.

"No I mean nobody can help her. Her cancer can't be cured and it's in its final stages."

"What?" Toshiya growled pulling his hands away. The pills bottle clacked as they bounced onto the ground. "You're lying. They cure cancer all the time!"

"Only a few are curable." Shinya said. "Leukemia is not and for as long as she has had it I'm surprised she's survived this long, but her time is up. She doesn't have long."

"You're lying!" Toshiya snapped tears running down his cheeks.

"Totchi." The girl whispered and he moved back to her side.

"Yes?"

She smiled brightly. "Could you get me some candy? You know my favorite chocolate ones?"

"Yeah, yeah of course."

"Thank you." She said and there was something about that thank you that had a deeper meaning.

"No problem, I'll be back soon okay." Toshiya said jumping up to his feet.

"I'll come with you." Shinya said. He followed Toshiya out of the rundown house and down the road a bit before finally speaking. "Is she your sister?"

"What? Oh you mean Nia, no. She's my best friend's sister."

"Where's your friend?"

Toshiya stopped and Shinya stopped as well. "We did heists and break-ins together. Well, six months ago one didn't go as planned and she was killed because of me. I promised to take care of her sister for her, so that's what I'm doing now."

"I see." Shinya said.

Toshiya broke into a store with ease and grabbed a whole case of chocolates and headed back out with Shinya in tow. They walked back to the house, and Shinya sighed as they walked back into the room, but he hung back in the door way. He already knew.

"Hey, Nia I managed to find you a bunch." Toshiya said happily, but the girl was silent. "Nia?"

Shinya turned and stepped out to the hallway. He took a steady breath as Toshiya screamed out Nia's name at the top of his lungs.

Kyo had made it back to the hotel room where he found Kaoru pacing inside, he looked around and knew Shinya wasn't there. He knew the blonde was okay, but it was still bothering him that he couldn't find his mate. He quickly changed his clothes and slipped his shoes as Kaoru did the same. They gathered their things to check out of the hotel, not wanting spend money on another day, but as they stepped out, Shinya was walking up to the door.

"Perfect timing." Shinya said. "Let me change real quick before we leave."

"Where the hell have you been?" Kyo asked.

"I'll explain later." Shinya said.

After he had changed they checked out of the hotel and started making their way to leave the city. It wasn't too long before they were walking up to the exit sign when they spotted a familiar face standing by a street sign. Toshiya smiled as waved and Shinya waved back as Kyo growled, but before he could yell at the other wolf Shinya shouted out.

"Hey, Toshiya, you made it."

"Huh?" Kyo gasped as Shinya ran up to the alpha.

Shinya patted some dirt off Toshiya's arm. "You could have cleaned up first. I would have told them to wait."

The man shrugged. "It's alright, oh here." Toshiya handed the stolen bag back then he looked over at Kyo and Kaoru and smiled. "Hey, Shinya said I could join your pack."

"By the way, did you get everything settled with Nia?"

"Yeah, she's with her sister and I made sure to leave to the chocolates for both of them." Toshiya said with a smile.

"That's good. I'm glad you were able to say goodbye." Shinya said and looked back at Kyo and Kaoru, "What are you guys waiting for, let's get moving!"

"Did I miss something?" Kyo asked watching his mate and Toshiya start walking without them.

"I think we both did." Kaoru said. "Hey, wait up!"

At first Kyo didn't like Toshiya tagging along, but after a few days he started to enjoy the other alpha's company. The four passed through several cities together, often being chased out by another pack, other times finding cities too small or too dangerous for them. They made it on to a party city called Light Feather, but its nickname was RaveCity. It seems like every block had a twenty-four hour club. This was definitely not their scene. It was late though so they decided to rest at a hotel, if they could find one.

They were wondering around for a couple of hours, finding nothing but drunks, partiers, bouncers, and fights. Shinya stuck close Kyo as Kaoru and Toshiya stayed at their back. The smell of wolves was growing.

"You jerk!" A woman yelled slapping a short brunette across the face sending his sunglasses flying into the air. She stomped off leaving him with another woman rubbing his arm. He kissed his teeth rubbing his cheek. Shinya picked the sunglasses up and walked them over to the man.

"Thanks." He said taking them then his eyes froze. "Hey, you're like me."

Shinya's eyes widen realizing this guys was wolf. He would have missed it if he hadn't said anything. It wasn't like he couldn't smell the guy.

"Ruki, are we going?" the woman asked.

"Yeah…" He said looking at the three walking up behind Shinya. "My friends, you look tired. Trying to find a place to stay tonight?"

"Do you know where a hotel is?" Kyo asked, sensing this guys was friendlier than he looked.

"The only hotels near hear are brothels. Come on, you can stay with me and my roomie tonight. As a thank you giving me back my glasses. These things are worth five hundred bucks. Surprised you didn't run away with them." Ruki said leading the way with woman in tow.

They followed the short wolf to a quieter side of town into a nice building. They got into the elevator and rode up to the tenth floor where Ruki got out and led the way down the hall. He unlocked the door and led the way.

"Yo Kai, I brought some guests! Make yourselves at home."

"It better not be those assholes from last week that stole my stuff." A brunette yelled walking wearing only a pair of sweats and holding a coffee cup. His eyes widen seeing the group. "Ruki you brought pack of… men here." He stopped himself before he could say anything more in front of the woman.

Ruki laughed as he pulled away. "Yeah, have fun party boy!"

Kai rubbed his head as his friend disappeared with the woman. "I apologize for his drunken antics. I don't know why he brought a pack of wolves home this time."

"Well, we were just looking for a place to stay and he offered." Shinya said with a smile.

"Of course he did." Kai sighed. "There's only two rooms here so you'll have to make do with the living room."

"You're okay with a group of strange wolves sleeping in your living room?" Toshiya asked.

"No, but Ruki brings people I don't like all the time when he's drunk. He does it to piss me off, so I stop getting pissed and he stops bring people to annoy me…most the time. Ruki wouldn't have brought you here if you were dangerous. Or at least if we couldn't handle you guys. Go on get some sleep."

Ruki groaned as he woke up with a massive headache. The woman woke him up as she left and now he was pissed off. He got out of bed and walked out to get coffee. He could already smell it brewing as he walked into the kitchen. He took note of Kai standing with his own cup and a second in his other hand. Ruki reached out to take his mug and turned to see four strange faces sitting at his table.

"Who the hell are you guys?" Ruki snapped.

"You idiot. You brought them over last night." Kai said shaking his head.

"Oh, good morning then."

Shinya started laughing at their interaction. "Thank you."

"Hey, the first time someone laughed." Ruki smirked.

"That's because he's laughing at you're stupidity." Kai said walking back into the kitchen. "So where are you guys heading now?"

"We don't know yet." Shinya said. "We're just looking for a new home for now."

"Well count this place out."

"Already did." Kyo said drinking his coffee.

"It's not that bad." Ruki mumbled.

Kai rolled his eyes. "You do know we have to skip town right?"

"What why?" Ruki asked.

"The chick you banged last night. That was Choco's wife. He has already called and threatened you. We have about an hour to get our shit and get out." Kai said calmly.

"Fuck why didn't you wake me up earlier." Ruki snapped and ran out of the room.

"Choco?" Toshiya snorted.

"The gang boss of this town. Ruki has the nasty talent of attracting trouble no matter where we go." Kai laughed.

"You seem awfully calm about it all." Kyo said and Kai nodded.

"Yeah I'm used to it unfortunately. I went ahead packed my bags last night. Unlike his stupid drunken ass, I recognized her."

"So you're leaving town too?" Shinya asked. "Where will you go?"

Kai shrugged his shoulders. "We never have a destination set once we leave a place. It'd be nice to settle down for more than two months though. I've been wanting to open up a coffee shop."

"Why don't you come with us?" Shinya asked.

"Shinya!" Kyo snapped.

"What, they're interesting and they have no other place to go. Obviously they're not in a pack. We want to settle down and so does Kai. Maybe Ruki would too?"

Kai laughed at the thought of Ruki calming down with the partying. "Now that is something I would pay to see. If it's alright with you guys and with Ruki, we might join you."

"Ravenstone City?" Ruki said reading the sign. "I never heard of this place."

"Yeah me either." Kai said rubbing his chin. He turned to Kyo. "What about you guys?"

"Nope." Kyo said.

"Well let's check it out!" Shinya said. "It might be interesting!"

"Here we go again." Kyo sighed, but smiled and they followed the beta down the road. Kaoru stopped for a moment and looked back, then turned to keep going. It became habit to keep looking back to picture what his family would be doing that day. Sayuri would be walking around. Ryoko and Yuichi would be practicing their fighting. Misaki would be yelling at him for letting Mao in charge of their new baby. As those thoughts ran through Kaoru head, they entered the city.

Kaoru stopped suddenly when a young girl ran in front of him. She picked up a small ball and looked up at him and tilted her head.

"Are you okay mister?"

Kaoru's eyes widen when he realized he was crying.

"Lovelie!" A woman shouted as she ran up to her child. She picked her daughter up and bowed to the man. "I'm sorry for her. She likes to talk to random people."

"That's alright." Kaoru mumbled.

The woman backed up. "Oh, you're a wolf."

"Melody?" A man covered in tattoos holding a baby walked up to them.

"Miyavi, it's a pack." She said then looked at Kaoru. "Do you live here?" She asked.

"No." Kyo said walked up to her. "But were looking."

"As are we." She said. "I'm Melody, this is my mate Miyavi and our little girls, Lovelie and Jewelie."

"Pleasure." Kyo said. "I'm Kyo, this is my mate Shinya, Kaoru, Toshiya, Ruki and Kai."

"I hope we're not rivalling for this area." She said. "I'd hate to get into a fight so soon."

"Do you have a pack?" Kaoru seriously.

Melody felt unease but answered. "Just us four."

"Then how about joining us." Kaoru offered, surprising Kyo and Shinya. "We're trying make our pack stronger and you have the strength of a mother. They're the strongest there is."

Melody blushed. "You flatter me." She looked back at Miyavi who shrugged. "I think we'll accept your offer."

"That's a relief." Shinya said. "So have you been here long?"

"Just for a couple of days. We were heading to check out a building across town. It's supposed to be for sale and has a lot of room." Melody said. "Come on, let's take a look together."

"Just so you know." Toshiya spoke. "Kyo's the pack leader."

Melody stared wide eye. "Oh, I figured Kaoru was the leader. Since he offered and all."

"Where's this place you were talking about?" Kyo asked ignoring her comment.

Melody led the way to a large building with a heavy iron gate. She pulled out a piece of paper and started talking. "It used to be a factory that built metal gears. But because the company went bankrupt, they had to shut down the factory. If it's not bought by next month they're going to demolish it."

Kaoru stared at the place through the bars. "Misaki would've loved the size."

"Misaki?" Melody asked, but they ignored her and Kyo patted his friend's back.

"I think it's perfect." Kyo said.

Aoi sniffled as he sat staring at the photo with Kaoru as Kyo stared out the bedroom window. Shinya was whimpering, wiping away his tears as he stared at the wall. Outside the open door, Toshiya was sitting against the wall with Die, staring up at the ceiling. Shou had tears running down his cheeks and Byou pulled him into a hug. Kai was leaning against the wall with Ruki and Uruha by his side. Hitsugi was leaning against the stair rail, his head dropped so his hair covered his face, but it didn't hide the droplets falling form his chin. Ryoga held Tsuzuku tightly with Koichi and Hiroto standing by them. Melody and Miyavi were sitting on the stairs staring at the photo of their daughters.

Kaoru pulled Aoi into a hug and kissed his head and Aoi cried out causing a chain reaction between them all. A memory of pain is not one easily forgotten, but one that more often teaches others of the consequences of actions.