A/N: I hope it hasn't been too terribly long since I updated. I lose track of time easily. Especially now that I'm addicted to Homestuck. Gaaaaah, I just wish it was spring break all ready. A full week of Homestuck... =w="

I've had this following scene in my mind sense the beginning of this fic. Now's when things start picking up. Especially now that someone's slowly starting to recognize feelings~


Keiichi's legs felt ready to fall off from all the running. His lungs burned from breathing in the chilled night air, while his feet ached from lack of shoes. He paused to bend over and catch his breath. He was beginning to wonder if this was even worth it. Satoshi was no where to be found. Was he even still out here? The brunette stood back up, his hands pressing in on his sides, in an attempt to try and stop the cramping. Over the tops of the trees, he could see faint light, meaning he still wasn't very far in the forest. He doubted Satoshi would walk back to civilization. Keiichi glanced over his shoulder into the inky black night that seemed to consume the forest ahead of him. He bit his lip as he tried to think what to do. He could just go back home, and look tomorrow after school. He could just give up entirely and forget this ever happened.

He mentally slapped himself. He couldn't do that. Not to Satoshi. Or to Satoko.

Satoko. She needed her brother back, with his memories. They could restart a new life and everything would be better. Keiichi couldn't give up for that reason. His eyes felt heavy and a small yawn escaped his lips. He tried to rub the sleep away, but to no avail. He knew if he didn't start looking again soon, he wouldn't be able to. Already, sleep seemed to be catching up to him. He was almost positive Satoshi was feeling the same fatigue. With as much determination and willpower he could muster, he began running again, further into the gloomy darkness that awaited.

"Please, just let me find you soon..."


"Satoshi...Satoshi..."

A scream caught in the blonde's throat as he ran, almost tripping over himself as he willed his legs to move faster. It was the voice again. That woman's voice was back. She was after him, chasing him. She wanted her revenge. The rustling behind him seemed to grow louder. He was too afraid to look back. He just kept running, trying to go even faster. He was so terrified. He swore he could feel her hands reach for him, trying to grab him back and pull him down. Like a ghostly touch, he could feel her claw like fingernails brush against the fabric of his shirt. He had to go faster. She was catching up.

"N-No," A strangled cry escaped his lips as he nearly tripped again. He kept his legs moving and the adrenaline just kept flowing.

"Satoshi..."

"Stop it!" He yelled.

The feeling of almost being caught rose in his chest. It reminded him of when he was little and was forced to walk down the seemingly long hallway to his room at night. It was like he could feel the presence of something behind him, but every time he'd turn to look, empty space just stared back. He'd walk a bit faster, trying to ignore it, but the fear just kept pressing. He's speed would increase, as would the feeling of desperation. By the time he broke into a run, the thing was practically upon him. He couldn't move fast enough into his room. The feeling of life or death only made things worse. He wasn't able to move his body as fast as his mind was telling him to move. He'd slam the door open and turn on the lights, his breathing heavy and heart rate beating a mile a minute as closed his door and leaned against it for support. His knees would shake uncontrollably, making it hard to stand. He'd slowly collapse and let relief wash over him. It was the exact same scenario, only he doubted he'd feel relief after.

He had no place to run or return to. Eventually, he'd grow to tried and she'd have him. She'd kill him just like he'd killed her. That much he remembered. That's what his dreams had been telling him, anyway. She was in his dreams. She was supposed to be dead, but in his mind she lived on.

"I'll get you...You won't live much longer,"

The voice hissed at him, sending goosebumps up his arms. He tried to peer around to get a good look at her. His foot caught an unearthed tree root and he was sent barreling forward into the ground.

He screamed.


Keiichi's ears perked up at the sound of someone yelling.

"Was that...?" He asked himself. It sounded like it to Keiichi. He wasn't too far from him. The brunette took off in that direction as fast as he could go. His feet felt like they had a billion splinters in them. They matched the bruises he'd obtained nicely. Keiichi sighed bitterly. This was the last time he let something like this happen.

As he ran towards the scream, Keiichi came to realize that if he really couldn't find his friend, he was going to be pretty lonely. Already he felt like they'd known each other for years (despite the fact Keiichi knew virtually nothing about the other, and vice versa). He wasn't sure if he'd ever quite connected with someone like he had Satoshi. It sounded weird to say, but so true.

It wasn't long now. He knew he was close.

"Please be alright," Keiichi whispered, his words swallowed up by the night as another cold breeze whipped through the trees, leaving everything silent.


Satoshi lay there for a minute or so, just waiting to be attacked. All he could hear was his heart beating erratically in his ears and his shallow breath. If she was still calling his name, he wouldn't have been able to hear. His eyes were screwed shut and hands balled into fists so tight, he was surprised his palms weren't bleeding. Maybe they were, and he was just too numb to feel. He was almost certain that the fall he'd just suffered had twisted his ankle. Even through all this, he could feel a dull pain pulsating from his left ankle.

He wondered why she hadn't killed him yet. He fought the urge to peek open an eye. He felt that as soon as he did, she'd be upon him, like a predator seeking helpless prey. She must be toying with him. Satoshi gulped, regretting ever leaving the safety of Keiichi's house. He regretted leaving the safety of Keiichi.

He deserved this. It was because of his own ignorance and stupidity he was here right now. Any second, she'd attack. Any second.

When another minute past, Satoshi was becoming more unconvinced. He even found the courage to open up one eye. It was too dark to tell, but the feeling of being stalked was absent from his gut. He slowly opened both eyes and sat up shakily. She was gone? Satoshi clutched at his chest as his heart rate slowly returned to normal. A semblance of a smile crossed his lips. He was going to be okay.

His eyes began to adjust to the darkness once more. He was laying on the outskirts of a forest clearing, under a big tree. He glanced down at the root he'd tripped over.

"Thanks a lot," He told it, kicking it lightly with his uninjured foot. He glanced around his surroundings once more, just to be sure nothing was there. When he felt safe enough to stand, he did. His foot ached terribly, but he couldn't afford to stay there all night. He needed to find shelter for the night. He was so tired, and now that the adrenaline was wearing off, it hit him like a brick. He limped at first, but was slowly able to apply more pressure the more steps he took.

There had to be a shrine around here somewhere. Sighing, he looked around again. Everything was so silent and quiet, it was like the events that occurred moments ago never happened. The blonde closed his eyes in relief and sighed. He could do this. He could make it, albeit he was confused by what was going on. People just don't vanish.

He bit his lip. To Keiichi, he did. When the brunette woke tomorrow, what would he think?

Satoshi didn't want to dwell on that idea for too long. He'd come to regret his decision again, he was sure. He began to slowly trudge through the forest again. He was so fatigued he was tempted to just sleep on the ground. Glancing up at the stars, he wondered if he'd ever get that miracle. A sad smile and a shake of the head followed. He didn't expect much.

"Satoshi!"

The blonde whirled around suddenly, his eyes wide. That sounded like-

THUD.

Satoshi barely had anytime to react. Keiichi knocked into him like a rampaging bull. All Satoshi could make out in the few seconds before his back hit the ground was the familiar shape of the other running towards him. Now, said other was pinning him down. While the darkness made it hard to see, it wasn't hard to tell Keiichi was pissed.

"What the hell is all this about?" He spat. "Huh?"

Satoshi didn't know what to say. Was this a dream? Maybe he was asleep under that tree? Or maybe he was already dead...?

"Answer me Satoshi!"

The blonde shook his head, trying to focus on reality. He stared up at Keiichi blankly. Keiichi's blunt nails seemed to be digging into his wrists, enough to cause discomfort. This wasn't a dream.

"Why...are you out here?"

Keiichi sighed angrily.

"Oh, I was just taking a midnight stroll like I do every night in the woods. No, stupid, I was looking for you! What did you think?"

Satoshi was a bit taken a back. He guessed that this combination of stress, fatigue, and anger weren't good on Keiichi. He excused him because of the situation and these added factors.

"But...why?" Satoshi found his voice again was able to ask. Keiichi grit his teeth in frustration.

"Because! You're my friend and I'm going to help you! There's nowhere out here for you to go. What were you thinking? And you didn't even tell me..." Keiichi swallowed hard. "Did you not think I'd be the least bit worried? Or concerned? Dammit..." He cursed. Satoshi was at a loss for words. He was doing this to protect Keiichi, and himself. Yet, the other was mad at him? He didn't understand.

"Are you going to explain yourself? I mean, if you don't want to stay with me, I can't make you..." Keiichi's voice faded out with every word he spoke. His anger was obviously subsiding now that Satoshi was found safe. Reason was beginning to talk instead of anger.

Satoshi had no idea what to do. He wanted to stay with Keiichi. He really did, but... what if the police came back? What if she came for him? Satoshi couldn't even fathom what would happen.

"Satoshi, do you want to stay with me, or not?" Keiichi asked, his voice barely audible. Satoshi glanced up at him. He could see the worry in the other's eyes. He could see how badly Keiichi wanted him to come back. The blonde shut his eyes.

Now was a good as time as ever to explain himself, he supposed.

"It's...not that I don't want to, Keiichi. I'm just..."

He paused as he searched for the right words to use. Keiichi waited patiently, not even bothering to prod him into further speaking until he was ready.

"I don't want you to be hurt, because you're connected to me. If the police find out, or, the Clinic... What if they took you away too? I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt. I have a feeling I've committed enough sins in my life. That's probably why I can't remember really anything..."

Keiichi stopped leaning over the other and sat up more straight. He crossed his arms and stared down at the other. Satoshi glanced up to see a small smile on Keiichi's lips.

"I think I can take care of myself,"

Satoshi wasn't so sure. A ghost of a smile crossed his lips regardless. He was going to continue to say that he felt so much safer with Keiichi around, and he really didn't want to leave. That was before Keiichi cut him off.

"We can work through something. You'll get your memories back, and I'll help you. If you've done some bad stuff in the past, now's the time to atone. We've all got stuff we'd rather forget. Forgetting's the easy way out. You've got to work to accept what you've done, and realize there's not turning back time..."

Keiichi's voice began trailing off again, almost like he was talking to himself more than Satoshi. The blonde waited expectantly for Keiichi to continue. When he didn't, he changed the subject.

"So...are you mad at me?"

Satoshi knew the answer would probably be yes. So when he heard the syllable roll of Keiichi's tongue, he wasn't surprised.

"And because I'm so mad at you, I'm going to inflict my angry wrath down upon you. Right, now!"

Satoshi shut his eyes, not picking up on the hinted sarcasm in Keiichi's voice. Keiichi reached down and flicked the other's forehead, much like he had the other night. The blonde opened his eyes, confused. Keiichi grinned.

"I told you, that's the worst punishment I give."

Satoshi couldn't help but stare. Keiichi...He was so...weird.

Keiichi cocked an eyebrow and tilted his head to one side.

"You look like you're expecting more punishment or something? Fine!"

Satoshi knew he was in for another forehead flick. He waited expectantly for that. When Keiichi suddenly pulled him in for a comforting hug, he realized just how unpredictable the brunette was. Satoshi also realized he liked this form of 'punishment' much better than those silly forehead flicks.

"Promise, you won't do that again."

Satoshi hesitantly wrapped his arms around the other's back and closed his eyes.

"...Promise..."

The blonde's heart was racing again, but he didn't know why. He wasn't scared. In fact, he felt safer than ever before. Albeit, he felt a tad bit nervous for reasons unknown to him, but he wasn't scared. He figured it was a side effect of fatigue. Keiichi pulled away and smiled.

"Good."

The brunette slowly stood up, giving his legs time to stretch back out. He held out a hand and lifted Satoshi to his feet. The blonde had almost forgotten about his injured ankle and stumbled forward. He caught himself before he kissed the ground. Keiichi tilted his head to the side again.

"You okay? I didn't hurt your foot when I knocked you over, did I? Sorry about that..." He laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. "I was afraid you'd try and run if I didn't do something rash..."

Satoshi shook his head no, and reassured the other that it was okay.

"I was running earlier and tripped over a tree root...I injured it then." He explained briefly.

Keiichi snorted. Satoshi turned to him, cheeks heating up.

"It's not funny." He defended. Keiichi held up his hands like he was innocent.

"You're right, you're right. But, seriously, only you would be out at night in the woods running, and trip over a tree root." He laughed lightly. Satoshi turned away, both offended and amused.

"So, I'm guessing you can walk okay?" Keiichi asked, approaching the other. Satoshi nodded.

"It's just a sprain, I'm fine." He glanced down at his ankle. Keiichi's bare feet were also in view.

"Where are your shoes?"

Keiichi looked down, almost like he'd forgotten he was barefoot. He began laughing lightly again.

"Oh yeah, I forgot." He admitted. "I was in a hurry, and didn't want to fool around with putting them on or anything."

This time it was Satoshi's turn to laugh.

"Well, only you would be...Keiichi...enough, to go running around a woods barefoot."

"Touche."

Satoshi still couldn't see well, so he wasn't sure how beat up Keiichi's feet really were. He assumed they were pretty bad.

"Make sure you tend to your feet when we get back." Satoshi told him as they started walking towards the illuminated area visible above the trees.

"Yeah, sure thing Mom." Keiichi joked as he walked. He smiled inwardly to himself as Satoshi pushed him lightly. He was so relieved he'd found the other. He couldn't believe he'd even considered giving up. He was also (strangely enough) relieved that Satoshi wanted to stay with him.

They walked the rest of the way back in silence. Keiichi snuck Satoshi into the house and ushered him up to his room. Once Satoshi was safe inside, he tiptoed back down to the bathroom and washed off his feet. It took about ten minutes before they were wood and dirt free. Unfortunately, he couldn't wash the bruises away. It hurt to walk.

He climbed the stairs once done, bandages and some gauze in hand. He figured he might as well wrap Satoshi's favored ankle while he was tending to himself. He found Satoshi was already laying on his futon, fast asleep. Keiichi sighed and set the items down on his desk. It could wait til morning. He'd tend to it before school.

He changed out of his dirty clothes and into a pair clean clothes. He considered waking Satoshi so he could change, but he didn't think it was worth it. He threw his dirty clothes into his closet and stretched silently. Satoshi had left enough room for him to sleep. He glanced at the mess of blankets on the ground next to the futon. He decided he'd sleep there instead. After all, if Satoshi had successfully ran away, he'd be sleeping by himself, so what difference did it make?

The brunette was just about to doze off when he heard Satoshi ask,

"Where are you?"

Keiichi opened his groggy eyes.

"Down here..." A yawn interrupted his words, but Satoshi still understood. The blonde was silent for awhile. Keiichi started to drift off again.

"But...this is your bed..." Satoshi murmured, interrupting Keiichi's sleep again. Figuring the other wasn't going to let him sleep any other way, he climbed up into his own futon and collapsed face first into his pillow.

"Happy?" He asked, his words muffled. A small 'mhm' could be heard from Satoshi's side. Keiichi rolled over so he could breathe and sighed. He fell asleep almost instantly.

Satoshi stared at the back of Keiichi's head for awhile. He slowly maneuvered himself closer to the other and fell asleep by his side. He felt so safe.