Welcome back to Red of Dawn's forth chapter! No artwork this time, but there's some for tomorrow, so look forward to it!

~'0'~

Tenma sighs softly as he throws his head back to look at the sky. A storm is brewing above him and like always, he can feel it reverberating through his bones, a deep humming that leaves his usually-calm mana sparking with life and energy.

His mortal parents are in a nearby city, trying to check into a hostel, leaving him alone at their campsite. Not that it is much of one, their carriage still mostly packed with the exception of some food and eating utensils. It won't take long to pack everything and go on their way were the storm to break out, taking shelter in the city, and the waterproof canvas that covers the vehicle will keep their other goods dry.

He knows it the second the first drop from the sky, and the brunet is quick to hide their few things in the carriage. By the time he's done, the rain is pouring down already – it's a heavy one, this time – and he can see the first flash of thunder light up the sky. It takes a few seconds, but then the sound reaches him too.

And Tenma breathes in deeply and closes his eyes, and then he moves.

He lets the storm guide his movements, the thunderclaps the beat and the raindrops that clatter on the ground the melody.

His hair – held up in a high ponytail – whips around him as he spins, and he can feel the wet earth beneath his bare feet.

It's something instinctual, an urge, a drive that always hits him during storms. His father's domain always has this effect on him, causes his mana to act up – he always has so much pure, raw energy during a storm that he needs an outlet, if it's a spar or a parkour of sky-stepping, as he knows some of his half-siblings to do.

But Tenma? Tenma dances.

He's been doing it for as long as he can remember, even since before he left the camp where he grew up – although the camp directors certainly didn't like it, so he'd often hide out in the forest, his internal weather-forecast a huge help on that part. After he escaped with Kyousuke and Aoi, he could finally let himself go.

He'd dance, sometimes for hours, to the rhythm of the rain and the beating of thunder, lightning flashes his spotlights. It'd feel as if he was in a trance, nothing on his mind except the tranquillity of the storm and the freedom that came with being in his element.

Aoi and Kyousuke loved it.

And when later, they were joined by Hikaru, Kariya and Shinsuke, they'd been initially surprised to find two of their three companions sitting outside, underneath a tree to shelter them from the rain.

They'd understood when they saw Tenma, though, and had quietly joined their friends.

The same thing had happened with Shindou and the others, at first confused but then understanding. People might've called them crazy, but they'd sit outside for hours during the worst of storms just to see their leader dance, because that-

That was a whole new form of freedom.

Arashi's son might not have wings, but he could definitely fly even on the ground.

And as Tenma lets himself go, lets himself enjoy the moment before he has to be Akira again, he thinks of his Clan. He hasn't seen them in almost four months now, ever since he and his parents left the city, but like this he could almost imagine their individual auras wrapping around him, the strings of their mana caressing and soothing him.

When he opens his eyes again, the illusion is broken.

He is completely alone.

  ~'0'~  

''I will defeat you,'' hissed the white-haired demigod, his eyes spitting fire at the blond. ''I swear, if it's the last thing I do, I will defeat you.''

Tenma stared at him, his inner conflict clear on his face – he didn't want to fight, but he knew he had to if it meant protecting his friends. His gaze strayed to the mint-haired figure of his friend and his heart lurched.

Whatever happened to Fei, whoever he was before he met Tenma and his friends... it had been real. It may have been on Saryuu's orders, to get close to the blond and find out his weaknesses, but their friendship had been real. The regrets in Fei's green gaze told him that much, at least.

But there was no time for hesitating now. He knew, as he stared into Saryuu's eyes – his half-brother's eyes – that there were only two ways this could end. Either he won, or the white-haired demigod did.

And Tenma hated it.

Battle after battle followed, a goose chase through the entire country to counter all of Saryuu's strikes. It must've been weeks when Fei finally came to their camp, an apology on his lips and fear in his eyes. The demigods he once called friends had stared at him with distrust and hurt, but they didn't send him away, instead quietly awaiting judgement.

Tenma stared at Fei for a long time and then gave a simple nod, a sign for his friends to let the mint-haired demigod in. Then he turned and disappeared into his tent, without even speaking a word to his former friend. Fei had quietly set up his own tent at the outskirts of the camp, avoiding everyone and not even joining them for their campfire.

He'd been awake still when the night was dark and the other demigods had succumbed to slumber – and that's when Tenma had quietly joined him. They'd talked for a long time, and then they'd fallen asleep together, underneath the stars. And the next morning, Fei immediately noticed the tension disappear when Tenma had cheerfully greeted him, their other friends giving him careful smiles.

Defeating Saryuu hadn't taken long, less than a week.

And when the white-haired demigod was on his knees in front of his half-brother, awaiting judgement, Tenma had stopped. He could see it in Saryuu's violet gaze, the age-old hurt, the weariness, and his heart cried for the other deity. He had fallen to his knees as well, so that he was at eye-height, and then he had embraced his half-brother.

Saryuu was, understandably, shocked and at first tense, but then he relaxed, slowly, so very slowly, and-

He'd hugged the blond back.

From that day on, Saryuu and his Clan, Ragūn, had been allied with Raimei – because Tenma finally accepted reality, that yes, they were a Clan and yes, they needed a name – and they'd thought together, celebrated together, shared quiet nights by the fire and early mornings where they were still half asleep. Their Clans had travelled together often enough for those things to become the norm.

They'd spend storms together, sparring or chasing each other with steps flashing with purple and violet, and they'd even danced, although Saryuu – or Saru, as he was better known – never really got into the habit.

And when Raimei was threatened by Ixaal, Ragūn had been right there to fight beside them.

  ~'0'~  

Saryuu Evan, or Saru, as his friends call him, is restless.

He doesn't even have to look up at the sky to know why, the heavy thrill of the coming storm echoing through his bones like it always does. It stirs his mana, energy sparking through him, begging him to move – run, spar, fight, it doesn't matter. As long as he can move.

He knows his Clan has picked up on it, they know him well enough, even though he pretends nothing is wrong. He can see it in the looks they shoot him and he knows that his closest advisors – Fei, Meia and Gillis – won't ignore his twitchiness for much longer. But he'll take all the time he can get.

Saru sighs, running a hand through his white locks. The sun is stubbornly staying out of reach of the dark clouds, although it won't be much longer before it is hidden. It casts a bright, golden light onto the streets that seems oddly out of place when the sky is cast in shadows like this. Not that the humans seem to care, if the way they keep sauntering past the market stalls is any indication.

Until they notice Saryuu and his Clan, of course. Ragūn is well known in these parts, considering this is in the middle of their territory, and while the mortals have often seen their demigod protectors during festivals and formal situations, it's a little rarer for them to actually vent into the cities that are under their protection.

Sometimes they get bored, though.

''I tire of these stares,'' he says, his voice so soft only one with a demigod's hearing could notice it. To the mortals it looks like he didn't even say anything, the movement too slight for their weak eyes to catch. ''Let's move to a less populated area.''

They take to the smaller streets, still filled with people but getting emptier the further they get, until they've reached the market far behind them. The demigods find themselves at a small square with a fountain at the center. It is almost completely deserted, a few mortals roaming around that either don't recognize them or are too awed to be in such close quarters to the living legends to bother them, and the tension that always comes with public appearances dissipates as if it was never there.

It takes a few minutes for Saru to notice the boy and that is his first warning.

Mortals can never hide from his superior senses, especially not in such a wide, empty space like this – yet the human does.

The Clan seems to notice their leader's silence. ''Saru, what is the matter?'' asks Fei quietly, his voice easily drowned out by the water of the fountain if anyone tried to eavesdrop.

The white-haired demigod merely shakes his head, his eyes not leaving the figure – because said figure is boldly staring back at him, not even trying to hide it. The demigod shivers, suddenly realizing how cold and dark it has become. It seems like the clouds have finally blocked out the sun, casting everything in deep shadows. ''That human over there, he's...''

Saryuu trails off, because the boy suddenly smiles, his lips moving but not making a sound. It's not needed, though, for the demigod can easily read the words his mouth forms.

Whoever said I was human, dear brother?

Grey eyes flash golden and Saru goes rigid, barely aware of his Clan doing the same, because-

This aura, which feels so much like the aura of Ragūn's very own leader, is painstakingly familiar to them, but that's- that's impossible.

And then there's suddenly a bright flash of light as the storm breaks loose, blinding them all for a split second as rain is suddenly pelting down on them, and when they can see again, the boy is gone.

But Saryuu knows what he saw, knows that long hair – even though it may be a different shade – knows those bright eyes and that face, knows that aura and, more than anything, knows the mana that caused the storm to react – and it sends a knife of hurtpainfear through him.

''Gillis,'' he says, the demigod in question startling at the sound of his name. ''Contact Raimon at the first opportunity. I believe they have some explaining to do.''

  ~'0'~  

''Sayuu!''

The demigod groaned and threw his Clan a long-suffering look. ''Can't you tell him I drowned or something?''

Gillis snorted, his amusement shared by all of their friends, without even bothering to look up from the book he was lazily flipping through. ''No. He's your brother, so he's your problem.''

Saru sighed but didn't protest any longer, instead twisting his neck to throw a look at the sand path that lead from Ragūn's main villa – just completed – to the beach, where they had gathered. Unsurprisingly, the familiar figure of his blond half-brother was making his way to them, smiling cheerfully as he fell down in the sand next to his sibling. ''Do you know how long it took me to find you? I'd almost think you were avoiding me.''

''That's because I am,'' muttered the white-haired demigod, causing his sibling to pout. Yes, pout, because that's what Tenma did no matter how much he protested it. ''What do you want?''

His younger brother sighed dramatically. ''So cold, I would almost think you didn't love me,'' he wiped a fake tear away and Saru glared at him. The blond kept up the heartbroken expression for a few more moments before breaking down laughing. ''I merely jest, brother!''

''Sentiment,'' Saryuu muttered, faking disgust although if Tenma's knowing smile was anything to go by, his brother saw right through it, and rolled his eyes. ''So? Why were you looking for me? I knew you were in our territory and I'm not surprised by a visit, but you sounded... urgent, in your letter.''

Tenma's amusement faded away within a moment, the new severity that took its place setting off alarm bells in Saru's head. ''There is a... situation.'' At the narrowing of his brother's violet eyes, the younger demigod sighed. ''Have you ever heard of Ixaal, the god of hysteria, who went against our father and the other high gods and was to the mortal realm because of it?''

Saryuu's eyes widened. Of course he'd heard the stories.

''Ixaal?'' he repeated, his voice a mere whisper as he fought off his sudden panic. ''Tenma, what is going on?''

The blond fidgeted, an uneasiness taking hold off him that set his brother on edge. ''Ixaal, he- he challenged my Clan.''

And Saryuu's blood ran cold.

  ~'0'~  

Lightning flashed outside, the sky darkening rapidly as the bright, cheerful morning from only moments before is completely drowned out by the unnatural storm.

''You are telling me my brother, the brother that died two hundred years ago, was reincarnated as a human? Why have you not informed me of these developments?!''

Shindou is calm in the face of Saryuu's anger, although some of Raimei's younger members seem to be nervous, glancing at the storm called forth by the white-haired demigod's loss of control warily. ''It was Tenma's plan,'' says Ame's son calmly, his hands folded in front of him, elbows resting on the round table that stands in Raimei's personal meeting room. ''Would you have believed us if we told you?''

Violet eyes spark furiously. ''I would've come, had you told me, to see for myself if it was true,'' he hisses. ''Yet I find out because I see him with my own eyes, in the middle of Ragūn territory, might I add, and that has me wondering – why, pray tell, is my mortal brother wandering around undefended?''

Lightning flashes with such force the windows shake.

''Ixaal is returning.''

Saryuu stumbles back as if slapped, his fury leaving so fast it leaves him light-headed, because- there's no way he heard that correctly, right?

Yet Shindou's gaze is filled with such severity there's no doubting his words.

''We know because Tenma himself told us,'' continues the rain demigod. ''His mortal parents are merchants and he travels a lot. He has been seeing the signs everywhere and the mana he used to bind Ixaal is stirring.''

Electricity crackles around Saru's hands as he slams them down on the table between them. ''Then why are you letting him walk around on his own?!'' he screams, barely holding back enough of his fury to leave the room intact. ''Don't you care about what happens to him?!''

That finally gets him a reaction, Shindou standing up so fast it has the storm demigod flinching violet, brown eyes flashing lilac. ''Do not dare accuse us of not caring about him,'' he hisses, the rain outside increasing as it reacts to his anger. ''You have no idea how much it kills us, knowing he is out there, risking his life, while all we can do is sit here and hide in the shadows! But we have no choice because if we don't do this, we are all doomed.''

And his anger seems to dissipate, leaving a sorrowful weariness behind. Shindou sighs softly, walking towards one of the windows. Saryuu watches him silently, most of his own anger having left as well. ''Then what is the point of this?'' he asks carefully. ''What is he doing, so far from Raimei territory?''

Shindou sighs, turning to face him. ''Searching for signs. Ixaal is too unknown to us. We beat him once, but we don't know if we can do it again and he's had two hundred years to plot, while we are unprepared. Tenma is the only one who can travel freely right now – Ixaal's people are keeping their eyes on us and any suspicious move means our element of surprise is gone.'' He runs a hand through his hair and for the first time, Saryuu notices the dark bags underneath his eyes. ''He's also contacting any of our allies who happen to be close by, although it's hard, considering his mortal parents don't know who he is.''

And knowing Tenma, he doesn't want the humans who cared for him in his second life to be hurt, and in this case, ignorance is the best protection.

Saryuu sighs. His brother is so predictable.

''Very well,'' he says finally, making a decision. The storm outside has calmed together with his anger. ''Tell me what I can do to help.'' At the surprised looks, he grins sharply, showing his teeth. ''What, you didn't think I'd let the bastard who killed my little brother run around and wreak havoc again, did you? I still want to punch him in the face, since I didn't get a chance last time.''

And finally, Raimei's demigods smile.

  ~'0'~  

''Tenma, right?''

The blond was pulled out of his thoughts by the sudden voice, looking away from the land below. He easily recognized the young man who had joined him, his alikeness to Kyousuke giving his identity away even if they hadn't been introduced a few hours prior. ''Lord Yuuichi,'' he greeted politely, dropping his head in a respectful nod. ''Hello.''

Yuuichi smiled at him warmly. ''No need for the formalities,'' he told the younger demigod. ''I merely wish to talk.''

Tenma relaxed, returning the smile, but his curiosity had been piqued. ''About what?'' the fond look in Yuuichi's eyes answered his question immediately – it was the same look he had when he watched his younger brother earlier in the day. ''Kyousuke?''

The older Tsurugi brother nodded, smiling slightly at his brother's name, and the blond demigod wondered why Yuuichi had come to seek him out. During their meal, it hadn't seemed like he was planning to leave Kyousuke's side anytime soon.

Raimei had finally arrived at Raiton's fortress this day, their final destination. They'd met Endou, Raiton's leader, a few decades before, and he'd been kind and helpful to them – for the first time, they all understood how Raiton had managed to grow to be the strongest Clan there was. They had travelled together for a long time, perhaps even a few years in mortal time, and Endou had clearly grown fond of them.

He had offered to train them and they had thought on it, but hesitated.

They didn't want to give up their newfound freedom so soon, not now they had just officially become their own Clan.

Raiton's leader had easily noticed and told them to think it over, told them they would always be welcome at their famous fortress. Raimei had been talking it over, planning to visit their older friends, at least, but it was only when news of Yuuichi's presence there had reached them that they had actually put their plans into action.

Kyousuke had been looking for his brother for two hundred and fifty years, after all.

And here they were, welcomed guests at Raiton's fortress, finally settling down for what seemed to be more than five mortal years for the very first time.

''He has imprinted on you, has he not?''

The quiet inquiry took Tenma by surprise, and he automatically nodded.

Yuuichi's smile had turned sad. ''I knew it from the moment I saw how he looked at you. It was the same look he preserved for no one but me, back when I left him, but now I see it whenever he speaks to anyone from your Clan.'' He sighed softly, leaning on the balustrade of Raiton's fort. ''I am glad for that, glad that he isn't so depended on only me anymore, but it does leave me wondering. Is he in good hands?''

The look he gave Tenma was sharp, warning, protective, all at once.

Golden eyes sparked in sudden fury, the clouds on the horizon stirring uneasily in response to the son of their master. ''Are you questioning me?'' he hissed, the part of his rational, human mind that told him to be respectful and calm down drowned out by the roaring of his godly instincts, ''are you saying I cannot protect that what is mine?''

Yuuichi stared back, not reacting in the least to the suddenly oppressive aura that stemmed from the blond.

Tenma clenched his fists, electricity sparking around them. ''Kyousuke is mine as I am his,'' he growled. ''He is mine like all of those who are part of my Clan are mine, whether you or anyone else objects! Don't ever doubt that.'' And right then and there, his eyes sparking with mana, he swore the oath that he would live by. ''I would die for him. I would die for any of them.''

Yuuichi smiled and the blond stared at him, taken aback by his sudden kindness. ''I am glad, to know he has found someone like you,'' said the older demigod, placing a hand on the younger's shoulder. ''I did not mean to insult you, but I had to know my brother is in good hands. I am glad to find it true.''

And Tenma stared up at him, his anger having left him immediately, and quietly repeated his earlier words. ''I would die for him.''

A century and a half later, Yuuichi would remember his words as he held Kyousuke close, and he could feel the tears spilling over from his eyes.

I would die for him.

''I knew you would,'' whispered the demigod, so quiet not even his grieving brother could hear him.

He just wished it hadn't come to that.

  ~'0'~  

Yuuichi, again, thinks of that moment as he gazes at the mortal in front of him. He knows his mouth is agape, knows his shock and disbelief and hope must be clear on his face, but he doesn't care.

Tenma smiles back at him, his eyes a little shiny, and the demigod breathes out a shaky laugh, Hakuryuu and Shuu behind him seemingly still speechless.

''Does Kyousuke know?''

The brunet – and isn't that weird, to see the familiar blond hair in a chestnut brown shade – nods, his own light laughter spilling from his lips, and that's all Yuuichi needs to jump up and embrace him, because it's familiar and real.

Kyousuke might be his sibling by blood, but Tenma had become as much as a little brother through the hundred and fifty he'd known him as Kyousuke himself.

It had killed Yuuichi when the then-demigod died, giving up his own life to protect his Clan, and it kills him every time he sees the empty gaze in Kyousuke's eyes, the spark of life that was once so bright dimmed so very much.

Shuu and Hakuryuu finally seem to break out of their trances when Yuuichi releases the now-mortal, the darker-haired demigod shaking his head in gentle happiness and exasperation as he steps forward to embrace Tenma, while Hakuryuu watches on with a smirk.

The human quickly returns the hug, but then breaks free and gazes at all of them with a severity that reminds them of the war so long ago.

''As much as I love it to see you all again,'' he starts grimly, ''I'm afraid Raimei needs your help.''

  ~'0'~  

Taiyou, leader of the Arakumo Clan, is discussing their current treaty with Seidouzan when lightning flashes outside.

It normally wouldn't faze him, but the hint of mana that comes along with it catches his attention, and his suspicion only grows when the feeling increases with the next thunderclap.

And then he notices the figure, illuminated by another flash of light, and he immediately lights his hands with flames, his Clan around him reacting defensively as well. The intruder doesn't seem bothered, instead slowly moving forward. The lack of hostility from him – her? – doesn't cause Arakumo to relax, but they don't immediately attack either.

The boy – because while the long hair might be reason to believe otherwise, the features and body are clearly those of a male – moves into the light, and the Clan's shock is almost palpable when they realize what he is.

''A human?'' asks Taiyou, his flames flickering in response to his disbelief.

Grey eyes flicker in amusement as the owner pushes a long lock of unruly hair behind his ear, tilting his head just a bit. ''Only in appearance, my dear Sun,'' he says, his voice gentle and soft.

Everyone hears it.

The sun warrior reels back as if he has been slapped, his control slipping for a moment as the flames of the torches and around his hands blaze into the air in response. Immediately, the aura of power diminishes again, and while his shock has not disappeared, he at least seems to have found his voice once more, the flames around his hands fading. ''You are-''

A small smile curls on the human's lips, knowing and secretive at the same time, as he slowly starts walking forward. The Arakumo demigods move aside to create a path for him all the way to the platform the meeting table is standing on, every pair of eyes on him as he walks with an ethereal grace that should not be seen on a teenager, especially not a mortal one.

He steps onto the platform and, still with the small, amused smile, walks right towards Taiyou. The demigod stares at him with a mix of emotions – disbelief, shock, and some sort of desperate hope that only those who have known him from the start have ever seen before, from his days before Arakumo.

The brunet stops a few feet in front of him and tilts his head, his lips still curled upwards a little although it can't quite be called a smile, their gazes locked in a staring match.

For the longest while, no one speaks.

And then grey eyes flash golden and the demigod's breath hitches.

''It's been a while, Taiyou.'' Gentle, voice barely heard in the silence of the hall.

The sun deity stares at him for a few more seconds and then his expression softens, his eyes suspiciously glassy, even as a shaky smile pulls at his lips. ''It has,'' he agrees quietly, his voice strong despite everything, ''Tenma.''

And finally, finally the brunet's lips split in a wide grin, gasps and shocked exclamations echoing around them, although neither pay attention to it. Instead, Tenma offers his hand and Taiyou grabs it, not a second of hesitation, allowing the demigod-turned-mortal to pull him to his feet.

''I missed you,'' he says quietly, almost inaudibly even for the heightened senses of a demigod, and for a moment he thinks the brunet has missed it. Then the hand still holding his gives it a little squeeze before letting go, and no more words are needed.

The Storm has come home.

  ~'0'~  

''We just received a message from Taiyou.''

At Hikaru's sudden appearance in the main hall and his following words, his Clan gives him their undivided attention. ''Taiyou?'' repeats Shindou, a slight frown on his face. ''What did he say?''

The demigod of destruction pauses for a second, his eyes finding the sky and the storm clouds in the distance. ''There is good news and there is bad news,'' he says after a moment, not needing to see them to notice their increasing tension. ''The bad news is that war is coming.'' His voice is quiet but clearly heard and finally does he look away from the window, taking note of the tight expressions and the dark shadows in his friends' eyes.

And then he smiles.

''The good news is that a certain leader of ours has finally stopped playing hide and seek.''

  ~'0'~  

Taiyou knows he should be doing paperwork, but watching his shieldbrother is much more interesting. A content smile is on the demigod's face as the brunet uses his fingers to brush his long locks, although it doesn't seem to have much effect. His annoyance at that, while almost perfectly hidden, is clearly visible to someone who has known him as long as the warrior has. It's in the slight, almost unnoticeable narrowing of his eyes, the barely-there pout – and how the supposed king of the demigods can pout is still a mystery to him, even after all these years – and the soft frustrated huff of breath.

The warrior chuckles and grey eyes flick to him, the look in them questioning. ''You have not changed one bit,'' says the sun demigod in response to the silent inquiry, a hint of teasing to his voice. ''You keep your hair the same, still. And you are still shorter.''

Tenma's gaze narrows, a storm roaring through his orbs, and while it would look threatening to anyone else, Taiyou's chuckles just grow louder until he's full-out laughing.

After he calms down, which takes a while, he wipes the tears from his eyes and grins as he notices the now more obvious pout on his shieldbrother's face, the brunet crossing his arms and turning his head away with a soft hmpf.

''You are surprisingly quiet,'' comments the sun warrior, his teasing expression melting away for a more sober one. ''Is something the matter?''

Grey eyes find his, slightly exasperated, but soft underneath. ''I am...'' he trails off before he has even really begun, sighing softly.

Taiyou's eyes narrow at that and he scoots his chair backwards, standing up and making his way to the mortal. Once there, he gently takes his friend's brown locks in his hands and brushes his fingers through it, with more success than Tenma when he tried it.

The human laughs softly at that, allowing his Sun to do as he pleases. They fall into companionable silence for a while, the demigod humming softly as he twists the long locks together into a neat braid.

''It has been centuries, yet your fingers still possess the ease they did all that time ago,'' comments the brunet after a while. ''How come?''

Taiyou grins cheekily, knowing Tenma is aware of it even if he can't see it. ''I have braided your hair so many times, I doubt I'll forget how to even after a thousand years,'' he responds, his voice light and cheerful as he finishes tying the simple silver ribbon to hold the brown locks together. ''Besides, I'm not entirely out of practice. Every few decades I manage to get Kyousuke drunk enough to let me play with his hair, so there's that too.''

There's a second rewarded and then he's rewarded with a sputtering laugh. Tenma doubles over, slapping a hand in front of his mouth to stop his near-hysterical laughing, and Taiyou joins in. ''You- oh my god, Taiyou- you didn't really-'' the brunet manages to stutter out between his gasping laughs.

It takes a while before the two of them have calmed down, the human wiping tears from his eyes as he half-turns to catch his shieldbrother's gaze. ''You got Kyousuke drunk? And he let you play with his hair?''

The sun warrior shrugs cheekily, ''more or less, yeah.''

Tenma stares at him for a few seconds longer and then grins. ''Tell me everything.''

Taiyou doesn't bother hiding his warm smile at that, moving to sit next to the brunet, already halfway in a story and gesturing animatedly with his arms, drinking in the sound of the other's laugh.

How he has missed his friend.

  ~'0'~  

To be continued...

Woohoo~ things are getting interesting now~

Until next chapter, AKA tomorrow!

Yara & Archerr