Hiro sat on the edge of the bed Alice was snoring away on… she looked so calm, she was at peace clearly. Isamu and Rose looked between each other. It was clear that Hiro was struggling.

  Isamu was looking a lot more frustrated than Rose was. “Where the hell are those two? They were supposed to keep you safe.”

  “Hm? Oh… they did. I left. I needed space.” His voice was low… not the same tone at all that they remembered from just a little while ago.

  Isamu moved over and sat beside him. She whispered so not to wake up Alice “you know… there’s always a spot in the rebels for you Hiro. Always.”

  Hiro locked eyes with her. “Thanks Isamu.”

  Rose smiled “She doesn’t offer spots to anyone Hiro I would take her up on it. I do wonder why it is that she wants you” her voice was dripping with tease.

  ”har har Rose very funny.” Isamu blushes ever so slightly before shifting an inch away from Hiro.

  Hiro tries to smile “I’m ok really…”

  Isamu and Rose exchange a look before sighing and giving up on it. They then turn their attention to Alice. “So who’s the girl?”

  ”Found her. She went through something bad but… I think she’s fine?” Hiro was looking at the gash in her neck…

  How has that scar healed so quickly? Shouldn’t she have died from a cut that deep on the neck?

  ”Welp… no matter what you say Hiro… you’re at least staying with us for a little while. And there’s no saying no now.”

  Hiro sighed, his black swirling eyes locked onto Isamu’s brown eyes… “ok.”

  He then gestured towards Alice “I’ll need to deal with her first though…”

  ”what’s the plan?”

  Hiro rubbed the back of his neck “I have no idea… can’t you two think of something?”

  Isamu fidgets with her goggles as she thinks “I mean the rebels of course can’t take her… maybe there’s an orphanage nearby?”

  “I feel kind of bad leaving her though”

  Rose placed her hand over his “don’t be. She’ll be better off with a family that can actually care for her”

  He gave her a soft smile before a lightbulb went off “I met this guy who said he had a daughter back home! Maybe he can take her?”

  ”some random guy? What was his name?”

  “Allan I think…”

  “and he seemed like a good guy?” Isamu raised an eyebrow

  ”I guess so? I mean he said he had a daughter so he knows how to deal with her right?”

  Rose and Isamu shared a look “how about you show us to him and we’ll talk to him for you?”

  “Sure… but first some sleep.” He got down on the floor and shifted into a less than comfortable position.

  Isamu stood over him “are you serious?”

  “what?”

  Rose got down on two knees “You plan on sleeping on the floor?”

  “yeah? I mean there’s only two beds”

  Rose giggled “I guess that is true”

  Isamu was already trying to get comfortable in the bed. “This blanket is so itchy”

  Rose sighed and lifted her Snow White hair behind her ear and leaned down “Sweet dreams Hiro…”

  He looked up at her a little taken aback “Yeah…”

  Rose got into bed with Isamu. Hiro turned his back as he heard the shuffling and whispering. He then heard the rustling of clothes and he cleared his throat and forced his eyes closed.

  The cold air was cold enough to bite the skin. The capital was beginning to wake up as the cobblestone had a layer of frost coated over it. Shops began to slowly open and work days began.

  The gates were slowly opened for the first set of carriages to head out. As the carriages rolled by she stood up, Zero.

  She was watching the incoming carriages closely, looking for him. People were nervous when that helmet appeared at their window. She grumbled at every Hiroless cart. After the long wave and no Hiro… she sat by the gate as if she’d done it a hundred times.

  The top of her armour had some frost on it. It was clear she’d been out here for a few hours already. She did it every single day since he left. Hoping he was sitting smiling in one of the carriages, but he never was.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  As she sat down she was met by a familiar pair of emerald eyes, “how long do you plan on doing this”

  She looked at Asahi before crossing her arms and looking away.

  He rolled his eyes and leaned again his hip “you know… we have to leave soon.”

  “I know.” Her voice was colder than the morning air.

  Asahi felt the sting of her response and he brought his lips into a thin line before turning and leaving.

  He waved at some passerby who was basically squealing at the sight of him. His smile he wore dropped as she left. He ran his fingers through his long black hair and he sighed before heading back in.

  Hiro rubbed his eyes as he awoke... the muffled sounds of water were met with 2 voices humming together. He looked over at Alice who was very much passed out still. His eyes lingered on that scar across her neck...

  He slowly got up with a grunt and he looked out the window, the cold air bit at his face as he watched Allan lay baskets of breads at doors. He decided to head down and speak to him.

  Allan smiled to himself as he laid another basket by a crooked door with holes in it. He turned around at the sound of footsteps.

  "Hey..." Hiro sheepishly smiled as he rubbed the back of his neck.

  Allan looked at him up and down "Where's the girl?"

  "Oh she's sleeping, she's with some friends of mine..."

  He nodded and walked over to his carriage. He could tell Hiro wanted to say more so he stopped and allowed him to speak

  "I uh... You said you had a daughter right?"

  Allan sighed "Yes, she's probably a little older than you... why?" His eyes narrowed as if he knew what Hiro was about to ask.

  "Would you... be able to take care of Alice? I mean I know I can't"

  "No. I have a lot on my plate... and it's irresponsible to leave her in the care of a man you just met yesterday." He grabbed another basket from the back of the carriage and walked over to the next house

  Hiro quickened his pace to walk beside him "Oh come on, you have got to be a better option than me..."

  Allan placed the basket down and looked at him in the corner of his eye "Kid... raising a kid is difficult... and I have no idea who you are...and I'll be honest. Those eyes of yours aren't to be trusted."

  Hiro looked down at the floor with his blackened, swirling iris' "Ah... ok"

  Hiro turned slowly and began walking away... the man held the bridge of his nose with frustration as if mad at himself for what he was about to say "But... I guess that means I can't leave her in your stead now can I?"

  Hiro perked up and turned around "Then you'll care for her? you'll do it?"

  Allan grumbled "Fine. But if this turns out to be some trap..."

  Hiro stood up straight and smiled "No traps sir... I promise."

  Allan gave him one last look up and down, sighed and rubbed his head "I'll be at the exit of the village in exactly an hour. Have her be there and I'll pick her up."

  Hiro smiled "Thanks"

  Isamu and Rose had gotten dressed and were ready to head out. Isamu lifted her goggles over her forehead and lifted on her big jacket. Rose had tied her white hair back in a long flowing ponytail. Alice had just woken up a few minutes prior and had been asking where Hiro was.

  Hiro stepped in and took a beat before Alice jumped towards with a shout, "BIG BRO!"

  Isamu raised an eyebrow whereas Rose giggled into her hand.

  Isamu shook her head as Alice hand buried herself into Hiro's chest. "We're gonna have to leave soon... the paths can get busy the closer you get to the capital so..."

  Hiro smiled and nodded, he then placed a hand on Alice's shoulder "Oh hey you can go with that dude from earlier"

  Alice looked up at him confused "Huh?"

  "You know... the bald dude from earlier who bought you the jacket?" He grabbed the jacket from the floor and hooked it around her shoulders. He smiled at her as if this should be easy.

  "I don't want to go with him... I want to go with you" She was pouting ever so slightly as she stood there with her arms crossed.

  "Huh? you can't go with me. I'm going with those two." He pointed at the two girls

  "But why can't I come?"

  Hiro sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. How the hell do I get this girl to leave me... she's gonna be way better off.

  "Look. Alice. I know you want to come with me and I appreciate it... trust me I do but I'm still a dumb kid really..."

  His eyes left her face. "And... people around me seem to get hurt quite a lot." He placed his finger on the nasty scar across her neck. "Including you."

  Her eyes started to water as she grabbed his hand "But... Everyone leaves me. My mom and dad left and now you are..."

  He ruffled her hair as he smiled "Nah... I'm not leaving you. I'm sure we'll meet again one day. What I am doing is making sure you'll be ok for the rest of your life. It's like you said right? these eyes make you special. So you better keep them safe"

  "You'll come see me again?"

  "If the world allows it. I'd love to"

  Alice sprouted extra arms to hug him tightly "This is called an ultra hug"

  Hiro laughed "Oh really? I can see why"

  Isamu and Rose looked taken aback by the power... So she was one of them... shame... she looked a nice girl.

  Alice was holding tightly onto his hand as they walked towards Allan at the village exit. Isamu was a lot less engaged now, whereas Rose still watched Hiro's step. He looked off to her. Something wasn't exactly right, not only were his eyes strange but... the way he moved seemed off like he was hiding something.

  Alice gave him one last hug before Allan helped her into the carriage.

  "I promise she's going to a good home... my daughter Sara will love her."

  Hiro smiled and nodded.

  The three of them watched as the carriage rolled away, Isamu was sitting against the wall as she watched Hiro wave to a crying Alice as her figure grew further away and eventually lost to the trees.

  Rose looked at him from the corner of her eye "Are you ok?"

  "Sure. Why?"

  Before she could give a reason he flashed a smile and pointed towards the trees "It's this way right?"

  "No." Isamu guided his finger towards the right direction "This way."

  Hiro laughed and they began walking. Isamu and Rose shared a glance... but they followed anyway.

  Asahi pulled his arm through his long coat. He tied his silky black hair into a ponytail and sighed. He leaned against the outer walls of the capital and his eyes landed on that suit of armour, white and gold, damaged and scratched... yet still sitting waiting on him. He felt for her, truly. He didn't understand why she was so adamant to wait but it was pretty clear he wouldn't be back. At least in Asahi's eyes. But ultimately they have a job to do.

  He walked over and stood beside her for a couple seconds before clearing his throat. "We have to go. My father is pretty serious now. We have to bring the rebel leader in."

  Zero stood. She glanced at Asahi, her piercing blue eyes met his emerald green eyes as snow began to fall once more. "Fine. Let's just make it quick."

  She began walking ahead, her armour clinking with every step.

  Asahi closed his eyes "Sorry Giichi."

  Asahi and Zero. Hiro, Isamu and Rose all on the same path, opposite sides. Unknowingly walking towards the same location. Hiro smiled at Isamu as she was rambling on about whatever it was she was talking about, Rose watched him closely, his smile wouldn't reach his eyes sometimes and he was too stiff. Meanwhile Asahi and Zero were completely silent. She was walking with purpose. She didn't care about rebels... she just wanted Hiro back.

  They were both on a crash course heading straight for one another.