It would only be a few minutes until daybreak when Hiroto left his place along with his Koto to go his usual training place. He arrived at the old cottage with the door opened. The sound of his feet against the wooden planks ceased as his steps faltered to a stop. Hiroto's eyes lingered on the figure of a tall young man with light brown hair, who rested on the floor with his eyes closed. Sunlight weaved through the leaves of the tree from outside entering the windows, shining on the brown of his hair -- making it appear much brighter, giving it a faint red glow -- and adding to the silence and serenity of the scene.

To be asleep in the floor so soundlessly must mean one thing, Hiroto concluded effortlessly, this guy had died and stayed here to rot. Hiroto had always been a large fan of art -- particularly painting and music -- and this guy in front of him definitely must have stepped out of a painting worth a couple hundred million yen. His facial features were soft, feminine almost, and delicate. His skin was porcelain white, milky in a way, and glowed healthily unlike Hiroto's own. His legs were long and thin as was his own frame, but his shoulders were broad enough to be able to hold a lover.

He took a step closer to the man only to found out that there was blood on the stranger’s clothes. Hiroto feared that he just found a dead body in the middle of the forest. But still, he wanted to see if the guy he found is really dead or in the verge of being dead, “A-are you all right? Please wake up.” Hiroto cringed.

Maybe this guy really was dead. Should Hiroto just leave him there? It was none of Hiroto's business...and yet Hiroto couldn't turn away from this absolute stranger. There was something strange about him that drew Hiroto in . . . a sense of danger.

“Hey, are you all right? Please wake up if you can hear me!” a voice called out

“Someone’s shaking me. I . . . I can’t distinguish if he’s human or not. I’m still not in good shape to know. Seems like it’s already daybreak, the sun is starting to hurt my eyes. Slowly, I tried opening my eyes so they could adjust to the light.” Kazamasa thought to himself

“Ah! You’re waking up! Hey, how do you feel? Are you all right? You have blood on your clothes so I’m kind of worried. Can you hear me? Hey~!” the voice continued saying

What the-? This guy talks so much! Be grateful that my eyes are not used to the sun, if they are I’ve already punched you.

“Hey, if you’re all right just open your eyes already. I thought you were an injured fellow so I got myself worried but it seems like you’re just a drunk last night and got into a fight and ripped your clothes, and because you ripped your clothes because you were staggering on your way and ended up here. But, that hole on your sleeve looked like it was pierced by an arrow or something. Where are you from anyway?” the voice continued talking

My eyes are starting to adjust itself to the light and this guy who is pestering me is starting to get clearer in my vision. Get ready you piece of , once I know where I will aim my fist at you’ll wish that you were never born. Eh? This guy . . . he’s

“You look dazed, hangover? Hi, my name is Ogata Hiroto, nice to meet you! What’s your name?” Hiroto smiled

This guy . . . he’s a-adorable. He’s like the sun itself.

“Shouto.” Kazamasa answered

“Shouto? Is that an alias? Looks like he doesn’t really liked it when I woke him up. I deserved it anyway. Who am I to him anyway? He doesn’t even know anything about me yet so would he tell me his real name. And he’s got beautiful brown hazel eyes bored right into his own.” Hiroto thought to himself as he gets closer while observing the stranger. Without realizing how they were merely a few centimeters apart, blood rushed to Hiroto's head, staining his cheeks with red. “At least he's not dead…”, Hiroto thought wryly. The young man immediately straightened up and turned away from the beautiful stranger.

“Are you all right? I found you here sleeping and saw blood on your clothes so I got worried. What are you doing here in this place anyway? The town is already too far from here.” Hiroto said

“I was chased.” Shouto answered

“Chased? Was it the thieves that did that to you? Poor fellow.” Hiroto pouted

“I don’t know this place, do your mind telling me the way out of here?” Shouto asked

“But you look so tired. Can’t you just rest for a while? I know! I’ll take you to my place! You could have a nice bath there and some decent meal!” Hiroto said a bit excited

“But . . .” Shouto hesitated

“Don’t worry, you’re safe in my place I promise.” Hiroto smiled

This guy went through a lot last night, its better if I take care of him for a while. No wonder he has nothing with him right now.

Before going out, Hiroto carried with him a rectangular shaped object neatly covered with silk. The tall brunette wondered what it was. Shouto suddenly became curious about the human who is willing to help a stranger he just met. The walk was really a bit long just as Hiroto said but still they have reached the town. To avoid attention because of Shouto’s soiled and blooded clothes, Hiroto made him wear his coat.

“Thank you, Hiroto.” Shouto said

“No problem.” Hiroto smiled

“His smell is all over this coat, I really can’t deny that humans are really appetizing.” Shouto said to himself

It was another walk for them reach Hiroto’s place. Shouto didn’t expect that the place where Hiroto is living right now is brothel.

“You live here?” Shouto asked

“Actually, this is the place where I work and then right on top of it is where I live. Workers have the privilege to live here free of charge.” Hiroto explained

“Is it really all right if I go there?” Shouto asked

“Of course, I’m sure they won’t mind having a new face to see. Besides, there’s just a few of us who live there since most of the workers here chose to live with their family. Come on inside.” Hiroto smiled

The two went in using the backdoor of the brothel. Upon entering the place someone already welcomed them.

“Hiro-kun, you’re back early. What’s wrong?” Waka greeted cheerfully as ever

“Who’s that guy?” Hiko asked

“I met him at the old cottage. He’ll just stay here for a night or two. I’ll ready the bath for him!” Hiroto said and pulled the brunette beside him

“Ask permission from Kamijo-san first!” Hiko yelled

Hiroto was too preoccupied with his newly found companion to hear what Hiko said. Well Hiko didn’t even expect that Hiroto would listen to her or to Waka. Once he has decided something no one can stop him, same with if his attention is already focused on something or rather with someone which is entirely new to them.

“Ne, Hiko-chan.” Waka said putting an arm around Hiko’s shoulder

“What?” Hiko asked

“Hiro-kun’s friend looks cool, ne?” Waka said

“Waka, you’re joking right?” Hiko asked

Meanwhile, Hiroto has made the bath ready as well as new clothes for his new friend Shou.

“The bath’s ready, just take your time okay? Is it all right if I’ll leave your for a while, I’ll just tell owner-san that you’re here.” Hiroto said

“Thank you for your kindness but I don’t have to stay here for a day.” Shouto said

“Don’t say that, you don’t look so well yet. Once you had a good meal and a good rest I’ll let you off okay?” Hiroto smiled

“Sure, a good meal.” Shouto said

The tall brunette doesn’t have a choice now but to just stay for a while. The hunters might be in this town since it’s the closest to where he was last seen. But how could he possibly stay there peacefully if he is surrounded by appetizing scents, especially the one Hiroto is emitting?

Shouto started to get himself undressed not minding the other man in the room.

“H-he’s undressing; h-he’s stripping off! Right in front of me! Wait, what am I getting nervous for? He’s a man and I’m a man what’s the deal with that? I really should go right now while it’s early. The problem is, my eyes are already well-glued to his smooth skin that well toned body and his . . . “ Hiroto thought to himself as he appreciates the person across him

“I thought you’ll be talking to the owner of the house?” Shouto asked, bringing Hiroto back to his senses

“Ah, yes I was about to leave actually. I just spaced out for a while that’s all.” Hiroto laughed from his awkwardness

Hiroto composed himself for a moment while standing in front of the office door of his employer. After a few deep breaths he knocked on the door thrice, after hearing a voice telling him to come in he slide opened the door and greeted his employer. Tall, slender, pale, and blonde. That’s what all people now about him, his foreign looks make people be wary of him, some curious.

“G-good morning Kamijo-san.” Hiroto stuttered

Kamijo is the mysterious owner of Nectarine brothel, no one knows where he came from or how old he is. All they know is that he was first seen getting off from a western ship full of western traders and from there he bought a run-down brothel and reconstructed the whole building.

“Ah Hiroto! What can I do for you?” Kamijo asked

“Um… You see, there is a favor that I have. I hope you allow me.” Hiroto said shyly

“It depends on your request, if it’s within my power by all means.” Kamijo answered

“I met someone on the forest during my morning walks. He was injured and I kinda felt bad for him. So I was kind of wondering if you can allow him to stay for a night or two until he gets better. Honestly, when I look at him there’s a similar feeling I get from you.” Hiroto answered

“Well then, I hope I could get to see him with us on dinner.” Kamijo smiled

“Thank you Kamijo-san!” Hiroto said

Out of excitement Hiroto rushed to where Shouto is to tell him the news. When he reached the bathroom, Shouto was already done taking a bath and is already dressed.

“Kamijo-san said you can stay!” Hiroto said excitedly

“That’s great.” Shouto smiled

“Wow, you look much cooler now that you’re clean and neat, right Hiro-kun?” Waka said

“Y-yeah, really cool.” Hiroto said

“Hi, my name is Waka. Nice to meet you!” Waka bowed

Waka is one of the few young girls that were sold to slave traders by their parents due to poverty. She was lucky enough to be bought by Kamijo to be set free but chose to stay to work as a waitress for the money that she was bought for as well as to search for her older sister that was sold to a geisha house. Because of her sister’s beauty, she was lucky to be sold in a geisha house to become a performer rather than be a worker, in which where Waka was sold to. Despite the circumstances, Waka remained to be in good spirit.

“My name is Shouto.” Shouto said

Waka clings on Shouto and pulled him close to her. “Let me show you around!” Waka excitedly said

Shouto right now is in a safe place. It is good, but it would be much better if only Takeru knew. Right now at this very moment, he’s still in the forest looking aimlessly. The guilt in him continues to risen. He’s starting to become desperate. It was until he heard voices and the feeling of a presence he knows.

“Stay here okay? It would be dangerous if they see you here. I’ll hunt for you instead okay?”

“Okay.”

It was Uruha’s voice he heard.

“Reita, someone’s near.” Uruha said

Takeru revealed himself to the two. He didn’t expect to see them here. It was a uncommon combination after all, a child of a moon and a hunter.

“Takeru.” Uruha said

“I need you right now. Kazamasa-sama is missing and I need your ability to find him. If you want to get back on Kazamasa-sama for what he has done to you, now is the right time.” Takeru said

“I won’t let you expose Uruha to danger by being with you or your master.” Reita said

“But Reita, we owe everything to Kazamasa-sama. If it wasn’t for us then we wouldn’t be together again like this.” Uruha said

Among all the child of the moon that Takeru met, Uruha was the one with the strongest tracking abilities. Maybe it was due to him being a hunter of children of the moon that led it to this ability and it has become an enhanced talent when he became a child of the moon.

“Fine, but Uruha should always be within my vision if you’re going to let him do something.” Reita said

“If we do everything in a human’s pace it would take that too much time.” Takeru said

“Then you’ll have to face me first before you could get to Uruha.” Reita said

“Takeru, Reita stop, I’ll help find Kazamasa-sama if and only Reita is with us.” Uruha said

“Looks like I don’t have any choice then.” Takeru said

“Do you have something that Kazamasa-sama has before he got separated? Maybe something he held?” Uruha asked

“All I have is this.” Takeru held out the blooded piece of cloth

“This is much better.” Uruha said

Uruha took a few sniff then he closed his eyes for a while. He began walking at a direction and so the two followed. It wasn’t really that bad after all when he found Uruha at this place. At last he has a greater chance of finding his master sooner, hopefully before the hunters could find him.