The people know that one will fall,

To save the world, to save us all.

One will finally pay the price;

The price of freedom is his life.

***********************

Chen had made it, with a lot of work put in by Lay, but it had taken most of the day and they had been so exhausted that night that neither had objected when Kai teleported them to their new camping grounds. Suho didn't think it was smart to stay in the same place two nights in a row, especially when they had been attacked there, and so the made camp in the shadow of an old forest, within sight of a small town. Suho went through the packs that Kai, Baekhyun, and Kyungsoo had brought from town and doled dinner out for them all; if anyone noticed the extra food given to Chen and Lay, no one commented on it.

Sehun settled down with his back to a large oak tree, dinner in hand and eyes warily watching the shadows. He wasn't ready for another fight, and he was certain Lay wasn't either. All of the small cuts he had received during the fight were beginning to itch and sting, and he was dying for some water to wash them but knew better than to waste good water, and so sat in relative discomfort, fighting against the urge to scratch the forming scabs. 

"Are you okay?" A quiet voice asked, and he looked up to see the Cat standing above him. What was his name again?

"LuHan," he answered, and Sehun blushed, realizing that he had spoken that last (extremely rude) part out loud. "Sorry," he mumbled, looking back at his half-eaten dinner of canned beans and almost stale bread. "I just..."

A light laugh stopped him mid-sentence, and he looked up again in surprise. "It's totally okay. I don't think we've spoken two words to each other, let alone officially meet." He held out his hand with a smile, and hesitantly Sehun shook it. Then LuHan motioned to the ground beside Sehun. "Would you mind sharing your tree?" He asked, and the younger had to laugh at how silly it sounded. Scooting over, he made room for the other Guardian to sit, and so he did. They continued to eat their dinner in silence, both sending glances at the other but neither speaking again.

It was a fitful night for them all, with the exceptions of Lay and Chen. They both slept like the dead, and no one had the heart to wake them to stand guard. Kris and Suho ended up taking their shifts, and the next morning a bright eyed Lay made them all a hot breakfast of (pretty) fresh potatoes and mushroom hash. It was the first time since Jaejoong died since Kyungsoo had a hot breakfast, and so even while savoring the meal he fought back the tears. 

Despite the rare treat they finished up quickly, too nervous to stay in one place much longer lest they be attacked again. They shouldered their packs, covered the evidence of their camping, and headed out in their groups. Kyungsoo joined his two travel mates, Baekhyun nervously messing with his pack and sending wary glances in every direction; Kai striding along casually and confidently like a model from the old life. It was amazing how collected the other boy could be; nothing seemed to get to him whether it be anger, pain, or joy. His face never changed from the blank, cool stare he now leveled at the tr