☆Wish Upon A Star☆

☆~Chapter 23~☆

Dawn's pale light dyed the sky pink and yellow, slowly washing the dark night away from the horizon.

Their legs hurt after a night long walk, their eyes wanted to slide closed and their brain wanted to put them to sleep, but Toris' voice wouldn't let them.

They couldn't stop now, being reassured that the cabin was nearer every step they took.

The landscape was lonely, even in the forestline. A few thin trees stood weakly after enduring the winter's wild wind, expecting the summer to keep them safe. The ground's frost crunched under their feet, but it hadn't snowed in the forest that night. Spring was arriving to Asia.

The silhouettes of mountains and hills surrounded the forest, in a dark pink blinded by the sun. The closer trees were black figures against the pale sky, slowly fading from the landscape to show a small cabin in the horizon.

Toris' grin grew at the sight. "We're almost there! Go!" He encouraged the almost-asleep Asians, walking faster.

After a few minutes more of rushed walk, they watched the cabin's silhouette standing taller and taller in front of them, covering the sun when they finally got to it.

The lovers panted under its shadow, while Toris banged his knuckles against a apparently wooden door that echoed of steel.

It quickly opened, letting out a creaking moan and revealing a blonde man's face behind. "Welcome back," He simply said, his silver eyes gleaming behind his glasses, even though his face remained expressionless, staring at Kiku and Yao. Toris nodded, grinning slightly and helping the panting Asians up. "They're exhausted, we'll leave the introductions for later. Are their rooms ready?"

Edward nodded, watching them step in and look around carefully. He clicked his fingers to get their attention and darted upstairs, hearing their lazy steps behind.

Kiku held Yao's hand tightly. The Chinese boy panted through clenched teeth and dry lips. He had insisted on taking his heavy art supplies with him, and he didn't accept Kiku's help in the walk there.

Kiku watched him, gently pressing a breathless kiss against his cheek, that was welcomed with a soft blush.

They followed the Estonian man up the stairs through the corridors, not looking up from the carpet that covered the floor as he guided them to the furthest room.

The -this time, true- wooden door opened with a push, and their room appeared before their tired eyes.

It was lovely, but they didn't feel energetic enough to take in the soft carpet, the pale blue walls or the lamp that hung from the ceiling. They just had some energy left to thank Edward, who nodded and left; and to drag themselves to the warm, clean bed waiting for them.

With a happy groan, they tucked themselves into the cozy feather blankets and hugged.

Then they knew.

They were safe.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

Matthew panted, heavily stepping on the snow.

The sun that filtered through the forest's thickest trees wasn't warmer than the rage that boiled into his bloodstream, quietly but torturously.

How did they know? What else had they found out?

He ran through the forest, dodging rocks and fallen branches on his way, and letting his feet fly above the thin layer of snow and frost that covered the forest's ground. A growl escaped his lips at the hooting of the owls that had retired to their nests to sleep, and were now awake at the pounding of Matthew's boots against the ground.