Hi lovely readers! Sorry for the long wait for an update! I have a feeling I'm running out of ideas. Sorry if this gets more and more lame…feel free to message me or send any ideas and reviews! I'm really grateful for all you guys…never thought anyone would want to read my crappy writing…so thank you all so much! *hugs and kisses all around.

Chapter 5: Missed Opportunity

Balancing on the precarious ragged rocks of the wastelands, Shion could feel the last fading rays of warmth from the sun. He stopped, and turned on his heel to squint into the sunset. As always, his thoughts only went to Nezumi. "Come back when you will Nezumi…I will not love you any less...I'll be here, as long as it takes." As he thought, a tear trickled down his cheek. Wiping it angrily on his sleeve, he was shocked to feel the tear slide across his bare arm. Looking down, he realized he had left his jacket back in the hidden house. Shaking his head, he decided to head home without it. He could grab the jacket tomorrow when he went to visit the little house. Unable to shake an uneasy feeling off, he turned and took another look at the house. Squinting against the sunset, Shion almost toppled off the rock he was perched on. Had he seen a flicker of light just now? A shadow walking by? No, it couldn't be. Shaking his head, he laughed bitterly into his hands at his own hopeless delusions and walked home.

That night, dinner was delicious, as always. His mother's cherry cakes have gotten better, and customers have been flocking to their little bakery house. tonight, however, something felt off. Even Macbeth was uneasy, jumping around excitedly from Shion's shoulders to his mother's. Feeling drained and anxious, Shion decided to get to sleep earlier. Tucked into bed, his thoughts went back to Nezumi. Tossing and turning, Shion finally drifted off to sleep, and for the first time in what seemed like years, he did not see Nezumi in his dreams.