The rest of the train ride was tense. Karoku had a very tight grip on both Nai and Gareki, not allow either boy to move so much as a centimeter from his side. Not that it was needed, the man in the train clearly wasn't interested in trying to take either boy from Karoku again. Instead, he sat on his seat, legs propped up, polishing his gun. Karoku knew Gareki was eyeing the transmitter that lay close to the man's side. It was the thing that could cause Nai a lot of pain if the man decided it was necessary.

But Karoku wasn't necessarily focused on keeping the man from torturing anyone, he wouldn't do anything too damaging since Kafka probably had strict orders to deliver the trio relatively unharmed and safe. Besides, both Nai and Gareki were still suffering from the sickness. No, the man probably wouldn't torture Nai or even Gareki. But, Karoku still didn't want to subject either boy to what lay ahead at Kafka. They would probably be subject to horrible tests. Nai would be dissected multiple times, probably the same with Gareki. So, the thing that Karoku was most focused on now was trying to figure out a way to get both boys out of here and away from Kafka. He bit his lip and looked down at Nai. The boy had grabbed his shirt and was clutching it tightly, looking worriedly over at Gareki. Karoku leaned down.

"Don't worry, Nai, we're going to be fine," he said. Nai looked up at Karoku and gave a week smile.

"I know. But, Gareki is pale," he said. Karoku looked over at Gareki. Not only was he pale, but he was shivering and hot to the touch.

"He'll be fine. He's strong," he said, trying his best to assure Nai. It seemed to work as soon Nai relaxed a bit in Karoku's hold. Now, all Karoku had to worry about was getting away. There was a possibility that as soon as they were on the road, the security would lessen. Gareki and Nai were not in any shape to run, but if Karoku could distract and fight for long enough, he might be able to give Nai and Gareki a big enough head start to at least hide until they were safe enough to start looking for Circus. Karoku slumped down in his chair. He didn't want to return to that place. There were no good memories there. They were full of pain and fear. But he would rather be there by himself than with Nai or Gareki. He would not allow either boy to go through what he was forced to go through. That was why he left Nai in the first place, to protect him. The train began to slow down, causing Karoku to sit up straighter. He would protect both Nai and Gareki. He would not fail again.

"Looks like we're here. Remember boys, best behavior," the man said. He stood up and stretched.

"Go to hell," Gareki said, coughing slightly. Karoku would have scolded the boy, had he not been prepared to say the exact same thing.

"Nai, do you think you can walk?" Karoku asked softly. Nai nodded and went to stand up. His legs were a little wobbly at first, but he soon managed to gain his balance. Gareki was very similar. The train slowed to a halt and Karoku wrapped an arm around either boy, following the man out of the train and onto the platform. He stood there, looking around for a minute before smiling and heading towards a black car.

"Come on boys, do keep up. Can't have the boss waiting," he said pleasantly. Karoku carefully lead them towards the car and then helped them get in. The man collapsed against the back of the seat facing Karoku and smiled at them.

"That was more work that I thought it would be. And you even came so nicely," he said. Then, Hirato's form shimmered into focus.

"About damn time," Gareki mumbled. Hirato smiled, the man opened and closed his mouth like a fish.

"Thank you for finding these three for Circus. Without your hard work, it would have made our job much more difficult," he said with a painfully fake smile.

"How did you—" the man gasped. He didn't get to finish his sentence as Hirato made quick work of knocking him out.

"How did you find us?" Karoku asked. Hirato smiled.

"Yogi saw you disappear and we immediately began searching for you. He actually found you on the train but was unsure how many Kafka agents there were and didn't want to put you into any danger. He alerted us, I commandeered the car, and well, you were here for the rest," Hirato said.

"What's going to happen with him?" Gareki asked. Hirato looked down at the man.

"Well, he will be interrogated to see what he knows. Though, it's probably not much. Kafka does a great job about keeping their workers from holding too much information," Hirato said. Gareki opened his mouth to say something else but instead began coughing violently. Karoku managed to ease Gareki's coughing. The boy flopped back onto the seats and groaned.

"Ah yes, Yogi did say you all seemed rather unwell. Dr. Akari is waiting for you at our destination. I'm sure he can give you boys some treatment for whatever is wrong with you," Hirato said.

"I hate you," Gareki finished coughing.

They arrived at an empty field with Ship Two hovering above. Yogi was practically sobbing as he flung himself at Gareki. Gareki didn't have the strength to move but was pleasantly surprised when Karoku stopped him with a whack to the head, leacturing him about how bad it was to stress out sick people. Nai and Gareki were both thoroughly poked and proded by Dr. Akari, the man would not let them go even after Gareki insited he was fine. The only comfort he got was the fact that Karoku would have to undergo a very similar treatment. In the end, he fell into a deep sleep, allowing his body to rid itself of the cough and fever.

Gareki groaned and opened his eyes. He knew he was in the infirmary on the ship. He could tell by the annoying beeping that was coming from one of the machines and the beds. Was it sad that he spent so much time here that he actually knew what the beds felt like. He also knew that Nai was curled up by his side. It happened so often there might as well only be one bed in their rooms. Gareki opened his eyes and wasn't surprised by the fact that Nai was by his side or that he was in the infirmary on an infirmary bed. This didn't surprise him. What did surprise him was the fact that Karoku was in the room as well. He was flipping through a book, sitting by Gareki's bedside. He looked down to see Gareki awake.

"How are you feeling?" Karoku asked. Gareki cleared his throat and shifted so his arm was out from underneath Nai. He couldn't actually feel anything in it. He shook the appendage to see if the pins and needles feeling would stop.

"Much better. How's Nai?" Gareki asked. He felt as if he had had this conversation before.

"Better as well. The fever's gone and he's even woken up a few times," Karoku said. Gareki nodded.

"How long was I out?" he asked.

"Only two days. Not very long considering how sick you were," Karoku said, shrugging.

"Oh. Thanks for helping me out back there. I couldn't focus long enough to figure out what to do," Gareki said. He hated that he had to admit he was weak, but Karoku probably had figured out what was going through his head already anyways. Karoku smiled and put the book down.

"Did you really think I was just going to take Nai and leave you to fend for yourself?" Karoku asked. Gareki shrugged.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you did." Karoku's smile dropped. "I mean, I get it. Nai needs more protection than me. He's more special anyways. I wouldn't blame you if you did leave me," Gareki admitted.

"Listen, Gareki, as much as I hate to admit this, you aren't a bad kid. I thought I told you that if it hadn't been for you, Nai may not even be here right now. Besides, I would never leave you behind. I was actually planning on staying behind and giving you a chance to grab Nai and run. It was never an option to leave you behind," Karoku explained. Gareki was surpised at how honest the words sounded. He would have never guessed that Karoku's first thought was to save him and Nai. He always just assumed Nai came first, not the both of them. Gareki relaxed into the bed and allowed himself to drift off once more. Before he fell completely asleep, he turned towards Karoku.

"Thanks for looking out for me," he said quietly. He hoped Karoku wouldn't hear it. If he did, he didn't say anything.