The sky was glowing, a brilliant background of aureate light only to be obstructed by the soft piles of white-golden clouds. Luminescence rained down on earth, blanketing it with its heavenliness, dying it in burnt orange and throwing shadows like long black cloaks. The higher the sky climbed, the darker it became. First it was periwinkle, shifting into blue-violet, then indigo, followed by black with infinite shades in between. The dark faded into the background and the light took center stage to brandish itself in front of earth.

Underneath the magnificent expanse walked a lone figure, his feet crunching into the dry, naked earth. He was dressed in dark, faded colors, his scarf flowing out behind him and swaying a little in the light breeze. His hair, the color of a starless night, was tied up into a high ponytail. It had grown longer the past four years, now reaching the base of his neck even when fastened atop his head as it was. His eyes were deep silver, the color of trapped moonlight that a certain boy had loved.

Nezumi felt his heart beat in his chest in sync with every step he took. He became a bit more on edge as he approached the remnants of the city he once detested.

He had expected as such within himself, but what Nezumi hadn't expected was the steady change in terrain around him.

Four years ago the site of the fallen wall had been desolate, deprived of life. Even more so, it had reeked of destruction—the destruction of No.6 as it had been known.

Now with every bit closer Nezumi got to the long-ago fallen wall, he noticed more and more vitality seeping into the land. The dry dirt Nezumi had been treading upon transformed and became slightly more lush, acquiring vegetation, at first sparse and then thicker and more prominent.

Signs of humanity began to make themselves apparent. The disregarded land soon faded into a slate road, plant life sprouting on either side of it.

Seeing these changes made a sort of melancholy nostalgia come over Nezumi.

It's changed…Nezumi thought, sighing simultaneously at the loss and riddance that came with the realization that traces of his past had been erased.

Looking down, Nezumi saw little words inscribed into the rectangular slates. He stopped for a moment and crouched to get a closer look of them. His breath hitched ever so slightly when he realized what they were.

Names. They were names.

They were the names of the people who had died during the fall of No.6.

Nezumi's eyes widened almost imperceptibly at the new realization, It's changed, but it hasn't gone away.

A small smile came upon Nezumi's lips.

Standing up, Nezumi felt just a bit stronger.

After all this time he felt a bit better about going home—well, returning more like.

Nezumi began walking again.

Some distance away Nezumi spotted another new sight.

The plant life had changed again. It had become beautiful.

It was like a garden, orchard and park all combined into one obvious memorial for the fall of the old No.6.

The pathway now divided and subdivided into several pathways that leaked away into the expanse of greenery on either side of the main road. Trees, still in the early stages of life, dotted the landscape, surrounded by flower bushes. Patches of colorful flower gardens spread out about memorial. Here and there were benches, flowing fountains and seating areas. It was all arranged beautifully and welcomingly.

Nezumi's smile became more prominent on his face, So this is what they made the wall into.

He felt warmth spread across his chest.

I bet a certain albino loves this place, Nezumi thought, his heart giving a little ache at the thought of the boy.

As Nezumi continued walking, a distant shape began to appear.

It seemed to be a large metal archway that was covered in vine plants with colorful flowers. The top of the arch way was extended a ways and it had words engraved into it. They said "Welcome to No.6!" in large bold letters.

The days of intense security were gone, Nezumi supposed.

As Nezumi got closer he saw that the path continued on the other side of the archway. The slate road was framed by flowerbeds on either side.

Then he saw something that made his heart stop.

Next to one of the flower beds was a small figure. It seemed to be a young man. His pure white hair moved a little in the breeze. He must have trimmed it regularly, because it was still the same length and style. His skin was still pale and soft-looking even from the distance. His soft pink lips were shaped into a lovely smile. His eyes, almost covered by his head, were brilliantly red. The tell-tale scar peeked out from beneath his hair to snake around his neck and down lower, disappearing under his clothes.

Nezumi would recognize him anywhere.

Nezumi picked up pace, moving faster and faster until he was almost running.

A short distance away from the archway he slowed down slightly and opened his mouth, his voice ripping out of him.

"Shion!"

The figure looked up quickly. His eyes widened and surprise painted itself across his pretty face.

Shion slowly stood up as Nezumi came closer, keeping up a brisk tempo. His eyes shone with tears that were slowly forming. His face glowed under the light of the incandescent sky.

He stood unmoving, watching as the man the he'd watched leave four years ago walked back to him.

"Shion," Nezumi said again, getting nearer and nearer.

He slowed down a mere meter away from the archway. Just as he was about to cross it he paused.

Shion watched him silently, many emotions playing out over his face.

I've made him wait for so long, Nezumi thought.

Taking a deep breath, Nezumi took a large, decisive step over the threshold of No.6 for the first time in four years.

"Nezumi!"

As soon as he was on the same side of the archway, Shion had started to run towards Nezumi.

Nezumi didn't stop approaching Shion. Instead he held out his arms, encircling Shion once he had ran into his chest.

Nezumi hugged Shion tightly, his heart pounding hard in his chest.

"Nezumi…" Shion whispered heatedly, clinging to him tightly as well.

He hasn't grown noticeably, Nezumi managed to think amidst his whirlwind of thoughts. He let his fingers slip into Shion's hair, noticing how silky soft it was.

They embraced each other silently, the both of them only hearing their hearts rapidly beating in unison.

"Shion," Nezumi said softly, as he put his hand under the smaller boy's chin and lifting it so he could properly see his face.

As he looked into Shion's face, Nezumi's breath hitched slightly.

Shion looked up at him with large, bright eyes. His mouth curved into a smile.

Shion had gotten even more beautiful than he'd already been. Four years had matured his face, but it still retained the youth and innocence that it had before.

Nezumi gently traced Shion's scar with his thumb, affectionately staring into his eyes.

"Shion…" Nezumi said, his voice taking on a warm tone that he'd almost never used before, "…I'm home…"

Shion's smile got bigger and the tears that had pooled in his eyes threatened to overflow, "Welcome home, Nezumi."

Nezumi smiled too.

Cupping Shion's cheek, he bent down slightly.

Pressing his lips to Shion's, he gave him a short, chaste kiss.

Nezumi pulled away and chuckled when he saw Shion blushing, slightly surprised.

"I'm glad to be back," Nezumi said.

The sky above them had darkened into night. Dark grey clouds almost blended into the background, moving stealthily. They circled the moon which was sending down its silver celestial rays.

Shion's blush deepened and he moved away slightly, turning and beginning to walk away. Nezumi followed him, feeling surprised when Shion reached back to hold his hand.

Nezumi gave Shion's smaller hand a squeeze.

"Where are we going?" Nezumi asked.

"'Kaasan's bakery. Do you like cherry pie, Nezumi?" Shion said.

"I love it," answered Nezumi.

He almost added 'Just like I love you.'

A/N: Hello! This is my first Nezushi multi-chapter fic, but I have written a few Nezushi fics prior to this— three short drabble-like fics, and one oneshot. In fact, the oneshot serves almost like a prelude to this fic. In any case, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and stick around for more to come!