"You-you're what??"

Itto rubs the back of his neck nervously and laughs, "Yeah, surprise?"

"Itto! What have you gotten yourself into?? More importantly, what have you gotten me into?!"

"Woah, woah, woah, calm down. are in the presence of greatness, you are in the presence of the One and Oni."

"I don't see Xiao anywhere?"

Itto looks hurt at me and dumbfounded, "Xiao isn't even an Oni! I'm hurt you think so little of me."

I shrug and he pouts.

"Back to the matter at hand, we really should get you somewhere safer. They know you live here now so you'll need to relocate somewhere they won't think of finding you."

He clears his throat and smiles, "Ta da! You get to stay with me!"

"Hello? Yes, Thoma I need a place to stay, think I could crash with you? You have to chec-"

Itto quickly snatches my phone away, "Hey, they've got somewhere to stay now. Thanks-" He hangs abruptly.

"Itto, the only place I've ever seen you be in is in a prison cell. You don't even work."

"Shush, shush, shush, I have a very nice place!"

"Itto, where are we?"

"My house!"

He points to a broken down house near a river in Sanganomiya.

"You just found this didn't you?"

"Look, no one lives here I assure you! I've stayed here plenty of times to avoid the tenryou commission." He smiles proudly and grabs my hand, pulling it towards the building.

"Why are you even my friend?"

"Because you love me."

"Shut up."

I push past him and enter the shabby looking house.

"Snug," I mutter sarcastically, looking around the broken-down house.

"Ok so maybe it isn't the best house but you'll be safe! I promise you. I would never let anything happen to you."

I smile, "I know," I touch his cheek softly and a slight blush tints his cheeks, "Thank you. I appreciate the help."

He takes my hands in his and brings them up to his mouth and closes his eyes, "I know this is my fault...but please give me a chance to fix this." His voice fades as he gets quieter and quieter.

I bring our hands down and give him a reassuring smile, "Of course, I will. I lov-you're my best friend. I would never let this "gang" deter me from you."

He gives me sad puppy eyes, "Heh! I knew you wouldn't just leave me to dry! I knew you always cared about me!"

"Watch it, don't make me get the beans out."

He gasps, "You wouldn't!"

I giggle and wink at him, I turn my back to him and sit on the floor mat.

"How did they even find me?"

"I don't know. I thought I was careful." He lays across from me on the floor and stares up at the ceiling. "Tch, I'm an idiot. How could I be so careless! If they ever come near you again and hurt you, I'll make sure they won't be able to walk again."

I crawl over next to him and lay down beside him. I place a hand on his chest and look into his eyes, "It'll be okay. I'll be okay. I promise. Come on, give me more credit than that, I'm strong enough, I can take them."

He laughs, "Sure you can. I hope we won't have to find out if that statement is true or not."

He turns over on his side and smiles, he wraps his arms around my waist and he pulls me to his chest. I wrap my arms around him and he pulls me closer to him. I close my eyes and he plays with my hair.

He whispers in my ear, "I promise you...I'll protect you no matter what..."