"Mind if I join you?"

The familiar voice startled Mamiya Otaru. It made him want to jump, scream, and run far, far away. And he would have, too, if it not for the chuckle and the familiar voice continuing: "Don't worry. I'm not gonna kiss you."

Otaru inched away as he looked cautiously at the other boy behind him. "Are you sure?"

"I've learned my lesson." Hanagata Mitsuru went beside him and leaned at the balcony. He winked at Otaru. "Besides, if I do, you only need to scream and Cherry or Lime or Berry'll rescue you. And I have no intention of dying until tomorrow."

Tomorrow.

An uncomfortable silence lapsed into them and they continued to stare at the surroundings.

"Tomorrow..." Otaru paused for a while. "Tomorrow, Ieyasu-sama has given the orders for the people's attacking Germania." He stole a glance at Hanagata. "You worried?"

"I'm more worried for you and your Marionettes," the blond boy replied, not looking at him.

Otaru, not used to receiving compliments, blushed. "Thank you," he mumbled.

Hanagata turned to him seriously. "Are you sure about you and your Marionettes' rushing to Germania? You never know if Faust has something up his sleeve..."

"Don't worry about me," Otaru cut in. He gave a small grin. "I'm surprised you're not more worried about yourself."

"I'm not that shallow," Hanagata retorted. "What kind of fool do you take me for?"

"Touchy," Otaru muttered back.

"I don't want you to worry about anyone else but yourself and your dolls." Hanagata grinned. "Your friends will be waiting here for you."

Otaru smiled at him. "I'm sure you will."

The smile disappeared from the other boy's face as he turned away quickly. "I stopped being your friend when--"

The thin boy frowned at the statement. "When?"

Hanagata gave a small sigh. "When I tried to kiss you."

Otaru was silent.

The other boy laughed, although it sounded forced. "I don't know when I began to like you more than a friend...I guess I've been into it so long that I can't remember when it actually started." He gave Otaru a brief glance before turning to the stars once more. "I liked you a lot. You were always there when the other kids teased me. You helped me find myself--"

"And helped you become more spoiled," Otaru cut in. Then, gave a little gasp and covered his mouth.

But Hanagata laughed once more. "Yes. You spoiled me. I never learned how to stand on my own feet. Because, somehow, I knew that you will always be there." He gave him a sad look. "But I learned everything from you, too. It just didn't come before, but I learned. I learned from you and your Marionettes." He paused.

"I liked you, too." Otaru bit his lips. "I'm sorry I--I'm sorry I didn't like you that much."

"That's okay. I learned not to yearn for you, too." Hanagata's voice was quiet.

Otaru swallowed. "It's not that I don't like other boys. I've been around men so long that I guess it's only natural for me to react to men's advances, too. But--I don't know why--"

"I understand," Hanagata interrupted, smiling. "You don't love me. And it's okay. I've learned to live with it. You love your Marionettes..."

"I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't be."

There was another awkward pause before Otaru glanced at him. "Would you--would you like to kiss me?"

Hanagata seemed surprised at the question. He took a small look at Otaru's sincere face before shaking his head, smiling softly. "I'm tempted, but no thank you. I wouldn't want that because of pity."

Otaru's face colored brightly. "Oh, but it's not--"

"Thank you anyway." Hanagata stepped away to the shadows. "Good night, Otaru. I hope you will sleep well tonight...to be prepared for tomorrow."

"Thank you." Otaru frowned briefly before calling out, "Mitsuru."

Although he didn't turn to look at him, he could hear the other boy stop. "Mm?"

"I--still consider you to be my friend." Otaru turned to his silhouette. "Nothing changed when you tried to kiss me."

He could actually feel Mitsuru's smile. "Thank you, friend," the other replied before returning to walking.

~ * ~

He found Hanagata's body in the past eye of the battle between Germania and Japones. Battered and bloody, Otaru managed to recognize the glinting yellow hair in the midst of the mangled bodies.

Quietly, he knelt beside the body and gathered the form in his arms. Although already lifeless, he found Hanagata still warm.

"Otaru..."

Even Cherry's voice did not pierce through his thoughts.

"Otaru--"

"Leave me," he replied quietly.

"But, Otaru..." Berry immediately hushed the two girls. Quietly, the three Marionettes turned away, respectively leaving him in his quiet way of mourning.

Otaru squeezed his eyes shut, rocking Mitsuru in his arms. "Sleep," he murmured. "Sleep." And then, slowly, tears began to fall out of his eyes.

The flames slowly rose to engulf the body that lay respectively on a large boulder. Otaru, Lime, Cherry and Berry stood in respectful silence, each lost in their own private thoughts of their departed friend.

Lime glanced concernedly at Otaru, then took his hand into hers. "I'm sorry, Otaru."

Otaru did not turn to her, instead smiled briefly. "Don't be," he replied softly. "Mitsuru wouldn't like that." He looked up to the rising flames, trying to reach heaven, peace for all eternity. "I learned," he whispered.

Then, slowly, the flames began to wither and die. Only a few ashes remained with the small amount of heat and flame.

Berry, Cherry and Lime all bowed in respect, then stepped away.

Otaru stepped forward, then reached out to gather some ashes, letting them fly with the wind. He smiled. "Thank you, friend."