"C'mon, it's time to go!"
   Sky jumped awake, looking up in confusion and grunting a little. "Wh...?!"
   Deadlox had thrown open his shutters, letting white light stream into his room. "Harvey still isn't back, so let's go!"
   Sky sighed. "Still not back...? Damn it... What could he possibly be doing?!" He sat up as he spoke, groping tiredly for the red boots he had at the foot of his bed.
   "I don't know." Deadlox shook his head, sighing. "But I'll bet my left shoe he's in danger."

"Harvey."
   "It's a good question!"
   "No, there are no songs from my homeland. There aren't many community songs here."
    Harvey sighed. "Oh, you're no fun." The two were walking through the snowy forest again side by side. The cabin they took refuge in had been abandoned again since the snow had begun to melt and Houlden deemed it save for the journey back to the guild. It was still biting cold, and Harvey had his fluffy hood up and his hands in his pockets go avoid freezing completely.
    Houlden hesitated, then looked at his traveling partner. "What, do you have a song from your homeland you'd like to share?"
    Harvey blinked. He thought over all the songs he knew from Earth. There were tons of them, sure, but... None really worth sharing. He hummed. "Well... Not really..." Then a thought occurred to him and a small smile broke his lips. "Actually..."
    Houlden looked at him to ask what it was, but Harvey stopped walking. Houlden stopped a few feet ahead, now looking at him in question. Harvey was grinning mischievously. "Start spreading the news..."
    Houlden blinked in even more question as Harvey started to sing.
    "I'm leaving today~"
    Houlden tilted his head, but couldn't help but smile a little beneath his mask.
    "We are a great big part of it!" Harvey jumped. "New York, New York~!" And then he just laughed. Houlden rolled his eyes and grabbed his shoulder, pulling him along with him so they could keep going.
    "Your homeland is certainly an interesting place." Houlden said.
    Harvey laughed. "Why are you pulling so hard? There's no hurry."
    "Well I don't wanna stay out in the cold longer than I have to." Houlden said, but he slowed a little.
    "I guess it doesn't matter how fast we go." Harvey smiled. "Either way, I can't wait to show you the guild."
    Houlden looked at him. "Oh no, I'm not coming in with you."
    Harvey blinked. "...Huh?"
    "I can't go into the guild, I'm an enemy of Team Crafted. They think I killed their Seto."
    "...Think?"
    "I don't know what happened to the guy, he just disappeared."
    Harvey sighed. "I wish you could come with me..."
    Houlden was quiet for a few moments as he looked straight ahead. Then he sighed. "Me too..."
    Harvey was quiet for a few minutes. He glanced down and reached for Houlden's hand. As soon as he touched it, Houlden jumped and stopped walking, pulling away. Harvey blinked. "Houlden?" He asked, feeling a little hurt.
    Houlden looked at him like he was conflicted, his brows furrowed and his dark eyes almost alarmed. After a moment, he swallowed and looked ahead. "The guild is just through those trees..." He said quietly.
    Harvey continued to stare at him. "...Houlden... I'm gonna see you again, right...?"
    Houlden nodded slowly. "I'm sure..." He replied. "I'll go back to those bandits. I'll spy on them, keep them away from you - that's what they're after, you know. They've heard of you. They know you're from another dimension. That's my fault... They want Team Crafted killed so they're going to make them mad by killing you. You have to be careful, Harvey, they want you <I>dead</I>."
    Harvey thought over what he said, before he smiled just a little. "What ever happened to rabbit...?"
    Houlden sighed softly. "Did you take in any of that?" He asked, though Harvey could tell he was smiling a little.
    Harvey nodded, smiling back in amusement. "I'll be careful, I promise."
    "And be careful with your wand too - oh, before I forget." Houlden rifled through his satchel quickly and pulled out a long piece of leather. "I made this last night."
    Harvey's eyes grew wide in surprise as he took the leather. It looked just like a sword sheath like in Lord of the Rings, only much smaller and thinner. It was really well made, like Houlden had been taught to fashion things from leather. "What is it...?"
    "It's a sheath for your wand, dummy." Houlden said. "There's an enchantment where no one can take it out of the sheath but you - and another enchantment where it won't be breakable when it's inside the sheath. I don't have it memorized, but I'm sure one of those books will have it."
    Harvey smiled. "Thanks, this is great!" He pulled out his wand from his inside pocket and slid it into the sheath before he looked at Houlden happily. "It fits perfect."
    "I know..." Houlden said, before he grew quiet, searching Harvey's face. Harvey stared back with a still expression, though his heart was beating rather quickly like it had the night before. "You should get going, rabbit. Your friends are almost certainly worried for you."
    Harvey nodded. "Yeah, I know..." He sighed. "I wish you could stay." He shut his eyes sadly.
    Houlden stared at his face, then glanced down at his hand. He hesitated, heart pounding with opportunity. He slowly began to reach out to touch Harvey's hand, but before he could, his nervousness won and his hand curled into a fist before it was pulled into his pocket. "I'll watch out for you. Don't worry, you'll see me soon."
    Harvey sighed, before he stepped back. "Not soon enough."
    Houlden raised a hand in farewell. "Safe travels."
    Harvey waved to him, before he turned and walked forwards. He didn't want to leave Houlden, but he knew both of them had work to do that they couldn't do together. It occurred to Harvey that in returning to Earth like he wanted so much, he would have to leave Houlden behind forever. Instantly, he wished he could forget he ever realized such a thing.
    As Harvey walked into the guild from the north entrance, he smiled a little. Snow was still all over the ground as it was in the forest surrounding, but it had been shoveled off of the main path. In the snow near the well, True was crouched down and using a thermometer to tell the temperature. When he heard Harvey's footsteps he looked up, and when he saw Harvey was there, he gasped and stood up. "Harvey!"
    "Harvey?" Sundee looked up at the cry from where he had been sitting on the edge of the well writing in a book. He beamed at Harvey as he saw him too. "Finally!"
   Harvey smiled as the pair ran to him, True hugging him. "Hey guys! Sorry I was gone, I got lost...!"

It was great to have meat again, Harvey had to admit. Not seeing the animal the meat came from made it easier to eat it, and this one time, he figured he would let himself go. He needed the protein - not that Houlden was a bad cook or anything. They sat down in True's house where True made lunch for all three as Harvey told them about what happened. Most of it, anyways.
    He told them he had been captured by bandits that wanted to kill him to get to Team Crafted, and that one of them had a change of heart and set him free. He said he spent the last two days trying to find a way home. He wasn't sure how his friends would react to his... vacation.
    "Well, I'm just glad you aren't hurt." Sundee said. "Sky would have locked you in your room for the rest of the time you're here if you had been."
    Harvey sipped at his water thoughtfully. "Hey, where is Sky? I haven't seen him - or anybody else anywhere."
    True groaned. "Shit, that's right."
    Harvey blinked in confusion at his agitated, worried tone. "What happened?"
    "Sky and Deadlox left this morning yo go find you. They're still out there, they have no idea you're back, and we have no way of telling them, or even knowing where they are."
    Harvey winced, suddenly feeling bad for staying away so long. "Sorry..."
    Sundee shook his head. "It's not like you knew." He said. "What are we gonna do though...?"
    Harvey shrugged. "I can go after them, bring them home."
    "You'll get lost again!"
    "Well it's my fault they're out there, so it should be my job to bring them back." Harvey said mildly. "Besides, I only got lost because it started snowing really hard. I know these woods pretty well now."
    True sighed. "I'll go with you, just in case. We can't risk you getting hurt."
    Harvey smiled. "I'll be glad to have you!"
    True and Sundee exchanged glances before the latter stood. "Alright, but sleep before you go." He walked away, taking their bowls to the kitchen. Harvey heard him mutter something about how he hated being the mom friend.
    True smirked knowingly after him. "Harvey, you should check in with Husky, he was worried about you. He's in his house, I think."
    Harvey nodded and stood. "Alright. Thanks!"
    True waved a hand. "See you in the morning."
    Harvey smiled before he left True's house, zipping his jacket up. It was only a few hours past noon. He stopped by his tower first, going up to feed a very hungry Cloudy and give him some attention before he left to go see Husky as True recommended. He went down the tunnel beside Sky's house so he could get to Husky's house under the river. He knocked on the ovular door at the end of the muddy, leaky tunnel when he reached it. After a few moment's hesitation, Husky opened the door.
    When he saw Harvey he beamed in relief. "Harvey!" He hugged him tightly. "There you are, I was worried sick you little shit!"
    Harvey couldn't help but smile. He felt bad for making his friends so scared for him, but hearing their voices - so familiar - really caring about his safety. He had never felt something so nice and friendly before.
    "Come inside, c'mon, I have tea!" Husky pulled Harvey inside gently, and as he went into the simple amphibian's room, he saw that Jerome was there, sitting at the table.
    Harvey smiled and waved at him as he sat down, and then watched Husky as he poured the newcomer a cup of steaming water. As soon as Jerome looked at Harvey, his nose twitched and his eyes widened, but Harvey didn't didn't notice."
    "Ginger or mint?" Husky asked.
    "Mm... Mint, please." Harvey said, and Husky dipped the coordinating teabag in his cup. He brought the tea over to Harvey, and as he set the cup in front of him, Jerome leaned forwards quite suddenly.
    "Who were you with?"
    Harvey blinked and looked at him. "Huh?"
    "When you were gone, who were you with?"
    Husky's eyes widened and he looked at Harvey. "You were with someone?!"
    Harvey leaned back. "N-No, I...!"
    "My nose doesn't lie." Jerome said. "You were with someone. I can smell their scent on your clothes, and it's strong. I've smelled it before, I just can't place it - who was it?"
    Husky looked much happier than Harvey did. "You were with someone!"
    Harvey couldn't hide his blush. He didn't expect to be called out on this - he didn't think he would have to say anything about Houlden. "I-I..."
    "Tell us, spit it out." Husky said as he sat next to him.
    Harvey sighed, giving in. "Oh, fine..." He said, voice laced with nervousness. "I'll tell you."

"These woods are so big..." Deadlox sighed. "We're never gonna find him."
    "If he's still alive." Sky muttered.
    "Wow, you are somehow more negative than me." Deadlox said. "Congratulations."
    Sky didn't say anything. Deadlox stared at him with a glint of sadness in his red eyes. They walked on quietly for a few minutes, snow crunching under their feet, till Deadlox spoke again. "It never used to be this way."
    Sky sighed. "Ty..."
    "No, listen to somebody else for once." Ty said rather harshly. "You were never cold before."
    "You know what happened."
    "I know, and we all miss him." Deadlox said. "He was my best friend, I knew him before you did, I loved him like a brother - he wouldn't want you to be like this, and you know it."
    Sky glared at his friend half heartedly. "He's dead."
    "He might not be."
    Sky looked ahead quickly, biting his lip.
    Deadlox stared at him closely, trying to figure out his emotions from his face, though he was usually pretty bad at that sort of thing. "...Are you afraid of that?"
    "No..."
    "...Sky, c'mon... You used to confide in me and True about <I>everything</I>..."
    Sky sighed, rubbing his face. "If he comes back, I don't want him to see me like this. You're right. He wouldn't want me to be cold - but I can't just switch. Besides, I need to be a stricter leader if I'm going to keep anybody safe."
    Deadlox scrunched up his nose. "Who told you that?"
    Sky stared ahead, pretending he hadn't heard him again.
    Deadlox touched his arm persistently. "Sky, who told you that?"
    Sky pulled away from him and held up a hand, telling him to be quiet. Anyone else in the team - except Harvey because he didn't quite seem to understand the life or death world he was stuck in - would have gone absolutely silent as Sky's gesture commanded. Deadlox was special. "You can't fool me with that, I've known you too long!"
    Sky sighed, rolling his eyes and lowering his hand. "Ty, what do you want from me?"
    "I want things to be like they <I>were</I>." Deadlox said, standing stiff and straight-backed, which was an unusual stance for him. "I miss when we were just here to have fun, and to protect people - not to be some military organization. We're just a group of friends. We didn't hold ourselves to any standards, we just did the best we could. We were a team. We trusted each other."
    "We can't do that anymore - more people will die."
    "Seto isn't dead!" Ty snapped. "Neither is Mitch! But if you keep acting like this, the others will stop taking you seriously when you need to be, and then we will die. You know us. You know what we need. You <I>know</I> it isn't this."
    Sky stared at Deadlox for a moment, before he sighed and looked ahead. "Maybe you're right..." They walked on in silence for a little longer, and after a few moments, Sky shook his head. "You know me a little too well."
    "Yeah, I'm proud of that." Deadlox said. He sighed, smiling a little. "We had so much fun before. Remember when it was just you and me and Jason for awhile? Remember? Remember the agility training we did? I loved that."
    Sky rolled his eyes. "I'm glad you loved it, because you were always levels ahead of me and True."
    Deadlox couldn't help but grin. "Yeah." He hesitated, so his smile could naturally fade. "...You wanna race?"
    Sky looked at him. "What?"
    "We'll race to... that tree way down there."
    "What - no, we have a job to do!"
    "Yeah, and the tree is on the way - we'll cover ground faster! C'mon, Sky you know you wanna!"
    Sky stared at him, before he sighed. He looked at the tree, studying it, before the ghost of a smirk twitched at the corner of his mouth. "Go!" He took off running towards the tree Deadlox had indicated. Said male was so surprised by Sky's sudden outburst, he took a step back. His eyes widened in surprise, before he grinned widely, heart soaring with excitement. "Cheater!" He heard himself shout before he took off after his friend.
     Sky got a head start, and both were sprinting, but the tree was far. It was one with a trunk several feet in radius, so it couldn't be missed or mistaken. Ty's feet touched the ground so fast, one after the other, they could barely be seen, he prided himself on his ability to run fast and for a long time. Sky was fast, sure, but his skill was in his ability to fight and hold his ground and swing his sword. He was a well-rounded person, as opposed to most members of the team. Jerome focused solely on strength, for instance, while Deadlox focused solely on agility. Sky was good at both, but not an expert. Therefore, it took seconds for Deadlox to close the gap between them.
    Sky saw it first. A glint in the forest of sun reflecting off of metal - a mistake made by an otherwise skilled crossbow wielder. Instantly, he was on alert as he had trained himself; but as he stopped running, his mind cleared, and he realized that that particular glint was unfortunately very familiar.
    Sky felt his mind go blank. Everything in his body was shouting, screaming at him to move - to start running and to make noise. His golden eyes were as wide as they could be, and his heart had just about stopped beating. Deadlox was ahead by several meters now and still going, blissfully unaware of the sudden danger. Sky heard the unmistakable release of a bolt from the crossbow. Sky felt something rise in his throat and it came out in a desperate shout of terror. "TY!"
    A cry was torn from his's friend, the sound making Sky's blood run cold - but it couldn't compare to the horrifying sound of Ty's body hitting the snow; and then nothing.