A Third Option

The Holy city is no more. The wall between the city and the rest of the world has vanished, just like that, just as Shion wanted. Just as he had told Nezumi. In reality, though, it wasn't because of him.It wasn't because of Nezumi. It was all thanks to her; Safu...Elyurius. A sharp stab of guilt comes along with the thought....he accused Nezumj of using her...of using him. How stupidly naive. He lets out a soft sigh as he looks out towards the western district. 
~A vow... reunion will come, Shion~ 
his last words continue to replay in his mind like a broken record. Shion takes half of a step forward, ready to run off in the same direction in which he had watched Nezumi slowly disappear, ready to race as fast as his legs can carry him and fall rigjt into his arms. But he quickly composes himself and hugs the small child in his arms a little tighter. "Right...I have work to do." he tells himself yet again. For what seems to be the tenth time within the last minute, and looks down at the small rat perched on the brown lab's head. "Let's go Hamlet." He says cheerfully and turns to face what was once the holy city of Number 6. "I'll see you soon mom" he mutters to himself, and starts making his way towards the town. Hamlet following closely behind.
Every step carries him further away from him...from Nezumi... from that cranky, short tempered, one track minded, graceful, beautiful,  peotry loving Nezumi that crashed into his life over 4 years ago... but he can't think about such things at the moment. There's a city to be rebuilt, and someone waiting to see him. He glances down at the small baby, so innocent and defenseless, and immediately wonders what she'll think when she sees him. He smiles to himself at the thought. 
He carefully makes his way through the astonished crowd, moving just so to make sure no harm comes to the baby, all the while scanning the sea of people as he walks silently. He scans every person that happens to walk by, until he spots someone familiar. Very familiar, in fact. All of a sudden he forgets all about number 6, about the wall, even about Nezumi (temporarily of course) and picks up speed, so do his two animal companions. Finally, after what seemed like years, in crashes into his Mother's arms and lingers for a while.
He finds himself at a loss for words. He has so much to tell her but absolutely no idea where to begin. His first thought it to explain the baby, but of course, that would involve telling her about the "manhunt", which is something he doesn't want to bring up just yet. Instead he brushes off her question with "I'll explain later." 
"Does he need shelter?" His mother asks, studying the child with a look of both pity and astonishment. Shion simply nods. "I was thinking, maybe we could-" His mother nods, letting him know that there's no need for him to even ask. He decides to tell her everything else once they're home.

Shion can tell his mother is itching to know about his appearance. No matter how many times he glances at her, he catches her studying his hair each time. He chuckles lightly to himself as he follows her into the bakery. "We have to get you cleaned up and out of those clothes." She tenderly takes the baby from him and smiles. "Go shower. I'll watch him" Shion nods, welcoming the idea of a hot shower, only to be snapped out of his thoughts by a small, scared voice. "Mrs. K? Who is that...?" Shion turns in the direction of the voice and smiles. "What, you don't recognize me?" he watches as realization settles into the toddler's face and she quickly latches onto him with an enthusiastic gasp. "Shion!"

After much insisting from both his mom and Lily, Shion finally agrees to postpone walking Lily home and go clean up first. After all, walking around covered in blood won't make for the best impression. Once in the bathroom he drapes his clean clothes over the sink and steps inside the tub, welcoming the feel of the hot water on his skin. He leans his head back to take it in, only to be intruded by his thoughts. 'And what if I told you I have seen you naked?' Shion instinctively looks around, half expecting to see him, but only finds hamlet perched on the rim of the tub. He sighs and vigorously rubs his eyes. "Why did I have to remember that of all things?"
Shion can't help but feel uneasy with Hamlet watching his every move, but he soon discards it and finishes his shower. He quickly gets dressed and pulls on his shoes, not even bothering to dry his hair, and heads back downstairs to the bakery. "Okay, I'm all clean." He tells his mother, who's attentively looking down at the infant. "What's his name?" She asks, keeping her eyes on him. "Umm, I don't really know" Shion admits, not really having thought about it until now. Karen shifts him around a bit to make him more comfortable and Shion watches a small piece of paper fly out from somewhere underneath the blanket. He leans down and takes it in his hand, carefully reading the message. A small smile spreads across his face. "It looks like his name is Sion." He says, to which his mother smiles "I like it."
Karen makes her way upstairs to get the baby cleaned up and Shion, along with Lily and Hamlet, take off in the opposite direction towards Lily's house. 
Shion looks out into the city as he walks, now that the wall is gone, there's a feeling of peace, despite half the city being in ruins. He glances down at Lily who keeps asking about all sorts of things (mainly his hair) and can't help but chuckle. Hamlet makes his way up his leg and perches himself on his shoulder. Shion finds himself wondering if Nezumi has even noticed the little rodent's absence. He probably has by now. Somehow, he always knows.
He has to practically force Nezumi out of his mind as he knocks on the door of the small girl's home. After a few seconds of silence he knocks once again. Suddenly, the thought smashes into him like a 5 ton sack. "Mom, I'm back!" Lily calls out, making her small hand into a fist and knocking herself,
sending another blow through Shion's heart. He subconsciously tightens the grip on her hand, causing her to look up at him quizzically."Sh-She probably went out looking for you." He swallows the nervous lump in his throat and forces a smile. "Let's go back and I'll have my mom contact her." He watches as the little smile forms on her face, along with a nod. "Okay!" He turns and heads in the direction they had come from, however his legs feel as if they are made of led, and the thought weighs him down even more. Little Sion has lost his mother, and now Lily... he shakes his head as if to shake off the thought. 'She has to be alive.'
They make their way back down the street and into the bakery. Karen still seems to be upstairs with the baby. Shion kneels down in front of the small girl and ruffles her hair, "Go on upstairs with my mom alright? I have some things to do." She looks at him expectantly, as if she's waiting for him to say something else. He hesitates, not entirely sure of what he's saying, and smiles softly. "We'll get a hold of your mom and let her know you're safe." He assures her and she nods. "Thank you Shion!" She chimes and runs upstairs as fast as her little legs can take her. Shion watches her with a distraught look, then turns and heads back out into the city. No time to dwell. There's work to be done.