This Desolate Existence (boy x boy) COMPLETED

Part 10

A/N: So sorry for the last chapter, my lovely cookies. I honestly don't even know what happened there! I was just planning on making Kotaro crazy, but I never expected the possessive yandere part! And it looks like things are heating up between Shuhei and Ranmaru! ;P I wonder what'll happen next? I guess you'll just have to read on to find out! And I was going to put this in the last part, but I feel like I'm making too many author's notes. If that bothers you, please let me know and I'll try to stop!

When daylight breaks, we wonder if our next orders will ever come. Corporal's still healing and he still moves pretty slow, but even he's getting anxious. We're not used to sitting around doing nothing all day. We're all a little restless. We all freeze in the middle of what we're doing when we hear a strange sound. As it draws closer, we realize it's horse hooves. As quickly as possible, Corporal gets up and walks outside to greet the rider.

The man slides from his horse and approaches us. "Corporal Ito?"

"That would be me," Corporal responds.

The rider pulls out a piece of paper. "Your new orders. And I'm also here to take a casualty report."

Corporal sighs. "Only a few. Sato Hiroki, Ikki Daizo, Einosuke Juzo, and Kagemori Katsuo." These were some of the other boys. Sorry, they weren't important characters so I never named them before. I hope this erases any confusion. There are some of the boys I don't talk about, only because these parts would be a mile long if I did. 

The messenger writes that on another piece of paper before mounting his horse. "My condolences."

"What news do you have of the other squads?"

"It's not looking so good. Team 3-A is completely wiped out. Team 2-B has had to retreat farther than we'd wanted." The man shakes his head. "We're dying off too quickly."

"I see," Corporal says simply. "Thank you and ride safe." The rider salutes Corporal and takes off. Corporal unfolds the paper and scans over it. His face darkens before he turns to us. "We're being ordered to move farther south. There's a base there the General wants us to claim."

"How far is it?" I wonder.

"A few miles. We might make it before nightfall." He refolds the paper, placing it in his pocket. "Alright, pack up and let's go! We've got a lot of ground to cover." We quickly pack our things up and set out again. We're all tired, but we have to keep going anyway. Corporal is studying the map as we walk, checking the distance we have to go and where this base is. 

The sky begins to darken quicker. Night is near and Corporal's still consulting the map. Finally, when it's nearly dark, he turns to us. "It's not far now. We'll camp here, so we're still far from them. It'll prevent any ambush, but we should still be careful. Everything out here is no man's land, we're never safe. There's a large river next to their base, so be careful where you step. We'll attack from that side, they won't be expecting it. For now, get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be hard."

Gratefully, we sink to the ground, exhausted. My feet are killing me and my legs are sore. But I try to ignore all of that and set my tent up. This time, Tobio and Takeshi will be sleeping next to me. Although I'm nervous around Shuhei, I'm still disappointed he'll be in a different tent. At least I won't have to deal with Yuzu's talking and flopping and Yayoi's snoring. That was a nightmare I'd rather not have again. And with only three people, it won't be so crowded. 

Ibiki's throwing a fit, though. "Why do I have to sleep with Yuzu?! He's so loud and he always ends up punching me!"

"It was an accident!" Yuzu replies. "I can't help it!"

"Just go to sleep, all of you," Corporal barks, irritated. Ibiki grits his teeth, but doesn't say anything more. I laugh silently at him, glad I won't have to put up with it. He gives me a look and I try to contain my giggles. It's safe to say, I don't try very hard.

"Oi, what are you laughing about?! It's not funny!"

"Better you than me!" I answer. His eye twitches slightly before he ducks into his tent. 

Yayoi moves over to me. "That's not fair." He'll also be sleeping with Ibiki and Yuzu.

"You're not any better than I am!" Yuzu shouts at Ibiki. "You drool a whole lake every night!"

"S-shut up, idiot!" he returns.

Yayoi looks worried. "Oh, god, save me, Ran."

"Sorry, can't. You're on your own." He sighs and enters the tent.

Tobio sidles up to me, Takeshi close behind. "Are they really that bad?"

"I don't know about Ibiki, but Yuzu is. Although, Yayoi isn't any better. He snores like an earthquake. And I'm not even going to start in on you, Tobi."

Tobio fidgets. "Please don't."

Takashi grimaces. "Yes, let's not go there." I try not to smile as I remember Tobio trying to cuddle with me in his sleep one night. And now Takeshi knows my pain. 

"A-anyway," Tobio changes the subject. "What about Shuhei?"

"He's the best one so far. I'd rather sleep with a million of him than any of you. He's so quiet and still, that I worried if he was dead."

"I resent that," Shuhei comments as he walks back.

"Wha...I'm complimenting you!" He shrugs and disappears behind another tent. I look at Takeshi worriedly. "You don't do anything weird in your sleep, do you?"

He rubs the back of his neck, embarrassed. "I do tend to sleepwalk."

I groan. "Why can't any of you sleep normally?"

"Because we're fabulous!" Yuzu yells.

"Go to sleep, Yu!" I shoot back.

"Rude!" He says before falling silent.

I sigh heavily. "Well, let's try to sleep. Please try to stay sleeping, Take. And you get Tobi. I'm not dealing with that."

"Uh-uh," Takeshi immediately responds. "I got him last time. No, it's your turn to sleep next to him. I need some peace."

"Why do I have to?! At least if he's hanging on you, you can't go anywhere."

"I'm right here," Tobio says. We ignore him.

"That's not the point. Take one for the team, Ran."

"I've had to deal with him since we were little! I think you can handle one more night."

Takeshi's not giving in. "I don't think so. He's all yours."

I groan. "Fine! But you owe me one, Take."

"Agreed." Finally, we're able to settle down. I try to stay far away from Tobio, but a few hours later, he's right next to me. This is going to be a very long night. Then, naturally, Takeshi gets up and tries leaving the tent. I have to drag him back down. I wish I could simply tie him down so he won't get up. Finally, both of them stop moving and I'm able to join them in dreamland.