"Ah, wait till I close the door!" Denum gaped and shut the door behind himself.

Shotaro covered his mouth and listened, but heard Neko moving around and let out a sigh of relief.

"Okay." Denum breathed out as well. "Ryou's alive."

"I'm so glad!" LiSen cried, relaxing his shoulders a little. "Is Neko alright? I can't imagine having to do surgery on the person I love..."

His cheeks turned a little pink.

"Neko's...fine." Denum frowned slightly. "Shota, it was Luda and he's loose and pissed off."

"I heard that," Shotaro whispered. "As soon as we can, I want us all to move to the Silver city. If there is anywhere you will all be safe, its there..."

He looked down, his shoulders tense.

"Did you... hear anything about your father?"

"Nothing." Denum shook his head- looking tortured. "Ryou couldn't tell us anything."

"I'll go ask Rathi," Shotaro informed, moving to stand.

"You ask?" Denum blinked. "You might kill a bystander."

"There aren't any left," Shotaro reminded in an empty voice as he slipped out of the room.

"That's your dad's husband, right?" LiSen asked Denum, once Shotaro was gone. "He's really nice..."

"He's not bright though." Denum sighed. "And he doesn't like me and Kayen."

"Are you kidding me?" LiSen asked, frowning. "He was telling me how worried hei s about Kayen and how proud he and your father are of you."

"Huh?" Denum blinked. "What? Why?"

"He was really nervous about Ryou, I think," LiSen informed. "He thinks its all his fault. And he was scared for you. He thinks you hate him, though."

He turned his face away.

"It's not my business," He admitted. "But... he's really proud of you... especially since your dad cheated on him and you were born. I mean... he really loves you, Denum. Like you're his own..."

Denum stared at LiSen a moment before looking away.

"I don't hate him...I don't know where he gets that." Denum said. "I just don't understand him...or dad for that matter, you know?"

"I get it," LiSen admitted. "I don't get them, either. Subjecting themselves to science is one thing... but their own son?"

He slowly reached for Denum's hand, before pausing and lowering his hand back to his lap.

"My parents were just too poor to pay for food," He explained. "So they sold me and kept my big brother."