The forest swallowed them whole.
Branches whipped Sataro's arms as he sprinted through the darkness, Haruto clinging to his back with both arms wrapped around his neck.
Behind them, torches flickered through the trees.
Shouts echoed.
Metal armor clattered.
"Search every direction!" a soldier barked.
"They can't have gone far!"
Haruto buried his face against Sataro's shoulder.
"They're still coming…"
"I know," Sataro whispered.
His breath was sharp.
His legs burned.
But he didn't slow.
He couldn't.
He would run until his body gave out — and even then, he'd crawl if it meant Haruto survived.
Hours in the Dark
They ran until their muscles screamed.
Until their lungs begged for rest.
Until the shouts behind them faded into nothing.
Finally, Sataro collapsed against a fallen tree, lowering Haruto gently onto the ground.
Haruto gasped for air, leaning against him.
"Sataro… are we safe?"
"For now."
Sataro listened to the forest:
Wind.
Owls.
Crickets.
No footsteps.
No metal.
No voices.
For the first time in hours, he allowed himself one deep breath.
Haruto scooted closer, gripping Sataro's sleeve.
"Where do we go now?"
Sataro looked up at the sky — the moon was high, the stars sharp.
"I don't know yet," he admitted quietly.
"But we can't go back."
Haruto lowered his head.
"…Good," he whispered. "I don't want to go back."
Sataro felt a sharp ache in his chest.
Haruto wasn't supposed to be running for his life.
He was supposed to be safe, laughing, complaining, messing up chores.
Not this.
Never this.
Sataro swore silently:
No matter what happens… I won't let anyone take him from me.
Deeper Into the Wilderness
They walked for hours more — past rivers, rocky hills, thick bramble.
The forest changed from green to dark and ancient.
Haruto tripped often, stumbling on roots and rocks.
Each time, Sataro caught him.
"You okay?" Sataro whispered after the fifth fall.
Haruto nodded stubbornly.
"I can keep going."
Sataro smiled faintly.
"That's good. Stay close."
By dawn, Haruto's legs were shaking.
His stomach growled loudly.
They stopped beside a stream to drink.
Sataro cupped water in his hands and offered it to Haruto first.
"You need it more."
Haruto shook his head.
"You're the one who fought all night."
Sataro ruffled his hair.
"You're the one I'm carrying."
Haruto blushed and drank.
Despite the exhaustion, he smiled.
Sataro returned the smile — small, tired… but real.
Finding Shelter
By midday, the forest grew colder.
The wind whistled through dead branches.
Snow began to drift from the grey sky.
"We need shelter," Sataro muttered.
They kept moving until Haruto suddenly pointed.
"Look! Up there!"
On the side of a mountain ridge, partially hidden behind vines and stone, was a massive dark opening — a natural cave, wide and deep.
Sataro's heart leaped.
"That could work. Come on."
They climbed the slope, slipping a few times, but eventually reached the entrance.
The cave was enormous — a huge chamber of stone with multiple tunnels leading deeper inside. Cold air drifted out, but it felt safe… protected.
Haruto stepped inside and whispered, "Woah…"
Sataro scanned the surroundings.
Stable ceiling.
Dry ground.
Deep enough to hide a small army.
"This will be our home," Sataro said.
Haruto looked up at him, eyes wide.
"Really?"
Sataro nodded.
"Yes. This is where our new life begins."
Setting Up the First Night
The cave was dark except for a thin line of daylight reaching through the entrance.
Sataro gathered fallen branches and dry grass from outside, arranging them into a small fire pit.
Haruto followed him everywhere, holding a handful of sticks like they were treasure.
"Is this enough?" Haruto asked.
"That's perfect."
They managed to start a small fire, the flames flickering across the stone walls.
Haruto warmed his hands.
"This is kinda nice," he said. "Like camping."
Sataro chuckled quietly.
"Yeah. Something like that."
They sat beside the fire, eating wild berries and drinking more stream water.
It wasn't much, but after everything, it tasted like a feast.
Haruto leaned his head on Sataro's shoulder.
"Are we… gonna be okay?" he whispered.
Sataro wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close.
"Yes," he said firmly.
"We will be okay. I'll keep you safe. No matter what."
Haruto nodded, eyes heavy with sleep.
Sataro laid him down gently on a bed of dry grass.
Haruto drifted off almost instantly.
Sataro's Quiet Vigil
Sataro didn't sleep.
He sat at the cave entrance, fire flickering behind him, staring into the dark woods below.
Every sound made his muscles tighten.
Every branch snap reminded him of special forces footsteps.
Every flicker of movement made him grip his sword.
He whispered to himself:
"No one is taking him. Not again.
Not ever."
He thought of their parents.
Of the king.
Of the lie he lived.
Of the blood spilled tonight.
He breathed out slowly.
From this moment on…
He and Haruto were alone.
Enemies of the crown.
Hunted by the kingdom.
Forced into shadows.
But they had each other.
And for Sataro…
that was enough.