Remember Me?

DISCLAIMER: Klonoa and all his hoodlum friends are owned by Namco Bandai / Klonoa Works. They're fortunate I don't have rights to them. Yes they are …

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Chapter 01: Diagnosis

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The next morning Klonoa awoke with a faint smile on his lips, until he remembered what happened the prior day. His dreams were often of pleasant memories, hence his title, and last night's was no exception.

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It was a dream of the last happy moment he had with his partners before the accident; the day they received their assignment. Pango suggested that they treated themselves first and had dinner afterwards as a way of 'mixing things up'. He decided to stop at an ice cream parlor just outside of the city and agreed to pay for whatever they decided.

Klonoa could barely contain his excitement. Ice cream was a rarity in the wind village because there wasn't enough refrigeration to freeze it until recently. In the end he decided on a double scoop, one chocolate and the other vanilla, on a waffle cone. He remembered how the server laughed at how big his eyes got when he saw the result for himself, and how he smiled.

Pango got what he claimed to be his 'usual'; a banana split with five flavors topped with caramel syrup. It was served in a waffle shaped like a bowl which the armadillo took large bites out of. A few times he winced, possibly from brain freeze, but was otherwise content with his decision. He explained to his partners that he came to this particular stand every weekend with his wife and son for desert, and the staff knew him quite well.

Guntz declined to get anything from the stand originally, as expected. Still he sat and looked at the casing the entire time without saying a word. It wasn't until they were about to leave that he changed his mind. He made an unusual request; a single scoop of real strawberry ice cream. The ice cream was the most expensive scoop sold in the shop, and the hardest flavor to come by in this area of Lunatea. The wolf paid for the cone himself and joined his partners outside, staring at his cone for the longest before he took a lick.

Klonoa remembered looking at him for the longest in childlike curiosity as the cone began to melt. The wolf licked the trail sliding down the side of the cone away before it touched his white glove. " … It's good. " He said to no one in particular as he smiled.

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The dream ended as they headed down the path leading towards the deplorable city they received their assignment for, but he already knew the rest.

He slipped out of bed refreshed if anything else, patting his wounds only to see that they've healed already with the help of his Hero Medal. The bandages were stripped, then his clothes, as he headed to the bathroom to shower and remove the remainder of the dried blood. This time he took his time in cleansing himself completely. Last night he felt it as more of an obligation.

Klonoa could pick up the scent of bacon and eggs in the air as he left the bathroom. He pulled his navy blue shirt over his head just as he turned the corner to come into the kitchen. " Mornin' Grandpa. " The cabbit's voice was muffled as he struggled with the shirt.

The older cabbit glanced up at him over his cup of coffee. " You've grown too big for that little shirt. " He noted before taking a sip.

" I did not. " Klonoa pouted as he tugged at the zipper.

Grandpa only smiled as he reached for a slip of paper under his saucer. " This came for you early this morning. It's from the Jugkettle Medical Center. " He held the paper in such a way as he would not be harmed by the inevitable snatch.

His grandson took the paper before he took a seat, little pieces of paper fluttering down over his untouched plate of food. Golden eyes bounced over the letters on the paper once, twice, and again for comprehension. " They want me to come down this evening. "

It seems that the staff made a slight oversight in predicting Guntz's recovering time, the oversight being that the hunter was too stubborn to die. He regained consciousness a few hours after he and Pango left. Tests were run overnight to determine the extent of the damage, and the following morning was reserved for observation. The most important thing at this point was to ensure that the hunter didn't relapse into the terrible state he was in the prior day.

In the least they could go and visit.

Though the letter assured him that Guntz was on the road to recovery he couldn't help but feel an ominous knot tightening in his stomach. What he saw and witnessed almost guaranteed him that Guntz would not be 'all right' so soon after. Inwardly he braced himself for the worst as not to be surprised. " I'll have to leave at noon if I'm going to be on time. "

Grandpa looked down at the ruined plate of food. " Lolo brought the soup she promised over for you. It's warmed and packed up on the stove. "

His words clicked in the cabbit's mind a moment later. " Ack! I'm sorry, Grandpa. " He quickly tried to pick the pieces of paper off the plate. " I didn't even see it. " He stammered.

" That's quite all right. " The old cabbit finished off his cup of coffee before speaking again. " You're a little too old to be eating all your meals at home, even if it's with me.. " Klonoa suddenly looked up at him, stunned. " … Never mind. You'll get it eventually. "

Klonoa wasn't sure what to make of his grandfather's statement, aside from his abilities of perception were always correct.

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" I'll see you later, Grandpa! " The cabbit yelled as he stumbled out of the door; twenty minutes late from his before mentioned departure time.

The old cabbit stood at the door for as long as Klonoa could see him in his sights, waving, which the boy thought was unusual. If he didn't know any better he'd swear that his Grandpa was trying to imply something, but he couldn't get a grasp on what it was.

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Klonoa arrived at the hospital about an hour early from the allotted time, and thus sat down in the waiting room again. His rumbling stomach urged him to eat, so he finally opened the parcel that his grandfather gave him shortly before leaving to find a surprise –

" My ring! " He said it so loud a few heads turned in his direction, in which he blushed. Indeed it was the golden ring he left behind at the site, polished and cleaned, but how in the world did his grandfather get a hold of it? The mission was on the other side of the country!

He kissed the green jewel on his ring for good luck as he always did before setting it aside to look at the plastic container. There were two compartments; one for a few pieces of moist bread and the other for the soup itself. He took the plastic spoon from underneath and stirred the contents.

Just as he got his first spoonful he caught sight of a familiar girl with a pink dress walking through the door. " Lolo? " He nearly choked and he hadn't even taken his first bite.

The priestess spotted him immediately and walked over. " There you are. " She said as she approached. " I was worried about Guntz and wanted to come out with you. "

Klonoa couldn't put his finger on it, but hearing her explanation for being here was not satisfying. Lolo and Guntz were not close friends. They never spoke beyond assignments. More than likely The Great Priestess sent her here to check on Guntz, but he wouldn't question her motives any further. " I didn't know you cared so much for Guntz. " To be completely honest, that is.

The priestess settled down in the chair opposite of his wind ring. " A friend of yours is a friend of mine, even if he doesn't act as such. " She replied quickly, straitening the hem of her dress.

An awkward silence followed as Klonoa finally took a bite of his soup, and grimaced. There were carrots in this soup! For the moment he had to grim and bare it because the preparer was right there beside him. It wasn't as if he could spit it out. " You're not at the temple. " He finally took note of the most noteworthy piece of information in this situation.

" Nope. " Lolo nearly bounced out of her chair at that. It was no secret that the priestess didn't like her duties at the temple as much as she wanted to. The priestesses there ensured that her training would not be easy. " The Great Priestess allowed me leave so I could ensure that you and the others were okay. "

That raised even more questions. Still he saw no harm in her actions. She could keep him company during the wait it nothing else. Lolo began trying to hold a conversation about how Klonoa had been since they last seen each other, which the cabbit rarely contributed to. His eyes went for the clock on the wall, the door, the clock again, and the door as it finally opened to reveal another familiar face.

Pango came through the door, his arm in a sling, and looked around the room before spotting them. He did seem quite shocked that Lolo was there as well, but he didn't let it show in front of her. " Hello Klonoa, Miss Lolo. " He greeted them before sitting down himself. Since there wasn't a chair strong enough to support his weight he sat on the floor, not that he'd mind.

" Hello Mr. Pango. " Lolo responded first, then eyed his cast with a frown. " Are you going to be all right? "

" I'll be fine. " He said as he pat the cast confidently. " My wife said she'll break my other arm if I wasn't. " His good humor got a laugh out of the group, even Klonoa. They didn't know whether he was truthful or not in his statement, especially after meeting the lady armadillo themselves.

Klonoa blinked awkwardly as he recanted just how Pango broke his arm in the first place; punching out one of the outer walls of building after weakening it with his last bomb. The final blow was what shattered the wall, and his bones. Throughout it all the veteran Hero remained calm and collective. He had to since one of his partner's was unconscious, and the other one was shaken. In fact, Pango didn't even mention his injury until after they arrived at the hospital.

'Can you check this for me? I think it might be broken.' The tranquility in his voice was startling even for the nurse, but that was the way Pango always was. If not for the armadillo's tough armored shell he might not have an arm to be healed. His shell kept all the pieces of bone in tact, and acted similar to the outer shell of an insect until he'd been treated.

Pango noticed how quiet the usually talkative cabbit was immediately. " It shouldn't be much longer, Klonoa. They won't keep us waiting forever. " He assured him in the way a parent would their child.

The cabbit nodded solemnly and finished off his soup, carrots and all, to place the remainder on top of his ring. As he finished his actions the door leading to the back opened.

Dr. Nadia stepped out from behind the white door, and glanced across the room towards the three waiting together in the corner. Again she gestured quietly for them to follow her into the back. Lolo seemed confused by the action until Pango took her by the hand to lead. The priestess had never been in a hospital before, let alone seen anyone in intensive care it seemed.

" I'm sorry to keep you waiting. " The mouse straitened the clipboard that she had in her arms before glancing at Lolo. " Are you sure you want to come back here, Miss? "

Lolo hesitated before she nodded. " Yes ma'am. "

Though she eyed the girl considerably she did not say anything else about it. " I'm not going to sugar coat this for you two since you're professionals; your friend is a lot worst than we originally thought. "

Klonoa swallowed, hard, to prevent himself from saying anything rash. The next moment the four were walking down the sterile hall briskly. He felt his muscles tense, his body trembling, and yet he still couldn't shed a tear through it all. Maybe he didn't feel guilty enough. Maybe he needed to see the damage he caused for himself before he could get a grasp on just how serious the situation was.

" The poison that entered his body was mere minutes away from killing him when we diffused it. Fortunately, his vital organs did not suffer any irreversible damage from the ordeal. He can breathe without assistance, his heart's beating normally, and his body's functioning properly. "

" That's nice and all, but what exactly is the problem? " Pango asked with a bit of urgency in his voice. Beating around the bush was just making them all nervous.

Dr. Nadia turned the corner, putting them in a hallway with dimmed lights and closed doors. This was the intensive care unit. The curtains were drawn on many of the open observation windows, including the room of the door she stopped in front of. " I think it's best to show you while explaining. "

Without another word the mouse opened the door to peek into the room. " It's me again, Guntz, and I brought some friends with me. " Her voice had changed tone completely. The way she spoke was unsettling; like how a mother would speak to her child.

The doctor walked in first followed by Pango, Lolo, and Klonoa, who closed the door behind them so they wouldn't be disturbed. Klonoa's eyes slowly found the bed, and his confusion raised ten fold.

For all the doctor had been telling him he didn't expect Guntz to be awake, let alone sitting up on the edge of the bed. It looked like they were about to discharge him since he wore normal clothes; a black shirt with fog gray jeans. His ears twitched to the voice, but he didn't raise his head or eyes from his hands. " Good morning, Doctor. " His voice cracked, possibly from a dry throat.

Lolo was the first to notice something wrong. Her eyes darted from the window to the wolf, but she didn't say anything. It was almost sunset, not sunrise!

Dr. Nadia approached the bed cautiously, gesturing for the others not to make a sound as she spoke again. " I want you to take a deep breath and relax. I'm not going to hurt you. "

Pango noticed a hint of metal in her right hand and almost moved, but the doctor told him to stay back shortly before she made a blind swipe across Guntz's line of sight with a scalpel. She did it three times to ensure that they got the gist of what was going on, and then spoke to Guntz again. " Is anything wrong, Guntz? "

His response was shocking. " Nope. Nothing. "

Klonoa whimpered before the doctor confirmed what he feared the most. " The poison entered his body through his eyes by your account correct, Klonoa? " Reluctantly, the cabbit nodded. " Through any other entry point the damage would not have been so bad, or done so fast, but through an easy access point like the eyes it did the most damage. The acidity of the poison burned the nerves of his eyes, and rendered him nearly blind. " She waved a hand in front of his face for empathies; this time be blinked. " He can't see much farther than two feet in any direction, and can only see black and white blurs. "

Lolo looked at the wolf with a tinge of sympathy. " Is it permanent? " Her voice remained somewhat hopeful despite the situation.

" Typically, in an adult this type of injury would be permanent … but Guntz is almost in an ideal situation. Children are more likely to recover from such an injury since they can produce more new cells to replace the dead or dying ones. Whether or not Guntz is young enough to recover is yet to be determined. "

The cabbit had to bite his tongue from asking if the same would apply if he was in that situation, as it was intended to be. Instead he crossed the room to approach the wolf. " I'm so sorry, Guntz! I – " Before he could confess to it all the wolf interrupted him with a calm yet serious question.

" Who are you? "

Klonoa was thrown off completely. " I'm Klonoa! " Even though his partner couldn't see him he was sure that Guntz would at least recognize the voice.

Alas … " Klonoa … do I know you? " He didn't.

It was then that the nauseating knot in his stomach was rationalized.

Here one of his closest friends was looking at him like he was a stranger. Not even that, he could only look in his general direction with his crippled eyesight. He was close enough to see the extent of the damage done by the poison. Little scabs surrounded both eyes where the acidic poison hit his skin, and ran down the side of his face in broken spots. The pupils, which were hardly visible in Guntz's normal eye, were now misshapen from the typical rounds that a normal creature would have. His irises were no longer their normal sea blue color. They were tainted with grays, blacks, and even specks of white that made them look unhealthy.

Klonoa felt himself becoming ill as the memories of the precise moment came back; an instant that seemed to have lasted for hours. He felt his eyes burning from tears, but the painful sensation made him even angrier at himself. It was too late to take the blow, and too late to feel Guntz's pain, and he would have to deal with it.

" Needless to say that there were … other complications from the poison as well. " Dr. Nadia began while looking at the grief stricken cabbit. Hero or not he was still a child, too young to properly know how to deal with situations like this. " Initial tests concluded that the poison did indeed work similar to an acid. It was intended to burn through the skin to reach the bloodstream where it'll spread, destroying living tissue and cells as it went along. The poison would have caused a slow, painful, death depending on the point of entry – "

" I think we get the point. " The volume and tone of Pango's voice told her to stop, immediately. " It's over. There's no need in scaring these poor children to death. "

Lolo looked out towards Guntz timidly. " So the poison did something to his brain, too? " She asked the question innocently enough.

The doctor nodded in confirmation. " In a nutshell, yes. The entry point was so close to the brain that it started work there almost immediately. Our tests from last night confirmed, among other things, that Guntz suffered a substantial amount of memory loss. "

" I couldn't remember my name. " The exhausted wolf's voice cut through the tense air. " I don't remember where I'm from, or even how I got into the hospital. " His pointed ears pinned against his head as he tried in vain to recall anything. " My earliest memory was of waking up in a hospital bed in the middle of the night … "

His voice trailed because there was nothing left. Dr. Nadia filled in the gaps. " In any case there is some good news in spite of this all. Your friend is in a very rare situation, and we'd like to conduct some research in hopes of improving treatment for Lunateans that may be injured as such in the future. "

The mouse went on to elaborate. " We've set up private housing in Jugkettle for long term patients in programs like this. There he'll be given free commodities and be allowed to live normally, but given his … condition, he can't live there by himself. A close family member or a friend will have to remain with him at all times. "

Lolo noticed that Pango tensed slightly. " I'm curious … what happens if we can't find anyone capable of living with Guntz? "

" Then he'll continue to be treated here at the hospital for the full extent of his recovery, and then sent to a faculty for people with special needs in the Temple of the Sky. We can't just discharge him the way he is and hope for the best. It's … not possible for him to live by himself. "

The armadillo bit his lip with a hiss before speaking. " I … can't stay here with him. " He said it slowly, reluctantly, as he sighed to himself. " I'm needed at home. My son's almost at the age where he wants to become a Hero, and my wife's expecting a daughter in a few months. "

No one thought that Pango would decline the offer to help the wolf he thought of as a son, except maybe the wolf himself. This put the doctor, and Guntz, in a difficult situation. " Well, if there's no one who can do it – "

Another voice barely registered. " I'll do it. " The voice was tiny, shaken, and belonged to the cabbit who locked up soon after learning his friend didn't remember him. He raised his head out of his hands to look at the albino mouse with a hardened expression. " If there's anything I can do to help him, I'll do it. "

" I'm sorry, dear, but I think you're too young to take care of him. "

Pango's eyes shot back between Klonoa and Dr. Nadia before settling on her. " Klonoa does have his heart in the right place if anything, doctor. He can do quite well if he's determined to do something, I'm sure. Besides … " His voice softened a little as he looked back towards Klonoa. " Klonoa is the closest friend Guntz has. "

Though skeptical, the doctor knew that she'd been driven into a tight corner on this case. It was a widely known fact that the shinigami didn't have any living relatives, and only trusted his two partners. If one couldn't do it the responsibility fell on the other's shoulders, even if they were young and inexperienced. " All right. All right. I'm willing to give it a shot if the patient is. Guntz? "

His response was more promising than unsettling. " I don't want anyone fussing over me like I'm a little kid. It's embarrassing, but I'll do what I need to do to get better. " The cabbit smiled inwardly to himself; he knew that his friend was still in there somewhere.

" Then it's settled. I'll give you the directions for the house so you two can check it out tonight, and some additional instructions. " She placed a hand on each of their shoulders; the cabbit and the wolf's. " Guntz's memory will become more difficult to restore the longer he goes without a stimulus from his past. "

" A stimulus? " Lolo asked the question first.

" Patients with memory loss can often be reminded of events from the past when they're exposed to an item, event, or situation that closely resembles one they experienced. The primary senses play a major role in restoring memory, but now that Guntz has lost his most significant sense in the process we've been hampered slightly. Typically, memories are triggered in patients by seeing the stimuli; a locket, a picture, a place, anything that might be significant in their mind. "

Klonoa took that into deep consideration. His eyes darted around the room, followed by his body, as he took the Dr. Nadia's pen and a piece of paper from her clipboard. He leaned against the wall, tail wagging in anticipation, as he wrote down a list of things in a seemingly spontaneous burst of energy.

" Lolo … " The cabbit turned to face his priestess friend once he finished writing. " Can you do be a favor and go back to Breezegale for me? I want you to bring these things out from the bike shed – "

The list was snatched up by the adult mouse before the pass off. Adjusting her glasses she read over the list, took the pen, and began crossing items out. " I'd rather you not bring anything dangerous into the House. " That meant that Guntz's namesakes; the firearms that he spent a great deal of his time cleaning and conditioning, were off limits.

In fact, the majority of his list was off limits. The cabbit searched the room for anything else that might have held some importance to the hunter, and nearly gave up before he noticed that torn red jacket in the corner. Maybe … Klonoa took the jacket and searched its pockets turning up dream stones, gold, a few bullet shells, and finally an item that made a soft chime fill the air.

Guntz's ears twitched.

" Pango! " The armadillo turned just moments before he was to be hit in the side of the head with a pair of keys. He caught the object in a closed fist, which he flipped over to look down into … then grinned.

" I'll see what I can do, but after that I really have to return home. " Turning towards the door, he looked down at the little girl standing perfectly still beside him. " I'm going to head back to Breezegale briefly. If you're heading back that way I'll keep guard. "

Looking out at the two boys one last time, the priestess gave him a single nod. " I'll say goodbye to mom and dad, then return to the temple. " Stepping forward, she gave Klonoa her best smile for encouragement. " Good luck, Klonoa! " She said enthusiastically. " … Guntz. " His name not so much so, before turning towards the door to join Pango outside.

That left the cabbit, the wolf, and the mouse alone to discuss the final arrangements for the long trip ahead of them. Though they were only going less than a quarter of a mile away from the hospital, it felt like the longest journey they were ever going to take …

" This is the village of the sea, Jugkettle. "

Only a small portion of the village was built on dry land, which included the hospital and many of the important buildings for business in the town. Every other building was supporting on what appeared to be floating pieces of land in the water, connected by bridges that could take you anywhere you feet desired. The houses were on one of the islands on the very edge of Jugkettle; a relaxing spot that overlooked the sea … that Guntz wouldn't get to enjoy.

The cabbit looked back at his friend with a frown, but didn't allow for his emotion to show through his voice. He had to be the strong one in this. In spite of it all Guntz seemed to be the least worried out of any of the parties involved. He allowed Klonoa to lead him to the house by the hand, but had his thoughts and attentions elsewhere. Klonoa noticed that his eyes and head wandered constantly even though he could see close to nothing. Though curious as to what the hunter was doing, he decided to ignore it.

They showed to a stop at the place where land turned into shaking bridges. Klonoa remembered Guntz's weakness all too well, and looked back to him again before speaking. " Are you going to be okay across here? " The hunter didn't do well on unstable ground, at all, and if he couldn't control himself it was unlikely they'd let him stay in the house.

Guntz stepped onto the bridge, continued to walk, and observed the area around him without hesitation. Halfway down he responded. " It's just a little shaky. I don't think I'm going to fall off. " This made the cabbit blink, perplexed: was Guntz's motion sickness just a poor state of mind?

" We're … here. " Klonoa said awkwardly some time later, stopping in front of a peach colored door attached to a sea green house. He knew that it was supposed to resemble coral of some kind, but he still thought the color scheme was terrible. Pulling the key by its tag from his pocket he began to open the door. " You know, this is the first time I've really lived away from home like this. " Klonoa couldn't call the nights he spent in inns traveling the world a home away from home; they were more a place to rest his head. It now dawned upon him that he really was out on his own now, with a crippled friend, living in a place that is not his hometown …

More importantly, his grandfather's odd behavior earlier was beginning to make sense. Did Grandpa already know that he wasn't going to be coming up for a while?

" Klonoa? " The hunter started as they stepped onto the dull pink shag carpet inside of the house. " Do you know if I lived alone … before all this? "

The cabbit reached over him to close the door behind them. " You didn't have a home, really. " He said as he locked the door for good measure. " You lived in a bike shed on the edge of my village. "

Klonoa realized the mistake in his explanation a moment to late. " I didn't have a home … I was homeless? " Guntz thought aloud to himself with a dipping voice.

" No! " The cabbit tried to recover, but he didn't know the best way to explain the hunter's situation. He was a 'part time' resident of Breezegale, and a 'part time' resident of anywhere else he could inhabit across the world. To be technical he really did not have a home of his own aside from the bike shed in the village. " You're more of a … traveler! "

It seemed the damage had already been done, though, and Guntz started to walk away from him. " A drifter seems to be more like it. " How much the hunter remembered about the 'reputation' of those who had no kingdom to call their home was yet to be seen, but it appeared he knew that they were thought of in an negative light.

For a moment Klonoa completely forgot about the hunter's lack of vision, until the wolf bumped into the end table of the couch. The boy sprinted forward to catch the lamp that was about to fall as a result by the prickly stem (damn coral). " Where do you think you're going? "

" To sit down. " The hunter said simply.

" Then sit down right there! "

Klonoa should have been more specific in pointing out 'where', because the wolf sat down immediately. Unfortunately there was nothing but floor between his rear and the ground. He hit the floor, hard, and winced from the aftershock. " Thanks. " He huffed bitterly.

" I didn't mean … right there. " Feeling the tinge of guilt for behind directing him wrong for the first time he'd been reminded that he'll be the hunter's eyes for the time being. He had to be the responsible one, for once, and ensure that everything turned out okay. It meant that he had to walk over the soft carpet and offer his hand. " I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you. It's just that – " Where could be begin to tell him what was wrong.

Feeling the bump of the cabbit's yellow gloves against his hand, he felt around to take it. Klonoa in turn pulled him back onto his feet with a little difficulty. " You seem tense. " The wolf finished his sentence with a smile spreading.

" You're not the one that has to worry about what's going to happen next. " Klonoa sighed as he tugged on Guntz's hand to get him into motion. His own fatigue was setting in, and he imagined the hunter wasn't faring better, so he thought it best that they went to bed for the night.

They reached the stairs, which Guntz felt as awkward about going up as Klonoa. " There's no need in worrying about what happens next; it isn't certain. " The hunter's philological observation was offset when he pushed his foot against one of the steps to test it. " … and I'm certainly not going to attempt this tonight. "

Klonoa wasn't about to force him into doing anything that might have been uncomfortable even though the bedrooms were upstairs. " Do you mind sleeping on the couch tonight? " The older boy shook his head. " Can you find it yourself? I'll go get the blanket and pillows from upstairs. "

" I'll try. " Guntz's voice was awkward given the awkwardness of his situation.

It was just firm enough to show that he wanted to at least try unassisted. He tried to feel out in front of him with his boots and his hands, picking up nothing but air for the first few attempts. The cabbit wanted to intervene, but ultimately knew it was best for him to try it on his own. His hand found the end table he nearly knocked over, the lamp, then the arm of the couch before touching the cushion.

Once he was there he leaned over to collapse on it, belly first, adjusting his body ever so slightly so he'd lay to rest on his side.

Satisfied, Klonoa went upstairs to retrieve some items from the fully stocked linen closet. There were blankets and sheets of various colors and materials in the closet, and for a moment he didn't know which to pick. To pick an item that'll get the job done, or an item that'll stir his memories? He felt the texture for each, and decided to take a red satin sheet and a plain white pillow back downstairs …

Only to find the hunter had fallen asleep that quickly. He was curled up on his side, using his arm as a pillow, in a fashion similar to how a dog would sleep. For a moment Klonoa stared at the rare sight. Guntz rarely slept in the time they traveled together citing that they could be attacked at any moment. The wolf often stood by the window and kept guard, and Klonoa in turn would check on him until he inevitable fell asleep. Whether or not he slept in the time in-between was a mystery.

Not wishing to disturb him Klonoa draped the sheet over top loosely to offer additional protection, and then placed the pillow beside his head. " Well … goodnight. " He spoke though it was unlikely that the hunter heard him.

Though the wolf shifted slightly in his sleep Klonoa knew he did not stir. Content, the cabbit headed up the stairs to find a few hours of sleep for himself.

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To Be Continued …