"Niisan...NI-NIISAN!"

Carrot's eyes blinked open to the sound of screaming.

"Huh...?" He glanced to his side and saw Marron tossing and turning in his 
bed. "Marron, are you all right?" Marron gave no response except a gasp 
and a strangled cry.

"N-niisan...!"

Carrot's eyes randomly scanned the campsite for a moment. Gateau was 
sleeping soundly a foot away from him. Chocolat lay on her side, snoring 
peacefully and hugging her pillow. Next to her was Tira, whose arm was 
loosely draped across her sister's shoulder. Carrot's gaze then returned 
to his brother, who was still tossing about in his bed.

"NIISAN!!"

"Marron?"

"Niisan...niisan!"

"Marron?! What's going on?"

"C-Carrot-niisan..."

"Marron!" Carrot grasped Marron's shoulders and gently shook him. "Marron, 
wake up..."

"N...ni-niisan...niisan..."

Marron's eyes opened a little, his vision taking a few minutes to focus. A 
wave of relief washed over him to see Carrot there.

"Niisan..."

"What's wrong, otouto?" Carrot asked, slipping an arm around Marron. 
Marron just stared at Carrot for a moment, smiling ever so slightly...
then flung himself into Carrot's surprised arms, sobbing.

"Niisan...!"

"Marron?!" Carrot hugged his trembling brother as close as he could. 
"Shh...calm down a little. It was a dream, it's all right now. I'm here," 
he whispered. Marron gripped the fabric of Carrot's tanktop, burying his 
face against his chest as his shoulders shook violently. "It's okay," 
Carrot continued to whisper, gently rubbing his hands over Marron's back. 
After a few moments, the other boy seemed to calm down a little.

"Niisan..."

"What happened?" Carrot asked. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I-it was a dream...the worst dream I've ever had," Marron said, 
sniffling.

"Want to tell me about it?"

"We were fighting against Sacher...and Chocolat was killed," Marron began. 
"Strangled with her own wire...Tira was crying, and Gateau and I were just 
mad...but...you..."

"What about me?"

"Niisan...you couldn't even cry...you...you just..." Marron's voice broke 
off into sobs.

"Shh...you don't have to tell me the rest," Carrot whispered, stroking his 
hair.

"Niisan, you killed yourself!" Marron sobbed. Carrot paled.

"I did what?!"

"Niisan...y-you stabbed yourself with your sword, you told us never to 
worry for you again, then you killed yourself," Marron sobbed, tightening 
his grip on Carrot. "Niisan, y-you died...in the dream, you were dead, 
a-and it seemed so real..." He gasped, struggling to catch his breath. 
"Niisan...n-nii..san..."

"Marron..."

"Niisan..."

Carrot hugged Marron closer, stroking his hair as he continued to sob 
Carrot's name over and over.