Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
In answer to a challenge for a Momiji/Kisa fanfic, I have written this piece. ^^ I believe the full challenge was Momiji comforting Kisa after a nightmare. This part is told from Kisa's POV. Touch of lime.

Part Two - A Walk in the Light

The nightmares have been frightening lately.

Not frightening in a very scary way. Not a horror movie filled with blood or one of those strange dreams where I feel myself falling. More like...scary in a 'wake up and smell the roses' kind of way.

Am I explaining it right?

I suppose it's more like a realization. My dreams, of late, have been pretty detailed. Everything from background and surroundings to actual smells, tastes and touches.

Especially the touches.

The one I had tonight is no exception. I had been in my room, sleeping. Strange that I'd dream of sleeping when I am sleeping, ne?

Anyway, I hear someone come into my room. I'm not scared or frightened, so it must be someone I know. He says something. Yes, he. The voice is male all though I have no idea what it is he's saying. It's soothing, comforting. I feel myself enveloped in a hug, encompassed by warmth.

But then it suddenly turns cold. The hands that I comforting begin to hit me. Slapping me across my face and neck. Fists raining down on my torso and back. I start to scream but a hand cuts off any noise I make. The hands that once beat me begin to caress me and my screams turned to muffled moans.

And the voice, finally clear, causes me to wake.

"I will make sure that you never dream again, Kisa-chan."

I remember that voice. I hear it every night in my dreams. Every night since that one. The night of my sixteenth birthday.

The night every dream I ever had was shattered.

The night Akito bestowed me with my birthday gift.

It's been a year almost and yet I can still recall everything clearly, in vivid detail. I had hoped I'd forget by now. That I'd be able to black it out and move on. But that is not to be either.

My mother stopped talking to me.

Hiro wouldn't come near me.

My friends could do nothing for me except watch me slowly back away into the shadows. Kagura's attempts to cheer me up only caused me to slip further into depression. Haur's consolement was less than consoling and Tohru, who'd I'd looked up to for so long, could do nothing to cheer me up.

That's how I've been for the past eight months. Secluded, neglected and unwanted. Wallowing in a deep depression that is beginning to consume me.

And that's what frightens me.

I don't want to be consumed. I want to be loved. And I want to love someone in return. I know it's impossible for someone like me, someone cursed to turn into an animal anytime she is hugged by a member of the opposite sex, and it's especially impossible for me now that I'm no longer virgin.

No longer pure.

No longer wanted.

No longer loved.

The tears flow faster as these and other thoughts pass through my head. I'd considered a lot of things in the past few months. Suicide being the most prominent thought in my head. I could no longer be happy living as I was and I had no one to help me out of the darkness. Plunging further into the darkness is my only option, right?

I wonder if anyone will miss me when I'm gone.

I bet no one will care.

Oh Kami, that's horrible of me!

There's some rustling beneath me and I freeze. Is someone there? I can't tell. No wait! The footsteps and movements give it away. The breathing is steady and the sounds it makes are too light to be a large animal. It's human.

Oh Kami! Someone's found me!

"Crying in a tree is dangerous. You could fall and hurt yourself."

Is that Momiji?! I'm so surprised that I gasp. Can he see me hidden within the shadows? Usually even Hiro can't find me up here. I am in shock and in awe. Of course my crying probably gave me away. I do tend to sob pretty loudly.

"Kisa-chan, if you want to talk, I'll listen."

I'm not surprised he knows it's me. Again, my crying probably gave me away. With a sigh, I wipe away my tears and lean forward enough to get a good look at Momiji. He's leaning against the trunk of the tree. It looks like he's waiting patiently for something.

Carefully I climb down the tree, landing softly behind my cousin. Holding on to the tree trunk with both hands I lean around to look at him. There are still tears in my eyes, but they remain unshed for now.

"I had a...a....dream."

His head snaps up and he twists his neck to look at me. I've clearly frightened him judging by the look in his eyes. It shouldn't be too surprising really. He is easy prey and I am a tiger.

As he relaxes a small smile appears on his face. He holds out a hand for me and I take it shyly. I've never been close to Momiji. He's so unlike me, always cheerful and happy. But if that's true, then why does he look so worried and concerned now? Did he have a bad dream too?

"Do you want to talk about it, Kisa-chan?"

I nod as he pulls me closer to him, forcing me to move from the safe wall of the tree trunk until I'm standing next to him. He sits down, his back resting against the tree trunk. He pulls me down with him and I sit, cross-legged next to him. He continues to smile, never letting go of my hand.

"It's the same dream I seem to have every night," I tell him. I'm not sure if I can tell him what I actually see...what really happened.

He takes my right hand with his right, moving so that his left arm is securely around my shoulders. I tense only slightly before relaxing under the warm feel of his arm around me. His voice is soft, just louder than a whisper. "What happens in this dream, Kisa-chan?"

I find myself snuggling into his warmth, new tears stinging at my eyes. I bury my head in his shoulder as I say, "I'm forced to do something I don't want to."

His arm tightens around my shoulders and I feel his cheek against my temple. "That is horrible. What a nightmare."

I can only nod as images begin to flash through my mind again. The tears start to flow. His arm tightens even more and his other arm wraps around me as well, crushing me to him. My arms do their best to wrap around his middle but are stopped by the tree trunk. My hands clutch at his sides instead.

"Kisa-chan," he croons into my ear. "It will be all right."

I shake my head. It will never be all right. Not with all the pain. All the agony. All the suffering. I will never be able to forget and I will never be all right.

"Kisa-chan? Look at me, onegai."

I pull away, reluctant to release the warmth I'm becoming accustomed to. I so want that warmth. With wide eyes I dare a glance up at him. He's grown up so much. Been through as much pain as I have. I may not know this because of something that was said, but rather because of some emotional connection.

Is that possible?

He cups my face in his hands and smiles at me, despite the tears stinging at his own eyes. "Whatever it is, it's over now. Everything will be all right."

"I want to forget Momjij-kun," I say without thinking.

His smile grows just a little bit more. "Do you want me to help you, Kisa-chan?"

I nod.

"Are you sure?"

The tears start to fall again. Is there anyone else who can? "Hai."

Before my next breath I'm crushed against Momiji's chest, his arms holding me tight. The rise and fall of his chest betrays his now rapid heartbeat. I can feel mine grow faster as well, but then it stops as my lips press against his.

And the darkness of my world is awash in white light.

~TO BE CONTINUED~