The floor creaked under Kisshu's foot as he crept into the dark room. The neons and the lamp were off and it was a moonless night outside, but he didn't need light to see the sleeping form in front of him. He leaned down and put his lips to this figure's temple before he decided against simply standing there; with swift movements and the hushed ruffling sound of his clothing, he slid under the covers and brought his arms around the lithe figure. He tried to fall asleep to the sound of her breathing, but his thoughts kept him up. His body didn't give a damn who she was, but his mind kept telling him that this wasn't her.


Ichigo turned around to shield her eyes from the morning sun and she was met by dark fluttering eyelashes. She felt contempt as her muscles relaxed once again to enjoy her lover's heartbeats against her ear and his even breaths against her cheek. Too soon, though, he began to stir.

„Morning, sweetie." He didn't respond, although she saw his brown irises glinting from under his eyelids as he took her disheveled appearence in. It seemed to Ichigo that he wanted to let a smile crack his sleepy expression. Instead, Masaya brought an arm between them and pushed her off as he turned on his side, his back to her chest. „What's wrong?"

"Tired." Came his response. Still, he didn't sound convincing and the young woman rested her weigh on one elbow to look over his shoulder and see half of his face. His eyes were closed once again. She kissed his shoulder and he flinched slightly when her fingers touched the red marks on his back.

She didn't believe him. He sounded almost resentful. Brushing his bangs aside to gaze at his pale face, Ichigo put her chin on his bent arm. He let her, but she wouldn't have it any other way.

"Sweetie," clasping her fingers with his, even though he tried to pull away, she sighed. "Look at me." Her tone made his eyes open ever so slowly. He tried to stare blankly ahead, but the woman turned him over and tapped his chest to catch his attention. She was genuinely worried.

"What's wrong?" the second time she asked, he gulped down the lump in his throat and felt tears prickling at the corners of his eyes, so he averted his gaze back to the empty wall. "Tell me."

She was nearly pleading with him and it tore at his insides to hear that tone of her voice, because he swore to her that she never had to figure him out ever again. They had to make it work somehow, they had to build a future together and she didn't have to dwell with his tantrums. Except, this wasn't a tantrum, it was a serious problem.

"You screamed his name again." He witnessed a look of dread cross over her expression before she froze. He tried to comfort her by patting her hair, but she caught his wrist and forced his hand down. The she stood up, her back to him.

"I'm sorry." Was all she said before she hurried out of the bedroom door and down the hall, probably to lock herself in the bathroom again. Just like all the other times.


Kisshu's arms started to grow numb and his patience slipped, so he groaned and stood back up, leaving an empty side of the bed. He couldn't take his mind off of her. He needed to wear himself out; maybe this way, he'll pass out from exhaustion and get his rest. Fuck, he missed her…