Disclaimers: I don't own it.

Okay, second fanfic, haven't finished the first, and even three months later, I still don't have volume eight. That's putting me off. This is set after the manga, though, and pretty much deals with… yeah. We'll find out soon enough.

000

Prologue: One-Sided Conversations

That dream came back to me.

I woke up so suddenly; I used to think that it was real. But it isn't. At least, not now.

A nightmare, to be precise. It was something incomprehensible, but it was so real, so painful, so… it just hurt to think about it. Swallowed into the curse of the night, I could not find you. You, who protected me from such fears so many times prior.

I was falling.

You would reach out, call to me, try to catch me, despite the fact that there was no way you could stop what was to happen.

I reached back, I screamed your name, I wanted to be caught; but it was too late.

I was swallowed by the darkness. And then… there was nothing. Nothing all around me; and I was so scared.

…

Why is that I am so afraid? Why am I so weak? Why do I keep on fearing of this one thing and refuse to move on?

But no matter how ridiculous my fears were, or how absurd the idea was, you listened to me. You told me that 'it was alright', that I had nothing to be afraid of, as long as you were there.

And I believed you.

I still believe you.

Safety. What is in that word? Does that mean that I will be protected for the rest of my life? I suppose, but I think the word alone will not be enough to keep me going forwards. Just knowing that you are there with me keeps me safe, keeps me happy, keeps me from hiding away from others.

Do you still watch over me?

Can you still hear me?

I hope so; I know so. But the nightmare continues to plague at the worst times possible. I don't understand and that is what scares me the most. My friends don't seem to understand as well as you do, but then again, would they understand how I used to be able to see angels and demons; otherworldly spirits? At the most, they would think I was just messing with their minds. But I'm not, and I don't want them to think of me like that, so I don't talk about it.

That's why I talk to you.

How many times have I seen the same vision? How many times will I continue to see it? I don't like it, I'm scared of it, and I don't see why I'm… why I'm so weak about this one small fact.

But you'll listen to me, won't you? I may not be able to see you, but I know you can hear me.

It's just a petty fear anyway. Heh, not like it'll be a real thing in life now… right? I mean, it's not like…

I should stop thinking about these kind of things. They're so stupid, anyway.

You listened, didn't you? I know you would have, so… thank you. I feel much better now.

Thank you, Misha-san.

000

Kotarou-kun…

What you say isn't foolishness, nor does it make you sound like a selfish child. Everyone has a fear in your life, and some are worse than others.

What you experienced through childhood hurt you, and that was what made you keep away from the others. I understand this, and that was why I wanted to help you even more. You were a child who needed a little guidance on the way, and I was there to provide it for you.

Kotarou-kun, you're still learning to be yourself and to love yourself for who you are. You have many qualities that you failed to notice, and it was only later that you worked out how many people cared about you.

And that was why I was there for you.

You needed someone who could listen and try to understand, to be yourself and not be judged in such a way so that it would hurt. We are all unique in our own way, and… that was what makes us special.

When I first came here I was so happy! After the death of Kotaroh-kun, I was so… he was trying so hard for me. You're him, but not him, but you will still be the one I love. You're happy now, and I'm happy for you.

Why is it that you keep having nightmares? I know, but I don't want to know. It scarred you so badly. You lost someone so important to you.

It is no wonder you still have nightmares now.

I can hear you, Kotarou-kun, and I know that you are scared of that, but I'm here. I'm always here if you need me. You might not be able to see me, but you know that I will be here to listen to you, to comfort you in a way that no one else can.

But don't deny you friends the truth, if you need someone to talk back; even I can't do that now.

It'll be okay. Everything will be fine.

I'll be here, watching, suu.

000

Good? Bad? Too over the top? Please review, I want to know what everyone else thinks. :D Thanks.