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~Loneliness~

Tears had been falling from her cheeks before she had been fully awake. Kasumi's wide, hazel eyes fluttered open. She glanced at the window that was concealed behind several pink curtains. The rain was hitting against the window. Usually, a rainstorm would not wake her unless the sound of thunder accompanied it. It had become routine for her to wake in the middle of the night from a nightmare. For once in her life, she wished she can go through a night of sleep.

Kasumi wiped away the tears from her face. She began reliving the nightmare she had kept experiencing. She was kneeling next to a tree by the Mugen Tenshin village with several wounds open and broken bones from her arms and legs as her kin and brethren watched. She began to cry out for help but no one seemed to answer her cries. Her parents didn't look her in the eye, Hayate looked furious, and Ayane smirked. Soon everything grew dark and she was all alone in a dark abyss.

The feeling of being alone had made Kasumi become more frightened of the world. She refused to leave the refuge of her new home without company. If she was left alone, an overwhelming thought of abandoned took over and that no one would care what becomes of her.

A loud crash of thunder echoed followed by a flash of lighting. Kasumi grew frightened as she pushed away her bed sheets. She felt like a child again. She was scared of lighting then just like now but mostly because she was alone.

Leaving her bedroom in her cotton, pink pajama pants, and a tank top, Kasumi walked across the hall to the bedroom on the other side. Peeking her head inside, Kasumi could see him asleep on his back in his large bed.

Ryu Hayabusa.

He had no shirt, so she could see his well-built upper body, his long brown hair was released from its tie so it was scattered all over his pillow. Tiptoeing her way inside, Kasumi crawled onto the bed on the emptier side. She draped the covers over herself as she scooted closer to him. Kasumi hoped Ryu wouldn't mind her sleeping next to him, she just didn't want to be alone tonight. He wouldn't know, either way, she would leave an hour before he would wake because of the nightmares. She just felt safer and protected when she was closed to him.

Getting closer to the warmth he provided, Kasumi placed a hand over Ryu's bare chest as she rested her head on his shoulder. He did not move. She relaxed and closed her eyes so that she can sleep for a few hours. Taking a deep breath Kasumi, began to drift to sleep, hoping she wouldn't be having any nightmares with him by her side.

As soon as he heard Kasumi's breathes even out, Ryu placed a hand over hers that was still on his chest. Kasumi may not have noticed but Ryu had known why she decided to sleep next to him. Ryu drew her closer to an embrace to give her a sense of affection.

Placing a tender kiss on her forehead, Ryu wrapped an arm around Kasumi's waist. He was not going to let her feel loneliness anymore.

'Sweet dreams, Kasumi.'

~.~.~.~.~