Ichigo bolted up in her bed, skin shining with a thin layer of sweat. Her panicked breaths the only sound in the silent house, the moon her only light source. Tears flooded her vision as a little sob broke through her lips. Such a thing as a bad dream shouldn't have bothered her but for some odd reason, it did. She stood on shaky legs and padded her way on bare feet to the door and slid through. She tip toed her way to the bathroom and turned on the light.
She splashed her face with water the same way she had done the days before. Nightmares had plagued her for the past week, every night she'd wake in tears and covered with sweat with no memory of the dream, only that it was terrifying. She told no-one, her parents would only worry but her nightmares and fears would be of no concern of Ryou, and revealing them to Akasaka or the other mews would be too embarrassing. No, she thought to herself. They're only nightmares, not real, not real. But then, why did she swear they were, the darkness could easily conceal any number of things, the monsters could go undetected until it was too late. She sat against the sink and mentally prepared herself to leave the safety of the light, safe bathroom to go willingly to the darkness' clutches. A deep breath later and she had launched herself from the room, down the hall and into her bedroom, switching on the light and sealing the door closed as she went.
Chest heaving from the sudden bout of exertion, Ichigo opened her window, allowing the cool air to reach every inch of her over heated body. She leaned out a little further, almost her entire torso was outside, breeze rustling her hair, the fresh air reassuring. She closed her tired eyes, resting them for a moment before opening them, her subconscious mind telling her to stay aware, adrenaline keeping her ready to get away from any monster that attacked.
She tried to lean out further but she was unable. She bit her lip as she decided to do something arguably fairly stupid. The cool air relaxed her, calmed her, so, with no further deliberation, she made her way to her dresser and pulled out a black skirt, long black socks and a light pink top. She put them on then slid her feet into a pair of black shoes then, with a little bit of sense, pulled on an oversized black sweater and pulled a brush through her hair. She grabbed her bag, putting in her cellphone, flash light and pendant and slid it over her shoulder.
She walked back to the window and stood up cautiously on the sill before taking a leap of faith.
"Cat DNA, don't fail me now!" She whispered. She landed neatly on a branch of the tree directly outside her window. Then, she proceeded to climb down. The street lights lit the side walk clearly enough that her flash light wasn't needed for this. Only when she looked back at her house did she begin to really think of her actions.
"A walk at night? What am I thinking?" She whispered to herself, mentally scolding herself for being so stupid. "But hey, I'm a Mew! But then, I'm a mew who's run out of her own room by imaginary monsters..." She sighed, resolving that since she was already outside, she might as well have her walk. She watched her feet as she went, shiny black shoes reflecting the orange red light of the streetlights.
It wasn't long before she found herself in the park, sat on a bench by a pond, the glossy black surface gleaming. She kept her hand in her bag, clasped firmly around her pendant as though it were her lifeline. Little tears still fell as the nightmare lingered, little flashes sticking in her memory. She was still sitting like that when a voice from behind her almost made her scream.
"Kitten?" Her tear filled eyes turned to land on a dark figure. She pulled out her flash light and turned it on the person, never looking away from him.
"K- Kisshu? I don't have time for this! I'm not in the mood for your games." He held his hands up in a way that told her he wasn't here to cause trouble.
"You're crying." He stated
"And...?" In an odd way, his presence was comforting. The fact that she wasn't alone left her less terrified.
"What's the matter?" This strangely nice behaviour unnerved her. His concern, however was touching. She considered telling him about the nightmares but could she really afford him thinking her weak?
"Nothing." She lowered the flash light and turned it off, putting it back into her bag once she was sure this wasn't some sort of attack. She heard him walk over to her and sit next to her on the bench.
"I may not be the brightest, Kitten, but I know when someone is upset." He wiped away a tear from her face before she batted his hand away.
"It's stupid."
"As stupid as going outside at night?"
"I was taking a walk to clear my mind, for your information."
"Clear your mind of what?" More tears left her eyes. "It's not like I'm going to tell anyone, you might as well tell me." She looked at him, those golden eyes making silent promises that he was sincere. Ichigo licked her bottom lip.
"It's been happening for the past week or so, I wake up in tears. I've been having nightmares but by the time I wake up, I've no idea what about. I'm afraid to go back to sleep so I've been laying awake every night after it. Tonight, I was just...I just...I..." Sobs took her voice away and she was startled to feel a warm arm wrap around her shoulders. For once, she allowed it. Kisshu noticed for the first time the thick purple bags under her eyes.
"Honey, you should go home. It's not safe here." A little laugh broke free.
"Says the alien trying to take over the world."
"You know what I mean." Ichigo shook her head. "No you don't know what I mean, or no you don't want to go home?"
"I don't want to go home. I don't feel safe there."
"Says the girl with the arm of the alien trying to take over the world around her." Kisshu wiped another tear away.
"That's different I've fought you before. I know I could beat you. But..." Ignoring the 'I could beat you' part, Kisshu tried to convince her to continue her statement.
"But what?"
"I don't know!" He held her closer and allowed her to cry into his chest.
"I know I'm not the person you need, but what if I came with you?" She looked up at him.
"Won't Pai and Taruto be annoyed with you?"
"They're always annoyed at me. Let's go." He stood and helped her up. "I'm going to teleport us there. Hold on to my hand." Ichigo decided to take his wrist in place of his hand. To take his hand seemed too intimate, which, considering she had just been in his arms, seemed stupid.
"Kitten? We're here." She must have spaced out as she realised that she was in fact in her room, still holding onto Kisshu's arm.
"Well, guess I'll see you next time we fight." He turned to the window, preparing to take flight when a little hand grabbed his wrist.
"Kisshu...um...would..." Ichigo wasn't at all sure how to continue but he seemed to get the message as he turned to face her again.
"I'll stay all night if you like." Fearing another tearful awakening, Ichigo nodded. He left the room, sitting outside the door while she changed into a clean pink nightgown. She retrieved him when she was done.
"You go lay in bed." She did as she was told, trying not to be alarmed when he turned out the light. She relaxed considerably when she felt his arms slide around her as he lay in her bed next to her. "Close your eyes honey." She did as she was told, pushing her head into his chest, ignoring the little voice scolding her for being so relaxed around the enemy.
"I should probably warn you, Kisshu, that if my dad sees you here, I cannot guarantee you will live."
"I'll take the risk, Kitten." A little giggle from Ichigo left Kisshu smiling as he slept, slightly fearing the next morning, unsure what power Ichigo's father must posses that Ichigo warned him of.