The dream faded quickly and I opened my eyes.

I'd fallen asleep on the couch while reading a book, which now lie closed on the cushion next to my chest. I glanced over at Setsuna, who had fallen asleep in the large easy chair, her head resting on her arms, which were lying on the arm of the chair. A blanket was tucked snuggly around her legs. She seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

As I sat up, I noticed that my lips felt...tingly. As if they'd just been kissed. I began to think about the dream again. It was the second dream I'd had featuring myself-from Setsuna's point of view. What was going on? Why was I intruding into Setsuna's dreams?

I went to the bathroom, and then retrieved a notebook and pen and brought them back to the couch, scribbling down notes from my dreams. I figured piecing things together would be easier if I could refer to the dreams, so I wrote down as much as I could remember. Fortunately, my dream recollection was excellent.

I wrote down all the dialogue I could remember, as well as the emotions. Every bit of it was crystal clear in my mind.

I'd been contemplating things for a few minutes when I looked over and saw that Setsuna was awake. She hadn't moved, but her eyes were open. How long had she been watching me?

I gave her a shaky smile while closing my notebook. "Hi there."

She smiled softly, "Hello. Sorry, I guess I fell asleep."

"I fell asleep, too, don't worry about it."

She finally sat up, stretching her arms above her head. "What time is it?"

"Not sure," I replied. "Late in the afternoon. It'll be getting dark soon." I kept watching her, waiting for something to trigger inside my head.

"Oh wow," she said in surprise. "This day has just flown by. She held the blanket while she stood up, and then began to fold it. Are you okay to take me home now?"

I nodded.

"Okay, then I'm just going to go get ready."

The last rays of the sun disappeared from view and the soft glow of evening took over. The neon signs were lighting up the sky, as well as the headlight and taillights of the car. The snow had mostly melted during the day and the roads were clear, but it was still very cold outside.

Setsuna sat in the passenger seat, once again wearing her coat, evening gown, and dress shoes. I felt extremely underdressed next to her.

We said nothing most of the ride, wrapped up in our own thoughts. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, however, which I appreciated.

I pulled the car up in front of Setsuna's apartment building.

"Thank you, Mamoru," she said gratefully, reaching for the door handle.

"So, coffee shop on Tuesday?" I said, referring to our weekly get together.

She smiled and nodded. "See you then." And then she was gone.

For as much sleep as I'd had during the day, I was absolutely exhausted by the time I got home, and wanted nothing more than a shower and some sleep. But as soon as I walked in the door of my apartment, my cell phone rang. It was Usagi.

"Hey, sweetheart," I spoke into the phone.

"Hey, Mamoru!" Usagi chimed back. "Where have you been all day? Why I haven't you called me?"

"Just been at home," I said as I took off my jacket. "The weather was so bad, so I just caught up on some reading and sleep. What about you?"

Usagi began to tell me about her day at home with her mother and brother. She talked excitedly for 20 minutes, giving me time to clean up the apartment a little and brush my teeth. It took several tries at ending the conversation before I was able to hang up. Usagi was definitely more of a night person than I was.

After the call with Usagi, I took a shower and prepared for bed.

Ugh, the sheets. I'd forgotten to change them. Screw it. I was too tired. And yet I wanted to go through my notes one more time. I climbed under the covers, leaning back on my pillow while I scanning my notes and added a few new ones.

For some reason, I couldn't get my mind off of those dreams. The universe was trying to tell me something, I was sure of it. But if there was something there...I just couldn't piece it together.

Finally my fatigue overtook me. I set the notebook aside and turned off the light, sinking down into my pillow.

It only took a moment for me to realize that the bed smelled like Setsuna. It was a subtle smell, but definitely hers.

It was my last thought before I drifted off to sleep.

I looked out the window toward the black expanse of space, my eyes quickly locating the brightest dot-the sun. It was the only thing I could see that I could connect with him. Every second he was heading closer to that dot, and further away from me.

My father had demonstrated through words and action that I shouldn't expect to have love or companionship in my life. Neither one of these things worked well with someone who had to stand watch at the Gates of Time. I'd seen how much my father and mother had loved each other, and how hard it was for her when he was away from the castle for months at a time. She tried to be brave, but I also knew of the times when she would cry. Then I saw the turmoil in my father's eyes when Mother became sick, when he couldn't be there for her, when he couldn't take away her pain. It was an agonizing illness, and it took years before she died. Afterward, I could see the sadness in his eyes when he looked at me, because I looked so much like her.

No, love was only pain.

And yet, even though I hadn't gotten looking for it, it had found me. There had been so much happiness, laughter, and love in the castle over the past few days while he had been here-emotions that hadn't filled these halls since I was a little girl. The entire castle had seemed like a brighter place, full of energy.

But now…

Now the silence was oppressive.

Now came the pain.

How had I already become accustomed to his hand in mine? Or the feel of his lips on mine? Or seeing his smile in person? Now that all those things were gone, it all felt like I had dreamt the whole thing.

There were all of those people who got to see and talk to him every day. Did they know how lucky they were? How much I longed to be in their shoes?

I could imagine the whole thing.

"You should be settling down, Your Highness," they would say to him. "You need to find someone to love."

"I do love someone," he would return. "The Princess of Pluto."

And then there would be that look of surprise and pity.

I turned away from the window, walking into the kitchen. Our breakfast dishes were there, sitting at a table set for two. It was a reminder that he had been there. The sight made my chest felt heavy, and it was a little hard to breathe. There would be another reminder up in the bedroom, where a pillow creased with his head waited for me. And would I be able to go into the greenhouse without the persistent memory of him being there?

I'd always been alone, but for the first time in my life, I was lonely. And it was suffocating me.