I was walking across a huge cement bridge. The rock was gray and weathered, and cracked in some places. I didn't know why, I simply had to get to the other side. I wasn't afraid, yet it wouldn't be uncalled for to show a bit of fear, especially concerning the sky. It was a crimson red sunset, and the sky seemed to be bleeding. Bleeding. A feeling of dread was beginning to rise up from my chest. The end of the walkway was coming.

I cautiously stepped near the edge. A piece of my bridge was broken, making it impossible to cross safely to the other end. Feeling a tug in my stomach, I peeked over the edge. And screamed.

There was an ocean, as black as night, filled with horrible images. Images of gravestones of my family, images that occurred in my house, belts and vodka bottles, demons everywhere. Anything and everything bad that had happened to me, and what I didn't want to happen to me, was below my bridge. I felt myself falling. Falling into the black, falling…

My eyes snapped open and I couldn't stop screaming. My hair was plastered to my sweaty forehead, and it felt like I was being beaten. I couldn't move, and that terrified me, making me scream even more. I needed to stop falling stop falling stop falling stop falling-

A hand clamped over my mouth.

I was so surprised I stopped screaming. Breathing heavily, which exerted an enormous pressure on my chest, I looked wildly around. Ryuuzaki's gunmetal eyes were staring at me. "Please refrain from causing so much noise. My head is, quite literally, killing me." He winced. "Now, I am going to remove my hand. And you are not going to continue with that ear-shattering noise. Understood?"

I nodded, and he slowly removed his hand. Eyeing me and waiting for me to scream, he sat back in a chair when I made no move to make a sound. I blinked and looked around.

It was a very dark, dingy room, with the smell of mold and chlorine in the air. There were only a few pieces of furniture; the couch I was laying on, Ryuuzaki's chair, and a desk with a laptop on it. The curtains were tightly drawn, and an IV stand stood next to the couch. Where the heck was I? This reminded of one of those old slasher movies… I looked at myself, and understood why I couldn't move. My left leg was in a cast, as well as my arm, which was also in a sling, and tight bandages were wrapped around my torso and head. Squinting, I realized Ryuuzaki wasn't the only one with a headache.

"Pain…medicine.." I choked out, but Ryuuzaki shook his head.

"You are drugged up enough. You'll have to endure it as I have." Shifting his position, my eyes landed on his right arm.

"Your arm…" His arm was covered in white wrap and gauze. "What happened?"

He bit his thumb. "You walked in front of a semi truck. You had hold of my arm at the time, and when I tried to pull you back.." He gestured towards the injured arm.

"Oh my god… I'm so sorry. Are you alright?" Oh man he really was going to kill me. I hurt his arm and ranted and raved at him, and now I was going to pay for it. Why else were we in such a dump, if not a place no one would look for my dead body?

Looking down, he spoke quietly. "Well it was certainly an inconvenience. Especially that I must be departing soon. My arm is fractured, however, not broken. How are you feeling?" How was I feeling? What about him? I almost broke his arm with my clumsiness! Talk about wanting to pull a paper bag over my head! Actually, just the thought made me want to wince. How was I feeling…

I thought about that for a few moments, mentally doing a scan of my body. "My head is pounding, and I'm extremely tired and wanting to just relax, but, it slightly hurts to breathe, and other than that I feel like I was just hit by a truck on steroids." I managed a small grin, and figured if my impeccable sense of humor was still in tact I couldn't be that banged up.

Ryuuzaki sighed. "Since this is the first time you've waken after 24 hours, I must keep you awake so your concussion does not complicate matters. You have three broken ribs, a fractured leg, and three breaks in your left arm. There is some swelling, and you hit your head rather hard, but nothing Watari hasn't been able to fix. I apologize for bringing you to my temporary quarters, it was faster for Watari to fix you up then having gone through the hospital routine." With his good hand he stirred a cup of coffee on the small table next to his chair –where'd that come from?- and took a long drink.

The news hit me hard. Ouch. What was I going to do? How was I going to work, let along walk! Why did I have to let my emotions cloud my judgment? I always checked for traffic! Or at least used to. This could not be happening. This could not.

The look on my face must've clued Ryuuzaki in to exactly what I was thinking. "Although this turn of events is most unfortunate, things could be worse. You could be dead at the moment."

"So could you!" I moaned. "I almost killed myself, not to mention some hobo with a hankering for sweets! Oh meh gosh…"

I realized too late that was the wrong thing to say. "I beg your pardon. I am not a 'hobo.' Quite the opposite in fact. Hence my very large order of sweets, which I have been delayed in picking up, due to the fact I have been at your bedside for the last 24 hours!" His eyes were becoming stormy once again, and for once I was beginning to feel uncomfortable. "How I dress and my own habits and mannerisms are mine of choice, and no one else's business. So please forgive me for not being as concerned as yourself as to how I appear to the general public."

I was quiet while I absorbed this new information. "You've…stayed with me this entire time?" I looked up at him.

He made a frustrated sigh. "You are missing the point. But yes, I have. However, I was not awarded for that fact when you woke up screaming. "

I thought about this for a few moments. He had stayed with me while I was unconscious? Sure, that was a bit creepy, but yet… I smiled to myself. "You're a jerk."

This time he indeed looked offended. "A…jerk?"

I smiled. "Poor Trina went to all the effort, and you've still haven't picked up your order. Heh… Where are we, anyway? And who's this Watari person?"

Ryuuzaki's lips turned into a frown again. Why did he seem to always frown whenever I saw him? He bit his thumb, as if thinking about the answer to an extremely difficult algebra problem. "We are in a house I took the liberty of renting for my short stay in Plattsmouth, just outside the edge of town. Watari is my, well, grandfather, to put it simply. Now, what are we to do about you?" He took another drink out of his small cup, which contained either tea or coffee; I couldn't tell.

I blinked. Several times. "How long have I…been out?" God, it was so hard to focus! He wasn't kidding when he said I was drugged up. It would be so much easier just to go with the flow and close my eyes…

"REN." My eyes snapped open. "It is now October 27, and a little after three in the afternoon. Was there someone you need to contact at home?"

"No!" I said a little too quickly. He raised an eyebrow. "No, I mean…Shit!" I closed my eyes and tried to focus. I was going to be dead meat. DEAD MEAT. Dad was going to go ballistic…

"Is there something wrong?" He was biting his thumb again, and watching me intently.

"Something wrong? Something wrong? No, of course not!" I started laughing in scared hysterics. "Why would something be wrong?" I groaned, "Just kill me now, why don't you! At least it'll be painless!" I struggled to sit up. I had to get out of here and back home. Maybe if I hurried, and came up with the right excuse, Dad was less likely to-

Ryuuzaki quickly stood up. "Please stay lying down. You need to rest. Your body had taken quite a beating, and-"

"This is nothing compared to the beating I'm gonna get if I don't hurry up and get my a-" I groaned with the effort, then clamped my mouth shut when I realized what I had just said. "Aaagh!" I cried in pain. "The ribs!" I doubled over as wave after wave of pain rippled through me. Losing my balance, I toppled face first into the hard wood floor. Talk about needing a good mopping…

I clenched my good hand into a fist and groaned as I rolled over onto my back. I really didn't enjoy the feeling of hammers pounding away on my arm and leg. Then I felt someone's hand on my waist, pulling me up. "No!" I snapped. "I can do it myself. I don't…need your help…" I was about to continue protesting as Ryuuzaki lifted me back onto the couch, but suddenly my vision started to go dark around the edges. "Ryuuzaki, problem. Everything-"

I fell into my own personal Sea of Pain, and it felt like glass ripping through my body. I cried out, but there was no one there to hear me. Faceless black demons pulled me down, no matter how hard I struggled. And faces, so many faces…

My mother, body bleeding and lifeless, trapped in the overturned car. Kenny in the backseat, his head twisted at an impossible angle. Dad throwing empty beer bottles, shouting for me to get over there before he made me appear. Mom, Kenny and I hiding in the bedroom as Dad beat on the back door, demanding to be let back in the house. Me on top of Christina Retender at school, hitting her, fist after fist of anger. Yelling at mom that this was all her fault, that I wished she would die.

Then all of the memories and images were ripped away from me as a single figure stood in the distance. Father.

No, no, I had to get away. This couldn't be happening. I had to get away before he came after me. I had to run, but my legs just wouldn't listen to me. Slowly, he made his way to me, while tears and snot ran down my face as I gasped for breath. I couldn't breathe, I was so terrified. He was right there. Right there in front of me. He raised his hand, and brought it down on my face. The pain was intense, so real-

"Serenity!"

My eyes opened. I was breathing hard again, and tears were streaming down my cheeks. It was so real, he was right there. All those people, Kenny and mom and- I blinked, and came back to reality. Ryuuzaki was looking at me with extremely guilty and uncomfortable eyes. He cleared his throat.

"I um…Are you alright? I couldn't wake you up, and you began sobbing in your sleep, and then screaming, and I really couldn't bear any more of that, so I tried waking you up, but you weren't responding, you weren't, and so I…" He was talking so fast his words jumbled together, as if hastily trying to get them out. "I apologize."

I shook my head to clear my head of the reoccurring nightmare, and immediately wished I hadn't. "You…hit me. Its ok, I'm..I'm fine." I furiously dabbed at my ever-flowing tears, humiliated to have been seen as such a wreck. "Listen, I'm grateful for all your help, really I am, but it is of the utmost importance that I get home as soon as possible. So," I began to sit up again, and instantly became nauseous. "Ugh. Maybe just a minute."

"Whatever that needs to be attended to that is so important has waited this long. It can wait just a bit more." Ryuuzaki let out a long breath, and finally relented. "I will accompany you back to your quarters, but first let me fetch you a cup of tea."

I made a face at the thought. "That's ok…I've never liked the stuff, and my stomach really doesn't-"

"I assure you," he smoothly interrupted, "That you want this certain tea. That it, unless, you enjoy feeling like you are at sea while on land?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Fine, I give up." I let out a sigh. The truth was, I hated tea, and doubted he could make anything that would taste drinkable and not make me want to gag.

"Very well," Ryuuzaki nodded at me, and slowly, in that hunched gait of his, shuffled out of the room.

I hoped he would hurry up. I had to get back home, the sooner the better. Every minute, no ever second, could be costing me. Why did I have to be so impatient and angry at him? Look at where it'd gotten me. Just look! At least he didn't seem too angry with me. Yeah, things could be worse, but they sure weren't going to get any better. And what did he mean he was going to accompany me? Maybe he just meant he'd give me a ride, and not go to the door. What was I thinking, of course he was going to go up to the door! I'd been hit by a semi and hadn't returned home for more than a day, any sensible parent would be worried sick. That, however, was the problem. My parent was the exact opposite of sensible…

"Achoo!" I sneezed, making the pounding in my head speed up. I wanted nothing more to just go to sleep, but I wasn't able to find solace even in my dreams. Ugh. What had I gotten myself into.

Well wouldn't this be something to write down? Hey, where was my stuff? I looked around, and didn't see my bag anywhere. And what had happened to my bike? Was it still attached to that park bench?

The door creaked open, and Ryuuzaki came back inside, carrying a cup of steaming tea. Although I'd hate to admit it, the tea smelled delicious. If tea can smell delicious…

Ryuuzaki handed me the cup, and I took it, gazing doubtfully at the contents. "Compliments of Watari. It's an old recipe."

"Thanks," I said. I hesitantly put the cup to my lips, and took a small sip. Despite looking hot, it was at the perfect temperature, and not only did it smell delicious, it tasted wonderful as well. "This is awesome. It tastes like raspberry, and I didn't know tea could taste like that."

Ryuuzaki smirked. "You see, it's not all bad. Now drink up."

Already I could feel my headache easing a little, and the nauseous feeling was almost obliterated completely. I took another drink. "Hey, do you know what happened to my bag, and my bike?"

"Ah," Ryuuzaki nodded. "Yes, I'd almost forgotten. Your bike is out front, and your bag is here as well." He reached behind his armchair and lifted up the strap of my blue sack. I gazed at it from behind my cup of tea. He handed me the bag, and I took it nervously. Had he gone through my things? My journal was in there, as long as my notepad. If he read those…

He interrupted my thoughts. "You seem to be quite captivated with my eyes."

My mouth dropped open. I could feel my face start to redden. "You…you read my journal?"

Whereas he seemed mortified earlier to have had to admit to slapping me, now he showed nothing but nonchalance. "Yes. I wanted to make sure you were not dangerous."

"Dangerous?" I cried, incredulous. "I'm an 18 year old girl! Not a serial killer! You had no right to-that was a blatant violation of- I can't believe you!" I was so furious I was having trouble speaking. "You are so stuck-up and arrogant, when I think you are capable of being a normal human being with feelings and- and boundaries- it's like you do everything in your power to prove me wrong! You are the most selfish person I have ever met!"

If I wasn't so injured myself I would've hit him.

He remained quiet, gazing at the floor. "Are you done?"

I was surprised at the tone of his voice. He sounded terribly upset, yet just barely able to control his voice. "Maybe."

His hands were gripping his knees harder than I'd ever seen. When he spoke, his voice was shaking. "I'll admit, I did not think you were dangerous. I did look through your things, in an effort to uncover why I seem to anger you at every turn. I am indeed, a human being with feelings, which you have injured several times over, yet I have stayed with you thus far," he murmured softly, and I started to feel the guilt coming on. "And yet you insult me, calling me selfish and irritating, going to so far to accuse me of false pretenses. I assure you, Serenity Alice Thompson, that I do no such thing when you claim I attempt to prove you wrong." His toes rubbed together uncomfortably.

Oh great. This was what I was talking about. He was so maddening, and then said something that made me feel like a total jerk. "I'm sorry," I said quietly. "I have a tendency to overreact, as I've been doing. I'm grateful for your help, really, I am."

He made no acknowledgement of my apology, and time seemed to stretch on. The silence was so thick, you could've cut it with a butter knife. Ryuuzaki wouldn't look at me, and just stared at the floor, while I sipped my tea. I was becoming more and more anxious as time wore on. I was about to clear my throat when he spoke.

"You seem to have a passion for writing for L."

I bit my lip. Was this a safe topic? "Yes… he's wonderful. It must be the best, being so smart and talented, solving all the cases of the world. He's a hero. My dream has been to write about all his accomplishments. But…yeah, I've never met him, and neither has the rest of the world, so it's not the easiest thing to do at times. I only get what the news broadcasts."

If possible, my words seemed to only make him more visibly upset. "Well you certainly have painted quite the picture of your, hero, is it?"

"Yeah… What are you getting at?" I eyed him.

"Nothing," he replied. "Nothing at all. Now, if you're done with your tea, you needed to return home?"

The anxious feeling was doubled at the sound of going home. "Uh, yeah. I feel much better now. Thanks."

He merely shrugged his shoulders and sprang out of the chair. "Do you need assistance to the car, or are you fine on your own?" Weirdly enough, he was smiling, as if he'd just asked me a trick question that could only be answered one way.

"I can do it," I said confidently. I set the empty tea cup down, and scooted to the end of the couch. Oh. There was absolutely no way I could walk on my injured foot, and my head would very well kill me if I tried hopping to the car. Ryuuzaki knew what I'd do before I even knew myself. Nice.

I bit my lip and gave him a sheepish smile. "Um, actually…"

He smiled at me, like he was observing a rather funny occurrence. "I thought so." Swiftly disappearing into another room, he returned pushing a wheelchair. "I took the liberty of assuming you'd prefer a chair to crutches. I am not wrong in doing so…?"

My eyes lit up at the sight of the chair. "Not at all! I've always wanted to ride in one."

Ryuuzaki smirked as he rolled it over next to the couch. "Maybe next time you could pick a less painful way to obtain a ride?"

"Then it wouldn't be the same," I joked. Okay, the chair was as close as it was going to get. I was going to have to make it the rest of the way. Easier said that done…

Ryuuzaki shifted uncomfortably. "Do you, er, need assistance?"

I let out a breath, blowing a few absent strands of hair from my face. "Heh. Yeah, I suppose I do."

Before I registered what was happening, he had put an arm under my legs and a hand at my back, and lifted me from onto the couch and into the chair, hands shaking forcibly. Quickly he let go, and I settled back into the chair. Was I blushing? Oh god I hoped not. Please don't let me be blushing. "Um, yeah, thanks."

He was silent, and it took too much energy to life my head and look up at him, so instead I grabbed my bag before he began wheeling my towards the door. Outside of the room was a hallway leading to the front door, and a rickety staircase off to the left. I could hear his rapid breathing behind me, and I tensed my muscles. In less than ten minutes, all hell was going to break lose.

Hey everyone! Hope the chapter was to your liking. We got to glimpse a bit more into Ren's life, and of course, funny antics between her and Ryuuzaki. I swear, at times they're like pb&j, and at others oil and water! I've already got the next chapter all planned out in my head; it just needs to be typed up.

Next chap: Sparks fly between Ryuuzaki and Ren's father! When the drama comes to blows, who will be left standing?

Special thanks to BluePaintedFreak and animefanatic1418 for their awesome support! Cookies for being the first to review! Comments, questions, and suggestions: press the blue button!