Misaki groaned as the worst headache of his life pounded through his head as he sat up in bed early the next morning. His body felt sore and stiff at the same time, making it difficult for him to move.

Misaki looked around the sunlit room with a frown. Everything looked the same as always, there was nothing out of place, nothing indicating about last night's ordeals.

Misaki slowly pulled the sheets off his body and headed toward the window to let some fresh air in. He felt like he couldn't breathe in his suddenly cramped room, like the air was too thick and hot.

It was suffocating.

The fresh morning air brought clarity to his mind. It should have been a relief but the clarity also brought last night to the forefront of his mind. The sharpest memory was when Yukina had him in the air and was about to eat him.

Did…last night really happen?

Misaki glanced at the door with new fear. He didn't want to leave his room. He had no way of knowing if they were still out there wondering about the halls, waiting for him to come out.

What if they decide to come into his room instead?

Misaki couldn't stop the whimper that escaped his lips. He quickly climbed back into bed and pulled the covers over his head.

I want to go home with Onii-Chan…

-Time skip…

When Misaki woke up again Usami was sitting next to the window looking out toward the rising sun.

Misaki sat up quickly, his heart pounding with fear upon seeing Usami's mask. He had hoped to hide in his room until Takahiro came for him; he didn't want to face anyone with a Mask today or any other day after that.

Usami heard the rustling sheets and turned to him. "Good morning. How are you doing?"

"F-fine." His voice came out shaky which Misaki cursed himself. It was bad to show weakness right now, he had to stay strong.

"…You don't have to lie." Usami stood up from his chair. "You've been in your room for two days."

Two days!? He was asleep for that long?

Usami smiled at the surprised look on his face. "It's alright to be afraid you know. I understand its scary seeing them like that." The last sentence was filled with sorrow.

Misaki felt guilty over the fear. He hated himself for being afraid of his friends that were so kind to him but just one look at the Mask and it had him shaking with sharp fear. "How…how are they?"

Usami lost the smile. "Still asleep. I don't think they'll wake up today. Maybe in another two days or so."

Misaki eyes widened. "What do you mean they're still asleep?"

"Those nights really take it out on them. The first night that it happened it took a whole month for them to recover. It leaves them exhausted and drained."

"I-I see…" He felt like he had this conversation before. Somewhere in the corner of his mind…but when?

Usami looked out the window. "They…I think they stay asleep to avoid me…I have the feeling they don't want to wake up and see the mess they created."

Misaki's heart ached for Ritsu and the others. He couldn't stop the tears that fell down his cheeks at the thought of them suffering like this.

Were they scared too?

"I'm just glad you didn't see Ritsu."

Misaki fisted the sheets at the thought. "W-why?"

Usami stayed quiet for a while making Misaki dread the answer. Usami sighed tiredly, as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"Is…is it really bad?"

"…Just hope you never see him."

Misaki was going to push for more information when Usami started walking toward him.

Misaki grew panicked. All he saw was the mask…the mask that was coming closer…the mask that was going to eat him…

Usami stopped when he saw this. Misaki's eyes were large with absolute fear. "I'll be going now. I just came to see how you were doing." Usami turned toward the door. "I'll send some food later if your hungry."

Misaki had to flinch at himself. He was causing trouble for others and that's the one thing he didn't want to do. He opened his mouth to call Usami back but his voice would not come forth. His fear kept him quiet, his shaking hands kept him from reaching out.

Usami opened the door and left.

Misaki could only stare at the door with blank eyes.

So lonely…

Usami looked lonely as he moved further and further away from him. He was suffering too, Misaki thought. At watching his friends suffer while he could do nothing but watch.

Misaki pulled the covers off of him. He had the strongest urge to follow Usami, he didn't want to see Usami suffer like that, actually he didn't want to see anyone suffer like that. He wanted to help Usami and the others.

Misaki reached for the door.

He didn't want them to stay in that darkness.

Misaki touched the door knob.

An image of Kisa hissing at him popped in his head. It made him freeze in place. What was he thinking? He should go back to bed-

Misaki shook his head hard. He couldn't let fear control him! Didn't they warn him not to leave this room? Misaki's eyes widened at the realization. They did! They were protecting him and he didn't listen. This was his fault. If he would have listen to Ritsu and Chiaki then he wouldn't be scared now.

They were suffering and he was hiding like a coward.

Misaki gathered his courage and opened the door. What greeted him stunned him. Everything was a mess. Broken glass was all over the floor, curtains were ripped to shreds, and no one was to be seen. Misaki had half a mind to go back to his room and escape all this madness but he forced himself to step forward into the disaster. He couldn't let this stop him. Everyone was asleep; he wouldn't see them in two days or so.

He walked into the halls which were so unfamiliar now. Glass crunched under his shoes, walls were scratched by claws, and light bathed the castle since the curtains were all down.

Misaki reached the garden and gasped in horror. Even that was destroyed. All the flowers were stepped on, glass broken, and wood thrown all over the plants.

Misaki had to cover his mouth to hold in a sob. The curse destroyed everything precious to them. It was relentless and harsh. Misaki couldn't comprehend why such a being would be so cruel to the others. They didn't deserve this!

Misaki left the garden and headed to the kitchen. More mess. Pots and pans were all over the floor and food was splattered on the walls. It looked like someone had a food fight.

Misaki was horrified. They lived through this every month?

Misaki wondered how everyone would take it once they woke up. To realize that they thrashed their own home…

It must be horrible for them…

Misaki paused as an idea popped in his head. Maybe he could help.

Misaki smiled with the sudden thought. That's right. He could clean this place for them! Misaki looked around for the mop, broom, and towels. He found them in a small room beside the kitchen.

Misaki nodded in determination. This shouldn't be too hard.