Disclaimer: I do not own Magi, its story, or the characters. That right belongs to the amazing creator, Shinobu Ohtaka. I do own the idea(s) and OC's that are contained within this story. And hope that you as read respect that. Please don't use the OC's without my permission, as she has been with me since I was 6... On a different note, she and her other half are starring in another of my stories.
Author's Note: Also, I reply to all signed in reviews. Sorry to those who are guest reviewers, but do please continue to enjoy this story.
Author's Note 2: Also, this is a short little piece that will help set up dynamics for future chapters. Haha... *bows before running away*
Nightmare: Noun - a frightening or unpleasant dream.
Synonyms: a bad dream, night terrors; archaic incubus, agony, torture.
3 months after Ren Kouen arrives on Samon Island
Year 1, Month 3 (August), Day 22
Kouen POV
Snapping awake, Kouen looked around his small room. It was humid, and from the height of the moon, it couldn't be more than two in the morning. Frowning, he attempted to think of what could have woken him from his sleep. But with his sleep-fogged brain, it was not registering to him. Closing his eyes and settling back down, he did a meditative-like breathing exercise.
He was almost back to sleep when his eyes snapped open again. This time he knew what it was that had disturbed his slumber. Frowning as he rolled over and pushed himself up, a hand reaching out for his walking stick. Grunting in an undignified manner as he struggled just a little too stand upright.
A frown in place, Kouen made his way from his room, seeing that his brothers were standing there as well. Their pink eyes trained on the curtained door to the only other room in their hut. Said room that held the only other person that lived there. Quickly he saw the concern on Koumei's face while Kouha was visibly twitching in annoyance at having been woken. It was amusing because he knew Kouha had his issues with sleeping at times. But it was evident by the fact he was standing there; he too was concerned.
Giving a small nod as another pained whimper came from the curtained room. Making Kouen move forward, as he heard his two brothers do so as well. The few short steps he was there moving the cloth aside to see the occupant thrashing on their pallet in the pale moonlight. Her body faintly glowing due to the sweat beading on her pale flesh as she opened her mouth and silently cried, her body jerking as if she was being hit.
He already had a good idea of what this nightmare was about by the way she was moving. He recalled what she had told him, had seen the scars when they were still pink and new. Reliving that moment of her childhood and there was nothing any of them could do until it was over. This had become a habit since she had begun to move around, interact with people, and speak their language. It had been like a floodgate to the memories she didn't recall had been opened, but only while she was asleep.
The first time this had happened, it had caused a small panic in not just him, but his brothers as well. Resulting in Kouha reverting to the phase of getting rid of Lunaria. That Koumei had quickly quelled by threatening to deny Kouha in the worst way possible. Effectively quieting the boy, as he was pushed into the room with Lunaria. Only to see his youngest brother pale as he watched her in the throws of the tortuous dream she was having. It had made something in his brother's change towards her.
He stopped at Lunaria's head, using his free hand to lean against the wall as he lowered himself. A faint smile on his lips as he got into position. Once he was seated, back against the wall, cane beside him as he reached out and lifted Lunaria's head with his right hand and placed it on his thighs, before petting her silken black tresses, his eyes were watching his brothers, who had knelt on either side of her.
Koumei was reaching out a hand after laying on his side and grasping her nearest one, holding it as he used his other one to rub his fingers across the back of it. Kouha and laid his head on her stomach and wrapped his arms around her waist. Eyes already closed and breathing evening out quickly. The boy could sleep through almost anything; it was scary. But the effect they were having on the girl was evident as the thrashing and whimpering were starting to slow down.
Tilting his head back, Kouen wondered just how the hell he could get saddled with such a problem. While he was still uncertain of how things would be playing out, especially with the big event in five days, Kouen knew he had made a promise to someone to watch over her that he didn't want her to feel any more pain and to be allowed to smile as she wished. He already could tell the changes she was making in his brothers even if it bothered him that they were taking a bit too well to her bothered him a lot.
TBC!
