Chapter 3

A.N. Sorry that took so long to update. As for the sweet love, I think I know what I'm going to do with that… but not now! ANYWAY if you have any ideas feel free to e-mail me ^_^

Disclaimer: :steps up on stage and clears throat: I Own j00! :blinks a couple of times before smiling again: But not Blue Seed!

I didn't think she still had this… Kusinagi thought as he looked down at it. It had been handled quite a little but very gently as well. He felt his stomach churn as he thought of why it had been; he knew Momiji loved him but he'd always denied it… how could she love him? She doesn't! She's naïve and knows nothing of what she's feeling. He's a freak and Momiji is a queen, a Goddess! Kusinagi could never make her happy…

As if sensing the picture missing, Momiji's eyes flew open instantly and searched the bed. Kusinagi froze, unable to think of anything to do. When Momiji's stunning green eyes focused on Kusinagi's foot he knew he was screwed. He couldn't help but have a 'hand caught in the cookie-jar' look on his face when Momiji's emerald eyes met his cat-like ones. She stared at him for a beat before her eyes widened and everything registered. There was Kusinagi, the reason she was sobbing, standing in her room staring at her with a guilty look while HOLDING HER MOST TREASURED POSSESSION!

Momiji's heart did flip-flops before she prayed to any and every god who would listen to just take her right there. Her enchanting eyes fluttered as she felt her senses go psycho on her. What's he doing here? Why is he standing in my room? WHY IS HE HOLDING MY PICTURE?! Oh God, just take me now! A bolt of lightning! A flash flood! ANYTHING! Arigami were better than this! YES! Yes bring back the Arigami before you let this be true! Oh God how do I get that from him? ACK! She stood quickly and snatched the picture from him. That old thing was her favorite of him for two reasons: first, he was actually smiling and second he took it himself. However, there was one part in it that would have looked better NOT there… her rump sticking up in the air from that awful thunderstorm.

"What are you doing?" Momiji asked just above a whisper.

"I…"

"That's twice tonight, Kusinagi! Do you know what time it is?" When Kusinagi didn't reply, Momiji began to look for her clock due to the fact that… well… she didn't know what time it was either. Finally her eyes settled on a clock and she looked back up at Kusinagi with a questioning question. "Why are you in my room at 12:30?"

Kusinagi's eyes widened. Was it really that late? It was worth the time of day to simply take in her scents and feast his eyes on her, though she was once again modestly dressed. For some reason he liked this look better than any of Sakura's. Oh… my god! I did NOT just think of that… that… THING did I?

"Kusinagi, I'm waiting for an answer," Momiji said slowly, though her voice was full of confusion. She liked him being here didn't she? She craved his attention since she rarely got a look from him. Every time she looked at him he was always looking away.

"Err… uhm… you… I… window… eh…" he took a deep breath and slapped himself mentally. Why was it so hard to talk to her now? "Well, a couple reasons really…" he trailed off to think of some that didn't show his feelings what so ever.

Momiji nodded and stood awaiting his answer. No hurry, though. He was after all standing in her room. She fought back a smile as hope began to fill her. If he had to come up with a reason that meant he was hiding something… if he was hiding something… No! He doesn't love you, you idiot! Quit getting your hopes up!

"I heard a noise and decided I didn't get the chance to say goodnight. By the time I got in here you were asleep," Kusinagi lied.

Momiji looked up at him critically. "Why were you looking at this old thing?"

"Why were you?" he couldn't help but ask, only to kick himself mentally for it. He knew why and in hearing it he'd have to face reality!

Momiji's features softened. "Memories really…" she glanced down at the picture. "I miss my old room…"

Kusinagi sighed in relief. He didn't want to hear it… did he? NO! It was just as well she hadn't said what he was expecting her to. If she had he would have felt the urge to hold her close and be as close to her as possible. Great, now I need to convince myself that I didn't want to hear it.

Momiji looked up at him, her face screaming more of the reason than the words could have. Kusinagi felt his stomach turn in knots as he fought back the urge to gently press his lips against hers, to touch her silken skin… BAKA!

"I'm tired, Kusinagi, is there any way I can convince you to give me the privacy I need to sleep?" Momiji asked finally in a strained voice. I can't say it… I've said it once and it meant nothing.

Kusinagi nodded, relieved to escape the feeling. "Goodnight, Princess," he said began towards the window.

"Kusinagi," Momiji said quickly but softly.

Kusinagi froze and kept his back to her. There was no way he could look back at her and be able to fight off the urge to run back and kiss her tender lips. "Yes?"

Momiji's voice caught in her throat. I love you "Good night."

Kusinagi sighed softly and climbed into the window, "Sleep sweet."

Momiji's jaw dropped. Did he just say sleep sweet? Her heart raced and she forced herself to calm down. I need some sleep…

Placing the picture on the bed stand she climbed into bed without another word. When she looked to the window she wasn't surprised to see it empty… but was rather shocked when she noticed it was closed. He rarely closed the window behind him. What was wrong with him? Was he ill? She sighed and pulled the blankets over her head to block out any light to make sleep that much easier.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kusinagi plopped down on the bed, but didn't pull the covers up. He wanted to watch Momiji but being caught in her room twice in the same night was not the best of omens. He sighed and rolled on his side, trying to get more comfortable on the soft, very soft… TOO soft of bed. Why can't I be normal for her sake?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Upon finally being able to drift back to sleep, Momiji kicked the blankets off. She tossed and turned as a dream… no… nightmare engulfed her sleep…

//Momiji stood in the mists outside of the iwatto. It was so dark… and cold… the sun had been hidden behind several days, or so it seemed by the temperature. The fog appeared to part at the entrance of the cave, where Momiji's eyes were fixed. Whispers surrounded her causing her skin to crawl, but she forced herself to stand where she was.

It was then when she had a sense of calling coming from the cave. Her heart raced as she was finally able to move towards the entrance. Each step she took she could feel the knot in her stomach double in size and tighten. But she must answer the call!

Stepping into the iwatto Momiji was shocked to find everything as it had been before it was destroyed years ago. Slowly she made her way further into the cave on instinct rather than desire. Pausing by the mirror her heart caught in her throat; her matima was once again in the center of her chest and she was once again 15. However, the image became as misty as it was outside and cleared to show her as she was now, or at least her age.

Her long hair was pulled back into a neat bun, held in place by a comb with a gemmed maple leaf. Her green eyes shimmered with emotion above her now slightly defined cheeks. Her face was less rounded and her skin was fairer than before. She was dressed in ceremonial robes and in the image was holding a sword; a broken sword.

Momiji blinked and stepped away from it, realizing that minus the robes and comb… she was the same. From her emerald eyes to her chestnut hair, it was she.

Behind her came more whispers, though now they were more than familiar. Momiji turned quickly only to find her twin, Kaede, standing before her. Her eyes shimmered and her skin was even fairer than Momiji's. She was dressed as she had been the last time Momiji had seen her, only now there was something different…what was it?

Momiji felt her nerves relax only to have them spiral when she saw him. Suzanah-oh stood behind Kaede with a serene smile. He placed his hand on Kaede's shoulder and earned her to step back into him.

Momiji shook her head. "Kaede?"

Kaede continued to smile at Momiji. After taking in the sight of her sister, she spoke softly in a meek, but powerful voice. "Momiji, do you not know why we resurrected both you and Kusinagi?"

Momiji shook her head, uneasy now. Subconsciously she tightened her grip on the broken sword, which she couldn't seem to let go of.

"Do not worry," Kaede said in almost a giggle, her voice was almost that of a faerie. Being married to a God apparently had taken its toll on Momiji's sister, but in an enchanting sort of way. Her blue hair began to feather across her face and her skin began to emit a light of its own. "We do not wish to see you die again, which is why we should warn both you and Kusinagi of the oncoming events…"//

Momiji's eyes flew open as she sensed a presence in the room. She looked to the foot of her bed and was shocked to see none other than Suzanah-oh standing there, still smiling peacefully at her. Momiji quickly reached down and pulled the covers over herself. Though she was in her nightclothes she was hardly dressed for a God to look at. Her body was not worthy of his eyes, and besides… he'd married her sister. "Su…Suzanah-oh?"

Suzanah-oh nodded, not taking his eyes off of his wife's twin. The similarities between the two were uncanny, except now Momiji had aged where Kaede could not. After taking in Momiji's appearance for only a moment he spoke softly, "You are my gift."

Momiji stared at him. "Your gift?" she asked in shock. What did he mean by that?

Suzanah-oh nodded. "Yes, my gift. My gift to Kusinagi, and he is my gift to you."

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is, we could have left him to die and we would have still had the same outcome with both of you dead," Suzanah-oh said in his soft voice. "I am saying you were both resurrected for each other for a reason. You may not see it now but you will soon," he stepped around the side of the bed and walked to Momiji's side. Kneeling down beside her he spoke just above a whisper, "You need to make him see it, Kushinada, you need to make him see how much you mean to him."

"Wh…w…what?"

Kaede appeared behind him and stood by his side. "My lord, he will be here any moment, shall we…?"

Suzanah-oh nodded and looked down at Momiji. "The pain you two feel is causing the Arigami to stir. The Kushinada is never to feel this pain, especially from someone who feels the same of her."

Momiji shook her head before looking away from the God and to her sister, who was as radiant as she had been in her dream. Suddenly the door flew open and Momiji saw Kusinagi standing there, ready to rip someone to shreds.

"You stay away from her!" Kusinagi screamed, enraged.

Suzanah-oh and Kaede looked at him passively, then back at Momiji. Kaede waved her hand before Momiji's face, causing everything to go black and she once again found herself in a deep sleep.

Kusinagi felt his heart drop into his stomach. What the hell did they just do?! He quickly snapped his head in their direction only to find them both gone. "Damn you!"

Momiji slept through his screaming peacefully. The moonlight offsetting her already radiant, serene features, catching Kusinagi's attention. After giving one last growl at whatever it was that came he walked to Momiji's side and looked down at her. That was odd… but he would worry about it after he saw to awaking Momiji.

Gently gripping her shoulders he shook her lightly. Nothing. "Momiji?" he asked softly, once again shaking her lightly. Still nothing. "Momiji?" he asked, a bit more strained as he shook her harder. Nothing yet. "God! Momiji!"

Kusinagi, stop, ordered Kaede's voice.

Kusinagi looked around quickly, still holding Momiji's shoulders. "Where are you?" he demanded.

Just let her sleep.

"Kaede! What did you do to her?" he demanded frantically.

No response.

"DAMN YOU KAEDE!"