Ah, another chapter to add to the insanity :D I wrote this fanfic over a year ago, and I'm finally typing it up and correcting errors. So this is the work of a crazy 15-year-old that you're reading here folks. The difference between then and now is that now I'm just a crazy 17-year-old ^_^ R&R please!

Chapter 2 - Realization

"It seems like every day's the same

and I'm left to discover on my own

It seems like everything is gray

and there's no color to behold

They say it's over and I'm fine again, yeah

Try to stay sober feels like I'm dying here"

"Fine Again" by Seether

"Ahhh. that hit the spot." said Umi with a content sigh. "Fuu, your cooking is great!"

"I'm not sure I'm as good as you, Miss Umi, but thank you for the compliment. I did enjoy making it," replied Fuu, smiling at her blue-haired friend. Fuu glanced over at Hikaru, and Hikaru caught her gaze, giving her a smile.

"What's on your mind, Fuu?" implored Hikaru. She looked so relaxed as she returned her attention to the blue sky above. The three friends were all lying on their backs on the blanket, a tranquil feel to the air as they gazed upward. Hikaru had been absentmindedly playing with her crimson braid the whole time, her fingers unable to rest. She remembered the way she felt earlier that morning and frowned. Fuu took all of this in, as she was very good at guessing her friend's feelings. She could tell that something wasn't quite right with Hikaru. It felt just like the last time they had returned home, when all three of them would cry bitter tears when they were alone. Was Hikaru upset about something having to do with Cephiro? Well, that was just something that Fuu was going to have to find out.

"Hikaru." Fuu started gently "Umi and I have been worried about you. You haven't been the same in quite a while." Hikaru said nothing, but turned her face away from her friends. She couldn't bear to let them see her cry. Hikaru hated letting her friends see her in such a state; it seemed uncharacteristic of her to act so weak. What happened to the girl whose heart was strong enough to be worthy of being the pillar? It was too late, a tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. Hikaru winced, then hastily brushed it away.

"Oh, Hikaru. it's okay if you don't want to tell us, but please, if it hurts this much. don't keep it to yourself. We care for you, and it's okay if you share your pain with us." Umi told her, choking up. It really did hurt her to see her friend is this sort of pain. And to think that she was holing it up within herself, afraid to share it. 'Just like me.' Umi realized, cursing herself for not trusting in her friends enough to talk to them. Umi sat up and moved over to where Hikaru lay, wrapping her arms around the much smaller girl's slender body. That was all it took for Hikaru, as she began to sob, her body shaking with each powerful cry. Umi felt helpless with Hikaru in her arms. She didn't know what she could possibly do to ease her friend's pain.

"I'm sorry! I didn't realize." Fuu started, her voice faltering. 'I see. Hikaru is severely depressed. Maybe I am as well. Oh, Ferio. I wish you could be here with me' Fuu thought, sighing. Hikaru had begun to quiet down, it seemed as if she was out of tears. "I think we need to have a serious talk. But not here." Fuu said, looking around at the concerned onlookers who surrounded them. "How about we go back to my house, for some girl talk?" she suggested. Hikaru looked up and nodded earnestly, her cheeks stained with the remnants of tears.

"Good idea." she said. "I'd like that." With that, she stumbled to her feet. Umi and Fuu also stood up, gathering their things.

"Shall we have a sleep over?" Fuu asked with a small smile, her emerald oculars shining mischievously. "It would be nice to have some girl time together."

"Yeah, sounds great," answered Umi, her eyes downcast. She felt that if she met her friend's eyes, she too would begin to cry. "So your house at 5 then, Fuu?"

"Yes. You'll both be okay until then, right?" asked Fuu, always concerned as usual for her friend's safety. It seemed as if they were in no condition to walk home like this, but she trusted their judgment.

"Yeah, Fuu, we'll be fine." Hikaru told her, forcing a smile as she rubbed her eyes. Umi nodded in agreement. "I'll see you both in a few hours."

~*~*~*~*~

"Hikaru. Hikaru." a voice called to her. There was darkness on all sides, save for a glow that emulated from her own body as she stumbled through the darkness. Where was she?

"Who's there?" whispered Hikaru "who is calling me?" she asked louder. Hikaru held her hand out at its full length, but could not even see her own hand due to the darkness that engulfed her. Even the glow that came from her body faded, threatening to disappear forever. Suddenly, Hikaru found herself outside. There was no grass on the ground, and jagged rocks stuck up from the earth all around her. The sky was a dark, vicious shade of black, and it was heavy with storm clouds that threatened to open up and drown her with the rain that they surely carried. Hikaru looked around at the barren, desolate landscape. "I recognize this place," she murmured to herself. "Cephiro? But it can't be." The sky suddenly opened up, and a downpour began. The rain came down hard, soaking her to the bone as her school uniform absorbed the water. She walked further, and then came to a familiar location. There was a small shelter that some of the rocks had formed, and under it she saw. herself? Yes, there she was. In her arms was a familiar ball of fluff. It was Mokona! Next to her, stood Lantis. He was so handsome, with his dark features and black hair. Hikaru noted how ridiculously short she was compared to him, as her other self stood only up to his waist. "This is the past. Why am I seeing this now?" she asked out loud. Seeing Lantis like this now only made her realize how much she missed him. A tear escaped from the corner of her eye and slowly ran down her cheek. She made no move to wipe it away. There was a flash of lightning and a crash of thunder. When it ended, she found herself inside the old Cephiro castle. Once again, she observed her past self as "past Hikaru" stood in the doorway to a brightly lit room, staring at Lantis as he sat at the fountain. Hikaru wasn't wet anymore, but she was still uncomfortable watching this rerun of her past. The Hikaru she was watching was still so innocent. Not too innocent, as she had suffered plenty due to having her hands stained with the blood of Princess Emeraude, and High Priest Zagato. Hikaru watched as her past self slowly made her way to Lantis, a determined look adorning her youthful features. They began to talk, and although Hikaru couldn't make out the words right now, she remembered this conversation by heart. She watched as Lantis bestowed a gift upon her, the golden locket that had once belonged to his mother. It touched her so deeply that he trusted her enough to give her such a precious gift, and since then she had never taken it off. Hikaru cherished this memory the most, because it was a significant breakthrough in her relationship with Lantis. Her heart wrenched in agony. Oh god! How she wanted to be there with him! "I get it. these are my memories. But why?"

"You finally realize this. Oh Hikaru, do you feel pain?" that voice asked, sounding as if the speaker genuinely cared.

"Who are you? Tell me."

"Hikaru, your pain is my pain." Once again, Hikaru found herself surrounded by the everlasting darkness. She panicked, not knowing where she was as she ran blindly through the dark. After running for a few minutes, Hikaru stumbled over her own feet and then stopped as she tried to catch her breath. There was no light, not even the faint glow that had been on her body just awhile before. Hikaru began to cry; she had never felt so lost in her whole entire life. "Hikaru, you love him. Why can't you see him?" asked the mystery voice, now sounding so familiar, yet Hikaru could not place the owner of this voice.

"I DON'T KNOW!" she cried in return. Suddenly, the ground felt as if it was crumbling beneath her, and Hikaru began to fall through. "No." Hikaru tried to yell out for help, but she couldn't find her voice. She thrust her hands up, scrambling for something to grab onto in the darkness, but found nothing. Closing her eyes, she was about to give up when she suddenly felt a strong hand take hold of her own.

"I won't let you fall, Hikaru. We're in this together." the sweet voice was the last thing that Hikaru heard, before waking up in a cold sweat. Hikaru shot up into a sitting position, and then looked around at her surroundings. She was in her own bedroom. When had she fallen asleep?

"Nova." murmured Hikaru. Was it Nova that spoke to her while she was trapped in the darkness? In any case, it was getting late. Hikaru glanced at the clock on her desk before standing up. It was time to head over to Fuu's house. Hikaru stood up, rubbing her eyes blearily as she strained to look at her small, silver alarm clock. "4:17", the glowing digital numbers read. "So it's the late already, just how long did I fall asleep for?" she questioned herself out loud. Hikaru stood up out of her bed, then knelt to the floor and pulled a duffel bag from out underneath her bed, then loaded it up with her red pajamas, clothes for the next day, her hairbrush, and a toothbrush. She slid on her slippers, then picked up the bag and left her bedroom. As soon as she slid open the door and stepped out, she felt something cool and wet rub up against her hand. "Oh Hikari, are you worried about me too? Don't be. everything will be okay." Hikaru said to her dog, trying to reassure herself. If only the words that she spoke so confidently was the truth. She made her way down the hall, but stopped at the sound of voices.

"You guys, I'm worried about Hikaru!" she heard, recognizing the voice as her elder brother Satoru's.

"I know what you mean, she hasn't been the same since she came home from Tokyo Tower a few months ago. It's just like the time before it! What could have happened to our sweet little Hikaru?" Kakeru asked sounded panicked.

"What if she was mugged by a gang of bandits?!" Masaru exclaimed. Hikaru shook her head, smiling lightly at her brother's worry but feeling a bit better when she realized how much they truly cared about her. Hikaru stepped into the room that served as the training dojo, where they were sitting on mats.

"Satoru, Kakeru, Masaru. I'm going to sleep over my friend Fuu Hououji's house. Is that all right?" she asked, biting her lower lip. Her three brothers looked at each other and nodded. She was worried that they might say no, because they were so overprotective of her.

"Of course, Hikaru," Kakeru said matter-of-factly. "Have fun". Hikaru nodded her thanks and gave them a smile, and then left the dojo.

~*~*~*~

Okay, I know my chapters are short =P but bear with me here. I like the whole "short and sweet" thing. Look for more in the next few days. I'm leaving for JAPAN soon! Yes, the golden land of anime! ^_^ I'll be sure to write every night. Okay, you know I say that now but I'll probably be clubbing in Shinjuku =D