A/n: well it's yet another chapter of the story that started out with one and a half reviews-my favorite one, actually- so yet again thanks to everyone who reviewed, it makes me feel special ^-^. Anyways, I don't own Fushigi Yuugi but Mirai is mine. So to the chapter…

A feeling of calm came over me as I slowly floated back to the conscious world. I smiled a little and just lay in the soft grass, enjoying the feeling for a few minutes. It had been so long since I had last felt this way… peaceful, as if in that one moment all was right with the world. My eyes slipped opened and I sighed heavily as the feeling of calm melted inside me and was replaced with the familiar bitter sadness of the past few months. I went to sit up, but found myself struggling to do so.

"Wh-what?" I mumbled, still half-asleep "Why can't I move…"

I looked down and found a little girl curled up next to me. My arm was under hers and she was holding my hand in her sleep.  I blinked in confusion for a minute, then remembered that I knew this tiny child. I lay still again, not wanting to wake her up.

That's right, I thought with a small smile Mirai…the girl I saved yesterday I reached out with my free hand and brushed a stray lock of hair off her face. She really was small, I thought as I watched her chest rise and fall softly with each breath she took. Small and alone…except for me. She was alone in this world except for me…

"I won't leave you." I vowed "Never, no matter what happens…"

Mirai whimpered and she let go of my hand to rub at her eyes. "H-houjun-san?" she called sleepily "Where are you?"

"I'm right here." I said softly, gently brushing her cheek with the back of my hand.

She flipped over onto her stomach, taking hold of my hand once more, and smiled at me.

"Decided to rejoin the living?" I teased lightly.

Mirai giggled. "Uh-huh."

"Could I have my arm back please?" I asked, a playful note in my voice.

She laughed again. "Nope. S'mine now." she told me with an impish grin.

"Really? Well then, I guess I'll just have to do this!" I swept the tiny child into my arms and tickled her until she was nearly crying with laughter.

" 'Kay! 'Kay! Yours!" the girl managed between fits of helpless laughter.

"Do you promise?" I asked, stopping my tickle-attack.

"Yes! Yours!" she cried still laughing a little. She let go of my arm and looked up at me with serious green eyes. "But mine sometimes."

I shook my head in amusement and gave her a kiss on the top of her head. "Whatever you say." I laughed, "What do you say we get out of this forest?"

"'Kay."

I got to my feet, Mirai still in my arms, and we set off to find a way out of the forest. We had only been walking for a few minutes, when Mirai wriggled out of my arms and pointed excitedly straight ahead.

"Here, Houjun-san!" she cried, "This way, take us out."

I looked at where the girl was pointing and saw nothing but trees and bushes. "Are you sure?" I questioned, a little doubtfully. "It looks like more forest to me but then again, what do I know?"

"Lots." Mirai said, nodding solemnly.

I stood there for a minute, staring at Mirai curiously.

"Houjun-san come?" the girl asked, holding out her hand as a means of invitation.

"Always." I told her, taking her hand and letting her lead me through the trees.

We had been walking for quite some time when we came to a small clearing. I felt a light tug on my sleeve.

"What's wrong?" I asked looking down into Mirai's soft green eyes.

"M'thirsty. Water?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, I don't have any with me." I told her apologetically. "We could try to find some though."

"River?" asked Mirai, pointing to her right where a river was gently flowing, unnoticed until now.

"R-river?" I stammered. Where had that come from? Why hadn't I heard the water? I stopped in my tracks; trying to force back the haunting memories that were rushing into my mind and making my knees go weak. "I-I…that is…well, a-alright…" I took a deep breath and tried again. "We c-could stop." I said finally, still trying to rid myself of the painful images flashing across my mind.

"Daijobu ka?" Mirai asked uncertainly, her green eyes full of concern.

I nodded shakily. "I'm alright." I lied. "Y-you go ahead…I'll wait right here, okay?"

The girl nodded. Giving me a worried look over her shoulder, she started for the edge of the river.

I sat down in the grass, putting my head in my hands. Why was I always tormented by the memories of that day? Would I never be able to find peace again?

Peace? Who are you to deserve peace? a little voice in the back of my mind spoke up You who murdered your best friend, you who was too blind to see the games that Hikou and Kouran were playing with you...you who has nothing left to live for…Why should you have peace?

Liar! I screamed back at the voice I may have been a fool, and I may have killed Hikou but, I  do have something to live for! I live to protect Mirai now! She needs me!

Does she? the voice asked wickedly Or does she feel sorry for you? Does she truly care or does she stay because she pities you?

Shut up! I yelled Shut up! You don't know anything! She does care! Stop trying to make me believe things that aren't true!

Oh, but they are true. the voice purred, each word stabbing me like a knife, awakening yet more memories within me You know they are. Who could ever love you? Who could ever love a monster like you? You're nothing to anybody…

"Stop it!" I burst out, unable to take anymore. I rose up onto my knees, lifting my face to the heavens in pure anguish. "Shut up! Leave me alone!" I shouted at the voice, desperately trying to shove the sharp, tormenting images of Hikou's death out of my mind.

The next thing I knew, I heard a splash and Mirai was calling my name in a voice filled with sheer panic. 

"Houjun-san! I can't swim! Tasukete!"

I bolted to my feet, ran to the river's edge, and froze. There was Mirai, struggling to keep her head above water and desperately calling my name. I went to reach out and take her hand but suddenly the scene shifted before my eyes. The gently flowing river became a whirlpool of angry, violent rapids, the clear blue sky became dark and threatening, Mirai became Hikou, his hand reaching for mine through the raging, swollen waters. I froze. This wasn't real! It couldn't be…Hikou had died that day in the river…it was in the past.

"Houjun-san!" Mirai shouted as her head sank beneath the water.

I snapped back to reality. "Not again!" I vowed as I dove into the water "Not this time!"

A/N: and so it ends for now. Will Houjun save Mirai? Or will yet another life slip between his fingers? We shall see next chapter. Here's the dictionary for ya:

Daijobu ka? - Are you okay?

Tasukete- help!

 I think that's it… if I missed something let me know. See you next chappy.

~Tenshi Kitsune~