A/N: Heh… I really haven't updated this in a while. BE WARNED; I like to start things, but hate finishing them. I have a Kurama plushie I started weeks ago. I finished the body in one day, yet it remains a featureless (naked *giggles*) and bald blob!

*ahem* On with le story!

***

No matter how much I enjoyed the indulgence, I knew I had to stop the dreams. Because there was no doubt they were driving me farther across the brink of insanity that even I dared to tread.

It was obvious why I wanted the Ryou's delusions to continue. Because I shared his delusion. Yet I knew they were delusions, fantasies that would never enter reality.

I have no body, my physical existence only partially possible because I share Ryou's. I hate sharing. It frustrates me enough having to share this world with the millions of unworthy mortals that inhabit it. You can imagine my joy discovering I'd be sharing the next eighty years or so in close quarters with one of them.

I still loathe it. But now, it's for another reason.

I don't think Ryou is weak anymore. Anyone who can put up with me this long and not be driven to suicide or bitterness either has a will of iron or a heart of gold.

Ryou surpasses them on both accounts. Iron can be bent, and gold is only precious when in short supply. Yet he survives with a kind stubbornness I've never held witness to before.

Ryou not only survives, he lives. I mean really lives. He still makes honor roll, has friends, and despite his shortcomings, refuses to succumb to self-pity. Though, in truth, he has every reason to pity his situation.

For a while, I thought he might be able to resort to a semi-normal life, despite my scant intrusions, and focus on the joy around him that is life.

Like girls. He could have almost anyone, if he really wanted to. Instead, he bottles up his charms as much as possible, almost to the point of ignoring the opposite sex.

These dreams eradicated any hopes I ever had of him living a normal life. Any hopes of him being truly happy.

Happiness, after all, is merely having one's expectations met. And his expectations were so far past reality, he might as well take a skiing trip to hell before he ever has a chance of being with me like that. Only in his dreams.

***

A/N: Yes. I know. "This was a chapter of philosophical crap!" you will say. "Aak!" I will scream, and hide under the covers. I promise I'll work on the plot more latter! I need time. Just a little…more… time…