At times, I believe that my entire life has become a dream.  After all, that is what death is supposed to be, right?  A neverending slumber for the body, whilst the soul floats off and finds other things to do.  In most cases, that is.

Did you know that zombies never sleep?  I have tried, believe me.  I have found the yawning chasm which awaits the should-be corpse, the fear, the nothing.

For the dead, sleep is destruction.

Mistress Jun was able to rescue me, that one time when I tried to escape into the haven of slumber.  She was strong enough for that miraculous feat.  Just strong enough – even so powerful a dao-shi risks falling into the void with whomever she tries to rescue.  She was unconscious for days.

Master Ren was furious with me.  I was furious with me.  I begged her forgiveness when she woke.  She replied that there was nothing to forgive, and I realized in that moment just how much she was to me.  Dreams of a life that had been gone for years held little meaning in the face of this young woman – she was, is, the here and now and everything I live for.

I told her the truth - that without her, I was nothing.  She never did reply, but she understood.

Now, I no longer attempt slumber, no longer need repose beyond the softness of the night, the quiet reassurance of my mistress' breathing as I stand watch.

Pailong, she calls me, seated on her bed.  Aren't you uncomfortable?

I shake my head and try to grin, and she smiles sweetly back, forcing something very much like a leap in my chest, despite the fact that my heart ceased beating years ago.

Then she clicks off the light, and leaves me alone in the velvet darkness with my thoughts.

I am the sentinel. I will guard you in the night.

Sleep well, mistress Jun.

~-~-~-~-~

A/N: Saaaa…much, much shorter than I wanted it to be, but all I could come up with during tutorial time.  *mewls*  Dunno when I'll have time to write the others – mom getting suspicious when I stay after school and all that, wot.  Besides, I think this aspect of the Pailong/Jun pairing is rather overdone, but I couldn't concentrate till I'd finished! ^_^

Kaori – I've only seen…um…one other Morphin fic (I like writing for underappreciated characters! =D) I didn't realize Jeanne had red eyes though, it might have confused people… _; *imagines Jeanne calling Lyserg 'Master' and starts to laugh*

EneriRenie – Awww, you're not? ^^; Sorry 'bout that mistake.  I'll try to write more and get you addicted XD

Hao-sama rulze the world -  I already have an appetite like Horo's…I know I'm going to get fat one of these days =D But thanks for the reminder! *chows down on a few oranges*

Well, that's it for now, see you guys!