Hello peoples. I'm back again. Not thatI was ever gone....but you get the idea. lol.

Um...I am making a fewdemands.

1. Review this chapter. Please?

2. Go review my other stories. Pretty please?

Thats about it. I'm easy to please. lol.

Disclaimer:I own nothing.I swear. ::looks nervous::

Floating. Thats the only sensation Hikari could feel. She stayed still as she drifted into the harsh reality of being awake. Slowly, she opened her eyes to find she couldn't see anything but black. Frantically, she tried to feel around for something; anything to help her remember where she was. Her hands throbbed with pain when they came in contact with a solid wall. Pushing the pain to the back of her mind, she stood shakily, pressing against the wall for support.

Juromaru watched unblinkingly as Hikari winced from the pain in her hands coming in contact with the wall of the cave. She was making small frantic whimpers of fear. Her black hair was matted, her clothes were ripped in many places and her blue eyes were open wide in fear. He got up and walked over to her. Leaning against the wall, he waited for her hands to find him.

Hikari searched along the wall, her hands fumbling; trying to find her way out of wherever she was. Trying to find her way out of the darkness. She walked along the wall, hoping it would lead to light. Her injured hands bumped into something warm. She recoiled in fear and suprise, but a hand gently grabbed her arm. Pulling her to him, Juromaru held her tightly and led her to the opening of the cave so she could see the moon. Hikari squirmed and tried to get free, but Juromaru picked her up and carried her the rest of the way.

Hikari relaxed as Juromaru let her down at the mouth of the cave and everything came rushing back. The kidnapping, the door, the blood and pain, the river. Hikari could faintly make out the outline of trees and vegatation. It was dark outside, and the moon looked distorted through the enclosure. She looked over at Juromaru. The moons glow illuminated his features, and she saw him staring back at her.

"You slept a long time. Are you......alright?" he asked curiously.

"I think so." she said, examining her hands.

"Thats not whatI meant." he told her, motioning towards her hands. He wantedto know if she was okay.....inside.Emotionally.Hikari looked down, hoping she wouldn't have to answer him. No such luck. He lifted her chin, till she was looking him straight in the eye. Still, she tryed to look anywhere but at him.

"Hikari....why are you so afraid?" he asked, sincere concern showing in his eyes. Hikari broke away from him and turned to walk back into the cave. Pausing; she answered him.

"Because.....you can hurt me. I've been hurt before; I won't let myself be hurt again." and with that said, she walked back into the cave, leaving a still confused Juromaru standing outside.

Hikari slid down the wall, sitting on the cave floor with her knees pulled tightly to her chest. She looked up as Juromaru walked in and sat opposite of her. His intense eyes seeking out answers, and he continued to stare, as if he would find them in her eyes. Hikari became uncomfortable, and she squirmed nervously.

"What is it?" she finally asked. Juromaru looked away for a moment, trying not to make her nervous.

"I'm not going to hurt you. You don't have to be afraid of me." he said softly, trying to reassure her.

Hikari bit her lip. She was so conflicted right now, she didn't know what to think. She wanted to be happy again. She wanted someone to love her. She wanted to enjoy life instead of dread waking up to it. But she has lived in despair for so long she didn't know how she could ever change.

'You can trust juromaru. He's not like the rest of them', one half of her thought

'No! He's just pretending to care. He could never love you. Look at you! Your ugly and used.' the other half thought.

No.....what happened wasn't my fault. It wasn't.....

Yes it was. If you hadn't let.......him get close to you, you wouldn't have gotten hurt.

What was I upposed to do?!?I thought he loved me!I never thought he would do ....that.

You should have known!

There was no way I could have known what he would do to me!

If you weren't so stupid you would have known! If you weren't so weak!

'Stop it....leave me alone.....' the one side began to cry weakly

Thats right...cry.....thats all you ever do....

As all this was flashing through Hikari's mind, Juromaru had moved closer to her. He was now crouched next to her, watching emotions play across her face. She didn't notice him watching her. Till Juromaru gave in to his instincts and reached out a clawed hand, brushing a finger down her cheek gently.

Hikari snapped.

She turned and hugged him as if he were being torn away. Tears ran freely down her face. Juromaru flinched at her quick movement but awkwardly hugged her back. He ran his hands up and down her back, feeling her shoulders shaking.

"Please don't hurt me.....I want to be happy....I want to love.....please don't hurt me....." she babbled on still crying, begging him to care for her without hurting her. Juromaru nuzzled her cheek with his own.

"I told you already.....I won't hurt you." he purred softly.

They stayed that way long into the night, holding on to each other. Hikari fell asleep in his arms, breathing softly, a ghost of a smile on her lips. Juromaru held her close to him, watching her as she slept. A strange warm feeling came over him, and he felt content.

Well? What do you guys think? Was it good? Are you happy with the way this chapter turned out? Tell me all!!! lol.

AngelsTears15