Aa! Here's chapter two! Thank you to the reviewers for all of your support! -bows- So far this has been such a pleasure to write! I hope my readers are enjoying this just as much!

And now, let us continue on...

Born Again
Two, Awaken
Written By: Makami

She came to with a start, her breathing heavy and she was drenched in sweat. Her soft lavender eyes gazed around the unfamiliar room she was in with fear. She tried to recognize something, but nothing came to her. She was laying in a soft, warm bed, the covers tucked up to her chin.

"Where...?"

She tried to sit up, but was brought back down by a wave of dizziness. A list of complaints came to her mind, but she had only herself to complain to. Everything was wrong. Everything hurt. She just wanted to curl up and fall asleep in this bedbut whose was it? It couldn't be her own. She'd have recognized it if it belonged to her, wouldn't she? This wasn't her room, and it wasn't her bed.

So where was she?

She made a second attempt at sitting up, only this time she propped herself up against the headboard. Her head spun a little, but she was starting to feel better.

"Where am I?" she wondered aloud. "Where...?"

She cried out softly in shock as the room began to tilt. She huddled down once more until the tip of her nose touched the matress and she closed her eyes. She added nausea to her list of things wrong. She was certain that she was just going to vomit right then and there.

Her stomach settled a little and she eased herself back under the covers. The blanket was a deep blue, a few shades above black. She liked the colour. It was relaxing. Soothing. She suddenly felt tired. She hardly even had the energy to open her eyes.

"Misha-san...?" I want you to stay with me forever."

Her eyes opened again to a room darker than she recalled. She was surrounded by shadows, taken by them,. The only source of light was a single beam sneaking past the part of the curtains.

She pulled the blanket tighter around herself and smiled. It was warm and comforting, and made her feel safe. It was a little silly sounding, but it felt as though someone she loved was holding her. She felt calm, even though she had no clue where she was or how she got there. She knew she should have been panicking, but she wasn't. Her instincts told her that she was safe.

She could hear shuffling and banging outside of the room, and faintly she heard music playing. She watched the light coming from the space between the door and floor curiously. Whoever she was with never came past the door. She wondered about the mysterious person somewhere in the home.

Was it that person's bed she was in?

Deciding that she had spent enough time in bed, she sat up. She was grateful that the dizziness didn't overcome her this time, and that she only felt a dull headache. She tossed the covers aside and placed her feet tentatively to the cold hardwood floor. She hesitated a moment, glancing at the light glowing from between the door and the floor, then pushed herself to her feet. Her legs were weaker than she had anticipatedm and she wobbled a little, but caught herself before she fell over.

"Aa, I guess I've been sick or something," she said to herself. "How strange... I don't remember coming here, though. I don't even know where 'here' is."

She sighed to herself, then blinked.

"I don't even know what my name is...?" she wondered. The thought had occurred to her after she drew a blank on the 'where am I' thoughts. When she couldn't come up with an answer she furrowed her brows. "Weird. I'm probably just tired or something."

"Misha-san! Suki da!"

She could feel her cheeks flush, and embarassed, she hid her face in her hands.

'That voice...?'

She looked up slowly.

"Mi-Misha...? Is that my name?" she asked herself. "How... strange. I don't remember."

Her heart froze and her blood felt cold as ice. She didn't know how to feel about that revalation; she just felt numb. How was she supposed to feel? She was confused. And tired, again. This was taking too much of an effort.

"I don't remember..." She tried to run a hand through her knotted hair, unsuccessfully. Even so, she could feel herself being pulled towards the door. She wantedno, needed to know who was in the home with her.

She reached for the doorknob, hesitated for a moment, but pushed past any reservations and opened the door. What greeted her was a bright, unnaturall light. She raised an arm to shield her eyes from the painful assault, and squinted to see the plain white wall adjacent from her. She walked into the hallway and looked to either side of herself. There was another two doors on one side, and the other had only one door. The side with two doors led to a dead end, the other end seemed to go somewhere. She checked out the side with two doors first.

What she found was a bathroom and another bedroom. the bedroom was dark, unused, and told her that an older man lived in the room. Down the other side, the very last door led to a storage closet. She followed the hallway after that until she reached a large room. Considering the television and couch she guessed that it was the living room. There was also a table there for eating, which was near the far wall. That wall separated the living room and kitchen.

There was still no visual signs of anyone, so she continued on to the kitchen.

The only opening to the kitchen was on the side, when you were heading to the front door. It was a good-sized room, clean except for the mess made from making food. Even though she could only see the back of the person, she knew it was a man by the most obvious features. She half-hid behind the wall so that she wouldn't be noticed, and watched him.

'So I'm at a guy's house... Did we... do anything?' Her face flushed with embarassment. 'Oh no... What if we're a couple? What if I'm upposed to remember that we're a couple and he wants to do it?'

She squeaked, then, realizing what she had just done, hid completely behind the wall. She heard him place his utensil down and his chair scraped against the floor. There was a brief moment of silence.

"... Misha-san...?"

Taking in a few deep breaths to calm herself, she placed a hand over her pounding heart. She needed to calm down. She had to know this person. There was no other way to explain why she was in his apartment. He also knew her nameat least what she had assumed to be her name.

But that was proof enough ,wasn't it?

"Misha-san?" he repeated.

She forced a smile and swung herself into view. This was her first good look at him. He was tall, with purple hair and deep golden-green eyes. He wore a highschool uniform, the jacket hanging on the back of the chair he had been sitting in, his sleeves were rolled up, and his tie was undone but still hung around his neck.

He smiled softly. She was at ease once more, that same comfort that she had found in the bed.

"You look better than when Takashi brought you over," he said as he walked closer. "Your colour's returned, too."

He placed the back of his hand to her forehead. His hand was was warm, and soft and gentle. She blushed despite herself.

"I couldn't believe it at first. That it was actually you..." He brought his hands to her cheeks. He looked as if he was still in disbelief.

"I..."

She didn't know what to say to him. The moment obviously meant so much to him. How was she supposed to react? How was she to feel? How did he want her to act?

She closed her eyes.

"I'm sorry, but... Who are you?"

She heard him gasp softly, and his hands left her face.

"Who... am I?"

She opeend her eyes and looked up at him. His eyes were full of confusion and hurt.

"Um, I was just wondering," she whispered. She looked away guiltily. "I can't remember anything but my name. It's, um, 'Misha', right? That's what you called me..."

"That's not funny!"

He took hold of her shoulders and shook her a little.

"Don't joke like that! It's not funny!"

"I'm not joking!" she screeched, breaking away from him. The reality of the situation hit her then and she could feel herself starting to cry. "It's not a joke! I can't remember anything! Nothing!"

She fell to her knees, sobbing.

"I'm sorry!"

She cried. He just stood over her and watched.

"You've been asleep since yesterday," he said finally. "Come on, I'll get you some dinner."

She stopped crying when he offered his hand to her. She took it slowly, pushing herself to her feet.

"I'm so"

"stop apologizing," he interrupted her. "If what you're saying is true, then Sasha-san will come looking for you. It'll get worked out then."

"Okay...?" She wasn't sure who 'Sasha' was, or what exactly she could help sort out, but he sounded convinced. That had to be enough for her.

"My name is Kotarou Higushi," he introduced himself. "Go sit down while I get you some dinner."

She did as she was told, and took the seat across the table from his plate.

'Kotarou... san...'

"So she really doesn't remember a thing?"

"Nothing"

"I wonder what happened to her. It was strange, finding her out there like that."

"I'm worried about her, still..."

Misha half listened to what was being said in the kitchen. She was in the livingroom with a young girl, about the age of ten, while Kotarou spoke with two others that were his age. She hadn't gotten to meet then just yet, but they seemed nice. The young girl's name was Shino. She was Kotarou's cousin. They had many of the same physical features, only Shino's were much more feminine and younger. Misha could see that Shino would one day be a beautiful woman.

'She looks familiar,' Misha thought. The image of a young girl that alomst looked exactly like Shino popped into her mind. 'Mist be my imagination...'

"Oneechan, are you feeling okay?" Shino asked.

Misha smiled and nodded.

"Yes, Shino-chan."

"Oniichan said that you're sick and can't remember us," Shino continued. "Did you hit your head?"

Misha pulled her knees to her chest and exhaled deeply. She had no idea what had happened before she woke in Kotarou's bed. She'd had some reservations about asking some of her questions, but Kotarou was always kind, and cute when he was flustered. He gladly filled in the blanks that he knew the answers to.

However, his stories sounded like magnificently woven story tales. Everything was in place, and he knew how to place all of the events. He knew the details so well that she wasn't sure if she could doubt him.

"I was laying unconscious outside this building," Misha said quietly. "Takashi-san found me... whoever he is."

"That would be me, Cutie," a deep, laughing voice entered the room.

Misha turned to look at the owner of the voice. He was a young, very handsome man, with blond hair and green eyes. No, he was more than just handsome. He looked like an angel, descended from Heaven.

'Guess I would know that,' she said to herself. 'A gift from the Heavens...'

"Misha-san, how're you feelin'?" he asked.

"Good, Takashi-san." She smiled up at him.

"Shino-chan!" another voice called. This one was unfamiliar. "Let's go to the store!"

Shino was up and running towards the front door before the voice finished speaking. That left Misha alone with Takashi.

"Um..." She didn't know what to say to him.

After her little Q&A session with Kotarou, she hadn't spoken with him. He hadn't made a grand attempt, either. Maybe he understood how she felt; maybe that was how he felt, himself. There was just too much that stood in the way of a normal conversation. He hadn't said it yet, but she knew that she meant something to him. That was why she didn't feel right.

"I know it's only been a day, but... is anything comin' back to ya?"

"Sorry, no..."

He smiled and sat down next to her. His presence was calming, just as Kotarou's was, but she didn't feel as safe. With Kotarou the whole world could be ending, and she would still feel safe.

"Don't apologize." Takashi placed a hand atop her head. "You're doing your best. No one's mad at you. Just keep tryin' and you'll do it. We're all here for you."

She smiled at him.

"Thank you, Takashi-san."

"call me 'Ten-chan' or 'Takashi-kun' or something," he laughed. "'Takashi-san''s just too formal coming from you."

"Okay," she agreed quietly. What was she like back then? "Um, what did I call Kotarou-san back then?"

"Kotarou-kun."

She rested her chin on her knees. The door slammed in the background.

"And that other girl?"

"Koboshi-chan."

She closed her eyes with a sigh.

"I don't remember anything..."

"Take your time," he instructed again. "Anyways, I'm gonna help Kotarou out in the itchen. Wanna come?"

"No. I'm okay here."

"Awright, suit yourself."

Misha ran as fast as her legs could carry her, to catch up with Koboshi and Shino. She'd left the aparement without Kotarou knowing. She wanted ot be out of there. It was nothing against Kotarou, she just wanted a look around, and she doubted that he'd jsut let he go without him.

"Koboshi-chaaan! Shino-chaaaan!" she called out to them as they came into sight. They were just at the end of the block when they came to a hault.

"Misha-san, why are you here?" Koboshi's greeting wasn't meant to sound rude, but concerned.

"Well, I just wanted to help out," Misha repleid. "It feels like I've never been out of that apartment."

Shino just smiled, "I'm so happy, Oneechan!"

"Are you sure ou're okay enough to be outside?" Koboshi questioned. "And does Kotarou-kun know? He's already been so worried about you!"

"I'm fine," she grumbled. 'It's not like he owns me or something...'

In the end, Misha got to go to the store with Shino and Koboshi. Lucky for her, Shino wanted her to go and fought for her to be allowed to. Misha felt as though she recognized the surroundings of the city, and even knew how to get to the convenience store without making any wrong turns. At first she convinced herself that it was only because she was being led, but then she managed to move on ahead of the others. Perhaps it was more instinct than memory, but that was a strat. The convenience store had been intersting, as well. However she wasn't reminded of anything.

When they returned to Kotarou's apartment, Misha went straight to his room. For now, Kotarou's room acted as her own, and she had no problems with that. She could be alone in there, and still feel that Kotarou was with her. She didn't talk to him, even though he'd made an attempt to.

She was too tired. As soon as she laid down, she was asleep, atop the blankets and still clothed.

Sometime later she awoke in the room. Kotarou had been in there, she knew, because the blanket was over her now.

'Kotarou...' She grinned stupidly. 'He's been so nice to me. Even though I forgot, he's still been so kind.'

She sat up and wrapped the blanket around herself. She got to her feet and went in search of Kotarou. No one else was in the apartment, from what she could tell. She found Kotarou in the kitchen, the only hint as to what he was doing was teh rhythmic chopping she could hear. His back was to her, and his body hid whatever he was chopping.

"Um, Kotarou-san?" she called. The only reply was the continuous chopping. "Kotarou-san, I'm sorry I worried you today, and that I ignored you when I came back. I just wanted to go out for a little while."

"It's okay." She heard the chopping get harder, and from the tone of his voice she was sure that apologies were in order."

She felt them again, those instincts that had helped her keep up with Koboshi and Shino before, only this time it felt different. This time they were pulling her towards Kotarou, and...

"Mi-Misha-san?"

"Forgive me, Kotarou-kun," she whispered, pressing her face against his back and holding him tighter.

"Wh-What are you doing?" he stammered.

She closed her eyes, "I don't know. Um, can I help you at all?"

He placed his hands over hers, his body relaxing into the embrace.

"Yeah, I'd like that."
AN: I hope you readers didn't think that was too long and boring... Eh heh, I thought it was after reading it over. But, there's Kotarou/Misha sweetness in it at the end. I'm proud of that. And I also have no idea how someone with amnesia acts, so this was such a hard chapter!

Neko no chaos: He does, a little. But more in a 'she's like my mother' sort of way. Get the rest of the series! Besides it getting a little sad, it's absolutely wonderful! I'm still waiting to get the next two volumes(which are also the last).

Weird/silly/hyperme: That's good to hear. Heh. Anddon't worry about MD, it's getting up slowly.

Tokyo kitsune: There you go! Thank you for reading!

Fanboy: There was this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.

panda-saisaki: You like hunting peoples, don't you? Heh... well, no need to hunt me down! This five-chaptered story won't get dropped until it's done. And Moonlight Demon has a bunch of chapters written up, too.

Makami