Ok...I know it's short, but more should be on the way. Enjoy

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Chapter 7: Could this be Love?

I awoke the next morning to sunlight streaming in through an open window and straight into my face. Annoyed I rolled over and buried my head into the closest pillow I could find. But I found I was wide awake now and unable to return to the blissful unawareness that sleep offered me. What had happened last night? My memories had returned, that much I understood, but the whole thing with Phoenix confused me. I had been under the impression that he was cold hearted and completely void of feeling. But that was wrong. He'd held me…I had been safe in his embrace. He even drove the monsters within away. I wanted that so badly, to the point that I'd do anything for another moment like that one. I needed to be near him.

So I jumped out of bed, still in the same clothes I'd been wearing the day before, and ventured out into the house to find Phoenix. I had gotten down the hall and almost down the steps to the first floor when I was stopped by a voice from behind.

"You should be resting."

I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and smiled. It seemed that he'd found me first.

"I was looking for you," I answered as I turned to face him. "Are they upset? At what happened I mean," I was referring to those I was suppose to have met last night of course. After my…episode, I was in no condition to meet anyone.

"Not upset, merely confused. You owe us an explanation," Phoenix replied.

Should I tell him? Could I trust him? I quickly realized that two days ago I hadn't even known him…but something inside told me that I had to tell someone. Maybe telling him would ease the pain…

"You have to make me a promise first," I said softly.

He gave a slight nod.

"You can't tell anyone."

"I won't," he replied in a tone that instantly assured me.

So I walked back to the bedroom I had been asleep in and sat down on the bed. Phoenix followed closing the door shut behind him.

"So?" He prompted.

"I have a question first," there was just something I had to know. "Why did you hold me?"

He seemed a little taken aback by the question at first, but I suppose he deemed it a worthy question after a moment.

"You were crying and it seemed like it would help." His eyes met mine and I understood that his feelings were confusing him just as much as mine were confusing me. That meant he felt it to…

"Four days ago, when I was still with my adoptive parents my…my adoptive father he…" why was it so hard to tell him? And why was I crying?

The sun was so bright…too bright, shining into my face. But even that didn't matter as what happened next paled in comparison everything that had happened before it.

I felt his hand touch my face, wiping one of my tears away gently.

"Don't cry," he whispered as he tilted my head back ever so slightly. I closed my eyes somewhat instinctively and was surprised as, not even a moment later, his lips touched my own. It was pure bliss, feeling the soft touch of his lips against mine. I wanted it to last forever…but then nothing really can, now can it.

When it ended and the shock had subsided I looked up at him. His eyes no longer held the indifference they had before. Something else was there in its place, something I hadn't ever seen before…

"Please…don't stop," I begged. I knew I was tempting a demon of sorts, but I really didn't care at the moment. I just had to feel that again.

He took one quick look at the door. I followed his gaze to the unlocked door handle. That problem was quickly remedied as Phoenix moved to lock the door before turning towards me again that same mischievous gleam in his eyes that he'd had while committing Grand Theft Auto.

"You're sure about that," he replied gently as he came back over to the bed, moving to sit on the bed next to me.

"Just…don't hurt me…please…" I couldn't take being hurt again. It would break me.

To that he actually smiled, something that I thought made him look quite charming.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

It was late afternoon when Dual knocked on the door of my room. Phoenix had gone, claiming that I had kept him too long. So I was alone, going through the events of the morning in my mind.

"Kiyo?" came Dual's voice from the doorway. I looked up and gave him a smile, a true smile. "What are you so happy about?"

"Nothing," was my reply.

"You gave us all quite a scare last night," Dual said, coming to sit beside me on the bed.

"Sorry about that," I answered, truly sorry about the way I'd acted. Then again it had sorta been out of my control.

"Better now?"

"Much better," I replied truthfully. I knew that I would forever be haunted by what had happened, but Phoenix had showed me so much…and together we were beginning to heal some of the mental wounds that the incident had inflicted.

"Think you're ready to meet the others now?" Dual asked.

I thought about it for a moment then gave a nod.

"I would like Phoenix to be there," was my only request. One that startled Dual a little.

"Ummm….sure. I'll ask him once I tell dad that you're ready," Dual replied while moving to stand. "Just wait a while. I'll be back to get you when everything's ready."

So Dual left.