Shion left his bedroom to go take a shower. Kotori had fallen asleep on his bed, she'd been exhousted and he would have suggested that she take a shower had she not been so worn out. He still did not know what had happened to her. She seemed so innocent. He knew that he didn't need this kind of complication in his life, especially with his mother and between the stress of school and work, but he couldn't turn her away.
Shion walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. He thought about whether or not to lock the door but after a short moment he decided against it and left the door unlocked. He then turned towards the tub and began to strip down. As he removed his clothes and turned on the water as an unwelcome thought came to mind. Kotori was rather beautiful, and under the thin fabric she wore, there was a beautiful body. Shion cursed at the part of him that was definitely male as he stepped into the shower. He did not need to have such thoughts on his mind. He sighed, he had more pressing issues to focus on…like his homework.
His shower was short. He washed his hair and body then got out. He shaved at the sink and pulled a towel around his hips. He then walked out the door and headed back to his room. He pushed the door open gently as he walked in. Kotori wasn't on the bed. Looking around the room didn't prove helpful either, until he heard her sniff. He followed the sound until he was next to his window. She was between his window and his desk crying. Forgetting his state of attire he got down to his knees before her and gently put one hand on the top of her foot. Kotori felt the contact and looked up at him, tears streaming down her cheeks. The sight would be burned into his memory forever. She was a mess, emotionally and physically. Someone had done things to this girl that he could only imagine. Her entire body was trembling. Shion moved his arms around her and pulled her up onto her knees. He pulled he so that she was against him, her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her tightly in what he despirately hoped was a comforting embrace.
Kotori began to relax almost immediately. The fact that she did proved to Shion that she was innocent. If she had been sexually abused or anything of the sort she would have been frightened of him, she was calmed instead. It was a relief to him, it made things that much less complicated. She leaned on him and he had to move to sit on his bottom, he moved her so she could sit in his lap. He prayed that his towel remained in tact. Kotori didn't even seem to notice. She had closed her eyes and was obviously falling asleep again. Shion sighed a little, he did need to get his homework done…but he didn't want to leave Kotori. He decided to wait until she was asleep before moving her back to his bed, he could then go to his desk and do his work.
It wasn't long before Kotori was out. He slowly picked her up and stood up. Shion walked over to his bed and laid her down, pulling the covers over her and pushing the hair away from her face. He pulled out clean clothes and changed quickly. He wore jeans and a grey t-shirt with a pair of socks to keep his feet warm. He sat down at his desk. Shion opened his textbook and pulled out some paper before starting his work. He paused only once to check on his mother and to give her medicine.
Shion felt himself falling asleep as he was reading his textbook. He sighed and shook his head. However, that wasn't enough to keep him awake as he felt himself dosing off once more. His head fell forward and rested on his book, his eyes closed in exhoustion. A short nap he told himself, then he would finish reading. Shion had rested for about ten minutes when he felt a hand touch his shoulder gingerly. He groaned and rolled his shoulders as he lifted his head. He looked up and saw Kotori, she look like she'd woken up not too long ago. She was looking at him with a particularly soft expression and he wasn't sure what it meant. He hadn't knownher long enough at all to read her expressions.
Kotori smiled a little, though it looked like she was suddenly a little embarassed. She moved her hand down and took his. She then motioned for him to get up. Shion was pretty exhousted, but at the moment more curious as to what Kotori was up to. So he got up. She smiled in approval and then pointed to the bed with her free hand. She released his hand and moved behind him to push him to the bed. Shion had to laugh at that. She was putting him to bed. It was kind of cute. He nodded and laid down on his back. Shion rested for a moment before looking back to Kotori to see that she was standing at the foot of the bed watching him. Shion patted the area on the bed next to him, "There's room for us both. I promise I won't do anything." He said. Kotori seemed to relax somewhat at that and moved over to the other side of the bed. She crawled in and laid down on her side, so that her back was facing him. Shion was out like a light in an instant.
The next morning Shion woke up feeling warm and refreshed. He didn't need to even open his eyes to know that it was Kotori who was next to him. He felt strange. He had never reacted to a woman like this. Shion knew himself well enough to know that even in this situation he would be uncomfortable with a girl in his bed, but oddly, he felt entirely at ease. It was this calm feeling that made Shion uncomfortable. Kotori was still lying away from him, just as he had last seen her the night before. He remembered that he had promised to take her to the library today. She was still in her tattered sundress. He sighed and sat up, he didn't really have clothes for her. Perhaps…he bit his lip, not really sure that he wanted to offer her this thought. He shook his head, perhaps she could wear one of my mothers old dresses. With that he stood up and went to his mothers room. He smiled broadly when he saw that she was awake. "Goodmorning beautiful." He said. His mother laughed lightly, "Oh my dear baby boy." Shion sat down in the chair next to her bed.
"How are you feeling?" he asked. The woman in bed watched him tenderly before answering as she did everytime he asked, "I feel as free as a dove and as proud as a lion." Shion rolled his eyes and his mother smiled more at the way he had to force it. "So what do I owe the honor of this visit?" she asked. Shion watched her for a moment. He moved his hand down to hold hers and kissed her fingers, "This is going to sound worse than it is, but…" His mother interrupted him chuckling, "oh dear." Shion smirked.
"There is a girl here, and…she needs clothes. Her's are…inappropriate and she doesn't have anything to change into so I was wondering if she could perhaps wear one of your old sundresses." Shion said nervously. His mother watched him for a moment before asking, "A girl here?" Shion nodded. "Her clothing is inappropriate?" Shion once more nodded. "What's going on?" Shion bowed his head in defeat. "I don't wish to trouble you mo-" she cut him off, "Shion, you aren't troubling me. Goodness-" her gaze shifted for a moment to the door before turning back to Shion. But before she knew it she did a double take of the figure in the door and sat up, much to Shion's dismay and utter horror. "Mother! You need to lie back down." He said urgently, worried about his mothers health to no end.
She pulled her hand from Shion and put both hands to her mouth, "Oh my lord." She said staring at the girl in the doorway. Shion turned his focus away from his ill mother to the door to see Kotori standing there. "That's her mom. She's mute, but shes nice." His mother was frozen in place. Shion felt red lights going off. "Mom?" he asked, his mother didn't look away from Kotori. "What is it? What's wrong?" he asked, looking to Kotori and then his mother again. Kotori looked confused, as well as a little…guilty? Shion shook his head.
His mother pointed to Kotori, "I've dreamt about you." Kotori took a step back and Shion's head stapped in the direction of Kotori. "What's going on here?" he said, voice calm but demanding. He heard his mother sigh.
"Such beautiful dreams you showed me. I remember them. But…" his mothers voice dropped, "you were always so unhappy…even when surrounded by such beauty." His mother sounded as if she were reliving the dream. He looked back to his mother, more concerned about her for the moment. "And you sang such sad songs, but oh what a wonderful voice you had. And…" His mother blinked and the clouds in her eyes disappeared as she looked at Kotori as if seeing beyond what she was shown in her dreams. "You were bethrothed. You were engaged to…a monster. A terrible man who only hurt you." His mother looked as if she were to cry. His gaze shifted to Kotori who looked at the ground. "And your father." Kotori's head snapped up and she shook her head vigirously, putting a finger to her mouth trying to tell his mother to stop, but nothing would phase the woman.
"With his bare hands he cut out your voice box. He kept you locked in your room or in the garden. He secluded you. And that's when you stumbled upon this gift. Why do I know this Kotori? Why did you show me these visions? Why?" his mother pleaded. Kotori shrugged, I thought I was going to die, I wanted to die. I thought maybe someone like you might relate. And…you had the most open mind. I was alone and…needed someone. You felt like a mother. was how Kotori replied, through images in the womans mind. Kotori sighed and turned away. She was mute…but she had a sort of telepathy that she had somehow developed or stumbled upon. She felt like a freak in every meaning of the word. Using the telepathy was the only way she could get out of her room.
"How long has this been going on mother?" Shion asked. His mother looked at him. She stroked his cheek, "It doesn't matter. She has a gentle soul, and she will be safe with you. I love you Shion, but I feel my time coming closer and closer, you need someone else to help keep you on your feet. After you help her back on hers." Shion tried to interrupt but his mother placed a finger to his lips, "Let her pick something out for herself." She smiled more, "You are my son Shion, I'm proud to call you that." With that she laid back down and closed her eyes. He sighed and stood up. He was so confused…and angry. He looked to Kotori who was biting her lip.
"We need to talk." He told her roughly and walked to her. Kotori looked startled. Shion grabbed her hand in his and pulled her behind him out to the back yard. He sighed, closing the door behind him as they stepped out onto the porch. He released her hand and paced for a moment before stopping to look at her, "What the hell just happened?" he asked. Kotori looked around herself, she was scared. Would Shion hate her forever now? She didn't want his hate.
Kotori honestly had no idea of what to do, Shion was so angry with her, she could feel it. She flinched at the tone in his voice and moved away from him, pulling her hand free of his. She never thought the woman she had shown her dreams to would end up being his mother. It was odd how fate worked in such ways. She looked over to Shion who was glaring at her angrily, but most prominent was his confusion and…hurt that his mother had been involoved. He was fiercely protective of the woman and the thought warmed her heart, she owed him an explanation.
There was only one problem…she wasn't sure how much she should explain. This man had saved her, should she show him everything. Deep down she felt she could truly trust him, but she didn't want to burden him like that. She wrung her fingers together trying to debate what to do.
Shion saw her struggle and calmed somewhat.
"Kotori…" he said gently. She turned to face him once more. She was biting her lower lip in contemplation and Shion had to smile at the expression on her face.
"Just…" he sighed, "Just don't do anything to hurt her. I won't be able to handle anyone hurting her in any way." He told her seriously. Kotori tensed, her eyes narrow.
Before Kotori knew what she was doing she spoke to him telepathically.
What kind of person do you take me for? I'm not like my father and fiance! I don't hurt people to gain pleasure or power! When she spoke images were thrown into his mind, she could stop none of them. I can't believe you- she cut herself off, her eyes widening as she realized what she had just done. She looked away.
What have I just done? I didn't want him to know how much of a freak I am. I'm vulnerable now. He'll kick me out, push me away. Oh God, where am I going to go? Shion heard her still, but she didn't seem to know that there was still a sort of…connection. These were her thoughts he figured immediately as they were not complete with images, he just heard her voice in his mind, and his mother had been correct, she had a beautiful voice, even when in dread of bad things to come.
"Why did your father take away your ability to speak?" Shion asked almost casually. It was such a strange follow-up that Kotori looked up a little dazed at him. She bit her lip as she looked at him.
Isn't he going to be angry with me? Why would anyone care about what my father did? I hate him! Gods I don't want to think about it. My heart is shaking, I feel it. And my hands are starting to tremble as well. He hated me Shion, is that what you want me to tell you? No…probably not. I can't tell you that. I don't want your pity…only your comfort. I feel so safe when I'm with you. Uh oh…he's giving me that look again, like he can see right through me. Am I that easy to read? Kotori thought flustered.
"No…you're not that easy to read, though you are far from difficult to read. You do pretty much display every emotion you're feeling clearly on your face though." Shion said gently. Kotori looked at him extreemely confused.
What's going on here? she thought flabbergasted. She saw Shion smile gently.
"For some reason…I can hear your thoughts." He said easily.
Well he's certainly acting rather calm about all this. I'm glad in a way, he's not kicking me out. Wait a m inute…if he can hear my thoughts, then answer this; What color sundress do you think I would look cutest in?
Shion chuckled a little but replied, "Yellow and Blue."
You can still hear my thoughts? she asked warily in thought.
"Yes I can. I apologize if I'm intruding on your personal space, but I can hear everything. It's sort of nice to hear your voice, even though it's not really hearing it as much as feeling it." He replied.
It doesn't hurt does it? she asked.
Shion shook his head and started to usher her back inside, "No, I'm fine. Now lets find you something nice to wear to the library." He told her.