Disclaimer: I repeat, I don't own YnM. Though I wish I do. Anyways, enough babble from me. Enjoy the fic!!!!!

While You Were Sleeping Chapter 2

(A Only When I Sleep sequel)

by elana-chan

The rhythmic sound of the bamboo pole with the water flowing on it at intervals soothed Oriya's chaotic thoughts and relaxed his tense muscles. Sitting at the porch by his garden was the only thing that could truly relax him nowadays, since the doctors had prohibited him from smoking and Hanako had inspected his pipe. And much to his further irritation, he can't practice his katas that often because he got tired easily. The only entertainment he had these days were the nights he entertained his clients and meditating in the serenity of his garden.

He watched the water reflect the sun's rays with the occasional disturbance from the kois that inhabit the pond. He mused over his thoughts as he tried to find calm amidst his turbulent thoughts. He didn't regret having these dreams or want them to go away. He actually cherished each moment and wait in anticipation for the next one to come. He just hated the response that his body has to his dreams. The fact that it would leave his body aching with want and weakness at the same time.

Oriya let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes as he imagined once again the man in his dreams, caressing him and kissing him to oblivion. The dreams were sensual and chaste at the same time, not a hint of sex and lust from those touches and kisses. It was more like caresses and kisses made by a worshiper, a devotee at the face of its god. He still longed to see the face of the one he had fallen in love with. He knew it was a bit silly and immature for someone of his age to fall in love with the silhouette of a man he can only see in his dreams but try as he might, he can't help but feel these feelings for the mysterious man in his dreams.

It was really ironic for him to finally let go of Kazutaka's memory and fall in love with another man that he wouldn't ever meet. He was really pathetic when it comes to love.

Oriya was so immersed into his thoughts that he didn't notice the silver eyes that had been on him the first time he set upon the porch. It was the tiny tingle at the back of his neck that alerted the Kyoto swordsman that there was another presence in the yard. He quickly looked around and encountered piercing silver eyes staring at him strangely.

'A bat? An albino one at that.'

Oriya mused as he stared with amusement at the albino bat that was hanging upside down under his porch roof. The bat was rather a large one but it didn't look dangerous to Oriya. Its silvery-white webbed wings covered itself like a cloak and it's silver eyes shone with something akin to intelligence that piqued the swordsman's curiosity.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with a pack or something? And bats are supposed to sleep during the day." Oriya talked to the bat, not at all feeling ridiculous at what he was doing.

The bat cocked its head and just stared at him some more. Oriya gracefully stood up from his seat and made his way to the bat. Without any hesitation, he reached with a hand to pet the bat's soft furry head. It was a good thing that the bat didn't bite him and Oriya gave a small smile at the bat who still looked at him with those eerie silver eyes.

'Silver eyes. Just like...'

Oriya's chocolate brown eyes darkened at the thought as he dropped the hand that was petting the bat and he quickly turned away to compose himself. He muttered a soft goodbye to the bat and quickly exited the porch, still feeling those silver eyes stare at his retreating back.

To be continued...

Author's notes:

Hi again, minna-san!!!!!!! Sorry if the chapters are a bit short. My mind's still being attacked by rabid, virus-carrying plot bunnies. ACK!!!!! (rabid plot bunnies pounce on an unsuspecting elana-chan) (elana-chan whips out Heero's signature gun and shoots the damn bunnies) Anyways, as you can see, there's still no action going on. Sorry for that. My muse took a very long vacation, the plot bunnies are after me and I'm broke. Those things can sap the creative juices out of a person, you know. Oriya's also spouting angst ne? (shrugs) What do you expect? If you loved a perverted psycho who loves tormenting others, you'd be spouting angst too. (Muraki from the side: I resent that remark.) (elana-chan pats an indifferent Oriya at the back) Poor Oriya-sama. Anyways, I love to hear from you people! Sorry if it took a while. See ya!!!!