A/N: Don't you see my condition, the fiction is gonna run it again...
The navy-haired woman awoke with a start, her breath catching in her throat and causing her to lean over to cough weakly. Her pulse was racing underneath her palm, the images from her nightmare still as vivid as if they were still happening. Tears previously unshed now trickled down her warm cheeks, dribbling off of her chin and onto her nightwear.
Aika let out a shaky breath, staring into the darkness of her room. She stilled for a moment when she realized that Hinata's soft snores had paused.
When they resumed, she tried her best to relax her tense shoulders, wrapping her arms around herself and shivering. Their voices rang still in her head, screams sending chills back up her spine.
The flames that had licked at the ends of her cloak still seemed to spread a phantom warmth across her face, even though she knew there wasn't any fire to be seen at this hour.
Licking her dry lips, she silently rose from her bed and crept towards the door. Casting a glance towards the other sleeping women, to Karin and Hinata sleeping side-by-side, to Shizune who seemed to be in a deep sleep for once (with Tonton at her side), her lips quivered into a half-smile before she grabbed her shoes and slipped out.
She strapped on her sandals and walked towards the firepit, still shivering in the cool midnight air. She glanced up through the treetops, the moon's gentle glow staring back. It was only a little soothing now.
Aika sighed heavily, standing beside the empty pit. Staring at the coals only served to remind her of the ashes from her dream, and as her stomach lurched dangerously she whirled around in search of a reprieve.
"Maybe some fresh water will soothe my nerves," she thought to herself as she hurried away.
Her feet seemed to carry her automatically, her head swarming with static and voices. Her breathing quickened, her vision darkening at the edges, and belatedly she realized she was beginning to hyperventilate.
"Breathe," she commanded herself in a panic. "Breathe, focus. Channel. Breathe, dammit!"
She choked out a burning sob as she stumbled along the path, arms outstretched and grasping at air. As she found the familiar clearing, the water rushing soothingly ahead, it calmed her nerves somewhat as she finally fell to the ground.
Her knees stung as the rocks dug into her skin, but she reached for the water anyways. The cold numbed her hands as she splashed it onto her face, long hairs sticking to her damp skin as she began to gasp for air.
The droning noises in her mind slowly began to ebb away with the cold water, and as she came down from her attack she could hear a tentative voice.
"-san?... Abe-san?"
She turned, focusing her wide-eyed stare on the person standing several feet away, their hand outstretched with a look of concern on their face.
For a brief second, she thought Shinji was standing before her again, and tears sprang to her eyes as she parted her lips to call out. But the dull green iris made her take pause. "Shinji's eyes aren't green."
The lack of bandages on their face confused her for a fleeting moment until her brain supplied a name. Igurashi.
She heaved a sigh, sagging over in juxtaposing disappointment and relief. It wasn't the best of company, as their hollow socket jumped out at her instantly and reminded her of fire and pain and death, but it was something, anything, to distract her.
"Are you alright?" They continued, taking a step towards her. "You look…" They hesitated for a brief moment before clearing their throat. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Her lips twitched into a wry smile at that, and she huffed a silent chuckle at the irony. "(You have no idea,)" she signed in reply.
Their brows raised, but then furrowed into a worried frown. Their right eye socket, eyelid still shut over it, seemed to mock her and she had to turn away as her stomach did a sick flip once more.
"Do you… wanna talk about it?" They gently asked.
She raised an eyebrow at them, unamused for a moment, before they seemed to realize what they'd just said.
"Oops, sorry, force of habit," they chuckled awkwardly. "Uh… wanna… um… shake hands about it?"
Her other eyebrow raised, and they lifted their hands in surrender.
Silently giggling, she nodded and signed, "(I know what you meant. I was joking.)"
Aoi chuckled, rubbing the back of their neck as they neared the water's edge. They paused for a second before sitting next to her, sitting with their legs crossed and their hands folded in their lap.
Both were silent for a few moments as the river's soft babbling continued to soothe her frayed nerves. Aika took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before slowly releasing it.
Aoi glanced her way before aiming a rueful smile at the rushing water. "I came out for a drink," they confessed. "I woke up thirsty and realized I drank the last of my bottle before bed. I didn't expect to find you here."
Her expression fell as she lowered her gaze to the pebbled riverbank, wisps of soft grass reaching from between them. The Aoi from her dream was nothing like this one; she could still recall their eyes, full of malicious intent, and the cruel laugh as they aimed for her throat.
"I won't miss like she did," they had proclaimed, sharp blade in hand. The sight had scared her so much that she'd awoken with tears on her lids and a scream deep in her damaged throat.
Now in the cool of the night air, their hand tentatively reached for hers, fingertips brushing against her thumb. She flinched, looking up with wide eyes.
Aoi regarded her with a sad recognition. "Would you like to tell me about it?" They asked quietly.
She wanted to say no. She wanted to be irritated, to retort that it was none of their business, that they'd already done enough.
But then a guilty part of her heart spoke up. They're guilty enough without you shoving them away, it reasoned gently. Why not take a chance?
Once a traitor, always a traitor, the larger part of her snapped back. How do I know they won't hurt me again?
She lowered her gaze as the small voice insisted. You need comfort. They're here to listen.
She took a deep breath, looked them in the eyes, and raised her hands. "(I had a horrible nightmare,)" she confessed. "(Well... not quite a nightmare, per se. It felt like a horrible premonition.)"
Their brow furrowed, yet they nodded in a gesture for her to continue.
"(Morino was attacked, and… and everyone was killed. Again.)" Her gaze turned hard as she continued to sign. "(Someone torched the entire village… but I can't recall who they were. All I remember for sure was that the queen headed the attack.)"
Aoi's frown softened, but when they reached out to her, she placed a hand on theirs and slowly lowered it.
"Was… was I there?" They whispered.
She nodded. "(You were aiming for my jugular right when I woke up.)"
Their face crumpled in horror, and a pained wheeze escaped their lips as they sagged, hand clenched over their heart. Their eye reflected sorrow as they looked up at her.
"I know you still distrust me," they began before she interrupted.
"(I have a horrible feeling about my dream,)" she continued as if they'd remained silent. "(I feel like it wasn't a coincidence that I dreamt of the queen heading the attack. I fear… I fear the capital is about to raid us.)"
Aoi swallowed hard and nodded. "You- you're right. We need to warn Shizune-san immediately."
When they moved to rise, she quickly replied, "(Not tonight. First thing in the morning.)"
The greenet paused and raised an eyebrow at her. "Why?"
"(She hasn't been sleeping well lately,)" she explained. "(I'd hate to disrupt the one night of rest she's gotten in weeks. Rebuilding has stressed her out to the brink of exhaustion.)"
They still seemed hesitant, but at her imploring look they heaved a sigh. "Well, all right. But first thing tomorrow, right? If you want, I'll wake you up and we can see her."
"(We share sleeping quarters. When she's up, I'll get you.)" She promised.
Aoi nodded firmly and got to their feet. Dusting off their pants, they extended a hand to her and helped her up with a firm grip.
She nodded her thanks and moved to walk away.
"Abe-san," they suddenly called out, making her halt.
When she turned to see them, they gave her a grim smile.
"I know you still distrust me, and believe me, I get it. I've done nothing to deserve your kindness, much less the protection of this village." They said bitterly. "But I want you to know that I'm trying to atone, and if that means going against my kingdom to protect you, then so be it. I'm tired of running away from my own guilt. I want to make up for my losses. I wanted to make it up to…"
They trailed off, but when she saw the guilt in their gaze, she understood.
She waved her hand to get their attention and signed slowly, "(I know deep down that… that Shinji would be very proud of how far you've come. Thank you.)"
A lump arose in their throat and they swallowed thickly, the gentle light in her eyes making their emotions swell and manifest as rising tears. They nodded, attempting to smile at her.
"You don't have to walk back with me," they choked out. "I, um, I might need a while."
She nodded to them and signed, "(Then I bid you goodnight, Igurashi.)"
She turned before they could reply, but the quiet sniffling followed her as she headed back to camp, exhaustion making her steps heavier and heavier all the way.
