Chapter 2. Only the wind

"Ren?" I whispered calmly as I looked harder through the deep shadows.

He stepped forward calmly and showed his one green eye and one blue eye. His deep brown hair was gently flowing in the gentle wind surrounding us. He smiled and winked at me lovingly. I automatically squealed lightly and leapt off the chair I sat on.

I rushed down the little steps and leapt into his open arms. He was wearing a simple white v-neck that showed his muscles clearer than day and a pair of tattered and faded jeans with a pair of leather flip flops.

"Hello beautiful." Ren whispered as I fell into his arms. He lifted me up slightly so my feet were off the floor and spun me around slightly before pushing his lips lightly to mine. He was so incredible that I couldn't help but kiss his perfect lips back.

When he stopped spinning and let me pull away while my feet finally pressed back onto the cold floor I began to speak as I stared into hi multicolored eyes.

"When did you get back?" I asked calmly running a few fingers through his incredibly soft hair. He leaned into my hand and sighed in comfort.

"A few hours ago. I was gunna stay here for a couple more hours and then when the sun came up I was going to come to get you." he said snapping out of his love-sick-puppy trance he was in and stared down at me for a moment.

"Speaking of which, why are you out here so late…or early I should say." he said looking up at the roofless observatory; the sun was just barely touching the sky.

I was about to answer but I decided not to. He would probably guess but I prayed he wouldn't. I didn't want him to worry about me more than he already did.

He ducked his head down so our eyes met at the exact level and I bit my lip, trying to strain my eyes away from his endearing stare. He finally got impatient and grabbed my chin in his gentle hand and pulled it so I was staring at him.

"Did you have another nightmare?" he asked calmly. I sighed in defeat and leaned into his chest. He didn't talk or try to pry anything more out of me because due to my lack of response…he knew he was right. As always! I pressed my ear to his chest and listened to the faint beating of his heart and the low whips of air he took in as he breathed.

He wrapped his arms a little tighter around my waist and pressed his cheek against the top of my head.

"I'm sorry…"Ren said so softly I could have sworn it was the wind or just another breath of air.

I looked up at him and smiled slightly.

"For what?" I asked slightly confused. He stared down at me sincerely, almost as if he was disappointed at something and pulled one of his hands from behind my back to push a loose piece of hair out of my face.

"For not being able to protect you…" he said shaking his head slowly. He was disappointed at himself.

I sighed and shook my head in sadness. He always blamed himself and I hated it! He wasn't my problem…I was my own problem!

"You can't ALWAYS protect me Ren." I said laying a hand on his cheek gently. I knew if I let him rant on about how he was always away from me because of his job.

"I know," he said leaning against my hand calmly." "But I wish I could. You deserve that much…after all you've been through." he said staring at me happily.

I smiled and decided to change the subject, knowing he would blow up again if I let him go on.

"So how was your trip this time?" I asked since he had been in Europe for over three months. The question made him light up and soon he was smiling ear to ear.

"Oh my gosh! You would have loved it! I swear I am going to take you there one day!" he said lifting me off the floor and spinning me around. I giggled and let him set me down gently.

"So what happened?" I asked calmly. He looked me up and down and sighed before answering.

"Well, I met an old friend." he said thinking about something as he stared into the distance. I pulled him back quickly though.

"Really. Do I know him? what's his name?" I asked suddenly interested for some reason.

"Yeah! You don't know him. We went to school together a while back and it turns out he's been traveling the world for a long time. He's not doing so well though." he said pulling me a little closer.

"Oh…what's his name?" I asked gently as I thought about this new friend.

"Ikuto…" he said softly as he kissed my head.

Okay so I know it's been a while but hey I'm not perfect! I am on vacation and I am going to try and write every day! Happy thanksgiving to all and keep reading and reviewing! I love u all my fabulous readers! Mwahhh!

~WbL