CHAPTER XIII

'I love you, Youhi.'

I want to say that to him right now. But…I'm scared to. What if he doesn't love me? What if he'll reject me? What if…No. My eyes filled with tears as another realization hit me. I am not in this world. I can never be. I'll have to leave soon, leave this world that I have come to love, leave my friends that I have come to trust, and leave Youhi.

Geez! Why is my life always like this? Full of pain and sadness? I hate it!

"Asahi? What's wrong?" Youhi asked as he gently wiped the tears in my eyes. "Please tell me. I don't want to see you like that. I don't want to see you in pain."

What he said echoed in my mind. It's the same as to what I've thought earlier. So does this mean…He also love me? I shook my head. Better not entertain this wishful thought. I better leave it as it is. Yes, he might love me too. But it is still impossible. Our love can never be.

"Don't mind me," I forced a laugh as I wiped the traces of my tears away. "Don't worry about me. But… Youhi. I know it hurts for you to talk about your mother. But could you tell me everything about her?"

I need to know about the images I saw when I touched the stone. It must really be something important. My guess is that woman might be his mother. And that little girl…it might be the…No. I'm not yet too sure.

He sighed. "I've never talked about this with anyone before. But if it is with you, I'll tell you everything."

He stood from the chair, gently sat at the edge of the bed and held my hand. Slowly, our fingers crossed tightly, and then he smiled at me.

"To start with, the truth is, my mother and I were not from this world. We're from your world, Asahi. In our true cat forms," he said.

"Eh?" I was startled as to what he said. "But what …No, I mean, how come you're living well in this world? Or is it that the cats from our world can live in this world?"

"I also don't know how, Asahi," Youhi met my gaze. "If I would have known, I would really use that method for you to live in this world too."

How I wish he knew. I would also be willing to give my all to live here.

"Actually, I don't really remember a thing in your world. The first thing I've ever remember was opening my eyes and seeing my mother's face in tears. We were in an abandoned hut not too far away from Winter Town. I can vividly remember that there was a strong blizzard that night.

"I remember her crying and hugging me at the same time. "Thank goodness I'm back." She kept saying that over and over again. I can clearly feel that there's something wrong with me. My head ached a lot, my eyes were a little bit blurry, and I cannot even speak clearly. But most of all, the feeling that I felt that time, it really scares me until now, the feeling that with one wrong move and I'm gone. My mother never told me what happened before that.

"As the days passed, I felt slightly better. I can even walk on my own. And the first thing I want to go was the town near us. But my mother forbade me to go. She doesn't go out much either. It's as if we were in hiding."

His face softened.

"Every night, she used to tell me stories about a human girl with long black hair and dark eyes. She was our master, our family.

"That girl has no other sisters or close friends, you see. And her parents were always quarreling with each other until…They decided to get separated, which drove her more into loneliness. We were always there whenever the girl needed us, but then on that same day when her mother took her away, we found ourselves in this world.

"I really don't remember anything when I was in your world, Asahi, and I don't remember about that little girl at all. But then, my mother's love for our master clearly showed in her eyes every time she talks about her. And eventually, I, too, fell in love with that girl and I vowed myself that I would meet that girl again someday."

His took a deep breath when he stared at me meaningfully. Does he mean that that little girl is me? But…I don't remember having…No…I really don't remember much about my childhood days. I practically tried my best to shut out all of my memories about it.

"We lived peacefully together in that place. Until one day, I found her huddled in the corner of the hut, her face evident of the pain she is feeling within her body. She didn't tell me about it, and I was a fool not to notice it either," he said disgustedly at himself. "I can still remember her crying out in pain every night and no matter how much I try, it worsened each day.

"And then, as she drew in her last breathe, she looked at me with tears in her eyes and smiled at me. She asked me to find the girl and give her back what my mother has taken from her; her trust and happiness."

Youhi sighed. "Asahi, you are now suffering the same fate that killed my mother." He suddenly shook his head. "But I'll never allow you to die. I'll do everything to save you."

He moved closer and I felt the stone in my hand. The stone… Is it that thing that the little girl is clutching in the images I saw? Then…

"Does your mother have short black hair and green eyes?"

"Yes," Youhi answered, surprised at my question. "How'd you know?"

I didn't answer him. So that woman really is her mother. And that blue stone's from the girl's possession. But then… who is that girl?

Seeing my troubled expression, Youhi stood.

"I guess let's call it a night," he leaned at me and kissed me on my forehead. "Good night, Asahi."

"Wait, Youhi!" I didn't let go of his hand. I tugged him closer. "Please. Stay with me."

We are now so near in Winter Town. So near with the queen. My days are already numbered. At least…I want to spend it with him as long as possible.

"Please…"

"As you wish, my Asahi."

He smiled at me gently, smoothed my hair and placed his hand at the back of my neck, as slowly, he leaned closer. Our breaths mingled. Our eyes never leaving each other's gaze. I can hear the rhythm of our beating hearts. And then I at last received my answer. This is it. He also loves me. There's no return for me anymore. I've now decided. I would stay here with him. Spend my days with him until the end of my life.

teehee,.,.,another long chapter,.,.,.wew,.,.,really,.,this is just me,.,,.my ideas always flows into me when I'm nearing the end of the story,,.,.please bear with me,.,.teehee,.,.anyway,.,hope you'll love this chapter,.,____