Okay, first of all, WOW. I cannot believe it has been over six months since I last updated. I want to thank everybody that has been reading and commenting and for waiting so long. To be honest, I had completely forgotten about this story until last night when I had a dream that brought it all back. I can't tell you what it was, but at least I'm back and it gave me some inspiration. I would like to think that my writing has improved since last year as well, so I will be sure to make this a very long and enjoyable chapter for all of you that have been waiting.

What is that?

Kyoko squinted her eyes against the brightness that was assaulting them. The sun was shining blindingly through the window next to her bed. It couldn't be morning already, could it? With a groan, she tossed the blanket over her head and rolled to her other side, only to become painfully aware of the aches that tormented her body.

Why did she hurt so badly?

Kyoko ran a hand slowly along her torso, up her other arm, and gradually to her face, finding soreness at nearly every inch. It wasn't until she pulled her hand away from her cheek that she remembered. Once again, in the dim lighting underneath her blanket, Kyoko caught sight of the hideous scars around her wrist and the memories came pouring back.

"Oh yeah..." She whispered, tracing the redness tenderly. How could she ever forget?

A lump rose in Kyoko's throat as her eyes began to burn. Oh no, not this again... Her exhausted diaphragm began to spasm in a manner that was all too familiar these days, breath heaving in short bursts. No, no, no. Kyoko grasped the blanket tightly, curling into a ball and using it to cover her face as she silently wept. She felt so weak and pathetic compared to her former self. Even when she was with Sho, Kyoko didn't hate herself this much. Losing her innocence was never supposed to feel like this, so cold and disgusting.

Kyoko just lay there for several minutes, letting everything out in one big heaping mess of self-loathing. The more she sobbed, the more she began to realize why even her muscles were sore. It was exhausting, mentally, emotionally, and physically to have sunk this low. It was so hard to continue like this, feeling everything so deeply. How long had she even been in bed for? Was it hours, days, weeks?

This was just too much. It was too hard to be an emotional wreck. It was too difficult to drown in self-pity. Regardless of what Ren or Sho or anybody else thought of her for what happened, Kyoko simply didn't have the energy to care anymore.

However, as soon as she thought this, a horrible feeling emerged from within her. It was the familiar sensation of twisted darkness that she had felt at the hospital while lying in Ren's embrace. His warmth had been enough to stave it off before, but now it was being released once again, with no defenses to hold it back. Kyoko felt it spread throughout her heart, emanating from the very core, chest becoming cold, like ice. Before long, her sobs had subsided, no longer fueled by despair.

Every emotion Kyoko possessed had dissipated, frozen in the depths of her heart.

Almost immediately her sobs subsided, leaving an eerie silence that resonated within her being. For the first time ever, she was completely numb. Free from the guilt, disgust, and pain of what happened. Kyoko let her body relax, leaving her cocoon to sprawl out across the bed. She had to take a minute to relish in the feeling.

Kyoko stared at the ceiling, searching the depths of her heart for any sign of life, but finding none. It was an empty, dull sensation. But it was better than the alternative.

For a moment, nothing really seemed to register to her. But as Kyoko's vacated eyes lazily drifted across the room, she realized something was different. Well, of course something was different. This wasn't even her room.

"This is..." She scanned the walls, the bed, even the blanket she was holding. "This is Tsuruga-san's room."

But, where was Tsuruga-san?

Wiping some leftover tears from her face, Kyoko moved off of the bed, slowly making her way to the door. However, she almost screamed catching sight of herself in the mirror on the vanity. Inching closer toward the ghastly figure that so shockingly resembled herself, Kyoko took it all in.

Her short hair was completely a mess, eyes immensely swollen, skin blotchy and unhealthily pale. Kyoko touched her fingers to her swollen face in disbelief. Had he seen her like that? No wonder she felt so disgusting. It took her a moment to register that she was no longer in a hospital gown, but in an oversized T-shirt and sleep pants. Her face flushed a deep red, thinking about whom they belonged to and how they had gotten on her body. However, her embarrassment quickly subsided once she remembered her youthful innocence was already gone. It seemed incredible that Kyoko even could be embarrassed over something like this after what had happened.

Kyoko finally allowed her golden eyes to tear away from the mirror and continued her trek to the door. Would Tsuruga Ren be here? She wondered why he had brought her here. After all, he had no responsibility to. Was it because she had broken her promise to him? Maybe he was angry after all, but didn't want to make her feel bad. Maybe he was planning on punishing her in one of his roundabout ways. Maybe he didn't trust her anymore to be on her own. That was probably it.

Taking a deep breath, Kyoko placed a hand on the door knob, mentally preparing herself before coming face to face with Tsuruga Ren. She would have to tell him this simply wasn't acceptable. That she needed to go home. Besides, she couldn't stand the thought of imposing on him like this or making him feel responsible for her. This was her own burden to carry.

However, before she could formulate what to say in her head, the door popped opened and a familiar face peered down at her with a surprised expression. Probably not as surprised as her own though. Shocked, Kyoko couldn't make words come out of her mouth. Apparently she wasn't prepared to talk to him yet. The silence didn't last for long though, as he started to speak.

"You don't have to force yourself. You've been asleep for a few days now."

Kyoko nearly shrieked in response.