Well, I know you were all waiting with baited breath for this! Here it is! The next chapter :O haha. I hope you like it, sorry if you don't.

First off, in case you haven't noticed already, I write the bar and the inn as the same place (like it T.O.T) I'm quite fond of the way they had it in that game and frankly, it makes for better drama. The characters all get a much better chance to interact with each other in my opinion. If you haven't noticed that I've done this in previous chapters, Sorry for the confusion: probably should have made this fact clear in the beginning ;P

lOL! So yes, when you hear my characters saying 'the bar' and 'the inn' interchangably, that is why. They are the same place :) This chapter is extra long, it seems only fitting that my a/n should be too :P (Longest chapter yet) and i'm sorry if it's too Kathy/Owen centric: building drama and all that.

REVIEWWWWWWWW :)

My eyes shot open and I sat up quickly, tearing off the covers violently. I jumped from the unfamiliar bed and started running headlong towards the door. I didn't know where I was, but I knew it wasn't safe: If Kurt knew where I was, I wasn't safe. I had almost made it out of the room when someone caught me around the waist. His arms wrapped around me, and I was stopped abruptly.

"No!" I screamed, pulling myself away, "Kurt, no I'm sorry!" I screamed again, still trying to escape,

"Hikari, calm down! It's me, it's not Kurt: Listen to me! Stop struggling!" but the words didn't seem to make sense me: I kicked him in the stomach with the back of my foot. I felt his arms loosen their grip and I shook him off violently. He fell back and I stumbled towards to the door, getting my footing back I ran down the wooden staircase. My lungs burned and I realized tears were plastered to my face, was I really still screaming?

"Hikari?" A blonde… Kathy..? I stopped suddenly and stared wide-eyed at the cowgirl, "What's wrong? Are you hurt?" She stepped towards me tentatively, raising her hand slowly towards my face. I flinched slightly as she brushed the hair away from my cheek, "it's okay," she soothed. My eyes darted around quickly…

The bar?

"Why am I here?" I whispered: I couldn't find my full voice. It hurt to speak. She looked at me, concern painted across her face. She pursed her lips for a second before holding out her index finger to me,

"Just a second," She smiled but it seemed insincere, "Owen," she called back behind her. The familiar blacksmith appeared after a few moments, rubbing his eyes sleepily,

"What's up Kathy… it's really late so I—Oh, Hikari, you're up," He seemed to wake up immediately upon seeing me standing there. I shifted my weight, wrapping my arms tightly around my torso,

Kurt could be here at any time, I have to leave. My eyes darted to the door quickly, but Owen followed my gaze,

"Seriously? Why would you even try that…?" Owen yawned and stretched his arms up above his head before sauntering over to Kathy and I, conveniently standing in between me and the door.

"Hikari, why don't you go back upstairs and get some sleep?" Kathy suggested, taking my shoulders in each of her hands.

Upstairs?

"No!" I stepped away from her, my eyes becoming large, "No, someone's up there!" My mind flashed back to my earlier escape. Owen looked at Kathy, whose expression seemed just as frightened as mine was.

"Do you think he got past Gill?" She breathed,

"It's only been like eight hours, he couldn't have gotten here that fast," Owen said this, but was suddenly headed up the stairs, taking them two at a time. He disappeared onto the top floor and Kathy led me over to an empty table. The bar was dark and empty, I had never seen it like this: it sent shivers down my spine.

"Why are you awake?" I suddenly realized how strange this all was, "And why aren't you at home? Why isn't Owen at home? Will Owen be okay? Why aren't I at home?" My breathing became unsteady and choppy. Kathy simply smiled,

"It's okay, and don't worry about Owen: he can look out for himself... Trust me," She winked before her quiet smile returned, "Hikari, do you remember the circus?" She waited as I nodded slowly, my breathing steading again.

"Theodore..." I whispered, feeling a hot tear spill down my cheek, "Kurt is coming isn't he?"

"We don't know," Kathy said plainly, obviously trying to disguise the severity of the situation, "But you fainted, so we decided you should stay here tonight. Gill was all bend outta shape about it so Owen and I agreed to stick around. Stupid sleepy blacksmith on the other-hand went to bed, leaving me out here alone," She pouted but it seemed off. Kathy was putting on a show and wasn't very good at doing it. I was just about to make that remark when I heard a booming laugh from above us. Owen was walking back down the stairs, followed by an unhappy looking Gill,

"You got your ass handed to you by a girl," Owen tilted his head back and laughed again,

"Okay, first of all, she works on a farm so she's tough, and secondly I did not get my-Hikari!" Gill rushed over to my side the second he saw me, "Are you okay?" He knelt beside the chair I was sitting in and took my hand in his,

"That was you?" I asked quietly, my eyebrows furrowing... everything seemed so cloudy now...

"Yeah," he let out a breath of air resembling a laugh, but soon became serious again, "You were having a nightmare I think," He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed it lightly, "Are you okay now?" I blinked a few times before throwing my arms around his neck, pulling him towards me. I sobbed into his shoulder heavily. I don't know how long we stayed like that… He somehow managed to stand, and was carrying me back into the room bridal style... I must have fallen asleep on his shoulder. The nightmares didn't stop.

Kathy's P.O.V

I wasn't really sure what was going on, but I didn't like it. One second, everyone is sitting watching the circus: Owen's got his arm around me and I'm loving it. The next, Hikari is screaming, Gill is carrying her out of the tent and the Ringleaders eyes are like dinner plates,

"Hikari?" Theodore had shouted as Gill left with her. He ran out after them, shouting her name and laughing.

"So... I guess the circus is canceled?" Owen leaned over, whispering in my ear while laughing quietly. I shot him a dirty look but he just sighed, "Yeah, let's follow them,"

"Thanks," I smiled at him, again happy that Owen knew me so well... it seemed better than I knew myself sometimes. He followed a few paces behind as I hurried quickly out of the tent after Gill. It took us a little while to find them but when we did Hikari was laying on the ground and Gill was frantic as he held her on his lap. After a few minutes of him tip-toeing around the subject, he finally explained what was going on. I could tell he was worried about whether he should reveal Hikari's past, but after finding out she had already told me her story he was more than willing to tell us what went down,

"So Kurt is probably coming," I breathed, tugging on my hair.

"Whose Kurt?" Owen asked stupidly; Gill and I were too preoccupied to notice,

"I would assume as much, if Theodore tells Kurt than I don't see why he wouldn't come after her,"

"Why would he come after her?" Owen was ignored again,

"Well... do we know when he's going to back Flower Bud village?" I asked, crinkling my nose,

"Where's Flower Bud village?"

"It's difficult to say when he will," Gill closed his eyes, pressing his fingers to his temples, "It could be weeks, it could be hours: he might not even tell them at all,"

"Do you think she's in trouble?" I asked, looking down at Hikari's face: this was one of my best friends. I had to help kick the crap out of Kurt.

"Why would she be in trouble?" Owen. I sighed heavily,

"Like I said, I don't know. But if I meet this Kurt guy he-"

"DAMMIT TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON!" Owen suddenly shouted, making himself look more like a big buffoon than usual. Gill and I stared at him for a few seconds before I rolled my eyes,

"Don't be such a princess Owen, I'll fill you in at the bar," I sighed,

"The bar?" Gill asked,

"Yeah, well I mean, it would make more sense for her to stay there tonight right? We can make sure she wakes up okay, and if Kurt decides to show up, we'll see him before she does," I shrugged and Owen glared at me, obviously frustrated. I couldn't really imagine why though, he usually didn't seem to care about going along with a plan: even if the details were few. Gill paused for a moment before nodding,

"You're right, it'll be better for her to wake up with us around: I don't want her to panic or anything. As for Kurt," He said his expression darkening, "We don't even know if he will show up, and I'm quite positive it won't be this soon if he does. We need to think of a better plan that can last a little longer: but for tonight, yes, she should stay at the Inn," he nodded briefly to himself before gathering Hikari in his arms. I smiled at him in approval: he really did care about Hikari, and I was happy that one my best friends was being looked after by such a good guy. I gave him an awkward side hug, wanting to express my appreciation for him. Gill blushed and mumbled something I couldn't quite make out.

Owen didn't say anything as we walked to the Inn. Even as I filled in Jake and Colleen about the situation (with minimal detail) he remained silent. It freaked me out; Owen was the loud one, he was always either sympathizing with me, offering advice, or laughing his loud, warm laugh. But now he was quiet. Gill had put Hikari to bed, and was staying with her until she woke up: I warned him that I wouldn't tolerate any Hanky-Panky if he was staying up there with her, to which he sputtered an embarrassed affirmation about how he,

"Would never even think of-" to which I laughed loudly. I expected Owen to chyme in, but he didn't. We walked back down to the bar in silence again. He sat down at a barstool, looking away from me,

"Okay, I can tell you why this is all happening now," I said, crossing my arms and leaning my back on the bar beside him. He just looked away,

"I don't care," he mumbled,

"What do you mean you 'don't care,' don't give me that crap," I laughed but it soon died away when I realized he wasn't kidding, "What's with you?" I sighed, frustrated.

"Nothing,"

"Tell me,"

"No,"

"Come on,"

"It's nothing!"

"Owen!" I stomped my foot, frustrated, "It's me!" He sighed before turning to face me, shaking his head,

"I don't like it," He said, staring at the ground,

"Don't like what?"

"I don't like..." He paused for a moment and looked up at my face, "You having all this little secrets with Gill, what the hell is with that Kathy? It's like you two always have something going on that I can't know about," I stared at him, dumbfounded.

"What the heck are you talking about," I asked, putting my fierce face on; wishing it still worked on Owen,

"Whatever," He said, turning back to the bar, "Give me some scotch or something," I barked a laugh at him,

"Like hell I'm getting you a drink. It's my night off, and by the way, you're being a jerk," I pushed myself off the bar and started walking into the kitchen. I stopped short of the door, turning towards him, "And by the way Owen, the only reason I have 'secrets' with Gill is because Hikari decided to tell both of us what was going on in her life," Owen looked over at me, clearly upset. I felt my heart wrench a little, a feeling I hardly felt: working in a bar did that to you. I bit my lip apprehensively, taking a step towards him and exhaling, "Hikari..."

"You don't have to tell me," Owen interrupted, standing up and pulling himself over the top of the bar. He nearly vaulted over and I heard his boots hit the floor with a loud Thunk. I watched him in silence as he reached up for the glass bottle filled with thick brown liquid,

"Hikari's parents died in a fire and everything was gone, a week later her boyfriend beat the crap out of her and she ran away," I said it all rather quickly, and loudly. Owen's eyes grew wide as he put the bottle down on the bar,

"And that guy is Kurt?" He asked evenly, his anger had seemed to evaporate,

"Yeah," I breathed, walking back over to the bar, "And Theodore was the mayor: if he goes back and tells Kurt she's here... well... She didn't tell him she was leaving: just kinda... did. He's probably pissed," I sat down on the stool and pulled off the stopper of the bottle, "I just don't want Hikari to get hurt, yah know?" I took a swig and winced. Owen chuckled slightly at my reaction to the strong drink as I handed it over to him. He took a swing before leaning his arms on the bar across from me. There was a small distance between us,

"How about I kill him?" He asked, grinning a little,

"That'd be very good, thanks," I said, returning the smile. He reached up and brushed my left cheek with his fingers,

"Sorry," he mumbled, closing his eyes and leaning his forehead against mine, "I didn't mean to freak out. I just don't like it when you have secrets with other guys," His forehead was warm, and I grinned at the Blacksmiths expression. Owen really was the greatest. His eyes opened slowly and he leaned back, grinning his stupid grin again,

"It's okay," I said, taking another drink from the bottle, I coughed a little, "Jealous Owen is pretty cute," I winked at him as he took the bottle once more. He smiled slightly,

"So we're camping out here for the night?" He asked, taking a much longer drink than I had,

"Seems that way," I stood up and brushed my skirt off, "It's probably going to be boring," I tugged at my hair, removing a few blonde strands. I watched them float slowly to the floor,

"Well then, let's do something great!" he suddenly bellowed, jumping to stand on top of the bar,

"Owen! Get down! You'll wake up Hikari," I grabbed his hand and tugged fruitlessly on his arm. He just laughed,

"Fine, be boring," He jumped down and sat on the barstool, "Get me a glass, I feel gross just drinking out of this," he said, swirling the glass bottle around in his hand before taking another drink. I smiled at him lightly,

"Not happening," I winked, "Like I said, night off. Circus and all that," Owen blinked at me twice before leaning towards me,

"Are we lovers?" he whispered,

"What?" I gasped, stepping backwards, Where the heck is this coming from?

"At the flower festival Selena said we were lovers, remember?" He grinned at me stupidly,

"I don't remember," I lied, walking through the kitchen to be behind the counter, fetching Owen a glass: I didn't want to be having this conversation right now, "You were probably drunk," A fairly common excuse that I would use with Owen, one that usually worked too. I poured the liquid into the tumbler.

"I wasn't, I remember. You wouldn't kiss me," He brought his glass up to his mouth but paused before it touched. He held it suspended as he looked up at me, "Am I really that bad?" I blinked at him, frozen,

"N-no," I sputtered, "It's not..." I stopped, wanting Owen to cut me off, wanting him to laugh and say he was kidding... I didn't want to tell him like this: tipsy Owen blabbering on about how we were lovers. It just seemed so... stereotypical that a barmaid should have to hear it like this. He just looked at me, waiting to hear my answer. I stomped my foot, "Nope, not happening,"

"What do you mean?" he blinked,

"This is not how this is going to be," I slid over the top of the bar quickly to stand beside him. Stupid big blacksmith was the same height as me sitting down when I was standing up. It didn't seem fair, "I'm not going to just... pour my heart out to some drunken-"

"I'm not drunk," he grinned, "I can hold my liquor, I'm not a five foot nothing skinny, blonde waitress," he laughed loudly and I sighed, shooting him a glare,

"So help me I will cut you off right now," I threatened reaching for his glass. He held it out of my reach and laughed again,

"When is Hikari going to wake up? I'm bored of having to deal with the help here, they're moody and can't say how they really feel," I chose to ignore the last part of his comment,

"She's only been sleeping for like two hours Ore-for-brains."

"I'm trying to be funny here Kathy," He rolled his eyes,

"Yeah, trying being the key word," He glared at me and I laughed in a way I knew he would appreciate.

"You're a tease,"

"You're a drunk,"

"At least I'm fun,"

"I can be fun!" I leaned in to shout in his face but he just chuckled,

"Prove it," he stood up to tower over me, his stupid smile that I liked way too much still plastered on his face. I paused for a moment, pursing my lips,

"Well," I said, leaning towards him, my best Selena face on, "I could..." I saw the light pink rise into his cheeks: a look I knew few had seen from Owen. It made me almost feel bad about the fact that there was no way in hell I was letting him off that easy, "But I'd rather not,"

"What? Why?" He sputtered, clearly disappointed,

"I have to differentiate myself between Selena, and as much as I know you love her-"

"I don't love Selena," he interrupted, taking another swallow of his drink.

"Okay, sorry, as much as every man in this town fondles her with their eyes, you included, I don't want to be that girl that just makes out with every random drunk guy that comes waltzing in here-"

"They don't, I don't, she doesn't and don't be difficult," He drank again, finishing his glass, "I'm not just some guy that came waltzing in here," He turned to look at me, flashing me his smile, "I'm the guy who came waltzing in here," I scowled at him but he stepped in front of me, taking a few quick steps so that I was pinned between him and the bar,

"Don't be stupid," I said, making a face up at him, "You're Owen. Stupid, goofy, drunken Owen," I looked up expecting him to back off, or at least look a little hurt. Instead he wrapped his arms around my waist and leaned in, resting his forehead on top of mine again,

"Yeah," He breathed, his eyes closed but his smile still there, "And you're Kathy. Smart, perfect, gorgeous Kathy," It wasn't sarcastic: which surprised me considerably. He pulled me in tight and embraced me in a tight bear hug. I felt my arms wrap around him in return and nuzzled my head into the crook of his neck,

"Guess so," I mumbled happily, standing on my tippy toes to plant a soft, warm kiss squarely on his lips. It was short, not an super intense harlequin romance kinda kiss, just a nice, simple, easy one. Owen grinned, and I moved away from him, nervously tucking my hair behind my ear. He looked at me for a moment and then yawned.

"I'm tired, I worked hard today. Mind if I crash for a while?" He playfully tousled my hair as he walked over to the back room,

"Whatever, if I get attacked by a crazy ex-boyfriend of Hikari's, my blood is on your hands," I winked at him as he tilted his hand back and laughed,

"Trust me, no one would mess with you. You're scary," He laughed again before disappearing into the back room. He peaked his head out from the door quickly, "Oh, and thanks for the kiss," he winked at me and I felt myself flush,

"Yeah... well... it doesn't mean I'm your girl!" I shouted back, picking up his glass and bringing it over to the kitchen. I heard Owen laugh loudly as the door shut behind him. I sat at the bar for about an hour, I only fell asleep once, but I must have slept for a bit. I didn't wake up until I heard a clatter from upstairs. Hikari was screaming loudly and she soon thundered down the stairs.

I know, I know, I'm terrible! I introduce the possibilty that Kurt could be coming back, and dash your hopes by writing a chapter that is very OwenxKathy, FORGIVE ME!

I love this pairing very much (If you haven't already noticed). Two stubborn people fighting each others stubborness. It's awesome.

Do not fear, my readers, for I will soon do another chapter and it will be awesome,

Tell me what you thought! Review! Love you guys!