Musashi wandered towards the town. She wanted to find Nyasu to see if she could hear his side of the story, since Kojiro said that they were both together the whole time she was with Dr. White. She chastised herself as she fought the tears that streamed down her cheeks. Damn him!She thought as she walked aimlessly down the dirt road towards the lights of the nearby town in the distance. Why am I getting so worked up about what he said? So what if he thinks that I should go back to Dr. White? I can't anyway...not that I want to...She nearly walked into a sign. She paused to read it. WELCOME TO GARDENIA TOWN.
Gardenia town huh? Musashi thought as she began to walk through the streets, looking for a nearby store. Might as well get some more supplies if I'm going to be taking off. Ohh! What am I saying? I can't leave Kojiro. His nightmares of me might just get worse. Speaking of which, he never told me what they were about…
Musashi suddenly stopped in her tracks. She just realized Kojiro's nightmares didn't start until after they left the area that Dr. White was at! She just remembered that Kojiro had known about her decision to want to stay with White all along. Kojiro had seen her with White and overhead her decision to leave the Rocket gang for him! And didn't Nyasu tell me this morning that Kojiro had startled both of them because he mentioned that I was gone?He must be having nightmares of me leaving them!She swayed in place, feeling dizzy and overwhelmed.
So that's why he's screaming out my name! He's calling out to me to come back! It's my fault...Musashi thought sadly. She looked around and noticed that she had walked into a store. She heard voices coming from one of the back rooms. She began to talk towards the back and noticed that the door to one of the rooms was open. Musashi peered around the corner. "Hello?" she called out
There were women of different ages sitting in a circle at a table. They were weaving string in a web-like pattern around hoops. Feathers and beads adorned the hoops in pretty patterns. One of the women took notice of Musashi and called out to her.
"Sorry Miss," she said. "The store is closed for the day. Unless you're here for the craft class."
"Craft?" she asked, walking in curiously. "What are you making?" she asked, intrigued by the beauty of the different colored beads and feathers.
"Have a seat," waved the woman who had spoken to her. "Join us! I can tell that you are fascinated by our Dreamcatchers."
Musashi walked over and sat next to the woman. "Dreamcatchers?"
"Yes," the woman replied, pushing some of the craft items over to Musashi. "They come from Native American culture. It is said that if you hang one of these above where you sleep, it catches any bad dreams from entering the mind."
"Really?!" cried Musashi, clapping her hands together. "I can use one of those. Can I have one?"
"You," the woman said, passing Musashi a hoop and some string. "Can make one."
Musashi's face fell in disappointment. "But," she admitted. "I don't know how to make one."
"That's why we hold these craft sessions," the woman explained. "To teach how to make different things. I'll show you."
Musashi watched and mimicked as the woman and the others around her made their Dreamcatchers. She became frustrated at times, but someone made sure to re-direct her when she was having trouble. Musashi smiled warmly as she picked out emerald colored beads for her design, Like Kojiroshe thought. I hope this helps him.
Once the class was over, Musashi held up her beautiful new Dreamcatcher with emerald green beads and lavender feathers. She giggled as it swayed in the wind, reminding her of someone very special. She thanked the others before she made her way back to camp. The sky was already getting darker as the sun was getting ready to set in the next half hour. How long was I gone?She wondered as she stepped foot into the campsite.
"Kojiro!" she called. "I have something for you-"
She looked and saw Nyasu and Kojiro were sound asleep in their bags. "Already?" she cried out in disappointment. She stormed over to her bag to stuff the Dreamcatcher in. Guess I'll have to surprise him latershe thought, annoyed.
She noticed the roaring fire in the center of their campsite and smiled affectionately at Kojiro, who was sound asleep, but looked worn out. She shivered at the blast of cold evening air that hit her and began making her way towards the fire.
Kojiro, on the other hand, began to toss and turn in his sleep, his face grimacing at the unpleasant dream he was having. He began to break out in sweat once more as he began to murmur incoherently.
"Mu-Musashi!" he cried out.
Musashi immediately stood up and ran to him. "Not another nightmare!" she cried as she placed her hands on his shoulders to shake him awake.
"MUSASHI!" Kojiro cried out, not waking up even as Musashi shook him.
"Kojiro!" she cried. "I'm here! Wake up!"
"Musashi!" he shouted once more, less intensely as he was starting to come to.
Musashi took his face in her hands gently.
"It's fine, Kojiro," she said softly. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
Kojiro took a moment to register that he was having another nightmare and the real Musashi was before him. He had just awoken from the most intense nightmare, yet. Once he realized Musashi was still with him, tears began to stream down his cheeks as he began to sob.
Musashi was taken aback. She released his face and began to back up. "What have I done to you?" she whispered in anguish as the full force of guilt hit her for what she had put him through the past 2 days. "What have I done?" She realized she was unable to control her own tears as they began to flow from her eyes. In a panic, she fled towards the air balloon just over the hill nearest them. She didn't want to let Kojiro see her in this state, let alone face him after what she realized what she had done. I'm such a monstershe thought as she ran towards the air balloon.