Musashi stopped running once she reached the location of the air balloon, which was out of eyesight from the camp. She looked towards the horizon, as the sun had begun to set beautifully behind the treeline. A small breeze brushed past her, and she wrapped her arms tightly around herself to maintain warmth. She began to sob quietly, overwhelmed by her feelings of guilt. She allowed the tears to freely fall while she contemplated her next move and how to face Kojiro after all of this.
She felt someone's arms wrap around her shoulders from behind, pulling her close.
"It's OK, Musashi," Kojiro's voice whispered into her ear as he held her close to him. He felt Musashi's tense shoulders relax, once she realized it was him. He continued to hold her until her crying had subsided. They both said nothing as the sun continued to set in front of them. Once Kojiro was sure that Musashi had calmed down, he spoke to her softly.
"If you want to go back to Dr. White, it's OK. I know you love him and I just want you to be happy. We can take you back to him-"
"IDIOT!" Musashi cried, as she whirled around to face him, breaking his hold on her. She shoved him with enough force to send him stumbling backwards. "I already told you, I don't want Dr. White! Why don't you listen to me?"
"But I thought…" Kojiro wondered aloud before being interrupted by Musashi again.
"I know about the nightmares you've been having lately!" she cried. "And I'm sorry I'm the cause of them. But you have to understand that I've made my decision to leave White and stay with the Rocket gang!"
Musashi searched Kojiro's eyes, which still looked pained. She knew that explanation wasn't going to be enough. "I need you to forgive me, for bringing such pain to you. I know you care about me...and I want you to know that...I care about you too!" Musashi cried out, beginning to flush around her cheeks. "I didn't leave Dr. White because I pitied both you and Nyasu. I wanted to be with you because I choseyou," she realized what she just said and flushed deeper. "A-and Nyasu," she added quickly.
Kojiro approached her and suddenly pulled her into an embrace. His hold was only making Musashi feel more emotional as the tears began to form in her eyes again. As Kojiro nuzzled his face against hers, he said softly, "Do you want to know why those nightmares were so painful to me?" he asked her. He felt her nod her head. "Because," he continued. "I told the Musashi in my dreams that I love her."
Musashi gently pulled away to look at Kojiro in surprise. "You told me-in the dream that you...love me?" she asked
"Yeah," Kojiro admitted. "But she still left me. That's why...I'm afraid to tell the realMusashi the same thing."
Musashi took a moment to register what Kojiro just said. Then, she smiled and threw her arms around Kojiro to hug him once more, only tighter. "I won't leave you again." she murmured as she gave him an assuring squeeze. "What can I do to show you I'm sorry?"
"Kiss me back," Kojiro said softly.
"What?" Musashi asked, confused. "How could I-"
Musashi was interrupted by Kojiro's fingers gently gripping her chin to tilt her face to him as he pressed his lips to hers. Initially startled, she remembered what Kojiro had just said to her and responded to his kiss with enthusiasm, using her hands to pull Kojiro's face to hers.
It was a quick kiss, but enough to have a lasting effect on the both of them. Both appeared to be stunned afterwards. Musashi tucked a lock of hair behind her ear shyly. "Oy," she said playfully. "Now who's being oddly affectionate?"
Kojiro beamed at her, feeling proud of himself again. "When you're affectionate, it's odd. But me, it's more acceptable. For example... " he wrapped his arms around Musashi and leaned in to kiss her again.
Musashi stopped him with her hand, and he paused, looking affronted. "Wait," Musashi said teasingly. "I have something for you." She took his hand to lead him back to the campsite.
"You do?" he asked excitedly as he followed after her, hand in hand. "What is it?"
"I have to show you," she said, rolling her eyes. She looked back at him proudly adding, "And I madeit!"
"Wow!" Kojiro exclaimed, feeling special that she made something for him. "Now I really want to know what it is."
They arrived back at the camp and stopped once they got near Musashi's sleeping bag and belongings. She left Kojiro standing nearby and bounded over to her bag to find the Dreamcatcher that she made. She found it, pulled it out and stood up, thrusting it towards Kojiro. "Ta-daa!" she announced.
Kojiro took it, giving it a curious look. He took note of the emerald green beads and lavender feathers and chuckled. "Did you try to make a lookalike of me?" he asked her.
"No," she huffed impatiently at him as Kojiro dangled it in front of himself in amusement.
"It's a Dreamcatcher!" she explained. "I found some ladies making them when i was in town. They told me it's from Native American culture. It's supposed to trap bad dreams when you sleep. So, you won't have nightmares anymore!"
Kojiro stood for a moment quietly looking at her. Musashi looked nervously from the Dreamcatcher to him, unable to read the way he was looking at her. "You don't like it?" she asked.
Kojiro put the Dreamcatcher in his pocket and advanced towards Musashi. She eyed the Dreamcatcher in Kojiro's pocket. She pouted, "It's supposed to work when you hang it over your head, not in your-"
Kojiro's lips crashed onto Musashi's once more as he laced his fingers into hers and held her firmly against the tree behind her. Both continued to kiss each other's lips passionately for a few moments until Kojiro felt Musashi struggle against him. He pulled away, panting for air as he looked into her eyes questionably.
"I need my hands," she said playfully.
"Oh," Kojiro realized and released Musashi's hands. "Sorry."
Musashi immediately cupped his face with her hands and planted a soft kiss on his lips. "I'm not," she said, blushing. She pulled away, looking at Kojiro with a pout. "But what about your Dreamcatcher?" she asked.
"Musashi, I love the Dreamcatcher," he gushed. "But I don't need it anymore!"
Musashi looked at him in surprise and was about to say something when Kojiro held his finger to her lips, making her grunt in annoyance.
"Now that I have you, I don't think I'll be having any more bad dreams." Kojiro admitted. Musashi crossed her arms playfully and turned away from him.
"Huh?" she replied. "What makes you think that you have me?"
Kojiro took one of her hands gently to pull her towards him, a mischievous look flashed in his eyes. He was about to lean in to kiss her when Nyasu cried out.
"Nyah! How's one supposed to get any sleep around here?!"
Musashi and Kojiro cringed and broke apart, feeling sheepish. "We better get some sleep," Musashi admitted. She gave Kojiro's hand an affectionate squeeze before walking over to her sleeping bag. She had just finished crawling in when she heard Kojiro rustling next to her. She looked over to him. "What are you doing?" she asked. Kojiro eyed Nyasu before looking back at her.
"I need my Dreamcatcher, remember?" he said with pleading eyes. "You don't want me to have nightmares again, do you?"
"I guess not," Musashi said, yawning. She made a motion with her arm for him to place his sleeping bag next to her. "Come on then."
Kojiro placed his bag next to her and curled up alongside her, his eyes remained on Musashi as he began to drift off to sleep. "Good night Musashi," he whispered as he wrapped one arm around her for comfort
"Good night, Kojiro," she replied. Then, with a hint of sarcasm she said to him, "Sweet dreams."
And that's exactly what Kojiro had. The nightmares didn't come back that night, and never returned again.