The light of the next morning's sun slowly crept in, gradually taking over the thick darkness. As the deepest shade of black began to fade into a lighter blue, Misaki realized he was waking up. But unlike the past umpteenth times, he felt. . . alright.
Nothing ached. He didn't feel sick. He didn't feel cold or tired or uncomfortable. He didn't have any nightmares. He had slept peacefully, and he felt nice.
A slit of green could be seen trying to appear on his delicate face.
A long and much-needed yawn escaped from his mouth as he stretched his arms and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Something was off. Why wasn't he suffering?
Memories of Akihiko came running back into his head. Memories of him being alive, right in front of him, and more handsome than ever. But by this point it had felt like a dream. Then again. . .
He took a look around the room and immediately recognized it as Akihiko's. He turned to his side to see Suzuki-san laying next to him, probably put there by Akihiko after getting out of the bed.
Misaki felt his heart glow and his cheeks blush.
It must have been real. . . but then again, it's possible I could be dead. . .
He looked down at himself to see that he was wearing Akihiko's gray turtle-necked sweater... but that was it. Just how long had he been sleeping? Blinking in confusion and making up his mind, he got out of bed and proceeded to the top of the stairs outside of the room.
As soon as he opened the door and saw the penthouse, he knew for sure that he was definitely back in Akihiko's place. But something was missing... Where was Akihiko?
"Usagi-san. . .?" Misaki called out. His voice echoed through the empty space.
He walked down the stairs, taking in the scenery of the large apartment. Everything looked surprisingly clean, unlike the last time he had first taken a look around the place. It hadn't been filthy, but there were a few places that could have been better organized.
Everything looks the same. . . the boy thought. He must not have spent a lot of time here while I was gone. . .
His features altered to a jolt when he came to a realization.
It's because he was out looking for me the entire time.
The corner of the flower's eye caught something sticking out. He turned his head to face the dining table, where there was a buffet of delivered food spread out, with a note on top. Misaki picked up the note and unfolded it to reveal its contents.
Dear Misaki,
I'm so sorry I couldn't be there when you woke up, but Aikawa dragged me to Marukawa for skipping out on work all week. I didn't fight it, knowing it was worth not working. I figured you might be hungry, so I ordered the best and most rich buffet I could find for you. Don't worry- none of it was made by me, since I can't cook worth a damn. I'm so happy you're home safe, and I'll never let anyone take you away again. I'll see you soon, sweetheart.
-Akihiko
A smile formed on Misaki's face as he hugged the note to himself.
Usagi-san. . .
He giggled at Akihiko's comment about the cooking, loving the sight of his rabbit's mature sense of humor. He remembered it from the night Akihiko had been searching for the medicine kit in his closet, and when he swore out every piece of furniture he came into contact with whilst searching for the healing cream around the house.
Misaki felt his tummy growl quietly before looking back at the food on the table. He sat down and began to eat- the author was right, he was hungry. Starving, in fact. And famished. He moaned happily as the delicious sensation filled his mouth and satisfied his senses.
He couldn't wait to see Akihiko.
But then images of the gory previous events came rushing back to his mind against his will. He clenched his heart in disgust and fear. Picturing Takana in the state he was in the last time he laid eyes on him. Misaki wondered if he was alive, and if so, if he was in jail, and he also wondered. . .
If Akihiko knew. . .
Misaki sighed. He thought he would drive Akihiko away before with a petty weak performance of confession, but this would surely drive Akihiko away. He pushed his plate away and laid his head in his arms on the table, hoping for the best. . . but preparing for the worst.
A/N Just another "I haven't forgotten" update. T^T
I hate growing up.
Make it stop.
a writer in paradise: We'll just have to see, now won't we? ^^
NezumiLovesShion: Thanks ever so much :3 I do plan ahead, I already have the ending of this story and most of the sequel planned out, the problem is with this story is that when I was first planning it, I was just writing it for my enjoyment, I wasn't publishing it publicly. So I used a lot of ideas from other fanfictions I've read and imagined those situations happening inside the story. But now that I'm posting it here, I obviously can't use those, so there's a lot of holes ^^;
Ino Death: I can't say anything about Takana yet, but I can assure you Misaki is safe from the law. It may be unrealistic, since I'm not exactly sure how that works, but in my eyes it was self defense and I don't think he should have to face charges. That and I just want Takana to suffer and Misaki not suffer. XD
Soulhearts: Thank you, I'm glad they're back together too. Complications between Misaki and the police, no. But between Misaki and Akihiko. . .we'll see. ]
ili777: Yes, I agree with you. I love that point in a relationship. (Although the somewhat OOC way I picture Misaki and Akihiko together, Misaki teases Akihiko more.) And don't you worry about the happiness. For awhile, there will only be minor drama, with the exception of the situation with Misaki's escape and everything.
OneDayPineapple: Don't know! Maybe he'll freak out. . . maybe he won't. XD We'll see! Thanks for staying interested.
PassingBye: I agree, they are very cute together ^.^
SuzukiChiyeko: Yeah, and actually I was originally planning for Yumi to tell Akihiko about it in the car that night, but I decided to let Misaki be hesitant and Akihiko wondering about it first. :]
Luna D. Ross: Thank you very much, I hope to see you keep R/R :3
TechSavvy123014: Oh my gosh I know! That ZaDr story is just. . . gah. And don't get me wrong, I love drama and angst. But I have my limits. I've read several fanfictions where there's drama throughout the whole story, but it was just like one situation that wasn't getting fixed. That's the kind of thing I like. For example; "Blindfold Sex Is Not My Friend." That's a fabulous angsty fanfiction. :'D And there can be one big long story like this one with multiple situations, but you have to space them out, you know? In that ZaDr story there was a new problem in every chapter. And I just had to stop reading at one point. XD
Lovestruck Devil: Thanks, I love Okane Ga Nai too :3 (obviously XD) ((I even kind of picture Misaki looking like Ayase but with brown hair and green eyes. . . I'm an oddball.)) And thanks a lot! I'm honored to be a favorite.
TBC,
Tiny