Author Note: Just a heads up- on DeviantArt, look up Kato Skrapi and you should be able to find pics of her, Reve, and Moriko (and even Suka from a few chapters ago- Nightmares). Also, I do not own nor claim the song Why Can't I Even Dream, but my friend edited some parts of it and added her own lyrics as well.
~CWA

Chapter 10- Forested Love:

Moriko:

I was glad when it was finally the weekend. Reve never did tell me what happened to Kato- she just said it was personal. Kato refused and denied everything though. Still, I didn't have to worry about that- today was my date. Today was my date with Takashi. I was excited though the girls knew I was going on a date simply because I was dressing up. Well, dressing up for me anyway. Kato, to my despair, tried to do my hair and makeup.

In the end, I was in a nice pair of clean, new blue jeans, a light green blouse, and a darker green sweater that had the buttons opened so it was more of a jacket. Kato put my hair into slight curls and I was wearing a tiny bit of eyeliner. Then, precisely at five o'clock, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to reveal Mori- for once wasn't in the uniform. He had blue jeans and a white shirt. He was holding a bouquet of moonflowers. How did he know these were my favorite flowers? I looked to Kato and she winked at me. I smiled; of course she couldn't stay out of it.

Mori led me out, but to my surprise it wasn't a limo waiting- it was a carriage. Mori helped me up the small steps into the back of the carriage. I was excited- I couldn't stop smiling.

"I never been in a carriage before," I said with a big smile on my face.

Mori smiled back at me and he nodded at the driver. The driver took off and led us all the way out to the country. It took over an hour to get there- but it was filled with me talking about the sights. I don't think Mori minded- he looked amused. Finally, the carriage stopped outside a forest and my eyes widened. I remembered this forest.

Mori:

I led Moriko off the carriage and nodded again to the driver. I grabbed the basket that was in the carriage and carried it with me in one hand as I held Moriko's hand in the other. I made sure she knew he would be back in later tonight to get us. I was nervous, even if I didn't show it. I was glad Kato had informed me her favorite flowers were moonflowers, since I almost got her roses (which was actually her least favorite flower ironically). She was smiling the whole time and as we got closer to the forests, her smile was brighter. There were many different species of trees and flowers. It was a rather large forest. There were many cherry blossoms and I noticed she looked so beautiful. She looked like she was in her element when she was out here. It was suiting to her natural beauty.

I held her hand,

"Do you like it," I asked softly.

"I…I love it- this is wonderful," she said as she hugged her tightly, "…thank you, Takashi."
I was shocked she had actually called me by my true name and not my Mori. I kind of enjoyed it. I had my hand respectfully around her waist as we calmly strolled through the forest. There were many twists and turns and I had turned to help her over roots- but she didn't need it. I smiled slightly and continued to guide her.
"Where are we going," she asked amused.
"Here," I led her through the last part of the thick brush to reveal our destination- which I had set up part of it. It was a clearing in the forest. It was a large clearing, with even a large pond. Weeping willows draped over the pond's edges and I could hear the chirps of the birds. Underneath the largest (and driest) willow tree, I had placed a large blanket so we could lie on it.

An hour later, we were still lying under the willow tree with a few bottles of water and no food leftover. She looked so at peace though. We had taken off our shoes as to not track any mud from the pond back into the carriage. She looked so at peace that it was relaxing.

"I remember this place," she whispered as she leaned up.

She went over the edge of the pond and gently touched its surface. I looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
"My family and I used to come here- we practically lived here until we moved to America when I was about five- where I contacted Kato. But I still remember this place. We came sat under this same willow tree, every night and Mom would hold me and my little sister, Simone, in her arms as she sang. Dad would always be watching us, smiling. It wasn't always that peaceful though. During the day, we played here. I would play with locals and Simone would be playing too. Dad played with us a lot too. But every night, it was always peaceful, just like this."

She turned to look at me,
"But with you it's different…it feels like I'm at home- but it's better…it's…it's wonderful. Thanks, Takashi."

She kissed me on my cheek and I smiled slightly. I was honored that she trusted me that much that she even revealed that much of herself to me- to tell me those things about her family. She was blushing and I was slightly pink too. She giggled,

"It's funny…It was here that I learned to sign too. My parents didn't like my singing, but I love to sing."

"Moriko," I asked gently, "…would you sing something for me?"

She bit her lip,
"Uhh…everyone tends to think I have a bad voice…Kato says I don't and so does Reve…but I don't know…"

I looked at her, silently pleading. I wanted to hear her lovely singing voice. I knew it had to be wonderful if Reve said it was. She was like Kyoya- they both do not toss out compliments easy, and even then when they do- you knew they were telling the truth.

"Please," I asked.

She took a deep breath and slowly started to sing,
"Desperate and so lonely,
I've looked for you.

And left behind all that I have ever longed for."
I smiled and closed my eyes. Her voice was wonderful. It was soft and sweet- not necessarily strong or bold, but very relaxing.

"Cold winds scream through my ears like a banshee.

A freezing chill- A pain that still will forever haunt me.
Yet I have made it here
Running through all the fear.
The sadness in my heart retains the pain.
And if I fall, I've learned
That I may not return.
None of my love remains…"

I listened as she sang it passionately. She was a bit short-breathed, but she was good. I liked it.
"Yet I have made it here.
Make this pain disappear.
My one and only, Prince Charming.
And still I wonder, why can't I even dream…
Tears fall like a rainstorm I can barely see.
A twisted grin broken within. Am I going crazy?

Yet I have made it here
Holding this love, my dear.
Bearing the weight of it upon my knees.
And if I scream your name
It's not returned in same
I beg, forget me please…."

It was a bit of a sad song though.
"Yet I have made it here.
Make this pain disappear.
My one and only, Prince Charming.
And still I wonder, why can't I even-
And still I wonder, why can't I even dream?

Fears tower above me, like a dark wood.

Where have you gone? And why have you left

Me all alone? Days pass by like long years,

Dragging me, on. A twist of fate,

Returning late. You've left me,

You are gone….

Yet I have made it here,

Running through all the fear,

The fear inside my soul controls my fate.

And if I fall and die, my poor life and I,

Will still return, arriving late.

Yet I have made it here.

Make this pain disappear.

My one and only Prince Charming.

And still I wonder, why can't I even,

And still I wonder, why can't I even dream…."

I didn't realize that three minutes she had been singing. Her voice was so angelic and soft. I looked at her,
"What happened to your family?"

She looked at the ground sadly,
"I…they died not that long ago…"

I embraced her in a tight hug,
"I understand…please though, don't mourn too much over them. I never met them, but I am sure they were wonderful people and they wouldn't like to see you sad."

She looked at me with big sad eyes and we were very close. I used my hand to cup her chin and I kissed her passionately on the lips…