The cold, winter wind, despite the drapes and the rumbling heating system outside, has penetrated the thin walls of the house. I shiver even as I gather up the hall closet blankets for the family rooms.

"Ah, Capulet-san!" Morino-same appears suddenly, placing a light hand on my shoulder.

"Hm?" I turn and smile at my mistress, like I'm supposed to. Being the good little fake maid I am.

"How was your first day?"

I'm surprised she cares. I guess I always thought the people in charge didn't care about their minor staff members on a personal level, but she seems to.

"Oh, very good. Everyone here is very kind to me." Very true. Jared's a little too kind.

"Wonderful. Just thought I would check up on you. I know it must be scary away from home. You're only… how old?" She asks.

"Sixteen, Morino-sama."

"Very young. That is my son's age. But I can't imagine having him so far from home, all by himself." She smiles kindly. Her pity, though well meant, irritates me in all honesty.

"He must be very comfortable here. Your house is wonderful." I say carefully.

"Well… As a matter of fact, he does seem a bit sad." She sighs.

"Perhaps it would be good for him to be around more people his age, but the village is mostly for the elderly. Hey!" She gasps.

"Um, would you mind perhaps… meeting him? Normally I wouldn't encourage servant relations. It tends to distract those involved from working, but if he could just have a companion, maybe it would cheer him up. If you don't want to, I completely understand, but as a mother it would be very helpful." She looks at me hopefully.

Oh my God. This is perfect!

"Really?!... I mean, that would be nice… I get lonely too…"

"Great! Come with me, Capulet-san." She beams. It's obvious she is worried about him. She really does love him.

She guides me up the stairs. The darkness of the evening sends shivers down my spine. Or maybe it's the excitement. Who cares?! I'm finally going to see Ryoshi!

Morino-san knocks on the third door from the left hall.

"Come in." Ryoshi's voice is weary and, well… sad.

Morino-sama gently opens the door. My eyes fall on Ryoshi.

He is sitting on his bed, a book in his lap. He glances up at us. Glances back down.

"Ryoshi, I would like you to meet Capulet Emi. She's a maid, but you guys are both teenagers, so I thought maybe you'd like some company around here…"

Ryoshi sighs. He looks up at me.

He flashes me an obviously fake half-smile.

"Nice to meet you."

No recognition is in his eyes.

"Hello Ry—um, Morino-san." I stare deeply into his eyes, trying to make a connection.

HELLO?! IT'S ME! RYOKO! PLEASE SAY YOU RECONGNIZE ME!

"No, I'm sorry." Why doesn't he recognize me?!

My lips press together as a jab of pain pricks my gut.

Only two days, and he has forgotten me? I went all this way, used my gifts, and slaved in his house… for nothing? Not even a smile that isn't filled with disappointment. His disinterest is obvious.

The sound of Ryoshi's voice is locked permanently in my heart, cherished. Obviously I'd never say that to anyone, but...I thought… I thought he felt the same about mine.

Pain explodes in my chest. My eyes fill with tears.

"Um, it was nice meeting you… please excuse me, Morino-sama and Morino-san. Those sheets won't fold themselves…" I smile weakly, bow, and push past them, into the hall. I run as fast as I can, tears spilling down my face.

I throw myself on my bed. The tears don't stop.

Why? Why has he done this?

A bitter voice beside me whispers.

"See. Didn't I tell you, you idiot?! Never give your trust to anyone. You didn't listen, and that's why your heart is still lying broken on the floor of the Otogi Bank HQ. You're a fool. Never make this mistake again. Lock yourself up. You're safe in the dark, away from things like love and trust. It might be lonely, but isn't that better than the way you are now, torn and bleeding?"

My mind shows me Ryoshi being my shield, Ryoshi holding me, Ryoshi smiling… I fight the voice.

"No," I gasp. "It's not better. And this… this can't be over…" I sob.

"It is." The voice sneers, "It is over, and so are you."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The shrill scream of my alarm tears me from the nightmare. I lurch upwards, and switch it off before anyone else can hear. My face is wet with… are they tears?!

This is ridiculous. I had no reason to dream any of that. I definitely didn't have any reason to cry. But what sucks is how much it hurt, even though none of it even happened... The ghost of the desperation, though faint now, tugs at my heart worriedly. Thank God. It wasn't real.

I check the time. Two o'clock, just as I set the alarm for. Time to go see Ryoshi.

I crawl out of bed without turning on the lamp, and slowly walk to the door, my steps like the intricate footwork of ballerinas, my toes gracefully and silently meeting the hardwood floors. My palm meets the cold brass doorknob and slowly… slowly… turns it, then releases.

I am in the hall.

The darkness is all consuming and terrible. I hate the feeling that I'm being blindsided. Childish, stupid fears pinch and poke my mind. You're all alone in the dark, they say. You don't know this place. Any minute, some unseen claws will reach out and snare you!

Maybe, I reply. Maybe. But I shut my eyes and block out the fears, irritated by myself. I focus instead on Ryoshi, as I feel my way to the staircase, then gradually climb them. So far… so good. Not a single—

CREEEAK!

I cringe and press against the side of the stairs in the darkness. I remember visiting my grandmother's and sneaking downstairs as quietly as I could, but a single creak gave me away. I imagine Morino-sama coming up, but nope—nothing happens…

Now comes the hard part. I'm at the top, and I feel down the left hallway wall. My stomach knots nervously. If I miscount the doors, I'll end up in Morino-sama's room! I touch the first doorknob soundlessly. My hand slides down. It meets the second. I take a deep breath as silently as possible. I touch the third doorknob-

Creeeeeeaaaaak!

The fourth door opens wide. In a flash I squish myself flat as a board into the shadows.

Oh shit! Don't. Breathe, I scream at myself.

A yawning Morino-sama stumbles through the doorway. She blindly walks in the direction of the bathroom, down the hall. As soon as she goes inside, I release my shaky breath, and, more determined than ever, mutely open Ryoshi's door. I creep inside.

The moonlight pours in through his undraped window, bathing his room in the pale shimmer of the night. His bed is large. The moon provides just enough luminescence for me to see him.

His dark hair is swept over his pillow. He is covered by a plain navy blue night shirt, and a comforter that I have to admit looks much softer than my own blue and white sheets. For some reason I feel a jab of disappointment. I don't know why! It's not like I was hoping he'd be… I don't know, shirtless, or anything…!

His face is kissed by the moonlight. His lips, which look strangely welcoming, are parted in sleep, his eyes closed softly. I wonder what he dreams about.

I don't realize that I've kneeled beside his bed, facing him, until I watch my hand reach out to brush some of his hair from his face. I stop myself. I'm being weird.

I move to gently shake him awake… but I can't. He looks so… peaceful. I would feel almost cruel for waking him.

Argh! Get it together, Ryoko!

I reach out again—but something else stops me.

I hesitate, then try again. I almost touch him, but then I pull back. What… what is my problem…?! Something prods my subconscious insistently.

You're afraid, my inner Ringo says sadly. After all this, you're still a coward… aren't you?! You're afraid that he has forgotten you! And that he'll send you away! And you know what else?

Don't say it!, I command the voice.

You're afraid to love him.

The room is silent. The ceiling fan spins round and round, the gentle humming background noises singing a soothing, mysterious duet with the crickets outside his window.

You're right, I say pathetically. I'm not ready enough.

I need more time.

Sighing silently, I gaze down at Ryoshi, my arm resting on the side of his bed.

You told me you would wait for me. I cannot make you see me now, but I will keep trying. For you.

I stand up, gently. Lightning fast, because he is asleep, I do something Okami Ryoko would only do if she is alone, in the night, with the boy she loves, where no one but her will ever know. I do something Okami Ryoko would only do if she is in pajamas that were given to her by someone who thinks her name is Emi, and if she works with people who think she is literally, a Sweetheart. I do something she would only do in a whole, different life, with entirely different circumstances that don't belong to anyone named Okami Ryoko. Something she would do only in a situation where the only thing that is really hers is the sleeping boy she is staring down at, the moon lighting up her coffee colored irises.

I brush a kiss, light as the wings of a moth on a window sill, onto Ryoshi's soft cheek.

I will come back again tomorrow, Ryoshi.