Why did I have to pass out at the most inopportune times...

I stared at Doumeki's grandfather for a moment, not sure what to say. But.. this was Doumeki's grandfather; who would know better about Doumeki Shizuka then Doumeki Haruka?

He was smiling, as he was always in a pleasant mood, just about every time I saw him him these dreams. I wished Doumeki Shizuka would smile more too.

"You look upset, Watanuki-kun. What's wrong?" Haruka asked, breaking the silence.

I looked up at him, a deep frown set on my face.

"It's about Shizuka, isn't it?" he asked with a sigh.

I only nodded in response, but I could feel the tears already. Haruka stepped forward, using a finger to dry my tears like he had before. Why couldn't his grandson do that? I couldn't believe I actually wanted Doumeki to be affectionate when not too long ago I was yelling at him for being such a jerk, a gluttonous jerk.

"He's been ignoring me, and I don't know why," I finally replied as the tears began to fall more freely."He won't even tell me what I did; he wants me to figure it out on my own."

"Did you say something to him that might have offended him?"

"Well, I always yell at him, but that never made him act like this before. I don't understand him at all, but I want him to talk to me. I need him."

Haruka nodded, "Then maybe you should tell him how you feel."

"Do you think that would help at all?"

"I'm sure it would. He is probably waiting for you to say so."

"Doumeki wants to hear me say that?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe," I repeated, looking at the ground. Could I tell him? Would he share those feelings? Or would he continue to ignore me?

"Haruka-san. It's weird, but... I think I might be in love with him."

And then he laughed. Haruka was actually laughing. Did he think it was weird that I might be in love with his grandson?

I looked away, feeling a bit embarrassed. I had actually said that, and I couldn't take it back.

He came closer still and I looked back at him as he patted my shoulder.

"You really are a good boy, Watanuki-kun."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My eyes fluttered open. I was in a bed. The bed I used at Yuuko's. Were was Doumeki?

I stood up, letting my eyes adjust to the dim light as something fuzzy slid up my legs. It tickled.

"Mugetsu."

The little pipe fox rested at my neck and I patted him on the head.

I let out a sad laugh. I really had just admited that I was in love with Doumeki. Of course the person I had told had been dead for years, so he wouldn't be telling anyone soon, so it was more like I was admiting it to myself. And what scared me the most was that it was most likely true.

The pipe fox was nuzzling my neck now, and he seemed to be worried. I smiled, swinging my legs over the bed and standing up.

I was tired, very tired, and I didn't know if I should be out of bed right now, but I had to see Doumeki, I had to talk to him. No matter what, I had to see Doumeki now.

I walked down the hall to the door, looking for my shoes, and quickly slipping them on and tying the laces so I could go to the temple where Doumeki lived. I didn't know if I could make it, I was so tired, but I had to go!

"Watanuki-kun."

I turned around to see Yuuko, my eyes filling with tears again.

"I don't think you should be going out now, you should be in bed."

"I have to talk to Doumeki!" I yelled back.

I knew I didn't need to yell right now, that I was being impatient, over dramatic, and many more things I'm sure that would apply, but I simply did not care.

"Forgive me, Yuuko-san," I stated curtly, then ran out the door, letting the night engulf me.

(Next Chapter) ( Previous Chapter)
(Chapter 1)