First Steps

                                    

                                          


                          
Chihiro was, needless to say, confused, when she woke up and found herself in a guest room in the shelter, with a certain dragon spirit seated in a chair next to her bed. He was asleep, evidently having dozed off at some point while watching over her. It was night, though she wasn't sure exactly what time it was at the moment, nor did she know how long she had slept for.  
                          
     Turning her gaze to the man next to her, she noted that his eyes were slightly swollen, the tip of his nose red. The lamps on either side of the bed were all that illuminated the room with a soft pearl glow. The shadows were caressing his face, and only his eyes were visible under the light, clearly enough to make it seem like he had little diamonds embedded in his lashes. Upon closer inspection, she realized that those were speckles of transparent droplets clinging to the tips of his long eyelashes.
                          
      Chihiro was stunned for a moment. She had no recollection of the man crying before. He was always strong, brave, never wavering. The only possible thing she could think of was that something had happened with regards to Sora. 
                          
     Right. It was her death anniversary. Grief was only to be expected. 
                          
     She thought back to earlier in the day, when she was with Shou. Right before she blacked out, she remembered hearing Sora's voice quite distinctly. Had something happened then?
                          
     Just then, she heard him stir with a low grunt in the base of his throat. She held her breath as she watched his eyes slowly open, his hand going up to his face to rub his bleary eyes. It took him a moment to realize that she was awake, and when he did, he readjusted his sitting position so he was sitting upright while mumbling an apology under his breath. He seemed more unsettled than usual. 
                          
     "You're awake," he observed in a raspy voice. "How are you feeling?"
                          
     "I feel fine," she replied, her brows furrowing slightly in concern. "What time is it? How long have I been asleep for?"
                          
     The man glanced around, raising his right palm. As he did so, the light from the lamps grew brighter, until the room was bright enough to see clearly, though it wasn't too glaring. He stepped towards the window, opening it and looking out briefly. "It's a few hours left to dawn," he answered, before walking back to his seat. "You've just been asleep for a couple of hours. Don't worry."
                          
     "I see..."
                          
     "Do you remember anything?"
                          
     Chihiro took a moment to register what he was referring to. "No, I don't," she said with a grimace. "All I remember is hearing Sora's voice before losing consciousness. Did... something happen?" she inquired, at the rather troubled look on the man's face.
                          
     There was a pregnant pause as he pondered over the question. He lowered his face, bringing his fingers to his lips and Chihiro wondered if the glossy quality in his eyes was simply her imagination. 
                          
     It took him quite a while before he cleared his throat to speak again. "I... don't really know where I should begin," he stated with a torn expression. Then he raised his head to meet her gaze. "I suppose I should start by apologizing for my abhorrent attitude towards you. You were only trying to help me out of goodwill, but all I did was turn a deaf ear and I said terrible things to you. I hope you will forgive me for behaving like that."
                          
     Her parted lips met and then they curved into a soft, gentle smile. "It's fine. I should be apologizing too. I was being insensitive to you while you were going through a difficult time."
                          
     "No, that was entirely my fault, Chihiro. You have nothing to apologize for."
                          
     "Yes, I do," she protested. "I shouldn't have forced my help onto you when you clearly weren't ready."