The Innocent Cat (Sequel To The Second Cat)

The Dream

Nikki' s P.O.V.

I woke up underneath what seemed to be a ginormous willow tree hovering over me. A few leaves dangled over my face, tickling my nose, and cruising me to sneeze. I got up, then brushed off some strands of grass that was covering my...clothes? For some strange reason I was wearing clothes and I wasn't in my usual pajamas.

"What the...?" I questioned myself while raising an eyebrow. I began to glance around, noticing I was in an area that I've never seen before. How did I even get here? Did I sleepwalk? But, then again, how could I dressed myself in my sleep...that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

I started to walk around the area. I couldn't sense anyone around me, so my cat abilities were useless, except my hearing. Everything was quiet though; all you could hear were the birds chirping and the breeze howling through the trees, nothing else. Besides that, the environment was peaceful and it was paradise.

As I continued to walk, it felt like almost the most perfect place for me. Just add some fish and a ball of yarn and my life will be complete! I never wanted to leave now, but what about Kyo, my sisters, and the others? They must be worried sick about me, especially Kyo. I hope I could tell them that I'm okay, but there's no way. Heck, I have no idea how deep I am in these woods! All I have to do now is walk until I find a single house in the center of the forest, then I'll know that I'm safe.

Suddenly, I noticed the trees were clearing up and there were getting fewer and fewer of them. I sprinted towards the brighter light, hoping I was out of the forest, until I halted right as I exited. It wasn't at all where Shigure's was, instead, it was a bunch of houses. I knew just where I was. I was trespassing inside the Sohma Estate and I hadn't even known. If Akito finds out I'm here, he would certainly kill me. I need to get out, and quick.

I began to speed walk back to the forest, but it somehow disappeared; it wasn't there anymore. I cocked an eyebrow in confusion, until I shrugged it off. I continued on, this time running. Out of nowhere, I run into a building. I gazed up, terrified of what would happen next. It was a tall, wooden building just like all of the other buildings in the estate; cold and lifeless. I turned around, eagerly wanting to escape, but my hopes were too high. I was now surrounded by the same buildings, making it so I was unable to escape. It was now hopeless, I couldn't get out of this horrific illusion my mind was creating for me. I knew I wasn't in the real world anymore, instead, I was trapped in a living nightmare.

All of a sudden, the clear, blue sky rapidly turned into dull gray nimbostratus clouds, covering every last inch of the deserted area with darkness. I heard a crash of thunder, causing me to cower in fear. I've always been terrified of thunder even since I was a kid, and I still burden the phobia. As I returned back to "reality," a lightning bolt struck out from the clouds-hitting the ground- and striking only a few feet from where I was standing. The strike was so strong, the radiation from it vibrated, causing it to travel through the ground like an earthquake, and hit me as I faced its impact. I blasted back from where I was standing towards one of the houses, which I bumped into. Finally, I blacked out.

***
I fluttered my eyes open after regaining my conscious. My head began to throb instantaneously, making ache in its pain. I felt like I was going to faint again, but I needed to stay strong.

I stood up, stumbling a bit, then glanced at the scenery around me. It wasn't at all where I last was. Instead, I was inside one of the houses. I hope I wasn't in the one Akito--

Just when I thought I was safe, I noticed a figure straight ahead. As always, he was wearing a silk red and beige robe, while resting his head on his right around, gazing outside into his freshwater garden. Without making a sound, I snuck towards the door so I could leave the place unseen. Suddenly, I halted right at the door, almost opening it. Akito knew I was here.