Syphon's Peace

Chapter 15: I'm Here

Holiday shoppers were absolutely nuts. Reina was convinced of it. It was a Thursday, the day before she and Toshi were to leave for Tennessee, one week before Christmas. Hana had asked her to go early to make sure the venue and everything was ready and set up and she was more than happy to oblige. At least then, she wouldn't have to deal with the stupidity of last minute shoppers.

Her patrol was supposed to be over by 10, but due to several fights and a stabbing over a parking spot, it was well after midnight by the time she made it back home. She finger brushed her hair out as she closed the front door behind her, leaning against it in exhaustion. It was dark in the apartment, the only light coming from a rock salt lamp in the living room window and the reserves built into her suit.

She was about to head down the hall to her room, planning to just brave the nightmares and sleep there so she wouldn't risk waking Toshinori, when she was stopped in her tracks by a deep yell of agony. She froze, her eyes widening as she realized it came from down the hall. From Toshi's room.

In a panic, she ran towards his room, her mind running through the worst scenarios. Did a villain follow him home to get the drop on him? It was a risk that came with their jobs, so it wasn't out of the question. She ignited a blade in her hand at the thought as she burst through his bedroom door, looking around wildly for whatever was hurting him.

But it was only Toshi there, writhing in the bed, his face screwed up as he tried to get away from his nightmares. Dispersing the blade, she made her way over to him, her relief that he was safe quickly turning to heartache when she saw the tears that were coating his face.

"NANA, NOOOO!" he suddenly yelled in that agonized tone, making her jump slightly before she rushed to his writhing form. She wouldn't let him keep hurting like this.

Reaching out, she grabbed his shoulders and shook him firmly. "Toshi! Toshi, you need to wake up!" she called, dodging his arms as he writhed again. "Come on, Toshinori, wake up!"

His eyes suddenly flew open, and he sat up, panting heavily as he look frantically around the room. His gaze fell on her and his breath caught as her glowing suit and his groggy state made him believe for a moment that she was an angel. When his eyes met her face that was watching him with so much concern, he reached out and pulled her to him, pulling her into his lap as he wrapped his arms around her, burying his forehead on her tiny shoulder as he worked to calm himself.

"It's alright, Toshi." she whispered in japanese as she ran her fingers through his hair, thinking his native tongue would be more comforting in his current state. "I'm here."

He trembled against her. He was grateful she had been considerate enough to switch languages. He just didn't have the energy for thinking so hard to make sure he translated correctly. His memories of losing his mentor and the feeling of helplessness that went along with it took up his mind, leaving room for little else at the moment.

She didn't ask him about his dream, or really said anything of importance. She understood there was really nothing she could say except making sure he knew that she was here for him. Whatever he had dreamed about had shaken him badly, and she had a sneaking suspicion that it wasn't a dream at all. That, like her, he was plagued by his own memories. And she knew that the dream wouldn't just pass. He would just have to get a rein on his emotions, push it back into the box he usually kept it in in the back of his mind, and for that he needed time. So, she just held him to her tightly, humming quietly to soothe him as she rested her lips on the top of his head.

Toshinori swallowed at her sweet gesture, the wound in his heart still aching but slowly returning to a manageable state. He would never completely get over his pain, he knew that. The death of his mentor would plague him for the rest of his days because he was so weak and he couldn't help her at the time. Which was why he had been determined and ruthless in his training with Gran Torino. So when the time came, he would be able to fight against All for One and finish the task Nana had left for him. So he would never be helpless to protect someone he cared about again.