GOMEN GOMEN GOMEN NASAI! *bows and pleas for forgivness* im soo sorry for aking forever to update everything.. hopefulyl all ym updates will make u happy.. im soooo sorrry!

As a "I'm sorry" gift, i made this chappie long :D as wellas all my other updates :D

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Nightmares from the Past (chap 3)

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Kristy woke up early while it was still dark. She yawned cutely before she slowly made her way to the dark living room, to see ... Nanashi poking at the dim fire with a steel poker stick.

Nanashi must have sensed her presence, for when she sat down beside him, he didn't look alarmed, "You're up early." she said softly, tucking her knees under her chin.

"Been up since 5! It's only been 20 min," He smiled warmly at her, "Vincent woke me up, and told me he was going out for awhile, then told me to go back to sleep..." he shrugged.

"Why didn't you, then?" Kristy asked quietly, staring into the flames off the slightly bigger fire.

"Nii-chan forgot, I can't get back to sleep once I wake up." Nanashi giggled lightly, "Why are you up?" he glanced to Kristy.

"My shoulder hurts..." she admitted softly, looking away from the younger Kojii brother, as she switched positions so she was sitting on her knees, staring at the fire intensely.

Nanashi crawled over in front of her, and slowly pulled down on Kristy's sleeve of her nighty, exposing her right shoulder, causing Kristy to blush furiously.

She let out a silent hiss of pain, as he gently pressed his two fingers around the swollen area.

"Gomen," Nanashi whispered meekly, as tears of pain welled in her eyes.

"It's okay." Kristy forced a smile, telling him to continue.

Nanashi was hesitant, but slowly unwrapped the bandage from around her shoulder. Kristy winced at this slightly.

"It's pretty bad." Nanashi frowned lightly, "It's infected.' he seemed worried.

"I'm fine." Kristy lied, with a short answer. Nanashi ignored her, as he began to probe around the wound.

Her shoulder was black and blue, turning slightly purple around the edges, while the cut consisted of yellow puss and sticky blood, and it hurt like a Mesuinu (bitch).

"Maybe I should get Averus to look at it..."

Kristy shook her head furiously, "I'm fine Nanashi, reall-Aaah!" She let out a sharp gasp, as he gently as he could, he pressed on her shoulder again.

Nanashi cringed at this, he didn't like causing her pain, "How did this happen anyway, Kristy?" he asked quietly with a sympathetic, yet apologetic tone.

Kristy tensed at this question. No, he couldn't know, he'd hate her. They would send her back! Back to that hell, to her foster home, back to Bob! No! She wasn't going back! Tears welled in her eyes. She'd never be able to return to the alleys, her real home, not while she was a "city punk". She couldn't risk that. She was safer here - but, if she told the Shadow Blade's the truth; there was a good chance she'd be killed, not only for being a city kid, but also for lying to them, when they gave her their trust.

"I-"

"Who did this to you, Kristy?" he asked softly in a worried tone.

"You'll hate me.." she muttered quietly.

"No I won't!"

"Please! Onegai! Not yet, Nanashi, I just...cant!" Kristy let tears of fear flow as memories of her past flowed back to her.

Nanashi gently brushed away her tears with his thumb, hushing her with a warm smile. "It's okay..." he whispered, "When your ready, Here I'll go get some stuff to clean that up." He gave a grin before standing up, and disappearing into the bathroom.

Kristy sighed heavily, hiding her blush, as more silent tears fell. /I want to tell him, but I cant.../

/Give it time Mistress; The trust will grow stronger./ KittieFae cooed comfortingly in a purr, in Kristy's mind.

Nanashi returned moments later with a few cloths, a bowel of warm water, and more fresh clean white bandages. He kneeled in front of her, dipping the cloth in the warm water, wrung it out, and as gently as he could began to clean the cut.

Kristy let out a tiny hiss, before drawing in a breath, "I'm sorry." She whispered, as Nanashi rinsed the cloth.

"What for?" Nanashi tilted his head cutely in curiosity.

" the truth...-"

"You don't need to apologise, I do!"

"Why?" Kristy frowned.

"Because this is going to hurt..." He gave a meek sheepish grin, as he first pressed firmly on the swollen shoulder, causing puss to gush out, Kristy winced at this.

Nanashi cleaned away he puss, but quickly dabbed a cloth drenched in rubbing alcohol on her wound. Kristy tried only to hiss, but gave a loud yelp instead, but it was quickly muffled when Nanashi briskly pulled her into his chest.

She sobbed in pain, as she nuzzled closer into his strong warm chest. He slowly pulled her back.

"It's all done, just have to bandage it, with a clean cloth." he smiled warmly, with sad apologetic eyes. He looked real sorry for causing her pain. He gently but quickly wrapped a fresh cloth bandage around her shoulder.

"G-gomen." he said softly pulling her into his lap.

Kristy sighed at the warmth, nuzzling closer, just as she wiped the remainder of her tears away, "Arigatou..." she murmured quietly, blushing at the closeness.

"Shhh. Relax," he whispered. Kristy started to argue back, it was rude of her to cause Nanashi this much trouble to care for her, but she found no words came to her mouth, so she was forced to just sit quietly, allowing the young Kojii brother to hold her. She found the soft drumming of his heart in her ear as relaxing as the last time she'd heard it. Deciding there was no way in hell she could fight it's serene power of tranquility, she closed her eyes and allowed it to sing her to sleep.

Nanashi blinked in confusion at how cooperative Kristy was behaving, then made a look of surprise as he found her falling asleep in his arms. 'Am I comfy or am I boring?' he wondered inwardly. Really, it didn't matter. He found her quite kawaii when she was sleeping and, thus, found himself smiling softly as he gazed down at her.

Nanashi let a few blissful minutes pass like that, sitting still as he was, silently watching the girl tucked gently in his warm embrace as she drifted back to sleep leaning against his chest. Then, despite wanting to remain like that for the morning, he shifted so her could try and pick her up and carry her to her bed. What he didn't count on was as he did so; she mumbled in her sleep and subconsciously glomped his torso.

He blushed deeply to himself; it was now just after 6am, his brother would be home soon. But he let the younger red headed neko girl sleep. Her feline qualities showed more when she slept. When she was awake, she had the agility of cat, including the hissing and the growling when she was angry, or disapproved of something.

But when she slept, she was quiet (which could always count as a good change ^_^), yet snuggled cutely like cat would in his lap. She probably didn't realise this, or she just didn't care, on how closely she resembled a cat.

Though she wasn't a neko-jin; she had no cat eyes, or ears, it was her personality that implied it, well that and her bit beast.

He watched as the fire dimmed away, and slowly the sun lit up the room. It was 6:30am when Vincent opened the door, and found his little brother and the new girl, sleeping in his lap on the floor.

He tensed slightly at the scene, "You're up!" he hesitated, sounding displeased with their position.

"Hai!" Nanashi glanced back down at Kristy, "Her shoulder's real bad, I cleaned it for her, and she back to fell sleep. Big Brother, I'm worried about her." He looked back up at Vincent, his teal eyes full of worry.

"Why? She looks fine to me!" Vincent glared down at the neko girl.

"Whenever I bring up how and who did that to her, she gets tense, pale, and scared, she holds back tears. nii-chan, something happened to bad. Bad enough to scare her, yet she's worried we'll hate her, if we find out he truth..." Nanashi looked down sadly at her. He wanted to help, he did, and she just needed to let him.

"Give her time, nii-chan! You cant force her, she'll explain when she's good and ready!" Vincent huffed, "Now, take her to her bed. And you can try and go back to sleep as well!"

Nanashi nodded as he slowly and gently cradled the younger girl in his arms, and began to take her to her room.

She was very light, and a bit smaller than he. It wasn't often he found other's smaller than him and around his age. Nanashi was little for his age, and it showed.

But by looking at Kristy Maxell you wouldn't guess that she had just turned 13, she still looked about 10ish. Nanashi was the same way. He was nearly 14, but still looked around 11. That was one thing they had in common. He wasn't sure what else they had in common, but he was sure in time he'd find out.

Nanashi pushed the door open gently with his foot, as he entered the room, and carried Kristy to the bed. He gently placed her on the bed, which she hadn't made yet.

Kristy moaned lightly as her head touched the pillow. She let her right hand rest on her stomach, while her left rested on her pillow beside her head, her arm bent at the elbow, and her left hand was slightly curled in a loose fist.

Nanashi slid his arms from under her knees allowing her feet to slide slightly under a sheet. He slowly and gently took the sheet and blanket and brought it up to her chest, letting it rest there with her rising and falling chest with each breath.

Nanashi stood up straight preparing to leave, when a glowing aqua shimmer caught his eye. He turned to her night stand to see Kristy's beyblade. He turned fully and found himself picking up her blade to examine it.

It had an icy cool touch, not like his blade, which gave off a warm tingling sensation at the touch. But then again, Kristy's element was ice. He let his finger trail over her bit chip. It felt like crystal. A picture of a pure white cat, with sparkling farie wings that glittered like ice, and striking sapphire eyes that could pierce anyone's soul. He smiled at its beauty, before he placed it gently back down ont he night stand.

Nanashi glanced back down at Kristy, who snuggled into her pillow. He smiled lightly, but it soon faded when he saw silent tears streak her face.

/Azul... Why is she crying?/ Nanashi mentally asked his bit beast, witha hint of worry in his voice.

/Her Kittie says shes having a bad dream of a memory from her past.../ Azul replyed back in thought, smiling at his Master's worry. Azul grinned, /Why dont you comfort her Master? After all, Vincent wants you to get some sleep too./

Nanashi nodded, missing his Angel's mischevious voice: he crawled in beside her, drapping his arm over her, calming her slightly. In her sleep, Kristy nuzzled closer, causing the young Kojii brother to blush.

But within moments, Nanashi was at ease, and he too snuggled closer to her before falling fast asleep.

::Kristy's Dream / Memory::

2 years prior.

Kristy and Riley, walked along side with Rileys old brother, by one year, Damon Hawk. It was a quiet morning, and it was rather sunny for a fall day.

"I'm heading to the Centerside alleys, I promised I would meet Lilly there." Riley said, loking up at her brother.

"Lilly? The young, bratty, Eternal Blader from the Northside alleys, that always lies?" Damon frowned down at his younger sister, like she was some sort of idiot.

"Yes." Riley frowned back, "I hafta talk to her. I'll meet you bothat the park, in 30mins okay?"

Kristy nodded, "Okay, but don't be late!" she elbowed Damon lightly, because she knew he would have protested agaisnt this.

"Yep!" Riley nodded, before she sprinted into the Northside Alley entrance, making her way tot the Centerside alleys.

Kristy sighed heavily, as she glanced around the street, she felt insacure on the streets, although she was a "city punk" as many would call her, she felt more safe in the aleeys, even though, roaming around as a city kid in the alleys could cost her, her life.

Damon smiled down at Kristy, he knew she was always afriad of the city street, so he gently took her hand, and the walked towards the park.

Kristy jumped in fright as a car speeded at them, aiming to run Kristy over. Why the hell would someone want to run her over, witha hit and run? Was he some sort of Lunatic? Damon pulled her out of the way, as they both tumbled back agaisnt a tree.,but the car spun around, and started to speed closer to them, this time stsying on the street.

Damon gasped loudly, as he watched the man driving pull out a hand gun, and aim at at Kristy, just as he drove by, a loud echoing bang rang in her ears, and in an instant, Damon was in front of her, letting out a sharp gasp, his deep emerald eyes widened in pain and in shock.

His grip on her shoulders tightened, as they both tumbled downwards. Kristy felt her back slam ontot he grass, but with the force of their fall, Damon rolled over her, causing Kristy to rol with him. She nearly screamed as she heard the car speed off, without any chance of her getting a good look at the shooter.

Kristy gasped too. She was lying onto of him, as she watched the grass under him turn blood red. All he could do was wheeze and take in deep breaths. His jet black hair, swayed a bit int he gently breeze of the sunny fall day.

"D-damon!" Kristy breathed out, tears blurring her vision. She felt his blodd from under his left rib, flow onto her shirt. Her hand instinctivly pressed agaisnt the exsit wound, trying desperatly to slow the bleeding. His blood was warm and sticky, as it gushed through her fingers, "You baka! Why did you do something so reckless? Why that?" She hissed angrily, tears already flowing, "Kami-sama! Why Hawk?"

Damon smiled through the pain, before one of his trembling bloody hands reached up behind her neck, as he gently kissed her lips. She gasped at this but quickly returned the kiss. Damon pulled away smiling meekly, "I always wanted to do that." he admitted with another sharp gasp.

Tears flowed down kristy's pink cheeks. "Damon.. dont leave me.. dont leave Riley, we need you! She cried, nuzzling under his neck.

Damon laughed stroking her ruby hair, his blood blending into the colour of her hair, "Gomen nasai..." he whispered before he coughed, "But I was gunna let you eb the one, lying here in pain!"

Kristy cried ahrder, "Damon... Arigatou... But I-I dont know aht I'm going to do without you! I wish you never did such a baka thing!" She sobbed.

Damon smiled softly yet weakly, "Kristy your stronger than you think; tell Riley I love her, and I'm sorry... Just promise me.. Promise me, when you get the chance, you'll runaway from that hell you live in... Promise me, if Bob tried to kill you, you'll run and never look back..." He wheezed.

"I promise Damon-kun! I promise!" Kristy tried to blink away her tears, failing horribbly in doing so.

Damon weakly kissed her cheek, just before he drew in a sharp breath, "Arigatou.." was the last faint whisper as his eyes fell shut.

"Damon!" Kristy sobbed loudly and angrily, as she burried her face into his chest. But he didn't respond, he remianed silent. His heart was quiet... he was gone, "Damon-kun..."

Damon and Riley were her only family left in her eyes. Riley was like her sister, while Damon was a cute boy who protected them both. Now their protection was gone, now she and Riley were alone. What was Riley gunna do? She depened on Damon for everything? She had no where to go.

Kristy sobbed harder when she felt Damon's body turn cold, he was gone... he really left her, now she was alone..forever...Riley was all she had left to hold onto.

~~~**~~~

Riley as Distraught when she found out what happened, it was Lilly who took her back to the Eternals to stay with her and Raven, the leader. She would remain their for now, but she wasn't sure how long the alley kids would tolorate a city kid. She knew Lilly and RAven were found of Rilry, it was the other North sider's that worried her.

Kristy had ran up to her room and slammed the door, the moment she got home, diving into her bed,s obbing into her pillow.

She heard her door open, but ignored it.

"It's too bad.." Bob's smug voice nearly laughed.

Kristy turned over to glare to him, "Excuse me?"

Bob shrugged, "I 'was' aimming at you, but he got int he way, I settled for hitting him. If he hadn't got in the way, and just let you take the shot, the baka boy would still be alive!" he grinned, as KRisty's eyes widened.

Horror struck.

"It was you... You shot at me.." her voice was barely audiable, as she took it all in. He kill him...Bob killed Damon. Bob let out a loud taunting yet mocking laugh.

"You BASTARD!" she shrieked angrily, lunging at him with her fist. But he sneered as he caught her fist, crunching it in his hand, nearly breaking it.

Kristy yelped in pain, just as Bob threw her onto her bed, "You live for now bitch!" he growled, slamming her ebdroom door, letting the walls shake for a few seconds afterward.

::End of Dream / Memory::

Kristy bolted up right in bed with a loud shriek, she was sobbing harshly, and was in a cold sweat. This sudden motion woke Nanshi, who quickly sat up moments after, "Kristy?"

Tears fell from her red and puffy horrified eyes.

"Kristy-chan?" Nanashi asked quietly, placing a hand on her arm.

"Hai? (Yes?)" her voice was shaky and her eyes were fixated on the wall. She suddenly gasped at he light touch of Nanshi's fingers on her chin, as he turned her face towards him.

"Daijoubu desu ka? (Are you alright?)" He asked quietly.

Kristy nodded silently, before he pulled her into a hug, causing her to break out into soft sobs, shuddering in his embrace, "Shsssh, it's okay. It was only a dream..." he whispered gently.

"Nanashi-kun." she moaned trying to surpress her tears. 'I wish I could pour my heart and apast out to you Nanashi, reallly I do-' she thought sadly, as he held her closer, trying to ease her sobs.

~~~**~~~

Nanashi and Trista were praciting their blading skills in the dish, while Kristy was testing her skills with Vincent on the sidewalk (Vincent was going easy on her, other wise, her blade would have been shattered) While Averus watched from the side lines.

Kristy watched the battle with little to no interest, her mind kept wandering, she couldn't stay focused on the battle, and Vincent sensed this. "You're not concentrating Maxell!" he growled angrily, his eyes showed that he was very displeased.

He was going easy on her, and yet she was still struggling to even maintain her balance. Kristy frowned at this, "You really expect me to beat you?" it was her translation for, 'Either way your still gunna thrash me!'

"Dont get smart with me, neko girl! Your better than this! I saw they way you battle my little brother, and your injuries were much worst than they are now!" Vincent snapped back, his glare just as equally annoyed as hers.

She couldn't concentrate at all, she felt bad for not telling Nanashi why she as so upset the night before, he had comforted her, and she gave him nothing in return, she was an awful person!

Kristy gasped as her aqua blade whizzed past her ear, clattering behind her. "MAXELL!" Vincent bellowed angrily, "Didn't I tell you to concentrate? Did you not listen to me?"

Kristy glared back up at him, she was just as dissopointed in herself as he was, "I've never been one to listen..." she grumbled.

Why did her memories and guilt have to haunt her still? Anything and everything from her past, seemed to effect her int he present. The thought of Bob brought her to tears, she trembled at the thought of Damon's death. And the secrets she hid from the Shadow Blades and Nanashi created a guilt so strong, that it washed over her body, as if it was plagueing her.

"I'm not gunna waste my time training one who doesnt want to impove, get in the apartment!" He said harshly, looking away from her. It was like, if he looked at her, he would feel remorsful for sending her back inside, but he was ashamed of how she was behaving today, he needed to stay strict, otherwise she would never improve.

Kristy's expression twisted into anger, and dissopointment, as she kneeled down and picked up her blade, before brushing past Vincent with a low growl, walking past Trista, Averus and Nanashi, and into the apartment, completely ignoring everyones expressions and reactions.

Trista stared up at their leader, "That was harsh, Vincent!" she frowned slightly.

"Hn, well she was blading like shit today! She had it comming! Now get your ass over here, and vattle me, and don't you dare zone out like that baka neko!" he warned, tossing aside Trista's comment.

"Nii-chan..." Nanshi sighed heavily, as she watched Trista and his older brother prepare for a battle. Vincent heard Nanashi but ignored him as he launched Arashi.

~~~**~~~

Kristy sighed heavily, as she plopped down on the couch, she could really blame or argument with Vincent, he had a point. She clutched her blade tightly.

"Kristy, you're a good blader, don't let Vincent discourage you. Everyone has their off days.."

She glanced up to see Averus taking a seat beside her.

"I dont take anything, Mr. Grumpy-pants says seriously. This was no different." She shrugged with a meak grin. "Though, he was right.. I wasn't concentrating.." she trailed off.

"What ever it is, that has been bugging you, it's ok to let it go. We Shadow Blades don't dwell in the past, I dont think any of us care where you came from, or how you got that nasty cut. We aren't like the other alley gangs that judge people by their origins, trust me. It's okay to keep it secret, its personal, and when and if your ready, we'll be hear to listen. But untill then, you're still a Shadow Blade, and that should be good enough." Averus said, everything he said seemed to cover it all, any doubts she was having, everything seemed to be somewhat less stressful now.

It was like a pressure had been lifted off of her shoulders, she nodded quietly, "Domo Arigatou, Averus-kun." she said softly.

Averus just smiled gently, "You hungry? I'll make you some lunch if you want?" he stood up, and headed towards the kitchen.

Kristy smiled softly at his understanding and generousity, "Hai." he was so kind, and he knew exactly when to give the right advice.

If what Averus said was true, then Nanashi really did understand why she wanted it to be secret, and she knew that he would wait until she was fully ready, before Kristy wpould let anything slip about her past. She knew she would grow to trust and love theses people, already those feelings were forming, it would just ake awhile for them to fully develpoe, but she was willing to wait.

For the Shadow Blades, she was willing to try anything. After all, she was now a Shadow Blader.

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Hope u all liked meh...that was a bit oo long..owell...wait until tomorrow for my next update on my other fics..gomen its 4am im going to bed!

ja, L8ter Dayz

mystic_water