[OPEN] These dreams go on when I close my eyes

[givesalittlewhistle]

Who: Hikari Yagami & OPEN
When: IC: (late July) /OOC: (early June)
Where: Gardens
What: As a Child of Light Water, Hikari's been having some...interesting Dreams the last few days. The kind that are keeping her up at night, leaving her exhausted during the day.
Rating/Warning: Some potentially Dark themes involving children. Mentioning of Death. Basically, if you've ever seen the season 02 episode, His Master's Voice, it's a little like that.

---

"Hikari? ...Hikari?"

The eight year old girl in question's eyelashes fluttered softly, face scrunching up as she was lightly shaken, before slowly opening. It took a few seconds for her vision to readjust before she sat up. Glancing around at her surroundings and...trying to remember where she was.

"Tailmon?" Voice heavy with sleep, she glanced down at her digimon companion, who was looking up at her in concern. "What...?"

"You fell asleep. Again."

There was little surprise at the news. Because she knew it was true. And why.

Straightening, Hikari glanced around at the park they were currently in. The ground was soft, a pleasant breeze blowing across her cheeks from beneath the shade of a large tree. Any other time, and it would have been no wonder she'd fallen asleep. The little sketchbook she'd purchased some time back was still in her lap. The camera she'd been using to take pictures for inspiration, at her side.

Except...the dark shadows beneath her eyes told of a slightly more troubling story.

"I'm sorry," she offered in the middle of stiffening a deep yawn. Rubbing at one eye that stung a little in the morning light.

Tailmon's ears dropped at the apology. Worried not only for Hikari's health, but saddened that she felt she needed to apologize at all. "...you had that dream again last night, didn't you?"

Not knowing what else to say, Hikari nodded. Her gaze drifted over to where there was a small pond. The waters still, save for the occasional little ripple. An increasingly familiar sight to her these days, though not for the reasons one might think.

Comments

[findpeace]

With ease he flopped down next to her on the bench, grinning at both her and Tailmon. It felt like it's been forever since he's seen her but it's only been two years. He's attempting to not feel guilty about the fact that he forgot both of them when he was back home. That wasn't his fault but he can't help how he feels about it. Naruto should remember the friends he's made here and the promises made to those people

Especially his promises.

"Yep! Got back not too long ago. I was gonna call you when I had a minute to check up on you." Hikari can take care of herself and Tailmon can help but that doesn't mean he can't see how she's doing. "How have you been?"

[givesalittlewhistle]

Though her exhaustion, she managed a bright smile. Though it didn't last long, fading within a few seconds of its initial appearance.

"I'm..." Okay wasn't entirely accurate, but she didn't want to worry him, either. "There's been a lot that happened while you were gone. Some of it was bad, but...some of it was good, too."

[findpeace]

He caught the brief smile but watched as it faded just as fast. This is why he hadn't wanted to leave Cerealia until he was sure that everyone he'd leave behind was safe. The fact that they could cause Hikari to have this reaction just made him want to find the people in charge and hit them.

"I'm sorry for not being there to help you through it." Naruto knew that it wasn't his fault but that's not going to stop him from feeling guilty. He reached over to place a hand on top of her head and ruffle her hair just a little - less than he would for one of the boys back home. "You know, I still owe you that ramen. We could go get some now and you can tell me about the stuff you wanna talk about."

While he does want to know about the terrible things that have happened, she might not want to talk about it either. So Naruto will let her decide.

[givesalittlewhistle]

It was neither his fault, nor would Hikari have ever thought to blame him. Even if, somehow, it had been his fault.

"Ramen?" She echoed for a moment, lips formed into a small 'o' as she looked up in time to see him ruffling her hair. Gently. A little like how her otousan would back home. "Ah! I did get to go, though. Hinata-san took me. But I wouldn't mind going again; it was so good!."