*AN*
I own nothing.
When the narrator is to be speaking, you'll know, bb
Special thanks to my Beta Reader, Thessalonika! Chances are, if you're reading an Okami-san Fanfic, you've probably read hers. But, if you haven't, go check her out!
Okami-san and Her Seven Companion
Chapter 3
Narrator: And here we are at Otogibana Hospital! Last time; Ryoshi took a beating by some Onigashima thugs, and passed out!
Ryoshi could feel himself hurting. His ribs, his skull, his legs. He could feel himself moving from a hard surface, to a softer one. He heard voices. Concerned ones, worried ones. Angry ones.
Several hours after being transported from the Otogi Academy courtyard to the hospital, Ryoshi woke up to a dark hospital room. The shades were open, and moonlight was pouring through the window. He was laid flat on his back, his leg suspended in the air, by a sling. He turned his head to the right, looking out of the window. He stared at his city, which was illuminated by streetlight, neon signs and the moon. His eyes threatened to shut, but he was in too much pain to go back to sleep, anyway. His ears locked onto his breathing, which immediately bothered him.
In. Out. In. Out, he thought. He hated it when this happened. But his ears were so focused on his own breathing, it was quite easy to recognize another set of lungs in the room. His heart began to beat slightly faster, when he realized there was another person breathing. His ribs were in too much pain to move at the moment, and he began to recognize separate breathing patterns from the first one he heard.
Who would be in my hospital room? What time is it, anyway? As he lay, staring out of the window, his pain began to subside. Actually, he was just getting used to it, but he figured it was going away.
In about a minute, I'll sit up to look around.
One minute passed, and he started to sit up in bed. Finally, he sat, double over, wincing slightly from the pain. He looked around the room, but saw no one. He leaned to the left side of his bed. Nothing. He sat back up, with a wince, and leaned to the right. He peered over the edge of his bed, to see a head of hazel hair sitting on the floor, her back against the side of his bed. With a small grin, he gasped slightly.
Ryoko, he thought, smiling wider. He stared down at her, as she held Elizabeth and Francois in either arm. She stirred slightly, upon hearing more of Ryoshi's wincing. He cursed himself for waking her, as she tilted her head up to see his face.
"H-Hi," Ryoshi whispered, smiling. Ryoko jumped, because she wasn't expecting him to be awake yet. She wanted to be there, and conscious, when he woke up, but she failed the small task she gave herself.
"Oh- I... Hi!" She said, blushing. All the commotion in the room, which was mostly from Ryoko, woke the dogs. They stood up groggily and began sniffing all over the place, until they saw Ryoshi sitting atop the bed. They jumped up at him repeatedly, licking his hands and face as he leaned towards them. Ryoko watched on, smiling, until Ryoshi lifted Francois up on the bed, with a painful grunt.
"Oh, here!" She exclaimed, picking up Elizabeth and placing her on the bed.
"Thanks." Ryoshi smiled softly at Ryoko, as the dogs nuzzled Ryoshi's sides.
Smile back! The voice in the back of her head cursed her. Though it was bright and kind, her smile did not last long, as she remembered Ryoshi's injuries.
"Hey," she began roughly, clearing her throat and continuing.
"I… Sorry you got hurt so bad, Ryoshi."
"W-What are my injuries?" He asked, in a strangely curious tone. He shook his head.
"No. Did you get hurt at all, Ryoko?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Well, that's good." He smiles at her, but she looks away, too embarrassed to meet his gaze. Too embarrassed that she let the boy she loved get so hurt.
"But you're not." She says suddenly, looking at the ground.
"W-What?" Ryoshi yelps, as his eyes widen.
"You're not fine." She crawls closer to his bedside and sits up on her knees. She finally gathered the courage to meet his gaze. Once she did, his emerald irises stared straight through her. They were filled with love and compassion. Something she always saw in his eyes when they were alone.
"You're here though, aren't you?" He asked her. His eyes refused to leave hers alone. At this all she could do was stare at him, astonished by his bravery. His bravery, to sit in a hospital bed with 3 broken ribs and a broken leg, and still give himself to her, after she didn't do anything as he got beat to a pulp. He didn't see it the same way, though.
"Being with you is all I need, Ryoko. If I were paralyzed, a mere touch of your hand would be enough to make me feel again. I'm fine now, really." He smiled at her, warmly. Her eyes welled up with tears, before she grabbed his hand and held it to her face.
"You… you idiot." She cried, laying her head down beside him.
"Taking on all those thugs at once… I was so worried!" She sobbed quietly. He placed his hand on her head, while the other was still in her grasp. He traced soothing patterns on the top of her head.
What am I saying? What am I doing? Why am I crying?
Because you love him, a small voice chastised, in her head. Her thoughts were interrupted by Ryoshi's familiar and loving voice.
"I love you, Ryoko." Ryoshi said, gazing upon her with caring, yet careful, eyes. Ryoko ceased her sobbing and looked up at him, smiling, softly. She did not hit him, scowl or yell. She simply smiled and that was all Ryoshi needed to mend his wounds.
*AN*
This is just the first part of chapter 3, I've been really busy with school so this is all I've been able to get done. Part 2 will be posted soon. ^,^
