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IMAxENIGMAx, Lanee, Tailsdoll123 I love you guys! Thanks for your reviews! And to those who favorited and/or put this story on story alerts, I love you guys too XD

Disclaimer: I own only my OCs...sadly


"Granny!" I called out, slamming the door open in the process. I rushed into the bedroom to see the old woman just sitting there. I bent down in front of her, taking in big breaths.

"Daijabou?" I asked softly. She looked at me and for the first time since we met, she smiled.

"You're back." She whispered softly before lunging at me making me lose my balance. We fell to the floor with a thud as she held onto me. Awkwardly, I patted her back.

"Ne, let me see your arm." I said after managing to get her off me. She shook her head and hid her arm behind her back.

"You're wet." She commented. I blinked before looking down. I smiled at her and shook my head.

"I'll be fine, but let me see that arm. Please?"

She bit her lip before slowly taking her arm out. My eyes widen at how bruised and swollen it was. Mari if you knew it was like this why didn't you take her to the hospital!

"Get up." I said standing. She looked back up at me terrified. I bit the inside of my cheek before bending down in front of her. My back faced her and I turned my head and smiled.

"I'll give you a piggy back ride."

Her eyes widen slightly. Slowly, but surely, a wide smile started to spread on her face. She latched her arms around my neck and I grabbed a hold of her legs. She was pretty light now that I think about it.

"Hold on tight to me, and this." I handed her the umbrella when I walked into the 'living' room. I snatched the money up from the table and stuffed it into my pocket before grabbing her leg again.

"Where are we going?" She whispered into my hair. I opened the door, noticing that the rain was pouring hard again. I bit the inside of my cheek as I walked out. Slowly I made my way down the stairs, wary of the old woman on my back.

"Granny it's going to be a bit of bumpy ride." I said tightening my hold on her. She opened the umbrella when I stepped off the last step. "We're paying Dr. Tadase a visit."

Her arms tightened around my neck and I sucked in a big breath. It was almost five blocks until his clinic. I'm already tired from running around in this rain, and if I keep going like this, I'll get sick. But...but as long as I help her it'll be fine! I can't be so heartless and just leave her alone like Mari would want. No...no it would be too much; like what happened with -

"Why are you doing this?" Her voice broke me out of my thoughts. I didn't even realize that I had already started to run. "I'm a stranger."

"Who cares? You need help so you're going to get it." I replied hastily, slowing down as I turned. I sped up, hearing the sound of my shoes hitting the ground getting into rhythm with the rain. I pushed myself even harder, as I felt her shiver. I could've called Dr. Tadase over, but then someone would call Aunt Madoka. Knowing her she would come to see what the problem was and if she saw this old lady, surely she would kick her out. I wouldn't push it past her to do that. At least the workers there could care less about my personal life.

"I'm sorry." She mumbled into my neck. One more block left. "I'm troubling you so much. I'll leave after this."

"Granny," I started seeing the clinic up ahead. "Do you even know what your name is? Let alone if you have family?" I felt her shake her head after a moment. I crossed the road, the corner of my eye catching something black. "Then...you can stay with me. I'll take care of you, I promise!"

I bursted into the clinic taking everyone by surprise. I bent over a bit gasping for air. Her arms loosened and I let go of her legs. The added weight disappeared.

"Is," I took in a big breath, "Dr. Tadase here?"

"H-He's with a patient. I'm going to have to ask you to wait." The nurse said startled. I walked to counter and grabbed the clipboard that she had taken out. She looked at me timidly, and when I caught her eyes she looked away blushing. Ah don't tell me she thinks I'm a guy too!Did I wound the bandages too tight that no one can see that I have a chest...or is it that small?

"What room?"

"E-Eh?"

"I asked what room." I glared at her making her shrink back.

"Are you trying to make them quit?"

I couldn't help but grin at the stoic voice as I watched the nurse's face turn a slight pink color. I spun around, my grin becoming even bigger at the disapproving stare I was receiving.

"Ne, can you look over at granny there?" I asked him sweetly. His eyes narrowed slightly, his brown hair falling into his eyes. He brushed his bangs away and shook his head.

"I only take guy patients."

"Aw don't be like that! You owe me remember." I grabbed onto his arm. I held back a laugh as his face distorted into disgust. I held on tighter as he tried to pull his arm away.

"Let go of me!" He hissed trying to pull his arm out, while refraining from touching me anymore. I let go only to hug him. "I'll do it, just let go! Sometimes you make me wish I was a all-boys school doctor."

"Thanks! Granny, Dr. Tadase said he'll see you." I walked back grabbing her arm gently. Dr. Tadase gave a angry huff and walked away from us. I followed after him, smirking at the way he was acting. Ah it was great to know someone's weakness and exploit it for your benefit sometimes.

"Stay in here." He pointed to an empty room. I shot him a grin before helping the granny up onto the examination bed. Someone called him away and a second later he came back in. "Shin's here. He's looking for you."

I shot up and turned to the old lady. "Ne, I'm going to be gone for a bit, but don't worry Dr. Tadase doesn't bite." Unless you're a man. I turned away from her and started to walk away, but I felt a small tug on the jacket.

"Please don't go." She whispered softly. If it was anyone else, I would've told Dr. Tadase to tell them to wait..but it's Shin. If anything, he'll think I'm cheating on him and go berserk. I mean, last time he almost destroyed one of the patient rooms when Dr. Tadase was examining me. He didn't calm down until he found out Dr. Tadase was gay.

"Gomen, but this person is impatient, and I don't like to make him angry. He isn't as adorable when he is." Her hand fell down and I couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. But trust me on this one granny, you really don't want to see his temper when it's out of hand.

I walked out of the room and forced a smile on.

"Aoi-chan~" Shin grinned at me and attacked me ion a hug. I could barely smell the scent of alcohol on pulled away before pulling me into a kiss. The taste of sake became stronger when he shoved his tongue into my mouth.

"S-Shin not here!" I exclaimed embarrassed. I looked around just as everyone else looked away. I heard a slight scoff from Dr. Tadase. Shin laughed and I couldn't help but smile a bit. He wasn't as drunk as I thought he was.

"Hai hai." He took my hand gently and we walked out of the clinic together. He turned to me with a small pout. "You're not mad at me are you? For not picking you up."

"It's okay." I gave a slight grin, and squeezed his had reassuringly. "I made it home safely." Half-true.

"Then why are you at the clinic?"

"Mari was a bit sick." I didn't miss a beat. If he knew that I took in an ederly grandmother, he would be pretty pissed off. He wouldn't see it fair that I let the grandmother stay with us, but I wouldn't let him.

"Ah I hope she gets better." He mumbled distantly. "Ne, aren't you supposed to be working right now?"

"SHIT!" I screamed realizing that I was, but those damn rich bastards kept me preoccupied and I had to take granny here. "Let me see your phone!"

"Haha you're so cute when you're like this Aoi-chan!" I blushed lightly and grabbed his phone.

"S-Shut up!" The phone began to ring.

"You're even cuter when you blush." He claimed my lips with his, his hand slipping to the back of my neck.

"Hello this is Cafe de la Hana!" I pushed him off of me.

"I-It's me Aoi!: I exclaimed breathlessly. I felt him start to kiss the back of my neck. I shoved him away from me again only to hear him laugh. "I know I'm late and all, but I'm calling-in."

"We know. Mari called us earlier and told us you were caught by the rain. She was mad that you went to work earlier because you were sick, so she called-in for you."

"R-Really?" Mari, I knew I loved you for a reason. "Sorry about this."

"It's okay. Just call-in tomorrow to tell us if you're sick." She replied. A sigh of relief escaped my lips. Arms wound themselves around my waist. I felt Shin put his chin on my head.

"Now that that's been settled, why don't we have a bit of alone time after you take Mari home?" I shivered slightly before un-wounding his arms.I looked back at him. His black eyes shone as he gave a crooked grin.

"As tempting as that sounds, I can't." The gleam in his eyes disappeared and his grin fell.

"It's because I didn't take you home last night right." He stated darkly. I frowned. I knew where this was going. He was going to try a guilt trip me into sleeping with him like all the other times. And just like the others it was going to fail. Even if I was a yankee, I had my morals and a promise to keep.

"Every fucking time I do something wrong you just have to emphasize it!" He hissed lowly.

"Shin that's no-"

"Fuck off Aoi. In fact, forget this. I'm tired of waiting for you to come around when Yuki's been throwing herself at me every fucking day!"

My eyes widen slightly. A pang went through my chest. Yuki has been doing that?

"You know she was right. You're just some stupid fake girl. You act like you're responsible person now that your parents died!"

"S-Shin..." I whispered feeling my eyes tear up. My chest began to burn in pain.

"Call me when the old Aoi is back. Maybe then we could work something out." He stalked off angrily. I watched him through blurry eyes.

"PLEASE DON'T GO!" I screamed after him. He ignored me. Hot tears began to fall donw my face. Please don't go. Other than Mari you were all I have left, even if your temper got the better of you and you were a complete ass when your drunk. I still love you.


"Granny." I whispered softly, after placing the noodles in front of her. She looked up from her plate. A small smile was on her face. Mari still has yet to come. It's been like this for a few weeks lately if I would come home early. It was bit heartbreaking every time I came home and no one was here. It would remind me how much I missed my parents.

"Death is scary. It changes people so much and so little." I felt a tear roll down my face.

"So is money." She replied softly. She reached over and grabbed my hand.

"No it's not." I protested slightly. She looked at me a bit shocked. "With money I could easily get into a school and not worry about Mari's tuition. We would be able to pay the bills! Have more food, and if I was rich I wouldn't have to care about a single thing! Being rich must be a really amazing experience. I wouldn't have to work my ass of day and night to pay for the tuition, and apartment, and food. They don't know what it's like to work until you bleed just to put food on the table."

"Even they had to start somewhere."

"Granny, look at you! You wearing something from the Showa Era!" She looked down at her clothes while I wiped my eyes furiously. "I feel really bad that you have to wear that. Since I'm going to be off tomorrow morning how about we go shopping. You can't wear the same clothes everyday you know!"

She smiled brightly at me, and I began to eat my noodles.

"Your so kind Aoi-chan." I blinked slightly at suffix and grinned at her.

"So are you granny, so are you." I looked at my watch and narrowed my eyes. I still had a bit of time before I had to go work. "Ah gomen, I need to go somewhere and I won't be back until later."

"At least eat the rest of your meal. Ah, I wish there was some sashimi."

I laughed at her crestfallen face. I leaned forward. "The supermarket where I work has some. We'll go by some tomorrow."

She beamed up at me. I smiled back at her before eating the rest of my noodles. We ate in silence and when I finished I told her goodbye and that Mari would be back soon.

The rain had finally stopped not too long ago. Dr. Tadase told me that amnesia was temporarily and must have been cause by something tragic or that she fell on her head. He gave me a prescription for her, which I'll need to pick up tomorrow.

A yawn escaped my lips, and I rubbed my eyes. I stopped when I reached to the corner. I peered over it carefully and grinned when I didn't see a black limo. Kami-sama I love you. I walked away from the corner and strolled past the apartment complex, wary of twins, a child, his polar opposite partner, glasses, and the drama queen...er king.

When nothing happened to me, I literally felt like going to a temple and pray to Kami-sama and tell him how much I loved him.

I placed my hands behind my head and looked up at the sky. The gray clouds were moving away, to show the light blue sky. I grinned slightly.

Papa, mama I'll be strong. I need to be strong for Mari and for granny. But...but sometimes I wish I was selfish and not care about anyone else except myself. Is that wrong of me? I've been selfish since Rin, but now that you're both gone, can I even have the right to be selfish again?

A mushroom sigh escaped my mouth, and I took off my hat. I felt my hair fall down before I placed my hat on again. I stuffed my hands into the pockets, staring at the ground. Maybe my life wouldn't be so difficult if I was rich; like that's ever going to happen!


I grabbed the ringing phone. Riku was too busy flirting with a customer, like always.

"AOI!" I pulled the phone away from my ear. Why was Ranka calling me so late? Did Haruhi not come home? "YOU HAVE TO COME TO THE HOSPITAL, QUICK!"

"Ranka, please calm down! I don't understand what you're talking about!" I said hurriedly. Please don't let this be bad news, but whenever is a hospital associated with good news?

"MARI! SHE WAS HOSPITALIZED!"

The phone fell from my hand. My body tensed lightly and the customer stared at me weirdly. A second later, I grabbed the phone.

"What happened?" I asked. Please don't tell me what I'm thinking.

"The doctor says she's pretty beat up and she lost a lot of blood." A voice said worriedly.

"Haruhi? What happened? Why are you at the hospital?"

"W-We found her on the way back. You really need to come, she might not make it. T-There was so much blood Aoi."

"Where?"

"In a alley. Around their territory." My hand tightened around the phone. They swore they wouldn't touch her. Those bastards! I'll kill them!

"Thanks Haruhi." I stated before hanging up the phone. I walked out from behind the counter.

"Aoi what's wrong?" Riku asked.

"I'm leaving early. Got a call from a friend of mine at the hospital. Mira's there." I replied bitterly throwing on the jacket.

"I-I'll tell the boss then." I nodded at him before walking out. They were going to pay. They could touch me, but never, never could they touch Mari. There will be hell to pay for this. I can't let another person I love die. No not again, it'll be too much.


well guys tell me what you think of this chapter by review or PM! Hopefully, I'll have a drawing of Aoi and Mari, and granny whose name will come sooner, hey how about you guys name her!, posted up soon.