Chapter III

Ryoma walked into Sakuno's room, it was late afternoon but Sakuno was already asleep. This would be the first time Ryoma was here completely alone. Each time before Sakuno always had another visitor. Not wanting to wake her though Ryoma headed to his regular seat near her bedside. He just watched her sleep, thanking over and over again that she was still alive.

He'd had nightmares ever night since the shooting, and he wasn't having much success with finding a natural sleeping remedy. He couldn't take any medication though; he was still technically on tour, so he couldn't have any drugs in his system or he'd have to forfeit.

Rubbing his swollen eyes, Ryoma leaned his elbows on the side of Sakuno's bed. He was just so tired. Placing an arm down on the bed and the other propping up his head, Ryoma turned to look at her. Her eyes were moving in REM sleep, and Ryoma was glad that she was sleeping peacefully. Selfishly Ryoma wished she was awake, so he could talk to her. They'd seen each other several times while she awake and while others were around, but Ryoma just wanted her be with him.

Almost as if she sensed his thoughts Sakuno's movements became jerkier as she began to awaken. Several moans of pain indicated that the pain medicine was dissipating. Ryoma took her hand as her eyes opened. As her eyes focused she became aware of someone holding her hand. Looking towards him, Sakuno felt the familiar thump of her heart as Ryoma came into focus.

"Ryoma-kun." Sakuno said in a drossy voice.

"Hn."Ryoma was looking at her so seriously, it made Sakuno worried."

"What's wrong, why are you staring at me that way?" Sakuno turned towards him more, wincing as her injury stretched. Ryoma jumped to make her lie still again.

"Don't move yet, you're pain medication is low. I'll call a nurse." Sakuno grabbed his hand tighter to stay him from leaving.

"Don't I'm okay, it was just a slight twinge." Sakuno smiled and rubbed her thumb over his wrist. "Now tell me what's wrong?" Ryoma gave a sigh as he sat back down.

"I'm just tired."

"Yes, I can tell, but why were you looking at me like that just now, what were you thinking?"

"I was just thinking about you, about…" Ryoma paused.

"About the shooting?" Sakuno finished. Ryoma nodded. "Ryoma-kun, I was so scared for you. When I saw the shooter, I… I froze, and then I knew I just had to protect you. Oh, Ryoma I'm so glad you're okay." Sakuno had tears gathering in her eyes and her breathing was becoming erratic as she finished. Ryoma stood up and brought Sakuno into his arms, as he tried to calm Sakuno down. Ryoma felt his stomach clench as the returned fear of that night came back to him. And the guilt that followed. And then anger.

"Why!" Ryoma hissed into her hair. "Why would you protect me like that, you could have died, I would have lost you!" Ryoma leaned back, and brought his hands to cup her face. "Never! Never do that again. Promise me you won't do that again. Please, I couldn't bear that." Ryoma's voice was choked as he brought Sakuno back to him. He hadn't cried, but now he did. The sleepless nights, the stress from guilt, anger at himself, the shooter and even at Sakuno at times, the complete emotional turmoil had finally got to him, finally causing his emotions to flare into tears. Sakuno took her turn at cooing and calming Ryoma down. She knew she'd worried him, but she was shocked as anyone would be over his tears. It was completely out of character for him.

After some time, Ryoma calmed down, embarrassed but calmer. Sakuno had moved over and now she was wrapped up in Ryoma's embrace as he lied on the bed with her. "Ryoma," Sakuno said into his neck where her head rested. "You asked me why I did what I did. It's because I love you, I know you'd have done the same for me. You shouldn't have a hard time believing I'd do the same for you." Ryoma nodded. He knew, but it still didn't make him feel any better, well at least not a lot.

"Sakuno, I've been thinking." Ryoma said.

"About what?" Ryoma cleared his throat, he hadn't meant to bring this topic up, but he wasn't sure if he could wait any longer.

"Sakuno we've been together for a long time, and friends for even longer. So I've been wondering if you think we can last. *cough* Last a lifetime together." Sakuno leaned up to look Ryoma in the eye, curious to his meaning. He was blushing slightly.

"I think we can last as long as we work things out. Why do you ask?"

"Well I think we should change our relationship. I'm not satisfied with how things are now. I'd planned on telling you after the awards ceremony, but with the shooting and then with everyone around I didn't feel it was appropriate. But now that we're alone it's the best time to talk, don't you think." The beeping of the heart monitor alerted Ryoma of Sakuno's increasing distress. "Sakuno, what's wrong, calm down?" Ryoma exclaimed.

"Ryoma are you saying, you don't want to be with me anymore? Was it something I did? Why now? I thought you loved me." Sakuno began to semi-hyperventilate. The beeping increased, and Ryoma could hear the nurses coming up the hall to see what was wrong.

"No, no that's not what I was trying to say." Ryoma got up, giving Sakuno more air to breath, and so he could make her look straight at him. He was huffing from irritation as he tried to get Sakuno's attention. Finally he did what he thought would be most effective. He kissed her senseless. That's how the nurses found them. Nurse Dove was one of them blushed at the intimacy, before shooing the ogling spectators. When Ryoma pulled back, Sakuno seemed to have calmed down. Looking at her, rubbing his thumbs across her face, Ryoma smirked. "I'm trying to ask you to marry me."

Sakuno's face turned from sad to an 'oh' expression, which just made Ryoma laugh. "You're so troublesome." Again tears gathered in Sakuno's eyes.

"Ryoma, you mean that?"

"Of course I do." Ryoma reached into his back pocket and pulled out the ring he'd placed there. Sakuno's eyes darted from Ryoma's earnest face to the ring then back. "Well?"

"Oh Ryoma, I loved to." Sakuno said, her unique sunny smile brightening her whole face with its glow.

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Unbeknownst two our two happy lovers, a pair of smiling eyes were watching from a crack in the door. 'I hope they stay happy forever.' Thought the eye's owner, before the door was shut all the way and the figured moved down the hall.

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