The next day, Shizuka opened her eyes and blearily looked around. For a moment, she couldn't figure out where she was. Something seemed to be wrong with her left eye, too. She tried to raise her right arm, but it refused to move. Her left arm seemed okay, so she felt at her face with it, and found a bandage running around her head and over the eye. Puzzled, she pushed at it, until suddenly she felt it sink into a hollow space. She gasped, suddenly remembering.

Amy-chan… that attack, yesterday… it wasn't a nightmare? And then… She looked up. So-chan… Sora sat slumped in a chair, clearly asleep and snoring gently. That's right… So-chan came and saved me. She watched him for a while, as his head slowly rose and fell in time with his breathing. Aww… he's so cute when he sleeps. She giggled, and then yelped softly as the movement jiggled her broken arm.

Sora raised his head and opened his eyes. They were cloudy and dull at first, but a soft twinkle returned to them as he looked at her. "Hey… Shizuka…"

Shizuka smiled. "You weren't there all night, were you?"

Sora shook his head wearily. "No, just since this morning. Visiting hours, you know. How are you feeling?" He shook his head again. "No, stupid question. You probably feel even worse than I do."

Shizuka stared. "What are you talking about? You were the one who had to see me like that… and then fight Amy-chan, even though she's your friend…"

Sora's eyes sharpened. "All I had to do was see the aftermath. You're the one who had to live through what she did to you."

Shizuka lowered her eyes. "I see… Like always, you're blaming yourself for everything. You probably feel even worse than I look right now." She sighed and stared at her broken arm. "So, what's the damage report?"

Sora sighed. "Nothing permanent, in terms of looks anyway. All your limbs except your left arm are broken, but they'll heal properly. The bruising and scratches should go away soon, and that cut across your belly is healing already, without so much as a scar."

Shizuka giggled, wincing as her arm moved again. "Good. I was worried you wouldn't be able to use it as a pillow anymore."

Sora's eyes closed halfway. "One thing. Your damaged eye can be reconstructed perfectly- they've removed it for now, which is why there's a hole there- but…" He squeezed his eyes shut. "It's almost certain that you won't be able to see out of your left eye ever again."

Shizuka reached her left hand towards him. "So-chan…"

He shook his head violently. "No. I don't even deserve to be comforted right now." He began to sob. "I screwed up, Shizuka. You, Atoli, Alkaid-chan… they were all hurt yesterday because I was too weak to protect any of them."

Shizuka stretched her arm out further. "Don't say that, So-chan. You can't save everyone. You're not God, after all."

Sora clenched his fists, tears now running freely down his face. "Everyone's… always trying to protect me, and to comfort me… They shouldn't. I'm not worth it."

Shizuka's good eye blazed. She forced herself further out until she toppled over the side of the bed. Gritting her teeth at the pain as her broken legs hit the tile, she forced her way up to Sora, who shrank back, his eyes fearful and disbelieving. "Shizuka…" he gasped out.

Her eye blazing, Shizuka threw her left arm around Sora's neck, pulled him down to her, and kissed him fiercely. "I don't ever want to hear you say that again, So-chan," she said as she drew back. "You're a great man. For you, anything is worth it- even death." She began to cry as well. "What happened to you? Where's the brave, noble, loving, beautiful boy I fell in love with?"

Sora put his arms around her and lifted her up. "I'm sorry… Shizuka-chan. I guess I was never that person."

Shizuka hugged him tighter with her good arm. "Yes you are, and don't you dare start thinking you're not worthy to call me 'Shizuka'. I love you, So-chan. And I know you love me. So don't try and distance yourself. It won't work."

Sora shook his head. "In every single case… if I'd just been a little faster, or a little smarter, I would have been there in time, and then nobody would have gotten hurt. But I was slow, and stupid, and weak. I failed, Shizuka-chan."

Shizuka glared at him. "Then get up, and keep fighting! That's what you always do, no matter what, right?"

Sora looked away from her. "No. I'm done…"

Shizuka seized his hair and twisted his face back to her. "No, you're not. The So-chan I know would never say that!" She kissed him again. "If you need to rest, then rest, but never, ever give in! That's who you are!"

Sora laid his head on her shoulder. "Rest… that sounds nice…" He lifted her into his arms and carried her back towards the cot, careful not to jostle her arms and legs. "You first, though. You've been really badly hurt."

Shizuka laid one hand against his cheek. "So have you, So-chan. I don't understand it. I remember, last night. You did come and save me. You were brave, and strong, and you didn't let anything stop you. So what's different now? Why is your heart so torn apart?"

Sora laid her gently down. "Last night… I was able to shut out everything else and concentrate on protecting you. But now… what is there now to help me shut it out?"

Shizuka sat up gingerly. "Shut it out? Doing that for seven years is what left you sobbing for hours in Mariko-san's arms. You need to be comforted, not to try and bottle it all up again."

Sora pulled the chair up and sat near her. "I told you, I don't deserve comfort. Of course I won't stop fighting. But I have to fight alone. People keep getting hurt when they fight along with me. Especially the people I care about."

Shizuka put her arm around him again. "We don't mind it, though. We love you." She drew his head down to her chest and rested her chin on top of it.

Sora began to sob again. "Shizuka…"

Shizuka smiled. "There we go. Let it all flow away. I'm here now."

After a while, she smiled and tightened her arm a little bit, squashing him gently into her chest. She giggled. "I almost forgot how nice that feels."

Sora smiled up at her weakly. "It does feel nice, doesn't it?" He sighed happily and let her press his head further into her chest.

Shizuka giggled again. "There's my cute little So-chan." She slowly released him, and he sat up, yawning as he did. Shizuka blinked. "There you go again. What's up, So-chan? You look like you haven't slept in days."

Sora shook his head wearily. "I couldn't sleep at all last night. All alone… I'd forgotten what it was like. I couldn't sleep without you there beside me, Shizuka."

Shizuka giggled. "So, now I'm your girlfriend and your security blanket, eh?"

Sora shrugged, grinning. "I guess so. Hope you don't mind."

Shizuka rolled her eyes. "So-chan, I regularly let you use my stomach as a pillow, enjoy squashing your face into my chest, and share a bed with you. Of course I don't mind."

"Ooh… Aneesan's been up to some interesting things!" Shizuka glanced up at the door and yelped. "T-Taro!"

A grinning young man stood framed in the doorway, blue eyes glinting. His hair was spiky and black, and an earring in the shape of a manji hung from his right ear. Sora raised an eyebrow. "Just 'Taro', eh Shizuka? Have you been cheating on me?"

Taro laughed. "I'm her brother, idiot! Shinsetsu Taro! And I guess you must be Shizuka-neesan's idiot boyfriend, ne?"

"Now Taro, be nice." A plump, smiling woman entered the room, hazel eyes twinkling merrily. Her black hair was in a bun, and her face was jovial, though somewhat worn by middle age. She looked at Sora. "So, I finally get to meet the famous Kapalo-san."

Sora laughed. "Just 'Sora' is fine. And you must be Shizuka's mother, then?"

She nodded. "That's right. I'm Shinsetsu Yuki."

Shizuka looked up at her. "Is Dad coming?"

Yuki shook her head. "He was away on business when we heard. He's flying back as fast as he can, but he won't be here for some time."

Shizuka nodded. "Okay. So…" She cringed. "I won't bother asking how long you were listening. Judging from Taro's reaction, it was long enough."

Taro grinned maddeningly. "You're in for it now, sis! Such a depraved life you've been leading…"

Yuki laughed. "Don't be silly, Taro. Your sister's a young woman now, and she can do what she likes. Within reason, of course." She pretended to give Shizuka the evil eye.

Taro shrugged, and moved to stand opposite Sora. "Whatever." He grinned and bent down. "So… how is he?" he muttered softly.

Sora turned bright red, but Shizuka just giggled. "I wouldn't know. We haven't done it." She threw a glance at Sora and mouthed the word "yet".

Taro's eyes were as wide as saucers. "You're kidding me. You two sleep in the same bed and you still haven't done it?"

Shizuka grinned. "Well, no. Why would we? I mean, look at So-chan over there." She indicated the furiously blushing Sora. "Every time I talk about anything like that, he starts acting like that. It's actually pretty funny to tease him, though."

Taro shook his head. "Unbelievable. How could you fall for a guy like that, sis?"

Shizuka laughed. "Someone that irresistibly cute and innocent? How could I not?"

Yuki came to Shizuka's side, hugged her close, and kissed her cheek. "My poor, sweet little Shizuka… How are you feeling?"

Shizuka hugged her back with her free arm. "Getting better. So-chan says the doctors say I won't lose any of those good looks you gave me."

Yuki laughed. "Always cheerful, aren't you?"

Shizuka shrugged. "How can I not be? I've got my family here with me, and my wonderful boyfriend watching over me." She paused. "By the way, So-chan… I've heard an interesting rumor."

Sora blinked. "Rumor? What, did the doctors say something to you?"

Shizuka's eye glinted. "Yeah. They said you made them transfuse two whole pints of your blood into me."

Sora shrugged. "You needed it, and I could hold out until the blood they requisitioned arrived. You didn't look like you could."

Shizuka shook her head. "Even so… that was really reckless. Don't forget the promise you made me."

Sora nodded. "Of course not. But I won't let you die either, ever."

Shizuka's eye softened. "Don't blame yourself for all this, So-chan. You did all you could, and you did save me in the end."

Sora closed his eyes. "But your left eye…"

Shizuka shrugged. "Eh, depth perception is overrated anyway. And I won't look any different."

Yuki blinked. "Eye?"

Shizuka gulped. "Um…"

Sora sighed. "During the attack… Shizuka's left eye was damaged. The doctors say they can reconstruct it, but they had to remove it to do so. There's a chance that when they put it back in, the optic nerve will repair itself, but…" He shook his head. "It's likely she'll be permanently blind in that eye." He looked up, tears in his eyes. "I didn't manage to save all of you, Shizuka. I'm sorry…"

Yuki gasped, and hugged Shizuka tightly, sobbing loudly. Even Taro's usually smug face fell. "Sis…" he said softly.

Shizuka gazed steadily at Sora. "You did all you could. There's nothing for me to forgive." Yuki slumped into a chair, and Shizuka beckoned to Sora. "But if it will make you feel better…"

Sora slowly approached her, and let her hug him. "I can't be forgiven yet. I'm not…"

Shizuka glared. "Don't you say it! You're absolutely worth it! And you do deserve it!" She looked into his eyes. "There's light in them still… but they're not the beautiful eyes I remember. When will I see those quicksilver eyes of yours again?" she murmured.

Sora sighed. "When everyone stops getting themselves hurt on my account."

Shizuka buried her face in his chest and began to sob. "So-chan… I don't want to see you like this anymore. Akiko-chan, Hiruma-san, Renée-chan… everyone just wants to see you happy again." She stiffened as Sora hugged her back. "Please… just let me see those eyes of yours one more time, before you have to go away…"

Sora lifted her head gently and smiled. "Happy… All right. For you, I'll try, Shizuka." He reached out and gently wiped her tears away. "So don't cry, okay?"

Shizuka nodded. "Okay…" She smiled. "Well, we're going to have some work to do, aren't we? After all, you're going home to Hawaii tomorrow, right? I'll have to take drastic measures if I'm going to get you to be happy again before that." She fumbled around in her bag on the table beside her for a moment until she found her cellphone. "Let's see…"

Sora blinked. "Shizuka? What are you doing?"

Shizuka giggled. "Oh, just remembering…" She pulled up an image, as the others gathered around. "Here's a good one." She held it up, showing a picture of Sora being pulled at by Shizuka, An, and Mariko, his eyes swirling.

Sora blinked. "I remember that… that was the day we became boyfriend and girlfriend, right?"

Shizuka giggled. "Yep. Remember what came next?"

Sora yelped. "Ryo-san didn't send you that picture, did he?"

Shizuka laughed, and pushed a button, revealing a picture of Sora being squashed between a smiling An and Mariko. "Oh, yes he did, So-chan."

Taro let out a laugh. "Oh man, you absolute dog, Sora-san!"

Yuki blinked. "I don't get it… you play like this with other girls, but you and Shizuka are still devoted to one another?"

Shizuka laughed. "Mom… I told you, he's sweet and innocent like that. An-san and Mariko-san know that because they're old friends of his, so they'll tease him like that." She giggled. "Besides, I did it first."

Sora raised an eyebrow. "Don't you mean, you were the first to intentionally do that? I seem to remember An-chan doing it by mistake." He smiled softly.

Shizuka giggled again. "Oh yeah… That's right. You were still in that wheelchair, so when she tried to tackle-hug you, she tripped, and…"

Taro whistled. "You're one weird guy, Sora-san. But I think I'm starting to see why Shizuka-neesan likes you."

Shizuka flipped through a few more pictures. "Let's see… oh! I forgot that Hiruma-san took this one." She held up the phone again, this time displaying a picture of two people fast asleep in a sleeping bag.

Sora gulped. "Um… are those who I think they are?"

Shizuka nodded, desperately trying to keep from laughing. "Uh-huh… that's us!"

Sora deflated. "Hiruma-kun… even my best friend's turned against me!" He stared at the picture. "Man, you're cute when you sleep…"

Shizuka punched at the phone again. "So are you, and I'll prove it!" She held it up triumphantly, another new picture on it.

Sora looked at it, curious. "That's… me?"

The figure on the screen lay on his back on a bed, his arms spread wide in a sort of sprawl. His chest was bare, and part of a curling tattoo could be seen on one shoulder.

Shizuka nodded. "Yep. That's my little So-chan."

Sora stared. The Sora on the screen was smiling peacefully, his mouth wide in a snore and a carefree look on his face. "Darn it… you're right. I am cute when I'm asleep." He glanced up at her. "When did you take this?"

Shizuka scratched her head. "Let's see… I think it was last week, after you finished up with that kendo tournament of yours. You came back to our room and fell fast asleep…" She giggled. "You looked so cute, lying there, I couldn't help but take a picture."

Sora grinned. "What am I going to do with you, Shizuka?"

Shizuka smiled back. Almost there. Now… She took the phone back and pressed a few buttons. One more. Just one more, and I'll definitely get my So-chan back. She looked carefully at each picture, and finally smiled. "Here. Remember, So-chan?"

Sora, Taro, and Yuki all crowded around the small screen. Sora chuckled. "Trust you to save a shot like that, Shizuka."

Yuki beamed. "Oh, you two… that's beautiful!"

Taro blinked. "Who the heck was holding the camera? And why would you let them take a shot like that?"

Sora laughed. "I remember that. But that was Shizuka's idea, not mine." He glanced at the screen, now showing a familiar picture of the two kissing. "That was the day that An-chan came by for a quick visit, right?"

Shizuka giggled. "Yeah. I threw her a glance, and the minute I did, she knew exactly what I was thinking."

Sora laughed again. "What was her excuse, again? That she thought it would stop Mariko-chan worrying about me?"

Shizuka nodded. Then she caught sight of Sora's face and let out a happy shriek. "That's it! Quicksilver eyes… So-chan, you're back!"

Sora's eyes sparkled merrily as he took her in his arms. "Yeah… I'm back."

Shizuka turned her face to his, smiling. "Welcome back," she said softly, and kissed him.

Yuki sighed happily. "So wonderful…"

Taro rolled his eyes. "I think I'm going to throw up…" He laughed. "Even so… Sora-san!" He winked and gave him a thumbs-up. "I officially accept you as a worthy boyfriend for my elder sister."

Sora opened one eye lazily and glanced at him for a moment. He smiled, closed his eye again, and returned to the kiss. Taro shrugged. "Well… looks like Aneesan's perfectly all right with this guy here. Come on, Mom. Let's head out."

Yuki nodded. "Shizuka… we'll be back later, all right?"

Shizuka broke the kiss and nodded. "Okay, Mom."

Sora sighed and held her close. "I still feel bad about leaving you alone here over winter break…"

Taro snorted. "Don't worry. We'll keep an eye on your girlfriend for you." He gave Sora a soft glare. "Just don't ever do anything to hurt her, okay? Or I'll be coming for you." He smiled. "But you wouldn't, in any case. Even a punk like me can see that much." He waved and left, closely followed by Yuki.

Author's Notes: Yeah... it's pretty dang mushy, I'll concede that. But it does set out some important points, such as the extent of Shizuka's injuries, and it introduces her family. And besides, something's about to break this lovely mood... (evil grin)