Something had happened.
That was the first thought that hit him when he opened his eyes, and found Amaya beside his bed. Even without his glasses, he knew that something was bothering her, despite her attempts to act normal.
Saruhiko watched her as she wound her arm around his shoulders, and plumped his pillows after adjusting his bed so that he could sit up properly. She didn't meet his eyes as she poured some water into a styrofoam cup, and held it to his lips so he could drink.
" Easy, " she coaxed softly. " Don't drink too fast; you'll make yourself sick since you don't have anything in your stomach… "
As soon as he finished the water, and declined an offer of a second, he touched her wrist as she turned to throw the cup into the trash bin. " What happened while I was out? "
Silence.
Saruhiko took her wrist, and pulled her gently so that she was facing him, although she still wouldn't meet his eyes, and it hurt to see how she was trying to shoulder everything all because she wanted to protect him. Releasing her wrist, he wrapped his arm around her waist, and lifted her onto the bed so that she was sitting next to him. " Amaya? " She was paler than usual, her aura somewhat tense, yet drained.
She looked away, and sniffed. They were both silent for a long time, and when she spoke, her voice cracked. " Kisa and Aya were here, " she finally admitted. " Hidaka-san called them, but I didn't let them in here. Things really got tense, and I… "
He waited.
" I hit Kisa, " her voice was barely more than a whisper. " I told her and Aya not to come back again, because I'd kill them if they did; I also chewed Hidaka-san out for calling them; it seems that he and your other subordinates did a background check on us, and know about the arrangement, along with the fact that I'm a Strain, and the rocky relationship you have with those two. And he still called them because he believed that you're getting hurt would provide a good opportunity to fix things between you… "
Saruhiko was silent after Amaya's revelation. He knew that she wanted to cry, but was trying to hold her tears back because she didn't want him to see her that way, and she was trying to be strong for him, especially now. Even with her face turned away, she looked so desolate, helpless and heartbroken.
The sight tore at him.
Quietly, Saruhiko pulled her into his arms until she was lying beside him, one arm sandwiched between their bodies, and the other clutched the material of the hospital gown he was wearing. He held her as she cried quietly, her tears soaking the material of his clothes.
He knew that his parents' indifference to him was a sore spot with Amaya, and like him, she knew that trying to establish a relationship with Kisa and Aya was a pointless waste of time; for her, trying to get Kisa to love him, and make up for the years that she neglected him would cause him even more unnecessary pain.
And as much as Amaya tried not to be affected, it still broke her heart…
Akiyama heard the girl's tears as he stood guard, and he knew why she was crying. Earlier, he had heard the soft sound of her conversation with Fushimi who had apparently woken up, and for a time, he thought that they would just have a normal conversation.
The sound of her tears proved otherwise.
Akiyama waited until she quieted down, then went down the hall to find the Captain and Lieutenant Awashima in the cafeteria, talking in low voices. They stopped as he approached, and stopped beside their table, saluting.
" Fushimi-san is awake, Sir, " Akiyama informed them. " Although… the drama from earlier seems to have taken its toll on Amaya Tenjin. "
Munakata suspected that he knew what Akiyama meant, but asked, anyway. " Oh? "
Akiyama looked conflicted. " She was crying, until five minutes ago, Sir. "
Munakata and Awashima exchanged looks. After the tense confrontation with Kisa Fushimi and Aya Oogai, and barely contained explosion at Hidaka, it became clear to Scepter 4 that while Amaya Tenjin might act polite with her fiancee's superiors, she had a very low opinion of people who thought that they could decide for others, and wouldn't hesitate to stand up to them, let alone bite their heads off; they also suspected that she had a low opinion of the authorities due to her experiences with the Gold Clan that had caused her nothing but pain.
The Blue King rose to his feet. " I will speak with them. "
She had finally quieted down, having cried herself to sleep. Saruhiko pulled her closer, grateful for the warmth and weight in his arms, running his fingers through her soft hair. The softness was enough to comfort him just like her touch, and her presence in his life.
The door opened, and Saruhiko pulled his slumbering fiancée closer as Captain Munakata entered, his violet eyes twinkling as they took in the scene before him.
" You're awake, I see, " the Blue King came to stand beside the bed, and glanced at Amaya Tenjin. Her long, dark hair was loose, half on the bed, the other draped over the side, and it was obvious that she had been crying. Her breathing was even, and she was lying in his third in command's arms, innocent and trusting in her sleep.
Saruhiko clicked his tongue, and indicated the chair beside the bed that Amaya had been sitting in earlier, clearly offering his Captain a seat. As the Blue King sat down, his third in command spoke in low tones. " More or less, Captain, " he muttered, making sure not to wake his exhausted fiancée. " I heard what happened. "
" It seems that there are almost no secrets between you and the young lady, " Munakata smiled, remembering Amaya Tenjin's protectiveness almost from the moment Scepter 4 found her holding his third in command in her arms.
Fushimi clicked his tongue. " There are secrets, and there are secrets, " he muttered softly. " What's going to happen now? "
" You will remain here under guard while you recover, " Munakata answered. " Since the summer vacation is near, I suspect that the young lady will be sure to spend most of her free time with you until you are discharged. "
Fushimi barely stifled a groan. " Great, " he muttered.
