Hey, hey you guys and welcome to chapter seven!

Okay, I'm starting to incorporate typing into my schedule now, so I at least do it once a day. So hopefully if I stay on task I should be adding a chapter every week, kind like a new episode to a show! Just minus the due dates and stuff.

Alright let me close my mouth so we can get started, but first…

Warnings: None

Okay so without any further delay, let's begin chapter seven! Hope you guys enjoy!

"Bold Italics"- Devil Jin

Chapter 7

Things Will Be Okay

Kasumi carefully parked the car in its space and turned off the engine. She leaned back in the seat, tired from running around all day. She finished all her errands, but figured she had time to run another one before heading home. Ryu was at home with the baby with everything he needed, she doubted he needed any help.

It had been a couple days since the truth finally came out and things had been okay or at least she hoped they were. Both Kaida and Ryu were pretending like nothing happened and were acting normal, Keisuke seemed a bit more attached to his family (not that she minded that) and she, herself wasn't sure what to do anymore. She figured they were dealing with it in their own, but acting like it never occurred wasn't solving the problem, let alone dealing with it.

She sighed, resting her head back with closed eyes. She knew it would be some time before things went back to normal, but at the very least they should be talking about it. On the other hand, she respected their privacy and left them alone, praying they'd speak eventually.

She hadn't been able to check on Jin yet and figured today would be the best day.

Kasumi left her car, grabbing her bag before leaving and heading for the elevator. She reached the desk and put on a smile, glad to be around people who actually had an open mind, "Hey Nina."

The blonde looked up from her computer and smiled back, "Hey Kasumi. How are things?"

She nodded, "Things are…alright, I guess." Nina stopped what she was doing and turned to look at her, "That doesn't sound to reassuring. Are you alright?" Said girl put down her bag and supposed she could use some time to talk about it, "I'm good. I still don't know what to do though."

Nina made a face, "Things are still settling in, just give it some time. How's Ryu?"

Deep down Kasumi could feel the connection they had fading away. Tears welled up behind her orange eyes, "He's dealing with it in his own way. We really don't talk much anymore. I think he just needs space…"

The blonde sighed, knowing her friend wanted to hear something reassuring, but it was her job to give the best advice possible, "Don't let Ryu shelter himself okay? He still needs time to heal, but I'm sure he's still messed up on the inside, Kasumi. He needs to open up."

Kasumi nodded back, blinking the tears away, "I know. How's Jin doing?"

Nina sighed and turned back to her computer, typing at the keys, "Working. Pretending he's fine."

"He hasn't said much either?" Kasumi asked.

"Nope," she replied, "He thinks working is going to take his mind off of it. He's doing a great job and all, but just like Ryu, I'm sure he's breaking on the inside."

Kasumi could feel her heart sink and concern for the raven replaced her thoughts. Jin left without saying a word to her before Kaida came home. He was doing it for his child, but even he shouldn't be trying to endure the pain all alone.

Kasumi picked up her bag, slinging it over her shoulder, "Thanks Nina. I'm going to go check on him. I'll see you later."

"Alright Kasumi," Nina replied, "Take care."

With a final nod, she headed for the elevator and pushed the button to the top floor. She hoped Jin was alright and prayed he wouldn't shelter himself from her either. Giving Ryu space was the best thing she thought she could do, but even doing that felt like he was drifting away from her. They barely talked, let alone made much contact anymore. Kasumi knew she was one the to blame for it and felt helpless.

With a sigh, she tried to reassure herself it was all in her head and maneuvered down the halls until she found Jin's door. She quietly opened up, sticking her head inside to see what he was up too. His back was to her, facing a filing cabinet and putting things away.

She tried not to make a sound and silently walked inside, putting her bag on the table, "Wow, the last time I was in here papers were all over this room."

Jin was the least bit startled and shut the cabinet, going back to his desk, "You know I noticed you right?"

The girl frowned. "No you didn't. You're just saying that." The raven couldn't hold back his chuckle to her childish attitude, "What are you doing here, Kasumi?"

She held her arms behind her back, striking an innocent pose, "I can't come and see a friend?" He shook his head and folded his arms, leaning back on his desk, "I'm fine."

She shook her head too, "Don't lie to me, Jin. I know you're not." With a tsk he held his down head. It may have only been a couple days but within in that time, he tried not to dwell on it so much. It happened that one night and all his thoughts were going to stay with that one night. He had work to do; he didn't have time to think about it.

Before he could reply, Kasumi spoke up again, "And don't pretend you don't care. Your tough guy attitude worked a long time ago."

And Jin knew better then try to slip by her. Kasumi had a gift for sensing one's emotions and he was sure she could already see how he was feeling. He was beat-up, confused, worried for his daughter, worried for her and Ryu; he was practically wearing his emotions like a second skin, but knew when not to deal with it. Kasumi just brought them out whenever she was around.

"How are things going?" he asked, feeling the weight coming off his shoulders. Kasumi gave a warm smile and took a seat on the arm of the couch, "Every bodies still unsure, but try not to show it."

"How's Kaida?" he asked, lifting his head.

Kasumi took a deep breath, "She's doing what she can. She's had a couple nightmares too, but nothing serious. She's not really talking about it, just like Ryu. He's dealing with it in his own way. Keisuke knows too, but he doesn't really seem to care. He just doesn't want to lose his family…"

Jin could hear the sadness seep into her voice and see her eyes look a bit glossy, "And you? How are feeling?"

Kasumi sniffled, wiping her orange eyes, "Lost, confused; I don't know what to do next. But probably not as bad as you're feeling."

He shook his head with a roll of brown eyes and a smile, "I told you I was fine." "Don't even try it Jin," she replied, standing up, "You can't deal with it either."

Of course she was right, but what was he going to do about it? Kaida said what she felt. Who was he to try and change her mind? The words echoed in his head from time to time, the sound of her voice and the way she looked replying over and over again. What she said hurt, it hurt a lot; Jin could actually feel his heart break.

He wanted to see her to make sure his daughter was alright, but the last couple days had been uneasy, he didn't think his presence was would make anything better. But even he knew he couldn't ignore it, eventually he would have to make an appearance even if Ryu didn't like.

Kasumi noticed him grow silent and guessed what he was thinking, "You know Kaida didn't mean it Jin. She was just upset."

"She wouldn't say it for no reason, Kasumi," he countered, secretly glad she reassured him. She could hear the pain in his voice and stepped closer, repeating herself, "She was just upset."

"She might as well have added 'I hate you'," he replied.

"Don't say that," Kasumi opposed, close enough now to touch him. Her fingertips gently touched his chin, moving up to cup his cheek, "She doesn't hate any of us. She's even said your name a couple times."

Jin looked up into her orange eyes, "That doesn't mean anything, Kasumi."

"Yes it does, Jin," she replied, "You need to stop beating yourself up over this. I know it hurts, but you need to know things are going to okay." She hugged him tight, wrapping an arm around his neck while her hand fell to the back of his head, the soft black threads underneath her palm.

The raven felt warmth and love from her embrace and found himself wrapping his arms around her too, holding her back. He felt selfish, but this was exactly what he needed; to feel her close to him, to feel her around him.

The last couple days had been hell and with his devil, he might as well have lived there. He couldn't help but think of the past sometimes, wondering to himself what life would like if it never happened. He wouldn't have hurt his best friend, he wouldn't have put her in danger, and he wouldn't have risked passing down the gene.

But given Kaida and Kasumi was the best thing that could happen to him, even if he could change the past, he wasn't sure he'd actually do it.

He could hear his devil growl and instantly his body grew tense. He was putting her in danger now, since it had been acting up recently. It definitely wasn't fond of Ryu coming in here and starting a fight, but there was no way Jin was going to put his friend in peril either. He managed to calm it, but he couldn't stop it from cursing in his head at him multiple times.

Without even thinking, he pulled her closer, burying his face into the crook of her neck. Kasumi grew more relaxed, moving her hand down to wrap around the back of his neck. He was hurting just like the rest of them and she was going to make sure he was taken care of too.

None of them should be dealing with this alone.

His arms began to relax and Kasumi pulled back for a moment, resting her forehead on his, her thumbing gently stroking his skin. Just like him, she needed this hug. She felt things were going to get better now, reassurance that felt real this time.

Jin looked up to see her too and in that moment, time felt like it stopped. The girl he loved in his arms, making sure he was okay.

Would things get better? Not even he could ignore the doubt he had, but he needed to stay positive. A bit more time was needed for everybody to start moving forward.

Kasumi looked back at him and like a magnet, she moved closer, gently placing one innocent kiss on his lips. The burst of emotions swam through the both of them, neither of them wanting the moment to him. It felt so right, absolutely perfect.

She pulled away, placing their foreheads together, "It's going to be alright."

A cute smile spread on his lips, "I should be telling you that." Jin ignored the sudden satisfied voice in his head, doing what he could to suppress the urges his devil required.

They stayed like that for a couple more minutes before Kasumi reminded herself she still had to go home to Ryu and put the groceries she bought away, "I should go. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

She looked at him again and he glanced back at her, she gave him a nod and pulled away, their arms staying connected until finally their fingers slipped apart, Jin's falling back to his body lazily.

Kasumi grabbed her bag and placed it on her shoulder, giving Jin one more smile of reassure before leaving the room, the door gently closing behind her.

The raven stayed there for a minute, folding his hands together and playing with his thumbs. He could feel the small ray of hope she possessed and just like her, he hoped for the best too. He couldn't help but admit that already he missed her, wanting to comfort her too since he sensed her distress, but he knew she would tell him if he need anything.

The kiss lingered on his lips and a cute smile worked out his mouth. Her lips were still so soft.

"Mmmmm, she tastes just like how I remember."

Jin heard his devil and rolled his eyes, putting her out of his thoughts and returning back to his work.

Kasumi stood outside the door, the kiss still haunting her lips. She touched her mouth, thinking to herself it was only one kiss and it didn't mean a thing. The feelings she had easily came up and quickly she tried to push them back down. She needed to return to Ryu, who should be the only one on her mind.

She had no idea what she was going to do with him, but all she could do was hope she'd find an answer soon.

To be continued…

Sorry, this chapter is a bit short. As a matter of fact this one was supposed to be longer, but I sort of mixed some of seven with six, so I cut off the other half to this chapter and left it like this. Personally I don't think it came out the bad, but I was debating how to end it and I like adding the Devil in there was a pretty nice touch.

Okay so that's it for this one. Now let's go on to chapter 8! Were Kasumi meets with Asuka and Ryu is…oops, I should probably stop talking now.

Later readers!