A/N: Before anything else, I'd like to thank khr lover for correcting my mistakes. Whoever you are, thank you very much! I already edited the chapters and I followed your advice. (And also thanks for reviewing on most chapters, yay! ^_^) And of course, thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter too! :)
Anyway, this isn't a long fic. It's just going to be fifteen chapters or so. But it depends... when the story demands for it, maybe it will be longer than that.
I'd like to warn you beforehand, I don't like this chapter at all. I know it's terrible! (Don't hate me for it. XD)
CHAPTER SEVEN: Pain and Failure
Gokudera Hayato's POV
"Kasumi-chan sure is taking too long," the tenth said. He was right. More than five minutes had elapsed precisely already.
I stood. "I think I'll check her, Juudaime."
Hastily, I went up on our room, oblivious to the many people blocking my way. The moment they saw me nearing, they parted, giving me a wide space to walk on. When I reached our room, there was a tumult. Students were crowded, yelling over-excitedly.
"Oi, stupid woman, where are you?" I yelled, scanning through the faces, but I couldn't see her. Worst, no one was paying attention to me. All of them were busy, still formed in a circle. I joined the circle, swerving aside those who were thwarting me to pass through. When I succeeded in clearing out everyone, I found out what the uproar was about.
My eyes grew wide in surprise, there she was: being attacked by two monstrous girls— without any hint of remorse— while everyone in class was cheering them on. I felt the heat in my body rise. Before I realized what I was doing, I pushed the two girls aside with violent force, not minding whether they got hurt or not.
A dead silence followed.
I flung my arms around Kasumi who was seated on the floor: Her long chestnut hair was disheveled, an obvious sign that it was pulled out, and one button on her uniform was unbuttoned. I took my blazer off and slung it on her shoulder. She looked very limp and frail, as though one mere blow could destroy her. Her eyes were fixated down, making me unable to see the expression on her face, but tears were fluttering down on her skirt.
"Oi, are you alright?" I whispered.
No answer.
I glared at everyone. "What were you doing?" I know my eyes were a great deal more vicious than usual, for all of them stepped back, aghast. "All of you, what the hell were you doing?" I yelled.
Out of my consciousness, I threatened them menacingly with my already flared bombs. Several gasped, but I took no heed. My arms automatically aimed it at them, that is, when someone grasped me on my arm. I should have knocked that person away when it hadn't spoken.
"Gokudera-kun, don't!" the tenth cried. He took away the bombs on my fingers and threw it out of the window, causing a violent explosion on mid-air.
"I didn't protect her, Juudaime…" I mumbled in a cracked voice. With fury, I punched the floor, a few specks of blood drawing out the moment I did. But physical pain didn't hurt me anymore— my conscience was calling to me. Just when she most needed me, I didn't rescue her. I couldn't protect her.
I was about to hit the floor another time when she caressed my arm. "Stop, Hayato-kun. I don't want you to get hurt again just because of me."
She glanced up at me, her warm loving eyes making my heart leapt up. Bruises and scratches were all over her face, as well as a few red marks. "I'm fine, Hayato-kun. I'm not worth to be the cause of your pain. Stop punishing yourself," She said. "It's my fault. I tried to fight back but I just couldn't. They're right," She continued, a tear falling down on her cheek.
"DAMMIT! Stop blaming yourself, you idiot!"
"We better go to the clinic, Gokudera-kun," Juudaime said.
I kneeled down, my back facing her. "What are you waiting for?" I said, annoyed. "I'm going to carry you to the clinic! Ride on my back!"
She threw her arms on my shoulder and then she leaned her head down. "Thank you, Hayato-kun."
The nurse left when she was done with her services to us. My right hand was bandaged while Kasumi's bruises were treated with a cold compress. We were seated side by side on the clinic-bed.
"S-Sorry, Kasumi, I couldn't protect you," I mumbled, but I didn't look unto her face.
She didn't respond at once and when I turned to her, she was eyeing me intently. She smiled; tears began to form on her eyes. "This is the first time that you've called me by my name."
I jolted up. "Oi, don't cry!" I gazed away once again. "You're calling me by my first name. It's just to be even with you."
She grasped my right hand, caressing it very gently. "Sorry about this, Hayato-kun. You didn't have to hurt yourself just because you failed to protect me." She chuckled. "Sometimes you're also an idiot."
I abruptly turned to her. "What did you say?"
But the moment I saw her laughing eyes and heard her sweet chuckle, I felt contented.
"You're the idiot one," I said tartly. "Why the hell did you let those scoundrels hurt you?"
She released her grip, ceased laughing, and turned silent.
A/N: So, what do you think? It's the worst, isn't it? I know, I know, I'm terrible. And I bet Gokudera's pretty OOC too...
Next chapter: A Friend in the Gravest Time
