Fated: Act VIII

Chiaki sprinted down the corridor, back towards Kotoha's room with Mako close behind him. They arrived to find her door open and everyone gathered around her, all of them looking worried as they tried to wake her up as she screamed in her sleep.

Chiaki pushed through them all and then shoved Takeru and Ryunosuke out of the way so that he was next to her head. Kotoha's Origami jumped out of Chiaki's pocket onto the floor and made low squeaking sounds.

"Kotoha! Kotoha!" He shook her shoulders, trying to wake her while at the same time, trying not to cause her any more pain. "Kotoha, its Chiaki! You're back at the Shiba mansion! It's alright, you're safe!" He placed on his hands on her cheek.

"No!" Kotoha screamed, his touch making her wake with a jolt, causing her sit up and fall in Chiaki's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. He caught her and wrapped his arms tightly around her, placing his hand on the back of her head. She wrapped her arms around him, holding on as tightly as she could, as she cried into his chest.

"Hey, hey." He stroked her hair in an attempt to calm her. As he did so, he became increasingly conscious of everyone in the room watching him and he secretly wished that they would all disappear.

"What's wrong with her?" Ryunosuke whispered to Takeru.

"I expect she had a nightmare," Takeru replied. Ryunosuke gave him a look of scepticism, so he continued, "Think about it. Everything she's been through, it'll affect her mentally as well as physically."

"Oh."

By this time, Chiaki had managed to calm Kotoha. All they could hear was her sobbing quietly.

Mako stood up. "Maybe we should give them some space," she said, indicating to Chiaki and Kotoha.

"I agree." Takeru stood up and left the room, followed by Mako. Ryunosuke looked after them before also following along with Genta, Hikoma and the Kuroko.

As soon as Ryunosuke had slid the door closed, Chiaki said, "Are you alright?" He felt her shake her head, as she trembled slightly, struggling with her emotions. "You're going to be alright," he told her, continuing to stroke her hair soothingly. "It was just a dream, you're going to be alright, I promise." Kotoha's Origami let out a low whine next to them. "No one's going to hurt you again, Kotoha," he gently lifted her head so that she was looking at him, her eyes red-rimmed. He moved his hand from her hair onto her non-bandaged cheek and stroked it tenderly. He looked directly into her eyes. "I promise that I'll keep you safe."

Kotoha stared back into his eyes, hers searching them. She realised that he was telling her the truth and she placed her hand against his cheek. Chiaki could feel the roughness of the bandage and the softness of her fingers as they made contact.

"Thank you," she whispered.

The look between them intensified, both of them leaning in to each other. Chiaki tilted his head slightly. Their faces were so close, but then Chiaki made himself look away from her and moved back slightly. Kotoha's hand fell away from his face.

"I'm sorry. I should go," Chiaki said, standing up, causing Kotoha to fall slightly without him supporting her. She grimaced slightly as her hands hit the floor.

"Why?" Kotoha's voice was quiet, her head lowered and he barely heard her.

"I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have tried to kiss you."

"Why?" she asked again. He looked down at her and saw she now looked incredibly sad. Before, she had just been in pain from her experience, but now it seemed that his actions were hurting her.

"Because, because, you're not well and it's not fair for me to spring my feelings on you like this." He didn't want to say any more. He wanted to leave, even though he knew that would upset her more, but he didn't know whether her feelings were genuine or a result of what she had been through. Kotoha didn't reply and he slowly walked over to the door. His hand was on the handle when she eventually spoke.

"You're breaking your promise," she whispered. He turned. She hadn't moved. "You said you wouldn't leave me and that no one was going to hurt me." She lifted her head and looked at him, her face full of sadness and he could tell that she was resisting the urge to cry. "But you're doing both."

Chiaki paused. She was right and they both knew it. He looked at his hand, still on the handle. This was it. This was when he had to make a choice. Tell her the truth and hope that she genuinely loved him too, or walk away, break his promises and deal with the consequences. He looked back at her and saw that she had lowered her head again, deliberately not looking at him. He knew that she didn't want to watch him walk out of that door and neither did he. He took a deep breath and walked back over to her. He knelt next to her and placed both of his hands on her cheeks and carefully lifted her head. She didn't wince at the contact when he touched her bandaged cheek or when he moved her head. She lifted her eyes so that they made contact with his, both of their eyes watery with emotion.

He took another deep breath before slowly leaning into her, closing his eyes and tilting his head slightly as he did so. Kotoha couldn't help but gasp when his lips made contact with hers. Even though she'd been expecting it, she was still surprised. She smiled to herself as she closed her eyes and kissed him back. She raised her hand and placed it on his cheek, her fingers touching his hair.

They pulled away from each other and Chiaki looked slightly embarrassed by what he had just done. He was about to apologise but Kotoha's next words stopped him.

"I love you, Chiaki," she said quietly, looking into his eyes again. She watched his eyes round in surprise and she quickly lowered her hand and, wincing, moved herself away from him.

Chiaki, taken off guard, stared at her. In that moment, with her words, he knew that what she had said came from the heart, that that was how she actually felt about him. All of his fears that she would only reciprocate his feelings because of her fragile state of mind were washed away. He then realised that she had moved away and looked disheartened. He shuffled over to her and she turned her head away.

"Kotoha." She looked away from even more, turning her head so much that her neck hurt. He placed his hand on her chin and carefully moved it so that she was looking at him again. "Kotoha, I love you."

He then watched her eyes round with surprise and he couldn't help but smile. She placed her hand back on his cheek, stroking it gently, a small laugh escaping, ignoring the pain that shot though her as she did so. Chiaki, however, noticed it.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded her head quickly. She felt the pain spread through her body and she hated how fragile and weak she felt and she lowered her hand. All she wanted to do was lie down and sleep, but at the same time, she wanted to stay awake. She didn't want to fall asleep and dream of Dayu torturing her again, but now that they had both admitted their love, she just wanted to look at him.

"Maybe you should lie back down," Chiaki said. He knew that their declaration had worn her out quite a bit.

She really didn't want to, but could feel sleep beckoning her. She touched his arm. "Only if you stay with me," she said. "I only feel safe with you."

Chiaki replied by gently kissing her forehead. He then helped her to lie back down. The Saru Origami folded itself back up in-between them. Chiaki readjusted Kotoha's blanket around her before lying on his side next to her. He placed his arm over her, as though protecting her and she carefully shuffled her body so that her head was resting against his chest.

"I love you," Kotoha said again.

Chiaki smiled. "I love you too," he replied and moments later fatigue had caught up with both of them and they were fast asleep.

XxX

The night was a restless one for both of them. Every couple of hours Kotoha would wake up screaming. The Kurokos would enter the room to help, but every time Chiaki waved them away. The first couple of times, the entire house had once again tried to intervene, but after Chiaki explained that this would keep happening, and that they shouldn't worry too much because he was with her, they agreed not to return until morning.

The sun shone through the window, illuminating the two of them, fast asleep. Chiaki groaned and stirred as the sun hit his face. He slowly opened his eyes to see Kotoha asleep, her head resting on his chest, his arms, where they had been for most of the night, wrapped around her in an attempt to make her feel safe. He lifted his arm so that he could see the time on his watch. It was seven am. Chiaki sighed, they had had only three hours straight sleep, but seeing that she was still sleeping peacefully, he knew he shouldn't wake her.

He moved his hand and gently brushed her hair off of her face, so that he could see her better and smiled. If it was under better circumstances, he could really get used to this. The movement however caused Kotoha to stir and she too soon awoke.

"Morning," Chiaki said. Kotoha jumped and winced. "Are you alright?"

She nodded. "I feel a bit better now." She slowly moved, grimacing, so that she could look at him. She smiled.

Chiaki leaned in and kissed her lips. "I'm glad."

Kotoha looked at him confused. "What was that for?"

"Oh, um." Chiaki looked confused as to what to say. "Last night, we, um, we said that we loved each other. Don't you remember?" He eventually said, worried that last night she had just been caught up in the moment and now didn't remember or regretted it. Instead, her smile widened.

"I thought that was just a dream," she said. She put her hand on top of his and entwined their fingers. "I'm glad that it wasn't." She sat up, groaning slightly with the pain. Chiaki sat up with her, putting an arm around her to keep her steady. She looked at her bandaged hands and wrists. She lifted her hand and touched that bandage on her cheek and then on the one wrapped around the top of her head. "How bad is it?" she asked.

"It looks better than it did yesterday," Chiaki told her. "You were quite badly beaten up." She shook as she remembered everything that had happened with Dayu. Chiaki held her closer to him and she was glad for the comfort.

"Why me?" she wondered aloud. "What did I do?"

Chiaki shook his head. "I don't know. I don't think it was just because you're a Shinkenger. You were singled out."

She looked at him. "You're right," she said. She looked back down at her hands and sighed, she really wished she knew why Dayu had wanted her dead so badly and what it was she had done that would cause her to want to inflict so much pain upon her. She sighed again, moved the blanket off of her and made to stand up, but Chiaki stopped her.

"What are you doing?"

"I need to get up," she replied, making another attempt to stand, but he stopped again.

"Kotoha, you shouldn't. You need to rest."

She shook her head. "No, I can't. I have to get up. I can't stay in this tatami, in this room. I need to get out. Anyway," she continued, "I am a little bit hungry."

Chiaki gave her a half-hearted smile, but he knew she was right. She couldn't stay in this room forever. He stood up and held out his hand, which she took. He helped lift her to her feet and caught her as she stumbled. Together they walked to the door, Chiaki supporting her as she groaned quietly with each limped step. Chiaki was about to slide open the door, when she stopped him.

"Actually," she said, "I would like to wash up first." He looked at her, bemused, so she continued, "I haven't washed in, what was it Tono-sama said, three days."

"Oh." He looked confused as to what to do. He knew that it was improper of him to help her bathe. He swallowed, then said, "Um, do want me to..."

"Get Mako," Kotoha finished.

"Uh, yeah, get Mako." Without thinking, he let go of her and she stumbled again. He caught hold of her. "Sorry," he said. "Maybe I should send a Kuroko to get her."

She nodded in response and still holding her, he slid open the door. A Kuroko was stood against the wall. He must be there in case she needed anything, Chiaki thought.

"Can you bring Mako here, please," he said to the Kuroko. "Kotoha needs her."

The Kuroko bowed and disappeared down the corridor. While they waited, Chiaki sat Kotoha back down. She sighed and leaned against him. Just walking across the room had tired her out. Chiaki noticed her tiredness and he held her hand, gently stroking her fingers with his thumb. Kotoha smiled at the gesture.

After a few minutes the Kuroko returned, bowing as he directed Mako into the room. She watched as both Chiaki and Kotoha were leaning against each other, staring at their hands, smiling. Mako looked and saw Chiaki's hand stroking Kotoha's in a loving manner; she couldn't help but smile. She cleared her thought, making the two of them jump. Chiaki took his hand off of Kotoha's.

"Are you two alright?" Mako asked, entering the room.

"Yeah," Chiaki replied. "But we were wondering if you could do us a favour?"

"What's that?"

"Could you help me bathe?" Kotoha asked, blushing.

"Of course." Mako walked over to them and knelt down. "I'll have to get a Kuroko to help with these bandages," she said. Kotoha pulled a look of horror. "Don't worry, they won't see anything," Mako told her. She turned to Chiaki, "Maybe you should also go and freshen up and have something to eat." Chiaki quickly looked at Kotoha, a look of worry on his face. "Don't worry, she'll be fine," she added, correctly reading his expression.

"Will you be alright?" He asked Kotoha, ignoring Mako.

"Yeah." Kotoha placed her hand on his arm. "I'll be fine."

Mako called to the Kuroko who was standing next to the door. He walked in and helped Mako lift Kotoha up and out of the room to the bathroom. Before they left, Mako turned back to him. "I'll come and get you when we've finished," she told him.

Chiaki then also left the room and headed to the other bathroom. He washed and changed before heading to the main room for breakfast. He entered the room to see Takeru, Ryunosuke and Genta still sitting there despite having finished their breakfast.

"Morning," Chiaki said, sitting down. A Kuroko brought in a tray of food and placed in front of him. "Thank you."

"How's Kotoha?" Takeru asked.

"Better," Chiaki replied.

"I'm glad," Takeru replied. He paused for a moment, then said, "Chiaki, we need to talk."

Chiaki look up from his breakfast, confused. "About what?"

"This situation. I know you felt like it was your fault that she was kidnapped, but that's no reason for you to have run off like you did."

"Yes," Ryunosuke added, "we were all worried that something had happened to you."

Chiaki stared at them. He had found out where Kotoha was and had rescued her and now he was getting told off for doing so?

"I need to know, is there something else going on?" Takeru asked, ignoring Chiaki's scandalised look.

"Like what?" he asked in response, though he had a good idea as what Takeru was on about.

"There isn't anything going on between you two is there?"

"Of course not," he lied, turning back to his breakfast.

Takeru sighed. "Do you have any idea as to what Dayu wanted with Kotoha?"

"No and Kotoha has no idea either."

Takeru sighed again. "We're going to have to assume that Dayu will send DayuKage for her. We're going to have to be prepared." Genta and Ryunosuke nodded in agreement.

"Where is Koto-chan anyway?" Genta asked.

"With Mako," Chiaki replied.

"Oh. I might go and see her in a bit," Genta said. "I really missed her."

"She'll like that," Chiaki replied.

Mako then appeared and knelt next to Chiaki. "We're finished. She wants to see you," she whispered quietly in his ear so the others couldn't hear. Chiaki nodded, stood up and quickly left the room. The remaining Shinkengers looked at Mako. "He's gone to see Kotoha," she told them.

"Aww man, I wanted to go see her too," Genta grumbled.

XxX

Chiaki stood in Kotoha's doorway, watching her with a small smile on his face. Her clothes had changed. She was now dressed in baggy trousers, a t-shirt and long cardigan, her hair still slightly damp. In her hands was her flute, she was turning in between her fingers as though she was unsure of what to do with it.

"Hey," Chiaki called.

She looked up, a smile instantly visible. "Hey."

Chiaki walked over to her and kissed her. "How are you feeling now?" he asked, sitting next to her.

"Much better, now that you're here," she said, placing her flute in her pocket before raising her hand to touch his cheek. He placed his hand over hers. "I feel better after that bath. I think the hot water has gotten rid of most of the aches."

Chiaki smiled. "You look so much better," he said. Her skin was almost back to its normal colour and her eyes were beginning to sparkle again.

"I missed you," she said, stroking his cheek with her thumb. "Even though you were just down the corridor, I missed you."

"I missed you too." He touched her forehead with his own and she closed her eyes and sighed.

"I could stay like this."

"Me too, but," he sighed, "I think we should get up. You need to eat something and I think Genta might have a stroke or something if he doesn't see you soon."

Kotoha let out a small laugh and opened her eyes. "Okay." She lowered her hand and turned it so that she was holding onto his.

Chiaki stood up, taking her with him. He put his other arm around her to support her and led her to the main room. The other four Shinkengers were still sat there.

"Koto-chan!" Genta leapt up and pulled Kotoha into a hug, knocking Chiaki off balance slightly.

"Oww," Kotoha groaned.

"What is it? Did I hurt you? I'm sorry!" Genta cried, pushing her away from him slightly as he realised that she was still in some pain from her injuries.

"No, it's alright," Kotoha replied, touching Genta's arm in a reassuring manner.

"You really should be more careful," Ryunosuke said.

"I know! I'm sorry!" He moved Kotoha over to the bench and sat her down, using more care than was necessary. She looked at Chiaki who was sat opposite her. He gave her a reassuring smile.

"It's good to see that you're feeling better," Takeru said, distracting her from Chiaki.

"Yes, thank you, Tono-sama." A Kuroko appeared and placed some food next to her. "Thank you," she said. She picked up her chopsticks and began to slowly eat her breakfast, trying to ignore the five pairs of eyes that were watching her. When she had finished, the Kuroko took the tray of food away and she thanked them again. She lifted her eyes to see that they were all still watching her. She looked out of the window and sighed. Even though she was so happy and relieved to back, she didn't them to be treating her like she was an invalid. She didn't want her every move to be watched.

"Chiaki," she said, "will you help me outside?"

"Sure." He went over to her and helped her up.

"We'll be back in a minute," Kotoha told the others, who had all risen slightly as though they were going to go too. They sat back down, all of them, except Mako, with confused looks.

"She will be alright, won't she?" Genta asked, once Kotoha and Chiaki were out of sight.

"She'll be fine," Takeru replied.

"So why won't she let us come too?" Ryunosuke wondered. "It's like she doesn't want to be with us."

"I think," Mako said, "for now she just really needs Chiaki."

XxX

Kotoha led Chiaki out into the garden. She sat on the grass, pulling him down with her. She relaxed her head on his shoulder.

"Are you alright?" he asked, resting his head on top of hers.

"I wish people would stop asking me that," she replied.

"I'm sorry," he begun, but she interrupted him.

"I know. I know you're all worried about me. But how am I supposed to get better if all anyone does is worry. I want to be treated like I used to be."

"You're right," Chiaki said.

"That's why I had to get out of there. They keep looking at me as though I'm about to break." She sighed. "I wish things were back the way they were."

"It will be. We'll defeat DayuKage and Gedoushuu." She lifted her head so that they were looking into each other's eyes. "And then we can-" But he was cut off by Takeru calling out from the veranda.

"Chiaki!" Both Chiaki and Kotoha turned. "DayuKage's reappeared."

"Right." He stood up, helping Kotoha up as he did so.

Takeru paused. "I think it would be best if Kotoha stayed here."

"What?"

"We can't risk the Gedoushuu getting hold of her again. She stays," he ordered. He then ran back into the mansion. They watched as he joined the other Shinkengers, before they all ran off.

Chiaki looked at her, "Kotoha," he began.

She shook her head. "No, go." Holding onto his shoulders and pushing herself up, she kissed him lightly.

Chiaki made to leave but then stopped and thought about it. This was exactly what she had just been on about. He didn't want her to go, but at the same time, he felt that she had right and anyway, he was going to be there and he wouldn't let DayuKage go anywhere near her. He turned back around, facing her. She had an uncertain look on her face.

"Here," he rummaged though his pocket, pulling out her Shodophone. He held it out to her. "I've been looking after this for you."

She took it, smiling. "Thank you."

Chiaki turned around and crouched down. "Get on, I'll carry you." Kotoha placed her arms around his neck and he stood up, carrying her piggy-back style, running out of the garden after the others and towards DayuKage.


A/N: Wow, this chapter is incredibly long! It sort of got away from me ^_^

Anyway, Chiaki and Kotoha finally got together! And if it seems like it happened earlier than you thought, I agree. I had orginally planned for it to happen later, but this was the direction in which this chapter went, so...

Anyway, once again, please read and review ^_^