Blame

Not much was said as they waited for the police to arrive. Maria joined them on the sofa and spoke softly to Aine, trying to comfort her. The police finally arrived and Takato surprised everyone by speaking up.

"Aine was attacked by my cousin, his name is Toru." Takato only looked at the cop taking his statement. "I saw him just as Lucifer were starting their encore and I knew he was up to something. If you'll check, you'll find out he's got a record – stealing and fighting, that sort of thing. He-he's probably here because of me." Takayama and some of the others questioned him but Takato finally looked at Sakuya. "I'm sorry. He's my-my family and none of this would have happened if I weren't here. Please forgive me." He bowed to Aine and Sakuya.

Santa jerked him up and shook him, "You had something to do with this?" Towa pulled him away.

"Back off and let the police do their job. I don't think he set Aine up, let's get the facts."

"I don't care. I just want to take Aine home. She's been through enough." Sakuya spoke quietly.

"She needs to checked out Sakuya." Maria spoke to him. "He – he could have hurt her in some way." Aine shook her head. "Yes Aine, just to be safe."

Sakuya felt the shudder that moved through her. The last thing he wanted to do was to put her through anything else but Maria was right. "Okay. Umm, aren't there paramedics on site? I don't want to go to the hospital if we don't have to."

"I'll go get them." Sasaki offered.

When the paramedics arrived, Aine and Sakuya went to another room and let the paramedics do their job. She of course had bruises, a few scratches and a sprained wrist from where Toru had grabbed her. Otherwise she would be okay - physically. When they were done, they left Sakuya and Aine alone for a few minutes.

Sakuya took off the ruined shirt and bra. He kissed the bruised skin of her breasts lightly, tenderly. The only thing she had to wear was the shirt Takayama had used to cover her earlier. Sakuya slipped her arms in the sleeves and buttoned up the shirt. Lifting one arm at a time he rolled up the sleeves until her hands could be seen. Sakuya took the small hands in his own.

Aine had let him dress her. She didn't want him to see the bruises but knew he wouldn't let her hide from him. Aine felt guilty even though she'd done nothing wrong.

"I tried to fight him. I really did." She whispered as she looked at their joined hands.

"I know. It wasn't your fault Aine. I'm just sorry I didn't think to protect you better. I was almost too late. Forgive me Aine?" Sakuya cupped her face and rested his forehead against hers.

"Oh, Sakuya. You don't need forgiveness. God, I wish this had never happened. I want to go home and lay in your arms. Can we go home?" Aine moved in so close that she would have stepped inside his skin if it were possible.

There was a knock at the door, Yuki. "The police are ready for you Aine." Yuki had waited outside while Aine was examined. He couldn't believe how bad things had turned out. Sakuya had just sung the most heartfelt song that Aine had ever written and almost immediately after that some bastard had tried to rape her.

Sakuya stepped out holding Aine's hand. "You two okay?" Yuki knew it was a stupid question but what else could he say.

"Yes. No." Sakuya looked at Yuki. He was like a father, brother and best friend. "Can you come with us, when we go home? For a little while?" Sakuya needed some support and felt Aine could use the comfort of another woman.

"Sure, of course." They all would, its what friends did for each other.

Sakuya managed to keep the interview short. Aine was tense throughout the whole process and everyone felt her pain. Takato had left, thinking they wouldn't want him around but when Sakuya and Aine heard his tale from Santa, they weren't angry with him. In no way was it his fault that his cousin attacked Aine. Later they would let him know but for now it was time to go home.

Takayama called for a limo and sent them home. He and Sasaki were going to see what they could do to keep all this out of the media and protect Aine's privacy.

"Take care of her and I'll check on you tomorrow." Takayama patted Sakuya on the back as he held open the door. "Goodnight everyone." He stared at Aine who sat with her head down, eyes closed.