Hiten shifted again and opened his eyes. He was on his back and Souten's head rested on his chest. He sighed and stared up at the ceiling, there was no sense in waking her.

There wasn't much of a point of anything. He lied about everything yesterday. He didn't feel that way about her at all. He regretted telling her those awful things and letting her go, but what was he to do now? Go back, apologize and beg for her return? No. He wasn't that desperate…at least, not yet.

He remembered the conversation with Tekkei. She was, as much as he hated to admit it, right. He was no good for her, he brought her down. Somebody out there would be there to bring her up. He hated the thought of her with some other man but knew there was nothing he could do now. He felt bad that she caught him with that other girl, too. He did intend on devouring her, though, in his defense.

He sighed again as Souten stirred.

"Wake up." He gently shook her shoulder. She grunted and rolled over, never opening her eyes. He rolled his and got off the bed. He made his way to the kitchen and sighed.

"Morning." A familiar voice whispered from the table.

"Morning." He yawned and then his eyes got wide. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Abi smiling at him. "Abi?" He whispered in disbelief and she nodded.

"I know things have been….hectic between us lately. I spoke with my mother and I cleared up some things. I'm going to stay and help you."

"We went over this."

"It wasn't a question, Hiten. You still have a lot of inner turmoil and have yet to let it out. I refuse to let Souten suffer. I don't expect a relationship or any such thing…what's done is done. I get it, ok?" She shrugged and he frowned.

"You shouldn't…"

"I won't force anything out of you…I won't even share a room anymore, I'll just…I'll be here when you're ready to talk." She smiled. "You can…have other relations; I won't force you to hold back…" She heard her voice crack as she spoke.

"Abi, I…"

"Don't worry about it, ok?"

"I do want….its just….I can't and…"

"Sh….its alright…" She looked down to the table.

"You aren't a whore…" He whispered and she nodded. "And you aren't nasty and….I didn't mean any of that…" He rubbed the back of his neck.

"It's ok…" She whispered.

"You're respectable, too." He added and she rolled her eyes. "You're smart and beautiful and kind and caring and…"

"Hiten, its ok, alright?"

"I still don't understand why."

"You were just doing what you believed best…even if it wasn't the most civil way." She mumbled and he cocked his head.

"I'll take your word for it."

"Good boy." She smirked.

"Abi…really…"

"I know you have a lot of mixed feelings about me staying but…I am." She frowned. "I know you've never had a relationship and can have a hard time getting your point across without violence…"

"Fine." He whispered.

"But…no more physical relations ok?" She watched his expression change to disappointment.

"Understandable."

"And once I think you're healthy, if you wish me to leave, I will."

"And if I wish you to stay?" He asked hesitantly.

"Then…it depends on where we're at." She watched his eyes light up a little but then dull again.

"But you can't."

"Why?"

"You belong married and happy…" He whispered and she looked down.

"We'll worry about that later." She reasoned and he nodded.

"I missed you." He watched her cheeks tint pink in amusement. "I won't bring another woman here." He added and she nodded. "You look cute when you blush."

"Hiten, no." She glared up and he frowned. "Just…no. Not until you know what you want out of this."

"I…I think I do." He sheepishly looked down.

"No….you love me and then ten minutes later you hate me…"

"I meant it when I said that." He barked.

"Hiten….you tackled me to the ground…you were delirious and…"

"If I was delirious, I wouldn't remember." He smirked and she looked down.

"A lot was going on."

"When I said it when you left."

"You never did." She blinked.

"I did…you just….didn't hear me…" He felt his face get hot. When he looked back up, she was frowning.

"No…just not now. You're health and mental stability comes first, ok?"

"I'm fucking stable!" He snapped.

"See…" She rolled her eyes.

"What-fucking-ever." He looked away. He looked back and smirked.

"What?" She asked in a bored tone.

"Nothing."

"Hiten…"

"It's just…its nothing." He smiled. She smiled back. "Why do you choose to stand by me?"

"For your sake." She looked back down. "I'm not going to abandon you like you feel the rest of the world has…through thick and thing, until you're better, I'll be here."

"Thank you…" He whispered.