"Ema..."
I looked down at the lone bed in the room, where the girl was lying, her eyes closed, connected to tubes and doctors leaving the room after checking in on her. I sat down next to her, listening to the steady beep, beep, beep and wondering when I'll be able to look into her brilliant eyes once more.
Her hand twitches, and I reach out to touch it. Her eyes flutter open, weak but her lips form a thin smile.
"Iori," she mumbles, and I lean in and kiss her forehead.
She raises her hand and pushes the hair back from my face.
I look her in the eyes and wonder where those words came from.
"I don't think I'm going to make it home."
Tears welled up in my eyes. I placed a kiss on her pale hand weakly holding mine. "Don't say that," I whispered. "You can't say that."
She looked older now, her skin white and her hair sprawled across the pillow. Her gentle eyes looked tired, like she was going to give up soon. I couldn't let that happen.
"Iori, I just don't think-"
I silenced her saddening words by crashing my lips into hers. Her breath caught, and she seemed just as surprised as I was. What was I doing?
"I love you."
The words came tumbling out, and I leaned forward once more and reconnected with her. If only this moment could last forever...
"Hey."
I opened my eyes and saw the blurry outline of the blonde haired monk staring down at me. I wearily rubbed my eyes and sat up, wondering how long I was asleep for.
"You look awful."
I looked away, thinking about how little I've slept since Ema returned to the hospital. "Worry gets to you."
Kaname sat down next to me. He stared at me and then snarled, "Stay away from her."
Shocked, I sat speechless. Never before have I known this hostile side.
He leaned forward, resting his head on his hands and seemed so stressed.
I waited in the thick silence, wondering what was going on.
"I love her, Iori. And I know you do, too."
Silence.
"She means so much to me. I know I tease her and all, but for two years, I loved her! I don't know what to do, and then you come prancing along and everything's okay!"
"Kaname-"
"I want her, and you're my rival now. Understand?"
He stood up, avoiding my eyes, and walked off. What the hell just happened?