Disclaimer: I do not own POT

Chapter 34: Guardian

"You always had a bad timing in actually falling sick Sakuno!"

Tomoka chided as Sakuno followed them towards the entrance way with a long blanket wrapped around her body and her nose red from blowing into the tissues not to mention her cheeks were pink from the heat and her eyes were teary. Sakuno let out a loud sniff

"Sorry…"

Ann clicked her tongue in the same fashion when she decided that she has seen something that can't be helped but Tomoka was more or less the mother figure in the whole household. The moment Sakuno came down with a cold, Tomoka armed with anti-bacterial wipes and sprays aimed at Akihiko and then full blown medicine and TLC treatment dictated to looking after Sakuno's cold. But it seems that even Tomoka's infallible plan of curing Sakuno was not quick enough and Sakuno was now in the middle of the peak of her illness. Akihiko seemed reluctant to leave as well, his mother looked terrible and he wanted to stay beside his mother.

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay back?"

"No…I…I am okay…Ah…Ah…Achooo! You two were… sniff… looking forward to this movie premier after all…"

"Yeah… but you sure you are going to be okay?"

Tomoka continued her mothering when Ann made a 'tch' sound and grabbed Tomoka by the arm and chucked her out the door before turning to look at Sakuno

"Make sure you lock all the doors and windows alright? And don't go anywhere, especially if you are not well."

"…Call us if there is an emergency!"

Sakuno wordlessly waved at Tomoka and Ann as they were headed out the door with Akihiko in tow. Akihiko waved at his mother

"Bye bye!"

Sakuno watched as the three of them got into the car together and she only turned back into the house once she saw their car disappear out of her sight. Sakuno made sure she shut the doors and lock every avenue that she could think of that had a lock… but ever since she had started to get reconnected with the rest of the Seigaku team she had begun to feel a lot safer in their home and of the world. She felt that her trust in the world was slowly coming back into her life and that she only trembles a little now and then when she was in front of a stranger but then again, she had always had that personality because she was a little shy. She also felt a lot better when Fuji assured her that the man who did that to her, all those years back has now been locked in there permanently.

SNIFF…

Sakuno tried to rub her nose as gently as possible as she slowly began trudging her way into the kitchen where Tomoka had repeated herself countless of times of the food that she had made for Sakuno. Sakuno can understand why Ann and Tomoka seemed so concerned about Sakuno, because it was the first time Sakuno was really left alone without anyone around. Pouring some porridge into the bowl, Sakuno then made herself some more of those herbal tea that Tomoka was raving about before making her way into the living area, plopping herself down on the couch and switched on the television.

Sakuno didn't really cared about what was on television but she felt that in this somewhat silent house, she wanted at least some noise. Don't get Sakuno wrong, silence sometimes brings tranquility and time to think but too quiet could make it feel lonely, especially since she was sick. Finally polishing off the reminder of the porridge, Sakuno rummaged through the medical cupboard for some painkillers that Ann suggested she'd take before she goes to bed for more rest. Shuffling around the medicinal cupboard, Sakuno pulled out a rather empty looking painkiller box.

"…Must've… run out."

Sakuno's head was only starting to throb, the dull ache told her that she probably needed the painkillers and she was also aware of the pharmacy about 10 minutes walking from their house. Casting a look outside at the setting sun's rays Sakuno started to debate with her if she ought to go out and buy them… another small throb in her head kind of cemented that need as she gingerly walked her way back into her room and changed her clothes armed to keep her warm. She even put on a similar muffler for the mouth so that germs would not go and contaminate other people. Sakuno then made her way slowly towards the door and picked up the house keys. She reasoned with herself that it was still sunset time so she had some time before it became dark and the area was probably pretty bright anyway… she'd be safe right? She kept reminding herself and coaxing herself as her head throbs are starting to strengthen which encourages her just as much. Armed with her wallet and her tissues, she opened the door and breathed in the outside air before locking the door and making her way slowly and purposefully towards the pharmacy.

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Tezuka could hear the hustle and bustle of the people around him as he made his way past other people with 7 pieces of luggage when he only carried a duffle bag. Tezuka had successfully convinced the board that it was crucial in setting up a branch here in Hokkaido and he personally came over to take a look at potential places and also to keep his promises to Akihiko. Earlier when he boarded the flight, he had been told a piece of news that worried him… Fuji heard from Tomoka that Sakuno had fallen sick recently, a common cold as Fuji aptly put it. Still that worries Tezuka because he understands that Ann and Tomoka were about to attend the movie premier that night with Sakuno, and knowing Sakuno she probably is home alone… sick and vulnerable, and that made him feel uneasy.

Tezuka took a cab to the Kings and Queens hotel, he had really liked the place and decided that he will stay there whenever he comes down to Hokkaido. Kings and Queens was also quite near Sakuno's house and therefore being in closer proximity to Sakuno makes him less worried and perhaps a bit more at ease. Tezuka took the chance of the Taxi trip to read his files and prepare for a negotiation with the owner of a building he had his eyes on. He just needed interior designers to work on the office as well, and he liked to select these things himself as well as hiring of the staff. But as much as he tried to look at the files, he found himself gazing out the window wondering if Sakuno is taking good care of herself or not.

Sakuno just happened to have finished shopping for her medicine, incidentally she got held up deciding on brands and finding more things for her cold. She had spotted an ingenious thing that helps with her nose sensitivity. Feeling a sense of achievement and success, she complimented herself for bracing her fears of going somewhere alone, however that was the least of her worries as she looked around outside the pharmacy. It seems that while she was inside the pharmacy the sunset had finally moved into night fall as the skies were now filled with stars and that the surroundings were darker.

Sakuno could feel her fear creeping into her mind as her trembling hands gripped her jacket and began making her way home. Despite how quickly she wanted to get back home she was still traveling at a snail trail pace… But that was the least of her problems, Sakuno had been shaking off a feeling of being watched over the past week that someone has been watching her… not just her, but everyone around her. It made her stomach churn at the thought that she would feel it again while she was on her way home in the night. Sakuno could virtually feel the person's eyes on her back and even in her dizzy feverish state, she was panicky. She knew she ought to call someone and funnily enough without hesitation, her fingers fumbled for a number she intended to call. Her footsteps were brisk as she attempt to ring the person and within 2 rings, the person picked up.

"Ryuuzaki?"

That voice was like her hope as she spluttered in fear

"Te…Tezuka-san…I…thi…I think someone is following me."

"…Ryuuzaki, where are you?"

"I…I am on my way home…a…about 5 minutes…"

"Where did you go?"

Sakuno pressed her phone close to her ear as she used it as comfort while she answered even when she didn't understand the purpose of his words.

"Pharmacy…Tezuka-san…I…I am scared."

"I need you to keep going on your way home, I will handle the rest. Deep breaths Sakuno and make sure to stay in the light and near other people if you can see any… if you are grabbed, I need you to scream with all your might."

Sakuno nodded as she kept holding onto the phone for comfort and Tezuka kept on the other end of the line as he kept talking her through it. Sakuno could start to hear the footsteps draw closer and closer, but Sakuno could see the doorstep to her home and without thinking much she ran towards her house and as soon as she started to speed up, the person behind her started chasing after her, she felt the fear almost paralyze her but she knew she had to run. Just as her weakened body gave out to her, she fell onto the ground, her medicine splayed all on the ground and she turned to see a dark figure. Her only instinct was to whimper in fear and freeze.

A shadow passed her by very quickly and that figure that passed her by ran towards the person who followed her as figure rammed her stalker against the wall real hard and the stalker let out a grunt only to have the figure grab the stalker's collar.

"Who do you work for?!"

"!"

Sakuno recognized that voice all too well… it was the same voice she had heard earlier on the phone… Tezuka-san…

Tezuka's blood ran cold when he heard Sakuno tell him that she was out alone in the dark and someone was following her. Tezuka was coincidentally out for a short walk when he received her call. He never hesitated and he was glad he didn't as he heard her tremble in fear and his body reacted before his mind caught up. Sprinting towards her house and the general direction of the pharmacy that he had looked up, all he could do was pray. Tezuka's body actually trembled his hands shook and his heart thundered against his chest.

Not this time… I have to save her this time…If not, I will never forgive myself.

His mind kept repeating those words as he tried to talk Sakuno through the process and keeping her company. It was only when he was nearing her house did he see Sakuno's figure crash onto the ground and a figure coming closer to her. At that point, his mind went blank and his body roared with an energy he was unfamiliar with as he used all his energy to push and slam the figure into the wall. Anger had never been something he ever lost control of, but to see Sakuno helpless on the concrete ground and a figure loom over her, all he could think of was to rip the man's throat out of him. Sakuno's picture impacted him a lot, the one Orochi took after the event, and the moment he saw Sakuno in danger it felt like he was living that moment and his body took over the rest.

"Who do you work for?"

He hissed his words, not hiding his feelings for once in his life. The person obviously shook because Tezuka had never been this angry before, this stranger has never seen this man that angry before as he stammered

"I…I …I am a reporter… Junya. I heard that there were rumors that the camera genius Fuji Syuusuke visits this woman often and that we are here covering it… and you are… Tezuka Kunimitsu… what is your relationship with the woman?"

Tezuka should have anticipated that the man was a reporter as he growled out

"Give me your camera."

"Wha? NO way!"

Tezuka didn't wait as he yanked out the camera from the man's hands and smashed it onto the ground without hesitation as he answered dangerously close to a threat.

"You go back and tell your boss and every other agency who knows to take your petty little gossips somewhere else, or I will personally make sure that company never publishes ever again. You all leave her alone, you clear on that?"

The man shook a little as he nodded and Tezuka quickly released the reporter and the reporter cast one last sad look at the camera before he ran away from the scene as quickly as he could. Tezuka was surprised at his own outburst but it was not over. Tezuka cast a quick look at Sakuno, she was hunched over, shaking in fear. He knew this was not a good experience and he can't help but feel even angrier at the reporter for damaging her confidence a second time, even if it was harmless as the reporter intended it to.

Tezuka could see that Sakuno was shaking and she was frozen and very afraid. He could tell that she needed to be comforted but he also knows that if she sees him, she will only get worse… Tezuka felt strongly about one thing above the rest though, Sakuno needs someone. She really needs someone and he will not allow her to be alone in at a time like this. Quickly with a plan in mind, Tezuka went towards Sakuno and he moved really fast, before Sakuno could really see Tezuka, his arms quickly went around her body and pulled her small frame into his arms and buried her head deep into his chest.

Sakuno was afraid when the person followed her, although she was relieved to hear Tezuka's voice, she was caught up in reliving that fear. She was shaking and she felt like she was about to fall apart on the spot. Suddenly she felt a shadow only for a mere few seconds before a pair of arms wrap themselves tightly around her small body and pulled her close into their chest. Sakuno at first resisted the person by pushing but then a warm hand pressed her head into his chest when she attempted to look as he said in a soft tone

"I am so sorry Ryuuzaki…"

Sakuno was rigid when Tezuka held her after he said those words, to be honest that hurts Tezuka but it mattered more for him to hold her in his arms and he could feel her presence more than ever. Tezuka hadn't seen her since that day when she screamed and she hasn't screamed in fact she went rigid was a good thing but he knew she needed someone to comfort her. He allowed her as much time as it was needed and he knew it was kind of a shock treatment for Sakuno since he was male by gender.

Sakuno felt herself clam up, but as she felt Tezuka's warm hands on her back and the strength of his arms… the gentle hand that ran itself through her hair… Sakuno took a deep breath and started comparing. The man that forced her gripped her tightly and his hands were really cold… but Tezuka's hands were warm… so was his chest and the way he touched her was so gentle even though his arms squeezed her protectively in his arms. These arms felt different. Sakuno slowly as she experienced Tezuka in this way allowed her to draw comparisons for she felt safe. She remembered these arms when they were in high school, he pulled her away from a car and pulled her close. She remembered how fast her heart thumped but she felt safe in those arms.

Sakuno's hands shook but she slowly gripped Tezuka's jumper tightly as she pressed herself closer into the comforts and safety that she could get from these arms.

"Tezuka-san…"

Her tears started to trickle down her face as she tightened even more and Tezuka only gently handled her as he attempted to sooth her.

"I've got you Ryuuzaki,"

"Tezuka-san…Tezuka-san…"

She kept uttering his name as she remained in his arms as she cried her heart out and shared her fears with Tezuka who kept his arms around her and comforted her as she continued to cry and cry. As the time slowly passed by, Sakuno started to tremble a little lesser and her fears were subsiding a little by little.

"You still have a fever, you should go inside and rest."

Sakuno's hand suddenly tightened again as she asked in a weak voice

"Are you leaving?"

Tezuka wanted to say he would never leave her, he would never leave even when she wanted him to… but then again he knew that if she saw his face, she would really only be in an even worst state than before.

"Yes, but I will go and pick up Akihiko and bring him home to you before I go back to the hotel."

Sakuno at that point vigorously shook her head, right now? She didn't even want to be alone for one second. Sakuno found that she was not shaking like she was when other men approached her and that she found solace being near him… that really never changed despite all that has already happened to them. She spoke her mind

"I…I will go with you…"

"You aren't well, I will bring Akihiko back for you…"

Tezuka slowly removed his arms from around Sakuno and turned around quickly so that she couldn't see him but it only made Sakuno quickly stand up and reach her arms to wrap themselves around him and pressing her head onto his back.

"Please…"

Tezuka felt his own self wavering when Sakuno asked him so nicely, she was really afraid. Tezuka thought of the cost and benefits as he tried to reason out but he knew Sakuno would probably benefit more if she…Tezuka slowly peeled her arms from around his waist as Sakuno whimpered a little but kept her silence otherwise. Just as her arms were about to drop, Tezuka took hold of one of her hands and intertwine their hands together and his calm tone soothed her

"On one condition, you don't look up."

Sakuno felt immensely comforted by that as they gathered her medicine with their hands kept locked in each other's hand before hailing a cab and then making their way to the child care center that Akihiko was currently residing in.