"How is she?" Tohru softly asked when Hatori walked out of a hospital room.
"She's resting. Her arm and side both needed stitches: fifty-seven in her arm and eleven in her side. The cut on her arm isn't too terribly deep—but deep enough it needed stitches; it starts halfway between her shoulder and elbow and ends halfway between her elbow and wrist. The wound on her right side is only a few inches in length, but it is deep. We got the wound to stop bleeding and made sure there wasn't any internal damage before stitching her up. A lab technician came and took blood and urine samples, and a nurse took all her vitals. Her vitals are more concerning than her stab wounds. She has a fever of 102.7. Her BP is low. Her pulse and heartrate are both fast. Whereas her oxygen levels are low, so she has an oxygen mask. Luckily enough, she's not suffering from hypothermia, but her body temperature is low, so she has heated blanket. And—for obvious reasons, she is on a suicide watch and is being held in restraints for her—and other's safety. Her safety I can see, but I don't see her hurting others. But she's resting and somebody will be monitoring her around the clock." Hatori answered Tohru, looking at everyone: Kazuma, all the Zodiac members, their partners, and even Akito were all there.
"What happens now?" Arisa firmly asked, watching Hatori.
"Who's going to be watching over her?" Kyo demanded as Kazuma held him back.
"She will have three different female nurses watching her: morning, afternoon, and night. To put everyone's minds at ease, I will be her main doctor, getting all information from the nurses, and checking on her whenever I'm here. Kazuma, because Kohana's grandparents—her previous legal guardians were murdered—and with what just happened: Social Services are here. With DNA and everything, you have been proven as Kohana's father. And—Tami successfully got everything filled out, filed, sent out, and officiated. What I'm saying is that you are officially on Kohana's birth certificate and have every right to take custody of her. You just have to talk to Social Services and sign some things. They, depending on what you decide, will have you or me explain things to her—or they will explain it to her." Hatori answered and calmly explained.
"That's so great." Tohru happily declared.
"So, she'll be coming to live with you." Kyo stated with a smile.
"Yes, that is great. But no, she won't be coming to live with me." Kazuma informed, getting shocked looks from everyone except Akito and Shigure—who were hiding smirks.
"Wh—but why?" Kyo asked, shocked.
"Do you really think I'm qualified to raise a teenage girl with so many health issues? Maybe if Tami were still alive, sure; she knew everything about Kohana and her needs. Yes, I want to get to know and have a relationship with her. But her living with me wouldn't be a safe or a good environment for her. I'll sign all the papers to gain custody, but I want her living inside the estate—specifically with Hatori. I want what's best for her—and that's what is. It's that, or she gets taken into foster care. At least, if she's staying with Hatori, I know she'll be safe and taken care of." Kazuma firmly stated.
'How or why did I know something like this was going to happen?' "Yeah, that's fine; I have a few spare rooms she can choose from. Yes, while I work mainly out of my house, I'm not always there. Until she's—better, I don't want her alone; someone will have to come over and keep an eye on her—especially on Fridays. I will start taking weekends off." Hatori thought to himself before replying.
"I know this is a lot to take in—and even handle, but Kohana does mean a lot to me. She means more to me than anyone will ever know: her and Kyo and their safety and happiness. I understand that you may not understand a lot of this, but Hatori: you and Kohana are truly meant to be. If I hadn't known Tami the way I did—and all the things she did or could do, I'd say it's all a giant charade or is all fake. But I did know her well—and intimately. And I knew all the things she could do. I also kind of know Kohana and what she can do—or rather how she seems to know certain things. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Kazuma directly told Hatori before asking.
"Yeah, I understand. I'll watch out for and take care of her. You needn't worry about that." Hatori replied, giving up; something about Kohana drew him in. Something about her made him believe everything that he was told and learned. Something about her slowly brought walls down.
"Hatori—something to think about. Perhaps you should consider lowering your caseload and focus on a smaller amount of patients." Akito spoke up, looking directly at Hatori.
"What are you saying?" Hatori asked, narrowing his eyes a little.
"It's just a suggestion. Think about it: if you quite working weekends, and you work at that clinic on Fridays, that means you're working here—wearing yourself thin, here Monday-Thursday. And you tend to work most of the day every day. Cutting a few patients and referring them to another doctor would be smart. We do have a few great doctors here as well as you, now. Dr. Natsuki Sohma; she comes highly recommended. So does her husband, Dr. Mamoru Sohma. Then there's Dr. Kage Sohma and Dr. Touya Sohma. You could lower your caseload quite a bit and still work at that clinic. Instead of seeing eighteen or more patients a day, you could drop it down to twelve or so. And then you could also pick your hours." Akito explained, making Hatori think. However, he was still suspicious and didn't trust her—or Shigure. He'd have to wait and see about the others, but he's pretty sure he can trust the rest of them.
"I'll think about it. But for now, everyone who aren't Kazuma or Kyo—and I'm guessing Tohru, go home for the night. Get some rest. You can always come visit her any time you're not in school or at work." Hatori told Akito before telling everyone else.
"Dr. Sohma?" A man in a suit asked, walking over.
"Yes? Hatori asked, turning around.
"Did you contact Ms. Asakura's father?" The suit asked, looking at Hatori.
"Yes. This is Kazuma Sohma." Hatori replied, introducing him to Kazuma.
"Hi." Kazuma politely greeted.
"Hello, Mr. Sohma. My name is Taiki Tomoe; Tami hired me as Kohana's case agent many years ago. She filled out all the paperwork, so all you have to do is sign everything marked with a red X." The suit, Taiki, told Kazuma, handing him the paperwork.
"Are you only one here?" Kazuma asked, watching Taiki.
"Yes; my associates left a few minutes ago." Taiki replied.
"You can drop the act, Taiki." Kazuma informed, signing and initialing everything he had to.
"Whatever do you mean?" Taiki asked, starting to sweat.
"Tami told me about you before; you're her younger brother. She found a good home with loving parents and siblings who loved you for you. She told me you were in charge of Kohana's cases in social services should anything happen to her or her parents. She told me she informed you what she could about what was going on. This is Dr. Hatori Sohma; Kohana is going to be living with him. This is my son and Kohana's older brother, Kyo Sohma." Kazuma explained before handing him back the paperwork.
"Oh. Thank God. So, I don't need to go over anything?" Taiki asked, looking at Kazuma.
"No." Kazuma replied.
"Well, ok then. I should be headed out then. Get these filed and everything." Taiki hurriedly informed before starting to walk away but stopped.
"I'm sorry for your and Kohana's losses. It truly is a shame; Tami was an amazing older sister, and an even better mother. She loved Kohana more than anything in this entire world. She always said Kohana was compatible with the dragon; Tami was always into astrology and horoscopes. Well, good evening." Taiki apologized and explained before leaving.
"Now, what?" Kyo asked, watching Taiki step into an elevator.
"Kazuma, if you want, you can go in now." Hatori calmly told Kazuma.
"What about us?" Kyo asked, becoming flustered, holding Tohru's hand.
"That's up to your father." Hatori told Kyo.
"You and Tohru can come in if you both wish. And Hatsuharu: I'd like it if you'd come in as well. Isuzu may come with as well." Kazuma told Kyo and Haru, standing up.
"We'll see you later. Tell Kohana we send our best." Arisa told Tohru, giving her a quick hug before leaving with Kureno and everyone else—except Haru and Rin.
"What's up?" Haru asked, watching Kazuma.
"What do you want Haru for?" Rin asked, also watching Kazuma.
"If it weren't for you stepping in to save her, Kohana would be dead. I can never repay you for that. But regardless, I owe you and will start as soon as Kohana's out of the hospital. Yes, whatever you choose, Rin is welcome to join as well. Also, Kohana should meet the one who made it so she could escape." Kazuma seriously answered.
"Ok. Come on." Hatori told everyone before letting them into Kohana's room.
"Are you sure she's ok?" Tohru asked, concerned, watching Kohana turn her head side to side, mumbling a little.
"Yes. She's just a little out of it because of the surgery and the medications she's on. Her fever and the stress she's under, probably don't help anything either. And then—I think she's just tired." 'Of everything.' Hatori explained and then thought to herself.
"Can I sit?" Kazuma asked, watching Kohana.
"Of course. You can also talk to her; she should be able to hear you." Hatori replied, watching Kazuma sit in a chair next to the bed.
"Thank you so much, Hatori." Tohru politely (as always) thanked.
"It's no problem. There are other chairs; you may all sit if you'd like. Oh. I should let you know, as per the new hospital's owner's policies: visiting hours start at 7:00 AM and end at 10:00 PM for anyone who is not a patient's legal guardian or spouse. If you need anything—or she needs anything when she wakes up, please press the call or emergency button. Otherwise, I'll be back in an hour or so to check on her." Hatori replied and then explained before heading out.
"Where are you going?" Kyo asked Tohru as she started walking to the door.
"It's a surprise. I'll be right back." Tohru replied with a smile before leaving.
"So…" "What happened?" Haru started before Rin asked.
"What do you mean?" Kazuma asked, looking at the two.
"We know she was attacked; Haru kicked that guy's ass. And we know she tried committing suicide, but Hatori talked her out of it. But we don't know what she did." Rin clarified what she wanted to know.
"What's it to you? It's already bad enough she tried." Kyo asked and then stated, agitated.
"I'm not saying that it was a good thing she tried." "That's enough." Rin started to defend herself until Kazuma put a stop to it—in a tone none of them had ever heard him use before.
"Dad?" "Sensei?" "Kazuma?" Kyo, Haru, and Rin asked, shocked.
"That's enough. Please. Kohana doesn't need this right now; she's already under enough stress as is. Don't add anymore to it. Yes, she tried committing suicide via jumping off a bridge and into freezing water. The only reason I'm telling you that is because I'm sure you and the others will find out one way or another. Whether you hear straight from the source or you overhear it; I'd rather you hear it from me because I don't believe Kohana or Hatori will say anything. This isn't your gossip to spread, so don't say anything to anyone else. This is Kohana and Hatori's business. Ok?" Kazuma sternly told Rin.
Although what Kazuma said was directed at Rin, it was also meant for Haru and Kyo.
"Yes, of course." "Sorry." The three replied before Rin apologized.
"I'm back. Oh, you're awake." Tohru happily announced, entering the room, and then noted, looking past everyone to Kohana.
"W-w-w-where a-a-am I?" Kohana asked, looking at the ceiling, confused.
"Hospital." Kyo answered as calmly as he could, leaning against a wall, getting Kohana's attention.
"Huh-huh-ha-hospital?" Kohana asked, turning her head toward Kyo.
However, she turned back to the ceiling, blinked a few times before everything came flooding back—and she began to panic.
"Kohana. Kohana, no. Stay calm. It's ok. We understand—we understand you were scared. It wasn't the right thing to try to do, but we get it. That man killed your grandparents and then tried to kill you. Had it not been for Hatsuharu, here; that man most likely would've killed you." Kazuma explained, taking Kohana's hand in his.
"H-h-he s-s-s-said h-h-he w-w-was m-m-my b-b-bro-brother. H-h-he s-s-s-said h-h-he w-w-was g-g-going t-t-to k-k-kill eh-eh-ev-everybody I k-k-know a-a-and c-c-c-care a-a-about o-o-or l-l-l-love." Kohana very badly stuttered, tears sliding down her cheeks as she did so.
"Kohana, Sweetie, no. Listen to me. That man was not your older brother. Ok? He was not your older brother. You do, however, have an older brother. Kyo. You remember Kyo, don't you? I may have adopted him, but he's still your older brother. And he doesn't hate you; he has never hated you. And I promise you; I don't hate you, and never have. Anyone who says otherwise is either lying to you, or just doesn't know any of us. Kohana, Sweetie; we didn't even know you were back in Japan." Kazuma sincerely yet firmly told Kohana.
"B-b-but eh-eh-ev-everybody I g-g-get cl-cl-close t-t-to g-g-gets hu-hu-hurt o-o-or d-d-dies. M-m-my p-p-pets. M-M-Mama. G-G-G-Grandma a-a-and G-G-G-Gran-Grandpa." Kohana stuttered, becoming even more upset.
"Stop it! None of their deaths were your fault in any way, shape, or form! At some point in life, everybody dies; it's just how it is. Pets just happen to die sooner than people. From what I heard, a hawk or something took one gecko, and the other was just a freak accident. I don't know what happened to your mother, but I'm almost sure it wasn't your fault. And some psycho killed your grandparents; that's far from being your fault! If anything, you saved your mother at least once—maybe more. If it weren't for you, your mother would've never moved you out of Italy and to America. If you would've stayed where you were living before, you would've died because an airplane crashed into the house you were living in. I'm sorry about your mother and grandparents, I am. It's clear you loved them, but your grandfather lied to you. As Dad said, we didn't know you were here in the first place—and we don't know how long you've been here. Sure, I've seen you at school, but I hadn't seen you in so many years, I couldn't place you. Yes, you looked familiar; I knew I'd seen you before, but I couldn't remember where. That's on me for being an idiot. Kohana, we both care about you." Kyo sternly, firmly, and sincerely told Kohana.
"He could've said it differently, but Kyo's right: you're not to blame for your pets, mother, or grandparents dying or being killed. Stop, please; you're going to hurt yourself. That's for your own and others' protection. I know. I know. You wouldn't hurt anyone—let alone a fly. It's mainly so you can't hurt yourself. Kohana, you tried to kill yourself by jumping off a bridge, into freezing cold water. Thanks to Hatori, you're alive. Yes, Kyo and I helped, but it was Hatori who got you down. I will never be able to repay him for that—just as I'll never be able to repay Hatsuharu for saving you from that man. Kohana—I know there's nothing I can say or do to make you feel better right now, but I do love you. I know I wasn't around much while you were growing up—but I…" "B-b-b-because o-o-of y-y-your f-f-f-family's c-c-c-curse. I k-k-know; M-M-Ma-Mama t-t-t-told m-m-me." Kazuma started only for Kohana to stop him.
"What did your mother tell you about us, huh? Did she tell you how to stop it? What about your curse?" Rin demanded, becoming defensive.
"Rin that's enough." Hatori firmly told Rin, walking in with a cart full of needles.
"What's all that for?" Haru asked, watching Hatori.
"Someone spread a rumor that Kohana was suicidal—and has become violent with fits of anger. That's why she's being restrained and all that good stuff. Pretty much all the staff knows she's not dangerous like that. But there are a few that are afraid of Kohana—and that she'll attack them. I'm here to get the bloodwork her nurse neglected and refused to get because of that." Hatori answered and explained.
"That's just ridiculous." Kyo, Kazuma, and Haru argued.
"Stupid is more like it." Rin mumbled.
"But Kohana is so sweet." Tohru spoke up.
"Yes, I know. I'm assuming we haven't been up too long." Hatori replied before asking, watching Kohana—who just stared at him—into his purple eyes.
"Five or ten minutes." Kazuma informed Hatori.
"Good. I just need to get some blood from you. So, if you could; please hold still. And—do you have a preferred arm?" Hatori replied, informed, instructed, and then asked, watching Kohana.
"N-no." Kohana answered, stuttering a little.
Right away, they all noticed Kohana's demeanor change from scared, ridged, and uptight to relaxed.
"Good. Let's see. This arm it is." Hatori stated, noticing her left arm had very little veins—and they all seemed to float. In comparison, her right arm had a few different veins that sat still.
"Here comes the poke." Hatori warned before sticking the needle in to draw blood.
Kohana leaned back and looked stared at the ceiling, taking deep breaths.
"How did you make it all the way to the bridge bleeding the way you were without passing out?" Shigure asked, curious, walking into the room.
"Shigure, what are you doing here? I told you to go home. Where's Akito?" Hatori asked, annoyed, concentrating on Kohana's arm; he was on the third and final vial.
"Relax, Doc. Akito's waiting in the car; her hairclip fell off earlier. She wanted me to backtrack and see if it fell off here. And it was. It fell behind the chair she was sitting on; it's important to her. The door just so happened to be open; I figured I'd peek in quickly." Shigure informed with a smile.
"Kohana, are you ok?" Tohru asked, concerned.
"Ok, Shigure, you got what you needed—and you peeked in. Now, please leave; you're making Kohana uncomfortable. She can pick up on your zodiac spirit; she is afraid of dogs and snakes. Please just go. Let me get her out of the hospital, and then we'll slowly introduce you." An exasperated Hatori demanded, trying to remain calm.
"Ok. Seeing as Kohana is moving in with you, everybody wants to know when she'll be able to get her things from her grandparents. Right now, police have it taped off, so no one can get in." Shigure informed Hatori with a smile.
"There you are, you damn idiot. How long does it take to figure out if my hairclip is here or not? Come on; take me home." Akito firmly ordered Shigure from the side before Hatori could snap.
"Coming." Shigure happily replied in a sing-song tone, following Akito out.
"What's going on with that damn dog, now?" Kyo asked, annoyed.
"He's an idiot." Hatori muttered, standing up.
"I'll be right back; I just need some air and then to use the bathroom." Kazuma spoke up, walking out of the room.
"Before I deliver the blood samples, if you promise to behave—and not try to hurt yourself or others, I'll remove your restraints. Is that something you'd like, or no?" Hatori asked Kohana, watching her trying to turn her wrists.
"Y-y-yes pl-please." Kohana replied.
"Ok then." Hatori sighed, freeing her left wrist, followed by her right.
Once her wrists were free, Kohana rubbed them and laid back in bed, and fell asleep.
"She still has a fever." Hatori sighed, placing his hand on her forehead before getting a cold, damp rag.
With Shigure & Akito—& Kazuma:
"You damn idiot! What were you thinking?! You were just supposed to pick up my hairclip, quickly see how the girl was doing, and then leave! What is so hard about that?! Why do you have to go and get him all riled up like that?! We need him and the girl; they are key! Without them, everything goes down the drain—and not even I will be able to hug any of you! We need that girl! She and the Dragon! If you get him so worked up, he may find the girl elsewhere! Or he'll take her and leave somewhere else!"
When Kazuma found them, Akito was yelling at Shigure, tearing him a new one.
"That won't happen—none of it. Hatori is unable to leave the family—let alone the Zodiac. And Kohana; she bound to Hatori." Kazuma stated, making his presence known.
"Kazuma—what are you doing here? Wait. What are you talking about? Are you going to stop any of this?" Akito asked, watching Kazuma.
"Even if I wanted to stop any of this, I couldn't. It can't be stopped—not now; it's already started. All the pieces are put into place. You needn't ask what I'm talking about because you know exactly what I'm talking about." Kazuma calmly replied.
"What do you know?" Shigure asked, watching Kazuma.
"More than any of you—except for Akito. She and I are the only ones who know everything. And like me: the only reason Akito knows anything, and everything is because of Tami; she told us everything. And for now, that's how it will stay, yes?" Kazuma answered Shigure before asking Akito, staring into the very depths of her soul.
"Yes, of course." Akito replied, bowing a little before they went their separate ways…