Chapter Four: Rest

~*~

The room blurred slightly as Ariel struggled to wakefulness. She closed her eyes for a moment, then slowly reopened them. Once again she found herself lying in a strange bed in a strange room. But it looked more ordinary, and the covers on the bed were cotton, not silk. Memories of what happened before filled her mind.

She had been walking down a hallway, ready to go home, when as she walked past the computer lab she heard voices. There was no one in there after she entered, but by a computer was a strange object. She had picked it up and was sucked into the computer screen. The world there had surprised her, for it was snowing hard. The cold led her to discover her new outfit, something like a new age princess would wear. As she was looking for shelter from the snow, she had tripped and hit her head on a rock and was knocked out.

Ariel had awoke to find herself in an unfamiliar room, her head tended too. It wasn't until later she found that the boy genius Ken Ichijouji had tended her wounds. He had been dressed differently than he was whenever she saw him, and his hair was spiked, not straight. His manner had been cold and aloft. After a battle of words, she had fainted.

That place had given her the feeling of loneliness. Here, the feeling of home seemed everywhere, from the homemade quilt on the bed to the pictures on the walls. As she was staring around the room, the door suddenly opened and a woman walked in.

She smiled when she saw Ariel awake. In her hands she carried a tray with dishes, which she set on the stand next to the bed. As she rose back up, she beamed at the girl sitting on the bed.

"Good afternoon, Ariel! I hope you're feeling better now. I brought you dinner; thought you might be hungry. Poor dear," she murmured and touched the bandage on Ariel's forehead.

Ariel stared at her in surprise. She didn't even know who the woman was, yet she was being treated like a sick daughter.

The woman saw her surprised look, and smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry! I forgot to introduce my self. I'm Mrs. Ichijouji."

She was even more surprised. "Ken's mother?" At the woman's nod, she glanced around the room again, "So I'm guessing I am at his house too."

Mrs. Ichijouji laughed softly, "That would be correct. You're staying until you're well enough to return to the orphanage. That is, if you want to stay."

Almost jumping out of bed, Ariel asked in an excited voice, "You mean I can stay here?"

"I don't see why not."

"Thank you," Ariel said softly, smiling joyfully. She wouldn't have to return to the pain, the sadness, that was associated with the orphanage. No more beatings, no more Ms. Taylor. It was as if a rush of warmth flowed through her.

The older woman smiled back, "You're welcome, Ariel. Now how about some food?" She picked up the tray and set it across the girl's lap, "I didn't know what you liked to eat, so I made a little of everything. If you want something else, I'll go see what I can cook up. Are you all right?"

Ariel had never had as much food as she did now put in front of her. At school, they only gave necessary amounts, and at the orphanage she was lucky to even get that much. She lifted her eyes to the worried face of Mrs. Ichijouji and gave a small smile, "It's just I've never had so much food to eat. At least not for a long time. Is it all mine?"

Making a tsking sound, Mrs. Ichijouji poured a cup of tea and handed it too her. "Of course it's all yours! Poor dear, I'll just have to fatten you up some while you're hear."

After hearing the part that the food was truly hers, she had set down the teacup and picked up the chopsticks she saw. But just as she was about to start on a bowl of rice, she paused and looked up at the smiling face, "I don't want to be a burden to you. I know you have to feed Ken and all and..." she trailed off.

"Don't you worry dear. I usually have to beg Ken to eat what he does. Having a willing mouth to feed is a nice change. I'm afraid soon you'll be begging me to stop making the food for you," Mrs. Ichijouji reassured. She walked toward the door before turning around to smile at Ariel, "If you need anything, I'll be in the kitchen. When you are finished, I'll come get the dishes. Just try and rest." She opened the door and was about to step out when Ariel spoke.

"When am I going back?"

Mrs. Ichijouji turned back and saw the fear clouding girl's clear emerald eyes. "Not for awhile." The fear vanished, replaced by thankfulness. Poor girl, she thought, she must have been through so much. Smiling one last time at the girl on the bed, she walked out the door and shut it behind her with a quick click.

Ariel sighed quietly, sitting back and letting all the tension go. Not going back for awhile...it was her most fervent prayer answered. She sent a prayer of gratitude heavenward before picking up the chopsticks and attacking the food with relish.

~*~

An hour later the door opened again, A pair of amethyst eyes peeked in. They observed the sleeping form on the bed, lingering on the peaceful face. The face of an angel.

Her face clouded over, her full lips forming his name. Alarmed, he was past the door before he comprehended it. Frustrated at not having control of his body or mind around her, he still continued toward the bed. Sitting on the edge and reached over to brush back the golden locks. She turned into the touch, and eyes opened slowly.

Emerald eyes gazed up into amethyst. She struggled to full consciousness, "Ken, what-"

Ken shook his head, cutting her off, "You're not ready for the truth, Ariel."

Anger flashed in her eyes, startling him, "Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't handle it. I want to know what is going on!"

He drew back in surprise, for he had rarely seen Ariel angry. And he had to admit, he rather liked it. "I meant you are not well enough. Rest before I tell you, for I believe you play a part in this," he said calmly.

She settled back, a contrite look on her face. "Sorry."

Ken found himself smiling, another surprise for him. She beamed at him, bright eyes wide and innocent. An innocence he didn't know. "I'll let you get back to resting. Sorry for disturbing you," he said quickly before retreating. The door closed with a soft click behind him.

After the silence had returned, Ariel continued to stare at the spot he had stood, a distant look in her eyes.