Chapter 8~ Forgotten Smile

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Hayabusa took Ayane's limp figure into his arms.

She's not dead... Please... She can't be...

His heart raced, search for bare skin to check her pulse. He finally could hear her breathe shallowly. He smiled, and lifted her off the ground. He then disappeared, holding her tightly.

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Ayane woke up in Hayabusa's cabin once again. She felt numb, she assumed he must have used those herbs on her again. She look down and saw her shirt lifted up to the bottom of her bust, her stomach wrapped gently with bandages. She thought this sight was familiar. She looked out the window, and saw nightfall. She didn't know if she'd been sleeping for days or hours. She turned to her left to see Hayabusa staring at her, kneeled next to her.

"Good evening." He smiled gently at her. "How do you feel?" He said softly.

"All right..." She rubbed her temple. "Thank you, Ryu."

"I told you. I have to keep that promise..." He rouse from his stance. He looked at her admiringly and turned away quickly, walking a few feet away from her.

Ayane sat herself up, rubbing at her wound, she felt no pain, and thought it was safe to stand up. She rouse her body up, and stood.

Suddenly she felt pain on her left leg, from the forgotten wound. She stumbled, Hayabusa immediately rushed to her side, placing his hands on her hips, she grasped his shoulders, maintaining her balance.

They stood silent for a moment, still in the same position. Hayabusa finally realized the awkwardness of the situation. He remembered what happened last time he went too close to Ayane and let go of her hips slowly. However, Ayane didn't release him.

He looked at her face, seeing something strange, yet beautiful-- Her smile.

His eyes widened with surprise, as Ayane started to lean foward, closing her bright brown orbs. He let his eyes close with hers, and felt her lips brush against his gently. He felt shocked, but was perfectly comfortable and happy with it. Her lips parted from his, after a surprizingly long span of time. He opened his eyes to see her smiling again.

He felt something different at the moment, as she smiled. Her smile was filled with inviting and warm beauty. He felt insanely attracted to her at the moment, even more so than in the past. Ayane showed the same reaction apparently, as she wrapped her arms around his neck forcefully yet gently, pulling him into another kiss- a kiss full of yearning passion and desire. Hayabusa continued the kiss her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Ayane was so absorbed in the kiss, that she didn't even notice him laying her onto the bed.

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Hayabusa woke slowly, in the middle of the night. He smiled to himself, as he felt Ayane's bare warmth laying in his arms. She smiled in her sleep, the same beautiful smile he thought to himself.

He was restless, thinking about her. He ran his fingers threw her soft lavender locks slowly. He grinned widely, not wanting to stop, but he feared he'd wake her. She awoke from his actions, but kept her eyes shut obnoxiously tight, pretending to sleep.

"I know you're awake." He chuckled at her.

"No, I'm not." She said trying to keep a straight face. She didn't succeed, and bursted out laughing with him.

She wrapped her arms around him, shivering. He pulled the sheets above her to keep her warm, smiling at her.

"Ayane?" He questioned.

"Yes?"

"...Do you still love Hayate?" He asked unconfidently looking at the empty portion of the bed.

She stood silent for a moment.

"I don't even know if I ever did..." She stated, looking up at his sad figure.

"Alright... just... wondered."

"Why?" She asked, resting her head down. "I thought what happened was enough reassurance..."

"It's just..." He looked up at the ceiling, avoiding her gaze.

"What?"

"I haven't known you very long... Yet you seem so..." He started, trailing off in a thought. Then realized what he was saying and continued. "I never thought this would happen. And you've known Hayate forever...Why did it?"

"I..." She started.

Why did I do this?

She thought to herself.

"...I--I don't love Hayate, Ryu!" She spoke quickly, as though to cover something.

"I know... I just hope Hayate doesn't find out about this..." He said in an incredibly serious tone.

"He won't. How could he? Why are you so worried about everything?"

"Well, he told me to watch over and protect you, not -- you know -- you."

"Well,"

She said mockingly. "I probably won't see him in my life again, so I highly doubt it.

"I'm sorry... It's just that I'd lost you last night to him, and I fear I'll loose you again...like I lost Irene..."

"No...I'm sorry." She lay her head down again, closing her eyes. He followed her actions.

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::Author's Notes::

I'm really sorry if this chapter disappointed any HayatexAyane fans... But don't worry, this story is far from over, so be patient ^_~!

Thanks for reading!