A/N: The italicized stuff is Ayame's dream (also a flashback).

Chapter 3

I leaned against the wall for support and shut my eyes, 'It's not like so…'

And though I couldn't see, I could still hear Hatori's groan of pain and Reiji's atrocious grunts. I covered up my ears, but it didn't help. 'Because of me…'

Then it all went silent.

I quickly went and hid.

Hatori came out shortly after, "Jya, Reiji-san, Akito."

I watched him stumbled to his room. I wanted to help him but didn't get the chance as Shigure appeared beside him and supported him. I followed them to Hatori's room. I wanted to knock but what could I say? Sorry sounded so lame.

"So, what was it this time?" Shigure asked, "Ayame again?"

"It's not his fault. He only wanted to help a girl."

"I think you should tell him."

"I told you before. There's no need," Hatori said, "and him knowing will cause him nothing but grief."

"I don't get you. You're willing to help take his punishment, suffer for him, but you're unwilling to tell him the truth?" Shigure asked, "I'm his best friend and I can't say I'm willing to do this for him. And if I did, I'd want him to know about it and be grateful. So why are you so willing, when I don't even think you guys could be termed friends?"

"I don't see a reason to drag him into this. As of the moment, he doesn't see being a Jyuunishi a terrible curse. But if he knew…don't you think he's happier this way, not knowing?" Hatori asked.

"Happier for him, maybe. He thinks it's simple if someone sees us transform you brainwash them and it's over. He doesn't know…"

'He…he was trying to protect me from Reiji all along and I…' a sob escaped my mouth, as I felt the tears rolled down my cheek.

Shigure opened the door and without looking surprised said, "So you heard it all, huh?"

I nodded.

"Who is it?" Hatori asked appearing beside Shigure, "Ayame…"

I looked at his bruised and battered body and fling myself onto him. I sobbed onto his shoulders as I apologized, "I'm so sorry Tori-san. I didn't know…I repaid all your kindness with…"

I got too choked up to finish my apology and could only cry, 'He's the first and only person to put my happiness before his own… Here I was wallowing in self-pity when I'm the lucky one. The one…'

He stroke my hair, "Why are you crying? You don't have to apologize for anything. I never blamed you."

"How can you not blame me? I-"

He cut me off and said softly, "You never knew. I can't blame you for something, I kept from you. You should stop blaming yourself as well. Now please stop crying, Ayame."

I pulled away and looked at him. At that moment I vowed to myself: I would do my best to forever protect him like how he protected me, to obey him and never question him. Because I knew I could trust him and he'll never harm me. But more importantly because at the moment I felt…

"Wake up…"

I opened my eyes to the voice I was so accustomed to, "Tori-san…"

He looked worried and held out a Kleenex to me. I felt my cheeks, they were moist.

"Are you ok?"

Impulsively I hugged him, he was stiff but then relaxed, and stroke my hair, "It was just a nightmare. You don't have to worry, you're awake now."

It was this feeling again…

"No, it was real," I said and added as an afterthought, "why are you so nice to me?"

"You're nice to me as well," he said.

"Tori-kun…" I murmured softly and added silently, 'aishiteru.'

The same feeling I got when I was held in your arms for the first time. The feeling of love…that I finally found my haven, a place where I finally belong. A place here in your arms.

The End

A/N: So what do U think? *S* Too sappy? Too crummy b/c they're still not together? Too AyaTori and not enough ToriAya? *L* Pls leave a msg (or flame) and I'll try to work on it.

And if I my muse starts working again, I'll write a trilogy.