~ * Obsessions * ~ By Chick-a-tee-in-ur-face

Disclaimer: "Like do I really need to do this?" *sigh* "SM does not belong to me. There, are you happy now?"

AN: Soz ppls 4 late post up...i can't help myself...my brains been stressed 2 da limit...*sigh*...I just got back from a school trip...n got bombarded with home work...n chores...n bing sick all da time...well, no more excuses...on with da show ^_^.

Chapter 4: Sad Farewells

Everything was happening too fast for Rei. Her grandfather's bloody limp body was still as he laid on the stretcher, an oxygen mask covering his face. The nurses rushing around shouting orders as the paramedics handed him over to them. The nurses pushed him to the operation room closing the door behind them. Rei tried to get into the room and was immediately stopped by a doctor.

"I'm sorry miss. You can't come in here."

"But-but my grandfather..."

"We'll let you know with our progression." The doctor gave her a sympathetic look before disappearing behind the door.

Rei tried looking in the two windows but her vision was blurry, from unshed tears. Slowly, she turned making her way back to the lobby. Sitting down, she leaned her head in her arms and wept soundly. She felt a shiver down her spine, hugging herself tighter to keep her warm she looked around the room. Unfamiliar faces, sad like her own stared into space but...but they had companions whispering comforting words. Rei felt alone just then. Looking at the clock-2:37 am. She knew it was late to be calling anyone, but she didn't like being alone. At the nearest payphone she could find she dialed someone's number.

Ring! Ring! Ring! The phone rang for a couple of minutes before anybody picked up.

"Hello!" A sleepy voice murmured on the other line.

"Chad." Rei almost cried with relief at hearing his voice. Sniffling back a cry she said "Chad, can you come please. I-I...I need someone here with me please." Rei's hand started to shake as she tried to say the next sentence.

"Rei? Rei? Are you alright? Ok, Where are you? I'll come pick you up...Rei? You still there?"

"Yes, I'm at-(sniffle)-the Tokyo Hospital, main lobby."

"The hospital? What are you doing at the hospital?" The voice on the other line screamed out. "Oh my god Rei, are you alright? What happened? No wait, I'll be there in 15 minutes ok, just wait for me there."

"Ok."

Hanging up the phone Rei broke down into tears again. She didn't know what she would do if she lost her grandfather. Especially now, when she needed him most. She felt at a loss for words and her surrounding seemed to spin around her. Finding her seat she waited.

The front door of the lobby opened and a young man rushed in quickly. His chestnut hair messy and flat on one side, a sign he had been asleep, darted sideways as he scoured the room with his worried hazel eyes until they landed on a slim form curled up into a small ball, hugging herself. Walking over to her, he saw her look up at him with her tearstained eyes, her expression somber. The next thing he knew, she was in his arms while he stroked her hair whispering comforting words to her. Telling her he (grandfather) would be fine, that he was strong and that he would make it. Having him there made Rei feel better. Having him there made her feel safe. She didn't know why, she just knew. Still in his arms, she fell asleep.

* * *

"Yes, yes, Oh my god. Is she alright? Yes, yes. I'll be there. Yes, I'll call the others. Thanks Chad. I'll see you later. Bye."

Worried about her friend, Serena quickly dialed up Amy relaying to her news of the tragic accident asking her to ring Lita while she call Mina. After calling Mina Serena found a dressing gown, slipping on a pair of comfortable shoes she grabbed her keys making her way to the hospital. At the door she ran into Lita and Mina. Amy had already gotten there earlier as she didn't live so far away as the others.

Rushing for the reception they asked for Rei.

"She's over at the lobby." The nurse at reception said.

They all said their thanks and quickly ran to the lobby.

Chad had noticed them rushing through the hall and waved them over. Placing a finger on his lips he signaled to them not to make so much noise pointing to the still sleeping Rei who was now lying on his lap.

Stirring, Rei woke up. Blinking she saw four pairs of eyes staring at her. All filled with remorse.

"I'm so sorry Rei." Serena said giving her a hug. "We all are."

Lita clenched her fists saying, "What kind of person would hurt an old man?" Looking at Rei she softened her tone. "He's strong, we know he is. He'll make it." This brought a smile to Rei's lips.

"Thank you guys for coming." Looking at Chad she gave him a smile silently thanking him for ringing her friends. "I don't know what I would do without him." She could barely be heard because she said it so low. Tears stung at her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

"Don't think like that," Mina said comfortingly. "He's going to make it."

Amy gave Rei a hug in turn and when she looked up she saw the doctor coming this way. "The doctors coming."

Rei's head snapped around to see the doctor heading their way. The same one that had stopped her from entering the operation room.

"Rei Hino."

"Yes." Rei said dreading the news he might bring. "How is my grandfather?"

"The doctor looked at Rei a minute before continuing. "He has some serious internal damages done to him. He lost a lot of blood. It looked like he was stabbed with a knife before being brutally beaten with..."

"A broomstick." Rei interrupted gasping at what she was hearing.

"Yes, he's still under intensive care. When you found him was he still conscious?"

"No. He was...he umm...he was unconscious when I found him."

"I see..."

"What does that mean doctor?" someone from the back asked.

"If he doesn't regain consciousness then I'm afraid, we won't be able to do anything."

"No." Rei gasped.

"I'm sorry." The doctor said.

Rei found it hard to breathe after that. Her vision became blurry as she started to feel faint. Chad noticing her face go pale went to her side just before she fainted. Looking up, he saw the worried looks in the other girl's faces. The tears that had escaped some of their eye's. Looking down protectively at the limp form in his arms Chad picked Rei up, holding her close and told the girls he wanted to take her to one of their homes. If it was alright with them. He didn't want her going back to the temple. Not after what just happened. He didn't want her to be alone either. Amy quickly offered to have Rei stay at her place.

"I don't mind, there's plenty of room."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. Rei's my friend. I'll do anything for her."

"We'll all stay over." Mina suggested.

"We can all look after her. How does that sound?"

"Yeah that sounds good." Lita replied nodding her head.

They all looked at Chad who seemed to be thinking over the idea. Not being able to think of anything better he nodded in agreement, then followed the girls out with the still limp Rei in his arms.

* * *

The faint sound of crying had woken Lita up. Sleepily looking around she counted heads...1...2...3...what? Getting up suddenly she looked at the empty bed where earlier on Chad had laid a sleeping Rei. Hearing the silent weeping noise again she slowly followed the sound out to the balcony. Adjusting her eyes to the darkness she saw a bundled Rei huddled up at one corner crying. Lita had never seen Rei so depressed. As long as she had known Rei, Rei had refused to cry. To show any weakness, and lately Rei had been acting distant since the phone calls and the mysterious letters.

* Flash Back *

SLAM!

"I can't stand this anymore." A furious Rei screamed holding her head. "Whoever is doing this is going to be sorry for messing with my head."

Lita looked at the phone which had not been properly hung up on its hook then looked back at her friend. "You still getting those calls?" she asked curiously.

Rei glared back at her. "Yes I am. I'm getting sick of it." She stormed around the living room trying her best not to break anything. "I tried calling the police, but there's nothing they can do." Shaking her hands in the air she added, "Apparently I might be going paranoid." Rei reached the far side of the room, sliding to the floor she put her hands in her hands. "What am I going to do Lita?" she muttered. "Those letters are getting worse. The police don't believe me. My grandfather's to preoccupied with the temple, I didn't want to make him worry."

Lita stopped stretching and went to sit next to Rei. "You have us. If it gets worse why don't you ask to get the phone disconnected for a while?"

"I can't. Grandfather needs the phone for after hours fortune telling."

"Well, have you shown the letters to the police?"

Rei just shook her head. "I can't"

"Why not? Maybe they'll find some prints and take this matter seriously."

"Lita I can't." Rei said, her face solemn. "I burnt them. Every single one of them. I couldn't stand the sight of it. So I threw it in the fire."

"Ok." Giving Rei a hug Lita said "Don't worry, we'll find out who it is and when we do..." smiling at Rei to give effect to her idea "We'll incarcerate him. What do you say?"

Rei nodded. She liked the idea.

* End of Flash Back *

Lita looked at Rei long and hard. She couldn't believe that this girl, was Rei. She was showing a sign of weakness Rei would never show. She was vulnerable and Rei never allowed herself to be vulnerable.

"Rei." Lita called out softly so she didn't wake the others up.

Nothing. No reply. Rei just stayed silent.

"Rei, I know you're out here."

"I don't want to talk."

"Rei please..."

"No. Just leave me alone ok."

"Rei I want to tal..."

RING! Ring!

They were interrupted when the phone rang. Ring! Ring!

A sleepy Amy answered the phone on it's fifth ring.

"Hello!"

Silence. Rei and Lita waited anxiously for an answer.

"Hello!"

"Anderson residence." An answer replied.

"Yes. May I help you?"

Rei and Lita relaxed a little as they listened to Amy talk on the phone.

"This is Doctor Sherman. I understand I can reach Miss Hino at this residence."

"Yes, I'll go get her." Rei looked up as she heard this and saw Amy signaling for her to go to the phone. Her heart fell as she thought who might be on the other line.

"Hello!" Rei said, her voice a little shaky.

"Miss Hino?"

"Yes."

"I'm Doctor Sherman, from the hospital. I'm calling on behalf of your grandfather."

"Yes."

"Can you come down to the hospital now please?"

"Can't you tell me what it is?"

"I'd rather speak to you personally."

Rei's heart stopped. Finding her voice Rei replied.

"Ok, I'll be there."

"I'll see you soon then Miss Hino."

"Bye."

"I have to go to the hospital." Rei said to no one in particular. Fear was approaching her at what the doctor might have to tell her. "Can someone take me?" Not taking her eyes of the phone that was still in her hands.

AN: Yeah I know, it was kinda boring...but yeh well. Hmmm...I don't know. Read and Review plz.....plz. Thanx ^_^