In this chapter I switch back and forth between two different scenes taking
place at the same time. I'll put a space in between each switch so that you
can tell which scene your listening to. I hope you don't find it
annoying.
Chapter 14: A Guiding Hand
Hatori failed to hide the slight smile curving at the corners of his lips.
"Is there something amusing," Akito coldly inquired. "Or perhaps you disagree with my decision?"
Hatori considered how Adrian would feel being deceived like this, and then considered Akito's determination. Adrian had freed him only a few weeks ago, and to be honest he felt that he owed her a considerable debt.
It was to late for him to ever marry the girl that he loved, but she was happy with her new husband, and enjoying her new life, and as for him... he now had the freedom to live again. Perhaps this time life would give him a better hand, and perhaps life had given Akito a better hand through Adrian.
It really brought to mind what both Tohru and his old love had said to him so long ago. "What does the snow turn into when it melts? Spring."
Perhaps Tohru and Adrian both were the spring for the Sohma family. The snow would melt, and perhaps happiness could, for once, descend upon them. If that was the case he didn't have any problem lending a gentle push. Perhaps both Akito and Adrian could find happiness from each other.
Happiness was such a rare thing, and he knew that neither had received very much of it in their lives. He knew Akito's story all too well, though Adrian's was still a bit of an enigma, but he could still see the same sadness echoed in her eyes that Akito had in his when she thought no one was looking.
Yes, he would indeed help those two. If he didn't he doubted he could quite live with himself, and his own conscience. Still he had never been one to meddle in other's affairs. That had always been something Shigure had been better at doing things like that.
Akito only wanted an excuse for her to be at his side, but knowing them both he knew neither would reveal what truly lay in their hearts. Yes, Shigure would be the better one to plan such things as this.
The next morning Hatori made a phone call.
Adrian had never before had the chance to see Akito when he was sick, but the family insisted that before she had came he had been sick constantly. They also insisted that it was her presence that had caused him to be well for so long. She pretended not to hear the whispers that followed her everywhere but the only place she could escape them was at school, which she only attended periodically anyway.
Hatori had pulled her aside the night before and had given her instructions for taking care of Akito.
"It's not really a good idea to let him be alone for very long. He needs to be constantly checked and monitored until he has been well for at least two days. It doesn't take much for him to get sick again. I'm sure you understand why."
Adrian understood only too well, the curse on his body was slowly draining his life away a little at a time, until eventually he wouldn't be able to regenerate, and he would... he would...
She wouldn't let it happen!
There were other things that could be done other than just medicine. There were ways of healing through energies, and other means that would work well, especially with a curse as nasty as his was.
She knocked lightly on Akito's bedroom door before entering the room and setting herself down besides Akito's futon. He hadn't awoken yet, so she took a moment to prepare his medicines. As she worked with mixing the powders with the water, she willed healing energies into the water.
It was painfully obvious that his room was dark and depressing, and the thought of awakening to such gloom every morning made a part of her despair for Akito's heart.
Akito awoke to the site of the morning sunlight streaming in through the windows, and Adrian's back turned to him as she curiously watched a little bird sing away on her forefinger.
Shigure was having trouble believing that his friend Hatori would be interfering with someone's love life, that was more something he would do than Hatori would. Still Shigure doubted he'd be willing to dabble in those two's lives at all. That would be very scary... still it would probably be more than highly amusing, perhaps extremely amusing even, maybe it would still be even more entertaining than messing with his Editor!
"The blooms of love need water to flourish even in the spring."
"Can I assume this means you will be helping me?"
"Of course!"
Adrian was breath taking in the morning rays of light.
Akito's eyes followed her as she watched the bird intently, they matched each other so perfectly at the moment, and he began to wonder if she was really human. Over the last three months he had stolen glances of her but to just leisurely look at her the way he was doing now was a luxury he had never been able to afford. He had done his best to think of her as his enemy but that had proven to be impossible.
Was he only trying to protect his own heart when he did that?
All his life he had been lonely, and sad. He had pretended to be mean and callous until he actually acted that way normally, but still all along he had been human, he had always been a person. After all he was only another individual afraid of dying, someone who was afraid of dying alone without having known love or friendship of any kind. A part of him had wept always, and it was because of that sorrow that he had felt the need to make others share that pain. Anyone who was the cause of his problems needed to feel the same suffering that he was doomed to feel until his death. His only acquaintance was the cold bitterness that the curse had forced into his unwilling life.
Adrian had changed that.
Just her presence had changed that. The piece of him that was always hiding, the part that had never been allowed to feel the light of day was beginning to surface in small ways. He really did hate the bitterness he always felt but it had become such a part of him that he didn't know how to let go of it, Adrian though was slowly showing him how to be free.
She looked so gentle and kind when she was like this, who would have ever believed the amount of strength that was held inside of those two small shoulders.
The bird on her finger flew out the window in a flurry and she turned to smile a good morning to Akito.
His heart was beginning to pound in his chest at the brilliance of that smile. He gave her a cross look and reached over to grab his medicine and swallow it. It tasted as bitter as all of Hatori's medicines always did, but there was something different, it was... almost...
"Akito is so stubborn." Shigure pointed out to his friend. "He's not going to tell her what he feels. He would be happy just having a little time together. Why can't he realize the joys of having a high school girl living in the same house as him? They're so cute, and they can do all the housework. The perfect bride!"
"You shouldn't speak of Tohru as your bride."
"You don't think Tohru would make a cute bride? Well, I suppose I shouldn't be too possessive, Yuki and Tohru do make such a cute couple, speaking of meddling lets push them together next." Shigure would have so much fun meddling even more in the affairs of his own household. As long as he still had his darling Tohru living under the same roof, he would indeed take care of all of her worries, well as long as it was amusing to do so.
"About Akito being stubborn..." Hatori prompted.
"Well the traditional locking them in a room would be amusing, but I doubt it would be very effective. As a doctor you could quarantine them... NO! I've got it! Is there anyone that we know that like's Adrian? An old boyfriend something like that..."
"Jealousy..." Hatori carefully considered the possibility. It would be risky, but maybe... "Ask Yuki if there is anyone at school that likes her that she is friends with. This is risky."
"Isn't it fun though!"
"Is there something you want?" Akito snapped. Why did he always have so much trouble being nice to her? He wanted to have her attention and to hold onto it, but for some reason everything he said came through as cold and abrupt. What was wrong with him?
"Aren't you bored in here by yourself? I'd be."
"What does it matter?"
"It doesn't really, but your breakfast is in the main room. Hatori said that I should bring it to you, but I couldn't help but think that even if it were only for a few minutes the walk would be good for you.
This was not something that Hatori would ever recommend. He knew Hatori well enough to know that much, this had to be Adrian's idea. Was she crazy? He may not be very sick, but he was still sick. It was too dangerous for him to exert himself right now, what if he became worse, still... since drinking that medicine he did feel like strength was slowly returning to him body. Had she done something to it? How powerful was she really?
This time she had done something, he held no doubts about that, but surprisingly he wasn't angry. He felt... content, like this was a true reflection of her personality. He felt that by drinking that medicine he had absorbed a piece of her kindness.
Adrian helped Akito to his feet; he leaned heavily upon her shoulder, as they walked down the hallway to the main room where their breakfasts were awaiting them. Akito wasn't about to tell her that his ability to walk was perfectly fine. This was the closest he had ever been to her in a very long time.
Chapter15: Shigure's Meddling
Chapter 14: A Guiding Hand
Hatori failed to hide the slight smile curving at the corners of his lips.
"Is there something amusing," Akito coldly inquired. "Or perhaps you disagree with my decision?"
Hatori considered how Adrian would feel being deceived like this, and then considered Akito's determination. Adrian had freed him only a few weeks ago, and to be honest he felt that he owed her a considerable debt.
It was to late for him to ever marry the girl that he loved, but she was happy with her new husband, and enjoying her new life, and as for him... he now had the freedom to live again. Perhaps this time life would give him a better hand, and perhaps life had given Akito a better hand through Adrian.
It really brought to mind what both Tohru and his old love had said to him so long ago. "What does the snow turn into when it melts? Spring."
Perhaps Tohru and Adrian both were the spring for the Sohma family. The snow would melt, and perhaps happiness could, for once, descend upon them. If that was the case he didn't have any problem lending a gentle push. Perhaps both Akito and Adrian could find happiness from each other.
Happiness was such a rare thing, and he knew that neither had received very much of it in their lives. He knew Akito's story all too well, though Adrian's was still a bit of an enigma, but he could still see the same sadness echoed in her eyes that Akito had in his when she thought no one was looking.
Yes, he would indeed help those two. If he didn't he doubted he could quite live with himself, and his own conscience. Still he had never been one to meddle in other's affairs. That had always been something Shigure had been better at doing things like that.
Akito only wanted an excuse for her to be at his side, but knowing them both he knew neither would reveal what truly lay in their hearts. Yes, Shigure would be the better one to plan such things as this.
The next morning Hatori made a phone call.
Adrian had never before had the chance to see Akito when he was sick, but the family insisted that before she had came he had been sick constantly. They also insisted that it was her presence that had caused him to be well for so long. She pretended not to hear the whispers that followed her everywhere but the only place she could escape them was at school, which she only attended periodically anyway.
Hatori had pulled her aside the night before and had given her instructions for taking care of Akito.
"It's not really a good idea to let him be alone for very long. He needs to be constantly checked and monitored until he has been well for at least two days. It doesn't take much for him to get sick again. I'm sure you understand why."
Adrian understood only too well, the curse on his body was slowly draining his life away a little at a time, until eventually he wouldn't be able to regenerate, and he would... he would...
She wouldn't let it happen!
There were other things that could be done other than just medicine. There were ways of healing through energies, and other means that would work well, especially with a curse as nasty as his was.
She knocked lightly on Akito's bedroom door before entering the room and setting herself down besides Akito's futon. He hadn't awoken yet, so she took a moment to prepare his medicines. As she worked with mixing the powders with the water, she willed healing energies into the water.
It was painfully obvious that his room was dark and depressing, and the thought of awakening to such gloom every morning made a part of her despair for Akito's heart.
Akito awoke to the site of the morning sunlight streaming in through the windows, and Adrian's back turned to him as she curiously watched a little bird sing away on her forefinger.
Shigure was having trouble believing that his friend Hatori would be interfering with someone's love life, that was more something he would do than Hatori would. Still Shigure doubted he'd be willing to dabble in those two's lives at all. That would be very scary... still it would probably be more than highly amusing, perhaps extremely amusing even, maybe it would still be even more entertaining than messing with his Editor!
"The blooms of love need water to flourish even in the spring."
"Can I assume this means you will be helping me?"
"Of course!"
Adrian was breath taking in the morning rays of light.
Akito's eyes followed her as she watched the bird intently, they matched each other so perfectly at the moment, and he began to wonder if she was really human. Over the last three months he had stolen glances of her but to just leisurely look at her the way he was doing now was a luxury he had never been able to afford. He had done his best to think of her as his enemy but that had proven to be impossible.
Was he only trying to protect his own heart when he did that?
All his life he had been lonely, and sad. He had pretended to be mean and callous until he actually acted that way normally, but still all along he had been human, he had always been a person. After all he was only another individual afraid of dying, someone who was afraid of dying alone without having known love or friendship of any kind. A part of him had wept always, and it was because of that sorrow that he had felt the need to make others share that pain. Anyone who was the cause of his problems needed to feel the same suffering that he was doomed to feel until his death. His only acquaintance was the cold bitterness that the curse had forced into his unwilling life.
Adrian had changed that.
Just her presence had changed that. The piece of him that was always hiding, the part that had never been allowed to feel the light of day was beginning to surface in small ways. He really did hate the bitterness he always felt but it had become such a part of him that he didn't know how to let go of it, Adrian though was slowly showing him how to be free.
She looked so gentle and kind when she was like this, who would have ever believed the amount of strength that was held inside of those two small shoulders.
The bird on her finger flew out the window in a flurry and she turned to smile a good morning to Akito.
His heart was beginning to pound in his chest at the brilliance of that smile. He gave her a cross look and reached over to grab his medicine and swallow it. It tasted as bitter as all of Hatori's medicines always did, but there was something different, it was... almost...
"Akito is so stubborn." Shigure pointed out to his friend. "He's not going to tell her what he feels. He would be happy just having a little time together. Why can't he realize the joys of having a high school girl living in the same house as him? They're so cute, and they can do all the housework. The perfect bride!"
"You shouldn't speak of Tohru as your bride."
"You don't think Tohru would make a cute bride? Well, I suppose I shouldn't be too possessive, Yuki and Tohru do make such a cute couple, speaking of meddling lets push them together next." Shigure would have so much fun meddling even more in the affairs of his own household. As long as he still had his darling Tohru living under the same roof, he would indeed take care of all of her worries, well as long as it was amusing to do so.
"About Akito being stubborn..." Hatori prompted.
"Well the traditional locking them in a room would be amusing, but I doubt it would be very effective. As a doctor you could quarantine them... NO! I've got it! Is there anyone that we know that like's Adrian? An old boyfriend something like that..."
"Jealousy..." Hatori carefully considered the possibility. It would be risky, but maybe... "Ask Yuki if there is anyone at school that likes her that she is friends with. This is risky."
"Isn't it fun though!"
"Is there something you want?" Akito snapped. Why did he always have so much trouble being nice to her? He wanted to have her attention and to hold onto it, but for some reason everything he said came through as cold and abrupt. What was wrong with him?
"Aren't you bored in here by yourself? I'd be."
"What does it matter?"
"It doesn't really, but your breakfast is in the main room. Hatori said that I should bring it to you, but I couldn't help but think that even if it were only for a few minutes the walk would be good for you.
This was not something that Hatori would ever recommend. He knew Hatori well enough to know that much, this had to be Adrian's idea. Was she crazy? He may not be very sick, but he was still sick. It was too dangerous for him to exert himself right now, what if he became worse, still... since drinking that medicine he did feel like strength was slowly returning to him body. Had she done something to it? How powerful was she really?
This time she had done something, he held no doubts about that, but surprisingly he wasn't angry. He felt... content, like this was a true reflection of her personality. He felt that by drinking that medicine he had absorbed a piece of her kindness.
Adrian helped Akito to his feet; he leaned heavily upon her shoulder, as they walked down the hallway to the main room where their breakfasts were awaiting them. Akito wasn't about to tell her that his ability to walk was perfectly fine. This was the closest he had ever been to her in a very long time.
Chapter15: Shigure's Meddling