A/N: Well despite school and traffic accidents that scare the hell outta me I'm back. Fushigi Yuugi isn't mine but Hana is. Warning of very mild fluff (yes, fluff. Never thought I'd say that in connection to 'Water-mirror'... but there you are) and the usual tears. To ch6 then…

Right after this: This one's for Spak-chan and Lenore, my two very best friends in the world. Without you guys and the friendship you've blessed me with, I wouldn't be half the person I am today. So thanks and here's to you. ♥  

Houjun wrapped his fingers around Hana's hand, gently pressing his fingertips into her palm and finally letting go of his carefully constructed defenses. Hana squeezed Houjun's hand as she watched his inner walls crumble to dust and she realized for the first time that his face almost always mirrored what he was feeling. Lost, afraid, sad… it was all written on that beautiful, gentle face of his. At the moment Houjun's delicate features were creased into what seemed to be an odd mixture of pain, relief and something that the young nurse couldn't quite put her finger on. She felt hot tears slowly coursing over her fingers and making their way down her hand to splash softly onto the young man's knees. She pulled him to her again and rubbed his back reassuringly.

"You're okay sweetheart…it's alright, I've got you." she soothed. "No more tears now, okay?"

Houjun pushed himself back a few inches so that he could see the nurse's face, and Hana saw that he was smiling. It was a sad, guilty looking half-smile, but nevertheless, a smile. The young man reached out and brushed the last few teardrops from Hana's cheeks, giving her hand an apologetic squeeze and casting his gaze downwards.

"Don't worry, it's not you who made me cry." the nurse assured him, thinking that maybe the remorseful look in Houjun's eyes was caused by her tears. "It's my own fault. It's because I care too much. I know it's against the hospital's policy to become too attached to a patient, but every time I see you cry I can't help but cry with you. You're so gentle and caring… you don't deserve any of this pain… That's why-that's why I just can't bring myself to treat you like you don't matter to me. Because you do matter, more than anything in the world."

At these words, Houjun's grip on the young woman's hand became painfully tight and his face twisted into a look of bitter regret once more as he remembered his earlier condemning thoughts about Hana. How could he have doubted her? How could he have thought she would leave him to fight the darkness alone? Was he so lost in his world of melancholic acrimony that he was blinded to her kindness and compassion?

No he wasn't blinded, merely distrustful. After all, what reason had he been given to trust anyone before? For the past two years all he had known was despair and loneliness as he watched everyone he cared for silently fade into the shadows. But things had changed, no longer was he alone in his pain. Now he had someone to care for, someone who cared for him as well. He had an angel watching over him and Houjun knew that he would do anything for her, even if it meant he had to go to hell and back.

He looked up at the nurse again, his features shifting into determination as he gazed into those caring green eyes, and vowed to get better so that he would never have to be the cause of Hana's tears again.

The young woman shook her head in wonder as she watched Houjun's emotions shift in his eyes and play themselves out on his oh-so-expressive face. "You just figured something out, didn't you?" she asked quietly, her voice halfway between amusement and awe. "Something you've been working at for awhile now, right?"

Houjun nodded shyly, a slow blush creeping into his cheeks at how much Hana could guess just by watching his eyes.

"I wish I could ask you what it is but you're not ready to talk just yet, are you?" Hana asked softly.

Houjun shook his head, downcast mahogany eyes turning shameful once more.

"Don't be sorry, it's alright." the young woman reassured, "I understand that you're afraid of what will come out when you do talk again. It's okay to be frightened. One day you'll be ready and then you'll show them all, won't you?" 

Houjun smiled a little, then frowned, putting his head to one side and giving Hana a questioning look, asking her without words when he'd be ready.

"Soon enough, my Houjun, soon enough." she replied, reaching up and brushing a stray tendril of chestnut hair out of his eyes "One day, you'll want to talk and then we'll finally beat those demons of yours for good, I promise. You and me, together, but until that day comes, I'll be listening to the words you show me instead of the ones you tell me."

The young man's pensive frown deepened as he thought over Hana's words. Listening to the unspoken words…had anyone ever listened to those before? Had he ever met anyone who could read him as easily as Hana could? Was it any wonder that he trusted her above all others with his deepest fears, his life…his very soul?

This time it was Houjun's turn to look at Hana in amazement. He smiled at the nurse and then, ever so delicately, took her cheeks between his hands and lowered her head so that he could reach the top of her head. He leaned forwards, giving the young woman a light and tender kiss just above her forehead thanking her in his silent language. He pulled away slowly, each move deliberate and careful as he tried to tell Hana just how much she meant to him.

"Oh, Houjun…" breathed Hana, pulling the young man to her in a caring embrace. His strong arms enfolded her and she held him close, fresh tears threatening to spill from her eyes. Hana could feel her heart swelling with a hundred different levels of emotion for this young man who had chosen her to be his savior, for the faith he placed in her but above all, for the simple fact that he loved her back. Much like her youthful patient, Hana had never truly belonged anywhere, or to anyone. It meant the world to her that this one person cared for her as she cared for him. "I'll never let you down…" she whisper-promised, closing her eyes and allowing a single teardrop to fall from her eyes. "I'll save you, I swear it."

The young man nodded against her shoulder and squeezed her arm reassuringly, letting Hana know that he believed her. The two stayed that way for awhile longer, then Hana gently let go of Houjun and got to one knee.

"I have to make a phone call," she told him "It won't take long…"

Before she could finish her sentence, Houjun had grabbed hold of the nurse's hand and pulled it to his chest, his dark eyes wide with fear.

Hana smiled consolingly at him. "Don't worry I'm not leaving you here all by yourself, especially after what almost happened earlier." Her eyes flickered briefly with fear as she felt her heart rate pick up at the memory, then went back to their usual green sparkle. "You're coming too."

Houjun bit his lip in apprehension and his eyes darkened with embarrassment. He looked at the door, then back at Hana and shook his head.

 "You haven't been out there in a long time, have you?" the nurse asked, careful not to make the question sound as if she thought Houjun was being stupid or cowardly.

The youth shook his head, turning sharply to look at the opposite wall so he wouldn't have to see Hana's face.

"Well then, here's your chance to prove that you really do want to get better." Hana told him, giving his hand an encouraging squeeze. "If you face your fear, you won't be afraid anymore and it'll be one less thing to worry about, right?"

Houjun nodded slightly and blinked rapidly, his lower lip starting to tremble as tears of shame welled in his eyes.

"It's okay, I'll be right there with you the whole time." Hana promised, noting the uncertainty behind the fear in Houjun's eyes. "I swear, I won't let go of your hand and I'll stay as close as I can to you, alright?"

Houjun looked at her for a second, then hid his face in humiliation again.

"Don't be afraid," the nurse repeated "There won't be anyone out there at this hour. They all went home at eight." She gave him a playful smile, tilting her head so that she was eye level with him. "So basically you're afraid of…the janitor?"

Houjun shook his head, his shoulders shaking momentarily with silent laughter, and looked up at Hana.

"See? It'll be okay." she assured him. "Come on, just hold my hand and be brave. We'll face your fears together, alright?"

The young man nodded, brushing the tears out of his eyes and setting his face in determination. He let Hana pull him to his feet and followed her to the door. The nurse put her hand on the knob and looked back at him. "Ready?" she asked. He nodded shortly and Hana pulled the solid oak door open and stepped into the unnaturally bright hallway. "Your turn."  Houjun gripped Hana's hand tightly and took one hesitant step forward, then another and another until he was almost past the door of the next room.

"You're doing it! That's it!" Hana cheered, guiding Houjun towards the receptionist's desk at the end of the hall. The young man beamed at her and loosened his grip on her hand a little. They kept going until they had reached the end of the white-washed corridor, stopping only once when Houjun's fears resurfaced suddenly and overtook him for a few moments.

Hana stood on her tiptoes and brought the phone up from its place next to the computer and set it down on the counter of the secretary's desk. "Now just hold on for three seconds while I tell my neighbor to take care of Suisei –that's my cat's name- and then we can go back to your room, okay?"

Houjun ducked his head in agreement and respectfully moved a few steps to his left to give Hana her privacy. As the nurse dialed the number and instructed her neighbor on how to feed Suisei, Houjun caught sight of a solitary figure making its lonely way down the hall towards them. His eyes widened in panic and he swallowed hard, holding Hana's hand as tightly as he could without hurting her. Hana noticed the young man's agitation right away and hurriedly ended her call.

"What's wrong?" she asked, turning immediately to Houjun. "Are you okay?"

The youth looked at her and then back down the hall at the approaching figure, his entire body starting to tremble.

"It's okay; it's only the night guard." Hana told him as the figure stepped into a patch of light. "He's a nice person; he won't hurt you or make fun of you. Just keep walking and pretend he's not there, alright?"

Houjun nodded, his eyes still bright with anxiety, and took hold of Hana's arm with his free hand as they started back to Houjun's room. They were only three doors away from the safety of the room when the security guard finally caught up to them.

"Well, hi there Hana." the guard said cheerfully, flashing the two younger ones a smile "And who's this young fella?"

"His name is Houjun and I'm taking care of him tonight." the nurse said casually, trying to set Houjun at ease by showing him how friendly the guard was.

"Well ain't that just about the nicest thing! Nice to meet you, Houjun, I'm Alex. I usually work nights 'round here, y'know keep the ol' place safe for all you guys an' gals in 'ere." Alex smiled again and stuck out his hand.

Houjun looked at him uncertainly for a minute, then ever so slowly, he reached out and took the other man's hand.

Alex saw the apprehension in the young man's eyes and gave Houjun a reassuring grin, making his light grey eyes crinkle in amusement. "Don't you be worried none, Houjun." the watchman said good-naturedly, letting go of Houjun's shaking hand "I been around this place for over thirty years now, I won't hurt 'cha. The worst you'll get from me is a smile an' a story."

Houjun smiled tremulously at the older man and lowered his eyes a little as a light pink blush crept into his cheeks.

"There's a good man!" Alex approved "One less person t'be afraid of, right?"

Houjun nodded and stood up straighter relieved that the guard was actually sympathizing with him instead of giving him disdainful looks and ignoring the fact that Houjun existed as he had feared Alex would. Hana smiled warmly and put a hand on Alex's shoulder. "You must be a miracle worker, did you know that?" she laughed. "My poor Houjun was terrified of running into you, but all you needed to say were a few simple words and now look; my boy's smiling at you! There must be magic in that smile of yours."

Alex went scarlet and scuffed the toe of his shoe against the tiled floor. "Well it don't take more'n a bit o' reassurance sometimes t'get someone t'trust ya…" he told them shyly "After all, if y'can't be nice t'folk what's the point in talkin' to 'em anyhow?"

Houjun nodded earnestly at the comment and gave both Hana and Alex a solemn look to show that he knew what it was to be looked down upon.

"You said it there, young fella." Alex agreed. "It hurts when them doctors give you those looks that tell you y'ain't worth talkin' to!"

"It does hurt," Hana put in "But you know what? I look at it this way, they may give me dirty looks now, but on the day I show them what I'm really made of… they'll wish they hadn't been so mean to me!"

Alex grinned approvingly at the nurse and gave Houjun a sidelong look. "See that Houjun? That's a woman what know what she's worth. She's gonna blow 'em all away when she shows her real talent. You wanna know somethin' else? I think that the day you come outta that shell o' yours, you'll blow 'em away too! An' that's the day they'll all see what both of you can do! They'll see how great Hana really is an' they'll see that amazin' young man I can see hidin' behind those sad eyes o' yours."

Houjun's mahogany eyes widened. How could Alex see what was in his heart? Was he perhaps psychic?

The guard laughed at the incredulous look on Houjun's face and shook his head amusedly. "I ain't a mind reader," he reassured, mystifying Houjun again with how easily he tracked with the young man's thoughts. "I jus' know people. Been workin' with 'em for so long, I learned how t'read their eyes. Didja know y'can read most anything in people's eyes? That's cause the eyes are th' on'y part o' your face that can't be masked."

Hana looked at Alex with renewed respect shining out of her eyes. "That's the wisest thing I've heard in a long time." the nurse breathed in awe. "We should talk to you more often."

Alex went red again and Houjun, who had been deep in thought, gave him a questioning look.                

"Why can't ya mask your eyes?" Alex repeated the unspoken question. "Ya can't mask 'em 'cause your eyes are like tiny li'l windows to your mind. They show what 'cher really feelin' 'bout things." the night guard explained "It's like the way your toyin' with your pajama top on account a nerves, but with the feelin's that flash in your eyes."

Houjun looked down at his free hand, which had a corner of his shirt tangled in his fingers, and quickly let go of the fabric in embarrassment.

Alex laughed at the younger man's discomfiture. "See? If it ain't the way you're actin', it's the look in your eyes." The guard reached out and before Hana could stop him, he put a gentle hand under Houjun's chin and tilted the young man's head upwards.

Hana tensed as she anticipated Houjun's reaction, but to her complete shock nothing worse happened than Houjun's grip on her hand tightening.

Alex looked straight into the youth's eyes. "Right now you're embarrassed and a little scared, am I right?" he asked softly.

Houjun nodded and gazed back into the kind grey eyes of the guard, feeling his fear melt away as he saw the gentle compassion shining there.

Alex smiled and let go of Houjun. "I toldja, look in their eyes and you'll see their true intensions."

The younger man nodded in understanding, giving Alex a small, appreciative smile of thanks.

Hana slowly let out the breath she'd been holding and looked from Alex to Houjun in amazement. He trusts Alex… she thought incredulously He really trusts him…This turned out better than I'd hoped it would!

Finally, Alex looked away and freed Houjun from the intense stare he'd been giving the youth. "Well, I've held you two up f'r long enough." he said finally turning back towards his office and flashing the two a bright smile. "Guess it's time I went back t'work."

"It's still early!" Hana protested "It's only," She checked her watch. "Ten thirty!?" she exclaimed, shocked "We've been standing out here for two hours already!?"   

"Yep, maybe more'n two hours." Alex nodded, looking over his shoulder at the young woman "I better let you get Houjun here t'bed. He looks worn right out."

Hana looked at Houjun and saw that there was a definite wilted look to him. "I suppose you're right." the nurse admitted with a sigh "Good night then."

Alex started back towards the front desk and Hana made to take a step towards Houjun's room. Houjun pulled her back and gave her a pleading look. Hana smiled and shook her head. "I know you don't want to leave yet, but we both need to sleep and Alex has to do his job." she told the young man, "Alex will still be here tomorrow night and so will I. We can find him a little earlier tomorrow, that way we have more time, and then we can talk all you want. How's that sound?"

Houjun frowned in disappointment then nodded, still not wanting to leave his new friend so quickly. He sighed regretfully and followed Hana back to his room.

The nurse gently led Houjun to his bed and the young man settled himself under the covers, his eyes starting to close almost as soon as he lay his head on the pillow.

"Sleep tight, sweetie." Hana whispered, giving him a soft kiss on the forehead. "I'll see you in the morning."

Houjun nodded sleepily as his eyes closed and he fell into blessed sleep. Hana watched him for a few minutes, marveling at how open and innocent his face looked framed by a soft cascade of his chestnut bangs and the moonlight from the window gently playing across his pale cheeks.

If I didn't know better, I'd swear he was still only six years old. She thought as she made her way to the chair sitting by the window and curled up in it. "Sweet dreams, my Houjun." she murmured as sleep took her over as well "May the night keep you safe while I sleep…"

A/N: So it ends for now because the evil corporate world of work is calling my name. -.-() sigh…oh well. Hope y'all liked it.

Later days,

~Tenshi Kitsune~