Chapter two

I think I fell asleep, because when I opened my eyes again, I saw Jigen on one side of me and Goemon on the other.

"Subari!" they said together, one in relief, one in terror.

"Hi," I whispered, surprised to hear my voice.

"Don't 'hi' me, young lady," Goemon scolded. "How could you do such a stupid thing? jumping in front of a bullet like that?" he looked like he was going to strangle me.

Jigen held him back. "Hold it, Goemon." He pulled my brother away from the hospital bed. "You're always talking about nobility and that shit. Well, I'm no expert, but What Subari just did was the most friggen noble thing anybody can do. She risked her life to save mine. So lay off...Old Man."

I smiled weakly at him. "Thanks, Jigen."

He nodded. Goemon sighed. "Look, Ari. I'm glad you're okay. Just don't do anything stupid like that again."

I pinky promised as he patted me on the head and walked out. I sat up and looked at Jigen. He had a guilty look on his face. "Say it," I laughed.

He looked up. "Say what?"

"Say it. You know you'll feel better once you do."

A grin flashed on his face. "Okay, okay." He met my eyes with his. "You were right, Ari. I should have listened to you." He came over to the bed and hugged the best he could. I hugged him back. "Forgive me?" He asked.

I laughed and nodded. "Of course, silly."

He smiled. "Good." He turned to leave, then stopped. "I'll be back later Kid--Ari. See ya." He kissed my cheek, tipped his hat to me, then left. My cheek grew warm as I touched it, my smile growing.

I leaned back against the pillow, turning the TV on. I watched a few shows until about an hour later, when the door opened. I glanced up, stifeling a laugh. Lupin walked in, carrying a stack of wobbeling books that reached his chin. He sat the books down next to the bed with a smile. "In case you get bored," he said.

I smiled back. "Thanks, Lupin."

He nodded. "Thank Jigen. He collected them."

"Well, thanks for bringing them."

He looked at me. "Look, Subari. I'm sorry if i made you feel like you weren't one of us. You proved to us tonight that you are a big member of our team. We're about to get a new job that I believe will need Jigen's excellent shot for it, because you know Pops will be on ud like flies to a peice of shit."

I giggled. "It's okay, Lupin. I get that alot." I gave him a smile of reassurance. "Look, don't worry about it. I did what I did because--" I stopped, not saying it.

"Why did you do it, Subari?" Jigen asked, walking in.

Lupin and I turned to look at him. Lupin walked to the door. "I'll be leaving now. Enjoy the books."

I nodded, giving him another smile as he left. I picked up a book, burrying my head in it, hiding from Jigen.

"What are you doing?" he asked, pulling the book away, slamming it shut.

I tried ti grab it back, but he kept pulling it farther away from me. "I was trying to read." I leaned once more for the book, and fell out of the hospital bed. I whimpered, rubbing my back.

Jigen's eyes grew wide. He dropped the book in the middle of the floor, scrambling towards me. He picked me up. "Subari! I'm so sorry." He laid me back in the bed.

"Thanks, I--"

"You still didn't answer my question. No, don't give me that confused look. You know what question I'm talking about. Why did you take that bulletfor me?"

I sighed, not meeting his eyes. "Because. You're my best friend."

He put his hand under my chin, pulling my face up so my eyes were gazing into his. "Really?" He asked, his voice silky, his black eyes searching mine. I blinked away. "Because I thought--and hoped--that it was for another reason."

My eyes shot back to him, getting wide. Jigen! This is Jigen telling me this! Mental slap. He's probably toying with me, the way he always does. So I lied. "No, Jigen, that was my reason."

He nodded, turning away from me. "Okay. I just hoped." he opened the door. "See ya later, Ari."