Fragile
Chapter 4
New Manager

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Crackle!!

Booom!!

The violent storm still continued to surge out of control outside. Rain poured into the side of the windows and roofs above Naru's pitch dark room as she started to wake up.

The steady rhythm of the rain, slowly made her eyes open. With everything a blur, she stood up, her sheets falling to her lap. With a yawn she rubbed her eyes to clear the world around her.

She looked outside and saw the rain still pouring hard, while the dark sky was still not yielding to let in some really needed sunlight.

Naru sighed.

She reluctantly got out of bed, and shuffled over to her closet to get dressed. As she stripped and started to put her new attire on, the memory of yesterday hit her.

She remembered the new and very fragile man that came uninvited. The man looked cute in her eyes but a man is still a perverted man. So she did what she usually did, attacked.

That wasn't a good idea.

This man wasn't any normal man. He carried in him, a disease, that leaves him weak and defenseless. One wrong , or hard touch can send him into the E.R faster then anything else Suu uses in her weird experiments everyday.

The man, named Keitaro, was also Haruka's nephew. By the looks of it, Haruka deeply cares about her nephew. She has all right to be considering his health. Now Naru was in-between a rock and a very....very hard place.

Haruka's anger reached a climax the other day, and with that never before seen anger she threaten both Naru and Motoko.

That if they harm him one more time, they shall be evicted.

Naru fumed as she put her blouse on when remembering that piece of information of the past. Naru doesn't agree much when it comes to men, she has no tolerance for them. But this situation calls for her to tolerate this one man, just this once. She convinced herself that Keitaro would only be living in the dorm for only a while, and would immediately leave after the exams.

That was good enough for her.

With this thinking, she decided not to hurt Keitaro, also considering that he has the deadly disease.

After putting her last piece of clothing, she headed out the door, making her way out to the hallways. With one last look into her room, she looked at the digital clock that laid beside her futon.

It read 7:30 AM

She was then gone.

----------Motoko's room-------------

Crackle!!

Booom!!

Motoko's eyes jolted open right at the end of the thunder clap, that echoed through out the dark desolate room. She stared straight at the ceiling, as Suu's snoring entered her ears then shortly joined by the beats of the rain outside.

She was however still looking straight up at the tan ceiling with only one thing in mind.

Keitaro.....

The young man that she used an attack on, the one she injured greatly because of her attack and his disease. The reason for Haruka's anger towards the swordsmen.

Motoko has a dislike for most men. Probably because of her belief that all or at least most men are perverted leeches, whose only goal is to score a hot lady and to get in bed with her. That belief has stood by her always and always was the reason she attacked men, including Keitaro.

Now that a male is now living in the Hinata-dorm, and she has no control over it, so she must endure it. The only idea restraining her, and actually being kind to the young man, was that Keitaro would only be living with her and the others temporarily. Just until he is done with the exams.

With satisfaction etched in her face, she lifted Suu's arm around her waist and shuffled to her closet.

She dressed up in her morning training Gi, and picked up her sheathed sword with her left hand.

She straitened her hair, headed for the door, then looked back.

The digital clock laid besides the still slumbering Suu.

It read 7:30 AM.

She was then gone.

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NOTE: From now on, First person is now Keitaro. (I'm like replacing Keitaro with I)

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I awoke from my slumber, on my futon.

My eyes were a bit blurred, as I started to sit up.

I winced.

My left arm stung with pain, as I gripped the cast hard. A painful expression etched on my face.

It will go away..

I bit my lip.

It will go away....

Like all the other times.....

It will all go away....

And it did.

I relieved a sigh as I loosened my grip on my cast, and tried to stand up.

Shakily, I stood up, and started my trek towards the doorway.

I still felt dizzy as I walked out to the hallway. It was most likely the drugs Haruka gave me for the pain.

I shook my head, as I leaned on one arm on the wall.

The dizziness subsided.

Finally...

I continued my walk downstairs, very carefully on the stairwell.

I always hated stairs, I had to be always careful when going down or up them. If I was to rough in going up or down these stairs, my foot would be in considerable pain.

I took one careful step down the stairs.

I always envied all the kids my age during middle school, running up the stairs as if they were nothing. Passing me by, and bumping my shoulder in the narrow stairwell. Usually causing me to go to the nurse's office to check up on my fractured shoulder.

I took the last step downstairs, very softly.

My mind was still focused on the people I've envied over the years, and I wasn't fully focused on the stairs.

I tripped.

My jaw hung open while I stumbled forward. I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the inevitable pain awaiting me at the cold floor.

A pair of gentle hands enveloped me from the left side. Hugging me warmly as the pair of arms straitened me upright.

I exhaled deeply, and opened my eyes.

I saw Haruka's face to my side, smiling at me.

"Now Keitaro, you still haven't found something to stop that clumsy side of you yet? Because fragility and clumsy do not mix well!" She said.

I just stared at Haruka face, as she was still hugging me from the side.

I've known Haruka for all my life. She was always there for me, making me feel wanted, making me feel good whenever I felt bad. I would always smile when ever she was around. The warmth coming from her always made me smile.

When I was young Haruka was always my babysitter. Mama would go to work, and Haruka would be there for me. Most of the time I thought of her as my second Mama when ever she came over to baby sit. She cooked for me, did my laundry, I would always take a bath with her, and she took care of my pain when ever I got hurt.

That was another thing. I would always call for either Mama or her when ever I was hurt. I wouldn't call for anyone else just those two. They would then be by my side, but most of the time mother would be crying. Haruka would not. That was the one different between my mama and my Aunt Haruka, would never cry.

Then when Haruka had to leave when I was in High school, I cried for days. Stuck in my room all day, and my only thought was all about her, and the warmth she emits. Then eventually, with the help of Mama, I got over it. Just a tad bit. But writing to her, and reading her replies always cheered me up.

Now I'm here, In the Hinata house, surrounded by pretty young girls, with Haruka. I've never been this happy in a while.

"Keitaro..."

I've always wanted to feel that warmth of happiness and caring from her..just one last time...

"Keitaro...?!!?"

Haruka's voice, shook me out from my train of thought, as I soon realized I was still being hugged by her.

I blushed a tad bit, and soon broke out of our hug.

"Sorry Haruka?" I stuttered.

"That's all right, just sit down on the couch, I've called everyone for a meeting" She said, guiding me to the couch.

I cocked an eyebrow, as I sat down.

"For what?" I questioned.

Haruka merely smirked.

"You'll find out...."

I shrugged and slumped on the comfy couch.

Soon footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs.

Soon Everyone could be seen going down the stairs, in a single file. All a bit sleepy, but all were fully dressed, and curious on why Haruka has called upon this meeting in this rainy cold morning.

Everyone got situated in the chairs around the living room.

"Now.....you must be all wondering why I called you here...." She droned on.

Grunts and moans filled the room.

"Well..I received a fax from Granny Hina..." She said, looking at everyone.

I perked my ears.

Everyone else leaned forwards from their chairs.

"It simply states that Keitaro will have the deed for this Dorm, meaning he will now be the new Kannrin of the Hinata-sou." She said, as a bit of a curve formed at the tip of her mouth.

Silence...

Suu's face had a bit of shock in it, but it mostly had a look of sleepiness.

Motoko and Naru's faces were completely enraged, but showed a lot of constraint in them.

Mitsune's eyes were completely wide for jus at second.

Shinobu's face had a huge smile on it while her gaze was directed to me.

I was downright dumbfounded.

"Yes, You heard me right, Keitaro is the new Kannrin....And I want to hear what everyone thinks about it..." She said looking at Shinobu.

I stared at Shinobu as well.

She blushed as we made eye contact.

"Aaaauuu...." She wailed. "I'mhappySempai-is-staying!!" She said rather quickly.

"Shinobu please speak up, and speak in a slower pace please." Haruka sweat dropped.

"Um....I'm happy Sempai is the new Kannrin!" She repeated Looking towards at me.

My smiled deepened as I heard those words. I also smiled more as I saw another crimson blush form on her cheeks.

"How about you Mitsune...?" Haruka said, pointing at the older girl.

I looked as well.

"He...I wouldn't mind. I have some new blood to play with then...hehehe.." She said seductively.

I sweat dropped immensely and focused my attention towards Suu.

Suu and I made eye contact, and Haruka asked her the same question.

Suu only shrugged and shouted: "YAY! A NEW PLAY MATE!!!"

Haruka and I became a bit worried, but then we relieved a sigh, to see Suu go back to sleep after that little outburst.

Haruka and I then focused our attention towards the remaining two.

It wasn't a pretty site.

Motoko and Naru's minds were reeling in a frenzy of thoughts, about their little thoughts this morning, about Haruka's threats, about Keitaro being the new Kannrin..about Keitaro having a disease...everything.

Both of them just wanted to yell out and scream that he has to leave and never return. But everytime they thought of that they also thought of Keitaro's frail form laying on a hospital bed, with tubes everywhere.

Silence...

Both the girls with complete and utter anger behind their seemingly content faces, turned to Haruka.

I cocked an eyebrow.

Both then focused their attention at me.

I could always tell by someone's eyes, If they pitied me....If they thought of me as someone who is really weak...someone who could never truly live becuase of his disease....Some one who is already dead...I hated those eyes...those eyes that practicly scream that I am nothing..and that they will go easy on me and pity me....

I could tell in both their eyes that they did not want me here. I could tell by their stares they wanted me out. But they can't becuase of my sickness.If I did not have the disease I would have been beaten to a pulp right about now and sent packing, but now...reality is....I have the disease...and that is what is holding them back.. If they said other wise....they would be lying...just because of my condition...

I looked at Haruka. She was staring at them, very intently....almost...threatening...

"Y-yea...W-we would like it if you s-s-stayed here as ou-our Kannrin." Motoko stuttered

Naru hesitantly nodded.

I looked at Haruka.

She had a slight smile in her face.

That's it.....

"All right Keitaro your the new Kann--" Haruka was then interrupted when I stood up

"Keitaro??"

I ignored her.

I faced Motoko and Naru.

They looked back up at me.

"Tell me the truth..." I said in a monotone voice..

Naru's eyes widen in surprise, her mind a complete turmoil.

"I-I don't know what your talking about..." She whimpered, trying her best not to make eye contact.

My anger started to rise.

I faced Motoko andsaid: "Tell me the truth...."

Motoko replied the same way, and she averted her gaze.

My anger rose even more.

"I said tell me the truth NOW!!" I shouted.

Everyone in the room flinched.

"Keitaro!" Haruka half shouted, standing up and laying a hand on my shoulder.

I shook out of it.

I glared at the two girls like ice colddaggers.

"NO! Listen you two! I know your lying to me!! I know Haruka said something to you, for you to be like this! I know your not speaking your mind just because of my condition! And I .....hate.......THAT!" I growled, my eyes tightly closed.

"I've had people stare at me as if I was already dead! Like I was going to die any moment, and they would look at me with those eyes full of pity!"

My mind was in a frenzy.

"I HATE THOSE STARES! IM STILL HERE, I AM ALIVE AND I WANT TO BE TREATED WITH THE SAME RESPECT AND DIGNITY AS ANY OTHER PEOPLE!" I roared, almost thinking about smashing the table with my good hand.

But I smacked that aside.

"So! If you want meto stay say, it like you mean it........ or if you don't...... speak your mind about it then! Forget that I have this condition! Forget whatever Haruka told you! Just say what you want to say!!!" I finished panting. The rain outside still dripped at the windows, making the already crappy mood even more crappier.

Everything was silent.

Motoko and Naru were completely taken back by my speech. They both looked up at me with a new realization. A new kind of respect for me and what I go thru.

But even with this new realization, Naru's quick tongue went at work.

"Yes! I don't want you here! That's true!......I've been holding back because of your condition and Haruka's threats but now all bets are off Keitaro. I think no man should be here! Its a girl's dorm for crying out loud. You might do something perverted! And I swear if you do! I will punch you till every bone in your body is either broken or grounded to dirt." She roared, standing up and looking straight at my eyes.

There I could tell....Becuase of her eyes....She wasn't lying...and there were no pity in them what so ever. And for once....I felt dignity inside of me....

"Fine...I'm going up to pack my bags..." I submitted, and started to walk up to the stairs.

At the base of the steps, I turned around to see everyone.

Shinobu was close to tears on the couch. She was hugging herself, trying to sort out what just happened.

Mitsune and Motoko were staring at the floor, thinking.

Suu was asleep, snoring like a baby.

Naru was still staring at my form up at the stairs, fuming with anger.

Finally Haruka had her eyes closed, facing the floor, her face had something thatI had never seen her havebefore.

It was concern...

I only relieved a sigh, as I continued to go up the stairs....gently...and slowly....

-------End of chapter 4----------