Chapter 3

"Since he is here, you'd better take proper care of him. Shigure, you better keep your hands off him. And Ayame, make sure you brew some medicinal tea for him. Tohru, make sure you get what he wants. And Yuki, don't fight with him or provoke him. That goes for you too Haru."

Voices… I heard them. It's… it's… deep and monotonous… it's Hatori's voice. I wanted to open my eyes, but found it too difficult to do so. My eyes felt so heavy. And it was so silent after what Hatori said… I wonder who are here and what they are doing.

"Wow Hari-san! This is the first time ever since Kana that I hear you being concern for another male with the same species as us! Right Aya-chan?"

"Hai! Gure-chan!"

"Yosh!" "Yosh!"

Who… what? Ayame is here…? Who else is here… I don't want them to see me like this… so dirty and weak. So… pathetic.

I tried so hard to open my eyes, even just a little, and succeeded in doing so. I opened my eyes and squint and the bright light that came into it.

I see Hatori's back… I recognize it… and I'm glad that he's here. With me. I hope he doesn't go away. The ones beside Hatori… are Ayame and Shigure, then Tohru… and… Haru? And Yuki… expected… the two of them are always together… never separated, ever so loving towards each other. I wonder what they are doing here, must be here to look for Hatori for Yuki's asthma. Whatever.

I just want to sleep again. I don't want to see them, period. Just before I close my eyes, I see Haru looking at me, staring at me, with his eyes that I yearned so much for…

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I open my eyes once again.

The first thing I see is Hatori.

"Hatori… you're here…"

Hatori had his head on my bed beside me. He must be deep in slumber.I looked around and saw Ayame and Momiji. I don't want to see him. Why? Why is he here? Isn't he supposed to be with Tohru and not here? I don't want him here. I have to… I have to leave, before I breakdown again in front of all of them.

Wait. Haru and Yuki is gone. Well, too bad. They are spared from my ignoring.

I flipped my covers and tried to get down the bed. Hatori stirred. I have to hurry, hurry and run away from this stupid place. I pushed myself down the bed. Bad luck however, I fell down the bed and woke everyone up. All three of them, fully awake.

Hatori and Ayame moved beside me.

"Kyou, don't move. If you want to go somewhere tell me and I'll carry you there."

I blushed at Hatori's words. He would carry me there? Does that mean that if I were to run away he would follow too?

"Kyon-kichi… here, let me help you up to the bed."

Ayame and Hatori helped me up to the bed again, which was still warm from my body heat while I was sleeping.

I found Momiji staring at me. I hate those eyes; full with pity. What I want is like Hatori's eyes; full of courage and love. And just what is Ayame doing here? His hair is too much of a irritation. It sweeps against my face and upper thighs.

I turn my head and stared at Ayame.

He seemed to notice this. He quickly look away and poured something into a cup. Did I see a blush on his face?

"Ayame, stop blushing and do your work."

Oh, so he was blushing after all.

Hatori seemed to be the one in control here. He looks at me with care in his eyes. That is the eyes I want. "Are you okay? Do you hurt anywhere?"

What can I say? "No, I'm fine. I'm sorry I woke you up." I leaned in closer to him and whisper to him, "Why are they here?".

Hatori smile and whisper back, "Because they care for you."

I blushed a little. I am surprised.

I looked at Ayame again. This time, he look back, trying not to blush again. He brought a cup to my cold hands.

"Here, warm up your hands and body. This herbal tea I made will make you feel better." With this, he kissed me on my forehead, which was another surprise. I stared into his golden eyes. For the first time, the longest I have stared.

"Stop staring at Ayame and drink the tea before it runs cold." I heard this, then a giggle. I turned over to look at the origin of the voice. It is Momiji. How disgusting.

I took a sip of the tea. It is good. I took another sip and soon gobble it all down. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hands. It was so silent that I cannot stand it.

Suddenly, my stomach growled. I blushed.

Ayame and Momiji giggled, while Hatori just smiled at me.

"Hai hai! I will make you dinner! Be sure to wait till I come back Kyou-kun!" Momiji skipped out of the room. I still remember, he used to make my every meal for me, everyday. But after he went to Tohru, he stopped making them. I was so sad I tried to kill myself by aiming my head at the edge of the table and banging it hard on it. I also threw myself against the wall, like they did in the television shows. But, none of them worked.

Hatori started to pull away from me. I grabbed his shirt. "Don't go Hatori."

Hatori pats my head. "I'll be in the kitchen helping Momiji. I'm sure you would want to taste the outcome of my skills."

Ayame sat closer to me. "Of course!" He smiled and clasped his hands together. "Tori-san makes great meals! You really should try them!" He smiled again.

After Hatori left, Ayame kissed me softly on my lips. I didn't resist. I didn't react also. Because I feel nothing, not anymore. After a while, he stopped, a hurt look on his face.

He then took my hand and motioned me to go have a stroll with him.

"Want to go to the forest?"

"For a stroll in the forest?"

"Yeah! It's going to be fun!"

"Okay."

Tsuzuku.

The chapters from now on are going to vary in length. Sometimes long, sometimes short, depends on how I sort them.