-Sniff- I am so sorry about the delay! Check Snob School for the reason, but… -runs away-

Kasumi came to in stages. The first stage was hearing the soft murmuring of voices above her head. The second came later, where she was actually able to digest some words, as opposed to mere noises, before she drifted back into sleep.

"Could… lasting damage…"

"Very foolish…"

What…? Her mind tried absorbing the words, but it felt as though she was sifting through cotton wool every time she tried to think. Maybe later…

The third time she came to, she managed to open her eyes blearily. Beady golden orbs stared back at her, and she jumped.

"Hayabusa!"

The falcon hopped backwards, as though she had startled it.

Well, Hayabusa, falcon, same thing, I suppose. And logic would have told me that Ryu doesn't have gold eyes, but… that thing scared the absolute heck out of me.

Footsteps were heard, as the door opened and Hayabusa himself, as opposed to the falcon stepped in. "You are awake, I see,"

His voice was as cool and calm as it always was, but for some reason seemed to contain… something… which was different from normal. She didn't ponder on it, instead her attention turning to the bandages she had suddenly noticed on her hip-bone.

"Ouch!" Seems that once you notice something, it always seems to hurt. I didn't even notice it until before, and it wasn't hurting, either… "What happened?"

"You were ambushed and injured in the forest. I brought you back here," he said simply. "I had a healer in while you were unconscious. She advises you strongly to not walk on the wound just yet. It may impair the healing process,"

She nodded gingerly. "Alright then. Not to impose or something, but, uh… would I please be able to have something to eat? Sorry, I'm a little hungry,"

The added response from her stomach further confirmed that fact. She smiled sheepishly as Hayabusa raised an eyebrow at her, before leaving the room.

Nothing to do. She turned to the falcon for entertainment. "Hey, falcon. Uh, falcon, what can we call you… Hayabusa Two. Come here,"

Almost as though it was staring her down the way its owner did, the falcon cocked its head, but obediently came over to her, ducking its head so that she could scratch it.

"You know how I got here?" she asked, not feeling as foolish as she originally thought she would be for talking to an animal that, for all accounts, couldn't speak back. The falcon looked intently at her. "You're tolerant, you know. I don't know how you put up with Ryu sometimes. I mean, he's nice and everything, but he's so… I don't know, what am I saying? He cares for me. He's gifted and loyal. You couldn't ask for a better ally,"

A soft nip on her finger. "You don't think so? I don't see why…"

"I apologise that my company is so poor that you have resorted to talking to animals," Hayabusa commented, walking back in holding a small tray, placing it in front of her. On the tray was a small plate of assorted sushi and sashimi, next to it was a bowl of rice and a small glass of water.

She picked up the bowl, admiring the design. Simple but elegant, a black bowl adorned with purple shadowing of leaves.

"You know… I really don't know much about you after all. Never knew you had a flair for the exotic," she complimented, holding up the bowl. "Very nice,"

"Thankyou," A slight bow of the head, before he straightened to eye her sternly. "How are you feeling?"

"A little sore, but I'll live," she said cheerfully enough. After all, he was feeding and watering her. She had to be nice. And besides, what reason was there for her to not be nice?

Just taking a small bite of food reminded her unpleasantly just how hungry she was.

"That was quick," Hayabusa remarked mildly. "Are you still hungry?"

She nodded, a small smile on her lips. "Sorry. I hope I won't eat you out of house and home by constantly doing this. This being eating like a horse,"

Hayabusa took the tray and returned shortly with more sashimi. Eagerly, she ate it. Unfortunately, as she was handing the plate back to Hayabusa, she felt a stabbing pain down her hip. "Ouch!" she exclaimed, dropping the plate as burning fire shot down her body.

In a movement too fast for her eyes to follow, Hayabusa had caught the plate, placed it on the dressing table beside her, and was at her side. "Are you alright, Kasumi?"

"Yes. Thanks," she said, trying not to wince.

"You still have to be very careful of that wound," Hayabusa instructed, picking up the plate and giving her one stern stare-down before leaving the room.

Darn. I could never beat him in a staring contest any day.

Her thoughts soon drifted elsewhere. I wonder where Hayate found that assassin? He was unbelievably fast. Faster then Hayate himself. But for some reason, I'm not dead. Why is that? Perhaps he was lenient and decided to let me go?

Slender hands fingered the tassels on the bedclothes. I'm still being hunted down. I'm an easy target, wounded like this. I have to be extra careful.

But I will be alright. With Hayabusa as my guardian… what could ever go wrong?

Her eyelids dropped as fatigue slowly overtook her. Hayabusa is a good person… he will protect me… I know he will.

He was silently standing there, watching her sleep. Her head was buried in the pillow, a petite hand curled into a half-fist as she slept, amber hair spread over the pillow as though Kasumi was some mystical angel.

As he turned to leave, she murmured something in her sleep.

"What did you say, Kasumi?" he questioned softly, turning back to face the young kunoichi.

"Don't leave me…" she murmured, reaching out the non-clenched hand. "Hayate, don't go, please don't go…"

He sighed softly. She was dreaming about Hayate leaving? That was a forgettable time for all of them. He shook his head and made to leave once more.

"I don't want Hayabusa protecting me… I want you back…"

Always had been the little sister and the shinobi. Nothing he could have done to change that, after all, it was what Hayate had wanted. She had smiled rarely with him that he had seen, those beautiful, feminine smiles saved solely for her brother.

He could never make her happy. He had begun to accept that now.

"I know Hayabusa cares for me… he's a wonderful person, but he isn't my brother…"

I've heard too much. He turned back to the door, walking out and softly shutting the door behind him, not looking back.