Fear

"I think it's going to rain all night," Yoh said sadly as he covered Hana with a blanket. He knew the thunder and lightning would keep his son from sleeping, "Don't be afraid. I'll keep you safe," he whispered.

"Papa?" Hana called just as Yoh was leaving his bedroom.

"What's wrong?" Yoh could sense the anxiety in his voice.

Hana rolled over on his bed and sat upright to face his father. He stared at him for a few seconds, unable to speak.

"It's okay. You can tell me," Yoh said, trying to comfort him the way he thought Anna would.

"Is Mama sick?" His words came out quickly and quietly as if he knew his father would scold him for suggesting it.

Yoh stood in front of the bed, trying to think of something optimistic and comforting to say. He came up with complete silence.

"She sleeps all of the time now, and she's always in pain," Hana began to ramble, "And, her skin is cold. Something's wrong. Is something wrong with her?" Hana's eyes pleaded for reassurance and truth from his father. His heart began to pound, and he held his breath as Yoh approached the side of the bed.

"Try to get some sleep," Yoh said as calmly as possible, "Your mother is fine."

The last statement made just before his father left his room sent chills down his spine. He had hesitated too long to say she was "fine". And, now Hana couldn't sleep.

---

"Hana wake up! Breakfast is ready!" Anna called from the kitchen.

Hearing his mother awake startled him so much he fell out of his bed and onto the floor. He quickly jumped up and ran around his room to let the stinging wear off then bolted down to the kitchen to meet her.

"Mama!" He called excitedly.

"Well good morning. I hope you're hungry. Go and sit with your father," Anna said with a smile.

Hana enjoyed seeing his mother out of bed. According to his father, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. He watched as her long brown dress flowed with her body as she moved busily around the kitchen.

She spun around suddenly to face him, noticing he was still in the room.

Seeing his mother's face a second time sent crippling pangs down his chest. He gasped in horror, partly from pain and from the sight.

"Hana, what's wrong?" Anna asked worriedly.

He stared at her wide eyed and opened his mouth several times to respond.

"Hana?" Anna called his name again.

Yoh suddenly rushed into the room at the same moment with a wet towel.

"You're bleeding," Hana said finally, "Your nose; it's bleeding."

Yoh quickly embraced Anna, who looked confused and applied the towel to her face, "Hana, go back to your room," he said to him without looking back.

"What's wrong with Mama?" Hana managed to say. He was trembling uncontrollably.

"Go to your room, now," Yoh said sternly. He then whisked Anna away to the bathroom and closed the door, leaving Hana standing in the middle of the kitchen.