Here's the next chappie:) Hope y'all are enjoying the story. I can't really say how long it's going to be yet since I haven't finished writing it yet but I don't think it will get up to 30, can't really say for sure yet though. Oh, just for your info, this is currently my longest story on fanfic so far. So far the record was 21 chappies on my story "Savin' Me Money" which was a Newsies fic. My last and first Furuba was 20 chappies, called "Dancing."

Red Kitsune Flames: I can't believe it's chappie 20 either. LOL.

Chapter 21

"I just thought you should know; it's gone far enough; I can't beat to see either of you in pain; I can't bear to feel these horrible waves, though I don't know what else I can do for I, too, have felt Rin's recklessness," Hana said as Haru backed away.

"How?" he asked. She reluctantly lifted her black shirt to reveal the bandage wrapped around her tiny waist. He moved in closer and began to slowly unravel the bandage just enough to see the deep gash in her stomach, then her rewrapped it. "She did that to you?" Hana nodded. "Oh, Saki, I'm so sorry; Rin being the horse she has a lot of power in her legs, more than she realizes most of the time. She builds up so much hate within herself that I wonder why I love her so much."

"No, Hatsuharu, I can see why you love her," Hana said as she walked off. She turned around slowly to look upon the boy once more. His face was stained with streaks of tears, but yet he looked hopeful. "By the way, you can call me Hana, in fact I prefer it."

"Thank you so much," he whispered to himself as he watched the girl walk off, her long black hair trailing behind her. "Hana."

"Master Hatori, Master Hatori!" came the loud screech. Hatori jolted out of his large black chair, startled.

"What is it, Nachi?" he questioned as his maid skidded along the smooth wooden floor in her socks.

"An a-accident!" she cried breathlessly.

"An accident?" he repeated. She nodded.

"Right outside, a young woman is unconscious," she elaborated.

"Bring her in," he nodded in confirmation. She in turn nodded, bowed, and dashed down the hall and out into the yard. A few other women followed her.

As the figure appeared, three women helping to carry her, Hatori drew back in horror. It was Mayu. She didn't look badly injured, just a few scrapes and bruises. There was a huge gash in her left arm going up from her wrist to her elbow, probably caused by glass. It must have been an automobile accident. He was completely taken aback by the sight of her. He had been busy with Akito recently and hadn't been able to drop in the bookstore for the past couple of days. He hadn't realized how much he had missed her beautiful face. Now she was injured.

"Put her on the bed," Hatori instructed as the women laid her gently in the space that Hana had occupied nearly three weeks ago. "Leave me." They nodded, bowed, and scurried away. "Mayu." He leaned over her, face filled with worry, and brushed her bangs away from her eyes softly. Her hair fanned out from her face to cover the entirety of Hatori's pillow. "I love you."

As Mayu's eyes fluttered open she felt the pain rushing through her head almost instantly. She moved her left arm to put her hand to her head but that shot a pain through her arm. She suddenly noticed the bandage wrapped around it.

Where am I? She wondered. The rush of memories came over her and she remembered the crash, the sudden screech of her wheels and the collision of her head with the side of the car. She could also remember the horrible sensation of glass cutting into her arm. No wonder it hurt. None of it explained where she was or why. It wasn't a hospital room; that was obvious. It was a bedroom, very neat and organized, unlike hers. Her apartment had clothes strewn everywhere and the only person she ever allowed in without major reconstruction was Kana. Suddenly the door opened and Mayu turned her head slowly, eyes growing two times wider at the sight of Hatori.

"H-Hatori," she gasped breathlessly, barely above a whisper.

"Mayu," he nodded solemnly. "Step into my office so I can give you a full examination before I give you a clean bill of health, minus your few injuries, of course." He exited immediately, leaving the door open as another indication that she should follow presently, which she did. She sat down upon the chair Hatori had set beside his huge black one and watched as he drew a stethoscope out of a large black bag.

"Take long deep breaths," he instructed, putting the stethoscope over her heart at first and then moving it on down her stomach. She obeyed, knowing this was all standard procedure for a doctor. It was only nerve-wrecking because the man who happened to be examining her was Hatori. He took her blood pressure and temperature; everything was as it should be.

"Thank you, Hatori," she said gratefully with a slight smile. He smiled down at her as well.

"Your minor injuries will heal very quickly; your arm, however, will take longer. Keep a bandage around it for the next three weeks," he commanded as she nodded. Suddenly she noticed the picture of Kana on the shelf of his desk. Her eyes filled with tears instantly.

He still has her picture. She burst into tears, throwing her head into her hands and bending over her knees sorrowfully. All Hatori could do was stare for a moment, completely unaware of why she had suddenly started sobbing.

"Mayu," he whispered tenderly, placing a hand on her back comfortingly. "Why are you crying?"

"Y-you still have her picture," she stammered between tears. "Oh, Hatori, are you still unable to smile? Does the pain still cut you like a knife? It does me, everyday. Every time I see Kana I'm reminded of the love she once had for you. I love to see her happy, but if she's happy and you're not I can't bear it. But it's not really Kana; it's me. The ugly, horrible, hideous me that deep down is grateful for this chance fate has given me."

"What are you talking about?" Hatori questioned confusedly.

"I love you!" she cried in utter agony, whipping her head out of her hands to reveal her deep red face. "Hatori, I've loved you ever since I met you all those years ago. I loved you all through my relationship with Shigure. I was consumed with jealousy whenever I saw Kana's hand in yours; oh, Hatori, I don't deserve to love someone like you and I wish I wasn't telling you this but I've been holding this inside for so long, my jealousy, my love for you, and my shame." She sniffed and rubbed her nose. "S-so now you know; I-I'm sorry, I'm so sorry but, but I love you; I love you so much." She turned her head away ashamedly, not able to look at him. Suddenly she felt a hand under her chin and felt him turning her head toward his.

"Don't you ever feel ashamed, ever," Hatori breathed. "It's all over, Mayu, except for my feelings for you. I can't believe I'm saying this, giving into my emotions, but you've melted the snow around my hardened heart." Mayu just looked at him confusedly. "Mayuko Shiraki, I love you." He drew her face in toward his until their lips met, tenderly, sweetly. He drank in the love flowing through her body, the joy within her soul; she at last tasted glee, felt the warmth from the man who thought he would never feel love again.

As Hana came upon Hatori's house she stopped dead still in her tracks. They were kissing; they were really kissing. Her brother had finally overcome his pain and accepted hers. Unfortunately there was more they would have to tackle. The curse. Akito. No matter what she would be there for her brother when her time came. A single tear trickled down her cheek as she turned to leave the couple in their bliss; she was so happy.