A/N: (almost in tears) :) :) :) You guys, I'm so happy you reviewed! I luv it when y'all are so awesome like that:) :) :) Well, anyway. This is the next chapter. Hope you all like it!

Chapter 4

I must have zoned out, or fallen asleep with my eyes open, or something like that. I recall standing in the bathroom, then blinking and trying to figure out what to do with myself. I checked the clock and deflaited when I saw the time. I had probably spent... oh, about two hours just standing in the bathroom, doing nothing.

The last thing I wanted to do was go to the hospital, and I didn't really feel like fixing my hand, as sad as it sounds. I took a look at it, cringed, and had to look at something else. I could have cleaned the wall, but I didn't want to do that either. I just wanted to go to my bed and collapse. Perhaps the next day would never come, and my hell would be over...

I caught sight of the scar on my wrist, and mentally slapped myself. I wouldn't allow Krad the pleasure of taking over my body. Not that way.

The sound of something hitting the window startled me. I jumped, but could only watch the curtain that blocked the glass. More tappings, rappings came, and I was curious. It was probably one of the squirrels, or a bird, or some other animal causing a disturbance, but the noise continued. Something was purposefully hitting my window. I became annoyed five minutes later and groaned. If they didn't stop soon, whoever they were, my window would break, and they'd have to deal with my father.

I shuddered. No. I didn't want anyone to meet my 'father'. It was such a relief that I was living alone.

... TACK... TACK... TACK...

Heaving a sigh, I took two steps over to the window, drew back the curtain, and slid open the glass. Something small collided with my forehead a mere .5 seconds later. I felt a stinging pain, but was surprised, so I couldn't even swear. I just felt the object hit my head, with an unrealistic strong force behind it, and I fell backward. Luckily, my head didn't hit the marble floor hard. I was staring at the cieling when I heard more noises from outside. I lifted my head.

Pardon me for having a lack of emotion when I say that Risa Harada was on my windowsill. Yes, my mouth fell open. Yes, I felt as if every last bit of energy had been drained from my body. Yes, I could have just jumped up and pushed her. And yes, I was thrown into a shock. But because of all of the facts I have just listed above, I passed out.

Don't worry, I woke up a few moments later, when I felt someone trying to lift me up. I had to blink a few times, but the blinding pain of a migrane kept me squinting my eyes. I sat up, hearing a gasp from whoever was underneath me. I turned and saw what I expected, and what I did not.

"What are you doing here?" I asked Risa with a defeated sigh. For no reason, that I could see, she slapped me across the face. I sat there, staring at her, ofended. My cheek stung. "What was-?"

"You idiot!" she yelled, flustered. "What in God's name were you thinking!"

The guilt added more pain to my head. I rubbed my forehead and shrugged hopelessly. "Look, I'm-"

"How long has this been here?" Risa demanded. I gave her a puzzled look. She sighed, frustrated. "You didn't even go to the hospital, and your hand is... it's... mutated!" She grabbed my wrist and waved my injured hand in front of my face.

I glanced at it, but found it too gross to stare at. I looked away and chose not to respond. She growled (no, Risa seriously growled) and let go of my wrist.

"My grandmother taught me First Aid," she explained, standing and rumaging through my broken mirror. There was a small cabinet behind it that I kept medicine in.

Not to sound like a dirty old man, but I couldn't help noticing that she was wearing jeans. She always wore skirts or something, and I wasn't used to seeing her with long-legged pants on. It made her look more mature in a way. Perhaps that was why I thought she looked nicer in casual wear.

"You're wearing pants," I decided to comment, but unfortunately, it all came out wrong.

She sat back down and glared at me. "Well I don't always go around in my underwear," she snapped.

I felt the heat rise to my face, and I caughed. "Th-that's uhh... I... I'm just used to seeing you in skirts or shorts or something of that sort..."

Risa shrugged. "Well, they're not that bad. Jeans, I mean. They're comfortable. Plus, I can't really wear skirts in this weather. It's been freezing cold."

"Ah..."

She took out a few cotton balls and rubbing alcohol. My face paled when she looked at me expectantly. I froze up completely. Rubbing alcohol on my hand... after I cut it and had been standing there, letting it bleed, for... a good two hours? This wasn't going to be pretty...

"I'll be as gentle as I can," she said, her hand still outstretched. I swallowed. "I promise."

I inhaled deeply, but slowly put my wrist in her hand. She seemed to brace herself for a moment before pressing the cotton ball onto my knuckles.

I won't lie. It hurt. There was so much pain in that one instant that I nearly freaked out. That kind of pain reminded me of Krad... and when he almost came out. The fact that I had a migrane only made the situation worse. I hadn't meant to do anything that would frighten her, but I guess me saying, "SHIT!" as loud as I possibly could, throwing the glasses from my face, pulling my hand back in a flash, hunching over myself, and breathing as if I had a lung diseasekind of scared her.

"S-s-sorry..." I mumbled, grunting. I became a bit scared myself when I found it hard to breathe.

I sat like that for about five minutes, sweat dropping from the tip of my nose. The erie silence made goose bumps rise on my arms, and I shut my eyes tight in hopes of making the pain go away.

I heard Risa take in a shaky breath before she asked in a whisper, "Are you ok?"

I grunted again. "... N-not... really..." I swore meantally, and hit my head against the marble floor. I shouldn't have told her that.

Hesitantly, she took my wrist again. The searing pain rushed throught my body once again, but I didn't pull back. I bit my lower lip and kept my eyes shut. The freight train inside my mind began running at top speed, and I was worried that I would pass out again. I won't go into details (like my scabs coming up or something gross like that), but I can just tell you that by the time it was over, it felt as if I had the flu.

I grinded my teeth together as she wrapped my hand. There was more sweat on my brow, my fingernails had successfully made a permanent indent on the palm of my other hand, and the migrane had grown at least ten times worse. Slowly, my eyes opened. I groaned and rolled my head across the cool marble.

"Damn..." I said hoarsely.

Risa hit my arm. "Watch your mouth." I rolled my eyes and was about to say something mean, but I felt her arms wrap around me. Cradling my head in one arm, and putting the other arm under mine to help pick me up, she hugged me... tightly. Not knowing what else to do, I buried my face in the crook of her neck, and rested my head on her shoulder. I breathed.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice shaking. I felt a tear fall on my neck, and I shivered. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"... I'm fine," I lied. "... Don't cry about it or anything..."

A/N: What did you guys think?