A/N: Thanks SOO much for your reviews! (cries) You guys are too kind to me. I never thought that I would make this into a full out chapter story, but... well, not only do you guys like it (I hope), but I just got so caught up in it all. Especially because I read spoilers (I'm evil). But I don't give away spoilers in this! Anyway... enjoy!
Chapter 12

I sat at my desk, grading new essays that I had my students turn in the Monday I had skipped. It was a little odd being back at the school after so long. All the teachers were asking me if I was alright, with the exception of Sakura, and all my students treated me as a God. I kind of guessed that they had a bad substitute. I guessed right.

I sighed, tired of work already, and looked out the window. I missed my friends and the fun we had the past few days. We had munched on junk food, gone shopping (much to Aki's and my own discontent), watched new movies in the theater... I realized how much my friends meant to me. I still wrote them e-mails and such, but we all had to agree that it was nice seeing each other.

I think we might have a once a month get-together. Just for a day or so. Sakura and I are still working on it.

The phone rang in my room, and I stood. I heard a few bones crack in my neck, but ignored that and picked up the reciever. "Room 233."

"Mayuko Sensei, there's a man here who wants to speak with you," one of the receptionists said.

Confused, I just told her to send him up to my room. I went back to my work, and five minutes later, the man entered. He knocked on the door, and I had to look up from my work. I almost dropped my pen.

"Hatori-kun?" I said, stunned. He just shrugged, standing in my doorway. "What the-? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be working?"

"I tried to order another book on Tuesday, but you weren't at the shop," he explained. "I tried calling you, but you didn't answer the phone. And the receptionist said that you had been out for a few days."

I cleared my throat, not really wanting to contemplate over whether or not he really wanted the book that badly or he was honestly concerned over me. "I was sick. I'm sorry."

"If you were sick, why didn't you call?" he asked, taking off his coat and setting it down on a nearby desk.

I paused. "Because... I didn't want to bother you. It was just a stomach pain..." Which was half true.

"You were out for five days, Mayuko-chan," Hatori told me. I blinked, remembering that it was indeed Friday. "It must have been something else."

The flashback of crumbling up my note, having that talk with my friends, crying and feeling sorry for myself, made my face flush. I shook my head, feeling my face burn. "No... not really." Hatori had walked over to me, and, much to my surprise, put a hand over my forehead. I froze, trying to become concerned with my paperwork, but found that I could not. I pulled back, giving him a funny look. "I'm fine, Hatori-kun."

"Are you sure?" he asked, sitting down on top of one of the desks. "Because if you aren't, I have medicine..."

I rolled my eyes. "You don't always have to play doctor. I was just..." I paused, sighing. "I just needed some time off."

Hatori was silent for a moment. Then he ran a hand through his hair. "Care to share why?"

I swallowed, feeling my throat go dry. "Uhh... well... no offense, but... not really. It's... it's something you wouldn't understand." Hatori looked hurt for a moment, and I swore. "Jesus, Hatori-kun, I didn't mean to... I tried to say it in the nicest way possible..."

"It's alright, Mayuko-chan," he said. "I don't pretend to know everything. It's just..." He stopped, then shook his head, waving it away with a hand. "Nevermind."

I scowled, stopped 'grading papers', put down my pen, and glared at him. "Well now you have to tell me."

Hatori glanced at me, but then continued to stare out the window. "It's... it's just nice... being your friend." This made all my inside organs stop functioning.

"W-what are you talking about?" I asked, trying to act as if that last statement didn't mean to world to me.

Hatori looked me straight in the eye and gave a small smile. I almost melted right into my desk. "You've always been there for me. When I was upset about the draft... when I was angry at Shiguire... when I was lost about Kana..." Damnit. I knew he would mention her.

I shrugged, not letting my sinking heart show. "It's what friends do, Hatori-kun. They tell each other stuff and look out for one another."

"Exactly," Hatori said, not taking his eyes off of me. "And I just wanted to be there for you... the way you were for me."

I sighed, pretending once again to grade my papers. "I think we're pretty much even. You helped me when I was sick and all." There was an erie silence after I said that, and all I could do was make random marks on the essay in front of me. Hatori wouldn't look away, making me shift uncomfortably. At last, he inhaled, and stood.

"Well..." He yawned. "You know my number. If you ever need me..." His voice trailed off as he put on his coat. He walked out of the room, without a good-bye, and I was left, sitting at my desk.

I don't think I had ever felt more lonely in my entire life.