Chapter Seven -

Hatori's POV

As Hatori drove in the continued silence, he begins to think.

Akito could have easily killed Ayame. He had submitted himself to her and she took full advantage of that. Did the snake not realize this? He could've died, and leftthe dragon heartbroken. Now was not the time to be selfish. What he needed to think about was getting somewhere safe, where it would take Akito and her minions awhile to find them.

After about an hour, Ayame was still sleeping. The snake's breathing was shallow, and the dragon found this odd. Maybe he was deep in sleep already.

After another 45 minutes, Hatori spots a little town, and stops and a motel. He parks the car, and says, "Ayame we're here get up." The dragon gets out of the car and goes into the office.

After renting a room, for a couple of nights, he returns to the car. Ayame still lay in the same position as before. He hadn't moved, or woken up.

"Aya? Come on I got us a room. Get up." The snake still doesn't move. Was he trying to make the dragon feel bad? "Aya!" Hatori screams and opens the passenger door.

Ayame had been leaning against said door, and nearly falls out onto the pavement.

Luckily Hatori was quick and catches him. That's when he notices the blood, and everything comes rushing back. Akito had whipped the snake, he had severe wounds, and the dragon had forgotten. Why hadn't Ayame said anything?

Hatori thinks back to when Ayame had been talking to him. Wait, he did try to tell me he needed something.

"Oh Kami-Sama." The dragon murmurs. He scoops the limp snake into his arms and quickly takes him to the motel room. He strips Ayame of his clothes, and begins to clean up the blood. He returns to the car and retrieves his medical bag. Ayame groans as the dragon begins to stitch the wounds. His eyes flutter open as he awakes a moment too soon.

"I'm sorry this hurts so badly. I was hoping you wouldn't wake up till I was done." Hatori says giving the snake an apologetic look.

"That's fine Hatori-San. Take your time." Ayame says formally. He stares blankly at the wall, and Hatori begins to worry. "Look I'm sorry if your angry with me Aya. I was just mad earlier. I didn't mean to neglect your injuries." The snake shakes his head.

"No that's not it. I am not angry. I am thankful that you have taken care of me on countless occasions, and saved my life more than once. But I should be leaving now. I have troubled you too many times and I can't risk that again."

Ayame picks up his blood drenched clothing and walks toward the door.

Hatori sat mouth agape. He couldn't believe the things coming out of the snake's mouth.

"Ayame, no! Get back here, please. You can't leave. We need to talk." Hatori lunges after the snake. Ayame turns and gives a look that breaks the dragon's heart. "Hatori, please let me leave. I am only a burden. You could go out with Mayu-San. I know you like her. There's no reason for you to be with me."

Hatori embraces the snake. How could he say such things? "Ayame. Listen to me. You are not a burden. You are the most wonderful man ever and I love you. I do not like Mayu-San, at least not as I love you. You are my world, and I'm sorry you had to endure that torture from Akito."

Ayame's mouth was agape, and he seemed to be thinking. "Hatori, I am sorry, but your affections are wasted. I do not love you. My feelings just aren't the same. You need to go find someone else to love."

The snake roughly shoves away from the dragon and stalks out the door. Hatori stood shocked. His hopes were shattered and he felt his heart breaking. Surely Ayame hadn't meant that. He just had to have been lying.