The next morning. A young man comes running gleefully through the forest until.
"Yes, today's the day I'll finally be able to get Sagawa-san to accept my feelings I guarantee it!" He thinks to himself as he jumps from branch to branch.
Corrine stands in a clearing "Maybe I should've gotten someone else Hozukimaru isn't the best ninja I know he's isn't even the best ninja's little cousin . . . but, he's the only one I know would agree to this and not tell anyone." Corrine thought to herself as she crosses her arms nodding reassuringly.
"I really hope he doesn't bring me anything . . " Just as she finishes her thought Hozukimaru lands with a loud thump.
"Owowowow, oooh sorry about that, I slipped on the moss on that last branch." He said with a big smile as he got up and dusted himself off.
An awkward moment of silence pasted as Corrine looked away from Hozukimaru's smiling beet red face. Abruptly, he reaches into his backpack and hands Corrine a sewing kit and crushed flowers.
"This is for you, I remembered that you liked sewing so I got you that, and these flowers as well . . they've seen better days i guess." He said as he rubbed the back of his head still holding the gifts.
Corrine rolled her eyes "Thank you Hozukimaru for bringing me broken wilted flowers and a sewing kit before we go into battle, these should definitely come in handy." She said sarcastically as she snatched the stems and stuffed the small sewing kit in her leg holster.
Rubbing the back of his head nervously "It's no big deal, Corrine-kun" Hozukimaru said shyly.
With a serious face Corrine looks at Hozukimaru "I don't think were close enough for you to be gettin all chummy with me, remember what your here for, to back me up in case I need it. Got it?" Corrine said coldly.
Hozukimaru's head dropped "Oh . . well yeah I remember . . . I mean of course, you know I've got you covered no worries. Just if you want, maybe, you could call me Hozuki-kun?" He said as he raised his head in hope.
His words went unheard as the wind picked up. Corrine was watching the trees and never heard the poor boy, he watched her short orange hair blow in the wind, her eyes glow in the light of the morning sun and her smooth skin which reminded him of freshly cut sunflowers and smelled twice as nice. He had watched her for years in there genin days of training and today was the day he would prove himself man enough to care for her.
"Someone's coming."Corrine said as she leapt into the trees.
Hozukimaru snapped out of his daydream and readied himself amongst the forest backdrop. All that remained were the frail sunflowers on the grassy floor of the clearing.
Hien appears behind Corrine "I can see you must be tired from searching." He said as he looks at Corrine.
She stands up looking downward "I don't know where he is ok, but I still haven't checked the forest. . I . just want him be ok." Corrine said as she rubbed her eyes.
Hien sighs as he turns toward the horizon with arms crossed
"Hozukimaru is at the hospital, I took him there after you left him." He said as he looked out toward the setting sun.
"You should really treat Hozukimaru better than you have, even if you don't share his feelings. Show a little appreciation for his efforts." Hien said as he continued to watch the sun.
His gray eyes glow with a dim orange of the sun, the hour and minute hands within his iris' tick away. Corrine took flight toward the next building as she made her way to midtown hospital. Hien smirked as he began to fade from sight. At the hospital Corrine walks to the front desk, there was sparsely any way around.
"I guess everyone's going home, it is late . . ." Corrine thought as she stopped short of the desk.
Then considering turning around she hears a voice
" Can I help you miss?" said the receptionist.
"Uhm, well I was wondering if visiting hours are over or not?" Corrine hesitantly replied.
The receptionist looked at Corrine for a moment "Did Hien send you here?" she asked.
"Yes, yes he did." Corrine said nervously.
"Ok , I told him I'd do him this favor, just so were clear visiting hours end at five pm." Said the receptionist as she began giving Corrine directions.
The door to Hozukimaru's room opened slowly as Corrine walked in, she stood next to his bed as he slept. His face, as well as other parts of body were scarred from the flames of Genki's jutsu, Corrine's eyes began to water. She covered her mouth in awe
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen." She thought to herself.
Hozukimaru's eyes slowly opened as he felt the warmth of Corrine's hand on his. He watched tears drop from the face of the girl liked
"It's okay." He smiled lightly as he grasped Corrine's hand.
Then as she heard his voice Corrine could no longer hold back her tears as she also gripped Hozukimaru's hand.
