Author's note:

I dedicate this chapter to rose who left me a wonderful and heartwarming review (my first ever :) ). It took me some time but here goes the next chapter. Unfortunately, I cannot promise regular updates but I still hope that this will be an enjoyable ride no matter the speed. Take care! BR, Thistle Weeds

Chapter 2

The corridor was bathed in sunlight that was coming in through the big windows that stretched along the left side. The sun rays were dancing on the floor and wall across in the rhythm of the clouds swimming by on the outside. The air smelled of anaesthetics and faintly of flowers from the cleaning products used to wash the floors. Doctors and nurses clad in white were moving quickly always in a hurry to the next patient. Hotaru sighed quietly and looked at the sign on the door in front of her. 'Room 303, dr Midori Nagamasa' that's what was written on it. She still wasn't entirely sure why Midori-san was so adamant on the check-ups and why couldn't he do them at the camp-field. She sighed again and knocked on the door. 'Come in' she heard a faint voice and so she pushed the door and entered the room. Midori-san was sitting next to his desk and scribbling something in one of the files that were placed neatly in front of him. He shot her a quick gaze and smiled apologetically:

- Please give me a minute, Hotaru-chan. I just need to fill in this survey and I'll be ready to take a look at you.

- No need to hurry yourself, Midori-san. Tachibana can wait here just fine.

He went back to the paper so she looked around her. There were some colourful images hanged on the walls and in the corner on the small table were placed some toys, puzzles and blocks. Once again the difference between his appearance at work and how he behaved at TGC hit her hard. It was strange to think that one person could have two faces almost as if his body hosted two different men. And yet, in a way it wasn't that striking. She herself had plenty secrets to begin with and opposite to him she wasn't that open about any of them. Her heart sank a bit when she realised in what situation she put herself in...

- Something on your mind, Hotaru-chan? - doctor's voice brought her back. She blinked twice as if trying to wake up from her slumber which didn't go unnoticed by Midori-san.

- Sorry, Tachibana just didn't have enough sleep today... Exams are coming and there are lots of stuff with my part-time job...

- Ah yes, you will be graduating this year, won't you? That would mean that we've known each other for three years now, isn't that an interesting notion, Hotaru-chan? – the man looked directly at her but there was something in his gaze she couldn't quite decipher.

- Well, yes, I guess... Does it really matter, Midori-san? Tachibana still hasn't been able to win against you.

- True enough but that's just because of your friends' incompetence.

- That's not fair of you to say, Midori-san – she exclaimed clearly offended by his remark.

- Now, now, no need to be crossed with me, Hotaru-chan. I still have the right to my own opinion, don't I?

- But Midori-san...

- Hush, better show me if everything is healing properly.

She gazed at him, still not happy about the outcome of their small-talk but she resined herself rather quickly. 'Where did your fighting spirit go?' He thought to himself. It was clear to him that something was bothering her but she wasn't quite yet ready to breach the subject. Hell, he couldn't even be sure if she ever be. In the end she could simply choose to discuss whatever was happening with Yukimura or Masamune. Somehow that thought didn't calm him down. He just couldn't imagine what sort of advice on life any of those two could give to such cute and honest girl like the one in front of him. Still, he opted for waiting and since he knew he was good at that he soon convinced himself that with time she would come clean about anything she was now hiding. He quickly inspected the wounds and scratches but luckily it seemed like they were healing well. Only the wound on her ribs was still giving her some troubles but there was nothing to be concerned about.

- Everything looks pretty good so I think that one more visit and we will be done here – he smiled nicely at her and she mirrored his actions.

- That's great news, Midori-san! Tachibana is thankful to you and will be sure to repay the debt in the future.

- In that case, will you be willing to practice with me one of these days?

- Sure thing, Midori-san. Tachibana will be delighted to go against you.

- Good girl.

- Tachibana has to get going now. Thank you for all you've done for me so far, Midori-san – she bowed politely not quite meeting his eyes. And she was gone.

- Take care, Hotaru – he replied under his breath watching the doors closing behind her.

Midori-san signed the last paper and put it in one of the folders in front of him. Quickly he gazed at the screen just to be sure that he copied all the data about one of his little patients and with this he was through. After Hotaru left, the day went by without any revelations, boring in a way. He took of his lab coat and hung it on the chair. He grabbed his jacket and left the room, closing the doors behind him. The sun was setting down and for some reason the hospital's corridor reminded him of his high school years. Every so often he would stay up late on the school grounds, never in a hurry to get back home. Today same as back then, the warm orange light was sipping through the windows tainting all objects in sight, making them seem more beautiful and somehow more sinister. He always liked that feeling so on the spot he decided to walk home instead of taking the bus. An evening stroll was exactly what he needed. He ran down the staircase (staff-use only), taking two steps at a time and with the last jump he landed softly on the ground. He passed through the security booth waving good-bay at one of the guards. He was nearing the corner when he felt the slight tickling at the base of his skull where the line of his hair ended. This prickling feeling never failed him before and so instinctively he slowed down and listened. Two people were talking in low voices and though he couldn't quite discern the words, he was sure that one of them belonged to Hotaru. He glanced at his watch, three hours had passed since she was supposed to leave the ward and yet by the look of things she was still here. Stealthy, he came closer to the source of sounds in front of him and leaned against one of the pillars supporting the concrete ceiling of this underground parking lot. Spot-lights illuminated parts of the space in front, leaving others securely hidden in the darkness. Hotaru was standing directly under one of the lamps with her profile facing him. Next to her stood a young man perhaps in his early-twenties. He had dark, shoulder-length hair and handsome features. From the distance Midori couldn't really see his eyes but the air around him gave off the mixture of confidence and danger. A bad-boy's aura which doctor didn't like even one bit. The guy was wearing torn-up jeans and leather jacket, with some sort of bracelets on both his hands and a necklace around his neck. The only thing Midori didn't like even more than his sense of style was the apparent familiarity with which he was holding himself around Hotaru. He put one of his arms around her and pulled her into something which seemed awfully like an embrace. Dark strands of his hair touching the girl's face when he leaned in so that their eyes were at the same level. And she didn't push him away like she should have. No. Instead she was looking intently at him listening to every word he whispered. For a fracture of a second Midori was considering interrupting them but then her phone rung. She took a step back to answer and her expression changed momentarily, from a strung one into a bliss. He didn't have to see the display of her phone to guess that one of her teammates just called her. What caught his attention instead was the way her companion was looking at her when she had her back turned to him. With his face now directed at Midori, the doctor could clearly see the dangerous gleam in the younger guy's eyes. Moving soundlessly in the darkness, Midori caught up with the pair just in time to hear her say:

- I gotta go, Shuu. I will meet you up tomorrow at the usual place, ok?

- Let me give you a ride back home...

- That's not a good idea.

- Why not? It's getting dark, how could I possibly left my favourite girlfriend behind?

- Stop calling me your girlfriend. That's for starters.

- Ouch, you are my girl friend though. My only friend at that.

- Just stop, Shuu – she sighed heavily but still got in the car when he opened the doors for her.

- See? Was it so hard?

- Just go, Shuu. Please – the young man smirked at her and started the engine. The car passed Midori only by meters and so he noticed the sadness in the girl's eyes before the red old-school looking corvette left the parking lot. He also realized that she wasn't referring to herself from the third-person's perspective when she was talking to that Shuu guy. 'Interesting'.