Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any of the Anime/Disney characters.
A/N: Just in case it might cause some confusion, there is a time jump of six months in this chapter, it switches in and out at month five. So without further ado, please enjoy the story.
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Chapter Eleven
Forgotten
-To be forgotten is worse than death.- Freya FF9
Slow, soft footsteps could be heard against the white tile floor. The long hallway was empty, except for the nurses that occasionally went to visit patients for check ups or nurse calls. It was one in the afternoon, so people were probably busy with work to visit their friends or family members at the hospital. Her objective was at the end of the hall and although she wanted to see him, she didn't at the same time. It seem that fate had wanted to play a cruel joke on her and was winning in its game of despair against her. Amaranth reached the room and was about to knock on the ajar door, when she stopped and heard the soft melody of laughter. Namine, she bitterly guessed as she dropped her hand and head in defeat as she remembered five days ago. This wasn't fair, she thought as she clutched the strap of the lunch bag tightly. 'Where's Amaranth,' she heard Namine's voice.
'Who,' the deep male voice asked before remembering, 'oh, she should be on her way. It's usually about time she arrives.'
'Then I should go,' Namine said and Amaranth could hear the noise of her getting up out of the chair by his bed.
'Don't go,' he said, 'stay.'
Amaranth pulled back and decided that it would be best if she went, after all she wasn't wanted, she was just an after thought. When it was her time to leave he would send her off without hesitation, he didn't ask her to stay or if she would be back. She turned around and with hastened steps she walked away, but the tears that threatened to fall were harder to contain. 'Ufff,' she hadn't been watching were she was going. 'I am sorry,' she apologized with out looking up for the tears had started there descent. However, the person that had caught her from falling remained with his hold on her waist. 'Please, excuse me,' she tried to pull away.
'Amaranth,' she heard the familiar voice call her name and she looked up to see a face so similar yet different from his.
'Xemnas,' she said and found that everything was becoming disoriented and spinning out of control. 'I—-'
'Amaranth,' she dropped the lunch bag on the floor as her body became limp in his arms and she lost consciousness. 'Amaranth, hey,' he picked up the small girl in his arms. 'Help,' he called to the nurse that walked by and she immediately jumped into action.
'This way, there is an empty room right here,' she led him down the hall, two rooms over. 'Place her on the bed,' she ordered as she jumped on the phone and called for immediate assistance to their room and as they waited for a doctor she took the girls vitals and asked him questions. However, he didn't have the answers and he found himself frustrated at the situation and knew that if anyone knew any of the answers it was him, at least the him before the accident.
'Crap,' he cursed, which startled the nurse. 'Sorry,' he apologized and looked at the pale figure lying on the bed and realized that she looked smaller then before. Her skin always had a healthy glow to it, but now it looked a little gray and washed out. Under her dark long lashes, he could see the dark bags and lines under her eyes. She usually had a defined body structure, but her nose and cheek bones stood out more and her outfit looked a bit saggy against her body. The accident had taken its toll on her and his idiot of a cousin must have given her the finishing blow.
'Sir,' the doctor had arrived and the nurse was talking to him. 'We need you to please step out. The Doctor is here and would like to do an examination.'
'Fine,' he got up, wanting to protest, but finding the will just a bit too hard to muster. Plus, he needed to call her family and inform them of the situation.
8-8-8-8-Three Weeks Ago-8-8-8-8
Amaranth woke up feeling tired, but at the same time completely relaxed. Her body was pressed and cuddled up against Riku, who still slept peacefully. She watched him and thought about the last five months, their relationship still undefined. However, it felt like more of a relationship than her a possession that he wanted to keep and punish. He was still jealous of any male that neared her, but he didn't get as angry as before or try to assort his dominance. It seemed that now he trusted her not to stray, and of course she wouldn't because she loved him. It was something that she had yet to tell him, but that was true to her heart. She had always loved him and being with him now was a dream come true, that just reenforced that love. Nevertheless, she had yet to tell him how she felt, for she was afraid that he would reject her feelings no matter how strong their bond.
She sighed softly at her insecurities when she knew that either way he cared for her and wouldn't reject her. After all he had intruded into her life, he sold his apartment to his cousin Xemnas, whom decided to stay and expand his business here, therefore finding the perfect excuse to move in with her. She hadn't minded him officially moving in, he had already decided to do so weeks before the sale, right after their first week together. He was still weary of Shibuya, but she told him that there was nothing going on. It still didn't sit well with him when he had found Shibuya at home with her, but they had been working on the recipe for Shibuya's competition. It was the first time he had tried to contain himself and she found it sort of amusing. He was learning to trust her, she had realized, or maybe he was afraid that she would pull away from him due to his jealousy.
The only one that managed to still ruffle his feathers was Xemnas, his cousin did it to annoy him and she had chided him many times. However, he used her weakness for Xion against her and anytime she would start reprimanding him, Xion would come to his rescue. She would cave when she would look at her with her big blue puppy dog eyes and asked her if she was mad at her daddy and hated her. She'd gave in at that moment, but still weakly warned him not to instigate Riku so much. He would agree, but the next thing she knew it he was at it again. A vicious cycle of his own amusement. They had still yet to tell their parents, however she noticed that Riku's Mother stopped trying to persuade him to see other women, mainly Namine. She had wondered why at first, then suddenly realized she knew or sensed their relationship. Her parents still thought that Xemnas and her were somehow an item, but she told them that they were just friends. They accepted it, until Riku had left marks on her neck and they returned to assuming otherwise.
Nina and Hina were accepting of their circumstances, well Hina was more or less forced to accept. She still regarded Riku with a weary expression. Sometimes she claimed that she needed to see a therapist so that she could get over her Stockholm syndrome. Of course, Nina had slapped her across the head for such a stupid suggestion. Amaranth had explained that she hadn't build a fascination with him, because she had been spirited away. But because she loved him and had deep feelings for him. Hina had still protested, but Nina put her in her place. Those two were always fighting like cat and dog, but she found that their relationship had changed. Hina wasn't as critical to Nina and Nina wasn't as sadistic as her tendencies were normally towards the redhead. If she had to guess, both were official, but neither wanted to confirm. She wondered if they were at a stand still in the development of their relationship or afraid of what others would think.
She was stirred out of her thoughts when she felt the arm beneath her come alive and pull her closer. 'Morning,' she whispered as she looked up to stare into beautiful aquamarine hues.
'Hmm,' he didn't articulate too well in the morning, instead he leaned over and kissed her. First it was a light good morning kiss that soon developed into something more.
8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8
Riku watched as Amaranth and the little brat went down the row of seats to find their spot. They had made plans to go to the planetarium and then go out for a romanic dinner that would end with her wrapped in his arms. Yet now they were stuck with a snot nosed brat that ruined his plans and stole her attention from him. Nevertheless, he had to admit that she took good care of the brat and would make a wonderful mother one day. Not to the brat, but to his children. He stopped in his tracks and stared at the petite woman, he had never really thought of children before and none of the women that he dated previously ever mentioned having kids. She didn't mention it either, but she was good with them and they were attracted to her so she was bond to want one or two.
'Riku,' she called out to him, when she noticed that something was wrong.
'Yes,' he snapped out of his stupor and took a seat to join her side.
'Is everything okay?' she asked.
'Yeah,' he answered and was about to tell her something else, when the brat stole her attention once more. He was definitely going to kill his cousin for ruining his one day off with her.
He watched as families entered and began to fill the seats, Mothers and Father's catering to their children. He glanced over at Amaranth and once again began to wonder what it would be like for them to have a child. Wait, he paused his train of thought, to have a child would be to be bound to one person forever, it was something more binding then marriage. At least with marriage he could get a divorce and walk away, but a child was a different story he wouldn't be able to walk way from his duties as a father. Him a father, he pondered, the thought made him laugh considering he couldn't get along well with Xion and she was a full functioning mini human. He didn't need to baby her or change her diapers and half the time he was jealous of her for stealing Amaranth away from him. Nope, children weren't in his future. He'd get a dog maybe and he'd marry her, but no children.
The lights began to dimmer and turn off, he heard the gasps of little children ring out as some where startled by the darkness or the voice that began the program. He suddenly felt Amaranth's small hand grab his and intertwine his fingers with hers. He turned his gaze to look over at her and not the kaleidoscope of stars up above, a small smile on her face as she felt him squeeze her hand. Heavens this woman was beautiful, he realized as he was willing to throw his last principle out the door and allow her to bare his children too. She made him contemplate marriage without asking and submitting and now she made him want kids and maybe a dog too. For he loved this woman and wanted to spend every waking and sleeping moment with her by his side.
8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8
Amaranth stared at her cellphone as if it would make the person on the other side magically change their unpleasant news and tell her that it was just a prank. 'Amaranth, Dear, are you alright,' her mother asked as she walked into the living room, she had gone over to her parents house to see them.
'I,' her body was trembling and she couldn't articulate words. She gulped, trying to clear the wad of emotions that had build in her throat. 'Riku,' she managed before remembering that Sora was still on the line. 'W-w-w-where,' she asked him her voice a soft stutter.
'He was taken to K-Hospital,' he answered. 'I am on my way over, so I'll meet you there.'
'Okay,' she answered and ended the call.
'Honey?' Belle asked, worried as she saw the tears begin to escape her crystal amber hues. 'What's going on?'
'Riku was in an accident,' she managed as she got up, but failed as her knees gave out and she landed on the floor.
'Adam,' Belle cried out for her husband as she rushed to her daughter's aid. 'Honey, it's okay. Riku will be fine,' she tried to comfort her daughter in a hug.
'I have to go to him,' she cried, large tears running down her cheeks and soaking her mother's shirt.
'Of course,' she rubbed her back and looked over at her husband as he entered.
'What's going on,' he asked worried that his daughter was on the floor with her mother crying.
'We need to go to the hospital,' Belle informed him, 'Riku was in an accident.'
Adam nodded as he went to go help Belle get Amaranth up so that they could get their coats and leave. Adam knew that Riku and his daughter were close, but he never imagined her to have such a strong reaction towards him. They were just childhood friends after all and he wasn't heartless in his implication that she was overreacting, but her reaction was more of how a lover would react. He froze as he was about to close the door and turned to stared at his distressed daughter and wife whom waited for the elevator. 'Adam, hurry,' Belle told him as the elevator arrived.
'Coming,' he snapped out of his daze. The only thing that he could think about as they drove to the hospital was that Riku had better not die. The boy was like a son, but now that he knew that his daughter cared so deeply for him he couldn't allow him to leave her behind. If she was unable to control herself at the thought of him not making it, how would she react to him actually…no he couldn't think that way. Riku would live and he would answer his questions and maybe just maybe he'd let them be together. He wondered if his wife knew, he wanted to ask her but now wasn't the time.
8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8
They arrived at the hospital and were united with Riku's parents, family and friends. Mrs. Miyano quickly took Amaranth in her arms and held her, she had already suspected the relationship between the pair and knew that just like her, the girl would be suffering. 'Have you heard anything,' her father asked them.
'No,' Mr. Miyano answered.
'Do you know what happened?'
Sora joined the small group and began to explain what the police told him. Riku was heading out to see a client, at a busy light intersection he had the right of passage, however as he was crossing a large truck had lost control of its breaks and hadn't been able to stop. Riku had been in the right lane so his blow had been cushioned by the person on the left, but slammed into another car that had been turning. The hole situation had been a mess, no casualties were met but a lot of people were injured and rushed to different emergency rooms. They nodded and renounced themselves to wait and see what the doctors said, the only thing that they knew was that he had lost a lot of blood, consciousness and they needed to operate him.
The wait took hours, Amaranth had refused to leave when her parents asked if she wanted too go and get something to eat or drink. She had told them that she would wait to hear news from the doctor. People left and went around her, but all she did was pray that he would pull through. That when he woke she'd promise to tell him the truth and stay by his side no matter what. She had stopped crying some time ago, but the silent tears suddenly began again and she wiped at them trying to rid herself of the sadness and disillusion that he would be alright. 'Here,' she looked up to find a handkerchief before her, she lifted her head up further and looked up at the person whom extended the offering.
'Thanks,' she managed and took the pink floral handkerchief.
'Mind if I join you,' the blonde female asked.
Amaranth shook her head, she hadn't realized that she had been left alone. It seemed that others, like her parents had decided to go and get something. 'Would you like some coffee,' Namine offered.
'No, thank you,' she had calmed down enough to finally be able to speak clearly and more then one sentence words.
Namine nodded, Amaranth and her had been rivals for the past five months but the petite woman didn't know it. Yet as she had watched her today, she realized that both their level of love for Riku were different. Yes, she loved him very much and still wished to be with him but she felt that unlike the woman beside her she didn't love him as much. She just remained patient and quiet, from time to time when her head lowered she had begun to cry but didn't make a scene or allowed others to see or worry. Namine guessed that unlike her, she didn't want to be the center of attention or to get pampered by being taken care off. How was she to compete with someone like her, she sighed in resignation.
'I am sorry,' she heard the quiet girl voice beside her.
Why would she be apologizing to her, she wondered before she asked, 'Why?'
'Because I know that you love him as well,' she answered.
So she knew, Namine realized, 'Yet you never felt enough pity for me to actually give him up,' she tested the girl and watched as she became smaller and folded into herself.
'I am sorry,' she repeated.
Heavens, even if she wanted to leave Riku, she wouldn't unless he left her. The girl would put others needs before her own, but maybe be a little selfish herself. 'Do you love him?'
'Yes,' it was but a soft murmur, she almost didn't hear.
'Then you have nothing to apologize for,' Namine told her. 'Just promise that if he pulls through this you'll make him happy.' The girl nodded and they continued to wait, his parents rejoining them.
8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8
A week after Riku's accident and surgery, things still remained the same, he was stable but in a comatose state. His injuries were slowly healing, he had a broke leg, two fractured ribs and of course his head injury. He had minor bruises and cuts, but otherwise if he woke up the doctor said that he would pull through. However, his head injury left things to be undetermined, since they didn't know how much damage he had actually taken and if when he woke up things would be the same.
Amaranth prayed everyday that he would wake up and that all would be okay. That he would make a swift recovery and return to them, to her. She was diligent in her care for him, as soon as visiting hours opened she was at his side and stayed for as long as they permitted afterwards. She would recount stories of the winters they shared together as children, confessed her feeling from when they were younger and how even now that they were older they hadn't changed. She would bring books and read aloud to him, stories of adventure and romance, of magic and dangerous quest that would lead the main characters to find themselves and grow. Other times she would just sit there and quietly hold his hand, unwilling to leave or give up hope. The only time she left was when others came to visit and she gave them privacy, when she was dragged out by Hina, Nina or both to eat and of course when she was told to leave.
By the second week of his coma induced state she began to panic a little and think that maybe he wouldn't wake up and return to her. Yet she knew it was just her desperate state of mind that put horrible thoughts into her head. She had needed a distraction and some fresh air, so she left Riku's side for only a moment to go to the courtyard. Unknown to her at the time that she should have stayed, however just looking at him laying on the bed unmoving sent her imagination on a dark ride. As soon as she calmed herself, she returned and noticed all the noise and movement coming from his room. At first she feared that during her breather, he had flatlined and she hadn't been there to ask for help but on the other hand she felt a linger of hope that he had awaken. She rushed her weary body to his room and stood outside the door frame, not wanting to intrude but also see if he was alright.
Inside the room was his main doctor and two nurses, they obstructed her view of Riku, yet she noticed that they were taking his vitals and jotting down their findings and the doctor's instructions. At one point she noted that he wasn't talking to them, but instead to someone else. He was asking questions and waiting patiently for results. That was when she heard the gravel-voice, that cleared its throat before answering his name. Amaranth took a shaky step into the room, trembling with excitement and joy that her prayers had been answered and that what she feared didn't come to pass. He was awake, he was able to talk and he remembered. She silently walked into the room, trying not to interrupt or distract the doctor or nurses but wanting so badly to see him for herself and know that he was actually alright.
Reclined against the bed in a semi sitting position lay Riku, one of the nurses had gotten him water for his parched throat and they waited as the doctor began to ask further questions and explain the situation. She had gone unnoticed until the doctor and nurses turned to leave, saying that they would call his family and let them know of his status. 'Ms. Benson, I was just going to ask one of the nurses to come find you,' the doctor smiled at her and stepped aside for the nurses to pass by him. 'However, I am glad that you're here and I get to tell you the good news.'
He didn't really have to tell her anything, she just nodded and looked back over at Riku whom was now studying her, a blank expression on his face. At first Amaranth thought that maybe he wasn't registering her, for his mind probably needed a second to catch up. 'Riku,' she managed to say his name, a soft whispering caress that fell on deaf ears.
The doctor watched the interaction and waited for the blissful reunion, were he would smile at his lover and she would rush to him. Nevertheless, that never happened, the small woman remained rooted to the spot by the wall as she waited for her lover to call out to her. After a moment, a wavering gaze turned up towards him as if to ask him what was wrong. He glanced away from the troubled expression and turned to the man on the bed, whom just studied the small woman trying to recall her name or at least her face. 'Mr. Miyano,' he returned to the bed side drawing his attention from the petite woman. 'Do you know Ms. Benson? Amaranth,' he said her first name thinking that maybe he didn't recall her last name.
Riku turned his gaze back to the thin, frail woman on the verge of tears, before he frowned and shook his head. 'I am sorry, I don't know this woman.'
"I don't know this woman," "this woman," his voice repeated in her head as she collapsed to the floor. Her legs unwilling to hold her up any longer, the tears of joy that she had contained turned to tears of sorrow as it dawned to her that the person she loved, didn't love her. Couldn't love her, because he didn't know her, he didn't remember her and maybe a little voice inside her head whisper never really cared for her. 'Ms. Benson,' she heard the doctor rush to her side.
'Sorry,' she brushed away at the tears that fell and were hidden by the dark curtain of hair that cloaked her hung head. 'Sorry,' she apologized again.
8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8
Riku sat in silence as he waited for his afternoon guest to arrive, after trying to convince Namine to stay and keep him company until the quiet mousy woman arrive, but failed, he was left alone. He recalled his first encounter with the woman after he woke up and frowned at the memory. Apparently, he was someone important to the young woman however she nor anyone else disclosed how important. At first he thought that she might have been his lover, but she never did anything lover like. She didn't recall stories about them being together, besides stories of their childhood friendship. So he came to the conclusion that he was just a dear childhood friend, the quiet woman looked to be fond of nurturing him and helping him remember everything and everyone but her. Well, besides their friendship.
He looked at the clock and wondered if something was wrong, she never failed to arrive around noon. It was after three now and she still hadn't arrived, he was worried that something had happened to her. Since he woke up a week ago, he had notice that her skin was a sick pale washed out color, the bags under her eyes deep, as if she lacked the ability to get a good nights rest. She was thin in general, at least he assumed, but he swore that in the last week she had lost a considerable amount to weight, her skin was pulled tight against her high cheekbones and her clothes although probably purchased to fit loose against her body, looked as if it were barely hanging on her thin frame. Maybe something happened to her, he worried. He might not recall his memories of her, but in the past week she was a constant, more so then his family or friends. There was a knock on his closed door and he thought that she had finally arrived. 'Come in,' he called at ease with the thought that she was okay, only to realize that instead of it being her it was his cousin. 'What are you doing here?'
'What a nice welcome,' Xemnas bitterly smiled at his recovering cousin.
'Sorry,' he apologized for being rude. 'I was just expecting someone else.'
So he hadn't sent her crying and if he did, he wasn't aware, Xemnas figured and wondered what had happened two hours ago. 'Sorry, I am not that someone else,' he walked in and took a seat on the chair beside him. 'How are you feeling,' he asked wondering if he should tell Riku about Amaranth, but remembering her soft tearful plead not too. She claimed that she didn't want to do anything to impair his recovery and having him worry about her was an impediment. Nevertheless, given the certain circumstances, regardless if he recalled her or not, he needed to be aware of what was going on. She had pleaded with him to remain silent, that in given time she would tell him and that she would do better at taking care of herself.
'Better then you it seems,' Riku noticed his cousin's sapped appearance. 'Something bothering you?'
'You could say,' he sighed running a hand through his silver hair.
'You can tell me about it,' he offered, 'maybe I can be of help.'
You would be the solution to everything, at least the you with all your memories intact, he wanted to say. He was about to say something, when the door was slammed opened and an enraged red head stormed inside. 'You!' She pointed an accusing finger, 'This is all your fault, you Bastard.'
Wide eyed, Riku looked at the petite woman's best friend and guardian. Since he saw her and remembered her, he knew and noticed her great displeasure for him. Usually her princess was here to keep her in check when she arrived. 'Hina, what's that matter,' he asked, wondering what he did to cause the fiery woman to lash out at him.
'Don't act like you don't know,' she stomped towards him, but was stopped by his cousin from getting any closer. 'Out of the way, I am going to beat some sense into this Bastard,' she ordered him.
'Hina, you need to calm down. This isn't going to help anything,' he placed his hands on her shoulders about to turn her around and usher her out.
She jerked away, 'Don't touch me. You're just as bad or possibly worse then your cousin,' she fumed, rushed footsteps could be heard coming down the hallway and into the room to reveal a tall blonde, Nina, and several nurses.
'What is going on,' the head nurse asked.
'Nothing,' Nina rushed in and grabbed Hina. 'We were just leaving, sorry for the commotion.'
'I am not going anywhere until, this Bastard knows what he did,' Hina pulled her hand free from Nina's and glared at Riku.
'What did I do,' he was confused and bewildered by her sudden outburst.
'It's your fau—'
'Enough,' Nina's hand went over Hina's mouth as she grabbed the woman from behind by wrapping her free arm around her waist and pulling her out. 'This isn't going to help,' she told Hina, who struggled against her strong hold. 'Sorry, I'll go set her straight,' they all watched as she dragged the protesting Hina away.
'What in heavens is going on,' the head nurse asked confused, but not expecting a reply already knowing that the person in question wouldn't know.
Xemnas knew, but shook his head otherwise, Riku not knowing shook his head as well and she nodded before asking him if he was alright and if he needed anything. Riku once again shook his head and watched as she then excused herself and ushered the other nurses out. Once they were left alone he sighed in relief and watched out of the corner of his eye as his cousin collapsed on the chair beside his bed. 'Hey, do you know what's got Hina all riled up,' he asked after a moment.
'Nothing to worry about, she's probably on her period or something,' Xemnas replied, knowing it wasn't a satisfying answer.
'Something is going on that you're not telling me,' Riku eyed his cousin, whom sighed in resignation but remained silent.
8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8
'What were you thinking,' Nina demanded after they arrived to an empty room.
'That I need to beat that Bastard black and blue until he remembers everything. Until he knows what he did and is doing to Amaranth is wrong,' she answered as she clutched and unclenched her fist.
'That's not going to help anything,' Nina pointed out, 'and he never did anything wrong to Amaranth. You know it and I know it, so don't go making him the bad guy in this story. As for right now, you know the circumstances and Amaranth's wish for us to remain silent about their relationship.'
'But this is killing her,' Hina protested. 'For Pete's sake, she's lying on her death bed because of him.'
'She's not on her death bed, you are overreacting,' Nina blocked her in as she tried to escape the room to go after Riku once more.
'I am not,' she cried and tried to hold the tears of frustration and worry from spilling.
Nina watched as dark hues glistened with unshed tears and frown, slowly she walked over to her friend and partner, arms lifting, opening and wrapping around the caring woman. 'I understand how you feel, but this is no way to act. You know that Amaranth wouldn't approve of your actions just now,' she whispered as the woman in her arms began to shake and sniffle as tears slowly streamed down her face and into her sweater.
'But I don't understand, you told me that he loved her and just had a problem communicating his feelings for her,' she cried. 'So how, how can she be the only person that he doesn't remember? How can he be indifferent to her now? Doesn't he understand the harm that he's doing to her?'
Nina felt her resolve fail, she knew that Hina was frustrated at her friend's predicament but didn't know what to do. She just wanted to vent off her anger at the person that caused her loved one harm. Since the accident, Amaranth had slowly begun to deteriorate and become the shell of the happy and in love woman she once was. For days she struggled with the idea that Riku would be okay and recover or that his condition would worsen. She would stay by his side diligently until the moment he actually regained conscious and returned to them. It should have been a wonderful blissful moment for her, if only he hadn't forgotten every memory and moment that they had shared together. Sure they didn't know about their past and their present had a rocky beginning, but regardless of all the facts she loved him. Amaranth didn't have to speak it out loud for them to know, she radiated her happiness and love for the possessive man that had forgotten her. Even now she remained at his side, though unable to tell him the truth of their relationship and just claiming to be close friends.
Amaranth displayed a strong facade, but those close to her knew that it was all pretend and that inside she was mentally broken and physically declining. As her friends and family, Hina and her had taken to taking care of their friend but they could only do so much without forcing her. Her parents tried to help and understand, but she never said anything and never confessed her real reasons for why she acted or reacted to Riku's memory loss the way she did. Nevertheless, her parents weren't blind or stupid and had asked them to confirm their suspicions. Of course, they answered truthfully and exposed their relationship for they knew that they would understand and support their friend.
However, things were getting worse and they needed to figure out a way for them to fix things and help Amaranth. Beating Riku sounded like a good idea, but knew that it would either make matters worse or worsen Amaranth's condition. 'Are you feeling better,' Nina softly asked Hina after awhile, she had stopped her crying and was sniffling.
'Yes, no,' she answered and she buried her face between Nina's shoulder and neck.
'I know,' she soothed as she continued to rub her back. 'But we have to remain strong and support our friend, our sister.'
'I know,' she hiccuped.
Nina smiled a little at the fact that her strong willed and tomboyish girlfriend could be a delicate flower that would surely wither if not cared for. 'But once he's better, can I punch him a time or two,' Hina asked still wanting to avenge her sister.
'I'd say he deserves it, yeah,' she laughed a little, 'but I think you'll have to get Amaranth's approval first.'
'Hmm,' she nodded and remained in Nina's hold just a little bit longer before they returned to Amaranth and her family.