I truly apologize for the long wait. I had finals, and it took my time away from writing.
Thank you to all the individuals who alerted this story and saved it as their favorites. Also, I wanted to give a special thanks to all those who reviewed. I truly appreciate all your efforts at commenting on "Let the Night Rise and Fall."
-O-
Chapter 11:
Broken Window
Two bodies burst through the door.
"What happened!?" Sayuri's mother asked.
Shin merely nodded his head, agreeing with his mother's question.
"I-I," Hiro began but was completely dumbfounded himself to even begin explaining the situation.
He opened his mouth repeatedly in an attempt to force something out.
Finally, he said, "She, uh, well, she woke up and fainted again."
The dark haired woman ran up to Sayuri's limp form that was supported by Hiro's winding arms.
"Did she hurt herself?" she questioned worriedly.
Hiro's face scrunched into a look of guilt, "No, Mrs. Kimura. I just surprised her is all. Sorry, I didn't mean to make her lose consciousness."
The woman looked at Hiro apologetic smile and responded with her own smile.
"Don't fret over it," she began, "At least she woke up. Next time though, avoid making her faint."
The young high school boy nodded in agreement.
Shin laughed, "What exactly did you do?"
Unbeknownst to all of the occupants in the room, Ulquiorra glowered at the putrid stranger.
"I-I," Hiro stuttered, "Um, Mrs. Kimura?"
"Yes?" came the response.
"May I have your permission to ask Sayuri to be my girlfriend?"
All eyes widened at Hiro's brave inquiry.
Mrs. Kimura shook her head lightly as if willing away the daze that she had felt momentary.
She grinned, "You like my daughter Hiro?"
"Y-Yes. I believe that I had for quite a while now, but her illness was what made me realize it for myself. I was truly worried when you had told me that she had been unconscious all this time," he confessed as a deep shade of crimson was born from his originally light brown skin.
Hiro held his breath as he watched the older female open her mouth in response.
"You do not have to ask me for permission," she answered, causing Hiro to breath out of confusion. "It's Sayuri's permission that you need," she continued, and then added almost as an afterthought, "And, well, you might want to ask her father's permission, too."
The crimson on Hiro's cheeks changed to a translucent brown. He had expected her to say that last part, but the idea was daunting and intimidating nonetheless.
"I will ask once Mr. Kimura returns from work," he said in fake confidence.
Shin, who had been silent during the exchange, made noise in the form of a soft laughter.
His mother looked at him in disapproval, "You should not laugh Shin. One day, you will have to ask a girl's parents for their approval."
Hiro laughed this time as Shin quirked an eyebrow at his mother.
Ulquiorra remained in his place towards the end of the bed. He really did not like this boy. What little spiritual pressure he possessed was filthy - tainted. Disgusting.
Later that evening, Hiro had done as he had promised: he had courageously broached the question with Mr. Kimura. Of course, Sayuri's father's response was typical of any father. There were the normal threats about Hiro taking care of Sayuri or else, to which Hiro quickly promised that he will. Satisfied with the brown haired boy's fear, Mr. Kimura reluctantly gave his blessing.
Shin had been thoroughly amused the entire time, which he believed was the scariest experience of Hiro's life. Hiro's jumpy actions and fearful stares had been highly entertaining.
Upstairs, Ulquiorra had heard the conversations that took place below. Sayuri remained unconscious, and he remained by her side looking as nonchalant as ever.
He felt his gaze land on his sword. For some reason, he felt the need to kill something, but outside he heard slow drops of water which soon changed into an angry drum.
"Ulquiorra," he heard his name.
His head snapped quickly to the bundle on the bed. He stood up to gain a better view of her.
'It appears she is talking in her sleep again,' he noted as his name escaped her lips once more, this time in a fleeting whisper.
As rapidly as it had came, Sayuri's nightly talks subsided and he was left in the quiet room to wallow in his thoughts.
Their solitude was intruded, however, when Hiro once again entered the dark room. He sat by the edge of the bed and glided his hand down Sayuri's cheeks.
He smiled, oblivious to the threatening aura that was merely several feet from where he sat.
During his short encounter with this Hiro character, the ashen man had deduced that something was disturbingly...off.
Sayuri's eyelids began to stir as a prelude to her return to the conscious world. The first thing she had expected to see was the white, green, and black that was characteristic of the man she had finally found. Instead, her vision was met with a dark figure.
"H-Hiro?"
The boy smiled lightly.
"You're awake," he said.
She showed off her pearly teeth in a smile. "Were you waiting all this time?"
Hiro let out a laugh, "Well, of course, Sai. It's not like I can just leave you when you faint on me."
When the memories of the events that had taken place. which in turn, had ultimately caused Sayuri to unwillingly become a prisoner of unconsciousness once more, flooded her mind in a blinding rush, Sayuri felt heat on her cheeks as a blush crept its way up from her neck.
She touched her lips.
Hiro looked at her shocked expression and covered her other hand with his. He gave her a light squeezed, effectively bringing Sayuri's attention to him.
"I wanted to apologize for that," he began, "I should not have forced myself on you."
Though Sayuri was comprehending his words, she found it difficult to speak. Her throat felt dry and her mouth felt rebellious.
With a small smile, Hiro said, "I'll walk you home from school tomorrow."
He pulled her face closer to him and gave her a light peck on the cheek.
From her peripheral vision, Sayuri thought she had seen a white blur. Hiro left the room soon after, and Sayuri felt the chilled air bombarding her delicate skin.
She looked confused.
"When did I leave my window open?"
She looked around the empty room. She was alone.
When she had woken up, she had tried to find a small glimpse of the young boy she had found, but Hiro had been blocking her view.
She sighed, and looked outside. Thunder was creating a chaotic melody that was harmonious with the random drums of the sheets of rain.
Lightning struck.
She hoped that Ulquiorra was somewhere safe and dry.
-O-
In the forest surrounding the quaint city, a silver sword sparkled as lighting lit the night. The silver flash of the blade struck down a black figure that gave a roar which resembled the throaty cry of thunder.
Soon, more of the black figures fell silent on the muddy ground after letting out their own final cries.
The death chorus of the mindless hollows created their own chaotic melody in the unforgiving storm.
A drenched young man stood still in the clearing, the rain cleaning the stains from his sword.
He felt satisfied.
He felt better.
As he slowly strolled through the forest with all the stealth of a predator, he sensed a familiar human presence nearby.
Merely out of curiosity and the need for a little distraction, he followed his sixth sense.
Two young lovers stood kissing in the rain, like one of those cliché human moments. After parting, they remained in place and held each other in a tight embrace. The young female looked lovingly at the boy who gazed at her with needy eyes. Once more, their lips met, and the two forms began to melt into one.
Ulquiorra stared blankly at the scene.
"Hn," he grunted.
It was not any of his business, and so he left.
-O-
I truly hope that those of you who read this chapter will review. I really would like to reach 50 reviews by the time I post Chapter 12!
Furthermore, I have one concern: Is the pacing of the story alright? Does it go too slow or too fast or is it just right?
If any of you readers have any suggestions about what I should include in the story, please feel free to comment, and I will try to incorporate your ideas into the plot.
Thank you for taking the time to read my work!