"Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you" the voice said.

"I-it's okay. Now who are you?" I asked sitting completely up.

"That's not really important, I just wanted to see if you were okay" the boy replied.

"Yeah I'm fine, but can you please tell me your name at least?" I pleaded.

"Hm… well I guess it's alright to give you a hint" the boy said as he approached me. Before I know it he leans over and gives me a soft peck on my lips.

*Kiss*

"Ah! What'd you do that for?" I asked shocked but, flattered.

"Because that was your hint" he replied.

"What kind of hint is that?"

"Why was that your first kiss?" the boy chuckled.

"N-no my first kiss was from- I stopped and thought for a second. "Ah! Riku is that you?" I asked.

"Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!" Riku laughed as he stepped into the light.

"Wow it's really you!" I exclaimed happily.

"Yep it's really me. Now Sakura can I ask you a question? Why are you in the hospital?" he asked me seriously.

"Uh… um… that is because… I hurt myself." I lied.

"Don't lie to me Sakura" he replied. His voice somehow made me feel nervous; it'd changed a lot since we were kids. It was deeper and more mature.

I sigh deepily. "Alright I'll tell you but, you can't tell anybody okay?" I finally reply.

"Alright I won't tell I promise" he replied sitting next to me.

I only tell him about some of my life. Mostly the parts from foster care, I don't tell him about my home life. I'm not sure why I even told him the stuff I told him; I guess I was just real comfortable around him. When I'm finished I look over at him and he's shaking.

"Riku are you okay?" I asked touching his shoulder. He turns and looks at me, he's crying.

"Riku why are you crying?" I ask sympathetically.

He looks at me intensely. He reaches over and pulls me tight to him and hugs me tight.

"Riku?" I ask in surprise.

"I'm so sorry" he whispered in my ear.

"Sorry? For what you didn't do anything" I asked confused.

"Exactly!" he yells.

I gasp at his sudden outburst.

"Sakura… I was supposed to protect you! But, instead all this happens and here you are in the hospital… It's all my fault!" he yelled holding me even closer.

"Riku you're hurting me, let go." I tried pushing away.

"No! I'll never let you go again!" he held even tighter.

"Ah! Stop it you're squishing me, I can't breath!" I pulled even harder.

"Sakura I can't let you go!" he said pinning me down.

"R-Riku what're you-

"I must have you Sakura!" he leans in and kisses me roughly. I try to push him off me

Sfx: muffled talking

"Ah! Riku stop it this isn't right." I tried convincing him. He pulls my night gown up to my head.

"Stop it… please I beg you" I start crying.

He stopped for a second and looked at me.

"Sakura please don't cry. I- I only did this because I care about you." He said starting to cry again.

"Oh Riku do-

"Sakura! You whore!" I hear my father yell in the entry way.

"F-father!" I accidently slip out. Of course that was a big mistake because well you know. He comes over to my bed and slaps me roughly across my face.

Sfx: slap

"I told you never to call me father ever again!" he yelled. I just sat there holding my cheek, I was more embarrassed then hurt.

"Y-yes I apologize sir" I finally respond.

"Hey you can't hit her like that!" Riku yelled.

My father looked at Riku and socked him in the face.

"Riku!" I scream as he falls to the floor from the impact.

"Listen boy this girl here is my property! Both her and her mother owe me for what they did!" he screamed.

"Nothing they did could've been that bad." Riku replied.

*Scoffs* "And how would you know boy?" my father replied coldly.

"Because Sakura isn't that kind of girl!" Riku yelled.

"Riku… stay out of this" I say quietly.

"Huh?" he looked confused.

"I said stay out of this! You don't even know what's going on in the first place!" I yell.

"I know that he's not taking good care of you, I know that!" he yelled back.

"It doesn't matter anyways so just butt out!" I scream before collapsing.

"S-Sakura!" Riku yells.

"Get away for her! You only made it worse!" my father yelled.

"N-no I didn't. She over exerted herself trying to protect you!" Riku yelled back.

Then after what seemed like forever a doctor came in.

"Hey quiet down you two. You're going to wake the entire hospital." The doctor replied furious.

"Doctor I want this boy arrested! He tried to rape my daughter!" my father lied.

"No I didn't, he's lying! I was just talking to her!"

"Well I'll just ask Sakura what happened. Will both of you leave the room please?" They paused for a moment, but obediently leave the room.

Sfx: door closes

"Now Sakura what really happened?" he asked in a gentle voice.

"The truth is Riku didn't really do anything. But, you can't tell my father that other wise he'll go after Riku." I explained.

*sigh* "Alright I won't tell your father" he smiled as he rubbed my head. He opens the door and stands in the door way.

Sfx: door opens

"Riku you may go but, don't ever come near this room again"

"B-but doctor-

"That's Sakura's wish" he replied coldly. Riku looked at me with asking eyes. I turn my head quickly, I can't face him. If I were to look him in the eyes, everything would blurt out.

"Good-bye then Sakura" he replied sadly. I wanted to reach out and stop him but, I was too afraid of my father.

"Well good night Mr. Kuko" the doctor said as he left the room.

My father looked at me and soon left the room. After getting home from the hospital it was the same old routine. My father took me out of school and kept me in the house at all times except to take the trash out. It was like this until I was 14 years old. Making it that far, I now knew that I could make until my mother came home. The following year I enrolled back into school. Words can't explain my excitement.

"Good-Bye sir, I'll be home straight after school" I bowed as I left. I walked out and smiled slightly.

(I wonder if Ayame and Karou still go there.) I wondered as I walked to school. When I'm in a deep train of thought I don't pay a whole lot of attention to where I'm going.

"Oof! I'm so sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going" I laugh. I look up and see a familiar face staring down at me.

"Is there something on my face?"

"N-no, do you remember me?" she asks.

"Of course Ayame, how can I forget my best friend for a second time" I smile as I get up. No sooner do I get up does she embrace me with a hug.

"Sakura I thought you were dead this time for sure!" she cried.

"Dead? Why would I be such a thing at such a young age?" I chuckle.

"Because I heard what happened with you and Riku and after you got out of the hospital, plus you dropped out of school!" she sobbed. I smiled and hugged her back. I rubbed her head to calm her down and it works.

"He wouldn't kill me, he needs me to much" I whisper. She looks at me and forces a smile.

"Now come on or we'll be late" I say grabbing her arm.

"Yes" she smiles.