So, the second chapter. More action will be coming in later chapters, I promise.

So I've never really written anything for Black Star/Tsubaki, but after this chapter, I've actually come to find them pretty cute! I think I made out Black Star to be a bit more of an idiot than he really is, but he'll come around later on, haha. Comments and reviews are appreciated!

It had been a long night. Even a godly powerhouse of a man such as Black Star had to admit that it had been a taxing experience as he and Tsubaki waited anxiously to find out if the ninja weapon had healed well enough to be able to leave Shibusen's nursing ward, in which she'd been placed on bed rest for three days. Nygus didn't seem too pleased at the idea, but upon seeing Tsubaki's sweet, pleading gaze, and the fact that ever since Tsubaki had been admitted Black Star had practically dogged Nygus at every turn, begging her to let his partner out, she finally gave in, exhausted.

"Make sure she stays in bed as often as possible," the knife weapon advised. "Her external wounds seem to be completely healed, but her internal injuries still need to be handled carefully." As she spoke, Black Star had gone over to Tsubaki's bed and, as carefully as he was able (which was a bit difficult, as a mighty, athletic speciman such as himself never did anything carefully), lifted her up and carried his blushing weapon out into the hallway.

"Hya-ho~!" he shouted excitedly. "Tsubaki! Let's get you home already!"

"Hey!" Nygus called out in annoyance. She folded her arms and leaned against the door frame. "Did you even hear me? Black Star!" The blue-haired meister, making his way down the hall, stopped and turned his head to look at the nurse. He blinked.

"Huh?"

Tsubaki, still secure in her meister's arms, smiled apologetically and clasped her hands together. "Don't worry, Nygus-sensei!" she called back. "I promise I'll take care!" Nygus sighed and shook her head at the motley pair before retreating back into the office.

Black Star was grinning wildly the entire trip back to their dormitory. Tsubaki was blushing embarrassedly, laughing lightly at the bewildered stares of random classmates who happened to be walking by. "Black Star," she said, clasping her hands around his neck to keep herself from falling, "our dorm isn't that far... You don't have to carry me all this way!"

"No way!" Black Star continued down another hall, drawing closer to the dorm, grinning wider. "A Big Man like me needs to have his weapon in the best condition!" He shifted Tsubaki back up as she had begun to slip farther down through his arms, and she marveled at how he could endure such a long trip, carrying her as if she weighed no more than a small child.

In reality though, Black Star was grateful that Tsubaki was finally coming home. He was surprised at just how much he'd missed her. Black Star, who worried about no man or woman, not even himself, had spent every night wondering when his weapon would be well enough to finally be discharged. He never imagined that a seemingly simple mission would have landed her in the hospital, but she had taken a serious blow from the demon they were fighting when Black Star had, for a split second (and indeed that was all it took in battle), lost his footing. As much as it pained him (and it really did), he had made a mistake. A simple, stupid mistake, but the thought of Tsubaki taking a hit for him, suffering for him, made his resolve to become stronger that much more intense.

---

"Ya-hyo~! Breakfaaast!" Black Star's deafening shouts rang throughout the dormitory as he burst into Tsubaki's bedroom, practically breaking the door down as he made his ceremonious entrance. It was enough to scare the ninja weapon half to death as she awoke with a start, nearly jumping out of her bed. Her heart still pounding, she was able to make out with bleary eyes the figure of her technician, who was standing proudly in front of her, holding a bowl of something in one hand and a glass of something else in the other.

"B-Black Star," Tsubaki gasped, partly touched at her partner's consideration for her, but partly worried about what she would find in those dishes, "you made breakfast for me?" The boy nodded vigorously and thrust the bowl into Tsubaki's hands. She looked down at what could be, at best, described as a lumpy, yellow-ish upheaval of everything that had once been in their refrigerator. Tsubaki paled at the sight, but still managed a kind smile as she looked up at her partner. A weak but determined "t-thank you" was all she could manage. She glanced at the glass sitting on the nightstand next to her. Inside of it was an orange liquid. She picked it up and cautiously sniffed it. For all intents and purposes, it smelled like orange juice, and looked like it too. Tsubaki took a careful sip but immediately recoiled as she felt a slimy consistency run down her throat.

"Black Star," she coughed. "W-what else is in this orange juice?"

"Eggs!" he confidently replied. Tsubaki promptly choked on the remaining mixture that was still making its way into her stomach and fought the urge to immediately run to the bathroom. "Pretty good, isn't it?"

Tsubaki nodded slowly and looked back down at the egg-juice. She didn't have the heart to tell him how non-existent his cooking skills were; he'd done this for her sake, and it was always the thought that counted. But still... she didn't think she had the willpower to eat or drink any more. "Um, Black Star," she said with an almost desperate lilt in her voice, looking up at him, "shouldn't you be going to class soon?"

He yawned at the thought. "Yeah... guess so," he replied in a dejected tone, apparently returning to the reality of school and work. "I'll take notes for you." Tsubaki smiled.

"Thanks."

Black Star headed for the door, but before he left, he turned towards his weapon. "T-Tsubaki?" His eyes were cast to the floor as he fumbled with his thoughts. "Um... just... take care, okay?" he mumbled. Tsubaki smiled once more and nodded.

"Of course."

This seemed to lift Black Star's spirits, and he immediately flashed a huge grin and gave Tsubaki a thumbs-up. "Alright! Get ready to read the best notes in the world!" He ran out the door and a second later, Tsubaki could hear him slam the front door and the thumping of his footsteps as he ran down the hall. She laughed to herself and waited a few moments before carefully getting out of bed, taking the dishes into the kitchen. She felt a pang of guilt as she poured the contents of the bowl and glass down the garbage disposal, but she forced herself to think about her own well-being for the time being. Tsubaki went to the refrigerator and found the nearly-empty carton of orange juice sitting inside. She grabbed a clean glass from the cupboard and poured herself the rest of the juice, savoring the natural orange flavor and thanking Shinigami-sama that that was the only thing she tasted.

Feeling a bit more energized, Tsubaki resigned herself to a bit of light housekeeping, happy that she wasn't confined to her bed anymore. She waited anxiously for Black Star to return after classes, and decided that she would make nabemono for dinner as a special treat for him for making her breakfast. She nodded at the thought. "Good idea," she said to herself, feeling pleased.