Chapter 8: Hospitality

-Hayate's POV-

The nurse already rolled Himeno into the room awhile ago, while the family went downstairs to refrain from getting into a mess when they brought Himeno in. Mr. Awayuki, told me that it's better for me to stay here. I wasn't hesitate enough to say okay.

Holding onto Himeno's hand, it was cold as winter snow. I don't know where she got the energy to speak earlier, because she lost a lot of blood, too much blood...

Her skin looks so pale, paler than a white mist of a ghost, with lips getting to a weaker color by the second. She's just lies there, as if she died from getting to cold.

As much as I want to hold her, I can't... I don't want to hold her if it will hurt her.

The day's time ticks by into night, but she still lies unconscious under the thin covers of the medical bed. Not leaving her side for a moment, I sat on a cushioned chair propped by Himeno's bedside. I never want to leave her side, and I never want to see Himeno in pain ever again.

I reached over for her hand and I let every tension in my body drop. My eyes became very heavy as I leaned my head against the wall. I crossed my arms across my chest and my eyelids just drooped then everything was black.

My eyes flickered open as the warm sun shined through the window, glittering the room with light. Glancing over at the clock above my head, it read 12:34. 'I've over slept? Sheesh...' I noticed that Himeno wasn't in the bed, so I started to panic. 'Where is she!' Sweat started to drip down my face

"Tap, tap, tap"

"Flushhhh" The girl I was looking for stepped right out of the bathroom with the IV still hooked to her arm. She closed the door to meet my confusing gaze.

Himeno wasn't dressed in her hospital gown like she was suppose to, but at least it's something light for her to wear. I was so fearful and anxious at the same time ; I wanted to punch the wall to let out all my stress, but I also want hold Himeno in my arms.

End Hayate's POV

She blushed a little and said, "Sorry Hayate, I got up early and went to the bathroom. You were still asleep when I got..."

She was cut off by him from his startling embrace. His face wasn't tensed up and the smile on his face brightened while two tear drops rolled down his face.

"I'm so glad, I'm so glad your alright," Hayate said through a little whimper. Himeno held onto the medical pole with the hung IV bag. She felt like she was going to fall down again from how much emotion Hayate was putting into his hug.

"I don't know what I'll do if you stayed in such a critical manor. Or if I lost you again."

"Hayate..."

He hugged tighter but not too tight for her injured body. "I really wouldn't know what to do, if you died."

"Hayate...," Himeno took it all in, the warmness of one hug. It made the pumping of her heart beat against her rib cage. "I'm right here Hayate, I'm alive."

"I thought you wouldn't be a few hours ago," Hayate looked into her eyes. His eyes were filled with so much happiness and warmth, too bad Himeno was oblivious to it.

'And you thought he didn't feel anything for you.'

'Huh? Michiko? He didn't evensay anything.'

'Actions say more than words .'

"Knock knock"

Himeno pulled away and turned to the door. When it opened Kaoru popped in and hugged Himeno tightly. "Ooh I'm so glad your alright Himeno! Daddy was so worried!"

"Dad,... I can't breath..."

"Oh sorry," Kaoru pulls away from her. "You really worried me Himeno, good thing Hayate was there with you. He immediately got Yayoi to call us before you came to the hospital."

'Did Yayoi do that by herself?'

Hayate walked up to Himeno's side. "You need to eat something, I'll go get some food for you from the cafeteria," he said.

"I thought the nurse is suppose to do that," Himeno said.

Hayate snickered on the way to the door,"Well you eat more than an average person, it's better if I get food for you as well."

"Hey!" Himeno grabbed the hospital pillow and threw it at him. Hayate opened the door and closed it behind him, to where the pillow on hit the door. He popped his head through the door laughing, "You'll have to do better than that!"

Then came flying the clock that was hanging on the wall. Hayate closed the door again before the clock hit him, the clock didn't break, but it did make a huge slamming noise."Hahaha," 'I think she's getting better already.'

Kaoru picked up the indestructible clock and hung it back up on the wall. "You shouldn't be moving too much Himeno, you've lost a lot of blood and you could open your wound."

"But I feel just fine," Himeno rolled the IV rack with her to the bed. "It looks like it, but you'll still have to rest before losing too much of your energy."

"But..," Himeno sat down.

"No buts young lady. Now lay down." Kaoru picked up the pillow as Himeno lied down. She surfed the channels on the television with the remote that was attached to the bed like in most hospitals.

"Dad..."

"Hmm?" Himeno's dad started drink a bottle of water he brought with him.

"What do you think Hayate thinks of me?"

"Splash", he spills the water all over himself. "What? Why do you want to ask me this?"

"Never mind then."

"Okay, if you say so..," he said as he tried to dry himself off.

She flicked through the channels without even paying attention to what is on each channel. Kaoru noticed that she already changed all the channels three times non-stop. "Are you sure nothing is wrong Himeno?"

"Yeah, I'm sure," she lied through her teeth.

"You're very vital for someone who is suppose to be low on blood."

Her thumb paused on the remote and she gave a full-of-life smile to her dad. "I'm fine, I feel a lot better. I'm stronger than you think I am."

"You are but...," he stood up and intertwined his fingers with her hair. "That doesn't mean you don't have a weakness."

She held onto her father's hand, squeezed it, just as her heart felt like.

"Now are you sure you don't want to tell me something?"

Himeno nodded, she wanted to talk. It was her father of course, someone who you just couldn't throw away like an old laundry rag. He's there for her... just like Hayate. Himeno cuddled up with the pillow facing her dad. "I'm all ears, Himeno."

"..."

"I know you said something about Hayate. Did anything happen between you two?"

She shook her head slowly, holding onto the pillow tighter. "I just..."

"You just...what?"

"I just... you know it's not that important! hehhee!" She grabbed the sheets and flung it over her head.

'She doesn't change does she?'

'She eats so much food, there's not enough room to put more.' Hayate stood in the food line looking at the different variety off foods from all over the pyramid (food pyramid) they were serving. Since Himeno's stomach is an endless pit for food, he already piled the tray up with her favorite food that he just happened to know right off the bat.

"Whatcha got there Hayate," Mannen popped in.

"Wha! Where did you come from,"Hayate yelled while managing to keep the tray steady.

"I've been here.."

"With who?"

"Them," he pointed his thumb backwards. Rest of the Leafe knights smiled at their big brother, while Goh was twinkling his fingers at Hayate.

Shin ran up to Hayate hugging his leg. "Are you getting food for Himeno?"

"Yeah.. you all worried about her too?"

"Yes and also the fact that Fenrir might be coming back to haunt us," Kei picked up a tray and started piling it.

"What are you doing Kei?"

"You've seen how Himeno eats. She at least eats twenty plates for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We'll help you serve her."

"But you're not immediate family."

Goh, Hajime, Mannen, and Sasame chuckle under their breath, trying not to laugh. "How are we not, Mr. Fiance? We're her future brother in-laws," Sasame laughed.

And of course Hayate's face lit up red.

"Ahahaha, look how red your face is Hayate," Goh held in his stomach.

"So you lied?"

"Ss..ssso I cc..could see her of course. I was really worried about her," Hayate turned away to conceal his red face.

"You could have said that you were her brother."

'I would have felt even worse if I said that instead.' "Tt..that would make it worse for me."

Sasame picked up a tray, following along Goh, Mannen, and Hajime; Shin was still clinging to Hayate's leg. "Don't worry big brother, that would make us feel bad too. But we were actually surprised you said that."

'Of course you would know Sasame.'

"By the way," Hayate turned to them, "Am I going to pay for all of this?"

Every tray was filled and piled. Not much of a new thing for us to know; Himeno has three stomachs.

"I'll pay for it," Natsue stepped in. "Mrs. Awayuki," Hayate said.

"That'll be mom from now on son," she winked.

"Please don't tell me one of you told her."

Natsue put a hand to her mouth smiling. "Actually... I was the one who told them. The nurse from before informed me about you."

'Crap,' Hayate said in his mind. His face grew pale with lines of disgust run down his face.

"Please forgive me...," his head drooped down.

"There's no need to apologize, but I might still tease you for awhile," Natsue smiled sweetly. "Ye..yeah..," His face went even paler.

Nastue went up to the cashier who had a dazzled look in his eye, in a good way. "Mm...mmrs. Awayuki? Ooh I'm sorry, you don't have to pay for the food. This is your hospital anyway."

"Are you sure James?" (Yeah he's American)

"Yes ma'am. You have taken very good care of us. It's on the house!"

"Well that's nice of you, thank you."

"You're welcome madam, take care."

"She owns about everything in this city...," Goh whispered to himself. Natsue came back up to Hayate with a very bright grin planted under her nose. "Well, let's get that food to Himeno shall we?"

Everyone nodded and started making their way to the elevator.

This is a regular chapter, not much action, but I'm getting there... Hope everyone liked it and God Bless! ;D

CherryBlossom210