"She's in here." The nurse said as she lead Kazuma to Ayano's room in the hospital.

Kazuma pushed the door open. Laying lifeless in a hospital cot was Ayano. Stitches held together the deep gashes visible on her cheek and arms, bruises covered almost ever inch of her skin, IV's were in each arm and a oxygen mask was over her face. A frown fell over Kazuma's face as he looked over Ayano's condition. He knew Jugo and Ren would be there soon, so he only had a short time alone with her.

He moved over to her bedside and pushed her bangs from her face. "Ayano." He said; no response. "Ayano." He said a bit louder and tapped her arm; still nothing. "Open your eyes." He hissed and squeezed her arm; finally a wince. He let out a groan and sat down in the chair beside her bed. "How could you let yourself be captured so easily?" He whispered with a frown.

The door opened and Jugo and Ren stood there, staring wide eyed at Ayano's condition. After a moment, Jugo moved to her bedside and caressed her cheek. "Ayano..."

"I-Is she going to be okay?" Ren asked with teary eyes.

Kazuma pulled Ren into an embrace. "She'll be fine." He assured.

At that moment the doctor came in and gave a smile to the three. "Afternoon." He said and gave a bow.

"Will Ayano be alright?" Ren asked.

The doctor nodded. "She's in rough condition, but will make a full recovery."

"Thank goodness..." Jugo sighed.

"We will need to keep her here for a while though..." The doctor stated.

Jugo nodded. "That's fine."

The doctor rounded to Ayano's monitors and eyed them, writing stats down on his clipboard. "She was nearly dead when Yagami-san brought her here, so she was very lucky."

Jugo nodded. "I will pay you when we return to the house." He said to Kazuma with a firm nod.

Kazuma nodded. "Thanks." He murmured, rubbing Ren's back as he looked over Ayano. "Do her friends know yet?" He asked.

Ren nodded. "I let them know."

Kazuma nodded. "Good."

After about an hour, Jugo realized Ayano was not going to wake and left. Ren stayed with Kazuma, but by the time the sun was setting, he too, decided to head back. Kazuma on the other hand remained where he was, sitting in the chair. He had many things on his mind; that women whom attacked Ayano, Ayano's health, how much money he was getting paid and how much more he'd have to charge Jugo in order to continue protecting Ayano at a higher level.

He sighed and closed his eyes as he ran his hand through his hair. It'd be a long day for him to sit on one place, yet for some reason, he felt no need to leave. What was he going to do? Go back to his hotel room? Maybe drink some sake? He shook his head.

"Yagami-san, you can wake up now." A soft voice called to Kazuma.

His eyes slowly opened and he straightened.

"You fell asleep in the chair, Yagami-san." The nurse said gently. "Is Ayano dear to you? Is that why you stayed?"

"I'm her bodyguard." Kazuma replied with a yawn.

The nurse's smile fell slightly. "O-Oh, sorry for assuming them." She murmured and gave a bow.

Kazuma shrugged and ran his fingers through his hair. His eyes drifted over to Ayano and sighed. "Has she woken at all?"

The nurse shook her head. "She's really out of it. I'm unsure how long she will be out for. You can go, Yagami-san, nothing will happen to her here." She said and smiled gently again.

Kazuma stood up to stretch. "I will go get breakfast and return." He stated.

The nurse nodded. "Please excuse me." She said and left down the hall to attend to another patient.

Kazuma's eyes drifted back to Ayano. He didn't like seeing her in this state, it reminded him of Tsui-Ling when she was being sacrificed, looking helpless and there was nothing he could do for her. He let out a sigh, he slipped off his jacket and set it over her before leaving the room.

...

"She looks horrible." Yukari frowned.

"Never seen her beat up so bad." Nanase nodded in agreement.

Kazuma leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. He shrugged. "She was nearly dead when I found her..."

The girls nodded. "I still cannot believe it though..." Yukari sighed.

Kazuma shrugged. "She's an idiot, I'll give her that."

Nanase nodded before spotting Kazuma's jacket covering Ayano. She wasn't sure why neither herself or Yukari had noticed before, but now she did and a smirk tugged at her lips.

"So, Kazuma." She started.

Kazuma looked up from glancing at the floor and grunted. "Hm?"

"Why is your jacket on Ayano?" She asked.

Yukari gasped as she noticed as well. "Aw! That's cute!"

Kazums rolled his eyes. "She looked cold." He replied and diverted his eyes.

The girls giggled together.

"If you like her, why not ask her out?" Yukari smirked.

Kazuma shook his head. "You believe I like her?"

The girls nodded. "So obvious to everyone but Ayano herself!" Yukari stated.

Kazuma couldn't help but chuckle. "She is quite clueless."

The girls sqealed. "We knew it!" They both grinned.

Kazuma rolled his eyes. "Yeah well, keep it quiet." He mumbled.

"But why?" Nanase asked. "I mean... if you like her..."

Kazuma shook his head. "It's complicated." He stated and looked down at her peaceful face.

"Why?" Nanase asked.

Kazuma shook his head. "None of your business." He stated and smirked slightly.

"When will you tell her?" Yukari asked.

Kazuma shrugged. "When I feel like it. Can you please drop the subject?"

The girls frowned and nodded. They talked about the woman whom had attacked Ayano instead.

"An ice-magic user?" Nanase asked.

Kazuma nodded. "They are extremely rare... do not come from these parts."

"What does that mean then? I mean.. clearly she was after Ayano..." Yukari murmured.

Kazuma nodded slowly. "I'm unsure what she wants..."

"You.. will protect Ayano, won't you?" Yukari asked.

Kazuma nodded. "Yes, I am being paid to d-"

"Don't!" Nanase hissed. "We know theres more then money you care for."

Kazuma sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Alright... I would anyway even if I wasn't being paid." He murmured.

The girls smiled and nodded.

"Is that why you haven't left her side?" Yukari asked.

Kazuma shrugged.

"It so is." Nanase laughed.

Yukari smiled and nodded. "So cute!"

Kazuma sighed and opened his mouth in protest when a groan came from Ayano. All three turned their eyes to her, the girls moving to one side of Ayano and Kazuma on the other.

"Ayano?" Yukari asked softly as she took Ayano's hand in her own.

Ayano's eyes slowy fluttered open and first she saw was Nanase and Yukari. "H-Hey guys..." She whispered.

"Nice to see you awake, idiot." Kazuma smirked.

Ayano turned her head to face Kazuma. "K-Kazuma..." She breathed.

"How do you feel?" Nanase asked.

Ayano turned to face her and shrugged slightly. "R-Really sore..."

"That's what you get for allowing you-"

"I didn't allow myself to be caught!" Ayano hissed at Kazuma, despite her pain.

Kazuma paused to stare at her before laughing. He rested his hand on top of her head and smiled. "I know, Ayano. I'm teasing you."

Nanase and Yukari shared a look before giggling.

Kazuma ignored them as his smile fell. "That woman wasn't any ordinary ice-magic user."

Ayano nodded. "I-I noticed."

"You didn't notice everything." Yukari giggled.

Ayano looked at her in confusion. "Huh?"

Nanase pointed to Ayano's chest where Kazuma's jacket was still drapped over her chest. Ayano's eyes drifted down and she gasped, a blush forming on her face.

"Wh-Why-"

Kazuma quickly leaned down to capture her lips with his. Her eyes widened further in disbelief. He pulled back slowly and took a lock of her hair to tug on it. "Shut up, Ayano. You need more rest." He breathed.

Yukari and Nanase's eyes were wide with disblief. They turned to eachother before bursting out into laughter.

AN: Heey! xD I like this second chapter... hope you do too~

XxSoulNoteWritterxX