Kashino: Where were you?

Me: I'M SOOSOSOSSOSOSOSOSSO SORRRRYYYY GUYS! I MISSED YOU GUYS SO MUCH!

God, I just realized how long it's been since I actually was writing on FF! I miss this feeling. I missed you guys! :)

Time to get to the point.

The whole reason I couldn't update was because of school. And writer's block. And some piano. Throw in a little homework, stir it up, and there. You have my excuse. XD

But in all seriousness, I truly am sorry that I didn't update for 4 months. Well, I hope you enjoy this extra long chapter of A New Road! :)

Waking up in a place that wasn't the place where you fell asleep is scary, but waking up in a hospital was a whole different story. I looked around, finding the familiar walls of the Kashino General Hospital. I felt horrible; what exactly was happening? Only making things worse, a nurse walks in, and says:

"Ahh, Aoi-sama, you have finally woken up."

Finally woken up? What does she mean by that?

"Yeah..." I say unsure of what she was meaning. "Listen, I don't really remember what happened, so can you give me a moment to recover?" I ask, quite aggressively. Wow, do personalities change over comas? 'Cause mine just did.

"Very well. Would you like anything?" I shake my head, then just as she leaves, I blurt out:

"Please send in Kuuga. Okumura Kuuga."

I bet she was thinking that I was crazy, asking for a boy to be sent in. If I were her, I'd be thinking that how 12 year olds should be thinking that boys have cooties and whatnot. But us kids nowadays are the new generation.

"Alright." She said politely. I was astonished. How could she not be laughing her head off, then giving me a lecture on what a 12 year old should be doing? Anyways, she didn't do that. Instead, she asked: "Do you know how to contact him?"

"Uhh, I think his phone number is 081- 488- 2413."

"I will tell Makoto-sama to contact him. He will be here shortly."

"Thank you!" I smile at her. But inside, I was completely and utterly confused. Why was I here? What happened? How long was I out? Maybe Kuuga could answer my questions.

After pelting my brain with questions, I eventually dozed off, then fell into a deep sleep. I felt someone shake me, trying to get me awake.

"Five more minutes..." I groaned. Then I heard someone ask:

"Why am I even here? I barely even know this girl, let alone need to visit her." Shivers went down my spine as I realized that the strangely familiar voice was Kuuga's voice. That bolted me up to a sitting position, a warm smile replacing the worried expression on my face.

"K- Kuuga." I barely managed to get out.

"What do you want?" He asked coldly, a dark shadow across his face. He looked so intimidating, so threatening, I was almost afraid to say something.

"Thanks for visiting me. I have to ask you something."

"Go on."

"I can't remember anything that happened. I wanted to ask you if you could explain what happened."

"Sure." A bright smile lit up on my face. There was the cool, caring Kuuga that I knew. But I struggled to keep that smile on my face as he kept talking with a hateful tone. "What do you want to know?"

"Explain the whole scenario to me."

"You were attacked. By a wolf.

My heart nearly stopped. First of all, didn't Kuuga protect me from all those wolves? And second, I am DEADLY afraid of wolves. I'll shudder just at the thought of a wolf. I must have looked as pale as someone who'd just seen a ghost. I couldn't think, I was scared. What if it came back? Suddenly, a voice interrupted my train of thought.

"Oi, Kashino, you okay?" It took me a while to comprehend that, as I was still getting over the shock of being attacked. Then, I nodded my head fiercely, not looking very convincing.

"I-I'm fine." I said shakily.

"Ha, ha, very funny, now tell me what the problem is." Dang it, he saw right through it. I took a deep breath.

"I guess I have to tell you." I paused before starting the story, took another deep breath, then started.

"I'm afraid of wolves."

"It was Halloween night, and I was going trick-or-treating for the first time. I was having a great night, until it came. The wolf. I was holding my dad's hand until that point, and when I saw it, I slipped away. I thought the wolf was a big dog of some sort, so I tried to pet it. Do you know how that ended?" I asked. Kuuga shook his head. "I was attacked. By the wolf. My dad tried to jump to protect me, b-but..." I trailed off, turning away. This was so hard. Talking about this again, when I just narrowly survived a recent attack. Wolves seem to be attracted to me. I almost didn't hear Kuuga ask 'Are you okay?'. I wiped away my tears, then shook my head yes. I continued.

"I-I got lucky that time. I just got a scratch under my eye, but that was enough to four year old cry. I remember that so much blood came out, that it got into my eye. I couldn't see for the next two days." It took a little while for this shocking info about me to be registered into Kuuga's brain.

"I-I don't know what to say..." He trailed off. "Uhh... Could I please see your scar? I understand if you say no, you are probably quite uncomfortabl-" I cut him off.

"It's fine." I lifted my hair so he could see it. He took in a sharp breath. "What is it?" I questioned.

"Your scar... I-it looks the same as mine." Kuuga said softly.

"Sorry... Could you repeat that? I couldn't really hear you..." I trailed off. He looked embarrassed.

"Umm... Your scar has the same shape of my scar..." He repeated, more loud and firm this time.

"Oh." I said. I looked away, cheeks slightly heated.

"Sorry Kashino, I have to go now." Kuuga said.

"Oh. Okay then." I said awkwardly, then adding, "Bye, visit me again soon?"

"Sure." He answered, walking out the door.

I swear, my cheeks were glowing red the whole time. You wouldn't believe how much that meant to me, being with Kuuga.

In the middle of my train of thought, the nurse walked in.

"Would you like anything, Aoi-sama?" She asked politely.

"No thanks." I replied. "When am I able to leave?" I asked.

"I don't have the authority to know this information. I'm very sorry." She said, bowing her head.

"It's fine. Just ask my father, Kashino Makoto. He should know. Come back if when you know please!" I said, smiling.

"O-okay Aoi-sama!" She said, rushing out the door.

I sighed. At last, I had peace and quiet. At least, for the time being. I should enjoy it. I laid my head down. I was so tired. Becoming sleepy, I closed my eyes.

"Aoi. Aoi!" A voice called for me.

"Hmm... What?" I asked blearly eyed. I heard crying, and jolted myself upright.

"Aoi... My little blue cherry blossom has woken up!" She sniffled. It was my mother.

"Aoi, don't ever scare us like that again!" My father scolded. It was so like Dad to do that. But I knew that deep down, he cared. A lot.

"Okay. I won't, Dad. I promise." I said smiling. Subconsiouly, lukewarm tears trailed down my cheeks.

"Your mother and I have an annoucement to make."

"Yes, Mom, Dad?"

"You're getting a litte brother next May!" My mother cheered. I was shocked.

"I'm so excited! I finally get to be a older sister!" I said.

"We were so worried that you didn't want a little sibling." My Dad said, a small smile on his face.

"Makoto, you always look so stern and serious! Loosen up sometimes! How did I fall for someone like you?" My mother joked.

"Shut up, Ichigo."

Minty-chan: And there you have it! Family, drama, with a pinch of romance thrown in there! Did you enjoy? Review to tell me~

Ichigo: Also tell her the pros and cons of this chapter!

Aoi: Minty-chan will try to update soon!

Kashino: How are you guys always so cheerful?

Girls: *Smiles* Why are you always so pessimistic?"

Ja ne,

Minty-chan, OUT!