Notes:
Another long one! I still only own Michiko, Kishi, and I forgot about the Yankees. Shame on me. :)
~Tali
Chapter 7 - Secrets
Michiko had continued to ignore the prickle on the back of her neck that said she was being followed every time she stepped foot out of the apartment and to text Haru whenever she went anywhere. He was more worried about her than she was and she thought it very sweet. It was almost time to confront her shadow. She had been waiting until she had healed herself enough that the confrontation would go her way. She knew she was going to have to tell Haru at least a little bit of her secret and she hoped he wouldn't be too angry with her for not being honest. She also wondered if she would ever be able to hug him. Not that kissing him wasn't wonderful, but it would be nice to just snuggle in his arms and stay there for a while. He made her feel safe and it was a wonderful feeling that she hadn't had nearly enough of in her short life. He also made her want to be around people and get to know them and have contact with them. Before he had come into her life she was so shy and it was so hard for her to connect with anyone. There had been the occasional date to keep up appearances but nothing ever stuck because she couldn't bring herself to allow them to be close to her. Now, all she could think about was being closer to Haru and her new friends.
Once again she was walking by the middle school and the sound of children jeering caught her attention. She was able to make out something about hair and them laughing. Kat was in the middle of the circle once again and it ticked Michiko off that they could be so cruel to such a sweet girl.
"What is wrong with you, you little monsters?" she growled as her eyes glowed an angry red. "If all you can do is be cruel, shut your mouths and leave her alone. Now scram before I give you a reason to cry." she snarled at them.
Once again the children made themselves scarce except for the one boy that moved away but kept watch. "Hello again, Kat."
The girl continued to look down at the ground, so Michiko knelt beside her again. "Hey, don't let them get to you." She reached out to play with her hair, "Your hair is beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you differently."
Her reaching out had pulled up her sleeve and Kat touched her bandages gently in question.
"Don't worry, Dr. Hatori fixed me up. He said I'll be right as rain in a few more days."
Kat continued to look at her questioningly so Michiko gave her an outline of what had happened a few days before. Feeling no need to upset her unduly with the details, she kept to the barest details. The girl listened closely, especially while Michiko was talking about her friends and all they had done to help her. Once the tale was told the girl reached out and gave Michiko a careful hug, which was happily returned.
When Kat released her, Michiko took off one of her necklaces and wound it around the girl's wrist. "In case you need a friend, okay?" Michiko saw the teacher headed their way, "Are you ready to go back to class, Kat?"
She looked over at the teacher before giving Michiko a small smile good-bye and joining her.
"Hello, Michiko-san. It's nice to see you again." the teacher said.
"Hello, Teacher. It's nice to see you again as well. I don't want to keep her from class so I'll get out of your hair. Have a good day." she bowed respectfully before departing. It was time for her to start preparing dinner for Hatori, Ayame, and Haru who were coming over later that evening to visit and check on her.
When they were well away from the school Michiko ducked quickly between two building and pinned the guy that had been following her to the brick wall. "You've been following me for days. Something you need?" she demanded.
"Just doing my job, Mi." came the surprised reply.
She released him at once, "Nate?"
"Yep."
"What job are you doing?"
"Keeping an eye on you." he replied with a grin.
Her eyes narrowed, "On whose orders?"
"Joey's."
"Well, why don't we go see him?" she demanded, highly insulted to find she was being babysat.
"That won't be necessary." came a voice from behind her.
She spun around and arched a brow at Kai. "And what are you doing here?"
"Looking for you, young lady. I'll walk you home." He nodded to Nate and the other man smiled at her before taking off. She took his arm and allowed him to steer her towards home.
"Haru spoke with you?" she asked.
"Indirectly."
"And?"
"And we're taking care of them."
"I wonder why he hasn't mentioned it." she murmured.
Kai shrugged, "Maybe you should ask him. Or Kyou for that matter."
Her eyes widened, "Kyou was there, too?"
He nodded, "He provided detailed descriptions for us."
"Interesting. I'll have to ask them about it." she muttered.
"I'm sure they haven't mentioned it because they don't want to worry you."
Michiko sighed, "You're probably right."
He indicated she should precede him up the stairs and followed closely behind. She unlocked the door and he moved to enter before she did.
"What are you doing?" she demanded.
"Making sure no one came in while you were gone." he replied before carefully checking out each room.
She lifted a brow, "What about the other times I've come home alone before I confronted my shadow?" And never mind the wards I put in place to protect me from those thugs.
"Someone came in and checked it when you were reported to be on your way home." he replied.
No wonder he was so adamant about my keeping in close contact while I was not home. "Don't you think you're going the teensiest bit overboard here?"
"No. They've been talking and they want you punished."
Her eyes widened, "Oh. I'm going to make tea, would you like some?"
"Please." he replied before following her and leaning against the counter.
"My doctor is coming over in a little while with Haru so you'll need to clear out before he gets here. I don't think I could come up with an explanation that wouldn't worry him." she warned.
"That's fine. I can't stay long anyway." he replied easily.
They talked as she served tea and cooked dinner. They had a few years to catch up on and he was curious how she's come to be where she was. After a while he looked at the heaps of food in the kitchen and was stunned by the huge amount of food she was cooking.
"How many people are coming over?" he asked curiously.
"There should be four of us." she replied cheerfully.
He frowned, "How much food can four people possibly eat?"
She grinned as she started efficiently loading bento boxes, "It's not all for us, silly. You're to take these home and share with the guys keeping watch."
"What? I'm not a delivery boy." he retorted.
She dumped the largest box in his hands with a wide smile on her face; brightness undiminished by the stitches and light bruises that adorned it. "That one's yours. Do you need me to call a cab?" she asked as she indicated to the boxes still waiting to be filled.
He gave her a dirty look, "No, you certainly do not. I'm sure I can manage."
"Marvelous." she tiptoed to kiss his cheek. "Thank you for trying to be my friend, teaching me what I needed to know to survive, and for helping me make my way when I was lost."
He smiled at her a little, "You were terrifying, you know."
She scoffed at him as she returned to filling boxes, "I still am."
Kai studied her, "No, you're not. When you were younger the darkness within you was out there for everyone to see. You appear to have it well under control now."
She blinked at him. "Was it really that bad?"
"Yes. If not worse. Why do you think none of the others would speak to you?"
She shrugged, "Because I didn't speak to them?"
"Some would have chanced it had you not been so terrifying. Do you really think all pretty little girls live on the streets so safely? You terrified the bad guys as well as the good." he returned.
Michiko looked uncomfortable, "I truly meant no harm or malice."
"Nor did you do any. It's strange how you could have such violence in you but never unleash it."
She smiled bitterly, "Who said I never unleashed it?"
His face cleared in understanding, "So that's why you were out there. You're doing a lot better now. It really surprised me to see you talking with the others and I should tell you it shocked the hell out of me when you hugged me hello."
"Why?"
"You never once touched anyone on your own. You allowed me to touch you just enough to show you how to put in stitches and I was half convinced you were going to run instead of learn. I'm glad to see you doing so well, Mi."
She gave him a sad smile, "I'm sorry I couldn't be a better friend to you before. I realize now it must have been hard on you to help take care of me. Why did you do it?"
It was his turn to smile sadly, "You remind me of my sister. You're as contrary as she was."
Michiko hugged him around the box, "I'm sorry. I never knew or thought to ask."
He shifted the box to one hand so he could tug her hair, "It's all right. You helped me, too. You came to me when I needed purpose more than anything and helping you kept me out of the worst of the trouble I could have gotten in."
"Then we're friends?"
"Of course. You better finish up those boxes if you want me out of here before the Doc arrives."
She finished packing and placed the rest of the boxes in his hands. "You better get a move on so you don't traumatize my doctor."
He smiled and allowed her to show him out the door. When he got to the bottom of the stairs he pondered the outside door for a moment before a tall dark haired man opened it and waved him out. "Thank you." he said politely.
"You're welcome." Hatori replied quietly, worried that Yankees were in this part of town. Or worse yet, in Michiko's building.
"Come in and be welcome, Sohma-sensei." Michiko stepped back so Hatori could enter and she took his coat and hung it on the rack.
"Hello, Michiko-san. Please call me Hatori. How are you feeling today?" he asked.
"Thank you. Terrific. How about you?" she responded cheerfully.
"Fine." He watched her peek out the door and answered her unspoken question, "Ayame won't be able to make it. He sends his regrets but asked if I would give you this note and package." He handed her a folded piece of paper and a brightly decorated shopping bag. She opened the note and laughed as she read it.
Dearest Blossom,
Something has come up and I simply cannot make it to dinner tonight. Do you think you could find it in your heart to send Hatori back with a box? He refused to ask you for me but consented to give you a note should I write one. Say hello to Yuki for me next time you see him.
Your order is finished and should be perfect for you. If you do need any alterations bring it by and we'll take care of it, though I doubt we'll need to.
Ayame
Michiko looked at the bag nervously then at Hatori before shrugging. She was curious what they had come up with. "I have no idea what they made for me. I just went into the shop because I was curious about the name. Mine measured me half to death and sent me on my way."
She opened the bag and pulled out the contents. Once she had shaken it out, Hatori put a hand to his face and turned away. She studied it thoughtfully for several minutes before laughing. "At least it's cute."
It was a very short dark gray dress that she bet would bring out her eyes nicely. Deep purple ribbons laced the front closed on the corseted top. It had off the shoulder puffs for sleeves that looked like they would drape nicely and enhance the view of her bust line. A row of tiny, sparkly stones accented the top and two more went down on either side of the laces. The skirt was short in the front and long in the back and had a flirty cut. The kicker though, was the black and grey striped cat tail that came off the back and the headband with little cat ears. The bag also included a pair of deadly looking heels that matched the dress perfectly.
"I'll just put this away." she said as she laughed again and folded it neatly into the bag. "Well, it looks like it's just you and me tonight. Come, make yourself comfortable while I finish making dinner." Michiko said as she led him into the living room. She turned to tell him to take a seat at the couch and the expression on his face had her struggling to keep a straight face. She glanced down so she would not have to look at him and asked in as even a voice as she could muster, "Is something bothering you, Hatori-san?"
"Is there something wrong with the electricity?" he finally asked. She had forgotten this was the first time he'd been over when it was dark and she was awake.
"No. I just prefer light from lamps rather than bulbs. It's much . . . softer, don't you think?" she asked innocently while giving her lashes the slightest flutter.
He looked so thoroughly discomfited that she took pity on him. "I only jest, Hatori-san. I do prefer lamps but I think the light bulbs work if you would be more comfortable."
"Ah, no. It's fine. Where is Haru?"
"He said he's helping Yuki with some school stuff that ran late. He said he would swing by whenever they finished. I better check on dinner. I hope you like it." she said as she walked back to the kitchen.
The doctor followed with a concerned expression as he asked, "Did you know a Yankee was leaving when I arrived?"
Michiko stiffened slightly, "Yes, I did."
His eyes latched onto hers, "Really?"
"Yes. He helped me when no one else would."
"So you know the Yankee?"
"Yes." she replied flatly.
"And you trust him?"
"With my safety."
"But not your life?" he pressed.
She smiled slightly, "I trust myself with my life. That is all I need."
Hatori watched as she checked on a couple pots on the stove and on something in the oven. She turned everything off and started dishing it up. Hatori took the bowls from her and she turned to bring the tea tray to the table.
"Michiko-san, I've been meaning to ask you something." he said after a few bites.
"All right."
"Yuki told me a while ago that he had an asthma attack and you helped him. He said you used Reiki on him?" Hatori asked. Michiko made a noncommittal noise in response. "He said what you did stopped it right away. How?"
She frowned at him, "It's difficult to explain. Especially to a scientific doctor."
"Try me."
Michiko quirked a brow at him, "Are you familiar with working with energy?"
"I've heard about it."
"I found I have an affinity for working with energy and using it to heal."
"Can you show me?"
Michiko hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Do you have any injuries?"
Hatori took inventory before picking up his knife and sliding it across the pad of his thumb.
"Or you can make one." she said with a light edge of sarcasm.
Hatori raised a brow before holding his hand out to her. She frowned but brushed a fingertip next to it and wiped the blood off with a napkin. Hatori looked down in surprise. It was completely healed, without a mark and she hadn't even touched it.
"Interesting." he murmured. "Why didn't you use this on your injuries?"
"What makes you think I haven't?" she asked quietly.
He reached over and flipped on the overhead lights before turning to study her closely. Her bruises were almost gone and the cuts on her face were almost completely healed. He tugged her arm over and pushed her sleeve out of the way so he could unwind some of the bandages. The cuts were healed enough to take the stitches out.
"These stitches are ready to come out." he told her.
"I know. I was going to take them out tonight."
"You should not take out stitches without your doctor's approval." he reprimanded her.
"I know when stitches are ready to come out. Besides, you said yourself that they were ready."
"Why haven't you healed everything completely?" he asked.
"I had to stay injured for a little while at least or it would raise questions I don't really want to answer."
"I see. What does Haru think of this?"
"He hasn't asked about it but I imagine he will when my bandages are off tomorrow."
"Are you going to tell him the truth?" Hatori asked.
"Of course. I don't lie to those I care about." she said seriously.
"What about those you don't?"
She shrugged. "It would depend on the question. I'm more than happy to tell someone that it's none of their business, which is not a lie."
"I see. I would prefer if you allowed me to remove the stitches this evening."
"If you insist." she replied with a slight smile.
Once they had finished eating she removed the dishes from the table and Hatori waved her into the seat next to him. He had gotten his medical bag from the car while she was putting everything away and now it was on the table.
Michiko shrugged out of her shirt and sat at the table in her tank top so he could get to the stitches without the sleeves getting in the way. After unwinding the bandages he closely examined each cut that had been stitched to make sure they were all ready to be removed.
"This one is not quite ready." he told her as he pointed out one of the deeper cuts on her upper left arm.
She twisted her arm to see it better and nodded, "Just a moment." She placed her right hand over the injury and concentrated for a few moments.
Hatori watched as a very light glow surrounded her hand and faded as she removed it. "That's better. It must be very useful to be able to heal yourself so easily." he said as he started gently removing stitches.
"It's come in very handy over the years." she agreed.
"Haru mentioned you told him you could have put in your own stitches if I had not been available?" he probed.
She gave a slightly bitter smile at that, "Yes. I have been stitching up my own wounds since Kai, the Yankee you saw, showed me how. It took a lot longer for me to realize I could heal myself with energy instead."
"How did you find out?"
She slowly replied, "I had to."
He studied her face for several moments, "An injury you couldn't stitch?"
"Something like that." she replied.
"Thank you for taking care of Yuki. I appreciate the risk you took to help him."
Michiko gave him a small smile, "I'm always happy to help one of the Sohmas."
"Did you assist Kyou as well?." he asked as he returned his attention to removing the stitches from her arm.
"Yes. Not was well as I would have liked but enough to help him."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
About halfway through there was a knock at the door. "Excuse me, Hatori-san. That's probably Haru." Michiko got up and opened the door.
She blinked in surprise before grimacing lightly, "Kishi-sama, what brings you here?"
"You've been avoiding me, Michiko-chan." Kishi said as she walked into the apartment.
"Come in and be welcome. I haven't been avoiding you, just delaying the inevitable." Michiko replied as she closed the door and led the way into the living room.
Hatori looked up in surprise as Kishi walked in. He stood and bowed politely, "Hello, Kishi-san. It's nice to see you again."
Kishi smiled as she walked over to him. "Hatori-san, what happened to Michiko? She won't tell me anything."
"Well, why don't you have a seat and Michiko can explain it while I finish removing her stitches." he replied quietly.
"Stitches?!" Kishi said as she turned around and looked Michiko over. She saw the lines of stitches on her arms and face and exploded. "What the hell happened to you, Michiko-chan? I will personally see to it that they never get near you again. Why haven't you healed –" she stopped abruptly and glanced guiltily at Hatori.
Michiko gave her an exasperated look as she returned to her chair so Hatori could continue, "Well, it's a good thing I just finished telling him about my ability to heal myself, isn't it?"
"I'm sorry, I'm just so worried about you. All I know is that you called in and said you were going to be out for a few days because of an injury. I've stopped by several times to check on you and you've avoided me. Please, what happened?" Kishi said in a rush.
"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and by the time I was removed from the situation there were too many witnesses for me to be able to heal myself."
"Details." Kishi demanded.
Michiko huffed, "Fine." she said before explaining what had happened and why.
"Are you sure you're all right?" Kishi asked when she was done.
"I'm fine. I've been watched over and taken care of. I actually had to shove Haru out the door yesterday and today to get him to go to school."
"Haru was here overnight again?" Hatori asked with a slight edge to his voice.
"Yes. Are his parents ever home?" Michiko asked.
"Not as often as they probably should be. In their place, I need to ask you to not become a bad influence on Haru."
Michiko looked at him in surprise, "Is shoving him out the door to make sure he goes to school and then bothering him until he does his homework while he's here a bad influence?"
Hatori gave her a small smile, "No. Please continue with that. He really shouldn't spend the night here with you alone."
"I know. He only does it when he thinks I'm unable to take care of myself. And that one time we fell asleep during movie night. But that's all, Hatori-san. I am not looking to take advantage of him in any way."
"Good."
"How much longer should she stay out of work?" Kishi asked.
"She was fine to go to work yesterday." Hatori answered.
Kishi looked at Michiko expectantly. "Well, I didn't want you to worry so I stayed home while I had to keep the worst of my bruises."
"I see. Well, next time I expect a better explanation from you. We're supposed to be friends, Michiko-chan, and I can't help you if you won't let me."
"I know. I'm sorry, Kishi-sama."
"All finished." Hatori said as he pulled the final stitch out. "Do try to stay healthy for a while." he added dryly.
"I always try. It just doesn't always work." she replied cheekily.
He gave her a narrow look and she smiled at him. "Thank you for taking care of my stitches."
"Hmphf." he replied as he put away his tools.
"You should have her teach you how to do energy healing, Hatori-san." Kishi suggested. "It would probably come in handy."
"It would be helpful to know, but why don't you teach me, Kishi-san?" he asked.
"I'm no healer. If you want to learn you should have Michiko teach you. She is very good."
He considered that for a long moment, "Would you be willing to teach me, Michiko-san?"
"Of course, Hatori-san."
Michiko went into the kitchen and grabbed the box she had made up for Ayame. "Would you please give this to Ayame for me?" she asked.
"Of course." he replied before standing. "I should get going."
"I'll see you later, Hatori-san. Thank you." Michiko said with a bow.
"You're welcome. Good-bye Michiko-san, Kishi-san." he said.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Kishi said to him quietly with a smile.
"Until then." he replied equally quietly before walking out the door and closing it gently behind him.
"Tomorrow, hmmm?" Michiko said to Kishi with a knowing smile.
"We've met for coffee a couple of times. It's nothing." she evaded.
"Of course." Michiko agreed.
"So, about those thugs, they're in jail?" Kishi said, changing the subject.
"No. Why?" Michiko asked.
"Oh, no reason. I should probably get home. It's getting late." she evaded.
"Don't do anything that's going to get you in trouble." Michiko warned.
"My dear child, I am the head of spell tracing. I assure you, if I wish to do something, no one will know it was me or what it is." she said loftily.
Michiko smirked at her, "What about me?"
"You're good, but I've been in the business a lot longer."
"I'll catch up one day. Just – just do me a favor and don't get the wrong guys."
"What do you mean? Yankees are Yankees." Kishi returned.
"No, they aren't and there is a group of them that are looking for those guys as well." Michiko explained.
"Really?"
"Yes. My friends. Don't mix them up with the bad guys."
"How will I be able to tell which are which?" Kishi questioned.
"The red-head travelling with a bald guy and one with slicked back black hair are the leaders of one group and my friend from when I was in school will be the older blond guy. Older than me, not older like old."
"I see. I'll do my best not to hurt any of them permanently until I clear it with you."
"Thanks. I'll see you in the office tomorrow now that I'm healed enough to avoid stares. I thought about a glamour, but I knew you'd see right through it."
"You're correct. See you tomorrow, Michiko-chan."
"See you tomorrow, Kishi-san."
Michiko closed the door behind her before taking a seat on the couch to wait for Haru to wander by. A couple hours later there was a knock on the door and she put aside the book she had been reading to answer it.
"Hello, Haru-kun. Please come in and be welcome."
He smiled as he entered and looked her over closely. "Your stitches are out." he said in surprise.
"Yes. Hatori said they were fine to come out and he removed them after dinner."
"How is that possible? The quickest I've ever seen stitches out was seven days and yours have only been in for four. Does this have something to do with those energy working books you have in your room?" he asked.
"Have a seat and I'll explain it to you."
Once they were settled she reached over and took his hand. "I am able to use energy working to heal myself and others. I've been using a little at a time to speed up my healing since there were so many people that knew I was injured I couldn't heal them immediately."
"Why are you only telling me this now?" he asked curiously.
"It hadn't really come up until now. I haven't been so injured that I couldn't heal it right away with anyone noticing."
"What about when you were so sick a few months ago?" he asked.
"I did use it for that, but I wasn't able to help myself until after Hatori's medication had cleared my head a bit. I have to be self aware enough to concentrate in order for it to work."
"Interesting. Can anyone learn to use it?" Haru asked.
"Anyone can learn to use it to an extent."
"When did you realize you could heal yourself?"
Michiko looked down at her hands for a long moment, "My father beat me with a belt until I passed out one day. When I woke up I was still bleeding. I tried so hard to get to all of the injuries but couldn't do it as they were all over my back. I wished I could heal them some other way and suddenly they started healing beneath my hands. After a while I learned to direct it with a finger and now I just need to place my hand near an injury and I can heal it."
Haru looked at her for a long moment before taking her hand and bringing it up to his lips. "I'm sorry." Bastard. We'll take care of him if he ever shows his face around here.
"You don't have anything to be sorry about." she said quietly.
"I'm sorry that you had such a rough time growing up." he replied.
She shrugged then smiled, "It's a lot better now, especially since I've met you."
"Well that's something then." he replied with an answering smile.
"Haru-kun? May I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Why aren't your parents ever around?"
His eyes shuttered. "They have other things to do. Why do you ask?"
"Hatori said something to me earlier tonight and it made me curious."
"What did he say?"
She smiled a little, "He asked me to not become a bad influence on you and said your parents weren't home as often as they should be."
"A bad influence? Are you serious?" he growled.
"Yes, but I assured him I made sure you made it to school and did your homework and he seemed satisfied. He would prefer you didn't spend the night here alone with me though."
He frowned, "There's nothing we can do at night that we can't do during the day or that I haven't done already."
She raised a brow, "Does he know that?"
"Um, I'm not sure."
"Then his concern is well founded." she said.
"I'm not doing anything wrong." Haru defended.
"I know that and you know that, but parents are a different thing altogether."
He sighed, "That's true."
"I'll be all right. You should stay home and check in with Hatori this evening so he knows you're home. Besides I know my shadows are standing watch right now."
"I'd rather stay here with you." he argued. "And how did you know about them? I asked Joey to be discreet."
She smiled softly, "I'd rather you stay here too, but we need to work within the parent's rules when possible so they don't get unduly worried." Her smiled turned into a smirk, "As for my shadows, I knew I was being followed the moment I set foot out of my apartment. As long as I'm paying the least bit of attention to my surrounding no one can sneak up on me."
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Haru pulled Michiko into her room and slowly closed the door behind them. He was very concerned about a few things that she had said since she had been hurt and he didn't want her to continue thinking along those lines. She turned on the bedside lamp and looked over at him nervously.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Mi-chan. I just want you to stop thinking your scars make you any less beautiful."
She looked away "But, Haru-kun, how can they not? Every time I look at them I see pain and suffering and feel so very ugly." she whispered.
He walked over and sat down next to her with her small hand between his large ones. "Everything about you is beautiful. Let's give you something else to think about when you see them." he said before lifting her arm and gently starting to brush kisses over her scars, one at a time, as she slowly relaxed into his touch.
He worked his way up one arm and then across her shoulders and the back of her neck before moving down the other arm, taking care to not miss a single one in the low light. Once done, he moved behind her and helped her out of her tank top before urging her to lie down on her stomach. A deep frown moved over his face as he took in the damage done to her by her father's belt but one particularly nasty scar on her lower back caught his attention.
"Mi-chan?"
"Yes, Haru-kun?" she asked quietly as she tensed.
He reached out to trace the scar in question, "What happened here?"
"Knife."
"He stabbed you with a knife?" Haru asked incredulously.
She squeezed her eyes shut, "It was handy."
Death would be too kind a punishment for him. Haru thought angrily as his black side tried to claw its way to the surface. How dare he hurt what's ours! it growled. She wasn't ours then. Now we need to help her, not make it worse. Go away. If we meet him, he's yours. The darkness within him grumbled but backed down.
He brushed his fingertip lightly over it before bending down and pressing a lingering kiss to the ridged skin. Haru worked his way up her back just as methodically as he had her arms. It took a bit longer, since there were more scars, and they were larger, but he wanted to make sure he didn't miss a single one.
When he was done he helped her get back into her shirt and curled so they were face to face and holding hands. "Mi, you are the most lovely girl I have ever seen." He wiped a stray tear from her eye. "Don't ever doubt that. You are my beautiful kitten."
She smiled softly at him before using her fingertips to guide him closer for a tender kiss.