"Tamaki!" Kirin squealed, jumping on his back.
"Wha— Kirin? What—how—when—what?" Tamaki stuttered, dumbfounded.
Kirin, Megan and Arora giggled.
"I got my voice back," Kirin explained.
"I can see that," he nodded, "but how?"
"Umehito gave it to me?"
"…Do what?" he deadpanned, and she laughed.
"I mean, he gave me the courage and the hope and the determination I needed."
"Oh…. Well this is so exciting!" he bounced up and down and around in circles.
"Uhh, Megan, your boyfriend's acting like a five-year-old girl hopped up on sugar who just got a new pony…." Kirin laughed.
"Yeah, he does that…." Megan shrugged, sitting on a desk and watching Tamaki to make sure he didn't hurt himself or anyone else.
"I know," Kirin skipped up the steps to join her own boyfriend in the back corner.
"C'mon, babe, don't waste your time on that weirdo."
Kirin backed against the wall, looking around nervously, a tall, athletic senior boy—Hiyoshi Sato—leaning over her. A crowd was starting to gather, but no one came to her aid—they were too busy spectating; they didn't even speak. Where was Umehito? He should've been here by now!
"Well? Waddaya say? How 'bout a kiss?" he leaned his face toward hers; she squeezed her eyes shut, looking away.
She whimpered softly as he touched her face, trying to coax her into looking at him. when she refused, he grabbed her chin roughly and jerked her head to the side.
'Look, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way—"
He broke off suddenly, his hand disappearing from her face and his body from her bubble. She opened her eyes to find Umehito holding the guy by the collar; her dear boyfriend did not look happy.
He dropped Hideyoshi and punched him in the face; she gasped—the whole crowd did.
Hideyoshi swung blindly, staggering; that single punch already had blood streaming from his nose. He managed to get ahold of Nekozawa, and the two of them grappled. He slammed Umehito into a wall; Nekozawa winced, but otherwise didn't react. He threw all his body weight forward, sending the two of them toppling to the ground, Nekozawa on top. He punched Hideyoshi repeatedly, showing no sign of stopping anytime soon.
"Umehito, please!" Kirin cried; he froze in mid-punch. He sat for a moment, poised for another hit, before he finally stood. Hideyoshi stayed on the ground, barely conscious by this point.
Nekozawa stood for several seconds, face in his hands, breathing heavily. Kirin reached out, gently touching his arm, and he turned toward her.
He kissed her forehead.
"I'm sorry," he said.
He kissed her nose.
"I lost control."
He kissed her cheek.
"I was… overprotective."
He pecked her lips.
"And a bit jealous."
He hugged her tight, kissing the top of her head; all the while, the crowd's murmurs increased.
"Are you ok?" he asked. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine," she whispered. "I was just scared."
"I'm sorry," he sighed. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"I know," she smiled, kissing his cheek. "You just wanted to protect me."
He nodded, glad she understood and wasn't angry. She tucked a stray lock of blond hair out of his face and back under his wig; his hood had fallen down during the scuffle, but he showed no indication of noticing.
"Ume," she said suddenly, looking up at him.
"Hm?"
"No curses."
"But he deserves it—"
"I think he's been properly punished," she said, smiling up at him.
"All right," he sighed. "As you wish."
The whispers grew even louder.
"Kirin-chan!" Tamaki burst into the center of the circle.
He stopped suddenly, looking around.
"What happened?" he asked, confused. "I saw Hideyoshi harassing Kirin from the third floor, but it looks like that's been taken care of…."
"Umehito rescued me!" she said happily.
"Oh…. Really?" Tamaki blinked.
"Yep! He's my prince!" she giggled, hugging him tightly and smiling up at him. "My knight in shining armor!"
Nekozawa blushed slightly, but smiled happily back at her.
"Well, thank you, Nekozawa, for taking care of her," Tamaki said, obviously nervous but truly grateful. "If there's anything I can do to make it up to you, just—"
"I'll always protect her, Suoh," Nekozawa interjected. "I'd do anything for her. She's everything to me.
Tamaki blinked, looking surprised; the whispers increased even more—a few girls even squealed.
"There is one thing I ask of you, though."
"What is it?" Tamaki asked
"Accept our relationship."
Kirin looked up at Nekozawa in surprise.
"I thought you didn't care about that, Ume," she said questioningly.
"I don't," he said. "But you do."
A handful of girls—most likely the ones who had squealed—let out a chorus of "aww"s.
"Nekozawa," Tamaki sighed, "I don't see any way I could possibly not accept your relationship—you've proved yourself. I cant protest her dating someone who cares for her the way you obviously do."
"I'm glad you finally realize that, Tama," Kirin said.
"I started realizing it when you started talking again," he admitted. "It's difficult to admit it, but it seems I have no choice now."
"Yay!" she giggled.
She hugged Tamaki, quickly returning to Nekozawa's side.
"Um, we should probably get Hideyoshi to the infirmary," she said, having somewhat forgotten about him.
"No, what you should really do is get to class; someone will be here shortly to take care of Mr. Sato."
Everyone looked up as the Chairman entered the circle. Most of the crowd dispersed, although a few people stayed to watch the conclusion of the drama.
Kirin gasped, moving in front of Nekozawa—who gave her a questioning look, but said nothing.
"Don't worry, Kirin," Suoh chuckled, "there's no reason for him to need your protection."
She didn't budge; Suoh sighed.
"While we do have strict rules regarding fights," he explained, "I do have the final say over punishment, and I'm not heartless."
"Which means?" she asked, her voice sharp and tight; Nekozawa rubbed her shoulder, attempting to calm her.
"It means that Mr. Nekozawa will not be punished."
"R-really?" she asked, surprised. "Why? Not that I'm complaining, of course—just curious."
"Because I saw what happened," he said, "and I likely would have done the same had I been in his shoes."
Tamaki looked surprised to hear his father say that, as did everyone else.
"He was harassing your girlfriend," Suoh said, turning to Nekozawa. "You defended her. He's a strong boy, and has been known to use that to his advantage; I see no conceivable way that you could have protected Kirin without it turning into a fight. You exhibited many valuable characteristics: you should love and chivalry by coming to her aid, as well as selflessness, knowing that it could hurt you physically and get you in trouble; you showed courage by going up against someone substantially bigger and stronger than you; you showed self-control by stopping yourself when you had the upper hand."
"I only stopped because Kirin asked me to," Nekozawa said honestly.
"But you did stop; no one physically restrained you. Your actions were noble, and I congratulate you—however, I do not condone fighting overall, and must ask you to do your best to refrain from such activities when it can be avoided."
"Of course," Nekozawa nodded.
"What about Hideyoshi?" Tamaki asked. "He shouldn't get away with something like that—"
"I wouldn't call that beating 'getting away with it,' Tama," Kirin said.
"Quite right," Suoh agreed. "I will have a talk with him, of course, but I think he's learned his lesson; I'm nearly positive his nose is broken."
"Ouch," Kirin made a face.
"Indeed. Nice handiwork, Nekozawa," Suoh chuckled, walking away.
"At least you didn't get in trouble," Kirin sighed, leaning into Nekozawa.
"I'm surprised, but glad," Tamaki admitted.
"Are you ok, Umehito?" Kirin asked, noticing he was cradling his right* arm and wrist.
"I'm fine."
"Let me see," she grabbed his arm.
"I'm f-"
"You're hurt!" She gasped-his hand was bloody, the knuckles and fingers swollen and purple-ish; his wrist was also slightly swollen an purple.
"I'm fine," he insisted.
"You are not fine! You're hurt, and you're going to the infirmary!"
"Kirin-"
"Don't argue!"
He groaned and let her drag him- by his good arm, of course- to the infirmary.
Halfway there, he stumbled, nearly falling to his knees.
"Ume!" She gasped, steadying him.
"I'm ok," he said, obviously lying; he was panting heavily and barely able to stand.
"Your hood is down," she said, putting it up over his head. "You've been exposed to a lot of light- combined with the blood you're losing and the pain you must be feeling, it's a miracle you're even conscious, let alone coherent and mobile."
"I don't feel so great," he admitted, swaying slightly.
"Let's sit down," she said, guiding him over to the wall.
She helped him sit down, then sat in front of him. She felt his forehead and checked his pulse; he was cold and clammy, his pulse was weak, and his lips were bluish.
She frowned, taking a deep breath and trying to think of what to do; she was nearly positive that he was going into shock, which meant she couldn't leave him alone. There was no one around to stay with him or get help. She wasn't strong enough to carry him all the way there, and, with no one around, there was no one to help her.
"Ok, Umehito, did you hit your head while you and Hideyoshi were fighting? When he slammed you into the wall, maybe?"
He nodded groggily, his eyes drooping shut.
"C'mon, Umehito, you have to stay awake." She took a deep breath, struggling to stay calm. "Stay with me, babe. I'm gonna wrap your hand up to try and stop the bleeding."
She tore at the hem of her dress- the horrendous thing was finally serving a purpose. She tore a few strips off and started wrapping his hand; he whimpered softly as she did so.
"I'm sorry, hon," she said. "I'm almost done, ok?"
She tied the makeshift bandage and sat back, debating what to do next. She jerked her head up at the sound of footsteps; a student was walking down the hallway.
"Hey, are you ok?" He asked, walking over.
"Oh, thank goodness. I need your help- he's in shock; I need to get him to the infirmary."
"Can he walk?"
"I'm not sure- he was, but he was unsteady. He might be able to if we help him balance and support his weight."
"All right."
She wrapped Nekozawa's injured arm around her shoulder. The boy did the same with his other arm and they lifted him into a standing position. They slowly made their way to the infirmary.
"Well, the good news is that you did more damage to him than you did to yourself. The bad news is, I'm pretty sure you broke your hand and wrist. You'll need an x-ray to know for sure."
Nekozawa sighed. After putting his hood back up and being given some painkillers, he was coherent, but still weak. He lay on a bed in the infirmary with his head in Kirin's lap. She stroked his hair and face as she listened.
"So he'll get a cast?" she asked.
"That's right. A short arm cast and some painkillers."
"Painkillers are good," she smiled.
"Master Umehito!" Kuretake gasped as Nekozawa and Kirin walked in. "What happened?!"
"I'm fine."
"He got in a fight," Kirin explained.
"A fight?!"
"Yep. Some jerk was harassing me and Ume beat him up!"
"He was assaulting you," Nekozawa frowned.
"He was doing both. The point is, you saved me and got hurt."
"I guess."
"Oh my goodness!"
"I'm fine, Kuretake," he growled.
"Don't be rude!" Kirin scolded. "She's just concerned because she cares about you!"
He just looked at her irritably.
"Don't glare at me. C'mon, you need a nap-you're grumpy!" Kirin pulled him to the stairs.
"I don't need a nap, Kirin," he growled. "I'm fine!"
Kirin just continued to silently pull him to his room. She ushered him into his room and shut the door. She guided him to the bed.
"Ok, Ume, just lay down and-"
"Will you stop treating me like a fucking child?!" he snapped, pushing her hand away.
She gasped, drawing her hand back to her chest. She stared at him, wide-eyed, turned, and darted out of the room, slamming the door.
"Kirin—!"
I'm having a bit of writer's block with this story- hence the delay between the last chapter and this one. Oh, and for those questioning how Nekozawa managed to beat the guy up, seeing how he's rather frail, there's this thing called adrenaline... If women can lift cars off of their children, I think he can beat up a guy harassing (actually, he used physical force, so there was assault in there, too) his girlfriend :P
Please review! I really need some inspiration to keep writing right now! Writer's block is getting to me! D: