Indiscriminate Happenings
Fandom: xxxHoLiC
Characters/Pairing: Yuuko, Haruka, Himawari, Shizuka, Kimihiro
Prompt:9:5- Haven
Rating: T
Chapter Genre: …. Prelude to Romance.
Summary: Companion piece to 'Perception.' Sometimes the heaviest wish comes with a seemingly cheap price.
I

Since Haruka-san introduced them all those months ago Kimihiro had felt much better about his situation. Every time the youngest Doumeki came to visit them, both of them now instead of just Haruka-san, he would ward off more and more of the spirits and offer a much needed haven. As much as he would later deny it, Kimihiro was grateful; enough so to suffer through Haruka-san's politely muffled chuckles every time his grandson came and went.

Today the three of them (Kimihiro, Haruka, and Shizuka) were joined by one of the female population. Kunogi Himawari was a sweet, mild tempered girl who was admitted after so many members of her family fell to various deaths after interacting with her. She was somehow convinced she was the cause and had a harsh mental breakdown that nearly ended with her own life becoming forfeit.

Kimihiro enjoyed her growing optimism and mostly pleasant company and Himawari enjoyed his (usually) quiet disposition.

Having demanded and been granted full usage of the kitchen for their picnic (the doctors were slowly becoming more and more convinced that his mental health was getting better) he had whipped up a veritable feast for the four of them. Himawari sat not too far away, but alienated herself just enough that she felt as if no one would get hurt, Haruka lounged against the giant Sakura tree they had chosen, contentedly puffing his cigarette and watching the antics of his charge and grandson, and Kimihiro huffed and held a one-sided argument with the taller boy as he continued to eat and ignore the loud mutters.

"Watanuki-kun," the fox-like nurse called, standing patiently at the entrance of the garden, hands folded and a smirk on her face. "You have a visitor."

The blue eyed teen stopped all movements abruptly, drawing Doumeki's immediate attention. The look of surprise that crossed his face made Haruka's smile dim, the fact that the boy was so shocked about receiving a visitor creating a sense of unhappiness in him. Unsteadily the boy stood, shuffling warily over to the woman, following her lead until they reached the glass double doors of the main office building, apprehension building in his stomach and twisting his chest.

He didn't realize the pain in his chest wasn't generated by himself until it got so bad he passed out, black shrouding his vision. The last thing he saw were the claret eyes of a tall black haired woman standing in the doorway.
II

Shizuka sat perfectly straight in the chair besides Kimihiro's bed, eyes glued to the face flushed and sweaty with fever. His grandfather stood just outside of the room speaking to the strange woman that had appeared when the smaller teen collapsed. He had caught the abrupt movement from the corner of his eye and headed immediately to where Kimihiro was, scooping him up and carrying him to the designated room. He could barely hear their voices but he wouldn't have care any ways; his grandfather would fill him in on the details so he didn't have cause to worry.

The click of the womans heels caught his attention but his gaze never left the unconscious boy in the bed.

"You can save him you know," she said, slowing her steps until she was behind the uncomfortable plastic chair the youngest Doumeki sat on. "All you have to do is make a wish."

"And the price?" Shizuka demanded, not so much a fool as to be pulled in by simplistic words and phrases that left out details. Haruka couldn't resist the proud smile that rose to his lips despite the situation. It was good to know that his grandson was so intelligent and that Kimihiro had someone to care about him (it helped that he favored the haunted teenager).

"That depends on the wish," she answered, her hands rising to rest on the back of the chair. Shizuka thought, pondering his words and watching the twisting face of his friend, quickly coming to a decision.

"I wish to be able to help him."

"Then all you have to do is listen. Your time, energy, and pain will be the price you pay."
III
Yeah, I was gonna keep going, but it's already 11:00 PM and I'm getting tired. It was early out today but I didn't get home until around 3:00 and then we had a little gathering thing going on in the middle of our block. Poi, Devil Sticks, and Skateboarding goin' on there! It was pretty darn amazing. But yeah, this is where I wanted to go with this when I was writing 'Perception' but I didn't get around to it. Now I have~! By the way, there're still openings for prompts if anyone is still interested in making a request. :)