[A/N]: Thank you for reading Hearts Over Winter Snow. :)
I'm really sorry for the slow updates. I'm currently juggling between writing, working and fixing my costume for December 6. I'm really sorry for wrong grammars, English isn't my first language. /
Hope you still like my story.
Thank you CrimsonPearlAlice for the review on the second chapter. :D I'll try to make this a little dramatic [I think I failed miserably LOL because work whaddup]. I love Kiyoshi and Hyuuga. Hope you love them as much as I do :)
-Hiro
The booming sound of airplanes woke the hell out of me. A groan escaped my lips. I was still sleepy, however the voice of the attendant reminding me that the plane that I was boarding has already reached its' destination made me awake. I looked at the window, I could see airplanes taking off at a distance, some of them were landing, a few still boarding passengers. I bit my lower lip. It was my first time going to a different country, and I didn't know if I would like it here.
I heard another announcement from the pilot reminding us of airplane etiquettes. I then fixed myself. A loud "thud" came from the bottom of the plane. I panicked a bit... well, this was the first time I rode a plane, so I didn't know what exactly was happening before, during and after the takeoff. I didn't expect much, however it was a rewarding experience. A sigh escaped my lips as I heard the attendant assured a passenger behind me that it was normal. Good grief.
At last, the plane stopped, and the rushing passengers made their way to the exit first. Though I was on a rush too, I did not force myself to join the crowd. I wanted to relax first, for I know once I placed my foot on the hospital where Kiyoshi was confined, stressful things might welcome me. I was trying to be mentally prepared, however I would never know what would happen, unless I go there.
Kiyoshi.. Are you alright? My mind asked.
"Sir, we have already arrived. You may remove your seatbelt now." The attendant reminded me. I looked at her, and unbuckled the seatbelt that was hugging my chest for freaking thirteen hours. I immediately grabbed my sports bag and walked out of the plane.
As I placed my foot on the ground, another person greeted me with a smile.
"Welcome to The United States, Sir."
"S-Sankyu.." I stuttered. Hell, I didn't know how to speak English for goddamn sake. I immediately entered the airport, and what greeted me was a sea of people. A mecca of nationalities was walking past me. It was overwhelming, it was terrifying. I immediately sprinted my way to the baggage carousel to get my bags. Once I found my luggages, and after the neverending inspections, I was able to move out of the airport. A sigh escaped my lips.
"Ahhh.. That was tiring." I muttered to myself. Grabbing my sports bag, I looked for the guidebook that was specially written to me by Kagami. It could help me get a taxi to his apartment here in California. Attached to the book was his apartment key. I bit my lower lip. They sacrificed too much for me to be able to get here. I need to get my shit right before anything else might happen to Kiyoshi. After reading the instructions, I immediately called for a cab and pointed the place where I would stay. Luckily for me, the cab driver knew the place.
After a few minutes, I saw a red building, I looked around and there were establishments around it. Wow, this is really America, I thought.
With luggages hanging on my shoulders, I entered the building and looked for Kagami's room. Using the key, I immediately opened the door, threw the bags on the floor and looked for a comfortable place to sleep. I saw the sofa and I jumped on it. I was about to doze off when a reminder popped out of my mind. I needed to call Riko. Grabbing the phone that was on my pocket, I dialed her number.
"Hello, Hyuuga?" A voice answered after a few rings. "Have you arrived?"
"Yes."
"How is Kiyoshi? Is he alright? Where are you staying? Are you okay?" Countless questions came from the coach somewhat made me irritated.
"I just arrived, I need to rest. It's 11:35pm here in California. Can we call it a day?" I retorted. A sigh escaped Riko's line.
"We were just worried about you and Kiyoshi. Please give me a call later." The worry in her voice was evident. I smiled at that thought. She was worried about our well-being.
After a few moments of silence, "Right. I will call you." I told her. I then hung up the phone and buried myself on th couch. Tomorrow would be the moment of truth. I don't know if I could take it, but I'll try.
~Bakahirokun~
"I-I'm looking f-for K-Kiyoshi Teppei's r-room." I stuttered in front of the hospital nurse. I bit my lower lip when the nurse's face suddenly frowned. I knew that my English wasn't that good, however it came to the point that I was degraded because I couldn't communicate to him. I was talking to the same person for almist five minutes, and I could not even express the reason why i went all the way here to the US. I needed to think a way to let the nurse know that I was here for Kiyoshi.
Then it hit me. Kagami..
I raised my hand, a sign for the nurse to stay for a while, pulled my phone on my pocket and called Kagami. After a few rings, Kagami answered the phone with an irritated moan.
"Yes, captain..?" Kagami spoke, followed by a yawn.
"I'm sorry, Kagami. The personnel couldn't understand me. Can you help me talk to him?" My worried voice rang up to the Ace's ears.
"Alright. Give him your phone." Kagami cleared his throat. I immediately gave the phone to the nurse.
"Right. Right. Kiyoshi? Kiyoshi Teppei. Right." The nurse nodded. He then proceeded to the receptionist area to check something. "Just give me a second." He replied again.
After a few minutes of talking, the nurse returned the phone to me. I immediately placed the phone on my ears. "Kagami, you still there?"
"Yes, yes."
"Does he know where Kiyoshi is?"
I heard a slight 'Mhm' on his line. "He will accompany you there, Captain."
A sigh of relief escaped my lips. "Thank you, Kagami... and I'm sorry for disturbing your sleep."
Kagami chuckled. "It's okay, Captain. I was supposed to join Kiyoshi there, however I need to attend to the basketball team here. Did you see the laptop on my room? You can use it. Try to call us through the internet. Alright?"
"Yes.." I responded.
"We'll be waiting for your call, Captain." The red-haired ace concluded the call. I returned the phone inside my pocket.
"Shall we?" The nurse smiled at me.
With a worried face, I looked at the nurse.
"Y-yes."
~bakahirokun~
My heart was pounding hard. I could see people walking from different directions. Some of them were crying, a few of them were sleeping on the chairs, waiting patiently for the doctors to know what was happened to their loved ones. Even though I could not understand them, there was a common denominator that bounded us here. We're hoping, praying, wishing... that everything was alright.
Every step I made accelerated the speed of my heartbeat pounding. My hands are sweaty, I could feel my eyes watering. It was an overwhelming feeling... Our questions would be answered in a short while. I could feel the Iron Heart's aura somewhere near this floor, and the thought of him bedridden again felt like there were millions of shattered glasses starting to pierce my insides.
The nurse stopped at a certain room and looked at me.
"This is your friend's room." He spoke in perfect English tone. I bit my lower lip and bowed my head.
"Sankyu, Sir."
"If you need something, use the phone inside the room. " The nurse smiled and made his exit.
It felt like my heart's going to explode any moment. I touched the wooden wall that separates me from Kiyoshi. I breathed deeply, I felt like crying. What's inside this room might be a good or a bad news. I wanted to open it, however I wasn't prepared with the outburst of feelings that might carry me over. I looked at the silver knob impaled at the right part of the door. This was the first time I could feel pain by just looking at the doorknob, I breathed in. I needed to do this for Kiyoshi. Holding the iron handle, I twisted it. It gave a soft 'click' sound, and with a weary heart, pushed the wall that separates me from the person I liked.
As I opened the door, the cold breeze embraced me. The windows were open... I immediately looked for Kiyoshi..
He was there, gloriously sleeping on the hospital bed, his leg on a blue cast. He lost weight. A lot of weight. The hard, lean chest that I leaned before he left Japan was no more. The infectious smile of the Seirin founder was no more, it was replaced by a painful frown.
My tears suddenly fell.
"K-Kiyoshi..." I covered my mouth with both of my hands. I felt weak. The emotions that were hiding inside me sprung like grass in winter. It was the first time that I wanted to scream out loud. I wanted to weep for him. My knees were shaking. The waves of pain has taken me in a place that was so dark I couldn't see anything but black. Pitch black.
The person I admired the most changed, and it was for the worst.
I leaned my back on the wall, looking at the immaculate being in front of me. I was sinking down. It was an emotional turmoil watching him breathe for his life. I closed my eyes and imagined Kiyoshi smiling at me, kissing me, loving me. It was different from what I saw right now. He looked like he was in pain.
I stood up, wiped the tears that was endlessly flowing on my cheeks and went near him. I needed to be strong for him. If he broke down, then it would be my fault. I needed to save this angel who swept my heart away. I must be the angel who will be saving him now. My hand automatically traced his arm, down to his palm, feeling the coldness that was embracing the Iron Heart. I looked at his fingers and I intertwined it with mine. I kissed the back of his hand. It was a long, reassuring kiss.
You don't have to suffer alone, Kiyoshi. I am here.
A moan escaped Kiyoshi's lips. I fixed myself, or at least I tried. He then opened his eyes, stared blankly at the ceiling for a few seconds and threw a gaze to my direction. He was about to close his eyes when I spoke.
"Kiyoshi, I am here."
His eyes widened and looked at me.
"H-Hyuuga..?" He spoke in such a weak tone. "W-why are you here?"
I gripped his hand and cried in front of him, the wails escaped from my throat were painful. I stared at him, not letting go of his hand that I was holding for God knew how long. He then looked at me straight into my eyes, his dark irises were fixed on mine, sharing the pain that he was suppressing all this time. It was three weeks of torment for him, and it was evident in the way he fixed his gaze on me.
"I-It's because I..I.." The words suddenly got stuck inside my throat. I groaned painfully as the wretched Kiyoshi extended his free hand and placed it on my head.
"You were worried..?" Kiyoshi spoke in such an assuring tone. "I'm okay here. You shouldn't have come.."
Hearing his words made ma agitated. I straightened up, facing Kiyoshi in an angry way. "You don't understand! I'm sick worried! Everyone is!" I roared. "Do you know I had sleepless nights thinking about your well-being? I am fucking worried about you! And you got the nerve to say you're alright whereas you're not?" I paused a bit, catching my breath. "Look at you! You lost weight!"
Kiyoshi's eyes lowered. "I just don't want you to worry about me. I'm recuperating already."
I closed my eyes. "You don't have to take the burden to yourself. I'm already here... You can share it to me. I... I..." My tears started to sprung again. "I want to be with you."
"Hyuuga..."
"I'm staying here. I'll make sure you will be okay. We'll go home together."
Kiyoshi's hand reached for my fingers and pulled me. I walked near him and kissed his forehead.
"You don't have to be alone, Kiyoshi. I'll take care of you from now on." I whispered as the latter clasped our fingers again. Kiyoshi nodded, reached for my nape and pulled me close to his face. He then stared at my eyes. I could see agony written at the back of his eyes. It was such a tormenting time for him. I found one thing: Even the person with a very positive attitude breaks sometimes, even the Iron Heart himself, who has been a constant reminder for Seirin to never give up no matter what happened. He then showed his signature smile, the smile that captivated our hearts. I reached for his chapped lips and brushed it with mine. He gasped for breath, and after a few seconds, pulled me in.
"Don't make me yearn for more, Hyuuga." He mumbled.
I nodded and lowered my lips to reach his, sharing passionate kisses that we were yearning for weeks. I cupped his face and reached out more. His lips, even though it's choppy, gave the same intensity that I craved. He then deepened the kiss, and I became more addicted to it.
After a few minutes, he reached for my body and embraced me tightly. I placed my hand on his head, caressing his nape as the latter broke down silently. I knew for a fact that he was in a tough time now, and what I could do to save him was to be there for him.
"It's really lonely being alone here..." Kiyoshi spoke in between sniffs. "I missed you so much, Hyuuga. I really do.."
"I know.. I know." I answered. "And I'll be here for you starting today."
The latter then tilted his head, his eyes full of tears. I brushed it away and placed little kisses on his eyes.
"You know, it's not you when you cry like this." I whispered.
"I just can't believe you're here. I love you so much, Hyuuga. Thank you."
A smile formed on my lips as I wipe the cascading tears on his face away. Another kiss in the forehead, and my mouth reached for his lips again.
"You're welcome, dear."