WARNINGS:
Minor - major trigger warnings in relation to child (sexual) abuse. Please don't read if it will trigger something for you.

Author Note: This chapter is poorly written, I know. Apologies. READ & REVIEW my darlings xoxo

CHAPTER FOUR

6:00am and BZZT! BZZT! BZZT! Came the vibration of the alarm that would awaken both doctor and tutor to begin their Monday morning.

The moment the Doctor was woken out of his slumber, he sat up in bed and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, yawning and stretching his aching limbs before he got out of bed with ease and began choosing today's outfit. Hatori had no trouble getting up in the early hours of the morning. He was used to it, and he couldn't afford to be late for any appointments regardless of how tired he was.

Desare, on the other hand, was NOT a morning person. The minute her buzzing alarm woke her arm, she groaned and clumsily found the source of such noise and switched it off. It was still dark and yet they consider this 'morning'? May the Gods have mercy and strike her dead. She stayed in bed for another 5 minutes and groaned out of self pity. She really should get up. It was her meeting of Momiji today and she had to make a good first impression! She got up and let her feet drag herself to the bathroom. She lazily fumbled for the light switch, switching it on she groaned at the sudden brightness that hit her eyes, like unwanted sunlight to vampires.

Nope, not a morning at all.

Hatori was already showered, dressed and 'groomed' for the day. All that was left was his morning coffee. Walking down to the kitchen, he filled the kettle to the top and switched it on. He really needed to invest in a coffee maker, but then again he didn't have time for one either. Kettles were an easy fix. Coffee was boiled and made within 5 minutes. Long enough for Hatori to take a break from his work without falling behind schedule.

Not long after the kettle was switched on, it switched itself off signalling the end of successfully boiling the water. Filling his cup, he let the water and coffee grinds mix together before adding a small touch of milk. And done. He was ready to start the day.

He always got up a little earlier to watch the sunrise on his front porch as he drank his coffee before he began the day's activities. Doing just that, he opened the door and let the cool breeze hit him like a force. A cold wind for a cold heart. How fitting, the doctor thought with bitterness. He was soon pulled out of his thoughts as Desare's kitchen light came on and flooded his front porch in the small light.

She looked up to see the Doctor looking over at her and waved happily. Her eyes lit up and just seeing the man there. So far, the man was her first and only friend in Japan. Desare was about to making her morning coffee to help pull her out of her 'Zombie' mode before starting the day herself, when she looked out her window and saw Hatori standing there with his coffee. Waving to him, she stepped away from the window and walked outside. "You're up early." She greeted him cheerfully, walking from her front porch over to his.

"Perks of being a Doctor. Coffee?" he offered.

"I'm quite capable of making a simple coffee at home, thank you." She giggled as she threw his words back in his face. She watched as his lips turned up into a small smile and gave a light chuckle. It was the first time she had seen the man laugh – granted it wasn't a proper laugh, but she'd take what she can.

He heard his own words repeat in her answer and couldn't help but feel amused at it. Her laughing eyes matched her cheeky grin. He didn't fail to notice this. "Yes, I would like a coffee." She finally told him as he motioned with his full cup if she wanted one or not.

"Alright. Why don't you come inside out of the cold?" he offered as he turned to walk back inside with her following.

"Why were you outside this morning?" Desare asked with a wrinkle of her cold nose, knowing that it was probably already red from the cold. The only thing she hated about the cold was that it made her cheeks and nose red. The only thing she loved about the cold was that she could easily hide her blushes. Especially since the man before her was the one who unknowingly made her blush so easily.

"I like watching the sun rise." Came his simple answer. She waited for him to explain further, and when he didn't she was about to further question him only to be handed her cup of coffee. "Mm, thank you." She said as she wrapped her fingers around the warm cup and held it close to her chest, breathing in the beautiful smell of the first coffee. She took a sip and welcomed the warm liquid as it warmed her insides.

Standing in the kitchen, she wasn't sure if she should sit down or continue standing with him. Choosing neither option, she chose to continue to get answers out of him as it baffled her a little as to why a man, such as he, liked the small things in life such as Sunrises. "So why do you like Sunrises?"

Her question caught him off guard, and his shifted from staring out at the dark morning sky over to where Desare stood. "It doesn't matter how much darkness the night engulfs us, the sun will always rise and shine with hope; beginning a brand new day." He slowly told her.

If Desare wasn't holding Hatori's mug, she would have dropped it. She let his words slowly sink in. She knew too much darkness herself. Hatori had no idea how true his words rang to her.

"I'm lonely, Elaine." Desare's father had woken her in the early hours of the morning. It was still dark out. He often confused Desare with his dead wife's name. She understood her daddy was really sad for losing his wife.

"Would you like me to make you happy again, Daddy?" a young and innocent Desare had asked. Her dad had taught her how to make him happy so she knew what to do for him.

He smiled down at his daughter. "You're a good little girl." He said as he sat down at on the edge of her bed.

The young Desare got out of bed and walked over to him, knelt down in between his legs, her hands steadying her small body on his knees as she lowered herself down to kneel on the floor.

She looked up, seeking confirmation at what she was doing was correct. She was greeted with a small smile.

Her fingers found the buttons of her dads pants and she carefully unbuttoned them and unzipped his pants. Springing his already erect member free, her small hand clasped the throbbing member and began massaging him up and down. She leant over slightly and her small mouth was enough to engulf the head of his member. Her tongue swirling around the knob.

"Ahh..yes..." her dad moaned in pleasure. Seconds later, he came, leaving Desare to splutter and gag as she tried to swallow the sticky liquid. She could only do so much with her small mouth.

"That was good Elaine. Thank you. You always make it better." And with that, he walked out of the girl's bedroom and left her in peace.

She knew better than to cry. But she missed her mommy terribly. Tears were streaming down the small face of Desare as she knelt by her window and watched the sun come up. As soon as the sun's rays hit her window and lit up her room, she closed her eyes and welcomed the warmth.

"Desare?" he asked, noticing the sudden change in her mood. Her eyes had gone from laughter and wonder to downcast within a matter of mere seconds. "It's nothing." She smiled up at him, masking whatever emotion she was truly feeling. Having no idea that Hatori knew far too well about masking emotions and could see right through her fake smile. "Why don't we watch the sunrise together?" she asked.

Desare saw something flicker in his eyes. Was it pain? But it was soon masked by him accepting her offer. The two walked back outside, onto his front porch where they had a better view of the sun rising.

Even though Hatori knew Desare was lying, he didn't push for answers. He barely knew the girl and that's the way it should stay. It was dangerous to form a bond with any member of the Juunishi. They couldn't live a simple ordinary life until the curse was lifted.

Pain flashed in his eyes momentarily as he thought back to the consequences of having been so close to Kana. In the end, it was him being cursed that had ruined everything. He couldn't protect her against his own God.

"Oh look!" Desare pointed to the trees where the sun was just peeping over them, causing Hatori to snap out of his thoughts. He let the corner of his lips turn up into the faintest of all smiles. Each Sunrise was different to the rest, and each sight was a beauty to behold.

Once the sun perked itself above the trees, Desare turned to Hatori, "I can see why you like watching the Sunrise. It's quite pretty."

"You can join me again tomorrow, if you'd like?" Hatori offered before he could stop the words from coming out of his mouth. He was about to take it back, making up an excuse about how he had an early hour appointment that morning but Desare's smile and the light in her eyes had stopped him from making any excuses.

"I'd love to!" Desare looked down at her watch to look at the time. 7:05am. She better start preparing her portfolio and materials for Momiji's meeting. "This was nice. Thank you Hatori."

"You're quite welcome." He simply said, as the both of them made their way back inside, depositing the dishes on the sink. "I'm meeting with Momiji and his father today so I better get ready." She waved him goodbye as she walked out of the kitchen and out of his residence.

Hatori now stood in the empty kitchen as he was, once again, alone with his thoughts.

What was he doing? Getting closer to a woman like that because she reminded him so much of Kana? That, in every way possible, was wrong. Was he letting his guard down because it was like he got his own Kana back? Or was it because he truly felt like he could smile and laugh again. Her presence seem to bring that out in him.

Without wasting another minute on his own personal thoughts, he walked over and shrugged his white doctors coat and proceeded to his office where he would work under the watchful eyes of his former love – Kana. A photo he couldn't bring himself to get rid of. He picked up his schedule and looked to see he had another day free of appointments. But that didn't match up to the recent research Hatori had been filling himself in on. He looked over the stack of books and papers ready for his brain to drink in the knowledge. He certainly wouldn't be taking a lunch break anytime soon.

Desare, on the other hand, had got her portfolio ready where the contents within were schedules, times sheets and examples of the extra curriculum activities that Momiji will be studying. With it all conveniently located in one folder, she placed it down on the table and gave herself a quick touch-up with makeup and make sure her hair was in place. She had to appear professional as she could, considering this was her first job.

Taking in a deep breath and exhaling slowly, she moved away from the mirror, retrieved her portfolio and made her way outside. She looked down at the piece of paper that contained Momiji's address. "Number 4..." she slowly walked around the resident houses, successfully finding Momiji's house not too far up from the Main House itself.

Clearing her throat of any nervousness, she knocked on the door to be greeted by a small boy, whom she could only assume would be Momiji. "Ah! Hello. I'm Desare Bellamy. You must be Momiji Sohma?" she asked the small boy kindly. The blonde boy grinned up at her, "I am! It's so nice to finally meet you Ms Bellamy. Come on in. I'll fetch us some warm drinks!"

"Oh thank you. That's very kind of you Momiji." Desare gushed as she walked inside behind her soon-to-be student. She was amazed at his hospitality, having dreaded if she would end up with some punk-ass kid.

"I am to be meeting with your father as well. Is he not home?" she asked as she followed Momiji through the loungeroom and into the dining room. She couldn't help but look around and notice there were no photos of Momiji and his mother. Perhaps the woman had died? Desare let the thought flitter across her mind before Momiji pulled her back to reality.

"He sends his apologies. He got called into work at the last minute." The small child beamed up at Desare as he handed her a hot chocolate, it was the only thing Momiji could make.

"Thank you. That's alright, I understand. My neighbour is quite like that."

"Who's your neighbour?" Momiji asked as he sat down at the kitchen table and motioned for Desare to sit down too, "Please, have a seat!"

Placing her portfolio on the table, Desare sat down and answered Momiji's question. "Hatori Sohma." She simply said. She thought it was better to let Momiji question her for a little bit so the student could get to know her and feel comfortable around her. Nothing is worse than not having a good rapport between teach and student.

"Don't let Hatori scare you. He's like that with everyone." Momiji told her happily. The young child was glad that she didn't ask why. He would have been put on the spot, assuming she knew nothing about the Zodiac Curse so far.

Desare took a sip of her hot chocolate, placing the cup back on the table, she reached for her portfolio, looking through the contents. "Today is only a meeting so I can meet you and your father. And you can meet me. I can now tick that off my list." She pretended to be holding a pen and made an imaginary tick in the air, causing Momiji to giggle. She smiled at his laugh; how innocent and carefree it was. It was one of things she enjoyed hearing from children. Their laughter. "It's rather hard to make preparations without your father here, but we'll make do." Desare told the boy.

The rest of the afternoon, at Momiji's home, was discussing what time would suit Momiji better. Taking into consideration other after-school activities. And going over the material that he would learn, she explained to him how she broke down the material so it wouldn't be too much for him to take in after each lesson.

Hatori, spent the day keeping himself up to date with the latest medical research. Once lunch time rolled around, he had already begun developing aching knots in his shoulders from hunching over the paperwork. Standing up, he stretched out his muscles and took a much needed break and smoke.

He spent the afternoon, sitting on his back porch as he breathed in the much needed tobacco.

So he would be seeing Desare more often than he had imagined. He had to be careful around her and to not fall in love with her. It had become increasingly hard to do when she so much reminded him of Kana.

Kana had been his spring.

Leaning with his back on one of the posts, he looked back into his office and stared at her photograph. There was suddenly a burning feeling in his heart and his brows furrowed into a deep frown, as though he was fighting back tears. He never once blamed Kana for anything that had happened that fateful day; he just wished the circumstances were different, or that he had been strong enough himself to protect her more. It was HIS fault.

"Ha'ri?" a familiar voice called out, one that could only belong to the dog. Perfect timing.

Shigure entered through the back entrance only to find his cousin sitting quietly on the porch with Kana's picture. He smiled softly to himself. He still has that picture... the dog thought to himself. "It's quite a change seeing you relaxing for once."

"Yes, quite." Came the cold reply. Shigure was used to this. Ever since Kana, the doctor had closed off on everything. It was hard at first but Shigure soon learnt that the longer you hold a conversation with his cousin, the less he becomes cold and soon drops his facade.

Shigure sat down next to Hatori, taking out a smoke of his own and joining his friend in this 'break'. "I went to visit Akito today." The dog said as a conversation starter.

Hatori glanced sideways at Shigure through the bangs of his green eyes, wondering why the dog was telling him this.

"It seems Akito has another reason for hiring the American woman." The Dog continued to tell him.

"Desare?" Hatori corrected him after Shigure referred her to as the 'American Woman'. Shigure didn't let that go amiss. Already had Hatori had coffee with her and now he was correcting the dog on the proper use of her name as if she was someone to be respected. It was in this moment the dogs suspicions had proved correct – the lonely dragon was harbouring feelings for this stranger. Not that the dog could blame him. Americans were hot! But there was the matter with Akito and worry over Hatori allowing himself to get hurt again.

"Mm-hmm. Akito could have chosen a male tutor for Momiji. But she didn't."

Shigure watched Hatori frown in thought, his eyes seeking answers in the melting snow on the ground beneath them.

It would make more sense for Akito to hire a male tutor. Should Momiji accidentally bump into said tutor, the young child wouldn't transform. "Why risk hiring a female tutor if it will only put our secret at further risk of being discovered?" Hatori asked his final thoughts aloud.

"Kana." Came the single reply, and the dog watched Hatori's eyes widen as an unreadable expression came over his face. Was it pain mixed with anger? He had rarely ever seen the dragon angry. Annoyed - yes, but never angry. "A test of my loyalty?" Hatori eventually asked. Knowing that by requesting Kana and him to be married, Akito had seen it as Hatori being unfaithful to the God.

Shigure shrugged, "I have no idea. I wouldn't worry about Ha'ri. She's just bored."

Hatori went silent at this. Another one of the God's games.

And like a flick of a switch, Shigure's mood changed from mellow back to his perverted sense. "But Desare is kind of cute – in an innocent sort of way."

"Why is it whenever you open your mouth, it reeks of something illegal?" disapproving green eyes met puppy-dog eyes. "Awh! Not true Ha'ri!"

"Hatori! Shigure!" a young voice belonging to Momiji had called them, pulling them from their friendly banter. Hatori turned to the running rabbit. "Momiji, what have I told you about running?"

"To not! But Ha'ri, it's an emergency! Miss Bellamy fainted!" the rabbit whined out in between his panting as he tried to catch his breath.

Hatori wasted no time in heading back inside his office and retrieving his medical bag.

"Can you show us where Miss Bellamy fainted?" Shigure asked.

Momiji nodded. "Yes! Come on! Hurry!"

Hatori was the first one to arrive there and Shigure held Momiji back from getting in the way.

"Miss Bellamy?" Hatori asked as he checked her pulse and squeezed her hand, trying to get her to come around. "Desare?" he asked again. But when he received no confirmation that she was coming to, he looked up to Shigure. "It might be wise to bring her back to my office."

Her pulse and breathing was weak, which concerned Hatori and was the reason why he would rather administer the medicine and check her over completely in the privacy of his office. "Momiji, get my medical bag. 'Gure, grab her legs." Hatori ordered as they tried to pick her up as modestly as possible, Hatori had attempted to give her some dignity regardless of her unconscious state. It was extremely hard to carry her – not because she was heavy, quite the contrary! Given one single move and the curse would be triggered. It wasn't something Hatori was too keen on having exposed in the middle of a medical emergency.

Hatori and Shigure placed Desare on the clinic bed and Hatori began attaching an IV drip to her wrist. "Momiji, did anything happen to make Miss Bellamy faint?"

"No. We were just talking about my school work over a yummy Hot Chocolate!" the bunny happily said but his eyes soon turned back to worry over the still unconscious Desare.

"Did she say she was feeling sick?"

"No."

Hatori said nothing as he kept an eye on the IV drip.

"But she mentioned she didn't have breakfast. And we didn't have lunch either." Momiji said after a moment. Green eyes flashed over to his in a disapproving manner. This was one crucial detail that he had left out.

Hatori's green danced from Momiji to the clock on the wall. 4:30pm. She had gone without food for almost 20 hours, assuming she had at least dinner last night, if she wasn't used to not eating during the day, then of course she would keel over.

"Mngh.." Desare frowned at the sudden heaviness upon her. Frowning to herself, she tried to clear her head as she lifted a hand up to her forehead when she felt something on her wrist. She flicked her wrist quickly, trying to shake off whatever it was on her wrist.

"Please don't. It's there to help you." Said a familiar male voice as he took a hold of her flicking wrist in his. Familiar, yet she couldn't pick out who it was. Finally, her eyes shot open in panic from her grogginess. "What happened!? Where am I?"

"Don't even think about getting up." Hatori firmly told her as she started to sit up, but was stopped by Hatori's orders. "You fainted at Momiji's and you're currently in my office."

Momiji frowned up at the Doctor, "You know Ha'ri, you could try being a little nicer."

Hatori ignored his younger cousin as he grabbed his stethoscope from the bag and proceeded to check over Desare's heartbeat and breathing patterns.

Desare quietly complied, having already feeling embarrassed to not only faint in front of her student, but to also have been found in god knows what position by the handsome doctor! There was still a haze of fogginess that was slowly starting to clear in her mind, "What? No, no. He's quite the gentleman!" Desare quickly said, a small blush appearing on her face as she realised her words could be considered flirtatious when she was only trying to defend the man. Oh what a mess!

"That's right!" Shigure started, waving his hands dramatically in the air. "After all, Desare is a young lady and she should be handled with care like the beautiful flower she is!" Desare sat there quietly, not knowing what else to say. Her blush deepened with further embarrassment.

Shigure continued to talk, "And not in that rough-shot manner you treated me with last time!" he said in mock anger towards the doctor.

Desare focused on Hatori in order to keep her attention off of Shigure. She noted how Hatori didn't say anything to the man, completely ignoring him almost, yet he still focused on his job at treating his patient.

He pulled the stethoscope away and placed it back down in the medical bag. Her heart rate and pulse was still rather weak, which concerned Hatori, but he wasn't about to discuss this in front of others – let alone, a child.

"What do you mean? Did Ha'ri hurt you or something?" Momiji asked Shigure.

"Well, I can tell you he used the longest needle I have ever seen!" Shigure stretched out his arm to imitate the length of the needle, which was exaggeration at its finest.

"Shigure." Hatori warned his older cousin, as he retrieved the a needle from his medical bag and began filling it with contents that would help Desare to recuperate. It was a small dose of the same medicinal nutrients found in the IV drips that patients have inserted in their wrists at hospitals. Seeing as how Desare hasn't eaten, this was the next best thing.

Shigure pouted "And he lied to me! He said I wouldn't feel a thing. But I felt painful jab after painful jab."

"That's quite enough, Shigure. There's no need to scare Momiji or Desare." Hatori said before Shigure traumatised the young bunny of needles. Lifting the needle up to eye level, he flicked the contents a little.

"You be careful with that thing, alright? Don't hurt Miss Bellamy." Momiji said with an uncertain firmness to his tone.

Hatori dabbed an alcohol swab at her inner elbow before he held her arm in his hands and pushed the needle through the skin.

"It's okay. I don't feel a thing!" Desare said happily.

It was true, Desare didn't feel a thing, but that was because she was focusing on Hatori's touch. It was warm, gentle yet firm.

But Momiji wasn't convinced. "Really? Because Shigure says it hurts."

"Yes. Well I did that on purpose." Hatori said as he pulled the needle from Desare's elbow and pressed a cotton tissue against the small wound to avoid bleeding. Desare had to hold back a laugh at Hatori's blunt explanation over Shigure's traumatic experience with the Doctor.

"Why would you be so cruel?" Shigure asked from his corner.

"It seemed to be the only way to shut you up at the time." Came the second blunt answer. And this time Desare couldn't help but let out a small giggle. Momiji came around to her bed when Hatori had clipped his medical bag shut and moved away from the bed, and to the other side of his office where he began putting things away and pulling paperwork out, obviously compiling a medical chart for Desare, standard procedure.

"Ah, Ha'ri! You're killing me!" Shigure said as he followed Hatori to the other side of the room.

Desare watched with curious eyes at the two. Like an old married couple.

"Don't let those two bore you. They've been friends ever since they were little kids." Momiji said, interrupting Desare's thoughts. Well, that would explain why they were like an old married couple then! Desare giggled softly.

"I'm sorry for scaring you like that Momiji." She gently apologised to the young child.

"That's okay! It was lucky that Ha'ri was here to help you!" The happy bunny said as he jumped up on the bed and sat on the edge. Yes, lucky indeed.

Hatori and Shigure walked back over to Desare. "You truly are a rose amongst the thorns of the Sohma men...!" Shigure outlandishly flirted, not having a care in the world whether it made Desare uncomfortable or not.

With her own personal past, it would be a lie to say it 'didn't' make her feel uncomfortable. But only the slightest.

"I-I-I..." Desare stammered to say something as her face heated up once more in embarrassment.

"It's best not to encourage him. He hasn't quite grown out of his infantile stage of development yet." Hatori firmly told her, though there was there was a miniscule hint of humour detected behind his voice. She smiled softly up at him.

"Awh! Ha'ri! Why are you so cruel!?"

Green eyes narrowed at Shigure's remark. "In any event, would you be so kind as to take Momiji home?" Hatori asked Shigure. Though it was more of an order than a polite request.

"Awh, but I want to stay with Miss Bellamy!" Momiji whined as he jumped off the clinic bed and stood by Shigure.

"Miss Bellamy needs her rest." Hatori firmly stated with the young child. He had a look that a father would give to a disobedient child.

"Okay." The young child pouted but looked over at Desare, "Get better okay? Take your medicine! Get plenty of rest!"

"You know,Momiji, you're very loud." Shigure pouted softly as he led the bunny away.

"I will. Thank you!" Desare waved goodbye to the bubbly young boy before she turned her head to the Doctor.

An awkward silence transpired between them as they were left alone in each other's company. Now what? It was close to dinner time and Desare shouldn't be in the Doctor's way.

Before she could think or say anything, Hatori broke the silence. "I didn't want to say anything in front of Momiji, for fear he would only worry. Your pulse and heartbeat are still quite weak, so I would like you to remain here overnight for observation. Is that alright?" he asked as he stood by her bed, looking at her.

Desare nodded, "You're the Doctor!" she said through a smile. Despite feeling quite hazy, she still managed to smile and remain happy. Though she was quite curious as to where she would be sleeping. Surely not on this clinic bed? It's more for examining patients then sleeping. And what about dinner? She couldn't starve. If she needed to stay overnight for observation, why doesn't he admit her to the hospital instead? She didn't dare voice her last question though in fear he would actually do it. She didn't mind the idea of spending a night with the handsome doctor. Maybe she could get to know her neighbour more?

"I'll prepare the guest room for you. In the mean time, please remain where you are. You still need bed rest for at least another hour." Hatori told her as he made to leave the room to set up the guest bedroom for her.

"No, please, I know you're a doctor and everything. But I'm totally fine." Desare said as she sat up and swung her feet off the bed. "I can't have you do everything for me. Please let me help."

She said as her feet touch the floor and she stood up.

But the moment she stood up, her legs wobbled and gave way under her weight. Being the somewhat klutz she is, she didn't think to hold onto the IV drip pole for support; having completely forgotten it was attached to her. She gasped and braced herself upon her falling. But something warm held her momentarily.

Before Hatori could stop her, the woman was already on her feet. He knew what was about to happen, and with his quick reflexes that he developed over the years of working in the Emergency Department, he was by her side within a second, catching her fall. Of course he didn't think it through thoroughly. 'He was a Doctor and his patient was about to fall', not 'he was cursed and the woman was a stranger'.

-POOF-

The doctor became the 8 centimetre seahorse beneath her. Desare's eyes widened as she held herself up by her hands to stop from crushing the Hatori Seahorse. "Hatori?" she asked as she moved so she was kneeling down. She yanked the drip from her wrist, a small amount of blood forming from the open wound. "Seahorse! Water! Saltwater? Oh my god? Which one is it? What do I do!?" Desare spazzed out in panic as she picked the Hatori Seahorse up and threw him in the bathtub where she filled it with water. "I-I'm going to get help, okay? You just wait there and don't move!" she commanded him like one would with a dog. Being in the form a seahorse meant that Hatori couldn't communicate verbally with her, he couldn't stop her from getting help.

Desare was already out the door and running down to Momiji's house. She didn't know who else to go to as she didn't know anyone else. "Momiji!" she knocked quickly. "Momiji! It's Hatori! I need your help!" Honestly, what could a little kid do? Momiji was Hatori's cousin and that was all that was running through Desare's mind.

Momiji opened the door to find his teacher panicking "Miss Bellamy! You're all better!"

"Yes I am. Thank you." Desare quickly said. "Momiji, something serious has happened, and I need your help."

Momiji's face went from a beaming smile to concern, "What is it? Did Ha'ri do something?"

"What? No, no. Nothing like that. More that I did something." Without wasting another minute, she took Momiji's hand and ran to Hatori's residence. Once inside, she shut the door behind them and led him to the bathroom. "I turned him into a seahorse!"

Momiji looked past his teacher to the bathtub, to see Hatori's form bobbing along the water. Momiji laughed, "You silly goose! You didn't turn Ha'ri in a seahorse! Well...you did in a way."

Desare looked down at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Come here." Momiji said as he took his teachers hand and led her out of the bathroom, closing the door to give Hatori some privacy when he turned back. He took her to the kitchen where they sat down at the table. Desare allowed him to lead her to the kitchen where she sat down and waited patiently for an explanation.

"You saw Hatori's a seahorse. I'm the bunny. Can you guess what we are?" Momiji playfully started. Desare shook her head, none of it made sense. "We're the animals of the chinese Zodiac! Our family's been cursed like this for generations. We transform into the twelve animals of the Zodiac. Oh, and the cat too!"

Desare knew of the story, including the cat, but she didn't remember a seahorse being present in the story. Of all the things to consider, it was the seahorse. Not the fact that the family was cursed and she discovered a major secret!

"I don't remember the seahorse being a part of the Zodiac." Desare slowly said, her eyes staring at the table as she slowly processed the information.

"Ah well, we think it's because the Curse is slowly weakening. Hatori's father, and his father before him, were the dragons. But Hatori was born the seahorse."

"'Sea dragon.', the derivative of the 'Dragon'." Desare muttered allowed, well that made sense. But it still didn't make any sense why he suddenly transformed.

"And when our bodies are under a lot of stress, or when we are hugged by the opposite gender...we transform..." Momiji continued.

Desare sat there in silence.

"See?" Momiji said as he got up and hugged Desare. And suddenly, Desare found herself holding a bunny to her chest. "Oh! Momiji. You're so cute!" Desare exclaimed, it was the first thing she thought.

If it had been anyone else, they probably wouldn't have taken the news lightly. It didn't bother Desare. It wasn't their fault that their family was cursed. It was just one of those things that happens. Momiji hopped off her and hopped over to his seat. "But when we transform back to our human selves, we're naked."

Desare had already thought as much, seeing as how Momiji's clothes were lying on the floor.

"So you talk?" she asked.

"Yep!" Momiji happily confirmed.

"Why couldn't Hatori talk?" she asked, ever so curious about him.

"I don't know. Perhaps being a water creature doesn't allow him to talk. But I bet if he was a Dragon, he could talk!"

Desare smiled softly. A dragon. Not a seahorse. Even if Hatori took the transformation of a seahorse, he was much suited to a dragon.

-POOF- and Momiji was back in his normal form. Desare quickly looked away before the smoke cleared as the young bunny quickly got back in his clothes.

"Did you know that Hatori can barely see out of his left eye?"

Pulled out of her thoughts, Desare shook her head, having not noticed that he was partially blind in one eye. She could help but admire him in that aspect. He hadn't mentioned that he was partially blind, and didn't seem to let it control his life. If Momiji hadn't told her, she would never have guessed.

"Ha'ri had a girlfriend once – Kana. She worked as his assistant for a while. And I remember she was really nice. When she found out about Ha'ri and the Zodiac and all; it didn't even bother her. She just laughed about it. They got engaged and they were going to get married, but when they told Akito...well, he got really, really angry and he said that he wasn't going to allow it. I guess his temper got out of control because that's when he hurt Ha'ri's eye. But Ha'ri didn't blame him though. And Kana – she blamed herself. She was convinced that Ha'ri getting hurt like that was all her fault. She couldn't forgive herself. And it gradually started to eat away at her inside. So, Ha'ri did the only thing he could do; he erased Kana's memories. He couldn't stand to watch her tear herself apart over him. So he made her forget that the two of them had ever been in love. Kana left. Ha'ri cried. And in spite of all of that, he never once blamed Akito."

Desare's brows furrowed together in a frown of confusion. "Why?" she asked.

"Well, because that's the curse. That's why I understand a little bit of what Ha'ri feels. He doesn't want anyone else to end up like Kana did. He doesn't want you to be hurt the same way she was."

When Momiji finished talking, she looked down and focused her attention on the tablecloth. All this time Hatori had been kind to her. It was like the old saying goes, 'Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.' And in Hatori keeping her at a cold distance, it wasn't because he didn't like her, it was because he was protecting her.

He truly deserved the title of the 'Dragon'. He was the dragon who served to protect the Princess.

But it wasn't Desare who needed kindness, Hatori was the one who deserved Kindness.

Tears welled up in Desare's eyes as she thought about what he had been through, and how much he had lost.

"Miss Bellamy? Are you alright? Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry."

Momiji asked, his eyes full of concern for her.

"No it's not that." Desare quickly said. "It's just... Hatori is the one who deserves the most kindness in the world." She partially spoke her thoughts, knowing it probably wouldn't make sense to Momiji.

Momiji smiled softly. "Ha'ri will be alright." He said as he leapt off his chair and walked out of the house. Little did Desare realised that there was more truth behind Momiji's words than she first thought.

"I suggest you forget whatever it is Momiji told you." Hatori's cold voice made Desare jump in her seat as she turned to him. He was dressed in a simple polo shirt, more casual than in his business shirt, and he had a towel around his neck to catch any dripping water drops. Seeing him in a more casual state only made Desare admire him even more. However, as casual as his attire was, his manner was the very opposite.

"Does that mean you've forgotten? Kana, I mean?"

"I still speak to her from time to time, but that is all." He simply told her. Though his words were cold, his heart wasn't. And he still pined for their love that was now lost.

He sat down on one of the chairs at the kitchen table and turned his green eyes on hers.

"Even in the Sohma family itself, there are few who know our secret in regard to the Zodiac. It is exceedingly rare that an outsider such as yourself should come to learn of it. Ordinarily this would have been corrected at once. But thus far it seems Akito has made an exception in your case. There are many dark secrets within the house of Sohma. Life among us is not as pleasant as you seem to believe. An evil shadow looms over this family. That is the nature of our curse."

"Corrected?" Desare asked, not understanding what he meant by 'corrected'.

"I come from a long line of physicians who carry the 'memory suppression' technique. It was a role my Father handed down to me, and his father before him. And so on. It is only used when the Order is given."
"And Akito gives the Order?"

Hatori nodded.

"And you made Kana forget her memories?" Desare asked softly, her eyes glistening with sorrowful tears for the man in front of her.

"It's not something I'm proud of doing, but it was a direct order." He told her coldly.

Desare shook her head, "No, that's not what I meant. You did the only thing you could do. It was a true act of love. You are the brave dragon." Desare softly told him.

Green eyes met green. He saw the admiration in her eyes and was disgusted with himself. There was nothing to admire about him.

And yet, Desare admired him so. There was so much to admire about him. Not only how handsome he is, but the way he quietly suffered himself without being a burden on his family. The way he protected his family. What was there not to admire?

"She worked as my assistant" Hatori began, suddenly finding himself opening up to Desare without realising it. She quietly sat there and listened to what he had to say. "It was the beginning of a beautiful dream. Being with her made me feel, for the first time in my life, as though I had been allowed something. As though I had been saved from something. I lost myself in the dream. And I laughed as never before. As though years of happiness had been compressed into each and every new moment we shared." His eyes were lost in his memories as though he was reciting this to himself. "But all dreams must end." He paused as he kept his emotions in check before continuing on. "As Kana and I asked Akito's permission to get married he lost his temper and the injury occurred, resulting in nearly losing sight in my left eye. Kana blamed herself. No matter what I said, No matter what I did, Each time I tried to console Kana she would just collapse into tears until, eventually, her grief began to consume her. In the past, even if I knew the pain and suffering it would cause, it was a burden I was forced to bear. I had no choice but to erase a person's memory once the order was given and so; I had to abide by Akito's order of erasing Kana's memories, so she wasn't troubled over me any longer."

His green eyes suddenly looked up to hers, lost. As though they were seeking answers, seeking help. "How could I know that by my hand, the person dearest to me, would also have their memories erased? The very memories we shared together." By now his voice had dipped to one of heartbreak. "She apologized for not protecting me...But I was the one who should have apologized. I was the one who couldn't protect her..."

Small tears fell from Desare's green eyes before she could stop them. She lifted a hand to cover her mouth, hiding the sobs that were threatening to erupt and make themselves known. "I'm sorry." She apologised for her sudden breakdown.

Hatori frowned in concern, and before he could stop himself, he lifted a finger and gently wiped away her tears. "I made you cry...over something so trivial such as me..."

Hearing him called himself 'trivial' made Desare a little angry. Did the doctor not see himself as something more than that? Of course not, he was a man of modesty. He held his head high in times of suffering.

Pushing herself away from the table, Desare got up and walked over to Hatori. She placed her hands on either side of his head and pulled hers down to rest her forehead against his. Bold were her moves, it was a risk she was willing to take. In the small embrace that held caution from triggering the curse, Desare whispered, "'Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.' You are a dragon; full of bravery. One who deserves kindness and love."

With that being said, she pulled back slightly to pull the towel over his head and began drying his wet hair.

Even though the towel hid his face from Desare's view, it didn't stop the tears that slowly fell down his cheeks. His hands came up and clung to the bottom of her shirt, clenching the material in his fists as he silently cried for what he had lost. It was the first time he felt as though he could share his pain with someone else. It felt as though, he was 'allowed' another chance at love, at happiness.

The next morning had proven to be awkward. More from Hatori's point of view. He had collapsed into tears in the arms of a stranger, he had shown weakness and vulnerability in front of her. Not only was it embarrassing for him, it would also have its consequences too. Especially if Akito found out.

Shigure had hinted that Akito was using Desare to test Hatori's loyalty. He had to keep the woman at a distance. To protect him, and to protect her. But how could he do that when Desare was reminding him every day to find beauty in the smallest of things?

As for Desare, she didn't mind in the least bit. Her heart warmed for him even more. And every day that passed, she found new ways to admire him even more. Until one day when she asked herself if she was actually falling for the man.

The night of Hatori's emotional breakdown was spoken of for the duration of the next week. Desare allowed the man to speak up about it the next morning, and when he didn't, she respected his wishes. Perhaps it was just something he's not ready to discuss further. She remained her cheerful self and tried to lift the dragon's spirits.

Every morning at 7:00am, they had their morning coffee out the front and watched the sunrise together before starting the day's activities.

Was this the beginning of a beautiful dream?