Kuru's P.O.V.
"And Kuru, there's something wrong. I know it. I can feel it.Something else is wrong with me."
"Amanda checked me over, but she missed something. I can feel it. I think I need to go back;back to my world. My family will be devastated, and everyone will
look at me with pity, but I have to do this. I have to go. In the morning, will you take me please?" "Of course I will, but tell me what you think is the matter.
Please." "It's here. And there, and there." She says, putting her hand over her stomach and her bandaged ribs. I un-bandaged her and bit my lip to keep from
gasping. "Alex, I think you are getting an infection. And your hip is purple; it is worse." Again I scanned her stomach, checking for infection or anything else. All I
found were more nail and tooth marks. I went to the dresser and grabbed the ointment from it. She asked me to put it on her because she couldn't bear to look
at herself. Did she think it was any easier for me then? I put the ointment on her wounds and asked her twice more if she would give them to me. Of course
she refused, so I finished and re-bandaged her ribs. "Thank you, Kuru. I don't know what I would do without you. Actually, I do. I'd be a lot worse off than I am
now. I think I see what you mean now, about not losing everything. But without you... I know you've told me that I have no idea, but I do. I don't want to tell
you, but I could- I could almost- It was so- I'm not going to tell you, Kuru. If I did you'd..." She trailed off. "Alex, you can tell me anything. Please; why won't you
tell me?" "You won't look at me the same way. You'll go all formal and stiff. I want this Kuru. The one who sits beside me on my bed and brings me hot
chocolate. The one who reads to me, and fondles my hair, and who kisses my forehead and cheek when I need it most. Who hugs me even if it's against the
rules, and dared to fall in love with the princess. If you knew, you wouldn't do those things. I know you, Kuru. You will not look at me like you love me, you will
think that I am just a foolish little girl with her head in the clouds. You couldn't love me if you knew. It isn't possible." "Alex, I love you. Nothing will change that.
Do you think I don't already know? Am I blind? I saw what happened, Alex. I saw everything. I could hardly contain myself when I saw you lying there, but it
got worse, didn't it? I know what happened. I know what you felt, because I saw it on your face. You are an open book. When you saw me this morning, I
knew that you were embarrassed, and it hurt me, so I didn't tell you that I knew. But I knew all along what happened. Amanda doesn't even know that part,
does she?" "No, I didn't tell her. I didn't want anyone to know. You know everything? I-I thought... Why are you still talking to me like this? Aren't you
disappointed with me, and angry with me?" "No! Alex, I'll never be angry with you for that. I already told you that. I love you, and I can't stand to see you
hurting, but I can't be formal because I know you need a friend now. You are perfect to me. Perfect. I do not think you are foolish; you are becoming wiser
every day. I know how much you hurt, and I would give anything, even my life to make it stop. I can't get the look on your face that night out of my head.
It keeps coming up, and it hurts. It hurts so badly, but I know you hurt worse, and it's killing me. I see it every time that I close my eyes, and I can't sleep at
night. Then I remember what he did and what he came so close to accomplishing, and anger boils up inside. Then I see you again, laying there, so small. When
I remember everything, it makes me want to sit beside you, wrap you in my arms and never let go. I know you were hurt, I saw it with my own eyes. I know
what you felt, I was there. But I will never stop loving you and definitely not because of this that has happened to you." I said, taking her head in my hands
and fondling her hair. "Why do you love me so much? What have I ever done to deserve you? I am unworthy of your love, yet you give it plentifully and more
than I could ever imagine. Why do you love me? Why are you still here? Marcus would have left me, and Caleb would have stayed only long enough to see me
get well. He hasn't sent me a letter in weeks, and I have no idea how or where he is. He cares for me, but not enough. Why have you stayed with me? I don't
deserve you." She asked genuinely. "Alex, I love you and I can see past your flaws. There is no reason to love you, but I do. I love you with my whole being. I
am unworthy to be loved by you, Alex. I am but a poor, common man. But then why do you love me? See, there is no reason. We can never deserve to be
loved, but we are. I love you even more through this, because you are strong, and are pulling through. We will grow stronger through this, Alex. I know we
will." I replied, taking her now sobbing frame into my arms, and placing her head on my chest. "I-I'm glad I have you here. I couldn't do it without you." She
says through her tears. "Shh, shh, you need to rest now. You've had quite a long day." I calm her. I come behind her as she is laying on her side in her bed. I
lay down there, not really comfortable, but I will stay a minute, for her. She tries to turn over, but can't because of her hip. I sit up and move her so that she is
on her other side, facing me. She touches my face before breaking into sobs again. I pull her into my chest, and she lay there sobbing again. I hold both her
hands in one of mine, and my other hand is gently gripping her head to my chest. I feel so badly for her, but I can't do anything but comfort her. After an hour
or two, I get out of her bed, but she grips my hand and says, "Don't leave me." "I won't leave, but I'm sleeping on the floor." I reply. She shrugs, and releases
my hand. I laid on my mat on the floor, and awaited the morning.
A/N: What do you think of the story so far? Feedback is appreciated! Alex had to have another crying moment. I'm sorry. Physically, as well as mentally, Alex is very fragile. Most girls that go through this sort of thing are. At least she has some wonderful people to lean on. So in the next chapter, Alex and Kuru and Amanda travel to Alex's world to go to the doctor's and meet a certain foe while there. Will Alex be able to forgive? Or will Kuru have to beat the snot out of this nemesis again. Find out in the next chapter. Keep reading! :)