A/N: Hey all,

February 28, 2022: Welcome to this month's chapter of Who Knows What Fate May Hold For You. Look at that! A new chapter two months in a row. I can't remember the last time that happened. Thank you to all who decided to read. I am working on chapter 37 already, so there should be no issue with getting the next chapter published on time as well. I hope that you all are enjoying this story and that you will continue to follow it. Any reviews or constructive criticisms are greatly appreciated, as well as any form of engagement you wish to show to me or this work. If anyone wishes to contact me regarding questions or comments, my email address is listed on my profile. I would love to hear from you all. Please leave a review if you have the time or desire. It really makes my day! Thank you all and I will see you next month.

You're grateful author,

Spiral of Destiny

Chapter 36: Inquiry

Panic was clearly evident on Ryoko's features as she moved once again to distance herself from the unknown visitor. The IV, she determined, was in the way and she grasped hold of the tubing frantically, preparing to rip it out of her arm and free herself from the tether that kept her attached to the bed. A strong hand falling over her own halted her actions.

"Now now. There's no need for any of that. I didn't come here to hurt you." His tone sounded concerned, much to the girl's confusion. Ryoko paused in her fighting to look at him.

"If that's true then get away from me!"

"Will you leave that in if I do?" Ryoko nodded and Sai released her arm, waiting protectively until she had let go of the IV tubing before taking a few steps back from the bed. He halted next to Hiroshume, noting how Ryoko tensed at his proximity to the unconscious hacker.

"Who are you?" Sai's expression remained calm.

"Someone who is interested in how you ended up here."

"That doesn't answer my question. What do you want?"

"I haven't determined that yet. For now I'm simply looking for information." Ryoko tensed further, preparing to pull the IV out and make a break for it, but movement from Sai in her direction caused her to stop.

"Stay back!" He halted. "You said you didn't come her to kill me." She challenged uncertainly,watching him. Her hand still clenched the IV tubing.

"No, I said I didn't come here to "hurt" you." He could see her anxiety building. His expression didn't change. "However, it appears that someone did want to hurt you. Who exactly that was is what I'm here to try and determine." Ryoko looked at him with hostility. Her mind was frantically searching for any way to get out of her current situation. She glanced at the unconscious hacker and cursed him for not being more on guard. Her attention returned to the stranger before her as she watched him place a hand on Hiroshume.

"Don't touch him!" She snapped, afraid of what might happen to the hacker while she was powerless to intervene. "What are you even talking about? You're a "Hunter", aren't you? It was one of you that tried to kill me, just like it always is. What's so hard to figure out?"

"Oh I'm aware of that much." Sai began, gently brushing the hair out of Hiroshume's face and noting the calm features of sleep. He didn't bother looking at Ryoko, content that the anxiety his attention toward the hacker was bringing her was keeping her sufficiently distracted. "I'm more curious as to who specifically did this to you."

"Shouldn't you already know that?"

"Perhaps." He moved his hand to rest on Hiroshume's shoulder as he looked back at Ryoko. "But it shouldn't be too difficult for you to answer my question regardless."

"What will you do if I don't? You can't kill me while I'm in here. You'll be caught!" Ryoko tried to keep the fear and uncertainty out of her voice. Sai moved closer to the bed.

"That minor risk doesn't really concern me." He stopped by the bedside and pushed her back gently into the pillows, wrenching the call light from where she was grasping it beneath the blankets. He was careful not to aggravate her healing wounds as he pulled the light from her grip and stepped away from the bed. A few seconds later a knock was heard at the door.

"Takamachi san? I'm coming in." The door slid back, revealing a nurse looking curiously at her. "What do you need?" She questioned. Before Ryoko could speak, Sai placed a warning hand on her shoulder, squeezing enough to cause discomfort but not so tightly as to make her cry out. He smiled warmly at the nurse.

"I pressed the light, ma'am. It seems her friend has fallen asleep and she was wondering if it would be possible to get a blanket for him? I'll take him with me when visiting hours end." The nurse smiled.

"Certainly. I'll be right back with that." She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her and Sai turned to look disapprovingly at Ryoko.

"Try something like that again and I will entertain the option of killing you 'and' him." He released her shoulder and moved the call light far from her reach. He turned his attention back to the door and smiled warmly as the nurse knocked and reentered. "Thank you very much." Sai took the blanket from her with a nod. The nurse smiled.

"My pleasure." She turned her attention to Ryoko and Sai turned to do the same. "Do you need anything, Takamachi san?" Ryoko looked from Sai to the nurse before swallowing hard.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you." The nurse gave a nod before turning and leaving the room." Sai watched her go.

"Good girl." He praised once they were alone in the room again. He regarded Ryoko lightly as he unfolded the blanket and laid it over Hiroshume. She observed his actions perplexed. "There." Sai rose from where he stood over Hiroshume and looked back at Ryoko. "Now then. Let's try this again." Ryoko studied him with a mix of hostility and fear in her eyes. Sai's gaze softened and a gentle smile marked his face. "Now now. There's no need for that look. You won't die today. At least not by my hands or influence. I merely wish to talk for the moment." His words didn't appear to ease her apprehension.

Returning to stand by the bedside, he looked at her and nodded down toward the bed surface.

"May I?" Confusion marked Ryoko's features, but she nodded, allowing Sai to seat himself on the edge of the bed just out of arms reach from where she reclined.

"What do you want?" Ryoko repeated, completely at a loss by this point.

"I want to know what happened to you."

"Why?"

"The 'why' is not your concern."

"So, what? You just wanted to come torment me after you failed to kill me?"

"I wasn't the one who did this to you."

"A "Hunter" did this to me. Whether it was you specifically doesn't matter!" Ryoko bit. Sai looked forward.

"That's not entirely accurate, but I won't fight you on that detail." He laced his fingers loosely between his legs, resting his arms lightly against the inner aspect of his upper thighs. "Whether you believe it or not, I came here today out of concern for you. I'm taking quite the risk appearing before a Blade Child."

"What do you mean "concern for me"?" Ryoko watched Sai skeptically. The older man didn't move, his gaze directed at the wall to Ryoko's left.

"The "Hunters" aren't heartless, Takamachi san. The Blade Children need to be eliminated before they can cause harm to others, but that does not mean that we wish suffering on them before their deaths. If possible, it is my wish for the end to be as free from fear and pain as possible." His tone was soft and earnest as he spoke.

"I can't believe that after all the attacks you "Hunters" have pulled on us!" Sai closed his eyes, exhaling slowly.

"I can't fault you for that. I assume the attack that left you injured now was particularly scarring?" Ryoko grit her teeth, but said nothing, refusing to offer any information to the probing "Hunter". Sai nodded, taking her silence as confirmation of his supposition. He rubbed his hands together thoughtfully for a moment before speaking. "There are some in the "Hunters" who do not share the same view that I do. A shared goal does not mean a shared method. But the majority do not wish for you to endure extended suffering before you die." Ryoko's eyes narrowed.

"Is that supposed to make me feel better? So you don't want us to suffer? Big deal! We still will! No Blade Child has ever died a painless death. You still want us dead." Sai inhaled slowly and deeply, fighting the frustration the conversation was stirring in both of them.

"I did not come here to discuss the Blade Children's fate." Sai said calmy, watching Ryoko evenly. Ryoko grit her teeth in anger, unwilling to be dismissed.

"We haven't done anything wrong and you know it. We're not Yaiba Mizushiro! Why can't you "Hunters" just leave us alone? We've done nothing to make you hate us!" Her words caused Sai to look away thoughtfully.

"Yours is not a fate I would wish on anyone, but the fact remains that it is too dangerous to simply do nothing about the Blade Children."

"You don't even know if the curse is real."

"The curse is real. I've seen it first hand in both your predecessor and in the Blade Children. The only unknown is whether all of you will fall to it and when. That's too great an uncertainty to leave to chance."

"So you're afraid and looking for someone to blame." Sai found himself surprised at her words. "You say you're hunting us to protect people from us, but in reality you are murdering innocent kids because you're too afraid of what happened in the past." Sai stared at her mutely, unsure of how to respond to the accusation. After a moment he spoke, keeping his gaze leveled on her face.

"We are all doing what we feel is right in the grand scheme. The Hunters, the Savers, the Watchers. Even the Blade Children. I would never ask you to accept our view of things. That would be unfair. We lose nothing by these actions." He watched Ryoko calmly. "You are the ones that are being asked to give up everything." He paused for a few moments as he observed the emotions swirl in Ryoko's eyes. She bit her lip to keep from letting any of them out. Sai held her gaze. "You can fight against me here if you wish, but all I came for today was information so no more of the Blade Children have to be put through what you've gone through." Ryoko's eyes darkened with anger.

"Why would I ever trust someone like you?" Sai nodded. He had expected a similar response.

"I'm not asking for your trust. We both know I'll try to kill you in the future. But if you had to pick, would you rather die being tortured, or have a quick death without pain?"

"I'd choose neither!I'd choose to live!" Her gaze was strong, but her voice cracked under the weight of his words. Sai nodded as he rose from the bed.

"Unfortunately," He looked apologetically down at her. "Those are the only two options you have."

oOoOoOo

Hiroshume's head pounded as consciousness slowly faded back into his mind. As soon as his senses had returned enough for him to recall the cause for his unconsciousness he lurched forward, his hand diving into his bag to grab the anesthetic gun while his eyes scanned the room in search of his attacker. It only took a moment to determine that he and Ryoko were alone in the room and he sighed, dropping his arm.

"Are you okay, Ryoko?" He turned his attention to the female Blade Child. She was laying with her face turned away from him, the blankets pulled up to her chin and her bed laid flat instead of elevated as it had been when he last saw her. "Ryoko?" He rose quickly, the blanket falling off of him as he kicked his broken laptop out of the way and rushed over to the bed.

"Ryoko?" He shook her shoulder to try and rouse her from sleep.

"Ryoko! Hey! Come on." His shaking grew more forceful, but she didn't awaken. A chill washed over him.

"Come on! Hey! Ryoko! Wake up!" Still she didn't stir. Hiroshume felt panic settle into his stomach and he cursed. He stepped quickly back from the bed, running a hand through his hair.

"Okay, calm down. Think." His eyes trailed over the bed until he found the call light and he quickly pushed it. Tossing it aside once he no longer had use of it, he leaned over Ryoko to determine whether she was breathing or not. To his relief she was, allowing him to breathe a little easier himself. Next he pulled the blanket down past her feet, looking her over for any signs of bleeding or injury. He didn't dare touch her, but from his visual examination he didn't see any injuries. Swallowing hard, he put his hands on her shoulder and hip and pushed her onto her side, looking for any sign of blood on her back or the bed. To his relief everything was normal and he exhaled deeply as he he lay her back gently. Just as he removed his hands from her he heard the sound of a knock at the door.

"Come in!" He said quickly, the panic sounding in his voice. The nurse frowned as she entered the room and saw the frightened look on his face.

"What's the matter?" She asked quickly. Hiroshume looked back at Ryoko.

"She won't wake up. I tried several times and she won't respond. I don't know what's wrong." Concern came over the nurse's features as well as she walked over to the bed, checking Ryoko's pulse as she stopped at the bedside. At Hiroshume's hovering she looked back at him and spoke.

"I'll need you to go. Leave your number with the nurse at the desk and we will call you as soon as there is a change." Hiroshume went to protest, but then shut his mouth tightly and nodded. There was nothing he could do and he needed to report what had happened to Kisame. He quickly gathered his broken laptop and backpack and hurried to the door. As he slid it open he turned back to the nurse.

"There was a guy who came here. He might have done something to her." The nurse looked up from Ryoko at Hiroshume's words and nodded.

"Thank you for telling me. We will take that into consideration." Nodding, Hiroshume hurried out of the room. After leaving his number and Eyes' number with the lady at the desk, he all but ran out of the hospital, dialing his phone before he even made it to the exit.

Once out on the street he stopped, tapping his foot anxiously as he waited for the line to connect. Nervously he looked around himself for the man who had attacked him, not knowing when the stranger had left. As the call went to voice mail he cursed and began walking again, leaving Kisame's number to find Eyes'. To his relief, the performer answered after the second ring and Hiroshume began talking before Eyes could even speak.

"I messed up. Someone got into Ryoko's room and knocked me out. Now she's unconscious and I don't know why and they kicked me out of the hospital and I don't know who it was or where they went and… Eyes, I'm sorry!" His breathing was rapid and he kept looking around in search of the mystery person. He paused when Eyes' calm voice came over the phone.

"Breathe. Are you okay?" Hiroshume swallowed hard, forcing himself to be calm.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Good. Come over. Stay on the line with me until you get here." Hiroshume sighed shakily, trying to orient his head.

"Alright…"

Fifteen minutes later had Hiroshume sitting on the couch in Eyes' apartment while the performer paced before him, trying to get in contact with Kanone. When the call finally connected Eyes paused.

"Eyes? It's late. What's wrong?"

"Where are you?"

"I'm at my apartment. Are you okay?"

"I am fine."

"Eyes, about earlier today. What you said…"

"Not now. There's been an incident." Hiroshume watched Eyes' features harden as the line went silent.

"What happened?"

"Ryoko and Hiroshume were attacked at the hospital tonight. Hiroshume was knocked unconscious and Ryoko is now unable to be awoken at the hospital."

"Is Hadaka okay?" Eyes glanced over at Hiroshume, who was watching him anxiously.

"Shaken, but alright." Kanone nodded on the other end of the line.

"I'll head to the hospital now. You're taking care of Hadaka?" Eyes hummed in reply.

"I'll call you as soon as anything is known about Ryoko. Stay alert."

"You too, Eyes."

Eyes quickly described the attacker to Kanone before ending the call and turning his attention back to Hiroshume.

"We'll talk about this tomorrow. For now, rest. You can use my room." Despite the hacker's protests, Eyes took him by the arm and pulled him into the bedroom, leaving him standing uncertainly in the middle of the room as the performer closed the door and returned to the main area of the apartment.

Sighing, he collapsed down onto the couch, resting his head against the top and closing his eyes. He raised one arm from where it rested on the sofa at his side and rubbed his face. Everything seemed to be going awry and he felt powerless to stop it.

He remained on the couch with his eyes closed until a soft beeping drew him back to the present. Looking to his left, his gaze fell on the small phone resting on the couch. Hiroshume had forgotten it when he had been directed to Eyes' room.

Picking up the phone, Eyes looked at the caller ID, noting that the number wasn't listed under any label. Sighing again, he answered the phone and held it to his ear.

"Yes?"

"Hello? Is this Hiroshume Hadaka?"

"Yes." Eyes lied, waiting to see what would come next. He heard the woman nod on the other end of the line.

"Thank you. This is a courtesy call to let you know that Ryoko Takamachi is conscious and there are no abnormalities with her health. She said she felt dizzy before she passed out and that she feels fine now. She is resting now and the hospital will be monitoring her for the rest of the night. For the time being she is stable and resting easily." Eyes sighed in relief.

"Thank you for letting me know. Please let me know if anything changes."

"Certainly, sir. Have a good night now."

Eyes gave a quick goodbye and ended the call. Picking up his own phone, he called Kanone to inform him of Ryoko's condition before ending the call. Laying the phone down on the couch, Eyes laid his head back once more. He was so tired, both physically and emotionally. Slowly he opened his eyes and looked up at the stars through his ceiling.

"Is there anything that can be done?" His tone was nearly inaudible and his eyelids fell, half covering his gaze. Slowly he allowed them to close completely. "I need to keep them safe… All of this needs to end. We can't do this anymore."

Raising his head, he pulled a blanket off the back of the couch and laid down. Nothing would be solved tonight. Everyone was tired. They would convene with Ryoko in the morning and figure out a plan to move forward. For the moment, he was tired enough to put things aside and give in to sleep.