Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter of Prince of Tennis!
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Parseltongue
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...
Hari yawned as she opened her eyes feeling a moment of confusion as she realised that she wasn't in her own bed at home and that someone was right there next to her. She turned her head and saw Seiichi sleeping beside her. His arm was protectively thrown over her waist. She blushed.
She looked at him unable to stop herself and thought he looked so adorable sleeping, he looked so peaceful. She was not sure how long she stared at him before his eyes started to flicker open and she looked away suddenly embarrassed.
"Ohayo," his voice made her look back at him.
"Ohayo," she said. "You stayed."
"I told you I would," he said smiled.
She smiled back at him and nodded. "I know, but I thought you would go when I fell asleep."
He sat up and yawned as he rubbed his eyes making her smile because he looked adorable. He gave her a confused look but she just smiled some more and hoped that she wasn't blushing (even though she probably were) before she tried to sit up but stopped and grimaced.
Right.
The reason why she was in here in the first place, that stupid bruise. She had forgotten.
"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly when he caught the grimace and he was already reaching out to help her. He helped steady her and looked at her with a searching look. He was so close.
"It hurts when I move," she tried to smile. "I forgot."
Seiichi frowned worriedly as he looked at her and smiled slightly as he met her eyes. He got up and out of bed making Hari shift until she found a more comfortable position. He helped to get the back of the bed elevated so she was sitting up while still being supported.
He sat down again at the edge of the bed and took one of her hands in his and entwined their fingers together. She glanced at the entwined fingers before looking up to meet his violet-blue eyes. She felt a stab of guilt go through her when she saw the worry in his eyes.
"Should I find a nurse or something?" Seiichi asked.
"No, not yet," Hari said. "I just want to sit here with you."
He smiled.
"But if you're in pain," he said as his smile turned into a frown.
"It's manageable," Hari said. "But…what would the nurses think seeing you here? Um…did they come in during the night?"
Seiichi smiled, "I told you I had connections. I spent a lot of time in here, you know. They won't say anything."
Hari blinked but nodded. "Alright."
"I need to step out to make a call," Seiichi said. "I should call my parents, but I'll be back soon."
Hari nodded and watched as he walked out of the room.
...
"Ah, you're awake," a nurse said as she walked through the door and spotted her awake. "How did you sleep?"
"Alright," Hari said and fought the blush away at the idea of the nurse having seen Seiichi there during the night…but the nurse didn't say anything.
"Good," the nurse prattled on. "You didn't call us so we took that as a good sign."
Hari nodded as the nurse started to check whatever it was nurses checked and Hari just stayed as she was as the nurse worked.
"Can I get out of bed?" Hari asked as the nurse finished.
"Need the toilet?" the nurse asked.
Hari blushed slightly and the nurse just smiled kindly.
"And I feel like washing my face," Hari said. "I feel…kind of gross, I guess."
The nurse nodded.
"I can help you if you want," the nurse offered.
"No, I'm fine," Hari denied.
"Well, the doctor said that it was good for you to move around a little," the nurse said. "Just don't overdo it and if you need help be sure to call for help. There's no shame in needing help, Echizen-san."
Hari nodded.
"I just want to try on my own first," she said.
"I can understand that," the nurse said. "The doctor will be by to see you sometime this morning. Your parents should be back again by then as well."
Hari nodded and thanked her.
...
Hari managed to get to the bathroom and wash up and get ready, it was a little slow but she made it. When she returned to her room she found Seiichi seated on the bed waiting for her. He got up and rushed over to her as she came walking toward him. He put an arm around her and helped her back to the bed.
"I'm fine, you know," Hari muttered but allowed him to help her.
"Well, I wanted to help," Seiichi said.
"How long will you stay?" Hari asked looking at him. "What did your parents say?"
He grimaced slightly.
"I have to go back today," he said. "They are worried about all the school I'm missing. I explained yesterday that someone I cared about was at the hospital and that I needed to see them… They said it was fine, but I need to get back today."
"I understand," Hari nodded and pushed back the guilty feelings for being the reason he was missing school. "Thank you for coming to see me, though. I…I really…"
She swallowed and he squeezed her hand.
"It means a lot," she managed.
"Mochiron," he smiled. "I wouldn't be anywhere else."
He leaned in and kissed her softly before he pulled back and let his forehead rest against hers for a moment.
"I was so scared," he whispered. "Yesterday when your brother called… I really thought…"
He couldn't finish his sentence.
"I'm sorry, Sei-chan," Hari said. "I really am."
He pulled back and met her eyes with his and nodded.
"I know," he smiled slightly. "I know. But, Hari-chan… you never should feel like you need to hide from me just because you think I'll worry. I'd rather worry than you being in pain and hiding it."
Hari nodded.
"I'm sorry," she said again. "Next time we meet I'll tell you more about it… I think I should explain a little…"
He smiled slightly as took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it.
"Okay, but mostly I'm just relieved that you're alright," he said.
...
When Nanjiro came rushing into the room like he was being chased Hari was alone and resting. Seiichi had already left to catch a train back home and hopefully catch the last part of the school day. She was torn between relieved that she didn't have to introduce Seiichi to her family right now (though she would do it really soon) and wishing he could stay a little while longer not ready to say goodbye.
"Hari-chan!" Nanjiro exclaimed and Hari opened her eyes and smiled when she saw him.
"Hey, Otou-chan," she smiled.
"Dear, I told you not to rush in like that!" Rinko said sternly behind him. "You woke her up."
Hari looked behind him and saw Rinko along with Ryoga and Ryoma. Both boys looked worriedly at her but looked relieved when they saw her awake and slightly bemused.
"It's fine," Hari smiled slightly as Nanjiro pulled her into a hug (surprisingly careful) and held her for a long moment.
"Did you manage to sleep?" Rinko asked when her husband let go of Hari and she hugged the younger girl herself.
"Yeah," Hari said fighting the blush that threatened to rise up her cheeks thinking on Seiichi sleeping right next to her.
"That's good," Rinko said. "The nurse said she was happy with your progress and the doctor should be here soon."
Hari nodded and looked over at Ryoma.
"Ryo-chan," she said quietly. "Are you mad at me?"
Ryoma had not said much to her since she had been brought in, and she worried that he was mad at her. She bit down at her lower lip to stop it from trembling.
"No," he sighed and moved over to the bed. He sat down at the edge as Seiichi had done before. "But… why didn't you say something, Hari? I would have listened to you."
Hari looked down.
"I'm sorry," she said. She had a feeling she would be saying that a lot over the next period of time. "I…really thought it was nothing. I am really sorry."
Ryoma looked at her and scowled.
"It's those stupid relatives of yours, isn't it?" he asked.
Hari shrugged.
"At least you're okay," Ryoga said stepping up and smiled slightly and she saw the knowing look in his eyes as he looked at her. "You do seem better than last night. I bet you had a nice and peaceful night. Free from Oyaji's fretting and pacing."
Hari rolled her eyes at him while Ryoma looked confused.
...
Fuji stared at the cactus in front of him without really seeing it. He was worried about Hari. He hoped that she was okay and that she really would be coming home today like her mum had said yesterday. He couldn't help the worry, though. He had a feeling that there was something much deeper behind the reason for why she hadn't told anyone that she was hurt.
He also felt anger. Anger at her for not telling anyone, but mostly anger at himself for not realizing that she was hurt. She must have shown signs in the days after the injury, but they had all been so distracted by the fact that Momoshiro wasn't there and worried about him. They had all missed it by being preoccupied and blind.
"Is something wrong, Shusuke?" Yumiko asked.
He looked up at his older sister who was standing in the doorway to his room. She looked to be dressed for work.
"Just worried about a friend of mine," Fuji said. "She was sent to the hospital yesterday."
"Oh, is she okay?" Yumiko asked.
"She'll be fine," Fuji said, "but I still worry."
Yumiko nodded.
"She must mean a lot to you if you worry like this," Yumiko observed. "Is she your girlfriend?"
"No, she's just a friend," Fuji said. "A good friend."
Yumiko nodded but still looked a little suspicious.
Fuji got up and started to get ready for school. It was going to be a long day…
...
Momoshiro barely ate anything for breakfast and knew his mother was looking at him worriedly, but he couldn't care about that right now. He just couldn't bring himself to eat. How could he? When it was his fault?
"Are you sick?" his mum asked.
"No," Momoshiro said. "I'm just not hungry."
He got up and left the kitchen before she could say anything else and made his way to his room. He finished getting ready for school despite not really feeling like going. He didn't want to see the others, see how worried they were about Hari when…when it was him that was the cause of it.
With a sigh, he left the house and grabbed his bike. Out of habit he biked past the Echizen's house and looked up at it, it looked empty. Dark. They probably had already left for the hospital to see Hari. He doubted Ryoma would come to school today.
Again guilt flashed through him as he remembered the scared look on Ryoma's face. His best friend's face. Ryoma was his best friend, even if he wasn't his. He knew Hari was Ryoma's best friend, but he liked to think that he was pretty close to being his best friend. So, how could he have been so careless to shot that ball?
He should have done something when she fell because she was hit by his ball. How could he think that she was fine after that? Of course, she wouldn't be fine! He was such an idiot. Kaido was right… he really was stupid.
When he reached the school he did his best to avoid his friends from the team as he sat down in the classroom. He glanced over at the desk that belonged to Hari and wished that she would come in and take her seat smiling at him as she did so. He even wished she would prank him. Anything as long as she was here.
The rest of the class came in and he saw several of them looking over at him and he knew that word had spread about what had happened on practice yesterday.
"Is it true?" Sora asked coming up to him with her brother right behind her.
"What?" Momoshiro asked even though he had an idea.
"Is Hari-chan really at the hospital?" Hira asked with a frown. "People are saying that she collapsed at practice yesterday and that she was sent to the hospital in an ambulance."
Momoshiro fought to keep the flinch back as the words were spoken out loud making it so much more real.
"Yes, it's true," Momoshiro managed to say before he looked away.
Sora and Hira both looked worried and Momoshiro tried to not look at them but even as he looked away he saw them in the corner of his eyes. They were Hari's friends too. He realised that despite the fact that she was spending most of her time with them during school she still had other friends as well.
"Is she okay?" Sora asked.
"She's going to be fine," Momoshiro said looking back at them. "Her mum said she would be coming home from the hospital today."
"Okay, that's good," Hira nodded and with that, he grabbed his sister and pulled her back to their desks as the teacher entered the classroom.
Momoshiro noticed that Kaido had entered as well and looked even more sulky than normal. For once he didn't feel like riling him up or anything and he just felt a fresh sense of guilt as he took in the sulky air around him.
He was brought out of his thoughts by the teacher's voice telling them about Hari and that she was fine and would be back to school in a day or two if everything continued to go well.
It was going to be a long day, Momoshiro thought as he picked up the whispered conversations of his classmates and saw the looks they cast him and Kaido.
...
"I want to see Hari-chan," Kikumaru whined as he leaned over his desk staring at the clock that said it was still a couple of hours until the class were over and they would be free to go and see her.
"I know," Fuji said.
"Do you know how she is?" Kikumaru asked.
"I texted Echizen and he said she was alright and they had taken her home," Fuji said.
"Well, that's good," Kikumaru mumbled. "But…why didn't she say anything, Fujiko?"
Fuji sighed.
"Shirimasen," he said.
"I was so worried last night I could barely sleep," Kikumaru said. "It's a little strange how important she has become… it's just a few months since she started school and it feels like she's always been here."
"Yeah," Fuji nodded in agreement.
"Oishi was also worried today," Kikumaru said. "He looked like he hadn't slept at all. He always worries…"
Fuji almost snorted. Oishi did indeed always worry and he knew that Hari was in for some good Oishi-mother-henning when she came back.
The rest of the day went slowly and Kikumaru pouted all through class, but the teacher seemed to have heard about Hari and didn't call him or Fuji out on their inattentiveness during class.
As soon as the bell rang they were out of the door and rushed to the gates where they had agreed to meet the others before heading toward the Echizen's house. Ryuzaki had cancelled practice today knowing they wouldn't be able to focus and understanding the need to see their friend.
Fuji stood beside Tezuka who had a serious look on his face and he knew he was thinking about Hari and her injury. Fuji also knew that Tezuka was worried but that he also wanted to know why she hadn't said anything. He wasn't the only one there. He saw Kikumaru stand impatiently beside a worried Oishi and Kawamura. Inui was for one not making notes in his notebook as he stood silently beside Kaido who was glaring at the ground.
Fuji looked to see the first year trio coming up to them with a worried Sakuno and Yoshida. Sakuno looked like she hadn't slept at all.
"Where's Momo-chan?" Fuji asked realising that he was the only one missing.
"He left," Kaido spoke up. "He has barely said a word all day. I told him we were meeting here, but…"
Fuji frowned but nodded. Tezuka sighed.
"Come on!" Kikumaru said impatiently. "If Momo-chan isn't coming, then let's go!"
"Calm down, Eiji," Oishi said.
"No," Kikumaru whined. "I want to see Hari-chan!"
"We all want that," Oishi said trying to calm his friend.
Kaido hissed something and looked impatient as well.
...
"Hey," Ryoma greeted them when they rang the doorbell. "Come in."
"How is she, Ochibi?" Kikumaru asked almost looking ready to cry.
"Tired," Ryoma said. "But she says she's fine."
She says she's fine. Fuji realised that it would take some time before anyone would trust her when she said that.
They followed Ryoma into the living room to find Hari seated on a sofa with Ryoga next to her. The television was on but the sound was low and it didn't seem like they were paying attention to it.
"Hey," Hari said nervously when she spotted them.
"Hari-chan!" Kikumaru rushed over to her but remembered that she was hurt so he didn't hug her like he wanted to. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she smiled at him. "I'm just a little tired."
"You said you were fine yesterday too," Kikumaru pouted.
Hari looked down feeling guilty.
"Hontoni gomen'nasai," she said formally.
They were all silent as they observed her as she was propped up on the sofa by pillows and blankets. She noticed their looks and huffed.
"Otou-chan went a little overboard," she explained.
"A little," Ryoga grinned. "You'd be wrapped up in bubble wrap if he had his way."
The others chuckled and the tension in the room seemed to disappear.
"Sit down," Hari said. "Do you want anything to drink?"
Ryoga got up to find something and Fuji took the chance to take his spot of the sofa. He looked at Hari with a worried look.
"I'm really fine," she told him. "I just need to rest and not practice for a few days and the doctor said I should be fine."
"That's good," Fuji said.
Tezuka nodded in agreement as Hari looked over at him.
"I'm sorry for causing trouble, Captain-san," she bowed her head to him.
He looked stern like normal but his eyes had a softer look in them as he looked at her.
"Being a part of the team also means to tell someone that you're injured," Tezuka said. "It's a responsibility as well."
Hari looked down and nodded. Her hands fisted in her lap.
"I…I'll remember that," she said quietly before she frowned slightly and looked around the room again. "Um…where's Momo-chan?"
She noticed the nervous looks and felt dread deep in her gut. He was mad at her. She knew it. He was…
"I think he's struggling with something and has a hard time seeing you," Fuji spoke up and Hari blinked and looked at him.
"He's mad at me," she whispered.
"No, I don't think he is," Tezuka said.
"Of course he isn't mad!" Kikumaru exclaimed. "Why should he be?"
"Because I didn't tell you and made you worry," Hari said. "It's my fault that you worried like that. I didn't mean to do it. I tried to make sure you didn't worry… I tried to not be a burden."
Fuji frowned and looked at Ryoma who was scowling at the floor and his hands were fisted in his lap. A picture that wasn't very pretty was starting to build in his mind, honestly, it had for a while, but now it was getting clearer.
"You're not a burden, Hari-chan," Kawamura said softly and Hari looked over at him. He smiled kindly at her. "We don't think you're a burden."
Hari looked down unable to find words.
"And Momoshiro is just feeling…guilty," Kaido said. "The gentle trick assumes the walk."
Hari barely noticed the parseltongue as she frowned.
"Why is he feeling guilty?" She asked.
"He was the one who hit the ball that hurt you," Inui said.
"But…that was an accident," Hari frowned. "It wasn't his fault."
The others nodded but no one said anything else and allowed Hari to think for a moment.
...
"Why didn't you say anything?" Kikumaru finally snapped and asked what they all were wondering.
Hari glanced over at him before looking down again and swallowed. She knew she owed them an explanation. But she was not sure how much she should say or was ready to say. She enjoyed being just Hari with them, that they saw her and not her past or anything like that.
"Eiji!" Oishi scolded. "Maybe now not the time to talk about it…"
Hari looked up again and saw the worried looks and she felt guilty all over again. But they were here and they cared. She wasn't used to anyone other than Ron and Hermione and the twins caring about her (and Ryoma of course). She suddenly felt a little lighter and something that reminded her very much of hope rise in her chest as she looked at her friends.
"I'm really sorry," she said again. "I am…used to keeping injuries to myself. It's…"
She frowned and struggled to find the words she needed and she her throat felt thick like something was blocking it and she tried to swallow.
"Hari," Ryoma said and she looked over at him. "It's okay. Just calm down."
She nodded and inhaled before wincing in pain.
"You know I got adopted by Ryoma's parents," Hari said even though they knew, they nodded. "I… I was with my aunt and uncle before…back in England… and…well, they never cared for me. If I got hurt or anything then they would yell at me and complain about what a burden I was. I…am not really used to…I don't know…"
She frowned in frustration for not being able to say it clearly. She fisted a hand and realised with a jolt that her cheeks were wet from tears.
"That's enough," Ryoma said and squeezed the hand he had taken in his. "You don't have to say anything else and you're supposed to be resting."
He looked at the others who looked shocked and angry at what they heard but they nodded when Ryoma looked at them.
They were silent again. It was rare to have all of them together and that it was this quiet. Ryoga came back with something to drink and arched a brow at the silence but didn't say anything as he left again.
...
Ryoga felt worried as he left the room again, but he knew Hari needed this time with her friends so he would leave. He rolled his eyes when he saw Nanjiro lingering in the hallway looking in through the door to the living room. He had a frown on his face as he watched the boys closely.
"Oyaji," Ryoga sighed. "What are you doing?"
"Nanimonai," Nanjiro said.
"You're spying on Hari-chan," Ryoga said. "You shouldn't do that."
"I'm not spying," Nanjiro protested. "I'm just…keeping an eye on Hari. She's sick."
"She's not sick, she's injured," Ryoga said. "And she's fine as long as she's taking it easy. Ryoma will keep an eye on her. Let her talk with her friends."
"But…but one of them might be her boyfriend!" Nanjiro whined although he managed to keep it quiet.
Ryoga sighed and closed the door.
"Go back to the shrine before I call Rinko," Ryoga said and Nanjiro pouted.
"Mean, mean boy," he said but turned to go back to the shrine.
...
Hari smiled as she sat on the sofa and was surrounded by her friends. The tension that had been there when they first came was gone and she was now listening to them talking and laughing like they normally did.
She smiled when Kawamura offered her some sushi from his father's shop and ate it gratefully. She loved his sushi. She even rubbed it in when the others complained that they didn't have anything.
"You know," Kikumaru said turning to look at her. "When we played I had this thought… I haven't had a chance to talk to you about it yet…"
"What?" Hari asked.
The others looked at Kikumaru as well.
"You have motion vision," Kikumaru said.
"Motion vision?" Kachiro asked from the back of the room.
"I haven't heard of it before either," Mizuno said.
"It's when the player's eyesight is so sharp that they'll able to keep up with the movement of the ball," Inui explained pushing at his glasses. "Kikumaru has it."
"Ooh," the first years said.
"And Hari-chan has it too?" Yoshida asked curiously speaking up for the first time.
"Yes," Kikumaru nodded. "Did you know you had it or was it just instincts?"
Hari leaned back on the sofa and watched him with a pensive look.
"I knew," she finally said. "I had help from a friend to develop it more. He taught me how to use it when I played."
"A friend?" Fuji asked curiously.
"Someone I met at a street court after getting, well, lost," Hari grimaced.
"You admit to getting lost!" Kikumaru grinned.
Hari rolled her eyes.
"It's not my fault," Hari muttered.
"And this friend helped you?" Fuji asked while he thought hard. It was something familiar about the way she used it, but he wasn't sure why.
"Yeah," Hari nodded. "He did."
They talked some more until it was very evident that Hari was tired and Tezuka said they should leave. Hari smiled at them.
"Thank you for coming," she said. "I really appreciate it."
...
When they had left Hari was still on the sofa and frowned. She felt worried about Momoshiro. She didn't want him to blame himself for something that was clearly an accident. She had to do something. It was more her fault than his, and he needed to see that.
She started to get up from the sofa when Ryoma came back into the room and immediately scowled at her.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"I'm going to find Momo-chan;" Hari said.
"No," Ryoma said. "You're not leaving the house today. Oka-chan and Oyaji both said so. You need rest, Hari!"
"But…" Hari started.
"You can talk to him when you're back at school!" Ryoma said.
Hari glared at her little brother.
"I need to see him now!" She said. "He blames himself when it's not his fault! Come on, Ryo-chan. He doesn't live that far from here!"
Ryoma still scowled at her as she glared determinedly back at him. He gave a long-suffering sigh.
"You're not going to let this go, are you?" he sighed.
"No, I'm not," Hari said.
"Fine," Ryoma said. "I'll find Momo-sempai and drag him here. Okay?"
Hari looked at him for a moment before she sat back down realising that it was the best compromise she would get.
"Alright," she said.
...
Momoshiro lay back on his bed and stared at the ceiling of his room. He tossed a tennis ball up in the air and watched it as it came back down and he caught it again. All the while his mind kept playing the memory of his tennis ball hitting Hari in the chest over and over.
He heard the doorbell ring but didn't move from the bed. It didn't matter who it was anyway. He knew the others had gone to see Hari earlier today, but he had just left. He couldn't… he just couldn't face her and see just how he had hurt her. What right did he have to see her?
Suddenly there was a knock on the door and it opened before he could answer. He lifted his head and frowned when he saw Ryoma standing there.
"What are you doing here?" Momoshiro asked falling back on the bed.
"Getting you," Ryoma said.
Momoshiro didn't say anything and yelped when Ryoma grabbed his wrist and forcefully dragged him out of bed making him stumbled and struggle to get to his feet. He hadn't known Ryoma had that kind of strength.
"Hey!" Momoshiro called. "What are you doing?"
"I told you," Ryoma said. "I'm getting you. Hari wants to see you and if I don't get you to her she'll break out to find you. So…I'm bringing you to her."
Momoshiro frowned.
"But…I can't," he said. "It's my fault."
Ryoma looked at him.
"It's not," he said. "Please, just see Hari. She needs to see you."
Momoshiro sighed and a part of him wanted to refuse but maybe he owed it to her. If she was angry at him then he should let her tell him. He swallowed.
"Okay," Momoshiro said.
...
Hari looked up when Momoshiro entered the living room. She frowned when he was looking down at his feet and refused to look at her, he looked like he was waiting for her to yell at him or something.
"Momo-chan?" Hari asked. "Are you alright?"
"You're asking me if I'm alright?" Momoshiro asked disbelievingly.
"Yeah…" Hari said slowly. "Shouldn't I?"
He shook his head.
"You're the one who's hurt," he said. "And…it's my fault. I'm sorry, Hari-chan."
Hari got up from the sofa and grimaced slightly in pain but continued over to him. He looked at her with wide eyes.
"It was an accident," she said. "It's not your fault."
"But…"
Hari sat on the sofa again and Momoshiro sat beside her. She looked at him.
"I'm the one who should have told someone that I was injured," Hari said quietly. "It's my fault, not yours."
Momoshiro looked at her and she glanced over at him and met his eyes.
"I should have made sure you were alright," Momoshiro frowned. "I shouldn't have just thought about myself and sulking over being cut from the regulars. If I hadn't then someone would have noticed…"
Hari chuckled. It was a little despite herself but she just couldn't help it. Momoshiro looked at her a little startled.
"What?" he asked.
"It seems like we're both blaming ourselves," Hari explained. "We can keep going like this and never get anywhere. There's always 'should have' and 'if only', but…right now we can't change anything."
Momoshiro looked at her.
"Momo-chan," she looked at him. "You blaming yourself for an accident will not do you any good. It just happened. Maybe things would have been different if you had stayed, but you needed the time to yourself to figure out what you wanted and needed. That is okay."
"But…"
"But it doesn't change the fact that I wouldn't have said anything," Hari interrupted him. "I still would have kept it to myself, and I have gotten used to hiding injuries. I've done it all my life, so it's not sure that anyone would have seen that something was wrong with me."
He frowned and seemed to be in deep thought.
"I don't like talking about my life before I came here," Hari said. "I…don't… but like I told the others earlier today, my aunt and uncle never cared for me. They would tell me that I was a burden when I was sick or injured. I learned to hide it. So, it's not your fault."
Momoshiro stared.
"But you're not a burden!" he protested.
Hari smiled slightly. "I still feel like I am, but… I think I'm starting to see that I'm not."
...
Hari closed her eyes as she rested against the sofa. She felt tired, but a little better after having talked with Momoshiro and her friends. It was good to get it out of the way, or so to speak. She wondered if she could have had this kind of conversation with her friends at Hogwarts.
She had hidden injuries from Ron and Hermione before. She frowned. She had done it without really thinking, but now… maybe she shouldn't have? Would they have been interested in it? She really wished she could see them again, she missed them. But she didn't miss the chaos of being at Hogwarts, of constantly being watched and expected things of. The feeling of being cared of only if she behaved in a certain way or met their standards. Here she was starting to feel like she was cared about without any conditions, and that was not something she ever wanted to give up.
"Hari-chan," Nanjiro called softly and she opened her eyes to look at him. "If you're going to sleep then you should go and find the bed."
"I'm just resting," she said.
He smiled and sat down next to her and after a moment she leaned against him and rested her head on his shoulder. She smiled when she felt his arm around her holding her to him. She felt so safe and comfortable with him.
"Thank you, Otou-chan," she murmured. "I am sorry I didn't tell you."
"You said you were used to hiding injuries," Nanjiro said quietly.
"Mm," Hari didn't open her eyes.
"What kind of injuries?" Nanjiro asked. "Did you need to go to the hospital then?"
Hari didn't say anything for a moment and Nanjiro started to think that she had fallen asleep. He sighed quietly as he worried and tried to push the image of Hari as a child hurt and alone. So alone she felt she had to hide being hurt…
"Bruises, scrapes, I don't know… But I never needed the hospital back then," Hari suddenly said her voice tired and almost slurring. "I think my magic kept it from getting that far… it healed my injuries faster than normal…"
Nanjiro frowned slightly.
"But why didn't it do that now?" he asked.
Hari hummed and shifted a little so she pressed closer to him and he smiled almost involuntarily at the movement.
"I don't have much accidental magic anymore because I have more control over it," she said. "And… well, I think my magic did work on the injury. It's probably why it held for five days before…before…well, before. I just pushed too far. Even magic has its limits…"
Worry churned in his chest but he could see that Hari was so close to sleep now and he should let her rest so he stopped the remaining questions that wanted to spill out as he looked at her. She smiled slightly as her breathing evened out and he could tell that sleep had claimed her.
...
Ryoga stepped into the living room and smiled slightly as he saw Hari sleeping with her head resting on Nanjiro's shoulder.
"Hey, son," Nanjiro smiled at him.
Ryoga wondered what it was with this girl that made the normally happy-go-lucky and irresponsible and slightly immature man so calm and serious and content in a way Ryoga hadn't seen before. But with Hari he seemed to be different, though, he still had his moments of irresponsibility and immaturity.
"Hey, Oyaji," he said. "How is she?"
"Tired," Nanjiro said with a sigh. "She still has a way to go, but I think she managed to clear things up with her friends."
Ryoga nodded.
"That's good," he said.
"Yeah, it is," Nanjiro said. "So, what's up with you, Ryoga? Have you decided what you want to do from now on?"
Ryoga looked at Hari for a moment before he looked back at his father.
"I wish to stay here," he said. "I don't want to go back to New York."
Nanjiro nodded.
"I would love for you to stay here," he said. "So would the others. Have you talked to your aunt?"
Ryoga shook his head.
"No," he said. "Not since I left."
Nanjiro frowned at him. "Why not?"
"I don't want to hear her telling me to come back and say that you don't want me here," Ryoga said with a shrug. "She'll protest me being here just out of spite. It's not like she really wanted me with her either, so…"
Nanjiro frowned as he looked over at his son. A heavy feeling settled in his gut.
"I really failed you," he said mostly to himself. "Alright, I will call your aunt and tell her that you're staying here. You can decide what to do next. If it's school or finding a job."
Ryoga nodded and smiled as he looked back at Hari.
"Can I ask why you want to stay?" Nanjiro asked.
"Hari-chan really showed me that I am a part of this family," Ryoga said despite feeling embarrassed. "She's…really special and I want to be close to her. She became my sister without even trying."
Nanjiro smiled and glanced down at the girl sleeping on him.
"Hari has that ability," he agreed.
...
...
AN: What do you think? :)
I ended up changing parts of the chapter from what I had originally written, that's why it took a day extra to post it. It ended up being a little angsty as well, but the next one should be lighter again!
Thank you so much for the support and for reading! XD
Japanese words used:
Ohayo - Good morning
Mochiron - Of course
Otou-chan - Dad
Shirimasen - I don't know
Hontoni gomen'nasai - I'm really sorry
Nanimonai - Nothing
Oka-chan - Mum
Oyaji - Old man/dad