Author: Greeting everyone! I apologize for the delay, but all my creativity went to developing my lesson plans and designing costumes for the Renn Faire that I went too. I also want to thank all of you for your reviews/favorites/follows. You all are amazing and I hope that you enjoy the chapter!

—

Himawari gasped suddenly as the tube was removed from her throat.

A small amount of saliva dripped from her mouth but it was quickly wiped away by Mori.

Deep, rasping gasps flooded from her as her lungs struggled to regain their independence.

" It's alright, Hima." Mori whispered gently, stroking her cheek lightly. " Nice and slow, love."

He gave her a reassuring look, grey eyes locked onto her lavender.

" Nice, deep and slow breathes, Hima." He said, his eyes fixed solely onto her. " That's it, just like that, love. Look at me, nice and slow."

He saw tears beginning to form in her eyes and he reached up to wipe them away.

" Morinozuka-san-"

" Don't look at them, Love. Just me. Only me." Mori said, ignoring the doctor. " Just focus on me and your breathing."

Himawari felt her breath catch in her chest as she tried to slow her breathing down. She tried to focus solely on his voice.

How alluring it sounded right now.

He was a man of few words usually but when he did speak, his voice was almost musical.

He used it like a sirens call to distract her and she felt her breathing begin to even out.

" Just like that, love. Nice and slow." She heard him murmur to her. She focused on how soothing his voice was and before long, her breathing had evened out.

" Good girl." Mori said, his thumb continuously stroking her cheek.

The beeping from the monitor began to stabilize into a steady rhythm.

" Just like that, love." Mori said reassuring before he heard footsteps from the doorway.

" Himawari?"

" Nee-chan?"

The out of breath sounds of his father and younger brother reached Mori's ears and it was then that he had finally broke eye contact with her.

There, standing in the doorway with equal looks of disbelief on their faces, were his father and brother.

" Nee-chan!" Satoshi said, taking a hesitant step into the room. " Y-You're really awake!"

—

Himawari's head spun with everything.

It was so much louder now.

" Nee-chan!"

Satoshi? She thought weakly as she felt Mori's thumb stroke her cheek.

" We're all happy to see that you're back with us, love." Mori said warmly receiving a light squeeze from her small hand.

" Don't crowd her, Satoshi." Akira said quickly as he saw his youngest tense up, as if he were about to dart forward and hug the heiress.

" But Otou-san-"

" Stay Satoshi."

" Hima, are you able to speak?" Mori asked as he pulled her attention back to him.

" I-"

" It might be to soon for her t-"

" Then let her be the one to determine that, Doctor." Akira said firmly causing the doctor to go ramrod stiff.

" Go ahead, love." Mori said offering her a reassuring smile that made her heart race.

" W-" Himawari whispered in a sort of raspy voice. Her throat felt scratchy, like she needed a drink of water.

" Here, love." Mori said as he handed her a small cup of water. " Small sips, love."

Taking the cup from him, she brought it to her lips. When the liquid hit her throat, it felt as if jagged ice were trickling down.

" Nice, slow sips, love." Mori said as he rubbed her back.

She looked into his deep grey eyes and saw a flurry of emotions in them.

Truthfully, it shocked her.

He was normally so stoic that seeing him like this was an utter surprise.

If her voice had been functioning correctly she would've been speechless.

" Why-" She tried to speak once more, this time it was a little easier.

" You don't need to force yourself to speak, love." He whispered, pressing his forehead to hers.

She shook her head slowly before she paused. I need to ask him. She thought.

" Himawari-dear, do you know where you are?" Akira asked causing her lavender gaze to shift to meet his grey one.

She paused as she seemed to process his question. Her purple eyes looked around the room curiously before she gulped and said.

" H-Hospital."

" Do you know who I am?" Akira asked, smiling kindly at her.

Himawari nodded awkwardly, lightly squeezing Mori's hand.

" A-Akir-a-san."

" Good and what about him?" Akira said kindly before pointing to Satoshi.

Another nod, before she said. " Sa-t-toshi."

" And him?" She followed his gesture to Mori.

Mori saw her swallow nervously before nodding.

" Do you remember my name, love?" Mori asked, lightly squeezing her hand.

" W-Why are y-you calling me that?"

" Calling you what, love?"

" Th-That?"

" What? Love?" Mori said before his free hand reached up to cup her face. " Why are you surprised?"

Because you've never called me that before. Himawari thought as her face reddened and the beeping from the cardiac monitor increased.

" Haga-san, are you alright?" The doctor asked voice filled with concerned.

Idiot, Akira thought shooting his eldest an annoyed look. Your fiancée just woke up from a coma and you are going to cause her to have a heart attack!

" Love," Mori asked worriedly as the monitor continued its obnoxious melody.

" What is it?"

" N-Nothing…it's just. W-Why would y-you call m-me that?"

" You're my fiancée, why wouldn't I?"

The beeping became louder and more erratic as she clenched her fists tightly.

She had to ask.

She needed to ask.

" Love…breathe." Mori said softly, caressing her cheek soothingly.

Damn him. Himawari thought as she listened to that alluring voice of his.

It was intoxicating.

Especially when he called her love.

Don't let him draw you in. Himawari thought to herself. I have to get an answer.

" Takashi, give the girl s-"

" A-Answer me."

Akira paused at the sudden demand from the normally composed future daughter in-law.

" Answer what, dear?" Akira asked, kneeling beside the bed. He took in the annoyed expression on her face and was curious to find it directed at his son.

" Love?"

" W-Why did you k-kiss her?" Himawari asked firmly, causing the color to drain from Mori's face.

" W-What do you mean, Love?" Mori asked hoping to distract her. She doesn't need the stress of the night, right now. He thought.

" D-Don't a-act innocent with me, T-Takashi!" Himawari snapped causing the heart monitor to go off again.

" Akira-sama, I must insist that we do not stress Haga-san!" The doctor said quickly as he noticed just how elevated her heart rate was becoming. " Her health is far to delicate at this moment!"

" Himawari-dear, please." Akira said gently. " You shouldn't strain yourself. You need to r-"

" N-No, I have to know!" Himawari said firmly, clenching her fists so tight that her knuckles turned white. " WHY DID YOU KISS HER, TAKASHI!"

Mori gulped as his fiancée's demand.

" What is she talking about, Takashi?" Akira asked, looking over at his eldest.

" Hima-" Mori said quietly. " It's not what you think."

" Nii-san, is what Nee-chan said true?" Satoshi asked nervously. " Did you really kiss another girl?"

" Of course he didn't." Akira said as he stood, turning to give his eldest a stiff look. " Takashi would never do something like that."

When Mori failed to respond, an uncomfortable silence fell upon the room.

" Hima…it's not what you think."

Narrowing his eyes, Akira grabbed Mori by the bicep and hauled him aggressive from the room.

" Otou-san-"

" Stay with Himawari, Satoshi!"

—

" Otou-san, it's not what y-"

" You do not talk!" Akira hissed. " Are you cheating on Himawari?"

" N-No-"

" Was this entire incident caused because she caught you cheating?" Akira asked causing Mori to tense.

" It's not like that, Otou-san!" Mori snapped. " I swear, it's not like that."

" Then tell me exactly what it's like, Takashi!" Akira hissed. " Because as of thirty minutes ago, my best friend's only child was intubated and had been unconscious without any indication that she would ever wake up!"

" I was kissed by the girl Hima mentioned-"

" I did not raise you to be a disloyal partner, Takashi!" Akira said, grabbing his son by the scruff. " No one of our line has ever been adulterer! How could you sully our-"

" I DIDN'T!" Mori snapped. " IT WAS A SET UP! I DIDN'T CHEAT ON HER!"

" A set up?" Akira snorted. " Don't be absurd."

" It's the truth, Otou-san! It was Kameko's doing." Mori said quickly. " She used that girl and the night of the Ball in order to break Hima and I up."

Akira narrowed his eyes angrily.

" You have to believe me, why would I want anyone but Hima? Especially after everything I have done to get her away from Yoru and Kameko."

" Possible guilty conscious?"

" What?"

" Don't play innocent, Takashi." Akira sighed. " You felt guilty. About everything she had been experiencing while you and Mitsukuni played around at your little club. Letting all those girls flirt with you for hours on-"

" I HAVE NEVER CHEATED ON HER!"

" It's true, Oji-san." Honey said as he came around the corner. " Takashi never cheated on Hime-chan! Kameko set him up."

" Mitsukuni-"

" I'm not trying to cover up for him, Oji-san. I swear! That girl who cornered Takashi is friends with Kameko and they set everything up to break Hime-chan and Takashi!" Mitsukuni said as he pulled his out his cell. He quickly pulled up Kameko's social media and located the girl in her friends list.

" See, Oji-san! Kameko wanted the engagement called off so that she could swoop in on Takashi! She took a picture of that girl kissing Takashi and plastered it everywhere in order to hurt Hime-chan!"

" Takashi, if you had not been a member of that club then you would never-"

" Onee-chan, please sit down!"

Satoshi's voice wrung out suddenly causing the men in the hall to hurdle towards the room.

" Hima, what are you doing!" Mori said as he saw his fiancée attempting to vacate the bed and his brother attempting to gently prevent her.

" Onee-chan, please stop! Your legs are to weak for you t-"

" A-Answer me, Takashi!" Himawari snapped, interrupting Satoshi who's face was filled with concern. The cardiac monitor that Himawari was connected to was going haywire.

" Hima, please-"

" I said answer me!" Himawari snapped, her violet eyes narrowing onto him. " Tell me why!"

" It's not what you think, I swear." Mori said gently placing his hands around her waist. I want to tell you, Hima. I swear I will, but you need to get your strength back.

" Don't forget Hime-chan, Takashi did try to explain everything to you for weeks!" Honey said firmly.

" Mitsukuni!" Akira said quickly.

" But you wouldn't even let him speak to you!" Honey continued. " You even ran from him rather than talking about it. Now you want to demand the truth from him?"

" Mitsukuni-kun…" Satoshi said as he observed the displeased look on his cousin's face.

" Hime-chan, Takashi has been here every single day to take care of you. He has been so worried about you and has been blaming himself for not being able to protect you!"

" That's enough, Mitsukuni." Mori said as he saw tears starting to form in his fiancée's eyes.

" If you had just listened to him earlier, then maybe-"

" ENOUGH!" Mori snapped causing Himawari to jump.

" Takashi-"

" Enough Mitsukuni." Mori said with his head hanging low. " She doesn't need anymore-"

" Takashi, just show her." Akira sighed in exhaustion, running a hand through his hair. " The more you delay this to protect her, the more upset she's going to be."

" I-"

" Show me what?"

" I must insist that Haga-san get back into bed, Akira-san." The doctor snapped. " If this conversation must happen, then it can resume once she is properly situated!"

" Himawari-dear, the doctor is correct. You haven't moved in quite some time and so your muscles are weak. Please, let's get you back into bed, then you and Takashi can discuss everything."

" Please Onee-chan!" Satoshi pleaded, his grey eyes round with concern.

The reality of everything hit Himawari all at once. Of just how true Honey's words really were.

She had no right to demand answers from Mori when she had avoided him for so long.

Avoided his desperate attempts to speak to her.

What is wrong with me? She thought in horror, the tears finally beginning to fall. Why am I such a-

A warm callused hand brushed against her cheek.

" Let's get you back into bed, Hima." Mori's low voice whispered into her ear. His hot breath sending shivers throughout her.

" Takashi-" Himawari broke off when she felt his warm lips press against her cheek before he lifted her effortlessly into his arms. " EEP!"

" Young man, be careful! She still has the NG tube in!" The doctor snapped as Mori set her lightly into the bed.

Mori ignored the doctor as he started arranging the pillows behind her to make her more comfortable.

This only seemed to upset Himawari more and her tears turned to sobs.

Why am I so horrible? She thought weakly. Why is he still so kind to me when I've been horrible to him?

" Nee-chan, please don't cry."

" Hima," Mori said cupping her cheek lightly. " Stop crying. You have a right to be angry, especially after everything."

" Takashi-"

" She was just in a coma for almost a month because of someone else's wrong doings, Mitsukuni. She has every right to be upset."

" But not at y-"

" That's enough, Mitsukuni." Mori said, brushing the tears from Himawari's cheek with his thumbs. " I would like to speak with Himawari privately."

" Takashi-"

" That sounds appropriate, Mitsukuni." Akira said calmly, placing a hand firmly on Honey and Satoshi's shoulders. " This is really something that should be discussed between the two of them."

" But-"

" Let's get some air, boys." Akira said, cutting Satoshi off as he guiding the two out of the room. He shot the medical staff a glaring look causing them to hurriedly vacate the room.

An awkward silence fell over the room once Akira clicked the door closed behind him.

" Hima…love, please stop crying." Mori said wiping the tears from her cheek. " Mitsukuni shouldn't have said what he did to you."

" H-He wasn't wr-wrong." Himawari hiccuped.

Mori didn't respond, he only took a cold pack and placed it against her swollen cheeks.

" H-How long h-has I-"

" Almost a month," Mori said calmly, placing the cold pack onto her other cheek. " Yoru tried to keep you from coming to the ER but your father granted emergency custody to mine."

" P-PAPA!" Himawari gasped, surging forward and causing the cardiac monitor to go off. " HOW IS HE! IS HE ALRIGHT? WHO HAS BEEN-"

" He is fine, love." Mori said placing her gently backwards. " He's at a care facility to help him regain his strength."

" He-"

" He wants you to focus on you. He said that it was time for you to take care of yourself." Mori said, placing his forehead comfortingly against her own.

" Yoru-"

" Is in jail pending trial."

" Jail?" Himawari gasped.

" Your father filed a statement that she had been poisoning him over the past few years and she was arrested on the spot. Come to find out, that the poison that had been affecting him was the same that was in the tea you drank."

" She really poisoned Papa?"

" Evidence shows it."

" But how did Papa get well enough to testify?"

" My father."

" I don't understand." Himawari said.

" Do you remember the night he drove you home from our study session?"

" The night when we argued-"

" About wanting you to move in." Mori confirmed, stroking her cheek lightly. " My father had demanded to see yours upon arrival. He said when he saw him, he suspected something was going on.

" He decided to take a sample of your father's meal and run it through Kyoya's family's lab. There they found trace amounts of poison and from there, they were able to develop an antidote."

" But how was he able to give it to Papa?" Her face paling at the thought of her father being poisoned.

" Shion." Mori stated bluntly.

The image of the stern matron flashed into Himawari's mind. " Shion?"

" Her loyalty to your father is unwavering. Once she found out that his illness was due to poison she agreed full heartedly to provide him with the antidote."

" Why would she believe Akira-san?"

" Otou-san said that Shion had always been suspicious of Yoru and her intentions. She knew that Otou-san would never hurt your father, so she agreed to be Otou-san's spy. She began slipping your father the antidote and slipping inside information to Otou-san right under Yoru's nose.

" After a while, your father's health started to improve, Otou-san began to fill your father in on everything that had been transpiring during his illness…especially how you were being treated."

Himawari tensed at his words.

" He didn't tell Papa-"

" Your father knows everything, Hima." Mori said cupping her cheek and stroking it softly. " I told you before, as your father, Inei deserved to know what was happening to you. His words caused tears to form once again in Himawari's eyes. " It is his job as your father to protect you from harm."

Just like as your fiancé it is mine. He thought.

" I didn't want him to worry about me!" Himawari cried. " I just wanted him to get better!"

" He will now, Hima." Mori said as he wiped away her tears. " Now it is time for you to focus on you and your health."

" But-"

" It's your time, Hima. Your father is safe and he is recovering, Yoru and her people can't get to him anymore." Mori said. " You need to focus on getting better so that you can go home and have a normal life with our worrying about what Yoru or Kameko will do to you or your father."

Himawari didn't want to admit it out loud, but when she heard Mori say those words, she felt as is the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders.

" You're allowed to be a normal teenager, Hima." Mori said reassuringly. " Your father will whole heartedly agree with that as well."

She gave a small nod before saying. " What about Kameko?"

" She was banned from the premises after the arrest and so she has been staying with her birth father's family ever since."

Himawari flinched at the news.

From what she had heard, Yoru's ex was bad news. A member of the underworld, he was said to be vicious and cruel.

He would make those who annoyed him disappear forever with just a single word.

" Don't worry, they won't be able to touch you, Hima." Mori said.

" How do y-"

" I just do." Mori smiled as he brought the palm of her hand to his lips causing a flush to appear in her cheeks.

He didn't want to let her know just how many of the hidden Morinozuka bodyguards were keeping watch over her. She would only fuss and tell him that she didn't need any of it.

However, both he and his father agreed that as the wife to be of the future head of the Morinozuka family, she required nothing less than their very best.

" Um…Takashi…about the-"

" I'm sorry about what happened the night of the ball, Hima." Mori said quietly, his grey eyes locked onto her violet ones. " I should have suspected Kameko was up to something."

" What does Kameko have to do with anything?"

" Everything that happened that night…she's the one who set it all up."