Pretear Fan Fiction ❯ Field Full of Daisies ❯ Big Girls Don�t Cry ( Chapter 14 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

“I know a rose, who when it rains, stays dry. And never once, had I seen, her cry. And when I asked, she would lie. But I knew she kept it inside. But what can I do? Lonely me. A tulip stuck, in a field full of daisies.”

Himeno

Field Full of Daisies- Big Girls Don't Cry

It was a day that came and went, residing as a rather unfortunate memory of an event rather forgotten. An event that made life the crap it is today. It was a day meant for a black dress. A large mortuary packed with people. Faces she didn't recognize seated among the pews. They hadn't seen their dearest relative in so long. Shunned her the day she married that novelist. None had come to her wedding and Kaoru himself had few family members. It was an EXTREMELY small wedding but a happy one. And now, this was an EXTREMELY large funeral. It was as if every family member that had shunned the woman in her choice of marriage had come to see her in her time of death. All bore angry eyes and an expression that said `I told you so'. Whispers of `she should have listened to me and left that man' or `she was too good for him' flooded the ears of the already weeping man. Deppression sank in. Had he really been the cause of death to his beloved wife? She came from a rich family and not once had she been sick since the day she became pregnant with the twins. Kagura's temporary incarceration in the psychiactric ward had apparently been heard by the others because they couldn't stop talking about her. One aunt went out of her way to refer to the little red-head as the devil's child. She, of course, had a strong disliking toward her sister's choice in husband. Himeno cried and cried while Kaoru tried to pull her back. Soft pink hairs spilled over and out of the casket from Himeno's attempts to stay glued to her mother's cold grip. The only words of comfort from her sister were cold and void of emotion. She's dead and your crying won't change anything.

“The demond seed doesn't even have kind words for her own mother's death.”

Kagura turned a side glance to the woman who spoke. She was old with wavy white hair pulled back into a fierce bun. Her eyes narrowed on the child as if she were nothing but an offensive looking smudge on the carpet. “Why'd you even come here you old hag?”

She gasped shortly before turning an angry expression. “This is my daughter's funeral you-you-bratt!”

“What do you care whether she's dead or not. Ya don't like my mom anyway. You're just here to make my dad feel guilty. You didn't care so just leave. All of you! You never showed up when she was alive so what the hell are you doing here NOW!”

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Himeno finally settled herself on the only couch not crowded. But that didn't last long as she was soon pulled into Tetsu's lap. Dancing had been a little embarrassing at first, since Tetsu's interpretation of dancing was something Himeno wasn't used to. It was, overall, fun. Aside from the awkwardness, the few stupid people breaking things, and the occasional argument. Kagura had made it out to sound like some hellhole with danger lurking around every corner. “It's hot in here. I brought you this. And don't worry. It's closed. I didn't want you getting drunk or anything.”

Himeno smiled and took the Sprite bottle he handed her. (Lidia- so I couldn't think of anything else. Do they have sprite there? I know they have McDonalds. Lol. I'm interrupting…) Kagura's wrong, ONCE AGAIN. He is just worried about me. “Thanks.” She opened it and out shot soda. Half of it spilled over into Himeno's lap.

“O crap,” Tetsu sat up a little. “I dropped one of them on the way over here but I thought I gave you the one I didn't. Let's switch-“

“I'm fine really. Just a little wet.”

“You sure?” When she nodded and started drinking it, he sighed. “C'mon, let's go get your dress dried up at least.” He sat up and led her off to the downstairs bathroom that was blocked by a huge line. They stood there for a good ten minutes before Tetsu got frustrated. “Why isn't the line moving?”

“Some idiot's in there pukin' his guts out in the can.”

“Jesu- C'mon,” he grabbed Himeno's hand and led her to the upstairs bathroom. Which was pretty much a relief since she was starting to feel a little tired. All that standing in line was getting to her, if you added the heat in this house and the many people who kept bumping her. She was even a little crept out with the look Kyoko's date gave her when he passed by. Like he was angry at her or something. She would've asked but as soon as the thought came, it left. The bathroom upstairs and down the hall was open They walked in and immediately Himeno sat at the edge of the bathtub. She wasn't feeling too good. A little dizzy. “Don't close the door. The guy that lives here said it locks up sometimes. He didn't get it fixed yet.”

Tetsu was unwinding some toilet tissue for her to wipe her dress with. “I'm not feeling so good anymore. Maybe we should just…go home. I'm /yawn/ sleepy…and my stomach hurts a…lil…” The door slammed shut and Tetsu dropped the tissue to try and open the door. It was locked and he hid his smile from Himeno. He'd asked a friend of his to do him a favor. Make sure no one comes in.

“Crap. We're locked in---“ His sentence was cut short by the thud of Himeno collapsing into the bathtub. He turned around to look at her, smacked her a few times. She was out cold. “That was fast. Finally, I get to have a little fun.”

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“You look like you're having fun. I didn't think you came to things like these,” Sasame laughed.

“I don't.”

“Then why'd you come.”

“Because you came, silly.” Mawata smiled at him, pressing a little closer. It was nice, to have him alone like this. Well not necessarily alone but at least that cheating wench wasn't here. Sasame blushed and tried walking away when the song slowed down but Mawata wrapped two reprimanding arms around his neck. “C'mon, I like this song.”

“Since when?”

“Since now.” Mawata leaned up and rested her lips on Sasame's cheek. “I really do like you, Sasame.”

He blushed again. She…what? Mawata's lips moved and brushed over his and now he was a little wide eyed. And even more surprising, through the crowd, he thought he saw…Kagura. Yes, he knew he saw her. She was staring right at him. Sasame grabbed Mawata by the shoulders and pulled her away. But then rethought it. Why the hell was he pulling Mawata away. Kagura didn't even like him. He didn't like her…right? He shook the thought from his head and pulled Mawata back with a little more force. Screw the family story. If she can make out with other people then so can I. His eyes opened again to see if she was still there, but instead he was greeted with the sight of she and his brother Hayate heading up the stairs. Where are they going? He pulled back from Mawata again and followed, leaving a confused woman behind. She too soon followed after him to the best of her ability in the crowd, to see where he was stalking off to. He looked so thoughtfully angry all of a sudden. And as she took a second look around, she wondered…

Where's Himeno?

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There was cheery laughter coming from inside. Hayate tried to keep himself busy by helping out one of the adults or watching television with one of his younger cousins…and the dog who seemed to fancy watching Lady and the Tramp a little more than the kids. He would have been training but it was too cold out and he was banned from doing it in doors ever since he broke the glass figurine his mother had on the shelf. There was a loud pounding on the door. Hayate looked over into the hall while his Grandmother went to answer it. The door opened and there stood an angry looking Kagura. “Well you have some nerve showing up here you ruffian! After you disappeared during my Kei's birthday-“

“You mean Sasame. I'm right here grandmother.”

“Right, right-“

“Is Hayate here?”

“Don't you cut me off you little,” she made a move to whack Kagura over the head with her cane but Kagura snatched it away before hand.

“I don't have time for this. Move.” She practically pushed their grandmother out of the way to get inside. Kei had to keep the woman on her feet since Kagura tossed the cane a bit farther away from them.

“WHY YOU!”

Hayate cocked an eyebrow at her when she entered the living room. “Since when do you come to visit me. I'm not that desperate for company-“

“I need a ride.”

“Excuse me?”

“I. NEED. A. RIDE. Understand?”

“You going to that party to embarrass your sister aren't you?” Hayate snorted. “Misery loves company I guess. Go home, Kagura.”

“The way I see it, you've got one of two choices. Either you `A' drive me to the fucking party because my sister's in trouble, or I `B' hotwire your mother's car and end up wrapping it around a tree later after speeding.”

“Himeno's in-“

“Car now. Explain later.”

Hayate looked a little skeptical at her for a while but if Himeno really was in trouble and he was wasting time, he'd hate himself later. Hayate let his mother know with a shout up the stairs before he left and the only explanation Kagura gave was I got a phone call. What the hell kind of explanation was that? Then again, she's never really spoken to me in that tone before. Angry irritation, yes. Calm venom `I'll kill you while you're sleeping' tone, no. They pulled up to the party. It was packed and loud. The yard was a mess. Hate to be around for the parents that come home to this. Is that window broken? Kagura opened the door before the car even stopped.

“Just park here and c'mon.” She was power walking toward the house with her hands shoved in her pockets. Hayate following close behind with hidden worry. It was pretty much hard squeezing into the front door to begin with. But when Kagura started punching people out of the way…they pretty much made room. They had hit the living room full dancing people, some that she didn't even recognize as students from Kogo High. But her steps soon paused, then halted completely when she noticed something. Mawata kissing Sasame. It didn't register completely with her at first, and after it did, it didn't really seem to anger her. It's when he looked up at her, square in the eyes, then kissed her back that pissed her off. She barred her teeth and felt sorry for the next person to bump into her.

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Maki had finally grown bored of dancing. What fun were house parties anymore when you could get into clubs. Where you didn't have to worry about underage drinking morons anymore (not unless they had a fake I.D.). And definitely where there was no chance of the cops barging in and raiding the place. Maki winced a little. Had you asked him before, women would have been on that list. Now it was like all he saw was that damned red head. It both annoyed him and soothed him at the same time. Why couldn't she be a quiet timid little girl or a easy one night stand kinda girl. No. He just had to get interested in the little red-headed thirteen year old and he just had to end up liking how she grew up. It was the hair that made him notice her first. Damn it. He'd recruited her with the sole purpose of keeping her around as a back up incase Hanai got too clingy. Now look where he was. Being dragged around by a clingy wench. Not to mention she was talking his ear off. Uh oh, she just asked him a question.Note to self. When you kill her, shoot her in the mouth. Maki grunted in reply and she started off talking again.

Kyoko spotted a red head in the crowd and knew that just had to be her. Kagura actually showed up. Probably with school boy… “C'mon Maki. I wanna dance with you some more.” He grunted again. “Are you listening to me?” She was tugging on his had while standing. In his mind, he put two and two together and frowned.

“Not really in the mood.”

“You want another drink.”

“Not planning on getting drunk tonight. No.”

She whined and tugged at him again. “Pleeeeeease.”

Great. Also whiney. Definitely shooting her in the mouth. Maki resisted for a while longer before dragging his feet back into the living room. But when he saw who they were heading towards, he stopped. What the hell is Kagura doing here? Nevermind that, if I snatch her now I can get of this whiney bitch. He stopped dragging his feet but once again, stopped moving when his target stopped moving. Even Kyoko stopped moving. She had the most shocked expression. However, it soon turned to the smirk that comes with a snicker. Before him was his Kagura watching her bastard blonde kiss another woman. Her expression was well guarded. Too well guarded. She was sad. That bastard's making `my' Kagura sad! Her expression soon shifted to an angry one and she walked off, a little too fast. He did get to catch a glimpse of her punching some guy that bumped into her. Out cold. She still had a great right hook. He didn't know if that was a good thing though. On his way over, he himself had bumped into someone. That didn't sit too well with that someone as that someone was a drunk someone. He turned around, shouted a few things. Maki didn't know. He was just trying to get passed. But he did have to duck the drunk's swing. That swing landed on somebody and that somebody fought that drunk someone and accidental punches were thrown and well, you can see how the riot broke out. The lost Kagura in the crowd.

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Hayate had lost Kagura for a good two minutes so he decided to see if Himeno was alright himself. He saw Goh, who said he didn't know where she disappeared off to. He should have expected as much. Goh was always clueless and really couldn't be counted on with a distraction like Yayoi in front of him. So he stopped a classmate next. Kagura had walked up at about that time. “You seen Sanma Himeno around.”

“That angry chic's sister. Happy Sanma's…” he thought it over and annoyed Kagura at the same time. They were twins. Kagura had been known as Angry Sanma and Himeno Happy Sanma. To those who hadn't bothered to remember their names anyway. “Oh yeah. She was just down here waiting for the downstairs bathroom with that Tetsu guy. You really think she should be here with him. Happy's a cute chic. She don't deserve that loser. Remember what he did to his last girlfriend-“

“Where is she?”

He caught the venom in her tone and cut to the point. “I saw her go up the stairs with the guy like three minutes ago.”

That was all the two needed to hear. They jolted up the stairs, practically forcing people over the railing. Hayate hated himself. If he touches her…No, it was enough that he was trying. Just two seconds alone with him. Once they got up stairs, Kagura kicked open the first door. It was a bedroom with a four people inside.

“You're killin' the mood! Close the door!”

Kagura was too seething angry to listen. She kicked down the second door while Hayate went looking around the third. Kagura kicked open the forth and rather than bust open the fifth, Hayate skipped to the one that he noticed Tetsu's friend standing outside of. “Move.”

“Sorry. Ain't lettin' no one in.”

“You've got two seconds to move out of the damn way.”

Kagura pushed her hand against his head and knocked him unconscious against the bathroom door. “Two seconds is too long.” She kicked the door open and inside was Tetsu with his pants off, boxers on, and Himeno's dress lay sprawled on the oval rug. Thank Kami her underwear were still on. She was passed out in the tub underneath him. When the door had been kicked open Tetsu jerked up to look and I'd be lying if he didn't get a little paler. Which was worse. An angry Kagura, or an angry Hayate. Both looked ready to kill. He decided he'd rather be left in the room with the person who hadn't actually killed before. Too bad that one was the one advancing on him. Hayate cut her off, yanked Tetsu off of Himeno by the hair and out of the tub, and tossed the boy onto the floor. Kagura was going to pounce on his. Instead Hayate was already shoving Himeno into her sisters arms. Needless to say the girl needed to cut back on the fast food. She was heavy. Guess the price you pay with a bottomless pit for a stomach.

“Take her to the car.”

“You take her.”

Tetsu was really pretty much stuck. True, he was going to fight back either or. But they were like two lions fight over who was going to make the kill. Scratch that. Like two cheetahs. Lions work together when they kill and that he didn't want. “Stop worrying about what you're going to do to thecause of your sister's condition and start worrying about what you're going to do to fix it. Take her to the car.”

Kagura looking like she was ready to argue that but decided against it. She carried barely scooped up Himeno's damp dress and tried her best at covering up her sister before hauling her out. Tetsu sighed. “At least the crazy one's gone.”

Hayate glared in Tetsu's direction, away from the broken door. “Just because I stopped her from beating the shit out of you doesn't mean I'm not going to.”

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Kagura hastened her step toward the back door. The riot was getting a little out of hand. When she got to the car she set Himeno along the back seat. When she felt a hand on her shoulder she turned around ready to punch, but stopped when she saw it was Sasame. “What?” she asked, putting her attention back on positioning Himeno correctly on the backseat.

“What happened to her.”

“Nothing that should concern you. Go back and have fun in your…riot.”

Sasame frowned and Mawata finally caught up. “What are you-“ she stopped when she saw Himeno passed out in the car. “O my gosh. What happened to her-“

“You know what. Since you both want to know what happened. You watch her for a minute and if she wakes up, ask her. I'm going back in because I forgot something- what the hell happened to your lip. Mawata's a biter huh?”

Sasame narrowed his eyes at her. “Some random guy punched me on our way out. Didn't see who did it. But no, Mawata was perfect.”

Kagura smiled. “I'm happy for you. Now if you'll watch her for a moment. God forbid you two end up kissing and the poor thing goes missing…again.”

Kagura was already on her way back into the house before either of them thought to speak. They really hadn't been thinking about her. Kagura was on her way up the stairs as Hayate came down. His jaw was a little discolored but nothing too bad. “Where are you going? Where's Himeno?”

“Sasame and Mawata are keeping an eye on her. Through all my craziness, I forgot my ring.”

“…You're worried about your ring?…Now?”

“It'll just be a few seconds. Damn. Worry about your face.” She passed him on the stairs and avoided a thrown chair. Once upstairs she went back to the bathroom. On the floor was an average sized ring with a `K' on it. Silver stood out among the red shag carpet. Tetsu was bloodied and passed out on the floor beside the tub. Hayate had beaten him up pretty badly. Did a sloppy job too. Kagura lifted the boy precariously and dropped him into the tub. He still didn't wake. She turned on the cold water tap and soaked him in it. He jolted into consciousness but not enough jolt to sit up. She turned the tap off and put on her ring. “You awake now?” He looked in her direction with his best attempt at a hard expression. Through all of the bruising anyway. “Good. Now, knowing your kind well enough, I know you're going to press charges right?” He still didn't answer. “Of course you are. And since Hayate did beat the hell out of you. He'd be going to jail. I can't have that happen. Understand?” Again, silence on his part. “See, because if that were to happen. Then I'd still be around. And I know where you live. And as much as I'd love granting you a midnight visit, I'd rather Hayate not get in trouble. Himeno would blame herself ya know. So, if anyone asks, I did it. Do we have an understanding?” Still silence. Kagura reached down and punched him across the face, a red K bruising his cheek. “I can always pull in my side of the beating now I said do we have an understanding?” He nodded as much as he could without hurting his neck. “Good.” She slapped him on the face a few times then smiled. “Really. I think I'm being reasonable. I mean, if I'm left roaming around tomorrow, that's pretty much the last daylight you're ever gonna see. And dead bodies are such a pain. I'll see you tomorrow then. Rather from in an interrogation room than in your bedroom.”

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Kagura got into the passenger seat. “What took you so long?” Hayate complained.

She shrugged. “There was a riot. You think I just skipped on by and out the front door?” That's a good enough excuse. Don't want the bastard to know I did him any favors. He'd probably still be ungrateful. Eh, besides, I don't want their whole family going into an up rise because their dear Hayate got taken by the police. He looked a little pissed but didn't further question her on the subject. “Should we take her to the hospital?”

“Nah. Go home. Wrap her in a few blankets and stick her in front of the fireplace. If she sweats it out she'll be fine.” (Lidia- Note, I don't actually know if that works so don't try it.) Sasame followed them in his car with Mawata, Goh and Yayoi. Once they reached the house, Kagura got out and jammed her hands into her pockets.

“Aren't you going to get her-“

“No. You are. I'm tired.”

“Wha-“

“Hayate, for once, don't argue with me. Just shut up.”

He looked at the red-head who was now disappearing into the house, then a practically naked Himeno in the back seat of his mother's car. Great…He pulled her out of the car and she shivered. So she was just sleeping now. Couldn't blame her though. It was freezing out. She curled up a little more against him and his face burned red. He muttered a few profanities about Kagura and cold weather and walked inside. The fireplace in the den was already going and there were blankets lying on the floor by the leather couch not in front of the fire but no Kagura in sight. He tried setting Himeno down to leave her to her sister but she whimpered and squeezed onto his shirt. Damn.

“Guess you're stayin' the night too.” Hayate jerked his head up at the sound of her voice. Did she have to keep popping up all over the place?

“No. Now come and get her off.”

“It wasn't a question stupid. You are stayin'. If you wake her up trying to get her off…I'm not in the mood for threatening people right now so just use your damn imagination.” She walked back out of the den then up the stairs. The sound of Sanma's voice mixed with hers in mumbles. Then she came back down the stairs and the sound of the door opening and closing was heard. Where was she going this late at night? He snorted and slumped on the floor against the leather couch. He made sure to wrap her in all five blankets, more trying to hide her current state from his eye sight than anything else, then tried going to sleep. He least he felt a little better. She was safe now. That's all that really mattered.

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My head hurts real bad…Himeno opened her eyes a bit. They were half lidded and glazed over and she felt a bit dizzy. Blurry vision. She scrunched up her nose, trying to rid whatever was tickling it from her face. But she felt so…warm. Sweaty even. She opened her eyes, half expecting to be waking from her nap in the bathroom with Tetsu and half knowing that she had no idea where she was. She opened her eyes a little more to the greeting of Hayate's peaceful face hovering over hers. His hair and bangs circled his face and grazed over hers. He was sleeping. The release of his even breath warming her face. What was she doing here with Hayate? She was curled up against him like a small child, wrapped in a binding amount of blankets. The wood in the fireplace was charred and ashes and only the smell of burning lumber was left behind. EEP! Where are my clothes! She tried wiggling out of Hayate's strong hold but only succeeded in accidentally making him slump over lower, inches away from her face. Great, here she was, practically naked in her…den at home…with a GUY. This day couldn't get any more surprising… She turned her face to the side least he slump over more and tried wiggling herself free again. She couldn't believe it. She felt drained. To weak to pull herself free and reduced to wiggling. Awayuki Himeno doesn't wiggle. Then again…Sanma Himeno might. Where's Kagura anyway. Surely she would have beaten Hayate to hell by now. Her continuos wiggling resulted in a groan and a concentrated look from Hayate.

“I'd appreciate it if you'd stop that.”

“I-I-I didn't mean to wake you up.”

His expression softened a little and he opened his eyes to look at her. “So you're alright?” She looked a little confused but nodded anyway. Then he smiled. Rarely had she seen him do so. “Good.”

His eyes really are blue…like the deepest sky. She'd noticed them when she first came here. “What happened?”

He stopped smiling and looked a little angry. She didn't want to do that. She wanted him to smile again. To make her feel safe. Not scare her. “Tetsu happened-“

“Where is he? Is he alright?”

“Not after I got through with him.”

“What'd you do?” Himeno was getting a little angrier out of confusion. What had happened. She'd fallen asleep in a bathroom and woken up here.

He sighed. Was their really a good way to say `your boyfriend tried to take advantage of you'? “I'll explain later. You should probably go take a bath.” Rather let her blunt sister explain. “Can you stand up?”

Himeno got the most irritated look on her face and sat up, ready to run upstairs and find Kagura, but only came crashing back down on Hayate's arm. She was still dizzy. “…damn it.”

“I thought so. Just sleep it off. It's still early.” It had to have been at least eight or nine in the morning. The sun had just risen and snow melted over on the frosted windows. There was a quick worping sound followed by blue and red lights flashing from outside.

“What's that?”

Hayate opened his eyes again and looked toward the window. They looked like cop beams. Tetsu must have called the police on him. Crap…it was worth the beating he got though. Hayate lifted her up and laid her on the couch. “Don't move.” He wanted to say he'd be right back but really…would he? Outside was Kagura sitting, still in the same winter clothed form she was in the day before. Her eyes were closed and her foot pushed back and forth to keep the swing chair going. How long had she been out here? There was a squad car parked outside the house, around this house and both cops were approaching. How did they know he was over here?

“She up?”

“Yeah,” Hayate replied in a rather distracted tone.

“She alright.”

“Seems like it.”

“Good. I need you to do me a favor though.”

“What?”

“Go back inside.” Hayate looked confused for a moment.

One cop climbed the wooden porch stairs while the other waited at the base, both eyeing the serene looking red-head. “You Sanma Kagura?”

Hayate was shocked and now even more confused. What the hell did they want with her…unless she did something when she walked back into the party…That has to be it…

“Yeah. You guys stop at a donut shop on your way here or what? Ya took long enough and I was getting kinda cold out here waiting.”

He narrowed his eyes at her smart attitude. “She's got the ring on,” the other cop pointed out.

“Young man says he got pushed down the stairs and punched by a girl. Among all the other bruising we found a `K' imprinted into the side of his face. Care to explain how it got there?”

Hayate narrowed his eyes on her too, more angry than he was two seconds ago. “Through all my craziness, I forgot my ring...” “What took you so long?” “There was a riot. You think I just skipped on by and out the front door?”

“It's because I did it. Why else would I be waiting out here?”

“Kagura!”

“Alright. Put your hands behind your back wise ass.”

Kagura stood up and gave Hayate a quick glare before returning with her usual expressionless face. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney…” (Lidia- Somebody correct me or is that rights repeated when you're arrested an American thing?) Hayate turned around to see that Himeno had been standing there with the support of the doorframe, wrapped in blankets.

“What's going on Kagura?”

“Go back to sleep,” she ordered over her shoulder before she was guided toward the back seat of the cop car. By then, a few from the Ayanami home had come out just in time to see Kagura being taken off.

“I knew that ruffian would get herself into trouble one day. She couldn't wait until after new years though! Hmph. Sasame boy. You go sit at the police station with the bratt until Sanma gets there. She's out. Can't believe the poor thing's working on the holidays. She MUST have years of vacation time saved up.”

Sasame was hesitant in going, but showered and went anyway. I thought Hayate was going to get arrested since he told me `he' pummled Tetsu.

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Kagura was inside a holding cell when Tetsu stepped outside. He was growing tired of the weird looks the cops kept giving him. However, once outside, he immediately regretted it. The feel of sharp, cold, stainless steel pressed on his neck. “What the-“

“What in the WORLD do you think you're doing?”

He recognized the voice. “Maki?”

“Yes moron.” Maki spun him around up against the wall and put the blade away. “You've got Kagura in a holding cell. What for?”

“She asked for it…in the literal sense.”

“She didn't touch you-“

“I know but…it's complicated. Point is, she didn't want Hayate going so she punched me and told me to send her instead.”

“Well I'm telling you to send him.”

“She said if I did she'd kill me.”

“If you don't I'll kill you!” Then he calmed down. “If all she wants is for Haya-whoever not to go to jail then it's fine but you go in there, drop the charges, and get Kagura out of that holding cell. Just be glad that you're Berserk's brother.”

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Kagura sat…alone…in her holding cell. It was kind of dirty and didn't smell too good. They shoved her into the last one down the hall to avoid having to listen to anymore of her snide remarks. She'd used her one phone call to call Himeno, who was overly hysterical, to tell her that everything was going to be fine and that she'd be home…maybe not today but soon. A soon as they set bail anyway. Wasn't like she didn't have the money to get herself out. She was seated on a wooden plank jutting from the wall, like a bench, with her eyes closed and her mind wandering. To her, she wasn't in a holding cell. To her she was plopped down in the snow, under that tree in that field. Yep…with some sake a few meat buns.

There was a sudden clanking at the metal bars. Kagura popped an eye open to see the same irritated cop that arrested her. “Look alive bratt. You got a visitor.” She was about to ask who it was so she could determine whether she wanted the visit or not when Maki stepped into view. She was a little surprised at first but returned to her former position, eyes closed, but this time fully aware of every move being made around her.

“You mind if I go inside?”

“The other cop pat you down at the door?”

“Yes.”

“Then be my guest.” He unlocked the barred door, slid it open, then locked it again when Maki entered. The cop was on his way back down the hall when another guy, blonde hair, was on his way to the holding cell he just left. The cop snorted something inaudible before speaking. “Another visitor?”

“Another?…yeah.”

“Last cell to the left.” Sasame kept walking, now a little curious. But halted a few inches away when he heard the voices inside.

Maki leaned up against the opposite wall and tilted his head to the side, smirking a little. “What? You not happy to see me?”

Sasame was about to leave. No point in staying here. Her…whatever he is can keep her company until Sanma gets here. However, her reply and irritated tone kept him there.

“Am I ever?”

“O, that's a little mean.”

“Just a little? I'll have to try harder next time. So to what do I owe this visit sir?”

“You know I get irritated when you call me that.”

“Just being polite. Be grateful. Most people are a little more hostile when they're being stalked.”

“Stalk is such a strong word. I prefer frequent visiting-“

“-against the will of the visitor. Get a life, a whore, some booze, and leave me alone.”

“A whore huh? Funny, doesn't seem as flattering an idea anymore.”

“What? Kyoko's no fun anymore?”

He crossed the gap between the two hooked some of her hair in his finger. “She's too easy, doesn't talk back, and she's blonde.”

“You say that like it's a disease. Besides, if my memory serves well, you loved `blondes'.”

“Eh. Ever since I started spending a little too much time with this bratt I used to know, I kinda developed a thing for red-heads. Besides, I like women that play hard to get.”

She smacked his hand away. “Who said I was playing?”

“I really don't care whether you are or not. Now that I know you're alive I got two options. Either kill you for faking dead, or let you come back and thing can go back to the way it was. I'd rather not have to kill you.”

“Because you can't you sissy.”

“I taught you how to fight and you're saying I can't?”

“Students surpass their teachers all the time. Old dogs can't learn new tricks. I'm better than you and you'll know it when I slit your damn throat.”

“You haven't changed any. You're still arrogant.”

“And you're still a male whore.”

“You? Calling me a whore?”

“Is there any reason I shouldn't?”

“You're the one running around that blonde bastard.”

“So you're trying to say I'm a whore?”

“Basically-“

“Because to call me that would mean I'm sleeping around with multiple people when in actuality, I'm not sleeping with anyone.”

“And you still like him? After what he did? I was there. I saw him last night with that other girl while you stood there and watched.”

Sasame stood frozen, leaning against the neighboring cell door. He was wrong and this whole time she hadn't even tried to defend herself. Then he remembered his snide remark. “Stop it Kagura. You're `begging'.” Okay, so maybe she tried to that once. But still, how could you have expected him to listen after what had sounded like a confession.

It was silent inside the cell for a while and he contemplated interrupting but they started talking again. “You're the one that punched him aren't you?”

“Yeah, so. He deserved it. You had that look on your face. You know, when you get sad and act like you don't care.”

“I don't”

“Bull shit. Try passing that on him. I've known you too long.”

“Not long enough if you think what he did and what you did are even in the same league. I would rather have watched you kiss another girl than have you drug and rape me-“

“Kagi?”

“Yes sir?”

There was a loud sigh from inside. “I told you to stop calling me that.”

“I wouldn't have to if you'd go away.” He ran a hand down her cheek and quickly drew it back when she tried to bite it. “Don't touch me!”

“Kami, it's like when I first met you. You tried to bite me. Guess old habits die hard huh?”

“I hate you.”

“Please. Let's be for real. If anything you hate yourself for not being able to hate me. If you really hated me we wouldn't be having this conversation.”

Sasame was a little fed up. He walked out in front of the barred door and both had temporary looks of shock before schooling their features. Maki with a smirk and Kagura expressionless. “Leave her alone.”

Maki's smirk widened a little more and he hooked another strand of hair. “Or you'll what? Reach through the bars and magically stretch your arms over here to strangle me.”

Kagura let out a loud exasperated sigh. “When the hell are visiting hours over!”

“Relax. I told Tetsu to drop the charges. You'll be out of here and home with me in a few minutes.”

Sasame snorted. “Like I'm letting her go with you, rapist psycho.”

“Careful. I could always punch you again.”

“I'd like to see you try.”

Kagura sat through their exchange, imagining that field again. Hell, an alley would be better than this. When their arguing stopped and another voice cut in, she opened an eye. The guard was opening the door. “You're free to go. Apparently the victim don't want to press charges anymore. Just sign out. Kagura took her hat she'd shoved inside her pocket, and covered her head with it. Maki, who preferred her hair not smothered by the thing, winced.

“That hat's ugly. Why are you wearing it?”

“Your mother gave it to me,” she barked.

“Being childish again.”

Kagura nudged Sasame in front of her and sort of forced him to walk, even though he would rather have argued with Maki some more. Fight him possibly. And that bastard shows his face after what he did. Kagura signed out, ignoring the fact that the two men in the room were staring at each other, when they finally got out of the station, Maki grabbed her arm and tried dragging her towards his car.

“You're seriously not going to try snatching me in front of a police station?” She snatched her arm away only to have him grab onto it with a little more force.

“Watch me.”

Sasame jerked her out of his grasp and pushed her behind him. “I said leave her alone.”

“Back off little boy.”

Kagura sighed. “Will you too give it a break. I'm not in the mood to deal with idiots today.”

“Come here Kagura,” Maki practically demanded.

She yanked Sasame farther away from Maki who only seemed to be getting angrier. “No. Go home. Kyoko's probably wondering where you went.”

“I don't care.”

“She's not your property. You can't have her.” Sasame growled when he took a step closer.

“Says the man keeping her from me. You don't deserve her.”

“And you do?”

Kagura could have laughed had it been an appropriate time to. Since when did she become something another had to deserve? It was weird because she saw herself more as an emotional burden than a help. One of the officers came outside. “Do we have a problem here.”

“He's carrying a concealed weapon,” Kagura pointed. “He just threatened shoot me!”

Maki looked at her, anger written all over his face. True, he did have a weapon but he put it back in the car after threatening Tetsu. “Alright. Hands on the wall. Spread `em.”

“Officer I don't have a-“

“Then you got nothing to hide. Spread `em.”

While Maki was being searched for and concealed weapons, Kagura was dragging Sasame off to his car. By the time the search was done, they were gone. “Damn it…” His phone rang and Maki looked down at it. Over the caller I.D it read Bitch. “Great. What does Kyoko want now?” he shoved the phone back in his pocket. “I'll just say I was out of range. She's stupid enough to believe that.”

That ride in the car was quiet. After all, how do you just spit out that you were wrong? And maybe a little stupid? He sighed. “Listen Kagura-“

“Don't,” she said in almost a yawn.

“But-“

“Don't. I'm tired. I just wanna go…home and go…to slee…p.” Kagura had her head rested against the seat and slumped further down into the cushion. After a while, her breathing evened. She'd stayed awake all last night and was exhausted. He glanced at her for a long while during their stop at a red light and decided to talk to her about it later. After all, it would come up eventually. So would another talk. The one with Mawata. And he wasn't looking forward to either one. He and Mawata getting together had been under a misunderstanding, he only kissed her back because Kagura was watching. There were so many things wrong with that relationship it wasn't funny. Maybe they were better off staying friends. Mawata was a level-headed woman. She'd understand. Sasame had called Sanma and told her nothing was wrong and that he was bringing Kagura home right now and that she could stay at work. Once at the house his mother came bounding over like she'd been waiting the entire time. Had she?

“O thank Kami she's alright. I was worried. Why did they arrest her? Hayate said he did it.”

“I don't really know mom,” he said, then tried shaking her awake. She wouldn't budge.

“What are you doing. Take her up to your room. The poor thing's probably shocked into exhaustion. I'll make her some soup and maybe a little tea for when she wakes.”

Shocked…right. His mother was being a little blind to the darker aspects of this girl's personality but if his mother thought of her as the poor thing, who was he to ruin that? “Alright.” He turned off the heater and shut off the motor before carrying her into the house. Himeno and Hayate were already inside. The tulip looked as healthy as ever. The dizziness must have worn off between her fits of hysteria. The moment Sasame walked through the door most conversation died. Kagura, because of the way she slept and the cold making her pale, looked little more than dead in his arms. Shin and Hajime ran out of Himeno's lap and toward Sasame.

“She alright?”

Shin shook her hanging hand. “Kagura-nee?”

“She's just sleeping.” Sasame went up the stairs and they followed. Even the dog, who had bitten her, followed. Probably because it was more following Shin than anything else. After he set her down, he scooted everyone, dog and all, out of the room.

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Kagura woke to a familiar…yet unfamiliar scent. Not that it stank. Quite the contrary. She snuggled to the sheets and that's when she realized, this wasn't her bed. Too comfortable to be my bed. She opened her eyes to the greeting of beef and broccoli stew with green tea. Now she KNEW she wasn't at home. “Ayanami's cooking, I'm in Sasame's room.” She was assured when looking around. She just had to fall asleep. There was more talk going on downstairs. Not as cheery but still as busy. She was going to dread going down there. Maybe I can just climb out the window and…damn…Sasame's an asshole…he took my shoes. She scanned the floor to see if maybe she'd just missed them but nope. No doubt he'd hidden them on purpose. They weren't even under the bed. She sighed and slumped over onto the floor. Perfect…Walking in the snow in socks was out of the question. How did her life get so fucked up so fast? Was it when she let Himeno go to that party with Tetsu? Was it the day she ran into Maki at that dance Himeno just had to go to? The time she didn't decapitate Tetsu when she first heard the two were dating? The time she let her guard down with Sasame? When she moved here? When she decided to follow Hanai and Koriko and got forced into the Saints? Or…yeah…this was it…when her mom died. She'd cried forever. Right before the funeral. That's why she wasn't seated with everyone else. She'd locked herself in the bathroom and actually cried. She wasn't going to let anyone see her do it though. She definitely didn't want Himeno to see. She was supposed to take care of Himeno now, when Kaoru wasn't around, and seeing your protector cry didn't always make you feel safe, you know? If they're falling apart how the hell are they supposed to watch out for you? With the way I'm going…life expectancy's probably at…after graduation…if I can hide that long anyway… Kagura was irritated, having to run the back of her hand over her eyes because she was crying now. NOW of all times. Was it knowing she was going to die or knowing she wasn't going to die soon enough? Heh…probably both. If I'm lucky some act of Kami will strike me dead right here, right now…(sigh) but I'm not…and it ain't…GREAT…just great…She kicked a small rubber ball across the room that probably belonged to the dog. That's when she could hear someone climbing the stairs and quickly jumped under the covers and turned away from the door to fake asleep. She heard Sasame come in…then she heard him sigh and close the door behind him. He was quiet a long time and she wondered for a second whether he'd stayed inside the room.

“I know you're awake.”

That answers that question. She didn't budge and he cocked an irritated eyebrow at her.

“I know for a fact that you don't roll over in your sleep, because you sleep like a dead person, so how'd you get like that?” Still no answer from her. “And…I never did put you under the covers. That was stupid of you.”

“Don't call me stupid asshole. Just give me my shoes.”

He ignored her comment. “Did you eat?”

She still didn't face him but held out her hand. “My shoes.”

He crossed his arms and stared at her a long time then sat on the bed not far from her. She asked for the shoes but instead go a warm bowl placed in her hand instead. “Eat.”

For a split second she considered throwing the bowl at him but what would Ayanami think of her chucking her food, cooked out of concern, at her son. Probably not too highly. It was disrespectful and…well…his grandmother was still here. Didn't need to hear her mouth. And…maybe she wasa little hungry. Her stomach growled and despite Sasame's attempts to keep a stern expression, he chuckled. She set the bowl down on the bed and rolled back over. “I said I ain't hungry.”

“I think the whole neighborhood heard just how hungry you are so stop acting so difficult.”

She snatched the bowl over, there were a few slurping sounds, like a dog eating out of it's dish, then she returned it, empty and spotless. He was surprised at first but sighed and shook his head. Himeno eats faster.

“I ate now give me my shoes.” Kagura kept her back to him. She'd gotten so used telling herself that crying was a bad thing that it would have been highly embarrassing, and maybe a little disgraceful, if anyone saw her crying now.

It was quiet a long time before Sasame said anything. “We have to talk-“

“We don't have to do shit. Talking is what Mawata's for now remember? I ain't gotta do nuthin' but leave, live, and die. I can't start though until you give me my shoes.”

“Kagura-“

“Shoes.”

“Ka-“

“Shoes-“

“Will you shut UP! For once just shut…up.” He'd shouted at her and hadn't really regretted doing it. She was acting like a child and, frankly, deserved to be shouted at. “I said we so we're going to talk damn it. You know what? Scratch that. I'm going to talk and you're going to listen. Got it?” She was silent and he wondered if she was even listening at all. “Kagura?”

“What? Am I supposed to be talking now?”

Sasame slapped a hand over his face and dragged it down, restraining from calling her a smart-ass. “Look…I'm sorry, alright…I…didn't know…that he was the who…uh…you know-“

“You can go ahead and say it you know. It's more annoying when you skate around it.”

“Kagura.”

“Okay. I'm listening now your highness.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “I should have…” he sighed. “Listened first. I was just angry because it was like…you just said it like that and I didn't know…To me it sounded…different…and I guess you did that on purpose since it was Mawata… but you could have told me that was him. You keep so many things to yourself. It's like…I don't know what's going to end up happening to you one day and that, along with a lot of things you do, irritates the hell out of me.” It was quiet again…for an incredibly long time and it was a bit awkward in the room. Or maybe it just seemed like a long time. It could have been five minutes for all he knew. Point is, she didn't say anything. “You can say something now.” What she said next pretty much pissed him off.

“I ate…I listened…and now I want my shoes.” She reached out her hand again and he slapped it away.

“Look for your own damn shoes.”

She sat up, still with her back to him. “Fuck it. I'll just go out in the snow. In my socks.” She got up and walked toward his window and Sasame snorted.

She's just being difficult. She's not actually stupid enough to jump out the damn--- what the hell! She actually jumped and the only evidence that he wasn't seeing things was the crunch of snow outside when she hit the floor. He ran toward the window to look and saw her, on her butt, in the snow. “Are you crazy! You'll get sick!”

He's been shouting a lot lately. “I slipped. And it wouldn't have happened if you'd just given me my damn shoes!” She was on the floor sulking with her arms crossed. Pitiful. Fine. She wants to act like a child then I'll treat her like one. He looked around the room until he spotted it. The belt. He snatched that up, and her shoes out of the coat closet, then stomped down the stairs.

Hayate looked up to see his angry brother was the source of all that noise, coming down the stairs like he had lead feet. “I take it Kagura woke up? She doing alright?”

“For now.” He jerked on his boots. That's when Hayate noticed him carrying Kagura's shoes and a belt.

“Uh…what's wrong with you?” He stood in the doorway and grumbled something about Kami, the family story, someone sending him the devil, then slamming the door shut with the last words `pretear princess of sound my ass'. Guess it was safe to say he was angry. Wonder what she did this time…

Sasame came around the corner a little more angry than before. “Just hold your hands out and shut up. You had it com-…ing…Why are you crying?”

She was quick to rub her face and frowned at him. “I'm not crying. Babies cry. I got snow in my eyes when I fell.”

“…You're shaking.”

“I'm shivering. It's cold outside if you haven't noticed.”

Smart ass has an excuse for everything doesn't she? “Right. And the snow made your eyes red.” He walked over and scooped her up out of the snow, leaving the belt and her shoes outside for the time being.

She didn't know her eyes were red. Dammit…”You know how the air's so polluted, how do you think the snow's going to turn out? I probably have some air-born disease irritating my eyes. Because you wouldn't give me my shoes. PUT ME DOWN! I can walk myself.”

“Stop being such a cry baby. If you fell hard enough to cry about it then there's got to be something wrong.”

“I've fallen from higher than your damn window.”

“Than what is it?” She was quiet for a long time and he got a bit worried. What? Kagura had nothing to say? “Did that blue-haired bastard do anything to you before I got there-“

“Please. In public? In a police station for that matter? He's not that stupid. Blind and self-centered maybe-“

“You don't sound like you're angry when you say that. It worries me.” He got to Sanma's porch and set her down on the swing chair before searching around for where Sanma put the spare key.

“I'm not angry.” He stopped his search and looked at her like she was crazy. “What? Is it that hard to believe?”

“He raped you. And you're not angry!”

“I'm tired of being angry. I'm not anything when it comes right down to it. I already have enough to deal with like the new fact that he's breathing down my neck with my sister around. That I am angry about.”

Sasame found the key under the welcome-mat. “It wasn't here before.”

“I move it every two weeks.” Sasame looked at her a long time again. It was like she expected that bastard to show up and find it. Rather than asking if she could walk, he picked her up again and carried her in, kicking the door shut. “I'll get you some hot water.”

“Don't bother. The abrupt change in body temperature isn't good for you. Just let my feet stop freezing on their own.”

“But-“

“It was your fault. You should have given me my shoes. So this time you shut up.”

He growled at her now. “If you weren't acting like such a child you wouldn't have slipped. Don't blame me-“

“Well I'm fine now so get out.” If he hates me…he won't care if I die. It'll be better like this. “I wish I never moved here. ADOC was better than this. All you are is extra stress that I really don't need right now.” There was a small voice in the back of her head saying `yes you do.' Shut up. “I mean it's bad enough you're my neighbor. I have to see your face all the time.” `Not like you mind' Didn't I say shut up? “I'm tired of you bothering me. I want you to leave me alone!”`No you don't' “Go stick your nose in Mawata's business! I hate you!” `Stop lying' “I HATE YOU!” `You're going to make him go away stupid. I'mgoing to hate you'

“You don't mean that-“

“To hell if I don't! Get out! I don't want to see you anymore. I want everything to go back to the way it was when you were just that annoying smiley bastard next door. Or better yet. Pretend like you don't know me.” She was stopped to the sound of the front door slamming shut. Just as quickly as the sound came, it went. The entire house was eerily quiet. Even that annoying voice in her head finally shut up. Though, the thought that she was talking to herself also creeped her out. She laid back against the arm rest and draped an arm over her eyes. This is better…quiet. Just me…by myself…how I like it… She was still crying and cursing herself for it. If thinking to yourself sounded was creepy than how weird was it, telling yourself to `shut the fuck up'. Silent crying soon turned into sniffling. Sniffling soon turned into to hiccups and soon, she was bawling. Strangled crying. Making her fore arm damp with tears. “I h-h-ate hi-i-m.” She kept repeating it like she was trying to convince herself. And though she hadn't known, Sasame was outside, sitting on the porch swing, listening to her. Head ducked and hands gripping onto his ears. He hadn't just heard that. She hadn't just said that. When she started crying rather loudly he looked up. Why was she crying now?

He reached for the doorknob. “I HATE YOU!” Sasame yanked his hand back. She'd sounded angry enough…No, she didn't mean that. Make her stop crying…He reached for it again.“Pretend like you don't know me.” And again he yanked it back. And he'd stood there doing that for who knows how long while he just listened to her cry. This is stupid. He finally opened the door and her crying almost immediately died down.

“Who is it?” The way she asked sounded a bit like she was half crying it. There was a loud yelping sound, like a wounded dog, that came after she asked and he rushed in now. She was seated on the floor rubbing her foot. Both were red from the ankles down. The blood had rushed into them too fast. They were probably stinging and too sore to walk on yet. When Kagura saw him come down the entrance hall, the rose went from surprised, to angry. “I thought I told you to leave me alone. Or are you too stupid to comprehend alone.” Her voice was strained and her smart mouth did little to hide the fact that she was stopping herself from crying anymore. But her red cheeks and eyes didn't help. He started toward her and she kept shouting at him. “Get away from me!” He got on his knees before her and pulled her into a hug when she tried crawling away again. “Let go!” She was struggling, punching at him and crying now at the same time. “Don't touch me! I said let go!” That next punch connected with his stomach and that had actually hurt. Sasame squeezed her tighter in an attempt to get her to stop.

“I'm sorry. I really am-“

“Save it for your new girlfriend-“

“It was a mistake! Alright? I was just with her because I was angry at you.” She stopped hitting him but kept crying. Sasame just kept repeating that he was sorry.

“………you don't hate me?…For not saying anything…”

“I couldn't,” he said with a faint smile. “I mean, you may not have made the best choices in life but it's not like you killed anybody.”

Kagura froze for a few seconds. Would he leave if she said she had? Could she even really remember how many? He didn't need to know. Not now. I don't want him to leave. I…love him…She grabbed onto his shirt and mumbled out what had made her cry in the first place. “I want my mom.”

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Himeno sat out on the wooden back loft, shoes dangling and barely touching the snow. She was a little worried but Sasame was up there with Kagura. She didn't really think that was a good thing considering the fact that they're having an altercation now but Ayanami wouldn't let her go upstairs. “She'll be fine honey. Now go get some cocoa. Play with the children or something. It's `you' I was more worried about.” She cringed at that last part. Had she been awake, she could visualize a real hate for him. But she'd been passed out with the memory of Tetsu being kind enough to try and get her out of the bathroom. She wanted to know what he did before but Hayate kept skirting around it. He hadn't told her to begin with because Kagura was around. Truth or no truth, he thought she'd be hawking around them long enough for Tetsu to get bored. Then when they left, he just couldn't say it. Not when she looked so happy. Besides, Sasame was there. He knew not to leave her alone with the guy…or at least he though he knew. Thinking about it now, he was still a little angry at his brother. Himeno noticed Hayate standing in the glass doorway to the loft. She smiled and turned back around. He just stood there a long time before actually coming over to sit beside her. “It's cold out. You'll get sick.”

“I won't be out here long…”

“…You're thinking about it again aren't you, tulip head.”

His attempt to distract her with anger didn't work. She just set her cup down beside her and nodded. “Tell me. What happened to Tetsu's last girlfriend.”

He snorted. “I told you. It's not important.”

Himeno frowned. “Fine.” She was about to get up but he grabbed her hand and pulled her back down. “Wait…alright…” He grumbled something then snatched his hand away. “I only heard about it but there was this one party that this girl…I forgot her name. Her and Tetsu were making out up stairs after he just gave her a drink. She passed out and Tetsu raped her, then left her there. There were these guys passing by and they saw her there passed out and took advantage too. After the party was over the guy who's house it was found her there the next morning naked. He'd taken her and left her in the back wood, then reported a girl lying there. He didn't want to get in trouble and have to explain how a drunk passed out girl ended up in the house. Anyway…she confronted Tetsu about it the next day and he just ignored her, acted like she wasn't there. She found out she was pregnant by kami knows who and she moved.”

Himeno looked wide-eyed surprised and slowly shook her head. “Who'd do something like that?”

“I just told you who so be happy it didn't happen to you. The guy guarding the door was probably just waiting for his turn.”

“Guarding the door?” Hayate looked like he was about to say something but waved it off. Needless information for an already frazzled brain. “But…how'd you two even know to…”

“Dunno really. Kagura just showed up at the door asking for a ride. Sounded really pissed too.”

Himeno decided not to ask how Kagura found out. Her sister half existed in a world all to her own. There was no point in asking about it when she wouldn't get an answer. “Then…I'm glad…you- guys came.”

“No problem. I was worried really. I beat the hell out if him for it too.”

“Which reminds me. You're supposed to be icing your jaw so the swelling goes down.”

Hayate moved his face away when she tried to finger his wound. It was slightly discolored but nothing serious. “That girly punch didn't even hurt.”

“Looks like it hurt.”

“Well it didn't.”

“Hayate-“

“What now?”

“…Thanks. You know. For coming.”

“Huh? I already told you. It wasn't a problem. You really are dense tulip-head.”

He brought his fist down on her head but not as hard as Kagura's usual torture, when she saw the need to grind her knuckles into the girl's skull. He was a little more gentle about it. Like he was teasing her. She smiled up at him then leaned her head on his shoulder. The baka blushed and cleared his throat. “Isn't this nice. It's all white outside!”

“Uh…yeah. And cold. We should go in now-“

“Five more minutes…” She sounded a little like she was falling asleep. He'd wait until then and carry her in.

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Mawata had stopped by. Tanaka had driven her after her mother found out about her constant driving in winter weather. Lord forbid anything happen to her. Scratch her perfect car. Mawata had sat in the back of the car without speaking to Tanaka the rest of the drive there, not because she was angry at him, but because she had nothing to say to the man. Maybe that mother's formula he used like holy water on that shiny bald head of his wasn't helping any hair grow. Maybe making it shinier…and balder…but definitely no new hair. Maybe he should just shave himself completely bald. Some women went for that look. Not her for sure. Sasame's flaxen locks were more than enough. Once they got there she'd gone to the Ayanami's and found that he'd went next door. Most likely with Kagura. He'd said he seemed pretty pissed too. She was just glad it wasn't anything to worry about. Sasame was with her now and that's all that mattered. Her father being in her house didn't matter. Though it did bother her how close they were getting in such a short period of time. Mayune's usual insults didn't dampen her day. What happened next though…crushed it. Took her great day and smashed it into pieces. The door was left wide open and loud voices could be heard.

“Don't touch me! I said let go!”

“I'm sorry. I really am-“

“Save it for your new girlfriend-“

“It was a mistake! Alright? I was just with her because I was angry at you.”

Mawata froze. Her foot refusing to step inside. Was that all she was. Sasame's substitute. She's with that criminal and you're here! APOLOGIZING! For what! Her thoughts were so loud in her own mind she wondered if they'd heard it. If, maybe, she'd even said them aloud.

“………you don't hate me?…For not saying anything…”

“I couldn't.”

Obviously not but that was all she needed to hear. He didn't even hate her after she'd kept her mouth shut about cheating with another man. Sasame…She turned around and darted toward the car.

“Back already Miss Mawata? But I thought you came to see-“

“I've done what I came to do. I wish to go home now. I have yet to…spend the holidays with my family. New Years will be here soon.” And that filthy washed up novelist is still there too. Damn her AND her family! I wish she never moved here. I wish she didn't EXIST!