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Chapter Seven

Welcome Back

Voice: Hey! Get out of bed you lazy bum!

Hitome quickly sits up and looks around.

Hitome: What?!

Voice: Hey! Get out of bed you lazy bum!

Hitome takes a hammer and smashes the alarm clock.

Hitome: So rude!

Hitome looks at the alarm suddenly with great fear.

Hitome: Ah...AH!!! That's Sabrina's clock!

Sabrina enters the room with her face completely flushed.

Sabrina: Hitome!

Hitome: Oh no! Uh! Here!

Hitome snatches a box from under the bed and hands it to Sabrina. She takes the box as Hitome escapes Sabrina's range. Sabrina opens the box and quickly calms down.

Sabrina: Where did you...how could you...?

Sabrina looks under the top and sees a card. She opens the envelope and reads the card.

Sabrina: My...birthday gift? You remembered it? How much did it all cost?

Hitome: Price isn't a matter. Just enjoy it.

Sabrina pulls an exact mimic of her broken clock and notices jewelry under the clock.

Sabrina: A-an emerald?

Sabrina turns away.

Sabrina: Joey you jerk. Out of all times, today your actually nice.

Hitome: Well thanks a lot...

Hitome walks to Sabrina, takes the necklace out of the box and places it on Sabrina.

Hitome pats Sabrina's shoulder and walks away. Sabrina grabs Hitome's hand and keeps her face turned away from her.

Sabrina: T-thank-you.

Hitome sighs and turns to Sabrina. She then gives a tug of her hand and pulls Sabrina to her. Sabrina looks at Hitome slightly confused as she is embraced.

Hitome: Your welcome. And thanks for watching over me.

Sabrina: (Hugged by him? Am I possibly dreaming? He's always been a jerk to me and now he's nice?! Tsubaki's blood must have really changed him that day...for the better.)

Hitome lets Sabrina go and walks out the room.

Hitome: It's still early. You rest up. You have class in a few hours. I'm still a little weak so I'll be here.

Sabrina: But-

Hitome: Don't worry. I'll be sure to rest. Zerco and Syras are next door and I'll call for help if needed.

Sabrina: Uh...oh alright. I can't keep you from doing anything. Just take it easy for today.

Hitome: You make it seem like I'm still the same prick from a month ago. I've noticed a change also. Now rest up. No more questions.

Sabrina: Alright. I'll rest up a little more than check up on you before class.

Sabrina leaves the room. Hitome sighs and holds her side.

Hitome: Blast you Delta. Hopefully this pain will subside before-

Hitome hears a soft thump.

Hitome: Hmm? Oh that girl. She must be starving by now.

Hitome leaves the room and enters the kitchen.

Voice: Your gonna cook?

Hitome: Yes Tsubaki, I know how to cook.

Tsubaki giggles.

Hitome: How are you feeling?

Tsubaki: Still a little sore but I'll be ok. But let's not worry about that. Let's prepare a menu for everyone.

Hitome: Alrighty. Well hot cakes are always on menu.

Tsubaki: I still haven't a wonder in what is so good about it. It's mainly a mixture of milk and the mix comes in the box that you measure and then heat.

Hitome looks at Tsubaki.

Hitome: It's not store bought if I edit the entire ingredience.

Tsubaki: Adding chocolate or blueberries isn't a big difference. It's still from a store in which you paid for.

Hitome: Shush! They'll know my secret!

Tsubaki: Eh? Who will?

A rather suttle sizzling sound is heard.

Tsubaki: Hey!

Hitome: What? I'm about as hungry as you are and chances are not as hungry as that lost girl. And besides, you've never had my mix so since we share mind and body you'll taste it too.

Tsubaki tilts her head and smiles.

Tsubaki: Alright alright, but don't over stuff yourself.

Hitome places a stack of three hot cakes on a plate.

Tsubaki: Hitome!

Hitome: Its for the other girl Tsubaki. I told you she's hungry too.

Hitome smiles at Tsubaki.

Hitome: Relax. I won't do anything rash.

Tsubaki sighs and continues to watch Hitome cook. Plates stack with food and is wrapped.

Tsubaki: Three plates?

Hitome: Right. Sabrina is here too.

Sabrina: You cooked?

Hitome turns and looks at Sabrina smiling.

Hitome: Yup. Eat up and head to class.

Hitome hands Sabrina a warm plate and takes a second plate with her to the guest room.

Sabrina: Chocolate chip hot cakes? No wonder he's so hyper in the morning.

Hitome: I heard that!

Sabrina: Thank-you!

Hitome giggles and enters the guest room.

Hitome: A-are you awake miss?

The young girl doesn't answer nor move.

Hitome: I hope you're feeling ok. I know you're not sure where you're at but do know you're safe.

Hitome waits for movement or an answer but nothing happens.

Hitome: W-well I'll just leave this plate here for later. Do eat, I hope to see you up and moving soon.

Hitome leaves the room. She stops and looks around the kitchen to see Sabrina's plate empty and in the sink. Tsubaki appears near her.

Tsubaki: You still seem tired. Get some rest and I'll look over things until you awake.

Hitome: It's alright. I'm sure she won't do anything. We can both use the rest and I sense you can't hold that form for too long anyway. Chances are you'd fade after fifteen minutes or half an hour.

Tsubaki looks at Hitome slightly amused and accepts being completely read.

Tsubaki: Alright, let's rest. But I expect you to be up in an hour or so to check things out.

Hitome: Alright. That won't be a problem. But I do want to check something.

Hitome returns to the guest room. The mysterious girl is seen laying in bed. Her head and torso is visible so Hitome can get a clear look at her.

Tsubaki: You came here to look at her?

Hitome smiles and shakes her head.

Hitome: No, I came to get the plate. And make sure she's alright.

Tsubaki: Plate?

Hitome picks up the plate and shows it to Tsubaki.

Tsubaki: I-It's empty?

Hitome: Yup, she's ok. Now we can go. I just wanted to make sure she was ok and ate.

Hitome leaves the room with the plate. She returns with a tray if drinks.

Tsubaki: H...juices? You actually have this many?

Hitome: Yes? I like juice. Um, I have an variety of juices. Apple, cranberry, orange, grape, and raspberry. If you like one more than the others just flip the cup open side down. I'll remember it for next time.

Hitome turns to Tsubaki.

Hitome: Ready?

Tsubaki: Yes.

Hitome and Tsubaki leave the room. Hitome pauses after she closes the door.

Tsubaki: Hmm?

A slight shuffle is heard.

Hitome returns to her room.

Tsubaki: She's shy. Given the impression she didn't move when you were in the room nor attempt to talk back.

Hitome: Or she's scared because she's in a complete strangers home with no clue how to leave.

Tsubaki pauses to retort an answer.

Tsubaki: Well that can be a thought too.

Hitome: Either way at least she's gained the strength to move let alone eat. She didn't look all that good when I found her covered in blood, torn clothing, and bruised by a dumpster.

Tsubaki: I...I didn't know she was that way. I don't quite remember how you found her but I'm glad she's ok now.

Hitome enters her room and lays on the bed. Tsubaki begins to slowly fade.

Tsubaki: Rest easy Hitome.

Hitome: Thanks Tsubski.

Tsubaki fades away. Hitome slowly begins to exhale.

Hitome: I feel a sharp pain. But why now? Feels like my body is being torn into two.

Hitome's breathing begins to accelerate.

Hitome: Alright, I know this isn't good. I...need to make...a call for...help.

Hitome slowly crawls to the phone on the opposite side of her bed. She touches the phone as pain surges through her body. She grunts and slowly enters a fetal position.

Hitome: Not good. Too much pain. Gonna faint.

Hitome slowly begins to black out.

Hitome: I..can't move...heh...I guess this...would be a first...fear in my life.

Hitome completely blacks out. Tsubski appears and looks at Hitome.

Tsubaki: Hitome! Her pupils are completely blank as if she went into shock.

Tsubaki looks at the door and notices the mysterious girl rush over to Hitome. She shakes her a few times as tears slowly roll down her face. Hitome looks at her unconciously.

Hitome: S-Sabrina...p-pain..s-so much p-pain...

She begins searching around the room and grabs another blanket. She covers Hitome and looks at the phone. Tsubaki touches her shoulder.

Tsubaki: It's ok. Hitome's a strong one. Please just rest up. You've done enough.

The mysterious girl looks around confused then gives a worried exhale. She finally leaves the room quietly and returns to her room. Tsubaki drifts near Hitome and slowly begins to fade.

Tsubaki: You must really be hurting...I'm sorry it's not transferring to me as much as yours but I hope it will be all over soon...

Tsunami fades away as Hitome stops moving and grows silent. Hitome loses consciousness. Morning passes and Hitome finally awakens.

Hitome: I-I can move now...and I'm not in pain anymore.

Hitome scoots to the edge of the bed and taps a lump near her. She follows the bulge and outlines a body. Confused Hitome pulls the sheet off the bed.

Hitome: Eh???

The figure sits up.

Hitome: What's going on?!

The figure looks at Hitome and hugs her.

Hitome: T-tsubaki?!

Tsubaki: S-so I'm not dreaming?

Hitome smiles and hugs Tsubaki.

Hitome: Welcome back Tsubaki.

Tsubaki: Glad to be moving again.

Tsubaki pauses a moment. She releases Hitome and looks at a nearby magnet. She holds her hand over the magnet slowly then touches it. She then moves her hand away and giggles.

Hitome: Hmm? Are you ok?

Tsubaki: Yes, I'm alright. More importantly you need to head to class today. I'm sure-

A loud ring interrupts Tsubaki. Hitome answers the phone.

Hitome: H-hitome speaking.

Sabrina: Hitome, are you ok? I came back yesterday to a house that was truely quiet as if you were attacked or harmed.

Hitome: I-I'm fine, no need to worry.

Tsubaki enters the room behind Hitome. Soon water is heard running and cooking.

Sabrina: Tsubaki can touch things now? Is she solid form?

Hitome: It would appear so. We spotted each other this morning.

Sabrina: Interesting, well at least your ok. Are you coming to class today?

Hitome: I wasn't planning to but Tsubaki says I should.

Sabrina: Do you need me to pick you up? Your car is still pretty damaged.

Hitome looks at the car with a flat tire, missing windshield, with traces of blood in the car.

Hitome: Y-yes please, at least till I repair the car.

Sabrina: Alright, I'll be there soon. Go and get dressed. Sabrina out.

The screen fades black. Hitome sighs and walks to Tsubaki. She hands Hitome a plate and smiles.

Hitome: Eh?

Tsubaki: Eat up and head to school.

Hitome looks at the clock, sits down and eats. She then finishes and walks to the door.

Hitome: I'll be back, Tsubaki!

Tsubaki: Alright, have a good day Hitome.

Hitome leaves the apartment. Tsubaki enters the kitchen heavily breathing and sweating.

Tsubaki: What's going on with my body?

.