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She heard voices far away, but still, she couldn't fully open her eyes, couldn't see properly, everything around her seemed to float just above the surface of reality.
The last thing she could remember was standing before her deranged father, the way his eyes were delighted by her misery, charging with his katana, like she was the enemy - or maybe it had been daggers?
She remembered feeling the cold wind on her skin as the world seemed to be devoured by darkness all at once around her…and nothing after that.
Nothing except the pain.
And now, here she was again. No longer in the dark, no longer surrounded by darkness, but lying on something soft, warm, and very comfortable. As she drifted in and out of consciousness, she thought of other things. There were many others in the room, but they weren't talking, not yet anyway, so when she finally managed to open her eyes again, she saw only one person.
A woman. An elegant woman, with brown hair and pale skin, wearing white robes and holding a cup in front of her, studying it intently.
"Chizuru!" The woman said with a smile, she placed the cup down and leaned over her. " You are finally awake. We have been worried about you."
Still groggy she tried to recall the woman's name but couldn't. It was only a blur of words and sounds that didn't make sense. She felt as though her head had been filled with cotton. Her tongue felt thick. The smile vanished from the friendly face that just spoke to her. " You can hear me, right?" She asked, Chizuru closed her eyes tightly and tried to recall. The woman's face was familiar but couldn't place why. "Y…es." She rasped the word.
The woman placed a hand on her heart before jumping on her feet and calling. " Harada, she is awake." In a second she was out of the room. Her voice grew distant. It was nothing more than a second of peaceful silence, then it was interrupted by running footsteps growing louder, hurrying toward her. Chizuru felt her heart hammer in her chest so hard, she could feel the pulse of it against every inch of skin she possessed. Tears slid down her cheeks nonstop. The wooden door suddenly was fully open, there she saw a tall muscular man with crimson dark hair like blood.
His hand was covering his mouth. He was shaking all over as if he was freezing. " Chizuru, oh my love." He fell on his knees before her and held her hand. " I'm so happy you didn't leave me." He cried out. He leaned over and kissed her pale fingers. " I'm so sorry."
An awkward silence filled the room once again, it was something the man noticed and he stared into her eyes for a second, a million questions floating in his mind, she could see that clearly.
"Chizuru?" He spoke, wiping his tears. " Can you speak?" Chizuru opened her mouth again and gathered up all the strength she could muster at such a moment.
"Who…..are…you?" She asked, each word felt like a chore to speak out. But at least she knew her voice is still there. The question made the man's eyes widen in absolute disbelief.
" What do you mean who am I?" He asked, an awkward chuckle followed. " Are you trying to mess with me? Yeah, I deserved it, I wasn't fast enough to stop the attack."
Attack? Was he there when she stood in front of her father? Who is this man?
The brunette woman stood at the door watching them. She had a horribly concerned expression. " Chizuru, can you say my name?" she asked.
Chizuru moved her lips again, this time it felt easier to do so as if she just remembered how to speak." I don't know!"
" Oh god!" The redhead man whimpered loudly, covering his face with his hands. The brunette woman came in and held his shoulder, urging him to stand and leave the room.
Confused, Chizuru avoided the scene before her and stared at the wall. She heard the door close and then the man was screaming. " It would never be okay."
The scream was so raw it made her heart skip a beat. He must be someone special to her but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember who he was or what's his name. Chizuru closed her eyes again, she was just too tired for all of this. This is too overwhelming.
Slowly, she drifted back to sleep.
…
She awoke again, but this time the room was dimly lit by the lamp next to her. Chizuru tried to move her sore body slightly and then bit her lip so she won't scream from how much it hurts.
" Easy!" The man spoke and she felt his warm arm hold her and help move her to the right.
She heaved for a second before looking at the redhead man sitting next to her futon. His eyes were blank. " I am sorry," Said Chizuru, her voice almost lost its rasp. "I cannot remember you!"
The man shook his head to stop her. " No need to apologize." A slight smile formed on his lips. " I will not give up on you. You are my dream, Chizuru Yukimura. I will always be by your side until you recover."
His words were so warm, it made her heart flutter. She reached with her hand toward him. And the man grabbed her hand and clasped it tightly. For a second, Chizuru felt confused. Why did she do this? It was almost normal for her to do.
Her recovery might be hard, for she felt lost and alone in the middle of strangers. But At least she now knows that this man will support her until she returns to normal. Maybe she will recall who he is along the way.
Or maybe he would be someone she will get to know better, like a guardian angel who will help her get back on her feet and live again. " For some reason, I feel safe with you!" She whispered. The man's eyes softened and he tapped her hand. " I know. Rest, my love."