Nine

"Mr. Souma?"

No answer.

"I brought you some lunch."

Again, no answer. Biting back a disappointed sigh, she lightly placed the tray outside his door before heading back to her own quarters.

Mrs. Souma had served as interior designer and companion during the transformation of her bedroom. Once the wandering footsteps became no more and the smell of intoxicating fresh paint diminished, Tooru quietly moved into her new bedroom. It was feminine and delicate with gentle pastels and it felt alive.

However, she had not seen much of Hatori as the week progressed. He appeared to have locked himself up in his study even after the renovation and kept himself out of sight. Mrs. Souma huffed and puffed but his door would not open. Shrugging, she had assured Tooru that he was extremely busy.

Within days after the restoration of the old guestroom, though, her mother-in-law detached herself from Hatori's household once she found Tooru comfortable and at ease; promising her that she would visit again though not as soon as she would like whilst glaring at her son's closed door.

As the house lay quiet and still, Tooru took it upon herself to clean the house and see to other household chores. Fortunately these tasks took most of her time and she enjoyed every minute of it. She took pleasure in viewing the transformation of something dark and dreary become jovial and lively.

After she had completed her task of dusting furniture in the sitting room, she made her way to Hatori's study again…only to find his tray completely gone. She smiled at this for she had grown increasingly worried of his well-being and proceeded to the kitchen.

It was there that she dropped her dusty rags and let out a blood curdling scream. A creature was standing in the corner, enclosed in its shadow as it devoured something that looked oddly like human intestines. Yet, as the creature approached closer to the light she saw an unshaven man with a vacant expression in his hazel eyes.

"M- Mr. Souma!"

He continued to look at her blankly, clutching a bowl of udon in one hand.

"I-I'm so sorry! I thought you were…I mean, I didn't expect you to…well, I just thought that you were in your study!"

Hatori winced at her piercing tone and raised his free hand to silence her.

"There's no need to get excited, Ms. Honda."

"I'm sorry…I just haven't been able to spot you all week and you gave me quite a fright," Tooru stammered, picking up the dusty cloth that she had dropped only moments ago.

Quite? Sighing, Hatori ran his fingers roughly through his unkempt hair. "I apologize, Ms. Honda. I have been quite busy."

"Ah, I see. I was beginning to worry about you. I mean, when your trays were left untouched."

Hatori said nothing as she looked up at him with her large teal eyes. She was worried? What on earth for?

"Well, if you must know, I was a bit preoccupied with my book," he said at last, setting down his empty bowl into the sink.

"Book? Book! Oh! Are you a novelist like Mr. Shigure Souma?" Tooru exclaimed, unaware that she was clasping her hands excitedly over the filthy fabric.

"No," Hatori said cautiously, his brow twitching irritably. "Don't ever compare me to that baboon of a writer with his sick and vulgar fantasies."

"Oh, I-I'm sorry…" Tooru responded carefully, wondering what kind of novels Mr. Shigure constructed.

"Unlike my cousin, I write texts for medical students," Hatori continued, noting her distant expression. "Not very romantic, now is it?"

"I think it's positively wonderful!" Tooru exclaimed dreamily, making Hatori raise a surprised brow. "To think that I have been living with an intelligent man who wrote text books! You know, ever since I was in high school I had always wondered who wrote our text books. They were so large and informative and I had always thought that only someone very wise and clever could write them."

He coughed gruffly after a moment. "I don't think anyone in their right mind would pay much attention to the authors and editors of such books. Anyway, instead of admiring the time and effort I put into composing my texts, students loath them wholeheartedly."

"Ah…but I--"

"Now, if you'll excuse me."

Hatori set off after giving a brief bow to the stammering woman, brushing past her without another word or look. Tooru could hear his office door slam faintly in the distance and then she quietly washed the remainder of his dishes.

"I had no idea that you liked French cuisine. How did you find this place?" asked a very curious, raven haired beauty.

Blushing, Tooru averted her eyes to the floor. "Actually, Hatori took me here once but I never had the chance to enjoy the meal."

"Why not?" Saki inquired with a lifted eyebrow.

"Because I, um, fainted shortly afterwards."

Half choking from the fruit tart that she had inserted in her mouth only seconds before, Saki gulped down the rest of her iced down water. "What! How did that happen?"

Tooru shrugged sheepishly at the remembrance of that fateful incident. "I had neglected a cold. But, Hatori nursed me right away. He is a doctor, you know."

"Yes, so I have been told," Hana managed to say, somewhat shaken by the thought of her friend collapsing. Fortunately, Hatori had been there. "And a family doctor at that, if I remember correctly."

"Not only that, but he writes text books for medical students!" Tooru beamed proudly, surprised by her own enthusiasm.

"What! So are you telling me that your husband makes money off of poor, destitute, poverty-stricken university students?" Hana cried out mockingly.

"Well, ah, that is…"

"I was only joking. Anyway, I was beginning to wonder when you were going to invite me over. Not that you have…" Saki noted, looking around the serene French restaurant.

"I really wanted to," Tooru replied sadly. "But I didn't wish to disturb Mr. Souma's progress. He hasn't slept or eaten this past week and I just wanted to help him out a little, I suppose."

"Are you telling me that he's already working when you guys have only been married for a mere week? Did you even have a honeymoon?"

A honeymoon? Tooru hadn't thought of that. She had been far too busy cleaning up the house and arranging her lessons for her students for the upcoming school year.

"Well, we both have been fairly busy," Tooru answered after a moments thought. "Besides, today he actually came out of his study and ate something." I shouldn't have said that.

"'Actually came out'? So, are you telling me that you haven't seen him for nearly 7 days?"

Yes. "Uh, no…I mean, as in…I was just speaking…figuratively."

Hana looked at her for awhile, her expression unreadable. "Is there something you're not telling me, Tooru?"

Tooru said nothing as she bit her lip. Should she tell her the truth? She disliked the fact that she was living a lie but how could she admit such a thing to her best friend? How could she simply tell her that she had sacrificed her life by marrying a man she hardly knew and loved?

"No…"

Unconvinced, her friend pressed on further. "Are you truly happy? Is he treating you right? You know if he ever lays a hand on you I'll make sure he'll never see the light of day."

Sighing softly, Tooru closed her eyes and nodded. He had never done her harm and had always left her alone in peace. He was a gentleman in every way and yet…was she happy? She knew that answer and she felt ashamed.

"You have to understand, Saki, that Hatori is a very difficult man to understand," Tooru began, looking earnestly at her friend. "He has led a hard life, a dark one that I have no knowledge of. He's secretive and mysterious, but he is also honorable and respectable in every sense. I know his intentions are good…have faith in him."

Hanajima looked at her imploring companion with a look of awe. She had never seen Tooru speak nor act in such a fashion unless she was truly compassionate about a certain subject. She felt, with a slight pang of jealousy, that Tooru had found someone to take care of other than herself. She knew she was being selfish for wanting her old classmate to herself, but she had had her hopes-- her dreams.

"If you say so…"

A smell reached his flaring nostrils as he reached what he sought, a thick decayed smell of rotting flesh left to ripen. He doubled over, clutching his belly as he retched his dinner, his sides heaving by the effort. As he bent low, fear burst in his chest as his heart began to pound fast and his breathing came in quick gulps of air.

Staggering to his feet, he finally looked up at the woman hanging lifelessly from the rope fastened to her slender neck. Tears blurred his eyes as he placed an unsteady hand onto her mud covered feet, wincing at the contact of her icy flesh.

He had pleaded with her-- gave his whole heart to her as he held her in his arms only a few night before. His words, he realized, fell onto empty ears. They had meant nothing to her. He meant nothing to her.

Backing away from the decomposing corpse, he turned away and covered his face in anguish.

And yet as he felt grief, anger, and shame envelop him in its ugliness, he felt a sudden warmth spread about him; comforting him.

Evening was near when Tooru dropped off her friend at her apartment complex, each holding a handful of bags when their window shopping became unsuccessful.

"Thank you for joining me for dinner," the young woman said, bowing.

"Always so polite, Tooru," her friend said warmly as she released her bags and enveloped her in a hug. "Don't forget to put those flowers in those vases and be careful when you walk home from the subway-- the streets have become unsettling this past year."

Tooru nodded, smiling. "Thank you for your concern. Sleep well, I hope to see you again soon."

Once they parted ways, the small brunette made her way up to the station, clutching her bags as she did so. She had enjoyed her evening with Hana and she felt somewhat rejuvenated for being able to see a familiar face for once. She had missed her company and their outings together.

Sighing happily, she had reached her destination with ease as the sun settled itself comfortably onto the earth, giving the sky a vivid orange color. Opening the front door, she unsurprisingly found the house completely dark and quiet. Turning on several lights, she laid her newly purchased items out on the kitchen table-- eagerly opening them as though it was Christmas day.

In one bag she pulled out an exquisitely made vase, lavendar in color though vaguely transparent. As she filled the vase with water, she arranged the white orchids she had purchased at a flower shop, adding a few accents to bring out their beauty. Smiling proudly to herself, she placed her masterpiece on top of the dining room table, nodding her head absently for her good taste in style and color.

She then pulled out two clear identical vases, though they were much smaller in size. They were plain to say the least, yet contemporary. Extracting the newly bloomed lilies from her bag, she again arranged them with skill, adding a few accents here and there.

Finally complete, she brought one of the freshly made vases to her room as she placed it gently on top of her dresser. With it she placed a picture of her deceased mother, admiring the brand new frame that she had also obtained.

Afterwards, she brought the last of her creations into her husband's bedroom, placing it quietly on top of his night stand. It was then that she noticed the soft breathing of slumber. Turning slightly, she saw Hatori-- freshly shaven-- sleeping rather soundly on his bed. Evidently showered, it appeared as though he had lazily climbed onto bed and passed out.

Poor dear, he must have been exhausted, she thought solemnly to herself

Although he was lying flat on his back, his legs were spread wide apart as the bed sheets were tangled around his body. She eventually unraveled his bed covers, detaching them from his body as quietly as she could and placed them over his sleeping form.

As Tooru took her place beside him, she peered over him as she watched his chest rise evenly with each breath he took. His face was slackened by exhaustion though the crease on his forehead never wavered. She thought it unusual that a person could frown so thoroughly in their sleep.

Brushing a strand of hair from his face, she could only wonder what secrets he held within him. Would he ever share them with her? Would she ever gain his trust?

She began to brush his hair with her fingers, oblivious to this fact as more thoughts began to invade her. He had closed himself off from society…but why? She looked at him again, as though seeing him for the first time and a strange thought occurred to her.

I want to heal his sorrow….

As she lost herself in newfound reflections, she failed to notice a pair of light brown eyes with a tinge of gold gazing up at her in utter perplexity.

Yay, here's a quick update! Sorry for the wait yet again but I have been so busy lately. Next chapter will definitely have your long awaited fluff (well, to a certain extent) as our heroine gives our doctor not only ONE surprise, but two!

.Hae-jang Lee.

Trishia - Thank you so much for all your compliments : ) You're too sweet!

Nozomuloverilovecrescentmoom - Oh! Thank you and thank you! Omiai means "arranged marriage" in Japanese. It's a bit unoriginal but I couldn't think of a better titile lol.

N. James - Eee! I'm so glad that I made you happy with my update. Hopefully this one will fulfill your thirst a bit because I am so bad with updating! And thank you so much!

Kitsunedemon - I PROMISE you there will be fluff next chapter! PROMISE! Hee ; ) And thank you!

JennyKim319 - LOL thanks! Hmmm, that doesn't sound like a bad idea ; ) We'll see, hehe.

Takeru Takaishi's Gurl - Yes! And thank you for your concern. Madison and I are doing fabulous right now I can't believe she's already over a month old o.o Time goes by so quickly!

Icognito5 - Claudia! I love your name by the way…it's so pretty and amiable-like, lol. Labour…eh…I don't think I'll ever want to go through that again but it was a rather…interesting…experience, hahaha. Lol, and your comments made me laugh so thank you so much for that!

Akia and Amora ­- I'm so glad they do! Thank you : )

LinBean - Yay! Thank you so much : ) Don't worry, Hatori will warm up to Tooru soon enough ; ) I promise.

Chiisana-inori - Thank you for compliments and your consideration : ) You're so thoughtful!

Hermionemalfoypotterweasley - Thank you!

-Forlorn Sonata- - lol yes, his actions does deal with the contents from Ch. 3...or at least partly. I'll be getting there shortly lol. And thank you!

Mist's Child - Yes, he is so silly! I have seriously been trying to tackle him down so that he can start chillin' lol

Firewindgurl ­- Eep, thank you! Yes, it has been awhile since I've updated so I apologize for my lack up of updates! Lol but don't forget about me! haha

Placid Snowflake - Yay! You act so cute xD…it makes me laugh lol. I hope this chapter will (partly) explain his behavior towards Tooru though I will say that he's a bit uncomfortable with these "strange" feelings for her. Hopefully it will all make sense eventually, lol. Ahhh summer classes for college? That must be tiresome! I wish you luck in school : ) And thank you!

Kasai Ame - Thanks! And I'm also so very glad that the story line is somewhat more realistic than others : )

Elia Black-cat- Oh wow…I didn't know that! Thanks for the info, I should look it up sometime.

Haritori- Ne chingu! Thank you so much! I'm glad you like Hatori's mother…I think someone e-mailed me (or commented) saying that I should stop putting her so much in the story and that I should just concentrate on the couple…but, I love her so much so I can't help it, hehe