Still Recovering. (Bella)

[Jyo]

Two days after his epic battle against Asiv Jyo lay in his hospital bed with his food tray off to the side with the meal half-eatend and his piercing stare locked on a book in his hands (The Song of Roland) He was rather bored now. On doctors orders he was sto stay in the hospital for a few days while recoverng. Asiv was either in his own room or already out but Jyo suspected the formor of the two possibilities due to the fact Asiv took the most damage during the battle from Jyo's Heaven Blast.

Lene had stopped in a few times and normally took to spending the night next to Jyo. But she was at home now. Jyo chuckled at the thought. Lene was young and had the same interests most childern her age did. But she also was very adept at taking care of herself so he wasn't really concerend. And though heloved her company he was glad for the quiet he now had and the book that Lene had left for him as it was one of his favorites.

Jyo put a bookmark in his place and set the book aside then looked out the window seeing the sun starting to set. School had probably been out for about an hour. Had he been back at #499 and missed a few days he'd be concerned. but here there was Mitsuki and the Pillars. He had nothing to worry about right now and was glad for it.
After being captain for three years knowing that I don't have to be there if something goes wrong is very refreshing. He thought and closed his eyes leaning back wincing slightly at the pain from his injuries as he demended no more painkillers so he could sense when he had recovered enough to be up and about.

His left arm and hand were wrapped completely as it was the channeling point for Asiv's auran in the fight. His chest was also wrapped from Asiv's attacks and what wasn't wrapped showed his old scars from his battles with Rastal at #499. Jyo was clearly injured but also clearly not in any danger anymore.

[Bella]

"Hey there."

Her voice was soft and crisp but a little shy. She still cared for Jyo, had since that first date where he had kissed her up in that tree as they watched the sun set over the park. But he had told her that he didn't want a relationship and torn she was now, but that didn't mean she wasn't worried about him. Having not seen him at school had made her worry it was a little hard to miss him in the halls and when she didn't see him, well she had called Lene who had told her the whole story, as much as she knew anyway.

"I called, and Lene told me you were here. I hope you don't mind, I'll go if you want but I.." she blushed and looked away for a moment. "..I was worried."

She stepped more into the room a tote bag on one arm as she sat it aside on the cart that was holding his food tray. She was wearing jeans and a soft pink sweater today her hair was pulled back into a pony tail with a pink ribbon matching her shirt. She pulled some books and a handheld game console out of her bag.

"Ummm.. well I thought.. you might get bored.. and so I brought you these things. So.. how are you?" she asked softly. Against her will she stepped a little closer to him a hands reach easily if he needed to touch her but she didn't figure he would. No matter how much she wished he would. It was clear in her eyes that she not only cared for him but indeed was worried for him.

[Jyo]

Jyo looked over in surprise seeing Bella walk through the door. To be honest he didn't expect to see her again at all much less right now. he never got to explain his reasons for avoiding a relationship to her so things didn't end well last time they met. Mabey tis time he'd get to tell her everything.

"Hi there." he said with a faint smile though that was due to his condition more than not being happy to see her.
"Figures Lene would tell you where I was. Please go ahead and stay. And don't worry it's not nearly as bad as it seems. in a couple days I'll be out of here. And it desn't matter if the staff like it or not." he said with a small chuckle at the last part.

He gave a smile seeing what she brought. he likely wouldn't play the game system unless it had puzzles but he knew he'd read the books.
"Thanks. I'm on my last book as it is." He said and noticed she was closer to him. He reached out with his left hand still wrapped up as his right was nt working well at the moment. he couldn't actually feel her hand through the wrappings but he still grabbed hers lightly.
"I think I'm okay. I strained myself a bit but I've been through worse." he said then his smile faded.

"Bella. Can I finish what I was going to say last time we talked? I... I do have reasons for all of it. And though it has everything to do with how I feel about you. It might not be in the way you probably think. If you don't want to deal with me after I say my piece. Well I'll understand. But I'd like the chance to explain fully." he said.

[Bella]

Bella felt Jyo's hand take hers and her own hand clasped back. She sighed softly as he asked her if he could continue what he was going to say that day in the courtyard. She sat on the edge of the bed. At least he would be able to use the books for something, like entertainment after she left. She knew that this conversation wasn't going to go anywhere, not anywhere good. She wanted to be with him, and he had led her to belive that was what he wanted to but then he changed his mind.

"Sure.. go ahead." she said softly not letting go of his hand she sat perched on the edge of his bed looking down her blue eyes not meeting his as she just stroked the back of his exposed fingers with her own finger tips.

She would listen. But she knew she probably wouldn't want to hear it. But if he didn't want to be with her she wasn't going to force him she just wished that he hadn't led her on. Kissing her and taking her on dates and things when he didn't want a relationship after all.

[Jyo]

He gave a grateful smile.
"Thanks." he said and took a deep breath wincing once more from it.
"Bella. I have to be honest. I'm actually a bit scared of having any relationship beyond a frined. Everytime I've been attached to someone they have had horrible things happen to them. I don't know why. My best friend in Junior high was killed in the crossfire of a gang war she wasn't even part of. Than Katie was used against me by one of the gangs at #499. Kasumi had been beaten by one of the other students for helping me out. Then there was Sophia who Kazahana would do as he wished to keep me from going against him.' He said thenpasued and shuddered.

"Bella I want to be with you I really do. But I'm terrified you are going to get hurt. I don't know what to do really. I just want you to be safe. it's really ripping me apart. I've never actually been afriad of anything before. At least not to this extent. I got caught in the moment when you manage to crack through every defense I put up around myself. But now.... Now someone is back that I know will target you if he realizes that I have feelings for you. I know its not fair but I just cant let you be another person thats had something horrible happen because of me." he said then sighed and shook his head.

"I'm sorry Bella. That should have been the first thing I said. I never wanted to drive you away last time we met. But I'm being honest. Please belive that. I'm alot of things. Not all of them good. But I'm not a lair." he said.

[Bella]

Jyo began to explain and she listened. Her hand never stopping the soft gentle stroking of his fingers. She felt deeply for him. She couldn't really call it love just yet but she knew that he meant something to her that she had never felt before. But she listened as he told her that all he wanted to do was protect her. She hated that word. Wincing as he said it. That was the story of her life. She was lonely because too many people wanted to protect her. Her father was never home because he was a police officer and wanted to .. protect her. Jyo wouldn't date her because he wanted to protect her. No one wanted to be around her and all she wanted in this world was someone to be there when she got home, or someone she could call or talk to. someone that could make her smile and laugh no matter what and she had thought she had found that in Jyo only to be proven wrong.

"I hate being protected." she whispered softly but wouldn't look at him yet. "That's what everyone wants but no one realizes how much it hurts to be alone. How lonely it is when I come home and no one is ever there. I probably see my father one hour or two a week and he lives with me. But we have different schedules to protect me. I had thought, meeting you.. when you kissed me and held my hand.. and.. almost spent the night that.. you would finally put an end to it all. Allowing me that which I have sought for most. But.. in the end I stand alone still. Protected."

"And what of Lene? Hmm? Is she protected? Are you going to send her away so that even though she cares for you that she'll be safe? If so.. I feel for her then because I know what it's like to be protected yet never loved. I hope, in the least that, you don't put that on Lene. She's so sweet, she deserves every opportunity in this world. I probably shouldn't be here.. it's probably against some sort of protection of yours. I'll just go." she whispered and slid off the bed to leave unless he stopped her. There were tears in her blue eyes as she looked at the door not wanting to leave at all.

[Jyo]

Jyo tightend his grip just enough to let her know he wanted her to stay
"Lene. Nobody knows about her that could do anything to her. She never comes to the school. You do. And thats where he is. Bella this is going to soud slightly extreme. But Rastal WILL torture, Rape or kill you mabey all of it just to get to me and for no other reason but that. He would know what it would do to me. He did it to Katie..... I can't have that happen again. I know this doesn't make much sense but he's the reason. I can't do anything against him. Not like I used to. He doesn't know anything about me out of the school. Thats why Lene is safe Thats the only way I could ever see you is away from there." He said pulling gently.

"Please don't leave just yet. I want this to at least be settled. if you leave it won't be settled and I don't think either of us want that. I don't know how you would handle never being able to even show any sign of how you feel about me in the school. I know I wouldn't like it. But if you can manage that.... Well I'm willing to make things work. It's up to you Bella. Are you going to leave because I don't want you hurt and won't be able to show affection when we meet most of the time. Or are you at least willing to talk about this more and have this work out between us. I'd rather go with the latter of the two." He said giveing her hand a gental squeeze then loosening his grin enough that she wouldn't have any trouble pulling her hand away. Another sign that it was her choice.

[Bella]

Bella closed her eyes as she listened to him. His hand tightening it's grip on her so that she wouldn't leave just yet. She blushed softly as he began to tell her what Rastal would do and what he had done in the past. What Jyo wanted from her and how he did want her but the conditions would be extreme. She wouldn't be able to show him any affection at school. Slowly Bella moved back and sat on the edge of the bed again looking down as she thought about it. He seemed to actually care about her, and that was why he wanted to protect her but she needed something more than protection she was about to go insane if she didn't get any help.

"I"m willing to try. You don't understand. You're the first boyfriend I ever had and it last what.. two days. I feel constantly like I did something wrong despite what you say. And now, you're giving me a bit of hope. School, isn't important to me. I .. need someone to be with me. But.. if I can't see you at school and then.. after school you have Lene so.. we would never have time to be together. Would you have time to be with me? You cannot understand how much it hurts to be alone all the time." she whispered to him.

Finally her eyes rose to look at him tears streaming down her pale cheeks. She did care for him, a great deal but she needed somethiing more. She wanted a relationship and she was willing to give it a try if he would just let her.

[Jyo]

"No Bella You never did anything wrong. I did. It's been like that for a long time. And Lene. I do have to take care of her. but she hates it when I am constantly hovering over her. She's asked me to leave simply because she wants to have some time alone. We can make time. Just not as much as I and I am sure you would like." he said in a relived voice due to the fact she didn't leave.

"And I understand what it's like to be alone. For the last three years before I met Lene I was alone. I only had people standing by my side for their own reasons. never out of friendship. After katie was taken from me By Rastal. Lene and now you have been the only bright spots in my life. And I don't want them going away." He said slight tightening his grip on her hand.
"Bella I want to be with you. Please just understand it isn't going to be easy." he said and his eyes dropped closed for a second and he leaned forward with his hand going limp but quickly regained himself.
"Sorry. Still not at my best." he said smiling weakly. He was straining to stay consious for her. But he still had a ways to go before he was alright again. He would stay awake for her. But as soon as she didn't need him awake he'd be out cold.

[Bella]

She smiled softly as he clenched her hand even tighter. She smiled brighter when he told her that he would make time to come see her and spend time with her. She saw that he needed his sleep and she slid down onto the floor letting his hand go gently as she crossed to the other, less bandaged side of the bed. She smiled as she slid off her shoes and climbed up on the bed with him. Her body lay on it's side to take up the least amount of space.

"I want to try. At least lets give it a chance before we give up. Giving up isn't something that I figured you would do. Don't start now, lets try." she said softly.

She leaned in and gently kissed him placing her lips softly on his for a light and soft kiss. She smiled gently as she pulled away. With him now facing her, his face anyway, she ran her hand through his long red hair softly as she looked into his green eyes.

"Sleep now, Jyo. I will be right here when you wake." she whispered to him. "I promise."

[Jyo]

Jyo nodded and smiled lightly as she decided to lay next to him. he returned the kiss when their lips met.
"True I don;t much care to give up. i'm not going to try though. I'll see to it that things work for us." He said returned the gaze. he nodded at mention of her promising to be there when he woke up and his eye unfocused and closed as his head fell back onto his pillow and he was out but had a small smile on his face.


Four hours later.
Jyo was still sleeping next to Bella but recently he had started maoning and mumbling in his sleep. It was very quiet really and didn't even last for five secinds before his eyes woke up glowing from his Qi. They faded quickly as he realized where he was. The nightmare that had stopped a while back had woken him. He thought it had been over but it didn't and this time the focus had been of Bella instead of Sophia. But he calmed himself. It was only a dream. A bad one for sure but still just a dream. besides when he had it before bothing pertaining to it in any way happened. He came to terms with it being a small thing in the back of his head.
He turned his head to see if Bella was awake or not.

[Bella]

Bella had indeed fallen asleep next to Jyo. Her arms were carefully and possessively wrapped around Jyo's larger right arm. She had slept softly with her head barely on the pillow but more so on Jyo's soft shoulder. She had not slept so peacefully in some time. Jyo's presence offering her something that she had not intended to feel but that he was giving her easily. She was connected with him deeper than she thought but she would keep that to herself for now.

She woke to his soft mumbling and her blue eyes fluttered open in the darkness of the room. She lifted one hand to rub her eyes gently and that was when he woke. She smiled at him her hand softly rubbing up and down his bare arm as he turned to look at her. she blushed softly.

"A girl could get used to this you know. Sleeping beside you." she whispered softly in the darkness reaching up to gently stroke his cheek her eyes still locked on his.

"How did you sleep?"

[Jyo]

He smiled seeing her awake and his left hand came up the back of it brushing her cheek in turn and then his hand flipped over to cup her cheek as he looked at her.
"The same could be said for you. Well at least a guy could get used to it." he said with a small chuckle.
"I slept okay fo the most part. Woke up with a start but it wasn't anything major. Something I wish wouldn't come up but if it means waking up to you then I'm not going to complain." he said keeping the soft smile as he looked at her. He never had anyone to wke up to. Well not like this. the closest he ever had was Sophia when she was by his bed during the same nightmare when i was focused on her and even then it was her hearing his screams from another room and coming in the check up on him. It was different this time and he felt much calmer as well.

[Bella]

Bella let her eyes slide close when Jyo stroked and then cupped her cheek. She smiled softly nuzzling into his touch softly happy that they were back together and now she knew the reason why he had been avoiding her in the beginning. It wasn't that he didn't like her but wanted to protect her. But now everything was just fine and they were together if only outside of school then so be it she wasn't going to fight it.

She blushed softly when he told her that he could get used to sleeping and waking beside her. A smile, large and bright, crossed her now red face as her eyes opened and she looked up into his eyes again. He told her that he had a bad dream and she nodded softly stroking his cheek still as he stroked hers.

"I should like, to wake up beside you more often, Jyo Mashima." she whispered softly. "Do you think.. that is possible?"

She moved closer to him as she set her chin on the crest of his shoulder. Close enough to kiss easily far enough that she could still look into his eyes and see him. She smiled softly as she tucked his red hair behind his ear over and over again comforting him with her soft movements.

[Jyo]

For the first time in a long while Jyo fetl completely relaxed. Even though he was still hurting from his fight he was content with just haveing Bella with him like this and having her stroke his cheek and do the small thing with his hair helped with the relaxing part. He gave a small smile at her question.
"I'm sure we could arrange something for that." He said letting his arm come down and his hand rest on her shoulder still a little sore to do much more than that. But he did lean in and kiss her lightly and let it longer for a bit before leaning back a bit.

He decided to just lay there for a while and not even say anything while looking into her eyes. He wasn't planning on speaking unless she said something needing him to respond after he had answerd her question.