Eternal Melody



HINO

All he could do was apologize as he held the phone still stained in blood. He didn't know what else he could say. He was half way back to the venue, when he recieved the news. It was a good thing he was still nearby. He managed to catch Sumire being carried into the ambulance, and immediately called Sano to make the arrangements.

"Where are you right now?"

"The hospital." Hino managed to say.

"Then that news report is real."

"I'm sorry Yuhi. I didn't realize Mashima was out--if I did--" Hino stopped mid-sentence.

If he did, he wouldn't have left her alone. Why did he leave her alone? After that discussion with Nakara regarding the Black alice organisation, he should have known better. 

"I'm on my way."

"Yuhi--" Hino started.

"I'm already passing security. I don't care what you say Hino. I'm going to her. I'll be there soon. Just, please make sure to keep her alive."

Hearing the desperation in Yuhi's tone, Hino nodded. 

"I'll send people to get you at the airport--just try to lay low okay?"

With a few more words, Yuhi ended the call and Hino sighed deeply. This isn't good. The news regarding Sumire was released almost too quickly. Even though Shizune called the SF, and not the regular police. It seemed the neighbors, and reporters lurking near the hospital leaked the news. No doubt they will be keeping an eye out on the airport for Yuhi.

If Yuhi doesn't show, it will give the reporters something else to write about. They can say that the relationship really is fake and Yuhi doesn't care. If Yuhi shows up, well they'll still get news. 

Hino was still trembling badly. 'How could I have left her? What was I thinking, I have been so careful this entire time. Why did I let my guard down?' He recalled seeing her pale face and the blood. There was so much blood. When Shizune passed him her phone. He saw that she was trying to type a message to Yuhi.

His thoughts break off hearing approaching footsteps. Hino looked up to see Nakara Shin.

"Where's senbi?"

"Interrogating the man who stabbed her."

"They found him already?" Hino said surprised.

"Mamoru and Senbi were actually on their way to her. They would have stayed with her but Shizune explained how the culprit probably hasn't gotten too far. I'm glad they were sensible enough to chase after the culprit. If not, we wouldn't have found him so fast."

"Shizune?"

"-still with my boss. I'm relieved she thought to call the SF rather than the regular police." Shin trailed off. "The regular police wouldn't have handled the news very well. Some may have even encouraged malicious content."

Hino frowned. "There needs to be a clear up of the police force too."

"We are gradually working on that. But finding out how many people have been bribed, is very difficult."

"Mashima?"

Shin pointed to Sumire's room. "entered the operation room. Normally he wouldn't be allowed in there. But he practically forced Nagawa to let him in."

Of course Sano can't say no. Mashima can be quite aggressive when he wants to be. 

"The kids?"

"Huan tried to use his power but still failed. Sumire protected him when the fan was getting more hostile. The twins were already sleeping. Shizune sensed something was wrong, so she wrapped them both in a barrier before entering the hallway."

At those words Hino sighed deeply. "It was a fan?"

"It was. Sumire was still trying to reason with him despite being stabbed already. Shizune said that it looked like he was going to be convinced but seeing Sumire push Huan away to protect him, made him angrier."

This is going to cause more mental damage. If she makes it through, she will be even more cautious towards others. Hino shuddered at the words if. Yuhi's words echoed in his head. No, she won't die. At the very least, he has to do something.

Hino slipped on a gown and a mask. "I'm going into the operating room. At the very least, I can ease her pain. Yuhi is going to be arriving, can you go to the airport?"

Shin nodded. "The SF, Akagumi and Hyou4 are already working on the case, so I'm just playing messenger right now."

Hino nodded and entered the operating room. From here he could see Sano concentrating, and surprisingly enough Mashima was assisting.

His gaze fell on Hamano who was observing from the corner. "How is it going?"

"Nagawa was panicking way too much, so Mashima stepped in. I didn't even know he had a medical licence."

"He has one as a psychologist. But, I didn't know he was a doctor too."

Atushi sighed. "Well it was chaotic for a while, but it seems the two reached a good balance."

"Is it okay for you to be here?"

"It's fine. Our third in command is a bit of an airhead, but he can lead well. Moreover everyone is really angry." Atushi trailed off. "I'm here, because she has been wounded so much that her powers are trying to break free from her body. I'm keeping her flames at bay."

Hino turned to the ones operating on Sumire alongside Sano and Mashima. All of these people are evolved humans. Sano thought this through at least. It would have become an even more complicated situation. 

A purple coloured glow wrapped around him and he raised his hand towards Sumire, as the light floated in her direction. Sano briefly glanced over and nodded.

"If she is in pain, I can at least decrease it."

"Mashima was doing that earlier too. But because Nagawa panicked, he focused on helping with the operation." Atushi trailed off. "Did you hear it was a fan?"

"Yeah."

"Sumire doesn't have many weaknesses, at least in terms of her fighting style. Whoever thought to use her fan against her is cunning and more dangerous than we thought."

"Do you think it's Lucifer?" Hino asked.

Atushi shakes his head. "Lucifer has only ever targeted her emotionally, never physically. Both Mashima and Nagawa have confirmed that Lucifer's gave the strick order not to harm Sumire."

*Unedited*