Chapter 14 - Sakura

Kaiyo awoke the early the next morning. He tried to stand but fell back to the ground. He looked to where his left arm had been. He touched the bandaged shoulder with his good hand, but pulled it back as a sharp pain surged through him. Kaiyo pulled himself up over to the wall, leaning himself up against it. He saw the small digital clock on the wall; it was about five o'clock in the morning. He looked around, Sakura and Neya were still asleep. It was then that the memories of the previous night began to return to him, of his fight with the Yakoshi Isei, and how little he could do against him. Kaiyo looked to his remaining arm, it was covered in dried blood, and his clothes were ripped and stained. He reached for the sheathed sword a few feet away. He slowly managed to push himself to his feet. It was still quite dark in the room, the lights had all been smashed in the fight. The only light that could be seen was shining through the blinds along the back wall. Kaiyo stepped forward, he stumbled a little. His legs still hurt. He slowly managed to limp over to the window, turning opening them slowly and letting the light flood into the room. The rising sun glowed as it reflected off of the water along the horizon. Kaiyo slowly opened the window, letting the cool ocean breeze in. The sea air filled the room. Kaiyo watched the seagulls as they flew out in the distance. This was probably the most peaceful moment he had had in what seemed like ages. It had been less than two weeks, but it seemed like more, since that day in the alley, walking home with Sakura and Kenske. Kaiyo slowly climbed out the window, sitting onto the windowsill. He couldn't help thinking that all of this was his fault, after all, he was the one who let Kazuma live, he was the one that Yakoshi had come for. He hated himself for what he was. He couldn't stand it, he was the enemy. "Does it still hurt? We gave you some pain killers to help," a soft voice said from behind him. He turned to see Sakura, standing behind him.
"You're awake," Kaiyo said, "and to tell the truth, it's feeling better."
"Well that's good," Sakura answered. She walked over to him. Kaiyo looked at her, her clothes were covered in blood.
"Did you get hurt?" asked Kaiyo, pointing to the blood.
"No, to tell the truth, this is from us trying to bandage your wound," she answered. Kaiyo looked at her relieved.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"For what?" she asked.
"For you having to go through all of this," he answered. Sakura shook her head.
"You have nothing to apologize for, actually I should be saying that to you," Sakura said, "After all, you really have had to take care of me," she continued, "I can't even fight, I just have to rely on you and the others." She looked out the window, "I'm just so sorry that you always have to think about me while fighting," she said.
"No," Kaiyo answered, "You were the one who save me last night," Kaiyo said.
"Well, Jun actually did the treatment," Sakura answered.
"That's not what I mean, i mean in the actual battle, you helped me, if it weren't for you getting involved, I probably would have died," he continued.
"I didn't really-" Sakura started.
"Yes you did, and I thank you for it," Kaiyo said.
"Thank you Kaiyo," Sakura said, smiling. Kaiyo smiled back, he slowly pulled himself back into the room. Sakura helped him close the window. They began to walk back from the window, suddenly, Kaiyo cringed, pulling to his knees and grabbing his right shoulder. Sakura knelt down beside him, putting her hand on his shoulder, "Are you all right?" she asked quickly.
"I'm ok," Kaiyo answered, he turned to look to Sakura. Their faces met only inches apart. They both blushed and pulled away, Sakura put her hands behind her back.
"Good," she said. She looked awkwardly back at him. Kaiyo smiled a little, still blushing.
"Thanks," he said.
"It's just, you always end up hurt, I want to be able to help, but I can't," Sakura said.
"You do more than you think," Kaiyo said, " Just the fact that you're here helps me. Even when you found out what I was, you didn't even care. That means more to me than any battle or wound," Kaiyo said. He leaned over and embraced her. Sakura looked a little surprised at first, but then smiled.
"Well, you don't have to worry about that, because I'm staying right here," Sakura said. Kaiyo sat back up. Sakura looked back to him, still blushing a little.
"Thank you," he said.
"Now let's bet you back over there, we still have a few more hours of rest," Sakura said. Kaiyo nodded. Sakura grabbed his arm and pulled it over her shoulder, pulling him to his feet and over to the wall. She slowly helped him back to the ground to rest against the wall. She sat down next to him, placing her head on his good shoulder. "We should rest now," Sakura said.
"All right," Kaiyo agreed. Sakura closer her eyes, still resting on his shoulder. Kaiyo smiled again before he laid his head back and fell asleep again.