Changing Our Ways (KIRA)

[Lotus]

SAGA GREGORIO

I felt Ash's lips on mine and I kissed him back, but remembering my dad was there I stopped and turned my head away. All my dad did was look at me as he tried to smile. "I'll leave you two alone, shall I? I'll go find mum." I smiled at him and mouthed the words thank you. I watched him walk out of the door and I just kept watching; momentarily forgetting what was going on before that.

I slowly turned my head back around the Ash and smiled a little bit, before I completely lost track again. Wait! What?

[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I smiled at Saga, greatful that her dad had decided to leave us alone. I wanted to be able to talk to Saga and find out how she was feeling and everything else like that. "I'm pleased we're alone..." I said gently.

I stroked Saga's face and moved in to kiss her again. But her eyes seemed empty and lost. I pulled back and stared at her. "Saga? What's wrong? Are you alright?" I asked her worriedly.

[Lotus]

SAGA GREGORIO

My eyes came back into focus again and I looked into his eyes. I didn't like the look I saw in them, I wanted to wipe it all away! I nodded my head slowly and smiled a little, trying to ease his pain.

I lifted my little bandaged hands up to his face and softly stroke my thumb across his lip. It was soothing for me, and he seemed to relax a little bit too. There was a hint of something in his eyes that I wasn't quite sure about, but it seemed a little like excitement. That was confusing...

[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I smiled at Saga. Her touch sent my stomach in a funny flip. But it was a good feeling, I felt safe in that Saga was herself, or she seemed that way. I felt a little excited at her touch, I didn't know why but I did.I looked back at Saga and I tried to believe her that she was alright. I really wanted her to be.

I lent into Saga again, she was so beautiful right there that I just wanted to kiss her again. I stroked her cheek and kissed her again, a little harder then before but I was still cautious of her being hurt.

[Lotus]

SAGA GREGORIO

I smiled as he leant in closer to me. It was nice to know he was close to me and I felt safer; safer than ever. When he kissed me it was a little harder than I remembered it from before, and it literally knocked the breath out of me. If only I wasn't in this state, things might have been different. I managed to kiss him back, if only a little bit but then my train of thought got lost and I wondered what on earth I was doing.

I had stopped kissing him and just stared at him with a confused look. Then suddenly wanting to kiss him I ran my thumb across his lip; seeing the excitement in his eyes, and traced his face with my hand. I wanted him to lean down and just kiss me.

[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I was a little taken up by kissing Saga but soon I realised that something was wrong. I didn't know what to do. I pulled back and looked at Saga, she seemed confused but I didn't know why. I started to worry. But then she was stroking my lips again, just as before and it was like nothing had happened.

I could see that she wanted to me to kiss her again so I obliged again. I didn't mind but I was far more careful this time, something seemed wrong.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I kissed him back and then pulled away. I was a little bored now and I wanted my dad to come back with food. I looked up at Ash and simply smiled, he was lovely for sticking around. He really was, but kissing him all day seemed just a little bit too much for me to bare. Especially after everything that had happened between us and to the both of separately.

[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I looked at Saga. There was something wrong. I pulled further away from her so that I could get a better look at her. Maybe she wasn't feeling too good? I didn't know what was going on though. I knew I'd just have to ask her, but I was worried that I would find out some damage had actually happened. I didn't want that. But I needed to know.

"Saga, are you alright?" I asked slowly.

[Lotus]

I nodded my head and smiled up at him, just as my dad came back in with food in his hands. And a drink, a blessed drink! I pushed myself up slowly, and fairly stiffly until I was sitting, propped up against the pillows on my bed.

I smiled at my dad as I held my hands out and mouthed the words, "Thank you" to him. He was the best ever. Now if there was just peace and quiet and Ash not asking me if I was okay, things we be great. He needed to calm down, I was fine. Just a bang to the head. That was all. Right?

[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I smiled slightly at Saga but I took a step back and away from the bed when her dad came in. I saw her face light up when he approached her. I was worried about her but she was certain that she was alright so I would have to just take a step back and watch her; just to make sure that she actually was.

I nodded my head at her dad and went and sat in one of the chairs by the bed. I had a feeling that he would want to talk to her without me getting in the way. I didn't know if he liked me; I wasn't sure. I wanted him to for Saga's sake but I couldn't know for definite. I glanced anxiously at Saga, I didn't know if I should say anything or not.

[Lotus]

SAGA GREGORIO

I was very happy to have food in my hands again. At least I could eat and drink properly and my life hadn't completely changed. I was a little happier after finishing up everything my dad had brought in for me. I was full and my throat didn't feel as rough when I swallowed or breathed in and out.

I looked over to Ash and smiled and him, and then back to my dad. But then I saw the person glaring at me outside the door. I was screwed.

[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I was content to sit there and watch Saga eat. I was still worried about her, a lot. But at the same time I was relieved that she was eating properly; that was always a good sign. But, as I sat there and watched doubt began to creep into my head. I began to worry not just about Saga's health but how she felt. What if I had rushed things? We were only really starting to become good friends now. What if she only like me like this because she had been feeling vulnerable and when she got better she wouldn't feel the same anymore??

I tried to shake the thoughts from my head but they seemed to be there to stay. for now at least. I decided that I would just have to take it a moment at a time, treasure everyone with Saga and commit them to memory. Just in case they were all that I would have left...

I snapped back to reality when I caught sight of Saga's face. I followed her gaze to look back out the door, there was a person standing in the doorway. It took me a moment because he was a couple of years younger, but I soon recognised him as Ace. I'd seen him and his friends follow Lawson round a few times. I bristled internally.

(OOC: Have i got this right with it being Ace? If not let me know and I'll change it.)

[Lotus]

~~Sage Gregorio

I just stared in his direction as I saw his fists ball up and his face turn into a grimace. What was he going to do now? It scared me to death! My father stood up to great him and I sank back into my pillow as I watch Ash stand up in front of my bed too.

Why, why now...?

[Deleted]

I stared at Ace. What was he doing here? I bristled as I remembered what Saga had said about him. I hated him. I stood up protectively in front of Saga as her dad went to talk to his son. I wasn't going to let him anywhere near Saga if I could help it.

I could feel Saga tensing up. Ace started to come into the room. "what do you want?!" I asked him, glaring.

[Lotus]

I looked around Ash to see Ace trying to push past my dad into the room. I heard Ash trying to protect me, but it would be useless. His words would do the damage if his fists couldn't. I sank back and tried to imagine he wasn't there.

I heard a commotion and saw my dad stumble across the room. "I want to talk to my skank of a sister and why she decided it would be fun to get beaten up. It makes me look bad that she can' bloody well stand up for herself. She might as well of just let those guys choke the life out of her." He grinned his evil little grin and I shuddered. How did he know that...? He words cut right through me and I tried so hard not to cry.

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

I glowered at Ace. I gritted my teeth and bulled my fists. I wasn't going to just stand here and let him say those things to Saga. It wasn't right. I glanced behind me briefly, but it was just enough to see Saga on the brink of tears. That was it for me.

I took a step toward Ace and stared at him. I was bigger than him and I knew I could have taken him in a fight. But not with my arm like it is. But then, Ace didn't need to know that. "Who the hell do you think you are?! Barging in here and insulting her like that?! It's hardly her fault your brutes of friends went and hurt her is it?! In fact, I'd probably say it was your fault! So, don't you dare come in here and start having a go at Saga! She's not a skank! It's not her fault! And I'm more than sure if you were rounded on by a group of five you wouldn't stand a chance either!" I took another step towards him. "And. Don't. You. Dare. Say that she's better off dead else you'll regret it!" I glared at him, I wasn't going to let him anywhere near Saga.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I saw the glare each other down and I was frightened, so frightened. My dad had run out the room to get help. I heard his concerned voice, but no one else seemed to care all too much at the moment.

"I can say what I want. I have a voice of my own. And. I. Know. She'd. Be. Better. Of. Dead. She's useless to everyone. She keeps getting herself beat up. All she cares about is that god damn cat. Well she won't any longer 'cause it's dead." I let out a sob and I felt the roughness of my voice. He was evil, through and through. Jaida!

I heard a groan of pain and a stumble and I looked over in time to see Ash stumbling to the side, grabbing his bad arm and Ace rushing towards me. "You should have died today! You should have let them choke the life out of you." I felt the tears welling over this time and then I felt the fist connecting with my cheek. I cried out.

Why! Why! Why?!

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

I was angry and shocked at what Ace was saying. He'd killed her cat?! I was going to kill him! I could feel the anger building up inside me. I was going to take a swing, their dad had abandoned us, when I heard the sob from behind me. I glanced round to see Saga crying and it was in that moment that Ace got in my bad arm. I cried out and stumbled. I tried to grasp onto the bed as I feel and then i tried to trip Ace up, but it was no good.

He was with Saga in a matter of moments. I heard the sickening sound of a fist hitting flesh and I knew he was hurting her but I couldn't get up. My arm felt like it was burning. But I had to help her. I gritted my teeth and pulled myself. I spun round and stared at Ace,m he had his back to me as he attacked Saga. I summoned all my strength and launched myself at him; taking him down to the floor. I was going to win this fight, even if it killed me. I wold protect Saga.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I felt the warm flow of my blood as it ran down my face. I tried to cover it up but it was no use. I was shaking and I was trying to call out but my voice wouldn't let me. I struggled out of the bed sheets in a state and fell out of the bed. I hit the flood with a thud and from underneath the bed I saw the scene before my eyes of my brother being pummelled by Ash and Ace hitting back.

I couldn't even scream. I scrambled to my feet, with my head spinning, pain causing me to stumble, and I fled the room. I needed to get out of here. Everything was wrong. All wrong!

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

I was vaguely aware of Saga leaving the room but I wasn't sure. I hit Ace square in the jaw with my first and kneed him in the groin. He thumped me back. I was worried that it Saga had left, she wouldn't have been in good condition at all. But I couldn't focus on that right now, not with Ace on top of him. I tried to roll him under me but he was staying put. Somehow his hands found my throat. "I'll choke you. Then her." he spat at me, tightening his grip. I clawed back at Ace, lifting my leg up to knee him again. But he just granted and kept hold. It was no good, my arm was too weak to fight back. I was going to die. I just hoped Saga had got away and found help.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I ran from the scene behind me. I saw my dad and just stopped. I pointed in the direction of my room and people went rushing. The last thing I saw was the flood shooting up to smack me straight in the face.

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

Things were starting to go black and fuzzy round the edges of my vision. I was struggling to breath, my head was pounding. Ace's hands grew tighter around my throat. I thrashed and tried to hit him. I got a few blows to the back of his head but all they did was weaken his grip for a moment or so. I clawed at his hands and tried to roll over so that I was on top, but his legs were wrapped round mine. I tried to get to his own throat, but I couldn't seem to get a grip. I was certain that I was going to die now. To die at the hands of Saga's evil brother, not in battle like I'd always thought. Before I would have accepted death as part of life, as part of training, as part of being a career. But now, now I didn't want to accept it, because of Saga, because she needed me to protect and look after her. Especially from the guy who was trying to kill me.

My vision had narrowed so I could only see Ace's face and the hate that glowered in his eyes. I was still trying to fight back but I was too weak to do much good. But then I could feel the weight of Ace on top of me weaken. There were other voices, shouting at us. Then Ace's hands were gone, he was off of me. I sat up and gasped for air, clutching at my throat. I could see Saga's dad standing near the door; I couldn't make out what he was thinking. There were men in white coats all around us; several were holding onto Ace as one injected something into his arm. I didn't care anymore.

I looked at their dad. "Saga?" I croaked out, my throat was on fire and I couldn't get the air in quick enough but I had to know.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

I felt someone rolling me over on the cold, hard flood, but my body wouldn't respond. I heard them calling my name, albeit it was very muffled; like someone had their hands over my ears. I felt a strange wetness on my face and the pounding in my head was even worse than before.

There was only pain, and the constant image of someone dying right in front of my eyes. I just couldn't work out who it was. I knew I'd been terrified but I couldn't quite remember why.

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

I tried to sit up but my body ached all over. I pulled myself up, leaning with my back against the hospital bed. I closed my eyes from the pain that coursed through my body.

My throat was saw and raspy. I could barely breathe still. And I was pretty sure that I was bleeding somewhere. But all the doctors were focusing on subdueing Ace; they'd forgotten all about me.

I looked round the room slowly, gritting my teeth at the pain and trying my hardest to breathe. Saga wasn't here and her dad hadn't replied to me. Maybe she'd gotten out before Ace hurt her anymore.

[Lotus]

~~Saga Gregorio

There were so many images in my mind. So many terrible things that my mind didn't want to forget. I wanted them to go! I wanted the pain to go! I wanted to cry out but my voice wouldn't let me! I wanted to scream from the pain, but I couldn't. There were so many things I wanted to do, but I couldn't do them.

I felt the cold hard flood beneath me, become less cold and hard. I felt the warmth of something next to me. I felt hands. Where were they taking me?! WHERE?!