The Duchess {OHSHC}

Chapter 6

I woke up feeling numb.

Wiggling my fingers and my toes, I realized that I couldn't feel them. I didn't even know if they were moving or not.

When the numbness passed a little, I noticed that the sheets over me did not feel as comfortable on my body as I would have liked, and I'm pretty sure I was no longer wearing the kimono Ritsu gave me.

Also, I was tired.

Hmm... Should I open my eyes now?

After a little debate in my head, I decided it was probably for the best, simultaneously hoping that this wouldn't be another Somalia incident where I open my eyes and- hey, would you look at all the guns in my face!

I sighed and slowly pried my lids open.

Lucky for me, there weren't any angry Somalian mercenaries pointing AK-47 rifles in my face, unsatisfied with the merchandise I had supplied them with. Ah, the memories... I was a rambunctious twelve year old, wasn't I?

What I was faced with though, was a cozy medium sized room. The walls were painted a warm beige color and a window streamed in sunlight from the outside, warming the room to a comfortable temperature. The floors were nicely polished hardwood and the bed I was lying in was a king sized, mahogany four-post model with all the technology of a hospital bed built in.

My eyes trailed up to the IV and the heart monitor and I let them rest there a few moments before sighing and looking around once more. It was probably because of the medication I had been put on, but I was actually very surprised that the room hadn't been burned to ashes. That's what had happened the last time I leapt alone...

How old was I at the time? Five? Six? Oh, I don't remember...

A groan from the far side of the room away from the bed had my eyes darting to its owner.

I hadn't noticed before, but there were three couches and an armchair that matched the bed pushed off to one side of the room, surrounding a small wooden coffee table.

The more western style of the room soothed me slightly and the only indication I had of my still being in Japan was the specked teen sitting in the armchair haphazardly, his normally well combed raven hair ruffled and casual clothing seeming to have been tossed on at a moment's notice. He even missed some of the buttons on his shirt.

He let out a groan again and sat forward, resting one arm on his knee and massaging the back of his neck with the other.

Not bad.

He rolled his head around his neck, then rolled his shoulders, his thin tan shirt giving a veiled look at what lied beneath.

Not bad at all.

"Have you been here all night, mommy dearest?" I questioned with amusement in my voice at his nickname.

The teen jumped in shock and I chuckled. "No need to be frightened, Mr Ootori. As you can see I'm currently incapacitated."

Kyoya exhaled deeply and ran his slender fingers through his messy hair before replying. "Yes, I have, as well as Kasanoda and that servant of his, Tetsuya."

My eyes widened at that and I did a visual sweep of the room once more.

"Ritsu? Where is he? Is he hurt?" I asked rapidly, my emotions getting the better of me. I stopped and took a deep breath, closing my eyes.

'Emotions are the enemy.' My mother's words rang in my head. 'Let them get to you and you're as good as dead.'

I exhaled deeply and opened my eyes once more, regaining my composure. "Has my darling Ritsu been injured?" I asked calmly.