a heartbreak's tale

chapter two

"What was that!" Lesley gushed, jumping up and down on her bed. Kagura winced as the mattress squeaked with the weight. "I totally saw that! Is something going on between you and Chou! And he isn't that bad looking either!"

Kagura groaned into her pillow. "I don't know," She muttered, her voice muffled by the pillow. Lesley giggled, throwing her own pillow at her roommate. "Well-"

A knock at the door cut her off mid sentence. Lesley glared at the door. "Who is it?" She yelled, irritated by the intrusion.

"It's Hayabusa." The voice responded. The marksman hopped off her bed, darting a glance at Kagura who sat up immediately.

"Well, do you want him in?"

Kagura shook her head violently. "No!" She whisper-shouted. There was too much going on in her head, she definitely doesn't know how she was going to handle acting normal with Hayabusa. Especially not since the night before, when she realized (no thanks to Lesley), that she had a big fat crush on her best friend.

"Kagura's sick." Lesley called out to the door. "I think it's better if you leave to let her rest."

The white-haired mage was impressed by how easily her friend lied. She was just about to promise to get Lesley another one of those tiny potted plants that she loved. That is, until Hayabusa called right back, "I'll just see her for a moment, alright? I want to make sure she's okay."

Eyes widening, Kagura hopped quickly under the covers, turning over to the other side such that her back was facing Hayabusa when he came in. In her haste, she accidentally bumped her forehead against her bed post. She cursed, silently berating herself for being clumsy yet again.

"Alright, make it quick." She heard Lesley say, before the door clicked open. She heard the familiar light footsteps making their way towards her and she held in her breath.

"How sick is she?" Hayabusa asked, his voice full of worry. Kagura's heart clenched as she recognized the tone. It was the very same one that he had when she twisted her ankle when she was 8 years old, and he had to carry her home on his back. He'd spent the next few weeks fussing over her, even after she had completely healed. Kagura managed a tiny smile at the memory.

"Sick enough." Lesley retorted.

The mage almost let out a laugh at her friend's antics. Lesley was really not having any of the assassin's bullshit today. She was really thankful for a friend that really had her back, no matter what - guess she'll get Lesley that potted plant after all.

Kagura held in a breath as she felt a warm touch linger on her forehead. As if relieved that she wasn't having a fever, she heard her best friend let out a soft sigh. Then, the hand moved gently upwards, caressing her hair.

She'd almost leaned into the touch.

She would have, if not for the loud crash of the door being flung open. The hand disappeared immediately, and she suddenly felt cold without the touch.

"Chou!" Kagura heard her friend greet excitedly. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, you mentioned that Kagura wasn't feeling too well, and that she missed breakfast, so I got some food from the canteen for her." The fighter replied. "How is she?"

"She missed breakfast?" Hayabusa cut in before Lesley could reply. Kagura frowned at the unfamiliar edge in his voice. She rolled over, pretending to stifle a yawn - it was impossible to continue to pretend to be asleep any longer, especially not after the loud crash of the door.