A hard thing to say

[Gyoro and Ururun]

Sairou appeared outside the door to Auron's house. He left Hiro at home; Ciara still needed to heal. He also needed to make sure this fellow was alright to protect Ciara.

He knocked on the door, being careful with his cursed hands; they had been hurting more recently. They were bandaged though.

[Jess]

Auron went to the door, wondering who was visiting. It was early afternoon; but he usually had no visitors. Most of his friends were based in Tera - such was the life of a travelling writer.

Opening the door cautiously, he smiled at the stranger. "Hello...may I help you?" he asked politely. He had a faint suspicion this was the friend Ciara talked so much about; even though this man was not smiling, he could imagine him doing so.

[Sparkling Star]

Ciara was resting on the couch, blanket over her. She had been sleeping a lot and making sure to take it easy and get her strength back. She was fairly awake though now and just staring into space. She was so grateful to Auron and she'd enjoyed getting to be around him again

[Gyoro and Ururun]

Sairou nodded courteously. "I am Sairou Asakura, you may have heard about me from Ciara, I'm like her older brother, and you must be the friend," Sairou said seriously.

[Jess]

"She talks much about you." he nodded, smiling in recognition. "You must be here to check on her; she's resting at the moment in the living room, but she'll be awake soon. Come in?"

[Sparkling Star]

Ciara sat up at the sound of voices and her eyes lit up when she heard Sairou. "Sai...?" she asked

[Gyoro and Ururun]

Sairou nodded in gratitude. "Thank you, I appreciate this, I need to talk to Ciara, and to you as well," Sairou said, walking in with him and ran up to Ciara when he saw her, kneeling next to her, taking her hand.

[Jess]

Auron thought about offering the guy a drink, and Ciara too; but seeing their obviously emotional reunion, he decided to hold back pleasentaries until they had talked. He sat down on one of the armchairs, thinking it was too rude to leave them this soon. If they wanted privacy to talk, he was sure they'd ask.

[Sparkling Star]

Ciara smiled down at Sairou, relieved to see him. She looked much better but then Sairou had not seen her in a state. She was much recovered as well, the scratch just a faded white line on her chest now. "Sairou, how are you?"

[Gyoro and Ururun]

"Truthfully, not so well. I have a lot to explain..." Sairou said.

"First of all, about five hundred years ago...I was cursed. And it affects...affected the people around me. I couldn't have a relationship without it causing them suffering," Sairou murmured.

"And a few days ago...I upset him again and it got worse..." Sairou murmured.

[Sparkling Star]

Ciara's face fell and she looked on the verge of crying. "Oh Sairou!" She said wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tight, worry returned to her face.

[Gyoro and Ururun]

Sairou held her, kissing her cheek. "Don't worry, sweetie," Sairou said. "I have found a cure...the only problem is...it is at the cost of my memories...I met this wishbringer...oohh..." Sairou said, it suddenly dawning on him.

"I'm going to strangle him..." Sairou said.

[Sparkling Star]

Ciara's eyes went wide. "Sairou no! But if you lose your memories, what will you do?"

Her eyes went alarmingly wide at the mention of Shuichi and she brought her hands to her head. "Oh no... oh no.... I-I want to help... can't I give up something?"

[Gyoro and Ururun]

"No, you're not losing anything for me. It'll be fine, triggers will help me get them back, it's not permanent," Sairou said. "You'll just have to bear with me."

[Sparkling Star]

Ciara looked worried but hugged him again stroking his hair. "Okay but once you've taken a few days to adjust, you come find me..." she said. "I'll text you okay? I want to help look after you" Not that Ciara was all that capable

[Gyoro and Ururun]

"Thanks...though I'm probably going to be clinging to Hiro...I don't want it to be awkward for you," Sairou said. "Or painful."

[Sparkling Star]

The mere mention of Hiro made Ciara look away. "Okay" she said.

[Gyoro and Ururun]

Sairou stroked her hair. "Look, I promise no matter what, I still love you," Sairou said. "I doubt I could ever forget the feelings. It's just the memories."

[Sparkling Star]

Ciara nodded though the tears fell. She felt like she was losing her best friend even if it was just for a little while. She tried to be brave though and she nodded again wiping them away and taking a shaky breath.

[Gyoro and Ururun]

Sairou stood slightly before carefully picking her up and sitting down, cradling her in his lap like he had been doing since she was young. "Hey, now, don't cry, my Ciara bunny should never cry," Sairou said.

[Sparkling Star]

Ciara snuggled into him resting her head in his chest taking comfort in the nickname.

[Gyoro and Ururun]

Sairou started singing to her in a quiet voice, the one he would always sing to her.

[Sparkling Star]

Ciara drifted off to sleep, slumping

[Gyoro and Ururun]

Sairou held her securely, almost like he was cradling a baby. She was as precious as a daughter, after all.

He looked up to Auron. "Alright, now we need to chat," Sairou said. "And I apologise in advance for being in anyway an overprotective jackass. She's like a daughter and baby sister to me."

[Jess]

Auron had stayed respectfully quiet as they had talked, looking out of the window for most of it. He felt for the guy so much; and also for Ciara. He'd support Ciara all he could, he decided.

"Okay...what do you want to ask me?" he replied, looking at Sairou.

[Sponsored content]