Dark out now. Neji is asleep next to Hani. Hani can’t move. There’s something covering Hani. It’s warm. Hani wants to sleep. But then maybe Neji will hit Hani. Hani doesn’t know…Hani’s scared. Scared of Neji. Scared of Grandpa.
Grandpa…? Where’s Grandpa? Grandpa coming back? Going to hit Hani again?
“No, no, no. No!” Lots of sobs. Crying. Neji’s going to hit. Neji’s going to hit lots. Hani’s bad. Bad, bad Hani! No crying!
Neji jerks up.
“No, no! Hani’s sorry! Hani’s sorry! Don’t hit! No hitting! No!”
The warm thing fell off. It’s cold now. Dark, cold. Just like there. It’s just like that place. Neji’s going to hit Hani. No, no! Bad Hani, bad Hani! Stop! Stop crying! Stupid!
Hani stops crying. Something warm is covering Hani. A different warm from before. It feels safe.
Hani looks up. Neji is covering Hani! Two big arms holding Hani tight against Neji. Neji rocks back and forth. Whispering things Hani can’t hear.
Hani doesn’t understand. Hani’s bad! Hani’s crying! Neji is supposed to hit Hani when Hani is bad!
But it’s so warm. So, so warm…
Neji didn’t hit Hani. Neji didn’t hit Hani. Does that mean Neji doesn’t think Hani’s bad? Then why did Grandpa…?
The next thing Hani knew, it was morning. Hani was still in Neji’s arms. Neji was looking down at Hani, running fingers through Hani’s hair. He was making the weird face. A smile. “Good morning, Hani.” He said softly. “How are you feeling?”
Sit up. No sweet stuff here. Hani looks up at Neji.
“Hani’s sorry.”
“You don’t have to be sorry, Hani. It’s okay.” Neji says. “You’re scared. I understand that. I should be sorry for this happening to you.” Neji shifts around until Neji sits with legs crossed.
“Neji…” Hani tried hard to remember how to say it. “Neji…san.”
“No need to be so formal. Neji-kun is fine with me.”
“…kun?”
“You use it to call boys. Although, with you, I’m not so sure…”
“Boy?”
Neji’s face turns into a small frown. “Yes. I am a boy, you know.”
“Oh…Hani’s sorry.”
Neji smiles again. “That’s okay, Hani.”
Hani moves her feet around. Keeps looking at his eyes. Such a pretty color…Hani wants eyes like that someday. Maybe when Hani’s a good girl, Hani will get eyes like that.
