Day 33: Lunch

[tsunagari]

There was a knot in Sai's stomach as he was led back inside to the cafeteria. It was an unfamiliar feeling, and he tried to ignore it. What was it? Was he actually uncomfortable with his decision? He couldn't afford to be. This alliance with Itachi was crucial, and he'd just have to try and make sure the others saw it that way

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[kagurazuki]

It wasn't him. Kagura couldn't come up with any other explanation. Why else would Hatori be so mean and say he didn't even know her? This was more than just a joke, maybe they'd done something to make him forget? But how many people could do that? Especially to Hatori? It didn't make any sense!

Her nurse took her to her seat and set a tray of fried fish and potatoes in front of her. Kagura didn't feel much like eating though. She laid her head down on the table, hoping this was all a bad dream that would eventually go away.

[[Bridget]]

[roger_hug]

Bridget felt better after the game he'd played with Cloud. What a nice guy. Roger tucked safely under one arm, tray held carefully in his hands, the bounty hunter looked around for a place to sit.

Instead, he saw the back of a familiar head and hurried over, worried. Setting his tray down, he bent down, expression concerned. "Miss Sohma?" He would like to sit with her and talk, but he wouldn't pry or intrude.

[kagurazuki]

Kagura looked up when she heard her name and felt a tiny bit better to see a familiar face. She wiped at her eyes with her right hand just in case there were any tearful remnants from last shift before she offered him a little smile. "Oh- ah... Bridget-kun, I'm sorry I didn't even see you there. How... how are you?"

[roger_hug]

"I'm fine. Can Roger and I sit with you?" He lifted one of the bear's arms in a wave. "You look like you could use a few happy faces." Bridget smiled, hoping she would allow them to join her. He was worried about what had happened to her and wanted to ask her about her wounds.

[kagurazuki]

"Mm, of course, that's very kind of you both. Please have a seat," she offered. It felt a little flat when she said it, but she really was grateful for the company. She felt like if she didn't say the words out loud, she'd start to believe the lies herself.

Kagura sighed, "Leon-san said it might be a good idea to try to talk to my cousin, Hatori-san. I... last shift, they took us right past the hallway that goes to his office, so... so I tried to run down that way. When I got to his office, there he was, just... just sitting and drinking his coffee like nothing was wrong. I was so happy to see him. But... but he said he didn't know me. That he'd never met me before." She was quiet for a moment, her right hand balled into a fist at her side as she fought to stay in control. "I really believed that he would help us..."

[roger_hug]

Briudget frowned, thinking about that. "That doesn't sound right," he said, sitting down. "I was thinking about Mr. Hatori, but what if, um," he hesitated, wondering if he was just being stupid.

"What if the doctors are trapped too?" He shrugged. "I mean, I was looking at the board and it looked like you're not the only one that knows a doctor. Wouldn't it be easier to get some nameless person?" Bridget looked down at the bear in his lap. "I know it sounds stupid."

He was well aware that he tried to see the best in everybody, and if that included the docotros of this place? Fine. He would sound stupid.

[kagurazuki]

She considered the idea for a moment, worrying her lower lip, "No, it's... it's a good idea. It means that maybe... maybe it really is Hatori-san, but... he can't leave either? Maybe... maybe he was just trying to protect me... or... or maybe they made him forget." She couldn't be sure, but having some explanation was better than none at all. It was at least a little bit comforting to think that Hatori hadn't been that mean on purpose.

"I guess I just thought... if I talked to Hatori-san, I'd be able to make everything all better. Now I'm not sure what to do anymore."

[roger_hug]

"You keep doingwhat you've been doing, Miss Sohma." Bridget smiled. "You keep being strong and brave and we'll all keep trying to find a way out."

He tried to keep a positive outlook on things, but he couldn't help but falter at what he had to say next. "I'm sorry about last night..."

[kagurazuki]

She sighed. It was really hard to keep doing much at all when it seemed so hopeless, but now it looked like they were the only ones who could get themselves out of this mess. "You're right. I guess we should make some plans for later tonight too."

What Bridget said next though, was a little confusing. "Sorry? Don't be silly Bridget-kun, what are you sorry for?"

[roger_hug]

"You were hurt. I tried to help, but I was useless." Bridget bit his lip. He didn't like admitting weakness like that, but it was important that Kagura understand. "So, I'm sorry for that. For not being able to protect you."

He quickly held up a hand. "I mean, I know you don't need protection, that you're very strong and skilled, but still... I could have done more."

[kagurazuki]

He wanted... to protect her? She thought briefly on the night before, when they'd been attacked by those insects. Hadn't he done the same thing then too? Kagura reached across the table and took Bridget's hand for a moment. "You really... you don't have to be sorry for that. I'll be fine. It was my own fault for not paying attention. Don't beat yourself up about it, alright?"

[roger_hug]

He glanced at Kagura's hand on his, cheeks warming for a moment before he looked up at her and tried a smile. "I know. It's silly. It's just," he shrugged. "I don't like to see my friends get hurt when I can do something about it."

And usually, he could do something about it.

[kagurazuki]

"I think I know what you mean," Kagura admitted as she withdrew her hand. Well, Kyo was an exception, and she didn't always mean to hurt him. It just sort of... happened.

She looked a little embarrassed as she glanced down at her food tray. "You'll think it's silly of me too, but... but I really haven't had many people I wanted to protect either until I came here. Friends I mean..."

[roger_hug]

Bridget looked surprised and slightly sad. He didn't understand how someone like Kagura couldn't have many friends back home.

"Well, now you have me and," he held up the bear slightly. "And Roger. And Miss Winry. I know she's your friend. And, even though I don't know many people here, I know that you've got to have lots of friends here, even if you don't know it."

[kagurazuki]

"Mm, I'm glad I was able to meet Bridget-kun and Roger-san," she gave the boy a little smile. "And the others too." As much as she wanted to go home, it meant leaving all of the people she'd met here behind, didn't it?

"I guess we should probably figure out what we're going to do tonight," she added, not particularly to change the subject, but because it seemed something important to cover. Especially if they were going to go with Winry or the others. "We could pick up where we left off, but I don't want to hold anyone back," she said quietly, "I don't think I'll be much help like this."

[roger_hug]

Bridget tried a smile. "I suppose it's my turn to tell you not to push yourself too much?"

SIghing, he looked down at Roger again. "Well, if we go out, we shouldn't stray too far from the rooms," he said. "That's the only relativly safe place I've noticed and if someone gets hurt again, or if someone makes their wounds worse, it would be a good idea to be able to quickly get back to safety." Bridget shrugged. "That's just my idea though." He never was any good at coming up with plans.