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[dream_departed]

Sakura finds Aya-chan sitting outside her apartment looking ill, her legs dangling over the edge of the stairs. Aya-chan won't go her in her apartment until the Saiyuki poster and manga are in a dumpster behind the Kitten in the House. When she does go in her apartment, she locks the door and won't come out again.

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[x_ginta_x]

Due to time differentiation jet-lag from being in his dimension so often, Ginta thinks that today is Aya's birthday. He comes to her door bearing a very crudely wrapped gift just a few days after she's gone into lock down. Whether the fact that this visit coincides with Aya's seclusion means the youkai has very good or very bad timing is anyone's guess.

He raps loudly at the door. "Aya? Momoe-san said you were in here, is it okay if I come in?"

[dream_departed]

Aya counts backward from twenty, trying to calm herself down enough to sound calm. She doesn't get up from bed or bother raising her voice which comes out sounding tight and higher pitched than usual.

"No. I'm not feeling well." Her voice breaks. "Please go away."

[x_ginta_x]

"Oh?" His brow creases in concern. She certainly sounds odd, though not in the conventional way that sick people do.

"I'm sorry you're not feeling good. Is there anything I can do or get for you while I'm... 'away'?" That request struck him as a bit odd too since Aya of all people would understand wanting to fuss over someone or see if they're okay. True, there were times when being alone made things better but there still seemed to be something a little off about all this.

[dream_departed]

"No. Nothing. I'm sorry."

[x_ginta_x]

The apology at the end is what made him really worry. He considers asking Aya further questions but he doesn't think he'll get very far. He also doesn't want to badger her since she seems upset.

After a few moments more of deliberation he decides to go to Momoe-san. There's not that much more to find out, other than how long this has been going on.

He makes a quick trip back to his world with the intent to beg Hakkaku to look after Shinta and Kai on his own for a while. When he returns he parks himself outside of Aya's door and to the side a bit, making sure not to block it.

"Aya?" he calls over his shoulder from his seated position. "I'll be here if you need me."

[dream_departed]

When the light from the street lamp spills in through the curtains, Aya pads to the door in bare feet. She crouches down.

"Ginta?"

[x_ginta_x]

Ginta had been alternating between watching the people on the street and listening for signs of life from Aya's bed room. He'd take note of the soft padding of her feet, but hadn't really expected her to speak. So when she does he starts before turning around at an almost comical speed.

"Mm? Yes, Aya?"

[dream_departed]

Aya makes a choked-off sound.

A few moments later, she opens the door a crack.

[x_ginta_x]

He scrambles to his feet and... is not really sure what to do from there. Hugging is usually the answer but does she even want to be touched right now? He reaches out for her shoulders, slowly enough that she can draw away if need be.

[dream_departed]

Aya hasn't bathed (or slept or eaten) in a few days. Her hair is down and badly snarled. She has been laying in bed in the same clothes she was wearing when Nagi told her the news.

Aya dives into his arms. She tries to hide her face in the crook of his neck. She begins muttering incoherent apologies for making him wait.

[x_ginta_x]

She looks thin and drawn enough that he wants to make her march down to the kitchen right now and eat something. Calming her down is the important thing right now. Everything else should be easier to accomplish from there.

"Shh, shh," he soothes while petting her hair (though occassionally hitting the snarls probably detracts greatly from the comforting value of this gesture). "I'm perfectly fine. It was hardly any time at all so don't worry about it. Will you be alright?"

[dream_departed]

Aya goes very still, except for the shivering. She is quiet for a long time.

"I think maybe I need some help."

There is another moment of silence before she asks, "Could you get me Momoe-san?"

[x_ginta_x]

Ginta nods so rapidly he starts to resemble one of those cheap bobbleheads passed out on select days at the ballpark.

"Sure thing, I'll go and get her right now."

He dashes down the stairs in order to fetch Momoe-san. The trip back is considerably slower since, though she is sharp, Momoe-san is no spring chicken. Still, she makes decent time for her age, eventually surmounting the top of the steps. Her usually placid expression has a studious cast to it as she approaches Aya.

[dream_departed]

Aya is hugging her legs. She has her head resting on her knees.

"Thank you, Ginta, Momoe-san.

"Ginta could you leave us alone for a little while?"

[x_ginta_x]

He nods once more.

"You've got it. I'll just, ah," he gestures vaguely behind himself towards the stairs,"I'll be in the kitchen area if anyone needs me." He then begins to retreat towards the stairs.

[dream_departed]

A little over an hour later, Momoe-san enters the kitchen area of Ken's old apartment wearing her usual sphinx smile. She tells him that Aya-chan is ready to see him.

Aya-chan sits at the table in her apartment. She is freshly showered and her hair is combed. She is wearing pajamas with kitties on them. A bowl of chicken broth is in front of her and there is another in front of the seat beside her.