That night, Hannah tossed and turned in the bed of her new room, wincing every time her body made contact with the sheets. Her bruises and wounds from the kidnapping were still fresh, aching with a dull, relentless throb. Her head pounded, the aftermath of both the physical and emotional strain she'd been under. After what felt like hours of restless discomfort, she sighed in frustration and swung her legs over the edge of the bed, sitting up slowly.

Her muscles protested, but she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep like this. She glanced at the clock on the wall, it was the middle of the night. Not wanting to disturb anyone or ask for help, Hannah decided to get up and find some painkillers on her own. She didn't want to burden anyone, especially after everything Fuyuhiko and the Kuzuryu clan had done to keep her safe.

Quietly, she padded out of her room, careful not to make any noise. The halls were dark, only the soft glow of moonlight seeping through the windows guided her. The manor was eerily silent at this hour, amplifying every soft creak of the floorboards under her feet as she made her way to the kitchen.

Once inside, Hannah took a deep breath, grateful to be away from the memories of her abduction, at least for a moment. She began rummaging through the cabinets, opening them as quietly as possible. The kitchen was well-stocked, but she was having trouble locating the paracetamol. Every movement sent small shocks of pain through her, especially her bandaged ribs, but she kept going, determined not to wake anyone else up.

"Come on..." she whispered to herself, opening yet another drawer. Her hands fumbled through the various boxes and bottles, but nothing seemed right.

She was so focused on her task that she didn't hear the soft footsteps approaching behind her.

"You shouldn't be up."

Hannah jumped, her heart leaping into her throat as she spun around, clutching the edge of the countertop for support. Fuyuhiko stood in the doorway, his arms crossed and his expression a mix of concern and frustration. His hair was slightly disheveled, evidence that she had, in fact, woken him.

"I- uh, I didn't want to bother anyone.." she stammered, trying to catch her breath after being startled. "I just needed some painkillers. I couldn't sleep."

Fuyuhiko let out a sigh, walking toward her with purposeful steps. "You should've called for someone." he said, softer now. "That's what we're here for, you know? You don't need to do everything on your own."

Hannah glanced down, feeling embarrassed. "I just didn't want to be a burden."

Fuyuhiko stopped in front of her, his face softening as he reached into one of the higher cabinets and easily pulled out a box of paracetamol. He placed it on the counter beside her and gave her a look, one that was equal parts stern and compassionate.

"You're not a burden." he said firmly. "Not to me, not to anyone here."

Hannah swallowed the lump in her throat, her eyes flicking up to meet his. She still felt guilty for all the trouble her presence seemed to cause, but Fuyuhiko's words carried a weight that was hard to argue against. She nodded, accepting the paracetamol he offered.

"Thanks.." she mumbled, opening the box and taking out a couple of tablets. She filled a glass with water from the sink, her hands trembling slightly as she downed the pills.

Fuyuhiko stayed close, watching her with a protective intensity. Once she'd finished, he sighed again and ran a hand through his hair. "You should be resting, not sneaking around in the middle of the night."

"I know," Hannah admitted. "I just... didn't want to wake you. You've already done so much."

Fuyuhiko shook his head, stepping a little closer. "Look, you're going through a lot right now. No one expects you to handle this all on your own. It's okay to ask for help, alright?"

Hannah bit her lip, unsure of what to say. His words were kind, but they only made her feel more aware of how out of place she felt in this dangerous world. She wasn't used to relying on others, not in the way Fuyuhiko seemed to expect her to.

After a beat of silence, Fuyuhiko sighed again, the tension in his shoulders softening. "Come on." he said gently, "I'll walk you back to your room."

Hannah blinked, a little surprised at his offer. "You don't have to do that-"

"I know." he interrupted, giving her a small smirk. "But I'm doing it anyway."

Without further argument, Fuyuhiko turned and motioned for her to follow. Despite the lingering pain, Hannah found herself smiling slightly as she trailed behind him. His presence, though gruff at times, had a calming effect on her. He made her feel safer, like she wasn't as alone in all of this as she had thought.

As they walked back through the quiet hallways, Fuyuhiko glanced over his shoulder at her. "Next time, just wake me up, alright? I don't care what time it is."

Hannah hesitated but then nodded. "Alright. I promise."

He nodded in approval, leading her back to her new room, where he lingered by the door as she climbed back into bed.

"Get some rest." he said softly, his voice carrying a warmth she wasn't used to hearing from him. "I'll come check in on you in the morning."

Hannah watched him leave, the door clicking shut softly behind him. As she lay back down, the pain in her body eased slightly from the medication, but it was the comfort of knowing Fuyuhiko was nearby that truly helped her fall back asleep.

~

In the quiet kitchen, Fuyuhiko and Peko were deep in conversation, their voices low as they discussed security measures and the latest updates on the Morioka clan. The tension was palpable, Fuyuhiko's jaw clenched in frustration as he mulled over the recent threats. Peko stood calmly beside him, ever the composed and steady presence, though even she seemed concerned.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and both of them turned to see Hannah standing in the doorway. Fuyuhiko immediately frowned, his eyes narrowing in a mix of worry and frustration.

"What are you doing out of bed?" he asked, his tone sharp but with a hint of concern. "In your condition, you need to be resting."

Hannah, clearly exhausted but resolute, stepped further into the room, her movements slow but deliberate. She was still visibly bruised and bandaged, the remnants of her recent trauma evident in every step she took. But her expression was determined, and the hint of defiance in her eyes made it clear she was tired of being confined to her room.

"I don't want to just stay in my room and hide anymore." she said, her voice quiet but firm. "I can't... I won't just sit there doing nothing, all day."

Peko, who had been quietly observing the exchange, nodded thoughtfully. "A change of scenery would be good for her, young master." she said in her usual calm tone. "Staying isolated might do more harm than good."

Fuyuhiko sighed heavily, rubbing a hand over his face as if weighing his options. He didn't like it, he wanted her resting, recovering, staying away from any potential danger. But he also knew how stubborn she could be, and perhaps Peko was right. Maybe giving her a bit of normalcy would help.

"Fine." he muttered, his tone grudgingly accepting. "But take it easy, alright? Don't push yourself."

Hannah gave a small, grateful nod and slowly made her way to the table, easing herself into one of the chairs. The atmosphere shifted slightly as she joined them, her presence softening the tension in the room. Fuyuhiko watched her carefully, still frowning, but there was something gentler in his gaze now, a protective edge that hadn't left since her kidnapping.

"You sure you're up for this?" he asked, trying to keep his voice casual but unable to hide the worry behind his words. "You look exhausted."

Hannah smiled faintly, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'll be fine. I just... needed to feel like myself again."

Fuyuhiko exchanged a glance with Peko, who nodded in silent understanding. They both knew what she meant. The events of the past couple of days had taken more than just a physical toll on Hannah, it had shaken her sense of security, of control. And in her own way, she was trying to reclaim that.

Peko began to prepare some tea, moving quietly around the kitchen while Fuyuhiko stayed seated, watching Hannah as if trying to gauge how long she'd last before needing to rest again.

"Just don't push yourself too hard." Fuyuhiko said after a pause, his voice softer now. "We've got it handled. You don't have to-"

"I know." Hannah interrupted gently, her eyes meeting his. "But I don't want to feel useless."

There was a flicker of understanding in Fuyuhiko's expression. He nodded slightly, though he didn't say anything more. He knew what it felt like to be sidelined, to feel powerless in the face of things out of your control. In his own way, he respected her for trying to take that power back, even if he wished she would just rest and let him handle everything.

Peko returned with a tray of tea, placing it on the table and pouring a cup for each of them. "We're all doing what we can." she said softly, her eyes flicking between Hannah and Fuyuhiko. "But it's important to take care of yourself too."

Hannah nodded, taking a slow sip of the tea, grateful for the warmth and comfort it brought. Despite her insistence on being up, she couldn't deny how tired she still felt. But at least now, sitting at the table with Fuyuhiko and Peko, she didn't feel so isolated.

Fuyuhiko watched her carefully, his frown softening ever so slightly. "Just... don't do anything stupid, alright?"

Hannah smiled faintly again, nodding. "I'll try not to."

As they sat around the table, sipping tea in the quiet kitchen, the door creaked open again, and one of the Kuzuryu clan members stepped in. His face was serious as he approached Fuyuhiko, speaking in a low voice meant to be discreet, though Hannah could still hear it.

"Boss," the man said, giving a quick bow, "I've gone through those photos... I think we've got some leads on where they were taken and how they got them. I've tracked a few possible spots where the Morioka clan might've had access to vantage points around the manor."

Hannah, still seated next to Fuyuhiko, frowned immediately as soon as she caught the word 'photos'. She had been quietly listening in, but now her attention was fully on the conversation, her expression shifting from curiosity to concern.

"Wait... what photos?" she interrupted, her voice tense with confusion. Her eyes darted between Fuyuhiko and the clan member, searching for answers.

Fuyuhiko stiffened, his jaw tightening as he glanced at Hannah. There was a brief flash of panic in his eyes before he quickly masked it, his usual stoic demeanor sliding back into place. But even so, there was an obvious discomfort radiating from him as he struggled to think of what to say.

"It's nothing." he muttered quickly, too quickly, his gaze flicking away from her. "Just some intel. Nothing for you to worry about."

Hannah wasn't convinced. The way Fuyuhiko had gone silent, the way the clan member had spoken in that low, secretive tone, it all set off alarm bells in her head. Her frown deepened, and she leaned forward slightly, her hands gripping the edge of the table.

"Nothing for me to worry about?" she repeated, her tone sharp. "Fuyuhiko, what photos? What are you hiding from me?"

Fuyuhiko avoided her gaze, rubbing the back of his neck as he cursed silently under his breath. He hadn't wanted her to find out about this, especially not like this. The photos that Saito and the Morioka clan had taken of her, some of them inappropriate, most of them explicitly meant to threaten and degrade her, were the last thing he wanted her to know about. He had been trying to protect her from that sick reality, to shield her from the Morioka clan's perverse intentions.

But now she was staring at him, demanding answers, and he knew there was no easy way out of this.

"It's... complicated." he finally said, his voice low, almost defeated. He was struggling to find a way to explain it without giving too much away. "They- there were just some surveillance photos. The Morioka clan's been keeping an eye on you, but it's under control."

"Surveillance?" Hannah's voice wavered, the unease clear in her tone. "Why? What the hell is going on, Fuyuhiko? Why would they be taking photos of me-?"

Fuyuhiko exhaled sharply, still avoiding her gaze. He wasn't going to tell her the full truth, there was no way he was going to let her know about the Morioka clan's twisted plans involving her, about Saito's disgusting obsession. That was a burden he'd carry himself. But he knew he couldn't keep brushing it off either.

"They've been targeting you because of who you are." he said, his voice tight with frustration. "Because of your status, your connection to the Togami clan. It's all part of their plan to take control. They think if they can get to you, they can use you to manipulate things."

Hannah's heart sank at his words. She felt a chill run down her spine as the reality of the situation settled in. The idea of being watched, targeted, used as a pawn in some twisted power game, it made her feel sick. But as much as she wanted to press for more details, something in Fuyuhiko's demeanor told her that he wasn't telling her everything. He was holding back.

She swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper as she asked, "Is there more you're not telling me?"

Fuyuhiko clenched his fists on the table, staring down at them. He knew she deserved the truth, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. The idea of her knowing just how vile and perverted Saito's plans were for her, it made his blood boil, and he couldn't put that weight on her. Not now.

"No." he finally lied, his voice strained. "That's all you need to know."

But deep down, both of them knew that the truth was far more horrifying than what he had just said.

Fuyuhiko stood abruptly from the table, his chair scraping against the floor as he moved. He gave Hannah a long, conflicted look, one filled with both frustration and something softer; guilt. Guilt for lying, for keeping her in the dark. She still didn't know the full extent of the danger surrounding her, and he wasn't ready to burden her with that truth yet.

Without a word, he stepped toward her and leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss on the top of her head. It was a fleeting gesture of comfort, but it made Hannah's heart stutter for a moment. She could feel the tension in him as he pulled back, his hand brushing lightly against her shoulder before he straightened up.

"I'll be back." he muttered quietly, his voice low but steady. Then he turned, nodding to the clan member who had brought the unsettling news.

The clan member followed obediently, leaving Hannah alone at the table. As the door clicked shut behind them, a wave of frustration surged through her. She clenched her fists, her jaw tightening as she stared at the empty space where Fuyuhiko had been just moments ago.

Surveillance photos? Targets because of her status? It all sounded so... clinical. But Hannah knew there was more to the story, more to the tension in Fuyuhiko's voice, the way he wouldn't meet her eyes. He was hiding something... again.

She grunted softly, her irritation bubbling up as she slumped back into her chair. Fuyuhiko always thought he could protect her by keeping things from her, by keeping her in the dark. But all it did was make her feel powerless, like a pawn in some game she didn't even understand. She hated it. She hated feeling so helpless, so out of control.

"Why won't he just tell me the truth?" she muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with bitterness.

Sulking, Hannah crossed her arms and sat there for a moment, the silence in the kitchen feeling too loud. She didn't like being left out of whatever was happening. And she especially didn't like the feeling of being treated like something fragile, something that needed to be shielded.

She was tougher than Fuyuhiko gave her credit for. She'd endured more than most people knew, and being babied only made her angrier. As the minutes ticked by, she felt that familiar spark of determination flare up inside her.

She wasn't going to sit here and wait anymore.

With a frustrated sigh, she stood up from the table, wincing slightly as the soreness from her bruises and wounds reminded her of how much she still had to recover. But the pain didn't stop her. She needed answers, and if Fuyuhiko wouldn't give them to her, she was going to find them herself.

Even if it meant confronting the truth head-on.