The night was cool and still, a stark contrast to the restless whirlwind inside Hannah's mind. She laid in bed, tossing and turning, her thoughts racing despite the exhaustion that weighed down her body. Sleep eluded her, no matter how hard she tried to will it into existence.

Finally, she gave up. Slipping out of bed, she pulled on a hoodie over her fluffy pajama bottoms and decided to get some fresh air. The manor felt like a prison, and with Fuyuhiko, Riku, and Peko all out, this was her chance for a brief escape.

Hannah tiptoed to the window and carefully opened it, making sure to avoid any noise that might alert the household. The tree outside her window was her usual escape route, its branches familiar and sturdy. She climbed out onto the branch, the cool night air hitting her face, invigorating her senses.

As she descended the tree, the rush of freedom was exhilarating. She felt a burst of energy, a fleeting sense of liberation and though she didn't plan on leaving the Manor's gardens, the change of scenery was refreshing. Her thoughts were too consumed by the thrill of the moment to remember the security cameras strategically placed around the perimeter of the mansion.

Unbeknownst to Hannah, the movement near her window had triggered the sensors, sending an immediate alert to a certain blonde's phone.

~

The night was quiet at the secondary Kuzuryu facility where Fuyuhiko was sorting through a mountain of paperwork. The responsibilities of his position often kept him working late, reviewing reports, signing off on operations, and ensuring the clan's affairs were in order. The hours ticked by, and his focus was entirely on the stacks of documents before him.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed with an alert. He glanced at it, expecting a routine notification, but his blood ran cold when he saw it was a security alert from the manor. His mind immediately jumped to the worst-case scenario. With the ongoing tension with the Morioka clan, the idea of someone breaking in to harm or take Hannah sent a surge of dread through him.

Fuyuhiko grabbed his phone and hurriedly called the manor, but there was no answer. He tried Hannah's phone next, but it went straight to voicemail. Panic set in. He couldn't be sure what had triggered the alarm, but he couldn't risk Hannah being in danger and him not being there to protect her.

Without wasting another second, he called Peko and Riku, informing them of the alert and instructing them to secure the manor. He then bolted out of the office, his heart pounding as he sped back to the manor.

Hannah wandered through the garden, the cool night air a welcome relief against her skin. The garden was expansive, a labyrinth of paths and flowerbeds that offered her a sense of escape, even if only for a little while. She took her time, inhaling the sweet scent of roses and feeling the gentle breeze that rustled through the trees. The stars above were bright, casting a soft glow over the manicured landscape.

After a while, she decided it was time to head back. She climbed up the tree with practiced ease, her movements quick and silent. Once she reached her window, she slipped inside, not noticing that she hadn't shut it properly. She took a deep breath, feeling a bit more at ease, and then quietly made her way downstairs to the kitchen. She needed a glass of water to help calm her nerves and maybe help her sleep.

The kitchen was dark and silent, the faint hum of the refrigerator the only sound. Hannah poured herself a glass of water, drinking deeply. She heard a noise in the hallway, but dismissed it as Fuyuhiko and the other Kuzuryu members returning. She finished her water and set the glass down, ready to head back upstairs.

It wasn't until she heard the distinctive click of a gun that she froze, her heart pounding in her chest. Slowly, she turned around, her breath catching in her throat as she faced a masked figure pointing a gun directly at her.

The man was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in black from head to toe. His mask covered his entire face, leaving only his eyes visible; cold, calculating eyes that showed no hint of mercy. He wore gloves and his stance was aggressive, ready for a fight.

"Don't make a sound." he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Before Hannah could react, the man lunged at her, tackling her to the floor. The impact knocked the breath out of her, but she fought back with everything she had. She kicked and screamed, trying to dislodge him, but he was much stronger. His grip was iron, pinning her down effortlessly.

Hannah's mind raced, panic setting in. She tried to reach for something, anything to use as a weapon, but the man's weight kept her firmly on the ground. His gloved hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her screams.

"Stay still-!" he hissed, pressing the gun against her temple. "Don't make this harder than it has to be."

Hannah's eyes widened in terror. She struggled harder, adrenaline fueling her movements, but the man's grip didn't waver. Tears of frustration and fear welled up in her eyes as she realized how dire her situation was.

Hannah's knee collided with the man's crotch, and he immediately loosened his grip, groaning in pain. She scrambled to her feet, weakly holding onto the counter for support. Her head pounded from the fall, but she couldn't afford to stop. The man, now furious, got up and punched her multiple times, each blow knocking her closer to the floor.

Hannah tried her best to dodge and defend herself, but her injured state left her at a severe disadvantage. The man's punches were relentless, each one sending waves of pain through her body. Her vision blurred as she hit the floor again, her body aching from the assault. The man kicked her a couple of times, watching with cold satisfaction as she cried out in pain.

Desperation fueled her next move. She managed to grab the edge of the counter and pull herself up, her hand finding the empty glass of water she had left there. With a burst of energy, she threw it at the man. The glass shattered on impact, piercing his skin and sending shards scattering across the floor.

Despite her exhaustion, she picked up one of the glass shards, gripping it tightly. The jagged edges cut into her hand, blood trickling down her arm, but she held it out at the man in a desperate attempt at defense. Her hand shook, the pain from the cuts mixing with the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

The man groaned, his face and arms covered in small cuts from the glass. He got up slowly, looking angrier than ever. Blood trickled down his cheek from a particularly deep cut, and his eyes burned with rage. Hannah took a step back, feeling faint and weak, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

"S-stay back-!" she warned, her voice trembling but determined.

The man advanced on her, ignoring her warning. He swiped at her, but she managed to dodge, slashing at him with the shard. She caught his arm, drawing more blood, but it did little to slow him down. He grabbed her wrist, squeezing until the glass shard was deeply embedded into the palm of her hand.

Hannah cried out in pain, her body trembling at the agonising torture she was being dragged through.

Just as he was about to strike her again, the door burst open. Fuyuhiko stood there, his face a mask of fury. A fury that Hannah had never seen before. He took in the scene in an instant; Hannah's bloodied hand, the man advancing on her, the shattered glass on the floor. Without a second's hesitation, he pulled out his gun and aimed it at the intruder.

"Get the fuck away from her!" he shouted, his voice laced with fury.

The man hesitated, eyes darting between Hannah and Fuyuhiko. In that split second of indecision, Fuyuhiko fired, the bullet hitting the man squarely in the chest. The intruder staggered back, clutching his wound, and collapsed to the floor.

After Fuyuhiko shot the man, he rushed over to Hannah, who was standing amidst a pool of shattered glass. Her breathing grew heavier, her vision blurring as the adrenaline began to wear off, replaced by the pain and exhaustion of the ordeal.

Fuyuhiko immediately took Hannah's hands in his own, his eyes locking onto the large shard of glass she was desperately clutching. Blood trickled down her arm, mingling with the glass shards on the floor.

"Hannah." Fuyuhiko said urgently, his voice a mix of concern and frustration. "You need to let go of the glass." Her grip tightened instinctively, her body trembling.

Fuyuhiko knelt beside Hannah, his hands gentle yet urgent as he tried to pry the glass shard from her grasp. Hannah's fingers were clenched tightly around it, blood dripping down her arm where the jagged edges had cut into her skin. Her breathing grew labored, each breath shallow and strained.

Her eyes were unfocused, her face drained of color, and her breaths came in shallow, uneven gasps.

"Hannah, look at me." Fuyuhiko said urgently, his voice strained with both anger and fear. "You need to let go of the glass."

She didn't respond, her grip still tight despite the blood that now dripped steadily from her palm onto the floor. Her body swayed slightly, as if she was on the verge of collapsing, and her eyelids began to flutter.

"Damn it, Hannah!" Fuyuhiko growled, his voice growing more desperate. He knelt down in front of her, cupping her face with one hand, trying to get her to focus. "Stay with me, alright? You're losing too much blood. Let go of the glass so I can help you."

Her eyes flickered, barely registering his words as her body grew weaker. Fuyuhiko's throat tightened with fear. He could see her slipping away, her strength fading, and it terrified him.

"Hannah!" His voice softened, though there was still an edge of urgency. "You have to listen to me. Let go of the glass, please." He moved his hand from her face to her bloodied one, gently wrapping his fingers around hers. "I'm here, okay? Just let go. I'll fix this."

Her fingers twitched slightly in response, and for a moment, he thought she might let go, but her grip tightened again, as if she didn't realize what she was doing. She mumbled something incoherent, her head lolling forward as her body grew heavier against his.

Panic surged in Fuyuhiko's chest. He couldn't let her pass out like this. "Come on, Hannah, don't do this to me!" he shouted, his voice breaking. He shook her slightly, trying to snap her out of it. "I'm right here, you're not alone."

His words seemed to reach her through the fog of panic. Finally, her eyes fluttered open again, her gaze foggy and unfocused. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no sound came out. Her fingers slowly loosened around the glass, and Fuyuhiko seized the moment, gently but swiftly pulling the shard from her grip.

Blood gushed from the cuts in her hand, and he immediately pressed his shirt sleeve tightly against her palm to stop the bleeding.

"There, good girl." he muttered, his voice shaky with relief. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her against his chest. "Just stay awake, alright? Don't pass out on me."

Hannah leaned against him, her head resting on his shoulder, her body limp and exhausted. "I'm so tired..." she murmured weakly.

"I know." Fuyuhiko whispered, cradling her close. "I've got you. You'll be alright, I promise." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, but his heart was still racing, knowing how close he'd come to losing her.

She nodded weakly, her legs buckling as the room spun around her. Fuyuhiko's grip tightened, catching her before she could collapse and holding her steady. He looked around desperately for something better to stop the bleeding, his mind racing.

"Peko!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the house. "Get the first aid kit, now!"

Within seconds, Peko appeared, her eyes widening at the sight of Hannah's condition. She quickly retrieved the first aid kit and handed it to him.

Fuyuhiko sat down on the tiled floor, pulling Hannah onto his lap so he could attend her injuries better. He carefully unwrapped the first aid kit as Peko placed it beside him, her expression tight with worry.

The shard of glass had left several deep cuts across her palm and fingers, blood still trickling down her arm. He reached for a clean cloth and dampened it with water from the sink, gently dabbing away the blood to get a clearer view of the wounds.

Hannah winced as the cloth touched her tender skin, her whole body trembling with shock and adrenaline. Tears welled up in her eyes as she watched Fuyuhiko work, his movements deliberate and steady despite the urgency. She felt a mix of guilt and fear, replaying the moments of the attack in her mind.

Hannah's eyes fluttered open, trying to meet his gaze. "Fuyuhiko...I...I'm sorry." she whispered, her voice weak.

"Don't apologise, sweetheart." Fuyuhiko said, his voice feather soft. "Just stay awake for me, please?" he murmured.

He pulled out gauze and antiseptic, his hands surprisingly steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through him. Hannah slumped against him, barely able to hold herself up, her head resting heavily on his shoulder.

"Good girl." Fuyuhiko murmured softly as he started to clean her wounded hand, his voice low and soothing despite the tension in his posture. "You're being so good for me, just stay still."

Hannah let out a soft, almost inaudible whimper at the sting of the antiseptic, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned more into Fuyuhiko, her body melting into his, her breath warm and shallow against his neck. She wasn't fully conscious, still drifting between exhaustion and pain, but his presence calmed her.

"You're okay, just relax." Fuyuhiko continued, his tone gentle as he worked quickly, wrapping the gauze around her hand. "I've got you. I'm not letting anything else happen to you."

Every now and then, as he tightened the bandage, he whispered praise to her, his voice deep and reassuring. "That's it, you're doing great. Just hold on a little longer."

Hannah mumbled something incoherent, her fingers weakly clutching the front of his shirt as if she was anchoring herself to him. Her body felt heavy, but every time he praised her, she relaxed further, giving in to the comfort of his touch. Her mind was foggy, but his warmth and gentle words wrapped around her like a protective shield.

Fuyuhiko tied off the bandage, making sure it was secure, and then wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "All done." he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. "You're safe now, okay?"

Hannah's eyelids fluttered, and she gave a faint nod, too weak to speak. Her body trembled slightly, but the warmth of his embrace kept her steady.

Fuyuhiko kept her close, his fingers brushing through her hair as he held her. "Just rest for a bit." he said quietly. "You did good... so good."

Hannah melted further into him, her breathing softening as she gave in to the safety he offered, completely trusting him in her vulnerable state.

Fuyuhiko gently lifted Hannah into his arms, cradling her carefully as if she were made of glass. He could feel the tension in her body slowly fading as she rested her head against his chest, her fingers still loosely gripping his shirt. Her breaths were shallow, but the sound of his heartbeat seemed to soothe her.

Peko watched silently from the doorway, her eyes filled with concern, but she didn't say a word. Fuyuhiko gave her a brief nod of acknowledgment as he carried Hannah past her and headed towards the stairs.

As he ascended to the second floor, Fuyuhiko held her a little tighter, protective instincts rising with every step. The attack had shaken him more than he let on, but right now, all he cared about was getting Hannah to her room and making sure she was comfortable.

Fuyuhiko kicked open the door to Hannah's room with ease, his eyes never leaving her as he carried her in his arms. She was limp against him, her small hand unconsciously clutching at his tie, the silk fabric tangled in her fingers. He couldn't help but smile softly at the gesture, seeing how vulnerable and trusting she was in his care.

As he gently laid her down on the bed, his movements were careful, almost tender, making sure not to jostle her bandaged hand or disturb her any further. He slowly pulled his tie free from her grasp, brushing her hair back from her face with a featherlight touch. Hannah stirred slightly, her body shifting as she nestled deeper into the mattress, still clinging to the warmth of his presence.

Fuyuhiko sat on the edge of the bed, watching her intently, his eyes dark with a mix of emotions; relief, anger at what had happened, and a possessive need to protect her from any future threats. He reached down to adjust the blankets over her, pulling them up to her shoulders, making sure she was warm and comfortable.

She looked so small and vulnerable, a stark contrast to the strong-willed girl he often argued with. He felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him, his resolve to keep her safe growing stronger.

"Just rest." he whispered, his voice soft yet firm. "You're safe now."

Hannah's breathing was steady, though she still looked pale and worn out from the ordeal. She mumbled something unintelligible in her half-conscious state, her hand lazily reaching out as if trying to find him again.

Fuyuhiko caught her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze before bringing it to his lips, kissing the back of it tenderly. "I'm right here." he reassured her quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not going anywhere."

He stayed there, sitting beside her for a while, watching over her protectively, his eyes never leaving her. Even though she was safe now, the memory of her holding that shard of glass, so scared and fragile, still lingered in his mind. He swore to himself that no one would ever get that close to hurting her again. Not while he was around.

With one last look at her peaceful, sleeping form, Fuyuhiko sighed and stood up.

As he straightened, his eyes caught the movement of the curtain fluttering in the breeze. He turned his gaze towards the open window, his expression hardening. The cool night air drifted in, carrying with it the faint sounds of the night outside. Fuyuhiko moved towards the window, his mind racing with the possibilities of how the attacker had gotten in.

He closed the window with a firm click, pulling the curtain shut to block out the night. His mind was filled with a mix of anger and worry, anger at the audacity of the attack and worry for Hannah's safety.

Before he left the room, Fuyuhiko made sure the door was locked, sealing her inside a protective cocoon for the night, ensuring that nothing could get in.