Fuyuhiko walked into the kitchen, the scent of coffee brewing mingling with the faint, lingering odor of antiseptic. His heart sank slightly at the sight of Hannah on her tiptoes, stretching to reach the higher cabinets. She was rummaging through them again, a hint of desperation in her movements. It had become all too familiar, he had caught her doing the same thing a couple of nights ago, and the growing concern gnawed at him like a persistent ache.

"Hannah." he called out softly, the weight of his worry evident in his voice. "What are you doing?"

Startled, she almost lost her balance, her fingers fumbling with the cabinet door. When she turned to face him, her eyes held a mix of surprise and guilt. "Oh, I- just looking for painkillers." she replied, her voice light, but the way she rubbed her side betrayed her discomfort.

Fuyuhiko frowned. "Painkillers for what? For your hand?"

"For my ribs." she mumbled.

"They're still bothering you?" Hannah nodded and he sighed.

Fuyuhiko crossed the kitchen, the distance between them seeming to stretch as he approached. "You shouldn't be doing this." he said firmly, reaching up to pull down the bottle of painkillers she sought. "You need to rest."

Hannah took the bottle from him, a flicker of appreciation crossing her features before she quickly masked it with a smile. "I'm fine, really. Just a little sore from yesterday."

"From cleaning up? You're not fine." he retorted, a protective edge creeping into his tone. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You haven't been fine since the incident."

Her expression faltered at the mention of the Morioka clan, and Fuyuhiko felt a surge of anger rise within him at the thought of what she had endured. The memory of her being taken, tortured, and the lasting scars it left behind made his chest tighten. "You don't have to pretend with me, Hannah. I can see you're in pain."

Hannah sighed, her shoulders slumping as she leaned against the counter. "I'm not." she lied. "Just a little sore, that's all."

Fuyuhiko frowned at Hannah, concern etching deeper lines on his face. "You need to see a doctor, Hannah." he insisted, his voice firm. The tension in her shoulders was palpable, and he could sense her immediate resistance.

"I'm fine." she replied quickly, shrugging it off as if it were a mere inconvenience. "It's just a little pain. I can manage."

"No." he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You're not managing anything. You've been avoiding this long enough. It's time to get checked out."

Hannah met his gaze, her expression a mixture of defiance and anxiety. "I really don't need to-" she insisted, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her.

"Don't make me force you." he warned, his protective instincts kicking into high gear. "You've been through so much, and I can't let you keep suffering like this."

She hesitated, biting her lip as if weighing her options. Fuyuhiko could see the internal struggle playing out in her eyes. Finally, with a resigned sigh, she relented. "Fine. But only because you won't stop pestering me about it." she said, her tone bitter, yet there was an underlying tension that remained.

"Good. I'll call Dr Miyamoto." Fuyuhiko replied, relief flooding through him as he reached for his phone. He dialed the number, trying to mask his own unease. It felt like a small victory, but he knew they were still far from resolving her pain.

Later that afternoon, Fuyuhiko drove Hannah to the clinic, the air thick with a mix of tension and apprehension. He parked the car and glanced over at her; she was staring out the window, lost in thought. "You okay?" he asked gently, trying to gauge her mood.

Hannah grunted, her expression unreadable. "I fucking hate hospitals." she admitted quietly.

"You'll be fine." he reassured her, reaching over to give her shoulder a comforting squeeze. "Dr Miyamoto is great. He'll help."

As they entered the clinic, the familiar scent of antiseptic filled the air, a reminder of the medical world Hannah had tried to avoid. When they reached the waiting area, Dr Miyamoto greeted them with a warm smile.

"Fuyuhiko! It's good to see you." he said, extending a hand to shake. "And Hannah, how have you been?" His tone was friendly, genuine, but he quickly noticed the tension radiating from her.

Hannah managed a small smile but didn't respond verbally, instead glancing at Fuyuhiko for support.

"She's been dealing with some pain," Fuyuhiko explained, his voice dropping slightly, "and I thought it would be best for her to get checked out again."

Dr Miyamoto nodded, his expression shifting to one of concern. "Of course. Let's take a look, shall we?" He gestured for Hannah to follow him into the examination room.

Fuyuhiko hesitated for a moment before following, unwilling to leave her side. As they entered the room, he could see the tension in Hannah's posture, her hands fidgeting nervously.

"Why don't you take a seat on the examination table?" Dr Miyamoto suggested, his voice soothing. "I'll ask a few questions and then we can do a quick checkup."

Hannah climbed onto the table, her movements stiff, and Fuyuhiko stood by her side, trying to project confidence. Dr Miyamoto began asking her questions about her symptoms, and he watched closely as Hannah described the pain, noting the way she hesitated before speaking.

"I've been having a lot of discomfort around my ribs and my back. Some headaches too." she admitted, her voice quiet. "But I'm sure it's nothing serious. Just a little sore from... you know, everything."

Fuyuhiko clenched his jaw at her attempt to downplay her suffering. He shot her a pointed look. "It's not nothing." he said, his voice steady but firm. "You need to take this seriously."

Dr Miyamoto glanced between them, sensing the underlying tension. "Fuyuhiko is right, Hannah. It's important to be honest about your pain so we can help you effectively."

She nodded, though her expression still revealed her reluctance to fully open up. "Okay, it just... feels like I'm making a big deal out of nothing."

"You're not." Fuyuhiko insisted, leaning closer. "You deserve to feel better. Let him help you."

Dr Miyamoto smiled at the exchange, appreciating their dynamic. "Let's do a quick examination, and we'll see what we can do to alleviate your pain," he said, moving closer to Hannah.

As Fuyuhiko stood there, watching the doctor begin his examination, a sense of determination settled within him. He wouldn't let Hannah slip through the cracks, not after everything she had been through. Whatever it took, he would be there for her, ensuring she received the care she needed.

As the doctor began his examination, he asked her a series of questions. "How long have you been experiencing these headaches?" he inquired, his pen poised over a notepad.

"Over a week now." Hannah answered, her gaze shifting to the floor. "They come and go, but they've been pretty intense."

"Any other symptoms? Nausea, sensitivity to light?" he continued.

"A little bit of both, but nothing too bad." she replied, her voice faint.

Dr Miyamoto nodded thoughtfully, scribbling notes as he listened. "Alright. I'm going to give you something to help with the headaches. It's a small capsule of tablets that should provide some relief."

He handed Hannah the small bottle, and she took it with a mixture of apprehension and hope. Fuyuhiko watched her carefully, noting how her fingers trembled slightly as she gripped the bottle.

"However.." Dr Miyamoto continued, his tone shifting to a more serious note, "there are some side effects you should be aware of. This medication can cause drowsiness, tiredness, and in some cases, you may be unaware of your surroundings or even become unconscious."

Fuyuhiko frowned, his protective instincts flaring up. "What do you mean, 'unaware of your surroundings'? How serious is that?" he asked, his voice steady but urgent.

Dr Miyamoto raised his hands reassuringly. "In most cases, it's mild. Some people might just feel a bit more fatigued or find it harder to focus. However, it's important for Hannah to be cautious. She shouldn't drive or operate heavy machinery while taking this medication."

Hannah's expression fell at the mention of potential risks, and Fuyuhiko immediately stepped in closer, his concern wrapping around her like a shield. "How often will she need to take these?" he asked, his tone firm yet supportive.

"Just once a day. Ideally, at the same time each day to maintain a steady level in her system. But make sure she listens to her body. If the side effects are too much, we can adjust the dosage or find an alternative," Dr Miyamoto explained.

"Okay." Fuyuhiko said, nodding but still feeling uneasy. He looked over at Hannah, who was biting her lip, anxiety creeping into her expression. "Are you alright with this?"

She hesitated, glancing down at the bottle in her hands. "I guess if it helps with the headaches... but I don't want to feel hazy or out of it. I need to be aware- you know, in case I get attacked again." she murmured.

"I understand." Dr Miyamoto interjected gently. "It's important to find a balance between managing pain and maintaining clarity. Just keep an open line of communication with Fuyuhiko or me, and we'll figure it out together."

Hannah nodded, her resolve slightly bolstered by the doctor's reassurance. "Okay. I'll give it a try."

As they left the clinic, Fuyuhiko noticed Hannah's shoulders seemed to relax a little, even if just for a moment. He slung his arm around her shoulders, squeezing it gently. "We'll take it one step at a time. You don't have to go through this alone."

"I know." she said, a small smile breaking through her uncertainty. "Thank you for making me come here."

"Anytime." he replied, a small smile creeping onto his lips. "Just promise me you'll take it easy for the next few days, alright?"

"I promise." she said, the weight of her pain still lingering but feeling a little lighter with his support.