~Saving her~

One-Shot.

Hilary panted and bent to hold her trembling knees. Her long brunette pony swayed roughly and slumped across her shoulders. She exhaled out breaths and her ruby eyes were turning cerise in furious maelstrom and were on the verge on moistening. She was sweating right now, standing on the footpath lined on the prominent bridge of Kyoto, the cool breeze of the river beneath proving no ease. The azure sky above her felt lifeless to her, making her feel unprotected, lost and vulnerable. A feeling of guilt and vehement fury took her over.

She sighed deeply and stood up from her bend position, she looked at the river beneath, their billows seeming all in vain and helplessly serenading. The sunshine suddenly took the toll and the clouds accompanied secondarily aside. The creek rays of sunshine hit her and she felt the sweat multiply. She was heaving like endless. She quirked her lips with teeth biting her from inside and her nose quaked in redness. Keeping her feelings crumpled and unsettled, she traipsed reluctantly and incongruously lit an evil sarcastic smile on lips which were turning almost bloodshot and cracked. She forgot the chapped-ness of her lips and continued twisting them venting her fury and hurting them. Tears cascaded down her peach-like skin and she didn't stop. She gulped the shaking sobs and let a small moan.

By the end of her journey on the bridge, she was running to her little cottage where she was temporarily staying and her elbows hit the air brashly. She crashed against the small mattress and dug her head in the pillow and let out the inevitable sobs.

She had no idea that a little distancing and a small argument would have such a huge disastrous effect on her emotions. She didn't have any guts to call him and ask him where he was.

But could he do... She knew that she was at fault. She didn't leave any room empty in insulting him, every fault was exploited, and his ego has been crushed in pieces, irreparable and slumped gravely. She could remember what had happened very clearly…

Tyson had returned early at five, his eyes seeming filled with the sleepiness that was left incomplete. Scarlet traces could be seen in his heavily opened eyes which cracked at the lights that flicked as she opened the door. He was famished, empty stomach groaning, and every inch of his body was aching and harrowing, he was arduous while driving his car for past 13 hours with a bare break of an hour in the midst. His face has bloodshot scars which had dried, calloused hands trembling out of energy. He was out for some important work as some atrocious hoodlums had invaded the BBA stadium and quarters and had some cruel plot against them. The G rev had to gather and counter attack and save and recruit the place which has been onerous and gruesome. After that, they had to drive back to their home places quickly as the government officials has announced sudden curfew for 48 hours. Tyson had the permission letter, but still he didn't want to risk anything, neither his life nor his wife's safety. So ignoring his undeniable hunger and tiresome feeling, he pushed himself in the car and drove at a reckless speed to his home.

His eyes were fainting into darkness as he made his way barely to the sofas where he crumpled the neatly laid sheets and fell on it, instantly falling in a sleep. Hilary was worried and perturbed by his weakness. "Ty, you okay?" She asked him as she crawled near him, caressing him softly on his head, removing the fringy tresses from his eyes and forehead. Her actions were filed with worry and love for her beloved. She slid her lip in her mouth in worry, feeling more anxious when he just hushed a "Hn." She gently placed a pillow beneath his head and kissed him softly. Tyson faintly smiled at her and held her hand, slowly bringing her hand towards his chest and relieving the grip as he eventually fell into the slumber.

Hilary sat in that position on the foot mattress at the legs of the sofa and slept there somehow, convinced that she was with him. She had barely slept since last night when the curfew was announced and she was dauntless that he would return safe, still fear and worry took her in between.
I was waiting for you to come home.

Tyson woke up at 11 in morning and Hilary had already prepared light meals for him. Tyson woke up with an upset smile on his face and cringed as his body still ached, he stretched his arms which were strenuously worked up. He yawned and faintly blinked a couple of times. Where's Hilary...

He stood up and climbed upstairs to his room in his Manor, and took out new pair of clothes which included a white shirt and black loose jeans. He showered soothingly for a good 20 minutes and strode out half naked, half in towel. He still hasn't seen Hilary. Must be in the kitchen... He thought as he buttoned his sleeves.

He dried his hair and tied them brashly and strode out only to meet the awaited ruby orbs staring at him as the suddenness of the moment caught them. She was holding a cup of hot coffee for him. She smiled at him and walked inside their bedroom, "Good morning,".

Tyson followed her and waited for her to keep the cup on the table, and as soon as she was done, he abruptly and ardently pulled her and enveloped her in an fervid hug. Her seemingly tensed body relaxed as she hugged him back with contended closed eyes. No words were exchanged. She sniffled unstoppably. "Hey, I'm right here... No need to worry, Hils babe," he whispered calmly trying to ease her.

"You didn't pick my calls, I was so distressed," she whispered,

"I was god-damn tired, Hils. I don't even remember I was hearing anything." Tyson explained helplessly, "The blue-gray sky was seemingly burning dark, the winds were bad and I was driving so fast, just to reach for you," he explained. She snipped her all doubts and sighed with a sharp shiver. He kissed her slowly reaching down the nape of her neck. She achingly closed her eyes and clutched his hair tresses near his shoulder blades. He continued swiftly to softly all over till he reached at a point to unbutton her first button of her top. She suddenly but gently retreated as soon as her button slip past open revealing the skin beneath.

She smiled wisely and held his hands, "Later, love. You haven't eaten anything still since you've returned," She reminded and looked at the coffee.

"Fine, Hils," Tyson nodded reluctantly. He however held her button and buttoned it. He smiled pleasurably at her and strode down with her, following her after picking the cup.

He got seated at the large dining table sufficient for 20 people to eat comfortably. She handed him the plate and he start taking the dishes she had prepared. Whilst, Hilary walked to the glass doors and pulled the large squash and white coloured curtains aside.

The water sprinkling on the rose and cosmos gardens could be seen through the glass doors and heard as it drizzled. The fragrance of wet soil spread.

Tyson appreciated the picturesque. Hilary sat beside him on the adjacent side and started her breakfast. There was comfortable silence.

After a few minutes of silence occupied by spoons clink and glasses, Hilary stopped suddenly. Tyson looked at her, raising his eyebrows.

"Tyson..." she said hesitantly.

Tyson waited curiously, staring at her incredulously. Hilary was never the one to beat around bush.

"What is it?" He asked carefully.

"I-I am not feeling well..." She said fearfully. Her head lumped down. He strode up apprehensively and held her face, placing both hands on each cheek and made her see to him.

"What happened..." he asked, his voice filled with trepidation, "Tell me," her eyes filled with tears and she made no efforts in restraining them. He still held her face and looked for an answer. She winced slightly and his eyes gradually fell on her stomach.

"Did anyone invaded here?" He asked. She nodded anxiously.

She passed out, her head thumped on the table. "HILARY!" he shouted.

He looked at the door to take her to hospital but he suddenly remembered the curfew that was put. He was helpless because even the fuel in his car was over last night. He picked her in bridal style and without a tad delay, he carried her to their bedroom and lied her there on the bed.

Without caring to switch on the lights, he immediately sprinkled some water on her face, she slowly opened her eyes and gave a frail smile.

"They bet me badly, Tyson...ah!" She winced in pain. Tyson's eyes filled with pain and anger. He unbuttoned her swiftly and the sight before him left him gasping. There were red marks on her belly and chest, a few cuts deep. The thing that broke them both at the moment was that she was pregnant, three months.

Tyson's hands shaked as he rubbed his fingers sparsely on those wounds, seeming almost half healed. He didn't utter a word, his mouth was open, still in dismayed shock and grief. His hands trembled as he pulled his phone and dialed to Emily. His voice was slow, low and filled with a weird terror, "Emily, please come here. Hilary's not well." He almost pleaded and tears started in his eyes.

Hilary was weakly staring at him. There were still 8 hours for the curfew to end. He had no words to say. He just clutched the sheet around him and sniffled for a second. "I'm sorry, Tyson. I probably can't give you the happiness for which you're waiting," She said vulnerably with extreme apologetic face, feeling hugely ashamed. Tyson sobbed inwardly, his eyes tightly closed, gulping every cry he wanted to shriek out right now.

"Tyson, please say something." I see those tears in your eyes and I feel so helpless inside...

"I shouldn't have left you alone," Tyson hissed in guilt, "Its all my fault." Hilary tried getting up, "No, it's not your fault! Stop accusing yourself, please," Hilary hugged him and Tyson hugged her back, their sniffles holding deep sharp pain. Now he understood that why she refrained him from unbuttoning her a few minutes back.

Tyson had no hopes, neither did Hilary. Their hopes were shattered. All those little cribs that were in their corner of room seemed useless now, hitting them nostalgia.

"I'm sorry, Hils. If I had kept you at a more safer place, you'd have been safe, you wouldn't have undergone pains and tortures," Tyson said in consternation.

Ahead of this kind of thin branch that seems like it may break,
Your future is being born
So don't prune off the days you haven't seen yet
I want to protect you who laughs and looks back at me now.

She remembered the times when they were together, unmarried, dating, carefree, driving through the nights and enjoying life until one day they got each other confessing and marrying for a permanent relationship.

There were times we'd drive till the sun broke, through the black on the white road, paved in dreams, that let me back to you. Lit a spark in the dark gave me no choice. Suddenly my heart something new...
In your eyes, I swear I feel forever, and I'm falling into the deepest part of you, in your eyes I feel my heart surrender, as your love breaks through, I'm lost inside your deep blue.

...

After two days, when Emily declared that they had indeed lost the life growing inside her and Hilary was given treatment in hospital, she was back at home with him, taking rest, currently.

Tyson was taking care of her well, finely and she was trying her best to recover. She absolutely hated how she had to make him work, cook for her, even though he wasn't perfect, even though he had burnt his hands a few times, he still tried, all thanks to Ray's online sessions on phone guiding him to cook without creating a mishap in the kitchen... because he can't deny how much guilty he was. Even though she was beaten, she still didn't tell him when he arrived, cooked for him in morning and kept quiet till he was fresh and full. Tyson swore to kill those bastards by his hands but first he has to take care of Hilary.
He has to save her. He has always been trying to save her but this time... he miserably failed.

Hilary had suffered a lot, the wounds seemed to heal but she temporarily experienced the pains, suffered blood loss, haemoglobin levels had gone down and her immune system needed some time to recover. Tyson paid full attention on her recovery. He prepared nutritious and edible meals for her, kept her happy by talking to her, cracking those same old jokes, taking her to parks, and at the end of the day, he would be just as tired as Hilary would had been.
He realized how much Hilary took care of him now.

Hilary was trying her best to recover. She had to take medicines and vitamin supplements which she absolutely hated. She wanted to be fine, without these tablets, without this care and she despised the fact that Tyson had to work so hard for her. He had his office works also and he made her strictly understand and agree that she wouldn't work an inch in his absence. At times, Tyson didn't cook properly, and still she ignored, and at times, it was well, pretty good. Things were getting harder on her. She wanted freedom. She wanted him to stop caring too much for her too much. She hated how dependent she was becoming on him and no matter how many times she tried getting up and preparing meals on her own, she didn't had the courage to do. Silently, she eventually had to be grateful to him.

Days passed and Hilary was home-sick and frustrated. She wanted to recover but it was going slow.

...

She had nausea. She gulped in and hitched suddenly. She was lying on her bed, lights closed, early dawn, the dark blue sky starting, and her room was engulfed in huge light teal blue curtains. The air conditioner was on and it was chilled. Beside her, Tyson lied, shirtless as often, keeping on arm comfortably on her top, lying on his belly, covered in white sheets.

She wanted to get up, vomit out, and her head seemed to be spinning. She was on utter verge of vomiting and she was still lying, trying her best to avoid nausea. She was just waiting for Tyson to wake. A few minutes later, Tyson woke drowsily much to his alarm's displeasure. He looked with half confused and half drowsy eyes to Hilary.

"Morning, Hils," He said her, brashly hugging her. For a moment, Hilary's nausea was gone and she was no longer feeling sick. She responded to his brief embrace and nodded. He got up, wore a loose Tee whilst Hilary got up for getting a bath. "I'll shower for a while," she said. Tyson nodded. He washed his face and brushed teeth outside in basin and headed down to kitchen to prepare some light meals and coffee for her. He made hot cheese sandwich and another vegetable sandwich with slight sauce. He had set the table and was going up to call her.

Hilary sat neatly dressed on the bed looking at the cream tiled floor. She was again feeling nausea and headache.

"Hils, are you ready?" Tyson opened the door, as he entered their bedroom.

Hilary looked frail and pale, frightened to bits. Tyson looked worried.

"Hey, you okay?" Tyson apparently approached her. She tersely pushed him and stared at the floor. Within seconds, she ran to the basin and erupted the acidic contents of her stomach.

Tyson still even more worried, approached her, caressing her back swiftly, "Hils, relax, its okay," he tried calming her.

"Tyson, move," she beckoned him to move away and it was harsh.

Nonetheless, he moved back, giving her space. Hilary was breathing heavily and she skewed the curtains aside and opened the windows. Still, it wasn't enough. Right now, she wasn't talking to him. She switched on the lights, opened the windows. It wasn't like he didn't took her out of home. He took her to parks daily for walks, but it wasn't enough. To her, it was like some meditation, a healing treatment for her, and she hated it all, starting from medicines to those confined walks without freedom. She just wanted to be free, to go out on her own, run out on open streets for hours and breathe in the fresh air. She didn't wanted to be caged. ...

But the fact was, he wasn't caging her, he was just trying to save her, protect her, revive her, bring her health back to her, so, she had to follow some rules and regulations and stop being childish. But still, it had already went fine far too much before she would realize his intentions.

She coughed and clutched her shirt front and finally sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her lap and gasping weakly.

"What happened? You okay now?" Tyson asked her in worry, standing beside her and looking in appease to her, "Shall we go to hospital right now?"

Hilary's lips freaked and she twisted them and slammed her palms against the bed rest before getting up and looking at him in huge accuse, "Yeah! What happened, huh!" Hilary scoffed, "Those hoodlums broke through this manor! They pulled me by my hair and threw me like a bitch on the floor and then just started beating me with those metal rods!" She erupted and there was no going back.

Tyson's eyes widened and the sudden pain blowed to him excruciatingly. He opened his mouth to say something but she continued her inevitable rant, "They purposely bet me on belly, they even launched their blades and it was a misery and insult that I couldn't even fight back and just let my clothes tear... and..." her wailing voice halted in the end as she gave a sarcastic chuckle, "And... I was left standing there, and seeing their wicked laughter..." she stopped and stared in his eyes to examine what he was feeling and if he could understand what she'd been through,

"Hilary, please-" Tyson attempted to touch her but she shoved him,

"No! No, wait, Tyson. Why didn't you try finding them and avenging them? Were you not at all angry?" Hilary questioned calmly, the fury in her voice livid, "What would you have done if they had raped me?"

"Hilary, shut up!" Tyson shouted and threw his hands aside in anger,

"It hurts, doesn't it?" Hilary fired back, "You'd NOT have waited till now if that would have happened!"

"Will you let me explain! I want you to be better first, recover first! Then, I'll pick each and every scoundrel who broke through and behead them!" Tyson shot aggressively, though the thought of beheading never crossed his mind before.

"No Tyson, now I don't care what you wanted to do or want to do..." She asserted calmly, "You've no idea how much it ached it when they bet me. I was crying, shouting, wailing and...and calling your name, but you didn't come," Tears streaked down her cheeks, not even taking seconds to reach the neckline "And I was begging them to stop and not kill this little unborn life inside me, but they mocked me instead and ruined me! They bet me till I fell unconscious, " Hilary was quiet while Tyson stood speechless before her.

Tyson never asked her what exactly happened because he knew that it WAS horrible, and neither did Hilary elaborated. But now when she expressed how she felt, he truly was agonized.

"Hils," Tyson held her hand softly, "Let's eat something, come," He asked her,

"No!" She shrieked and Tyson jumped out of his skin at her pitch, "I'm not eating that food! No need to help me and basically make me feel that I need you!"

"I've made for you, Hils, I pro-" Tyson was still appeasing her, his anger not there, just the overflowing guilt.

"I don't want to eat." She said in rebuff, "You don't even know to cook properly." She insulted him first.

"I'm tryi-"

"Don't try! Thanks to Ray, that I'm at least alive eating your food! You don't know Tyson, you don't." She was full fledgely insulting him now, her tone was hostile, "Half of the times you burn your hands in kitchen, and you don't even fry those sausages properly, you keep on getting late for your office for me. Its all because you're not perfect!" Hilary had freed her hand and now was attacking him verbally with all the faults on him that she'd potentially exploit, "And I'm tired of being caged in this house! Does marrying you meant that you'll owe me! Don't I have my freedom!".

He was silent, his eyes getting wider at each word she spoke, getting spooks and bombarded with guilt and accuse, crippled in his own chair. What freedom you want, Hils? I've not caged you. I just want you to become well, after that you may go wherever you want to. Who am I to stop you... I don't owe you. You owe me, and I wish you to never disown me.

"So, Tyson," Hilary gulped calmly, "Thanks for your excellent services, but now I'm done, so I'm leaving," Those words set her heart free and it stabbed him hard. He froze.

"You sure you're going?" He asked her in a low disappointed voice, already brokenhearted.

"Yes," she said as she walked out without any sympathy, "Don't come behind me,"

She started to leave, picking her phone, purse and breathing in light sobs, and making her way past through him.

"Hilary, I love you. And I'm sorry that I couldn't save you that day," He said finally, his eyes imploring her not to leave him. Please, don't leave me. Please, don't!

She gave a look to him but nonetheless, she walked out.

...

Ever since then, a week had passed and had moved to her cottage. She wanted freedom, she got it. Now she had no one to bother her to take meals properly at time, medicines at time, take walks daily. She herself took the walks pleasurably, nonetheless. However, she can't deny that she missed him.

Reminiscing about their moments of pre-marital life gave her pleasure. And... when she recollected that how much she had insulted him that day brought only sadness and nostalgia to her.

But he didn't call her, neither did she. But now when she'd realized, after a week, that she was actually mentally sick, and she didn't mean a word she said to him that day, she felt the ocean of culpability hitting her. She couldn't even summon the courage of saying him sorry, or even seeing him. I couldn't even muster my guts to face him, how will I even say him sorry... She shook at the thought.

"Because of my foolishness, I'd hurt him undeservingly, he's alone..."

She send a voice message to him asking where she can meet him. Because Hillary has tried reaching him but he wasn't at office, like told my his colleagues, he left the manor, so where was he staying. It couldn't be that, that he really left me...

Later that night, she'd received a message to meet him in a park, where he often took her. She dressed up quickly and picked her phone and rushed out for the park.

...

She met him after a few minutes, while she waited impatiently for him. The sight of him send pangs of guilt down her spine

He got seated on a bench, the tree leaves protecting them from above. She too sat on the bench, at a little distance. It was nighttime, so no people around, just the street lamps at a distance.

There was a silence for about ten minutes. None of them spoke a word. They were just thinking, thinking and thinking.

"So how have you been, Hilary?" He asked first. Hilary noted how he had used her name instead of calling her Hils.

"Not okay..." she mumbled, clutching her hazel green jeans, and frowning at her lap. She was in deep contemplation of how she was going to apologize him and explain that she didn't meant a word she said him that day, and she was definitely wrong in accusing him so mercilessly.

"Oh, I thought you were happy without me," Tyson said in a bare chuckle, giving her a glance. He stared at the fountain ahead of him, the divine moonshine reflecting upon it.

"Even I thought I'd be happy when I left you, ya know," she said, not believing what she had done.

"Hmm..." that was his only reply.

There was silence again and this time, it was empty, with no hope of any start again.

"Where have you been this all time?" She asked timidly.

"I was staying with Kai..." he replied.

"Why not in the Manor?" She looked at him for an answer.

"It feels so empty. I don't feel like going there," He answered, his tone still contained more sorrow, less dissatisfaction.

Hilary blinked, not able to realize that how broken he was. She gulped the vehement guilt.

"Anyway, I've learned cooking better now, Ray and Kai taught me. And Max helped me as well," he smiled half heartedly. Hilary's nerves jolted on hearing that.

"You thought... you really thought that I'd never come back?" She frowned, feeling the guilt recuperate.

"Apparently, your actions made me feel that." He got up as he said. Her eye line followed him as his did, "Are you leaving, Tyson?"

"Its late, Kai is waiting for me," he said and still didn't look at her.

"But-"

He turned, not minding to say a word further. He was patient enough, give her a chance to tell him where he was and he met her, but now, he felt like breaking. He'd to go before it would happen.

He has taken a few steps, and she watched him silently. Have I really lost you..

"Will you give me the keys of our home? I want to stay there," She said abruptly, almost as a squeal. A single tear made it's way.

Tyson turned, "Why would you-"

"Because I miss you!" She bawled.

He turned and looked at her as she was shivering, preventing her sobs, eyes tightly closed.

"But you said you didn't want to stay there..." he said slowly, feeling extremely helpless as he watched his wife fighting tears.

"Please, don't leave me..." she said, imploring him. Her ruby eyes burned in ardent flicker.

"I didn't leave you. YOU left me. I'm so imperfect, and you'd leave me again," He said in dismay.

"No... No!" She ran towards him and crushed him in a hug, "I'd never again leave you, I'm sorry!" She cried on his shoulder. Tyson tensed and his eyes dilated in concern as he felt her skin hot. She had fever...

"B-Because, you're absolutely perfect Tyson! I was wrong. I tried to be a good partner to you, but I failed. I'm sorry! Please forgive me. I didn't mean anything I said to you that day, Tyson. It was my foolishness and restlessness that made me do that. I'm sorry..." She cried clutching him tighter, fearing he may leave her.

What was breaking her was his silence. He didn't say anything. He was standing quietly, probably petrified of her actions.

"Hilary, where have you been this all time?" He asked her softly.

She mumbled, "Nowhere..." He felt how sick she was right now, and her skin was burning. "I was searching sanity to be with you,"

"Hils, let's go home," He said warmly. He didn't commented anything about their previous argument. Hilary pulled back and looked at his face, to see if he had forgiven her. His face was calm and he smiled at her.

"So, you forgive me?" She asked eagerly. He gently kissed her on forehead and pulled back. "Only if you promise to work on your health," He said.

"I will, Tyson." She nodded.

Tyson sighed, "I'm sorry Hils, I couldn't save you that day and this regret will never be forgettable. I should have been your savior, but I failed. Forgive me too, Hils." Tyson said with pangs of his lost unborn child hitting him.

"It wasn't your mistake, you left for saving BBA, and it was important. I just behaved selfish that day." She said in stutters, "This wasn't your mistake, this was fate, Tyson."

"Maybe..." Tyson caressed her head.

"We should leave now, I just can't wait to sleep," Hilary held his hand and has the request in her eyes.

"Let's go to the manor then," Tyson said with a joyous smirk, as he ushered her way to his car,

"Nuh Tyson, not manor, it's our home," She corrected.

"I promise I'll never leave you again, Tyson" She said as they made their way to the car.

You're the best friend, best partner any girl could have, and I'm grateful to have you. 'Cause you take the high road, while I roll with the low blows. You keep me grounded when I'm unstable, and baby, I'm grateful to you.

A/N: A random one shot. Inspiration was taken from my old works which were not published and I thought to write a new one. A few lyrics of songs have been taken. I disclaim them.

Aftermath of the shot: Tyson does kills those scoundrels along with his teammates. Hilary had actually met him as a college mate and they got a friendship since then, the romantic one basically, and they continued it till they passed high school and a few years late got married

I hope you liked this little one shot?

So... REVIEW!^_^