Second Shiku fanfic. This pairing gives me so many feels and things to write about and I just-

Yeah, enjoy this oneshot while I go and just fangirl. XD;;

Her hands are bleeding.

The red blood drips slowly onto her jeans. It hurts, she knows, but she grits her teeth and keeps sewing. She will finish this, she will finish this present for him, even if her hands bleed a lot. She will persevere.

Later on, as she wraps up the delicate cloth, her hand is enveloped in a bandage. It jerks, a flinch. She continues though, as if it doesn't matter.

The next day she bows in front of him, holding out the package.

"What's this?" he asks, taking the package.

"It's a thank you…" she slowly comes back up, and his face is blank. It changes to worry, however, as he spots her bandaged hand. Before she can hide it in her navy sleeves and behind her green skirt, he grabs it, frowning.

"What happened?" his voice is firm, somewhat angry. Shiki stammers in surprise and slight pain, as he's gripping it quite hard.

"I-I-I sorta wounded it…"

"Was it from making this?" he thrusts out the package, and she winces.

"Y-Yeah—ow, you're gripping it too tight! It'll bleed again!" she gasps out, the pain becoming severe. His grip looses and he holds in like it's a fragile thing. His gaze on it is so harsh, as if he's daring the bandage to turn red again.

"I-I'm sorry…because of me…you got hurt." She glares him, and lightly slaps him on the face. His eyes widen, and he locks eyes with her.

"Did you just slap me?" he asks, expression incrdulous.

"Yeah, I did! It's not your fault! It's not even life-threatening! I did this of my own will, so you could be happy today! And that's all I want to see." she puffs out her cheeks in protest, glaring at him.

A small pause. Then a chuckle.

"Heh, sorry Shiki. I'll be happy, then. But I don't want you getting hurt. After all…I'm supposed to protect you. You're not supposed to get hurt…" she laughs.

"You're not perfect. Nobody is. And sometimes, to do things, to protect others, we have to get hurt. now open that package and tell me what you think! Geez, it's going with that outfit I chose for you, so look!"

"Okay, okay!" the rustle of paper, a pause. Fabric was being examined. A small smile. "Heh. It would work. A nice replacement for the cloth on my wrist. Thank you Shiki."

Her smile is bright. She's glad he's happy.

She will bleed, to see everyone's smiles.

Like the story? Favorites and Reviews are appreciated! c: