A/N: Ok, so this idea just sprang up. I was looking at fan art for this pairing, and I felt a compulsion to write this.
This is an A/U, set in Japan. This has the RikuXSora pairing, but Kairi will play sort of a big part in it. Why? Because I feel like cutting the girl a break, something I never do... So if you don't like yaoi, start liking it. Love is love.
Oh, and speaking of love, the term "lover" is used in a non-sexual way in this story. Boy friend is really cliché term in my opinion, so I put lover instead.
So, without further ado, Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Sora, Riku, or any other Kingdom Hearts paraphernalia; Square Enix and Disney do. I also do not own American Idol, Sailor Moon, Dog the Bounty Hunter, or The Dog Whisperer.
- Love Is Comatose -
"Are they doing any better doctor?"
Dr. Hiroshi looked up from his position at the monitors. He wore a frown on his young face.
"They haven't shown any change in their readings. I'm sorry."
Kairi lowered her head and closed her eyes, trying hard not to cry. "I see."
"I'll be back to check up on things a little later. Keep your head up, okay?"
Kairi nodded. "Thank you doctor." The doctor gave her a look of sympathy, and then left her alone. Selphie came in and placed a hand on her arm.
"It's gonna be okay Kai, I promise." Selphie reassured. Kairi looked up with watery eyes and offered a weak smile for her friend. "Thanks Selphie."
I hope you're right.
Selphie led her red haired friend over to a chair in the cleanly hospital room they were currently in and helped her sit, even though Kairi didn't need it. But the sixteen-year old girl had learned it was futile to turn down her younger friend's help. Selphie went and dug through her bag before returning to Kairi.
"Hey, I made a lunch for you." The young brown-haired girl said with a huge smile, one that hardly ever came off.
"Oh, thanks Selph. But you didn't have to do-"
Selphie stopped her in mid-sentence with a raised hand. "You've been cooped up inside this hospital for the past two weeks Kairi; you need to be taken care of."
Kairi managed an awkward, but appreciative, smile; and began to unpack her sack lunch.
Selphie nodded in approval, and jumped when a beep sounded from inside her pocket. She took out her cell phone and opened it.
"Oh no! I forgot I was supposed to meet Tidus for dinner!" She looked at Kairi apologetically.
"Go, it's okay."
"Are you sure?" Selphie asked with a worried tone.
"I'll be fine." Kairi reassured the younger teen with a smile. "Tell Tidus I said hi."
"I will." Selphie said as she hurriedly gathered her things and reached for the door handle.
"Call me as soon as anything changes, ok?"
"I promise."
Selphie smiled and winked before disappearing out the door. Kairi sighed and picked up her peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She let out a small laugh. Typical Selphie…
Nevertheless, she was grateful for the food and the short-lived company.
She looked ahead of her to the two hospital beds there. She looked down and away quickly, she didn't want to see their lifeless faces.
Sora and Riku had been in a coma for three weeks now. Kairi had argued to get into their room after the first week, and had been there ever since.
Two whole weeks of crying, worry, and fear. She ate, slept, and lived entirely in that hospital room. She was so close to breaking; she needed something to happen soon.
Kairi would remember that phone call she had received until the day she died.
"I've got it!" Kairi yelled to her mother as she jogged to the phone.
"Hello?" she asked cheerfully.
"Ms. Kairi Haruki?" the voice asked.
"Speaking. Who's this?"
"The Iriai Hospital Emergency Room. Sora Hikari and Riku Hakumei have been in an accident."
Kairi frowned, the first cold traces of dread crawling up her spine. "What do you mean an accident?"
"A car wreck. They're both in intensive care."
"Are they okay?" She asked quietly after a long pause, not truly wanting to hear the answer.
"We don't know yet; but it would be best for you to come down here for yourself. Sora's mother said to call you."
"Thank you; I'll be there as soon as I can." Kairi said, tears gathering in her blue-purple eyes as she hung up the phone.
It wasn't until several hours of waiting later that they had received the grim news. Kairi had been torn right then and there, she felt as if her will to live had left her that night. Call it a lack of faith, but she had not believed she would ever get to see their faces light up in smiles ever again.
But she was still here and fighting. She had to believe they would wake up and everything would return to normal. She had to hope.
The sixteen-year old returned from her deep thoughts, and returned her gaze to her two best friends that were lying in front of her. She felt a tear roll down her cheek; she always seemed to cry when she looked at them now. She returned to her meal and willed the worst of thoughts from her head.
You'll wake up; I know you will. Riku… Sora…
III
"No! Please don't do this!"
A girl's desperate cries invaded his head.
Riku struggled to open his eyes and attach the voice to a face.
"Stop! Please, don't let them do this!" she pleaded.
Kairi? Riku registered the yells and pleading as coming from one of his best friends.
What's going on? Why can't I move?
Riku's eyes finally fluttered open and he searched for Kairi.
"Look! He's awake!" Kairi, Mrs. Hikari, and Dr. Hiroshi crowded around Riku urgently.
"He's back!" Riku vaguely registered his Kairi's voice.
But I never went away...did I? Riku thought, feeling thoroughly confused. He felt so, numb…
He struggled to say something, anything, but all that came out was a grunt. Riku moved his fingers slowly and looked for Kairi once his senses came to him. There she was, tears streaming down her face. He hated to see her cry. Everyone seemed to be crying, except for the doctor.
"Riku, you're awake…" Kairi embraced him in a tender hug next, as if she hadn't seen him for a while. The doctor had been gazing intently at some monitors, and finally he spoke up.
"His vitals all check out." He looked down at Riku with a warm smile. "Welcome back."
Back from where? Riku thought; he was now frustrated. And why can I hardly move or talk?
As if he could read Riku's thoughts, Dr. Hiroshi answered.
"Don't be alarmed, you should be able to move and talk normally in a minute or so."
Sure enough, Riku began to move everything within the next minute, with everyone watching him intently.
"What…happened to me?" he asked shakily in a quiet voice. The standing members of the room glanced at one another hesitantly.
"I'll explain." Kairi volunteered.
Dr. Hiroshi nodded. "It'd be best to leave them alone for a little while."
Mrs. Hikari left the room with a sad look at her slumbering son. Dr. Hiroshi followed behind her and closed the door.
Kairi smiled at Riku, still in disbelief. She pulled up a chair and sat close to his bed.
"Riku…" She didn't know how to begin.
"Kairi, why am I in the hospital? What happened to me?" Riku asked as he sat up in his bed.
"You were in an accident. Well, both of you were."
"Both of us?"
For the first time since his awakening, Riku glanced to the right of him, where another patient still lay on his bed.
"Sora?" The silver haired teen said, looking at the other boy.
"You and Sora were in a car wreck, Riku. You've been in a coma for three months now."
Riku gazed back at Kairi in disbelief. "But, how? I don't remember anything…"
She looked down at her lap, anywhere but those aqua eyes.
"The doctors said you might not. Honestly, I didn't think you'd make it." She summoned up the courage to look at him. "They were about to pull the cord, on both of you. I don't know what made me regain faith, but I just couldn't let them do it…"
The red head looked away; she was ashamed that she had lost hope.
"Is Sora okay?"
"Well, like you, he suffered some bad head injuries. He probably won't remember the wreck either. He also broke his right arm and two vertebrae in his back. But the doctors are taking good care of him."
Riku examined himself and saw that he had bandages on his head and a cast on his left wrist and hand, but nothing more. He looked over at Sora again, and had the worst, heavy feeling set over his entire body. Guilt.
"I'm sorry." she said softly. Kairi reached out and put a hand lightly on his arm. "He'll be okay. Now that you're awake, there's hope."
"It's all my fault, Kai. I was driving… I don't have as many injuries…I-"
She tilted his chin up so that their eyes met. "Riku Hakumei, don't you ever think any of this is your fault. Ever."
Riku was taken aback, but then gave her a weak smile. Inside, though, he was still unconvinced. She smiled back at him and got up to hug him.
"I'm glad your back, I missed you so much." She moved back from him. "And it won't be long before Sora is with us too."
There was a knock on the door; Kairi turned and went to open it. The doctor came back into the room.
"I think it would be best if I checked on Riku more thoroughly now." Dr. Hiroshi said politely. Kairi nodded, and turned back to Riku. She gave him another reassuring smile before leaving the room.
III
"Riku?" Riku watched in amazement as Sora opened his eyes slowly and gazed up at him.
"Sora, you're awake!" Sora smiled up at him warmly. Riku had missed that smile so much…
He felt the warmth of the younger boy as he embraced him tightly. He felt heat on his cheeks, tears.
"I thought you'd never wake up…"
Silence.
"Sora?"
"Wake up Riku…"
Riku's eyes flew open and stared ahead at the ceiling. He suddenly shot up and looked to his right. Sora was still there, lying in the bed, still in that same deep unawareness.
Riku had been awake for two weeks now, and he had that same dream every night.
They had kept him in the hospital because of his head injuries; but he wouldn't have left anyways because of Sora. Everyone had finally convinced Kairi that she could stop sleeping over at the hospital, and she had reluctantly stopped her constant watch over the two boys. She still visited everyday, though; it's hard to keep that girl away when she's determined.
Riku felt wetness on his face and he raised his hands to wipe it off. He looked at his fingers; wet with tears. He sighed as he got out of bed and walked over to the other hospital bed. It was still dark outside, and the clock confirmed it as night. Exactly three in the morning.
Riku sat down at the side of his lover and grasped his uninjured hand. He reached up to smooth Sora's hair and stroked his cheek.
I'm so sorry Sora. I love you so much; and I just want you to be here with me.
Riku went back over to his bed and lied down, turning away from Sora. He was too ashamed to even face the boy he loved.
It's all my fault…
III
Kairi was the first person Riku saw when he woke up the next morning. She was sitting on the edge of his bed, looking at him intently. Her eyes were red and watery, but she wore a smile on her face.
"Kairi, what's wrong?" He asked her, feeling that same dread that overcame him whenever he saw his friends cry.
She sniffed and wiped her eyes.
"I didn't think you'd wake up again." She said quietly.
He looked over at the clock, and saw it was noon already. He was usually up at this time anyways, but ever since he had awoken from the coma, he had been early to rise every morning. He hadn't realized that he had been lying awake in bed for so long last night, too. He was too troubled to go back to sleep. Whenever he did, even for such little periods of time, he was visited by the same nightmares.
"I just slept in, that's all." He smiled at her and sat up slowly in the hospital bed. "Well, I'm awake now. So what do you want to do?"
Bad idea.
Riku knew that expression all too well; both Sora and Kairi wore it when they were about to go off on the infamous torture of "super happy fun time" that was reserved for Riku and Riku only.
She grinned up at him in that mischievous way, raising her eyebrows and drawing a deep breath. The storm was about to hit…
"We could watch American Idol and Divine Design and Dog the Bounty Hunter and Sailor Moon! Then we could play Go Fish and Slap Jack and Spoons; and then I can put makeup on you! Oh, you'd look so cute in some red-hot lip gloss and black eye liner! Then I could comb your hair and put all kinds of pretty barrettes and clips in it! And we could make macaroni pictures and hand prints and color pictures too-"
She stopped her blurred, excited ravings long enough to take a deep breath. Riku smiled at her, used to the crazy prattle of his two best friends; even though he had only caught "American Idol" and "lip gloss" out of all that. He took advantage of her pause and spoke up.
"I was thinking we could go grab some breakfast first, if that's okay."
She looked a little disappointed at first, then beamed at him and nodded. "Sounds great. Even thought it's lunch now, dork."
Just when it seemed crazy Kairi had mellowed out and taken a backseat in the petite red-head's long line of personalities, she jumped up off the end of the bed and raced out the door.
"Last one there is a rotten paupo!" she yelled. Riku had missed her, eccentric as she was.
He hadn't known he was in the coma, but he had missed regular life sorely. He ached to be back on the island, gazing into the ocean, dreaming of adventure; and holding Sora in his arms once more.
Kairi was already down the corridor, and Riku longed to just forget about this whole mess, if only for the time it took to enjoy a simple breakfast (er, lunch) with a good friend. Besides, his competitive side wouldn't let him lose.
He gave Sora a kiss on the head and squeezed his hand. He ripped his eyes away from his peaceful form and turned away.
The silver-haired teen walked lethargically down the hallway, following Kari's running form down to the cafeteria. Things felt like they would never be the same.
III
The breakfast was supposed to take Riku's mind off Sora, but it had the opposite effect on the troubled boy. All he could think about was Sora.
Is Sora okay?
Has he woken up?
Is anything wrong?
He needs me, I should go.
Nevertheless, he continued to nod politely as he half-listened to Kairi's attempts to cheer him up. But when he looked up, she had her head tilted to the side and had stopped talking. She had a frown on her face and an empathetic smile on her face.
"Let's go." She quietly said, knowing exactly what was all over Riku's mind. The silver haired teen looked at her with silent aqua eyes, admiring her.
She's a lot smarter than everyone gives her credit for.
He nodded and they stood, exiting the cafeteria. When they had got back to the room, it was locked and had a sign over it that read, "Do not disturb."
Riku ran up to it once he spotted the sign and tried to open the door. Kairi followed, walking up behind him. When it didn't open, Riku started to panic.
"What the hell?" he asked as he tried to pull open the door again with surprising force.
When it didn't budge again, he began to bang on the door.
"Riku, stop!" Kairi said, grabbing his shoulder.
"Something's happened to him!" Riku yelled at her, pulling away from her grip.
Suddenly a doctor opened the door and poked his head out.
"Why are you shouting and banging on the door?" He demanded.
"Where's Sora? Is he okay?" Riku demanded, trying to push past the doctor. But he put out an arm and blocked Riku.
"He's in here, and he's fine. We're checking on some of his wounds now, but we need solitude because we need to undress him."
"I'm with him; I need to be in there. I never should have left." he said, and Kairi put down her head.
"You're with him?" The doctor asked, looking at Riku as if he was some sort of disease.
"Is that a problem?" Riku asked venomously.
"No... not at all." The doctor said, hesitantly at first, but then composing himself. "But I'm sorry; he can't have any visitors right now. You'll have to wait."
"Where's Dr. Hiroshi?" Kairi asked, looking at the doctor sharply.
"He's not here today, and will not return until two weeks from now. I'll be his replacement for the time being." The doctor said smugly.
Great… Riku thought sarcastically.
"We can wait." Kairi said before Riku could cause the doctor any harm, even though she was about to do that herself. She put an arm around her frustrated friend and led him over to the section of waiting chairs.
"Damn it…" Riku cursed loudly as he leaned forward in his chair and rested his arms on his thighs.
"I'm sorry." She said. She paused, and then continued bravely. "You're not going to be able to see him every minute of the day, you know. He needs to be taken care of."
"I need to take care of him. I got him here, and I'll be damned if I don't get him out."
Riku said with determination. Kairi fell into silence, knowing that he couldn't be persuaded.
Sora, Riku needs you… Please wake up soon…
III
Quiet sobs filled the Hikari and Hakumei hospital room. A boy with silver hair, which the moon was currently shining on and making it all the more brilliant, was sitting in a chair; his head resting on the chest of another boy.
Riku had forgotten how long he had been crying. All night, a few moments... it all ran together until it was completely unrecognizable.
He knew he had stumbled out of bed, having had yet another dream that had led him to believe that his lover had awakened, before ripping him out of that bliss.
He had staggered over to the window, drunk with fear, anger, and sleep, and had thrust it open. Riku had let the cool breeze of the night wash over him, bringing him back to reality.
Riku had gone away from the window and flew out the door, past Sora and all the hospital rooms, up the stairs until he had crashed through the last door. He ran out, his bare feet making a clapping sound against the chilled cement of the rooftop. He stopped at the edge, staring out into space.
He had been here before. Once before, in this same position, but on a different building.
One jump to end all the pain, hate, and numbness he had felt constantly. But one person had been there, cared, and stopped him.
"Sora…" he whispered, letting the wind sweep his wish away. He fell to his knees, at the edge of everything, and cried out softly. "What am I going to do?"
Riku was so weak, he had been his entire life; but then Sora came along. He had taught him true strength, self-esteem, and love. Sora was his everything, his object of protection. He wouldn't be able to go on if he didn't wake up.
But until then, he would wait. He would watch over him and make sure he was warm and safe. It was his responsibility, he felt, to make sure that Sora woke up. Riku's brain never registered that it was impossible to care for Sora all the time; no, it was impossible for him to think that. He loved Sora so much that he would do everything to make sure he was safe, and vice versa. He knew that Sora would do no less for him.
Riku situated himself so that his legs hung over the side of the building. He leaned back, putting his hands on the cement behind him and resting his weight on them. The wind blew through Riku's hair, taking it along until it relented, and the silver locks rested once again on his shoulders and against his back. It was strange, being so calm and relaxed in a situation where you could've easily died before.
He had never before noticed how empty the beautiful Tokyo night could be without his loved one.
III
When Kairi came back early the next morning with ramen for Riku, she found that he had his head rested on Sora's chest as it barely rose and fell in his deep state of unconsciousness. His eyes were red and his face was still wet with tears from the night.
She set down the ramen as soon as she got inside and went over to him.
Kairi was the only person who knew about Riku and Sora's relationship (besides the couple themselves). She had been sworn to secrecy by Sora, who feared his parent's reaction. Riku had been disappointed that Sora wanted to keep their love a secret, but since it was what the chocolate-brown haired boy wanted, he had obliged. Therefore, she understood better than anyone else did the pain that Riku felt through all of this.
"Riku?" she asked hesitantly. Riku blinked and lifted his head up, looking towards her slowly.
"Are you okay?" she asked quietly, going to put her hand on his shoulder. Riku looked down at her hand strangely, as if he didn't quite understand the gesture. Then he seemed to come to his senses and quickly looked away from her, blushing and wiping away the tears from his face and eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine." he answered, his voice cracking. She put down her bag now and frowned, closing her eyes and shaking her head.
"No you're not. You look horrible, as if you haven't gotten any sleep at all."
"Thanks a bunch…" Riku said sarcastically. Kairi smiled; glad to get a bit of the old Riku back. She put her arm around him, implying she wanted him to stand. He obeyed and stood, picking up the chair and moving it to the other side of the room. Meanwhile, she pulled back the covers on his bed and gestured for him to climb in.
He opened his mouth to protest, but she gave him a glare that told him it would be wise to just do it. He grudgingly got into bed and she tucked the blankets around him, smiling down at the teen as if she were his mother.
"Now you get some sleep, I'll take care of Sora in the mean-time." she reassured.
"Are you sure?" he asked, leaning up in bed. She looked a little hurt then sighed.
"Riku, I've been taking care of both of you since we were all young. I know how to do the job." she said as she made him lie back down and rearranged the covers around him.
"I'm sorry Kairi, I trust you." he said after a while, as he was drifting off to sleep. "Thank you."
She smiled as sleep took him and his rhythmic breathing became audible. She turned her attention towards Sora and picked up his hand, stroking it softly.
She couldn't deny it anymore. She didn't think Sora was ever going to wake up. She had spent far too long hoping, and at one point it had all just ran out. She had been so tired these past months when her best friends had been away from her, and the only thing that had kept her going was hope. It had almost left her, before Riku woke up, but then she had regained it all over again.
But now, after having hope given to her and then erode slowly away again, there truly was none left in her. Her spirits seemed broken, and her heart was weak. She only kept up this exhausting act for Riku's sake; she truly had no idea what was going to happen to him. So she had to be here for him, like he had been there for both of them so many times before.
It was horrible to see him like this, pouring his entire being into caring for someone. And for what? False hope? This is what made Kairi angry to the point of wanting to blame all of this on Sora. But she knew that would be wrong, and so often she blamed this all on herself. Any and every bizarre reason she could think of as to why this was all on her, she thought of. She pushed herself to the very edge and forced herself to stay there, to make everything easier.
But deep inside, she knew it wasn't anyone's fault. Not hers, the doctor's, Sora's or Riku's. No ones. The sooner they all realized that, she thought, the better off they would be.
However, she was afraid that Riku wasn't as convinced…
To be continued…
A/N: Yep, there is actually more. So I guess this is a two-shot now…
REVIEW!