Disclaimer: I do not own Uraboku nor do I make any profit from this.
Updated March 14, 2012
Chapter 1: Fever
An early morning rain had come and gone, leaving behind a wet sheen that shimmered on the trees alongside the road. Weightless clouds chased the breeze across the bright blue sky. The sun made everything sparkle and it shone brightly onto the Twilight Mansion. The mornings went by as usual, with Yuki helping out Toma and Aya to set up breakfast. Toko and Tsukumo, who are early risers, would be the first Zweilt pair to enter into the dining room and sit at the dining table. Aya would then serve them their morning drink while they wait for breakfast to be served.
In one of the rooms above, a brown haired teen was slipping into his uniform and he knotted his red school tie around his neck. After he was fully dressed, he left his bedroom with his school bag and went to the front door. He didn't have any appetite to have breakfast and was going to make his usual 'skipping-breakfast' routine. As he was about to turn the doorknob to the front door, he felt a strong set of fingers clasping around one of his wrists. The brown haired teen turned and he found himself looking into a pair of irritated but concerned golden eyes.
"Shusei. Do you plan to skip breakfast again?"
Shusei can feel the comfort that is slowly engulfing him as he heard his own name being called by the Voice of God.
"Good morning, Hotsuma. I am not hungry," said Shusei.
"I don't care! Just stuff something into your stomach! I'm not letting you go till you eat something!" Hotsuma retorted and he pulled Shusei by the wrist towards him. Shusei stumbled under the firm grip and Hotsuma placed another hand on his arm to steady him.
"At least eat something," he said again and his eyes wavered with concern this time. Shusei blinked at the sight of his expression. Usually Hotsuma would be nagging and yelling at him to get him to eat a meal, but this time Hotsuma was actually nearly pleading him. Shusei felt extremely guilty seeing his concerned and worried face and he gave in. He let out a tiny smile at his partner and gave out a sigh.
"Alright. I get it. Let's go eat then."
"Good….." Hotsuma breathed out a sigh of relief and let go of his wrist. Shusei walked next to his partner and glimpsed at him from the side. Hotsuma was the same as usual, with his stoic facial expression and the usual frown in between his eyebrows. He looked the same and yet, why does Shusei feel that Hotsuma seemed different than usual?
"Are you alright?" he asked. Hotsuma turned his gaze towards him and blinked a few times.
"Huh? Of course I am…I should be asking you that!" Hotsuma replied indignantly.
"I-I am fine." Shusei said after a pause and they both entered into the dining room. Everyone was already seated at their usual seats and both of them were the last to enter.
"Good morning," every chattered towards their direction.
"Morning," both of them replied back.
Hotsuma took an empty seat and Shusei took the one next to him. When breakfast was served to them, Hotsuma started to eat. Tearing the slice of bread into smaller pieces, he dipped them into the hot mushroom soup and gulped them down. Shusei stared at his partner warily. 'He seems to be back to normal now. Then, what was that uneasy feeling I had just now?' he thought.
Hotsuma realized that his partner was staring at him and he stopped eating.
"Shusei. What are you staring at? Is there something on my face?" Hotsuma said and his hand automatically went up to his own face.
"Eh? No, it's not that," Shusei replied calmly.
"Eat! Like I said, I'm not letting you go till you stuff that plate down!" Hotsuma firmly said.
Although Hotsuma was being overprotective and treating him like a kid, Shusei finds it comforting. It really shows that someone really does care about his welfare and well-being and he really appreciates Hotsuma for that. He then picked up his cutlery and started to eat. His tongue couldn't feel the taste of the food, despite the fact that it was actually a very delicious meal.
After the breakfast, the five Giou high school students (Hotsuma, Shusei, Yuki, Toko and Tsukumo) walked to school. Hotsuma and Shusei walked behind them all and Shusei stole another glance at his blond partner. Hotsuma was just staring straight down the road – his eyes seemed unfocussed, like he was deep in thought. Shusei felt a little worried. He rarely saw Hotsuma not paying attention and it concerned him. However, Hotsuma looked so deep in thought that Shusei finally decided to break the trance by starting up a conversation.
"Hotsuma. I will be going to the police department later after school."
"Ok. I'll go to your class and meet up with you before we go then." The blond haired teen said. He was still in a daze even though he had replied. Shusei frowned slightly.
"It's alright. You can go back home. I can go on alone there," the Eyes of God said.
"No, it's fine. I'll go as well. What if you encounter a Duras?" he asked.
"You worry too much," Shusei replied casually.
"Of course. We are partners after all aren't we?" Hotsuma asked and this time he stared at Shusei. His gaze was solid and it never faltered. It gave Shusei the strength that he lacked as he stared into the pair of eyes that used to be as fascinating as sparkling gemstones.
"Yeah, of course," Shusei smiled.
.
'I wish that I could atone for this. I wish that he would always be by my side. I wish that he would always smile only for me. It may seem selfish but all I need is him. I don't need anyone else by my side. Just him staying beside me is enough. I wish that I could re-write the past, where I can change the fact that I had hurt him. I had hurt him but it will always remain there. Every time I see those scars which I had inflicted upon him I will always remember that day.' The blond haired teen was deep in his thoughts.
The dismissal bell rang and Hotsuma packed his stuff into his bag and got up from his seat. He took his own time, knowing that Shusei would be slower than him. Yuki, who was in the same class as him turned and spoke to Hotsuma from his seat.
"Hotsuma-kun, I heard that you are going with Shusei-kun to the police department right?" the God's Light asked.
"Yeah, I am. Tsukumo and Toko are walking you back right?" Hotsuma said.
"No. Takashiro-san gave them an assignment so Luka will come and pick me up."
"I see, then you will be alright."
"Of course. Hotsuma-kun, be careful on your way there."
"Thanks. You too. See you later at home," the blond haired teen said as he walked out from the classroom.
Hotsuma then made his way to the second year block where Shusei's class was. He soon reached in front of class II-I and entered inside. Shusei was just packing his stuff and Hotsuma walked towards his seat.
"Thanks for coming over, Hotsuma. But are you sure you want to come along?" Shusei asked to confirm with his best friend.
"Of course I am sure," he replied as he rolled his eyes. "What's up with all the questions?" Hotsuma then raised an eyebrow.
"No, it's just that you looked a little tired. And you seemed a little moody lately. Am I wrong?" Shusei asked and his lips curved upwards a little.
Hotsuma ruffled his own messy blond hair and exhaled a sigh. He looked into the Eyes of God and felt that Shusei could see into his heart. His eyes bewitched him and he felt that he couldn't stop staring into those eyes - the eyes that could see into the core of him and take over his senses. Hotsuma looked away from the intensive gaze of God's Eyes and stared elsewhere.
"N-Nothing is wrong. Don't worry about it. Come on then, let's go," Hotsuma said and he gave a pat on his best friend's shoulder.
.
By late evening, Shusei finished his day's work in the police department. Both of them were walking back to the Twilight Mansion.
"Found anything?" Hotsuma asked his partner.
"Nope, nothing at all." Shusei replied, rubbing his eyes.
"Idiot! You are overdoing it! You used too much of your clairvoyance! Why do you have to go there everyday? Damn! You are going to bed immediately when we return. I don't want you reading nor doing any work for the rest of today!" Hotsuma protested.
Shusei smiled. He was happy to see his partner's concern. It is what made him feel 'alive'. That is to be by his partner's side.
Back at the Twilight Mansion, Hotsuma immediately pushed Shusei from behind his back to his own bedroom, much to the amusement of the brunet.
"Hotsuma, I'm fine. Just a little tired that's all."
"Off you go to bed now!" he insisted.
"What about dinner?" Shusei smirked. He knew that Hotsuma wouldn't let him skip his meals. Hotsuma paused for a second, before finally relenting.
"Alright. But after dinner, there will be no excuses! You are going to bed immediately after that!" Hotsuma demanded.
"Yes, yes! I got it." Shusei replied patiently.
After a quick shower, both of them went and ate dinner. Shusei felt his eyelids closing and he felt a little light-headed as Hotsuma placed a large slice of chicken pie onto his plate. The blond haired teen immediately noticed that there was something wrong with his partner. He dropped his fork and the fork gave a loud clang as it hit the porcelain china. He placed his hands gently onto Shusei's shoulder.
"Oi! Shusei! Are you alright?" said Hotsuma anxiously. His deep voice filled the whole room and everyone turned to stare at them.
"Shusei-kun, are you alright?" Yuki stood up and asked in a very concerned voice. Everyone had stopped eating and looking at him with concern.
"Shu-kun. I think you should go rest now. You look so pale," said Tachibana.
"Shusei!" Hotsuma increased the volume of his voice as he saw that Shusei had placed a palm onto his own face, deep furrows forming between his brows as he fought against the headache he was having. Shusei forced his eyes opened and stood up.
"Bathroom. Excuse me." he said and walked towards the door of the bathroom, which were a few paces away from him. Hotsuma stared at his partner and stood up, wanting to follow him. After about three paces, Shusei felt his consciousness slipping and he legs wobbled. His sight was failing him and he lost balance. He was about to fall flat onto the ground and Shusei expected his body to hurt from the impact on the ground but instead, he felt no pain.
A strong set of arms encircled around his waist and his back landed against a solid chest. He knew it was Hotsuma instantly as he could smell the familiar scent of his partner and his familiar yet warm arms around him.
"SHUSEI!"
"SHUSEI-KUN!"
Everyone else got up from their seats and went to him. Shusei's face was instantly layered with a sheen of sweat and he was breathing heavily, as though out of breath. His vision became blurry due to the massive headache and he closed his eyes shut. Hotsuma cupped onto one of his cheek and was shocked to find that Shusei was burning up. He then placed his hand onto the sweaty forehead and felt the the skin burning through his cool palms.
"Shit! He has gotten a fever!" Hotsuma cursed.
"Bring him into the medical room, Hotsuma," Dr Isuzu said immediately.
Without further ado, Hotsuma placed his other free hand behind Shusei's knees and lifted Shusei easily off the ground.
'He feels so light and thin! This idiot!' Hotsuma cursed in his mind as he stared down at Shusei who was now looking even paler. Hotsuma took large steps and everyone followed, their dinner long forgotten. Dr Isuzu opened the medical room door and Hotsuma went in and placed Shusei gently onto the bed there. He bit his lower lip as he saw that Shusei's pale complexion. His lips were slightly parted and his face was still dripping with cold sweat. Dr Isuzu quickly covered Shusei with a warm blanket and took his temperature. He then examined him and using a stethoscope, he listened to his heartbeat. Everyone else was in there, anxiously waiting.
After a few minutes, Dr Isuzu removed the stethoscope from his ears. The thermometer then gave a silent beep and he looked into the reading. 39.8C.
"How is he?" Hotsuma asked desperately.
"High fever, exhaustion, lack of food. He should be ok in a couple of days, under proper care."
"Shusei-kun," Yuki whispered out worriedly.
"Shoot! It's my entire fault! If only I had insisted that he didn't go to the police department today!" Hotsuma clenched his fists, urging to punch onto something.
Dr Isuzu then placed a cool wet towel onto Shusei's burning forehead and turned to Hotsuma.
"He will be fine. Don't worry, Hotsuma."
"I'm staying here tonight!" Hotsuma glared fiercely, as if daring anyone to challenge him.
"Of course. I'm sure Shusei will be glad to have you beside him." Dr Isuzu said, not at all fazed by Hotsuma's glare.
"Ok, everyone lets go out. Too many people in a medical room is not going to help Shu-kun recover!" Tachibana said in his usual singsong voice. Everyone except Hotsuma and Dr Isuzu then left reluctantly.
Hotsuma and Dr Isuzu then changed Shusei into his pajamas and then Hotsuma took a foldable chair that was leaning against the wall and sat beside the bed, staring at his unconscious partner. Dr Isuzu then gave him an injection and was standing next to Hotsuma.
"Doctor, it's fine. I'll look after him. You can continue your dinner," Hotsuma said.
Dr Isuzu stared at the young teen and then got up. He went to the medicine cupboard and took out two bottles of pills. One is a painkiller and the other is for supplements.
"Alright. You plan to stay here beside him right? Just give him a pill from those two bottles when he wakes up."
"Got it. Thanks doctor," Hotsuma replied gratefully.
Dr Isuzu then left the medical room, leaving Hotsuma and Shusei alone. Hotsuma then rinsed the towel that was on his forehead at the basin of icy cold water and placed it back onto Shusei's forehead. He then covered the blanket higher to Shusei's neck and then sat back down onto the chair.
Staring helplessly at his partner, he felt depressed and ashamed that he had let Shusei fallen ill. He reached out and held onto one of Shusei's palm, which was burning. Hotsuma covered the thin palm with his own hand and brought it to his lips. He brushed his lips against Shusei's smooth palm and felt himself shivering, afraid for Shusei.
"Shusei," he whispered softly.
