Complication

It was just the flu.

In fact, he'd had the same flu only a week earlier, and had probably been the one to give the damn virus to his twin in the first place. The two tended to share everything with one another so naturally, illnesses were no exception. Yeah, it had been miserable when he'd been sick. He'd missed some school, hacked his brains out, and slept like a rock, but he'd recovered 4 days later, no worse for wear. So if this was just that same virus, then why was Hikaru not getting better? It had been nearly a week for goodness sake.

Kaoru shifted uneasily under the covers, unable to sleep not only because of his brother's incessant cough, but also from his own mounting concern.

"Hikaru?" Kaoru finally said, opening his eyes to view their partially illuminated room. The digital clock read 4:30 am and neither of them had slept a wink. Their white bedsheets glowed blue in the moonlight. The younger twin extended an arm to rub circles on Hikaru's back, unsettled by the way each cough was pronounced by a labored inhale. "Are you okay?"

Hikaru rolled onto his back in response, cupping an elbow over his mouth in a reflexive attempt to be polite, not that it really made a difference. Between Kaoru's sickness last week, and Hikaru's this week, their room was probably a glorified petri dish. Even the maids wouldn't enter through their doorway without cautionary masks and gloves.

"I can't stop coughing," Hikaru moaned. He gave another few barking coughs and consented to scooting up in bed, leaning his back against the cool headboard. Kaoru also sat up, pulling his knees into his chest and using them as a chin rest.

Hikaru huffed and glanced at his brother briefly before mirroring his twin's position. "My chest hurts," Hikaru said pitifully, setting his cheek atop his knees.

Kaoru frowned and placed a hand beneath Hikaru's bangs, like their mother used to do when they were little. He pursed his lips at the heat beneath his fingers. "You still feel like you have a fever, and this is the sixth day you've been sick. Didn't the doctor say you'd be better by now?"

"I don't know, I can't remember what he said." Hikaru coughed a few more times. "I feel like I've been hit by a bus,"

Kaoru sighed and let his hand fall away. "I guess this means you won't be coming to school again today,"

Hikaru threw a dirty glance at his twin, though it didn't hold much malice. Hikaru didn't have the energy for that kind of chagrin. "You ditched me last week,"

"Only for a couple of days. You've almost been out for the entire week," Koaru bit down on his lower lip.

"I'm not playing hookey for kicks, Kaoru," Hikaru said, breaking off into another fit of coughs. He abandoned the curled position and folded his legs criss cross style, bending forward into a sort of tripod position.

"I know, I know," Kaoru said, observing the way his brother's hands clenched and unclenched atop his pale knees. He was clearly miserable. Kaoru couldn't stop the empathy from eating at his stomach. It was making him slightly nauseous. "I'm just starting to get worried, you know? You seem like you're getting worse,"

Hikaru was breathing hard, as if he'd just run a sprint. It sounded downright unhealthy, considering he was just sitting in bed. Kaoru moved to rest a hand on his brother's shoulder, kneading it gently.

"I do feel worse," Hikaru admitted. "I thought I was getting better a few days ago but then, I dunno, I just didn't. And now I feel like- like I was hit by a bus," The older twin finished lamely, recycling the analogy he'd already used. His usually sharp mind was muddled and unable to piece together a second decent metaphor. He fidgeted restlessly, balling the sheets in his fists then setting those free to rake a trembling hand through his hair.

Kaoru frowned, noting how noticeably uncomfortable Hikaru appeared in his own skin. "You look really sick, Hikaru. You're scaring me,"

Hikaru looked like he wanted to respond, but instead tumbled into another spasm of coughs that did nothing to ease Kaoru's mind.

"I think we should do something," Kaoru's vision had adjusted to the dark. He could see the way Hikaru's chest seemed to haul each breath. Surely that was not normal. Kaoru liked to think he was a practical person, but sometimes following an instinct was just as important. It didn't matter that this was "just" the flu. Something simply wasn't right.

"What do you mean?" Hikaru asked, again shifting his position in an unsuccessful attempt to get comfortable. His breaths remained loud and coarse. Kaoru's stomach churned in discontent. His gut screamed even louder: something is not okay.

"Should we call the doctor?" Kaoru offered. His lower lip was becoming quickly abused as it was rolled between his incisors.

"I dunno," Hikaru said, shrugging his shoulder's and closing his eyes in apparent thought. As a few moments passed, the older twin began rocking slightly back and forth, his brow furrowing progressively. "Kao-" Hikaru mewled. "Maybe you're right and there is something wrong," He rested a hand on his chest. "This feels bad,"

Kaoru didn't like the way Hikaru panted around each sentence. The younger twin found Hikaru's restless hand and grasped it tight, holding it still. "If there's something really wrong Hikaru, maybe we should go strait to the hospital," Kaoru said, his whole body tense. His heart beat quickened beneath his ribs as Hikaru nodded slightly.

"Yes?" Kaoru asked, his stomach rising into his throat.

"Yea," Hikaru nodded more earnestly this time. His face was pinched with discomfort, and there were tears forming at the corners of his eyes. "Kao-," The older twin suddenly sobbed, curling forward into himself. A few earnest tears streaked down his face in ruddy trails. "I feel like I can't breath. I can't-" Hikaru couldn't finish the sentence as another coughing fit consumed his words. He ripped his hand free from Kaoru's to cover his mouth, while the other hand twined desperately through the front of his T-shirt.

"Hikaru!" Kaoru placed his palm on his brother's back instead and tried to ignore the unavoidable hurt he felt from Hikaru pulling away. He knew it wasn't personal, and only demonstrated the extent of Hikaru's distress.

Unable to do anything to stop Hikaru's fit, Kaoru sat by, helpless and afraid. The violent episode continued on until Hikaru began gagging, more tears streaming down his cheeks. Kaoru's heart hammered in his chest with mounting anxiety.

"That's it, I'm calling an ambulance!" The younger twin decided, finally letting his gut take control. He practically leapt from the bed to reach their side table where his cell phone sat charging. The cord was yanked form the wall as Kaoru over estimated the force needed to pull it free.

Hikaru didn't protest the decision, but then again, he didn't seem able to answer one way or another.

By the time Kaoru had the emergency number dialed and ringing, Hikaru had managed to stop cough-gagging, but he still struggled through choked heaving breaths, each followed by a horrible high pitched stride. Kaoru could barely tune the terrible noise out as the dispatcher answered.

"Dispatching services, what is your emergency?" Said the even keeled voice of the male telecommunicator.

"I need an ambulance sent to my house right away! My brother's sick, he can't breath!" Kaoru blurted.

"And what is your location?" The voice asked calmly. Kaoru rattled off his address and hastily answered the few yes/no questions the dispatcher asked. He briefly reviewed his brother's situation: how he had the flu, with a cough, and a fever, and goddamnit, yes, he had been previously healthy.

"He's 16, he's never been this sick!" Kaoru's voice had risen an octave since the start of the phone conversation.

"I understand, sir. An ambulance is on its way. Give 5-7 minutes for arrival,"

"T-thank you," Kaoru stammered. The dispatcher offered to stay on the line but the younger twin couldn't hang up fast enough. Before crawling back to Hikaru's side, he flicked on their bedside lamp. The lighting served to reveal Hikaru's pallor, and made visible the sickly bluish hue of his lips. Seeing his brother's illuminated state, Kaoru knew he had made the right decision. Hikaru looked like death.

"Did you hear that Hikaru? Just 5 minutes! We're going to get you help," Koaru unraveled one of Hikaru's fists from their bedding and grasped it firmly. His twin's eyes were screwed shut, breaths coming too fast and shallow. With each strangled inhale the tendons on Hikaru's neck stood prominent and deep craters formed in the hallow of his clavicles.

"Hikaru!" Kaoru squeezed the trembling hand between his fingers too hard, trying anything to gain his brother's attention, "Hikaru, look at me!" He knew his brother was in a bad way regardless, but Hikaru's anxiety was only adding coal to the fire.

"You have to calm down! Come on, try to take a deep breath, you can do this," Kaoru was mere inches from a meltdown himself, he had no idea how he was keeping his head clear enough to be of any help.

Hikaru finally did look up. His fearful amber eyes were framed by furrowed brows and purple bags, rimmed red and wet with tears.

"That's it," Koaru's voice only shook a little, "If you relax, it might get easier. Just breath, in and out," He tried to make his voice imitate the one he'd spoken with on the phone. It worked to some extent. Hikaru appeared to try and follow his directions, slowly adopting a calmer rhythm.

"Kao-" Hikaru started.

"Shh, don't try to talk," Kaoru interrupted. "Just breath. Breathing's important,"

Hikaru nodded mutely, clamping his eyes shut once more, and throwing all his effort into drawing air through his open mouth. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for Hikaru to appear just as panicked as before. His lips were becoming more blue by the minute.

If Kaoru's heart could beat any faster, he was sure it would burst right through his ribs. Kaoru was terrified. Probably the most scared he had ever been. A looming wave of impending doom consumed his senses as he watched his mirror image struggle for air.

"It's going to be okay, everything is going to be okay," Kaoru said in a thready voice, keeping Hikaru's hand in his like a vice. Hot tears were starting to form in the corners of his eyes, but somehow they didn't fall. He was probably too far in shock for his emotions to react properly. He had no idea what in the hell was even happening to his brother. It had all spiraled so fast. How could Hikaru go form regular-sick, to crisis-sick so quickly? It made no sense!

"You're going to be alright. You're going to be fine," Kaoru's tone was even less convincing. What if Hikaru wasn't fine? He could clearly see his brother starving for air, and if anything, his breaths were becoming steadily worse. The minutes were passing like glaciers.

"You'll be okay, Hikaru. You have to be okay," Kaoru's voice was beginning to break. If help didn't arrive soon he didn't know what he would do. How long could Hikaru go without air? What if he got worse? What if he stopped breathing all together? What if he-

The sound of slamming car doors interrupted his thoughts from wandering too far. He could hear the on site house staff beginning to rouse at the commotion in the courtyard.

There was a knock on their bedroom door and a middle aged housemaid popped her head into view. "Mr. Hitachiin," That's what all the house staff called them. It wasn't incorrect, and saved the inevitable mix up between either twin. "There's an ambulance in the courtyard and paramedics trying to enter the property, what is the meaning-" She paused when she caught a glimpse of the twins' state. Her face visibly paled.

"I'll send them up right away, you boys just hang on,"

It wasn't another minute before 3 EMS workers hurried into their bedroom, stretcher in tow, undoubtedly guided there by their numerous staff. They wore dark navy uniforms with walkie-talkies velcroed to their shoulders and too many pockets to count.

"Sir, I'm going to need you to step aside," It took Kaoru a moment to realize the youngest responder was speaking to him. He suddenly felt extremely out of place. With shaky legs he crawled off the bed, reluctantly unlacing his finger's from Hikaru's. As soon as he was out of the way, two of the workers swarmed his brother like wolves.

The third responder, a tall man with silver streaked hair and a pair of reading glasses atop his head, approached the younger Hitachiin. He stuck a lanky hand out in greeting, "Hello there, my name's Ichiro, I'm a senior paramedic," Kaoru looked at the man like a deer in headlights, struck by his normalcy. He hesitantly shook the offered hand.

"What's your name, son?" The paramedic prompted. Kaoru could barely remember his words.

"Kaoru,"

"And what's your brother's name?" Ichiro didn't need to guess their relationship. Just like the rest of the world, their identical appearance never went unnoticed, even at first glance.

"I-it's Hikaru," He stuttered. The man had kind but diligent eyes. He gave Kaoru a nod and turned to the older twin, joining his teammates' frenzy.

"Hikaru, my name is Ichiro. We're going to bring you to the hospital,"

Kaoru bit the back of his knuckles, watching the whole happening. The other two emergency personal, a second man and a women, had already placed a clear oxygen mask over Hikaru's face and wrapped a blood pressure cuff round his upper arm. The older twin looked in a daze. His eyes appeared blank and he only moaned in response to Ichiro's words. His breaths were no longer as loud as before, but Kaoru wasn't sure that was a good thing.

"We're going to get you onto the stretcher, okay?" Again, Hikaru made little effort to respond. His eyes were only half open and hazy. The three responders briefly exchanged ideas on how to move the older Hitachiin, who was clearly not fit to stand. Ichiro ultimately expedited the process and grasped Hikaru bridal style, hoisting him right off the bed.

Hikaru did perk at this, crying out in surprise. This made Kaoru's heart twist. His knees were quaking beneath his weight. He wasn't really sure how he was standing at all.

"It's okay," The lady EMT said to Hikaru once he was safely settled onto the stretcher, which was propped upright to form a backing like a chair. She made sure the oxygen mask was securely over his nose and mouth before beginning to strap him down, clipping seat belt-like restraints over his torso, "We're just going to take you for a ride and get you some help. Look your brother is right over there, see?"

Kaoru jumped at the woman's words. Hikaru did settle dazed eyes on him. They looked confused and scared and full of pain. Kaoru had to grasp the night stand for support as his knees threatened to buckle.

"We have room for one to ride in the ambulance. Do you kids have any parents that are going to accompany him?" The third, youthful, but burly paramedic asked. The realization that their parents were out of town on a business trip dawned on Kaoru. He suddenly felt even more scared and alone.

To Kaoru's surprise, Hikaru began weakly fighting against the straps holding him, pushing aside the hands of the female EMT. It was almost impossible to make out the sentence Hikaru was trying to relay around his coughing and gasping, but Kaoru understood the message loud and clear. Kaoru, don't leave me!

"I won't!" Kaoru said desperately, hoping to calm his brother's actions. He turned quickly to Ichiro, "I-I'll go with him! Our parents aren't here,"

This proclamation calmed the older twin, though the futile struggle left him even worse off. The workers promptly moved to finish securing him down, and stickered his chest with monitor pads which hooked to a wired machine at the head of the stretcher. It promptly lit with information, tracking Hikaru's vital signs in real time.

"Well get ready to leave, then. We're taking off as soon as your brother is loaded," The young responder said curtly.

Kaoru nodded and hastily grabbed a pair of jeans. He didn't bother to change from his sleeping top. It was just a white T-shirt like Hikaru's. Not indecent, just simple. It didn't take him long to change, but even with the hurried effort, he still had to race down their grand staircase to catch the departing stretcher.

The early morning sun light was beginning to stain the tree line orange. It was a brisk fall morning and the air chilled Kaoru's exposed arms as he excited their estate. He didn't notice much, of course. He was far too focused on Hikaru.

A nervous group of staff followed the EMT's in somewhat of a procession, helping when they could, opening doors and moving area rugs out of the way. One well meaning women even shoved a sweatshirt into Kaoru's arms to take with him.

He tried to nod in thanks, but he was pretty sure he looked more like a twitchy rabbit. She smiled sadly at him in sympathy, which only made Kaoru feel even worse about the entire situation. He didn't have time to dwell on this, however. He was hurriedly helped into the ambulance and directed to sit on a shelf like plastic folding chair attached to the back wall.

He felt so far from his brother, even though he could reach out and grab Hikaru's foot if he tried. The older twin's eyes had fallen shut and his body had gone slack aside from the effortful rise and fall of his chest.

Hikaru, please be okay, Kaoru thought as the Ambulance doors were slammed shut and latched closed.

I've been writing this mostly just for myself, but I figured I'd share it, cause why not!? Probably going to be a 3-4 shot. Next chapter will be soon to follow. R+R! :)