~I had a dream... I wanted to be a teacher. I worked hard to achieve my dream. But I can't believe I'll never be able to fulfill it. I can't believe I've wasted about 16 years of my life just to die. I could have lived longer. I should have lived longer. I don't want to die. No, not yet. I still have a mission to fulfill. I can't die right now. Only 5 more months before I graduate. My life was so full of color. Me and Ryuji will celebrate our anniversary next week. I've already planned a Halloween party with the guys. And I've also thought of a gift for him for out one-year anniversary... And I promised him that I will stay with him forever... I must not die.~

Shizuka stared blankly at the piece of paper in her hands. It was the doctor's diagnosis of her illness. She thought it was a small tumor at most, however, she did not expect the words 'Stage IV Breast Cancer' to be printed in big, bold letters, easily catching her attention. Her brain is working overtime to process the information. 'But it was just a small lump. How can it be breast cancer? Are the doctors insane? Are they saying I'm gonna die in 5 months? But how? I don't do kinky stuff in bed! Hell, Ryuji would kill those fuckers if they blame him!'. Katsuya stood beside his sister solemnly as the revelation sunk in. "Shizuka..."he muttered under his breath, trying to contain the tears from falling. He must be strong for his sister. The fiery-haired girl just stood quietly in front of the mailbox. Everything was going so well for their family. Their parents had just got back together, Katsuya is getting married to Mai next year and Shizuka finally confessed her feelings to Ryuji.

When Shizuka went to the doctor to examine the 'lump' on her right breast, they thought it was just a little tumor, since Shizuka and Ryuji never do kinky stuff. Katsuya will personally skin him alive if he did anything harmful to his sister. They haven't told their parents yet. It would be such a shock. He doesn't know how to reacht himself. "Shizuka..."Katsuya bravely put his hand on her shoulder. Then he noticed that Shizuka is crying soundlessly, still staring at the piece of paper in her hand. Her tears ran down her cheeks, her eyes wide open and her mouth pressed into a hard line. The paper is now wet with tears. Katsuya couldn't hold it any longer and let a single tear fall from his eye. He held Shizuka in his arms. "Oh Shizuka..."he whispered, resting his head on top of hers. 'What did you do to deserve this...?'.

"Katsuya! Shizuka! What are you two doing outside?"Katsuya snapped his head up when he heard his mother call them. She had her hair in a messy bun, frying pan in hand, wearing a flowery pink apron over her dress. Their father was just behind her, newspaper in his left hand, a cup of coffee in his right. Katsuya almost smiled at the sight, but couldn't stop a tear that slipped past. "Mom... Dad..."Shizuka slowly left her brother's arms and faced their parents. "I have Stage IV Breast Cancer and I have a maximum of 5 months to live."she said in an emotionless voice that made Katsuya's heart break. "Shi... Shizuka, don't joke like that!"their mother lightly scolded, with their father nodding in agreement with their mother. Shizuka walked over to them, and showed the letter. Katsuya could not described the pain in their mother's face when she read it. She broke down crying with Shizuka, while their father just stared blankly at Katsuya.

~What did you do to deserve this? You were such a good girl. I finally got our family back together and everything is going so well. I'm gonna marry my beloved Mai in 3 months. And you and Ryuji will celebrate your one-year anniversary on December 24. You were having the best time of your life. You have a wonderful boyfriend who will take care of you, great friends who are always there to help you, an a complete family that will stick with you 'till the end... so why do you have to die, my little sister? Why must you die?~

The Jounochi family will never by the same again. A simple letter from the doctor almost wrecked them again. Their little girl, the fiery Shizuka Jounochi, only has 5 more months to live. She may not live through her graduation day. But they are determined to find a cure. They need to find a way to make her live. They don't care about the cost. Katsuya is a Pro Duelist and he gains half a million yen every Duel, win or loose. Their friends are there to help. Shizuka's boyfriend, Ryuji Otogi is finishing his Medical Technologist course, while his mother is a renowned surgeon, and his father is a doctor. Money is not the problem, they gain more than enough for an operation. But the feeling of doom still lingers. 5 months... in 5 months, if they don't do something, their Shizuka will die. And that's the last thing they want.

~We failed you, Shizuka. We should've noticed it sooner. As your parents, we are determined to do everything in out power to save you. We nearly lost you once, and we vow never to loose you again. We want to bring the fire back in your eyes. We will not let you die.~

That sucked. Don't ask why. I just suck at this. Anyway, for those who are confused:

Shizuka = Serenity

Ryuji = Duke

Katsuya = Joey

Japanese names are used because their English names are inconsistent. If there are any errors, feel free to tell me. I don't give a damn about it. Review if you want. This is already done, but I'm not sure whether to kill Shizuka or just do the usual 'fairy tale happily ever after ending', like always. I'd probably kill her, but I feel sorry for Ryuji if I do.