Man it's been a LONG time since I've updated this. I just get so caught up in life and being busy and then losing my muse. Muse losing is the worst! I really am hoping I can get out a couple more chapters before it happens again. I had actually discovered I had written Chapter 2 but had never uploaded it. I re-read it and honestly, it was horrible. I just wrote 4 times as many words about one of the several scenes I had quickly ran through in the last version. I decided to split it up more.

Chapter 2

Early the next morning, the doctor came to check up on Sage. Sage was sitting up in his bed. If the Doctor were to guess, he'd wager that Sage hadn't moved at all since he'd initially woken up. He watched every move the Doctor made around the room as if he was waiting for him to strike.

"How are you feeling today Mr. Date?" The Doctor asked, writing a few notes on Sage's chart.

"Great." Sage lied, not wanting to give any reason to the Doctor to make him stay longer. He hated hospitals.

The Doctor looked at him curiously but then went back to the chart. Sage was sweating and looked as if he'd been poked with hundreds of needles. He needed to have the police come in to talk with Sage about what had happened.

"I'd like to take your temperature." The Doctor said to which Sage nodded gently. He leaned away from the Doctor when he brought the thermometer close to his mouth. "Put it under your tongue, please." The Doctor said, reading the fear on his face.

Sage took the cold object between his fingers, studying it for a minute. It didn't appear to be anything less than what it was intended for. He was afraid that it was a trick and would somehow hurt him.

"Are you okay?" Sage cleared his throat, nodding. He took the thermometer, sticking it carefully underneath his tongue.

After a minute or so, the Doctor reached over, gently removing it from his mouth. "See? That wasn't so bad now was it?"

Sage felt his face grow hot but he didn't answer him.

The Doctor made a sound, which peaked Sage's curiosity. "We're going to add another antibiotic to help with the fever." Sage could feel that his body was weak from sickness but he wasn't going to admit it.

Why did this illusion not end already? Any moment now, something was going to reveal to him that it wasn't real. His friends would never find him. Sage didn't even know himself where he was being kept.

The Doctor changed an IV bag and left the room. While he was gone, a nurse came in with a tray of breakfast. She tried to make small talk with Sage but he just ignored her, looking down at his clasped hands. He wished he had sleeves to cover his bruised and battered arms. He didn't even recognize them as his own. The nurse placed the food on the table next to the bed and exited.

Glancing over at the food, Sage felt his stomach gurgle. He didn't really think about hunger until it made itself known. He knew what it was like to be practically starved before, no thanks to Talpa, so hunger pains didn't bother him as quickly as it probably did normal people.

In all of his previous dreams he couldn't recall ever feeling hungry. He was just always in the moment. Maybe this was another trick. Maybe the food had something in it that would make him more susceptible to doing what the wanted.

The Doctor came back with a few items in his hand that he placed down on the counter near the sink. "Mr. Date. This antibiotic is in a syringe. Are you okay with needles?" The Doctor asked, lifting the large needle.

Sage's eyes widened immediately. "I don't want it." He said immediately, his eyes not leaving the point of the needle.

"Mr. Date. I promise you won't even feel it."

Sage couldn't hide his fright as his heart rate began to grow rapidly, the beating going faster and faster on the monitor. The Doctor put the needle down. "Please…calm down." He said as he reached out to touch Sage on the shoulder.

Sage swatted at his hand, making a move to get out of bed but realized he was attached to many things, wincing at the tugs of the IVs in his arms. Those suddenly worried him so he ripped them out without a second thought. He pulled the oxygen from his face and jumped off the bed, the heart monitor signaling a flatline as he came unclamped from his finger, dangling off the side of the bed.

In Sage's weak state, he almost collapsed, saved only by grabbing onto the bed.

"Mr. Date…please calm down." He said again, trying to use his body to block the doorway.

"You can't keep me trapped in here forever Shikaisen!" He said, no longer seeing the Doctor but the monster that had taken him. Sage made it to the other side of the bed, wobbling but his sudden spike in adrenaline made him able to stand. He took a fighting stance, waiting for Shikaisen to attack.

The Doctor looked scared and began to back out of the room. Sage took a swing at him, his weakened state causing him to miss and nearly fall into the doorframe.

Knowing he was too weak to fight, Sage started to run, managing to get past a couple nurses who looked like they were going to try and stop him. Sage didn't know where he was going, only that he had to get out. He felt like a caged animal.

He only made it past the elevators when two larger male nurses found him, backing him into a corner. Sage was like a frightened animal, lashing out as best he could in his condition. One of them held Sage in a bear hug, the other injecting something into his arm.

Sage gasped, begging them to stop, to just let him go. To let him go home but it was no use.

"Please….please let me go." As Sage began to drift off, the only thing he could hear was that cruel, evil laugh.

0000

"What do you mean he tried to fight you?" Ryo asked, completely shocked at what the Doctor was telling them. The group, sans Yuli who was with Kento's Uncle site seeing, had arrived at the hospital over an hour later.

"He's traumatized. Whoever was hurting your friend did a number on him. I've called the police to take his statement." The Doctor told the group as they arrived only an hour later to come see Sage. When they'd brought him to the hospital, they explained that he'd been held against his will by a mad scientist. The Doctor, they had tied up and left in the cave.

Mia agreed to speak on Sage's behalf since they knew he wouldn't want to talk about it. The Doctor explained that the police would still want to try and so they would have to let them at least do that.

"He won't hurt us." Cye said quietly as it didn't appear the Doctor was too willing to let them go see him.

"Alright but I should warn you, we needed to restrain him. It's for his and our safety. Do not let him go. I know it won't be easy to see him like that but we will not let you visit him if you do." They all agreed, even though they weren't happy about it.

Rowen was the first to start quickly towards his best friend's room. As he walked into the room, large violet eyes pierced through his own blue.

"Sage…hey buddy." He said, trying and failing to look inconspicuously at Sage's wrists, each held down by straps on either side of the bed. He bit his lip but tried to hide what he'd seen. It was too late as Sage blushed deeply, ashamed at his current state.

Rowen took his seat next to Sage's bed. "How are you feeling?" He asked him, feeling as though that was the worst question to ask.

"Trapped." Sage answered lamely, looking at the sheets on the bed. His hands were balled into fists and he weakly tried to pull his wrists out of the restraints. On top of the restraints being very secure, his arms were too sore and weak from being restrained and bruised from the weaks before.

"We're not allowed to take those off….not yet. If we do, they won't let us visit you. I'm sure we can get them off soon. You just…you scared the staff a little." Rowen tried to explain, hoping Sage believed him.

The others came into the room, each one taking in the restraints and how defeated Sage looked.

"The Doctor said you have a pretty bad fever. Do you feel sick?"

Yes. "No. " Sage answered, ignoring his instinct to be honest.

"Oh...that reminds me. This should help you a little." Ryo said, reaching into his pocket and putting Sage's kanji into one of his hands, albeit with a little difficulty as Sage was reluctant to open his fist.

The warmth of the orb instantly brought him some relief but his eyes flickered to Ryo then to Cye and then to each of the individually. Was this a trick? Did they want him to use his armor.

"You're weak so if you heal too much too quickly, you'll exhaust yourself but if you can heal yourself just a little for some relief…we agree that would be safe enough." Cye said since Sage looked suspicious.

"The police want to talk to you about what happened." Rowen told his friend, placing his hand over one of Sage's fists.

Sage looked at Rowen's hand, seeing the wounds his own hands had from the battle.

He looked up, all of them expecting him to say something. He sighed inwardly. He had to play along a little or else they were going to continue just staring.

"I can't…very well explain the armor." Sage said flatly.

"Sage…a crazy doctor kidnapped you and drugged you…that's not far from the truth." Kento suggested, knowing they couldn't exactly talk about the armor. It would sound insane. They also couldn't prove it without risking their identities.

Sage chewed on his lip. He guessed that Kento was right. It would explain the wounds on his body.

Mia came into the room, surprising Sage. He obviously didn't know she had come with them. She had stayed back with the Doctor who had wanted to talk to her some more.

Sage wished more than ever to hide from everyone's concerning looks but he was powerless. As powerless as he had been with Shikaisen. That wasn't right either, he was still powerless because he hadn't gotten away.

"Are you thirsty at all?" Cye asked, grabbing the fresh cup and bringing it closer to Sage.

He frowned but the parched feeling came up so he parted his lips, sipping the water eagerly. He pulled on the restraints to hold onto the cup himself but sighed, frustrated.

"Please take these off…" But all of them looked away from him. "Rowen…please?" Sage asked, his voice tightening at the panic he was feeling.

Rowen bit his lip, knowing that the doctor had told them not to. He just couldn't help it though. The way Sage was looking at him was breaking his heart.

"Fine just…don't go fighting off Doctors again…promise?" Rowen asked, smiling at him gently.

Sage nodded, a tiny faint of a smile on his face. "Promise." Rowen removed the restraint off his closest wrist and then reached across his friend to free the other. He placed his kanji on the bed where his hand had been, bringing his arms against his chest, rubbing absently at his wrists.

"We know you're not dangerous Sage…you were just scared." Ryo told him assuredly. "Hopefully we can get you out of here soon and go back home."

The thought of home pained him in ways he was unsure they would ever understand. The only ones who could come close to knowing were Kento and Cye since they had been taken by The Dynasty before. He wanted to go back home terribly but he was afraid he never would.

"Mr. Date? The officers are here and would like to take your statement.." The Doctor said near the doorway, two officers standing just behind him.

"If you all could excuse us?" One of the officers said.

The group started to leave but Sage reached, grabbing fast onto Rowen. The Doctor scowled, seeing that Sage was no longer restrained but Rowen didn't look alarmed.

"Will you stay?" Sage's eyes looked wild in fear.

"Yes…is that okay officers? I'll stay out of the way." Rowen promised, looking at Sage to assure him he'd stay.

The officers didn't seem like they wanted him here but they could see that look in Sage's eye. He would be much more cooperative if someone he felt safe around was here.

"We'll be in the waiting room when you're done." Mia said as she and the others left.

0000

"I hope Sage heals soon so we can leave." Kento said as he plopped down in a chair, hands full of snacks from the vending machine.

"He will. I'm sure he's just as eager to go home as well all are." Ryo said, swiping a candy bar from Kento's arms.

"Hey!"

"Ryo is doing you a favor…if you eat all of that candy, you're going to feel sick." Cye said, taking his seat across from Kento. Mia sat on his other side, a concerned look on her face.

"Mia…are you okay?" Ryo asked, the other two looking over at their female companion.

"I'm not sure." She frowned, not wanting to gossip about Sage's condition but worrying that if she didn't say anything, that it could be more detrimental. "The Doctor pulled me aside to tell me what happened with Sage earlier."

"What's not to know? Sage freaked because he didn't want to be pricked with a needle." Kento said, not really seeing the big deal with that. Personally, he thought they overreacted by restraining him.

"Yeah…he had restraint marks on his wrists and ankles…how could they think that was a smart idea?" Ryo added, frowning at the memory of Sage and the fear in his eyes.

"The Doctor was afraid of Sage. He's worried that the drugs that were put in Sage's system might have some lingering side effects."

They didn't necessarily think that was invalid since Sage had been under the influence of numerous drugs for several weeks up until yesterday.

Mia could tell they were a little confused so she continued with the part of the story that bothered her the most. "The Doctor said that Sage called him Shikaisen. He said that he looked certain that that was his name." Of course the Doctor didn't know what that was or meant.

"Do you think it was just the drugs? Once they're out of his system he should be okay, right?" Kento asked, though it was a little hard to hear due to the food in his mouth.

"I don't know. Yuli and I tried to talk to Sage but he couldn't hear us. He rarely opened his eyes. The Doctor was whispering into a microphone but I couldn't make out what he was saying. I think it was some type of suggestion. If Sage was under the influence of so many different types of drugs, there's no telling what he had gone through mentally while he was captive." Mia frowned, feeling her eyes water just at the thought of the pain that Sage had gone through.

"We'll talk to him, get him to tell us what all had happened." Kento said, looking angry but only because of what those sickos had done to Sage.

"I don't know if it will be that easy. Sage is proud. It's hard enough to get him to tell us he's hurt after any battle." Cye sighed, resting his chin on his clasped hands.

"Sage knows he's safe with us. If he wants to open up to us, he will. We just need to give him time." Ryo said as he took a bite of the candy bar he'd taken from Kento.

"I hope you're right." Mia answered, glancing at the doorway, hoping the conversation with the police wouldn't take too long.

0000

Rowen was surprised at how well and composed Sage was during his conversation with the police. He was polite, alert, and answered the questions to the best of his ability.

Sage's memory was fuzzy for most of his capture, which was mostly true. He told them he didn't remember much of it, just that he was always drugged up in one way or another.

Rowen piped in when they asked how he had gotten away. He claimed that they had been able to trace Sage's cell phone, which brought them to discover him where he'd been kept. They weren't happy to know that the guys went in alone without any police help but Rowen claimed that they were just scared and worried about their friend that they hadn't thought about any potential danger.

Rowen tried to explain where the hideout was, even adding that they had left the crazy doctor there. Before they had left though, they had made sure to remove any information pertaining to the armor.

A half an hour later, the police thanked Sage for his cooperation and left.

Sage rested heavily against the pillows behind him, having sat up perfectly straight the entire time.

"Sage…you should use your kanji…you know you'll feel better." Rowen told him, glancing at the orb beside Sage's hip.

"I'm too weak to use it Rowen." Sage said though it was only partially true. Rowen looked at him oddly which Sage could sense, glancing over at him.

"What?" He asked.

"Nothing…" But that piercing stare wasn't letting up. Rowen sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's just that…you never admit when you're feeling sad or hurt or…weak." He answered him honestly.

Sage didn't respond but knew that Rowen was right. He hadn't even thought about his response until now. It was a lie to get out of using his kanji but he normally would have been too proud to say that.

"Please Sage…just try. If only to help your fever go down." Rowen said, taking the kanji and placing it in Sage's hand, resting it between their palms.

Again Sage could feel the warmth from his kanji. It was almost begging him to be used as well. Sage looked at Rowen unsteadily. If he used his kanji, it wouldn't be using his armor, he knew that much. But what if they needed to know more about his kanji and how it worked? What if that was the only missing link for them to fully know everything about his armor?

"Sage?" Sage blinked, focusing his eyes on Rowen's. "You left me there for a minute." He said with a smile.

Sage sighed, his fingers curling around the kanji. Maybe if he just used a little it wouldn't be so bad. He closed his eyes, for once in what felt like a long time was able to focus. He let out a deep, slow breath, feeling the power of his kanji emanating throughout his body. He could feel wounds healing, if only slightly. The fever that made his body ache and his head feel stuffy and heavy dissipate almost completely.

He felt a wave of tiredness take over so he stopped, knowing that if he went any further, he'd knock himself unconscious.

"Thank you." Rowen said, absently moving that lock of hair away from Sage's face to reveal his other eye. Sage blushed at the gesture but nodded.

"Get some more rest. You need your strength." Rowen told him, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze.

Sage didn't have to be told twice as the exhaustion and minor sedative that was pumped into his system every couple hours took affect.

0000

The rest of the day had been pretty uneventful. Sage slept so the guys and Mia took turns staying with him. They didn't want Sage to be restrained again but they also didn't want him waking up and panicking for any reason. They wanted him to know that he was safe.

The Doctor had gotten Sage's blood work back and was alarmed at the results.

"From what we could find, there were multiple tranquilizers and sedatives in his system to keep him mostly immobile. Whoever was administering them knew just the right amount to give him without killing him. There were 4 types of hallucinogens we could identify while there may possibly have been more than that. There are other strands of hallucinogenic properties that aren't known right away. We will have some more tests done to try and break it down to what they are. He was given a cocktail of nutrients, just the basics to keep his body from shutting down." The Doctor frowned, feeling sorry for this kid and what he had gone through.

Mia sat in shocked silence as she listened to the Doctor. She didn't want Sage's medical file to be read to the entire group. She would speak with Sage privately later on about what had been found. He had a right to know.

"Was he fed? Can you tell?" Mia asked, fighting the urge to chew on her nail.

"After examining him when he came in, I am afraid to say he wasn't or if he was, it was very little. He's lucky to not have fallen into a coma, let alone be alive." The Doctor admitted, his pager going off. "I need to attend to this." He said, standing up, Mia doing the same.

"Mr. Date is going to need therapy. I've seen victims of kidnappings and abuse before. He'll need love and support from his family and friends but unfortunately those alone will not help him. I have a list of great therapists that can help him."

"I appreciate that. We were hoping to go back home to Japan soon. Do you know any that live there?"

"Let me look in my files but I may. If not, I know others who would have recommendations."

Mia wiped at her eyes as a few tears slid down her face. Poor Sage.

It was late as she walked down the hallway into the waiting room. Kento was stretched across the floor, sleeping soundly. Cye was reading a magazine absently and Ryo was watching something on the television. "It's getting late guys, we should get back." Mia said, obviously only getting the attention of two of the three.

They nodded, beginning to stand. "We'll get him up, you get Rowen." Ryo said, scratching his head and looking to Cye for an answer as to how to wake Kento.

Mia walked down the hallway towards Sage's room, the lights as dim as they could go. She could see Rowen sitting next to Sage, not really focused on anything in particular. She waved at him to get his attention. Rowen stood up, stretching his tired body as he walked towards her so they wouldn't disturb Sage.

"Hey Rowen…we think it's time to go." Mia told him quietly.

Rowen looked over at Sage who was asleep.

"I think I'm going to stay here tonight. I already cleared it with the Doctor, especially since it was me who let Sage go and swore he wouldn't try to escape again." Rowen explained, running a hand over his tired eyes. "I'm sure, I'll be fine." He said as he saw that she was going to protest.

"Okay…just please call one of us if anything happens." Mia gave Rowen a quick hug before leaving.

Rowen walked back over towards Sage, sitting down once again. "You don't have to pretend you're asleep anymore…it's only me for the rest of the night." He whispered casually as he leaned back in the chair.

Sage peaked open an eye, or maybe both though Rowen was used to only seeing the one that was staring at him. He was definitely exhausted but hadn't let himself sleep, at least apart from this morning when he had fallen asleep. He had been awake in the afternoon for a little while too while the room was full but then had 'fallen' asleep and hadn't moved since.

"How did you know I was awake?" Sage asked him curiously.

"Sage…we've slept in the same room for years. I can always tell when you're faking." Rowen said with a light tone in his voice. "When you're actually asleep, your lips part. It's amazing that you don't make a sound, but you do it almost every time."

Sage blushed, giving him an odd look. "Do you watch me sleep all the time?"

This was Rowen's turn to blush. "What? No! I just get to bed when you're already asleep and you always do that. Any time that you were faking, you were more rigid and your mouth tightly sealed. And then you'd think I was asleep before you would open your eyes again." Sometimes Sage would leave the room or other times he'd stare at the ceiling for a while before finally drifting off.

"How come you never said anything?" Sage asked curiously this time.

"Well…usually when something is on your mind and you want to talk about it…you do. You're stubborn and tend to keep things to yourself." Rowen said, though he hoped it wouldn't be the case this time around.

Sage seemed to tense too at the same thought.

"Sage…I'm here for you, okay? I'm not going to demand that you talk to me but when you're ready, I'll be there." Rowen said sincerely.

"Shouldn't you be leaving? It's been a long day." Sage said, changing the question.

"Nope…staying here. If you attack the Doctor again, I'll have to hear it. No way am I going to get yelled at because you're determined to leave."

Sage sighed, knowing that Rowen truly wasn't going to leave. "Okay but…at least lay on the couch or something. You're dying to get out of that chair. I promise I'll stay if you get comfortable yourself." Sage bargained.

Rowen eyed the couch, having done it a few times but was too hesitant to move.

"I'm fine." Sage said again, leaning more comfortably back into the pillows, resting his hands on his stomach.

"Okay…but if you need something, just wake me up."

Sage surprised himself at the sound he made. He had actually laughed. Not much and not too loudly, but it was still a laugh. Rowen looked at him curiously.

"You're impossible to wake up as it is...how am I to do that from over here?"

Rowen scowled, rolling his eyes. "I am not that hard to wake up. You're exaggerating." He had stood up and was unfolding a blanket that had been left out for him hours earlier. It was meant if he wanted to take a nap or something but now he was staying.

Sage watched him as he kicked his shoes off and removed his sweater, revealing a tee shirt underneath. He took his hat off, raking his fingers through his hat hair. He laid on the couch which was just barely long enough for him, adjusting the pillow that was left as well and then throwing the blanket over his body.

"You better get some sleep or I'm telling on you." Rowen told him, giving him a playful look.

"Goodnight Rowen." Sage said, turning just slightly so he could get more comfortable.

"Goodnight Sage." Rowen said, his arms going above his head.

In no time Sage could hear Rowen's soft breathing in the quiet room. He felt content and almost began to smile before the panicked voice inside his head told him he was being delirious. He couldn't let Shikaisen lull him into a false sense of safety.

He laid there for a while, trying to stay alert but feeling his weakened and tired body and mind beginning to shut down. He didn't even want to try and escape. He knew he had promised he wouldn't though would it matter in a dream? Dream Rowen would be gone and then eventually come back and be a new Dream Rowen.

0000

I hope you liked it! I originally had blasted through the hospital and them returning home to focus on Sage/Rowen and Sage's recovery but I decided I need to slow it down and write it more delicately.

As you can guess, I have recently found more muse and spent a while trying to find the story that helped with some of the inspiration. I was struggling to remember what it was and didn't want to accidentally 'copy' it, for lack of a better term. My idea was always to focus on Sage healing and coping with what had happened to him. After watching the movie again, I felt like it would certainly take more than just physically healing.

Anyways, I just wanted to give a shout out to the following:

Eboni who wrote 'For A Friend'

I love the way it was written and the extra detail given to the Gaiden movie.

I hope if you're reading this that you enjoy my story as well, though I'm not sure my skills are near how well you wrote yours.