Akashi knew he should tread carefully. Tetsu's voice over the phone had been almost blank with shock, and Akashi knew that he was repressing his emotions harder than he had done for a very, very long time. But it didn't take brilliant observation skills to hear the foundation of rage and hurt in Tetsu's tone, either. He was keeping it under control, just barely, but it was no easy thing.

When Akashi said "I'll be there as soon as I can." Tetsu did not disagree. There was a brief pause on the line, and then Tetsu told him which room they were in, at which hospital. That was as close to an invitation as he was going to get. Even so, Akashi knew before he arrived that this was going to be a touchy situation.

Yet even he was shocked when he arrived outside the door of Kagami Taiga's hospital room and felt the aura of pure menace that radiated from within. Over the years, Tetsu's dim presence had gradually made itself more and more felt, though he still kept it under control on the basketball court. But this was first time that Akashi had felt it from several paces away. Tetsu was furious.

Akashi entered the room with great caution, his steps light, his own presence as gentle as he could make it. The room was darkened, but enough daylight filtered through the shades over the windows for him to see Kagami lying in the bed, Tetsu sitting next to him between the bed and the window. Kagami was still, either asleep or too weary to turn and look at the intruder, his body a vague shape in the dimness. Only the shock of dark red hair on his pillow stood out and let Akashi know that this was indeed Kagami Taiga and not just some stranger in the hospital.

But Tetsu looked up sharply at the approach of footsteps, and Akashi involuntarily halted where he stood. For a moment, he was incapable of movement. Tetsu's eyes were hard, his mouth pressed into a forbidding line, and he hunched over to be even closer to Kagami as he held his hand tight in both of his. His expression was...

It didn't matter that Akashi meant no harm. In view of that look on Tetsu's face, it was pure instinct to lift both hands, empty in front of him, and slowly back away. He could do nothing else.

After a moment, though, Tetsu seemed to suddenly recognize him. He relaxed, shoulders loosening from their tight hunch, his face gradually transforming to an expression of relief and subtle welcome. "Akashi-kun." It was a mere murmur, low and expressionless.

"Tetsu-kun." Akashi let his hands drift down to his sides. Still, he did not step forward. He recognized now that he would need to ask permission to intrude on the brothers, one injured, the other boiling with protective rage. "Is it all right if I come in?"

Tetsu took a moment to consider the request. Then he nodded, slow, solemn. "If you wish."

"Thank you. I appreciate your willingness to see me in such a difficult time."

Tetsu blinked, but he seemed to take the unusual formality as a sign that he could trust Akashi. It must be very difficult right now for Tetsu to trust anyone, even the doctors and nurses who were looking after his brother. There was only so much betrayal that one person could absorb, and Tetsu's trust in the universe's kindness had been betrayed time and time again. By his teammates, by his father, by opponents, and now by yet another outside force.

Tetsu relaxed a little more and offered Akashi another nod. "It was kind of you to come."

"I could do nothing else." Akashi stepped forward, keeping his movements soft and gradual. He found a chair on the side of the bed opposite Tetsu and drew it closer, then sat down. He looked at the young man in the bed.

Kagami's head was turned away from Akashi, facing his brother. Even in sleep, pain wrinkled his forehead and drew his mouth down into a tight frown. His hand twitched in Tetsu's grip, as if his dreams were unkind. Akashi switched his gaze to the younger brother. Tetsu watched Kagami's face, too, his expression smoothing out as he stared at his Taiga-nii. Even an injured, unconscious Taiga was soothing to Tetsu. Yet another testament of the strength of their relationship, the utter faith they had in each other.

"Do you have any more information about what happened?" Akashi asked quietly.

Tetsu's story over the phone had been very vague, but he had also been speaking rather absentmindedly. He had called Akashi to let him know what was going on just so that Akashi could inform the rest of their former teammates. He hadn't really intended for Akashi to visit, certainly not just a few hours later. But Akashi hadn't been able to stay away.

Tetsu shook his head and reluctantly dragged his gaze away from Kagami and back to Akashi. "I don't know much more than what I told you over the phone. Taiga-nii took Nigou for a run. A few hours later, a policeman brought Nigou home to me and told me that Taiga-nii had been stabbed several times in the abdomen and was in the hospital. He was found in a residential neighborhood by someone on the street. It seems that some time passed between the attack and when it was reported, because he had lost a great deal of blood. It also seems that his head struck something hard, in addition to the stab-wounds. He's only recently begun to show some flashes of consciousness, but he's very confused and in a good deal of pain despite the medicine they're giving him. The police are looking into it, but I suppose we'll have to wait for Taiga-nii to regain coherence before we'll know what truly happened."

Akashi was silent, taking this in. He might be able to do something to...facilitate the police investigation. He would look into it after he left Tetsu. For now, though, he knew it would not be helpful to mention it. "How is Nigou?"

"Uninjured, but he was very agitated. There was..." Tetsu paused. His breath shuddered. Then he found the strength to continue and fought on. "There was blood in his fur. Taiga-nii's blood. The police officer said he'd been curled up at Taiga-nii's side and it was very difficult to make him move. I...I did my best to soothe him and clean him up a bit before I rushed here to be with Taiga-nii. I wish I hadn't had to leave him, but..."

Akashi shook his head. "You had no choice. Would you like me to call someone to take care of him?"

"I texted Aomine-kun. He was confused, but agreed. I...couldn't bring myself to tell him the circumstances."

"I understand. I'll tell the others. Would you also like me to contact Seirin?"

Tetsu lowered his eyes to the bedspread, his cheeks flushing. "I... Yes, please. If you don't mind, Akashi-kun. I confess I feel...quite unable to tell this story again."

"That's understandable. It's an enormous shock for you, too."

Tetsu shook his head. He lifted one hand, shaking, and pressed it over his eyes. "I shouldn't... I shouldn't be like this. Taiga-nii has been strong for me for all this time. Now I need to be strong for him, and that's what I want to do. But how can I be the brother he needs when I can't even bear to talk about what happened to him?"

"Tetsu-kun." Akashi rose to his feet, carefully, his movements slow and gentle, but imbued with all the confidence and strength he could pour into them. He leaned over Kagami's prone body and pressed his hand on top of Tetsu's, which was still holding his brother's chilled hand in a strong grip. "Don't be foolish, Tetsu-kun. You are exactly the brother that Kagami Taiga needs right now. When he's awake, he'll tell you so. Remember how annoyed you were when he doubted his ability to help you two years ago? It is the same now. Don't second-guess yourself. Your nii-san believes in you. And so do I."

Tetsu was still for a moment, just breathing. Then he looked up and gave Akashi a nod, slow and firm. His eyes were hard again, not with rage but with resolve. Akashi nodded in return, then released his hand and sat back in his chair.

"Be kind to yourself," Akashi said. "This is a terrible thing, and it caught you alone and off-guard. I assume that your dad is on his way back from his business trip?"

"As quickly as he can make it happen, yes."

"Then it won't be long at all. In the meantime, you just need to concentrate on taking care of your brother. I will look after the rest. Can you trust me with that?

"Of course, Akashi-kun."

The utter absence of hesitation in that response forced a smile from Akashi, surprised but pleased. Tetsu was much, much stronger than he was aware of. Kagami was in excellent hands.

"All will be well." Akashi's voice went even softer than before. "You are in a great deal of distress right now, but I hope you can remember that you are not the only one who loves and honors your nii-san. There are many of us who owe him a great debt, and we will do everything we can to take care of you both."

Tetsu nodded and swiped his hand over his eyes, then slowly sat straight, his shoulders square. "Thank you, Akashi-kun. I know I can trust you with the details."

"Tetsu-chan..." The voice was low and pained, little more than a groan. Akashi and Tetsu went still at once, their eyes shifting to the boy on the bed. Kagami's eyelids twitched, and then he forced them open, just a sliver. His frown deepened, and he looked to Tetsu and Tetsu alone. He had eyes for nothing else.

Tetsu reaffirmed his grip on Kagami's hand. "I'm here," he murmured. "You're all right."

"You're okay?"

"I'm perfectly fine."

"Is Nigou okay?"

"Yes, of course. Aomine-kun is taking care of him at home."

"Oh. All right."

Kagami's eyes fell shut. He almost looked peaceful, for a moment. Then his eyes opened wide, staring. "Where's Dad? Did you tell me that he was coming?"

"I did. He's on his way. He's flying to get here from the other side of the world, and nothing will stop him from reaching your side just as quickly as it can be done."

"Okay." Kagami let his eyes fall shut again. He seemed to relax, just a bit, though pain still wrinkled his forehead and creased the corners of his mouth.

Tetsu met Akashi's concerned gaze, a small frown pulling at his own face. Akashi understood. Tetsu had said that Kagami was confused, disoriented. They'd probably had this exact conversation every time Kagami woke for a moment. Yet Tetsu did not seem even the tiniest bit frustrated or impatient. He really was exactly the support Kagami needed right now.

And Kagami had been focused only on his brother, his father, his family. His only concern, even in the midst of his own turmoil and pain, was to make sure that those he loved were safe and well. And on the way to see him, in the case of Kagami Hiroshi.

"My head hurts." The words were soft and low, almost embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, Taiga-nii."

"When will it stop hurting?"

"I don't know. I wish I did. You'll have to be strong for a little while longer."

"Okay." Kagami forced his eyes open again so he could look at his little brother. "I keep thinking that I hear Nigou barking. He sounds scared."

"He's safe. He's at home."

"And I keep thinking...I think I see..."

It didn't seem possible, but Tetsu somehow became even more still, more focused on his brother. His attention narrowed down to a single point, fixed on Kagami's face. He barely even blinked. Akashi was certain that Tetsu had absolutely no awareness of his presence in the room anymore. Nothing mattered except Kagami Taiga and what he was trying to express.

"What do you see?" Tetsu's voice was hushed. The room was still.

"I see...a knife..."

Tetsu's eyes flickered. "It's not real. It's a memory."

Kagami sighed, his eyes closing again. "I thought so..."

"You were right. It's only a phantom. A flashback. You are safe here. Nothing will touch you."

I won't let it.

"It seems...so real..."

"Your mind has been wounded as well as your body, Taiga-nii. But that's all right. We're going to get everything fixed for you. Just like you did for me."

Kagami's lips twitched in something like a smile. "Just like that, huh?"

"Just like that."

"It's...not fair..."

Tetsu was silent. His hand tightened around Kagami's, his eyes going sharp and hard again. "No." His voice was almost inaudible. "It's not."

"Not fair for you to have to deal with it too."

Tetsu closed his eyes, struggling for a moment, then opened them again.

"Don't worry about me, Taiga-nii. I'm fine. You should go back to sleep."

"All right..." Taiga shifted slightly where he lay, but did not turn his head away, still facing Tetsu. He had never woken up enough to be aware of Akashi on his other side. "I'll try to sleep. I'll try to...stop thinking about the knife."

Tetsu bit his lip. "Yes. You should do that."

"It was...it was scary, Tetsu-chan. It was so scary..."

Kagami's breath deepened, evened out, and he was asleep again.

Akashi became aware of his fingernails biting into his palms. He released them with a gasp, his lungs burning at the sudden intake of air. He ached. His entire body felt like he'd been beaten within an inch of his life. His chest stung as he struggled to breathe. He hadn't realized that he was holding his breath.

Tetsu looked at him across the bed, his eyes liquid with empathy. If he did not have to be strong for Kagami, he would be gasping right along with Akashi.

"I'm going to...post some bodyguards," Akashi said roughly. He could barely hear himself through the rushing in his ears.

Tetsu blinked. "There's no need for that, Akashi-kun. We have no idea about the motivation behind the attack, but there's no reason to think that he was targeted purposely. It could have been a mugging or a random act of violence, or he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time when someone else had an altercation. Whoever did it would have no reason to go after Taiga-nii again."

"Still. I will post guards."

Tetsu held still for a moment, then nodded in acceptance. "Whatever you need to do."

"Yes." Akashi pushed to his feet and left the room much less gently than he'd entered it.

He had phone calls to make.