Yaoi Betrothal
Chapter Three
Hikaru's Fainting Spell

"Hikaru, are you sure we're allowed to be here?" Akari asked nervously as the two twelve-year-olds raced up the steps to Hikaru's grandfather's attic.

"Yes, Akari, it's fine. I've got to find something in here I could sell! I got an eight on the last history test, and Mom and Dad stopped my allowance. I need money to buy Akira a present; he gave me that really nice Go board last year, so I have to give him something nice!" Hikaru explained as he searched through his grandfather's attic. "Oh, look at this!"

"What is it, Hikaru?" Akari asked as Hikaru dragged something heavy out of the corner and into the center of the room. "Oh, it's a Go board!"

"I don't think Grandpa knows it's here," Hikaru said as he dusted the game board off. "Now, if only this stain would come out!"

Akari bit her lip nervously. "Um, Hikaru, there is no stain."

"Yes, there is! It's right here!"

"Hikaru, I don't see it!"

"It's there, see? It looks like blood!"

Hikaru heard a mysterious male voice say.

"That's what I've been trying to say!" Hikaru spoke up.

"Hikaru, you're scaring me!

"You can see it?"

"Grandfather, is that you?" he asked, jerking around to look behind him.

"Hikaru, there's no one there!" Akari told her friend. "I'm going to go!"Akari ran out the door, ignored by Hikaru.

the voice asked as the ghost of a male with long purple hair and wearing a kimono appeared from out of no where.

"Ah!" Hikaru screamed, falling onto the ground, unconscious.

"Akira!" Youya-Meijin called.

"Yes, Father?" Akira asked as he walked downstairs to his father, who was standing by the phone.

"Put on your shoes, we've got to go; Hikaru's in the hospital."

"What?!" Akira's eyes widened. "What happened?"

"The doctors don't know; he was found in his grandfather's attic. His friend Akari said he was hearing voices before it happened."

"I hope he's ok," Akira said nervously as he hurriedly slipped on his shoes and ran outside to the car with his father.

When they arrived, they walked to the front desk, where a woman wearing a nurse's uniform was standing.

"Excuse me, ma'am, but could you tell us what room Shindou Hikaru is in?" the Meijin asked.

"I'm sorry, only family's allowed in ICU," the woman informed the two apologetically after looking at her computer.

"My son is in Hikaru's records as his to-be life partner."

"Let's see…Ah, young Shindou is betrothed! The computer says Touya Akira, is that your son?"

The Meijin nodded.

"All right, then, Shindou's in room 365, on the third floor. I'm sorry for the trouble."

"It's fine, we understand," Touya Meijin said as he led Akira to the elevator to his left side of the hospital's lobby.