Dedication: Ange Noir. You know who you are! Hope you enjoy this cos it's all for you, kiddo.

Day 3

Jin Akutsu was just entering the hospital on the third day when he spotted that kid, Sanada, with a tennis bag over his shoulder. Jin couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in curiosity. That meant he played tennis too.

How very interesting.

Jin didn't bother to acknowledge the other boy as they passed one another in the hall. There was no need to since they were strangers.

He continued on without a backward glance to the room his mother stayed in and found her resting with her curtains drawn shut.

As he entered Yuki's eyes flickered open and a smile spread across her lips. There was a strange look in her eye and her smile was a bit weak and dreamy. Jin reasoned she was on her medication and his assumption was proven correct when she began to speak in slurred words.

"You had a good day at school, Jin? Did Kimura-san pack your lunch?"

Jin mumbled an inaudible reply. He had been to school and Kimura did pack a lunch, but all that didn't matter.

He stood over her bed, hands stuffed in white trousers and brows knit in contemplation.

"Weren't you napping?" he asked, gruffly.

"I can't talk to my son? Look how big you got! Has it been so long?"

"It's been one day."

"Did you send me flowers," Yuki's eyes rolled slightly to gaze at the bouquet near her bed.

Jin gave it a weary glance then turned back to his mother saying,

"You're delusional--"

"No."

"It's the medicine talking. Go to sleep."

Yuki just chuckled and shut her eyes again and in a matter of minutes she fluttered off to sleep. There was a moment of silent repose as Jin watched his mothers deep slumber. Generally she was a light sleeper. Even after a long day of work she would wake with the slightest stirring in the house. Now, under the influence of her medicine, she slept as soundly as a kitten.

There was a vase of fresh cut flowers at her bedside that Jin neglected to comment on, but now that his mother was asleep he took the opportunity to scrutinize it. They were a beautiful assortment of purple and white irises.

He knew by the time the flowers arrived to the hospital, his mother was probably under the influence of her medication. Why else would she attribute them to him? It was in no way like his character to spend money on gifts for his mother. Whoever took the time to select them surely cared about pleasing her. The thought of someone seeking to gain his mother's attention didn't sit too well with him and he had a suspicion as to the source of the flora.

Jin's eyes didn't linger upon the flowers long before he spotted the tiny cream colored card resting upon the table, an edge pinned under the clear vase. He carefully lifted the vase and pulled the card out, doing his best not to disturb the flower arrangement. The card was carefully decorated on the front with shimmering gold letters spelling out the adage "get well soon". He flipped it open, having his very suspicion confirmed.

He read the lines

Yuki! I'm glad to hear you're recovering from the accident. I hope you enjoy the flowers I have sent for you. Do your best to get better so we can all enjoy your smile again.

-Taka

Jin crushed the card in his fist.

-to be continued-

AN: Writing this I realized I have no real grasp of what Yukimura and Sanada's relationship is. Sorry about the lack of them. I want to reiterate that these are supposed to be short snippets of important sections of a single day. Thus some chapters will be shorter than others. This could have been longer if I added a Yukimura scene. ugh. I'm so disappointed. even looking abck on my notes for the chapters I realize it's all mostly Jin but don't worry this is still a Sanada and Jin story! And no this chapter is NOT a filler. well wish me luck on day 4!

until then... thanks for reading. review please.