Hello my lovelies ^_^

Yay we are really picking up the pace in this story. WEEEE! can you believe we are in our 4th chapter? OMG yay!

Side note- Notifications seemed to be slow or didn't reach some people so if you didn't know I did publish Chapter 3. So if you haven't, go read chapter 3 first then come back ^_^ don't worry, we will wait for you here 3

Sasuke-is-Badass- Yep cause I love me a cliffhanger, when placed right. NO! Please don't die! Here is the next instalment!... Are you still alive?... Hello?...Great I killed another reader. That makes 100 or so so far -_-... Please don't sue me.

I want to thank everyone for their positive comments and how excited people are for this story. I really appreciate you all reading this story.^_^ rest of the replies at the end of the chapter.

Also I have entered into the National Novel Writing Month. I am writing a brand new, unrelated novel for the month of November. 50,000 words in one month. If you have an account find me, DarkMage898, and we can go on this amazing journey together ^_^

Previously

'Is everything ok?' Doctor Ryo asked noting the worried look on the professors face.

Sighing, Professor Nichi handed the MRI over. Ryo pulled the MRI out and held it up to the light.

'I saw it on the screen and... I hoped I was wrong. But its too clear from these pictures.'

Without another word Nichi turned and walked back towards his office, leaving doctor Ryo staring at Chiaki's MRI that was still being held up but now by a shaking hand.

Chapter 4

The weather outside the hospital had taken a sudden turn while Chiaki was being treated. The wind had taken a sudden chill and the clouds had covered the sky, releasing heavy drops of rain. The moment Chiaki stepped outside he shivered, pulling his jacket closer to his body. Looking around from underneath the covered section of the hospital entrance, Chiaki couldn't hear anything, didn't see people running to find cover from the rain. Nothing registered in his mind. His mind couldn't register anything outside of what the doctor had just told him.

'It cant be true.' Chiaki whispered to himself, his voice catching in his throat.

Pulling his phone out of his pocket, Chiaki wiped the few lone tears off his cheeks and dialled Hatori's number.

"Hello?" Hatori's voice came through the phone.

'Tori...' Chiaki felt his voice catch in his throat.

"Ahh Chiaki, I'm sorry I'm running late. I got stuck with extra paperwork and everything just went wrong. I'm just trying to get a taxi so I should be there soon."

'Its ok. I... I need to pick up some art supplies anyway so you don't have to come. Ill head into town and catch the train home later.'

"Are you sure?"

'Yeah. Ill see you back at my place ok? It will save you coming all this way again. Especially in the rain.' Chiaki replied, his voice cracking. He could feel tears welling in his eyes but held them back.

"Ok. Ill plan out dinner so don't be too long. Be careful. You can tell me about the appointment when you get back."

Chiaki remained silent, biting his bottom lip a little too hard causing it to bleed a bit.

"What's wrong?"

'Nothing. Its just a bit stuffy in the hospital. I need some air. Ill see you when I get home.' Chiaki ended the call and clutched the phone to his chest, tightly closing his eyes.

"What am I going to do?" Chiaki thought to himself, finally letting the tears he had been holding back fall down his cheeks. He collapsed to the ground and buried his face in his arms, sobs racking through his entire body making his shake. He didn't notice the people walk past him, or any of the people that stopped and asked if he was ok.

One older woman stopped and kneeled in front of him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. He was shaking. He was shaking so badly that the woman began to worry. She tried to get him to stand, to take him back into the hospital but Chiaki just shook his head and whispered a no.

'I'll be ok. I just need time.' Chiakis words were broken by his crying and he fell back to the ground. He could hardly breath between sobs and just wrapped his arms around his legs, pulling them tightly to his body to ease the pain in his stomach and hid his face in his arms.

A few hours later

The sun had already set by the time the taxi pulled up outside Chiakis apartment building. He wasn't sure how but Chiaki managed to navigate his way home, finding himself standing outside his apartment staring at the door just trying to convince himself to enter. Each attempt Chiaki found he couldn't bring himself to enter and face Hatori.

After leaving the hospital Chiaki just wondered around the area, unable to think straight after crying for a good half hour before he managed to calm himself down and move away from the hospital.

For the rest of the day Chiaki walked around, letting his feet take him mindlessly through the streets. The sights and sounds around him blurred into pale fragments, his mind not paying any attention to the shops or the people.

He came to stop outside an old book store and stared at the unfamiliar face staring back at him, noticing how puffy and red his eyes were. Chiaki knew that if he were to head home now then and there and if Tori was home, he would have worried too much for Chiaki to handle. Looking around the street Chiaki spotted an art supply store and made slow strides towards it.

Chiaki walked around the store, going from aisle to aisle, picking out new pencils and paper off the shelves along with a few other items. He was grateful. The store was quiet, with only one other person besides a cashier wondering around the store. Being alone and away from the crowds helped calm him down and when he felt better he paid for his items and exited the store.

When he noticed the sun starting to set Chiaki called a cab and decided it was time to head home and face Hatori.

So here he was, staring at his own front door, willing himself to enter the apartment.

Taking a deep breath, he clutched the paper bag to his chest and pressed the handle, letting the door slowly open. As he entered the apartment Chiaki noticed the lights were on, letting him know Hatori was already inside, waiting for him. The door clicked shut behind him and Chiaki turned and locked the bolt, kicked off his shoes and made his way towards the living room door.

From behind the door Chiaki could hear Hatori moving around in the kitchen.

Hatori looked over his shoulder from where he was standing in front of the stove and gave a small smile. To anyone else the smile would have gone unnoticed, it was something reserved only for Chiaki.

'How did the hospital visit go?'

'It was fine. I don't know what everyone was so worried about.' Chiaki said letting out a small laugh when he finished his sentence. He forced a smile, praying Hatori wouldn't notice, and dumped the bag on the couch along with his phone and keys.

'Everything was clear and the nurse changed the dressing on the wound and that was it.' He continued, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. Hatori smiled and told him to go take a bath as dinner wouldn't be ready for a while.

'Good idea.' Chiaki smiled, rubbing at his stiff neck. ' A bath sounds amazing right now.' He exited the room and headed for the bathroom.

Once inside the small, dark room Chiaki locked the door behind him, not even turning on the light. For a moment he stood, leaning against the door with his eyes closed. Slowly he collapsed down onto the floor, his legs bent either side of his body.

'What... do I do now?' Chiaki whispered, his voice cracking from the fear and pain in his chest.

Flashback

After finished up with the nurse and with a fresh dressing on his head wound, Chiaki made his way back towards Professor Nichis office. He lightly knocked and when he heard the muffled come in slid the door open and stepped inside. Chiaki waited while Nichi organised some files on his desk then turned to face him with a small smile.

'Thank you for coming to see me Chiaki. Please have a seat.' He gestured towards the empty seat next to the desk. Chiaki gave a small head bow and sat down, clasping his hands in his lap so they wouldn't start shaking.

"Why am I nervous?" Chiaki took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He looked up at the professor and gave a faint smile, waiting for him to say something.

'How did things go with the nurse?' Nichi asked, fiddling with the cover of Chiakis file. Nichi knew he was stalling but he wasn't sure how to begin the conversation.

'Really good. The nurse was happy with how the wound is healing and the stitches can come out soon.' Chiaki replied lightly running a finger over the new, clean bandage.

'That's good.' Nichi smiled slightly. He opened the file and stared down at the test results, knowing this was something he had to do. 'I have the results of your MRI scan.' Nichi knew his expression said it all. He could see it in Chiakis eyes, he knew something was wrong now.

'You found something?' Chiaki asked, his voice cracking a little. The faint smile from before had disappeared, replaced with fear. The professor didn't reply, trying to figure out the best way to explain to Chiaki what had been found.

'There's... something wrong isn't there?'

'Tell me. Please.' The professor sighed and gave a small nod, pulling the MRI pictures out of the envelope on his desk.

'Besides feeling tired and unsteady while walking, have you noticed anything else?' Chiakis silence told Nichi everything he needed to know.

'This is the MRI scan we took of your brain.' the doctor turned on the x ray panel and fitted the scan in place, allowing for Chiaki to have a clear view of the scan. Chiaki followed the doctors finger, which circled around a section on the x ray then stopped and pointed to an area. 'This part here is the cerebellum. This section of the brain receives information from the spinal cord and helps regulate movement. Its responsible for coordination, fine motor skills, posture and balance, the ability to place ones self in relation to objects and has an effect on speech and hand coordination.'

'For an unknown reason, in some patients the nerve cells in the cerebellum slowly degenerate.'

'Another way to put it... is its dying.' Turning away from the screen Nichi looked back at Chiaki and sighed.

'Chiaki, based on your test results and the MRI scan I have diagnosed you Spinocerebellar Degeneration disease.'

'Your coordination, motor skills, cognitive function, these are things the cerebellum controls. And these will all be affected. Your gait and your walking will slowly become unstable.'

'This disease is different for everyone. Symptoms and progression are different for each patient. The progression is sometimes slower in some patients but not always.'

'But... I've been ok. How could this happen?' Chiaki could feel himself starting to panic and took a few deep breaths to calm down.

'From what you told me and the results of the motor fuction and MRI, id say your progression has been symptoms came on slowly and appeared as simply exhuastion from your work schedule.'

'Can I... will I b-' Chiaki tried asking but the words just wouldn't form. Sniffling he fought back tears and looked back at the doctor.

'Can it be cured?' he managed to say, looking the doctor in the eye waiting for a response.

The professor knew, knew this was the hardest part but Chiaki needed to know.

'Unfortunately even with technologies today, we are still no closer to figuring out how to curer this disease.' He explained, watching Chiaki's eyes drop to the ground.

'With rehabilitation and medications we can slow down the progression, but this is no guarantee.'

'I'm sorry Chiaki, but I cant give you false hope. I don't know how your body will react to medication and rehabilitation.'

Everything that was said after that point blurred in Chiakis mind. The next thing he remembered was being outside the hospital, a different person than the one that entered.

End Flashback

When Chiaki didn't come back to the kitchen after his bath Hatori started to worry. He knocked on the bathroom door but hearing no response, opened the door to find the light off and no sign of Chiaki. The faint smell of soap and the steam that lingered told Hatori that he wasn't too far away so he shut the door and checked the bedroom.

In the darkness, the only light coming from the hallway Hatori could see a form curled up under the covers. The soft breathing sounds told Hatori that Chiaki had fallen asleep. He quietly walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge, careful not to make too much movement.

"He must have been exhausted." Hatori smiled, brushing a few strands of hair out of Chiaki's face. Leaning down he placed a kiss on Chiaki's pale cheek. Chiaki stiffened in his sleep from the contact but relaxed.

Tori sat on the edge of the bed for a while, watching the rise and fall of the mans chest. The shirt did little to hide how thin Chiaki had become once again.

When Tori shifted, pushing himself up off the bed, something warm clutched his hand. He looked down and met the half open eyes of the brunette who was gripping his hand, pulling him back down to the bed.

'Let me go put the food in the fridge.' Chiaki gave a nod and released Hatori's hand. Chiaki followed Hatori's form out of the bedroom then closed his eyes, waiting for him to return.

Hatori quickly wrapped and stored the food from the table and put the dishes into the sink, letting them soak in water. Turning off the lights on his way back he re-entered the bedroom, stripped off his shirt, tie and pants and slipped his pyjamas on. Chiaki was nearly asleep when he climbed into the bed next to him. Tori doubted Chiaki was even aware of his presence until Chiaki shifted, turned over to face him and cuddled into Hatori's chest, breathing in Toris scent.

'Goodnight Chiaki.' Pulling Chiaki closer, Tori buried his nose in the hair of the man he loves, the fresh smell of shampoo tickling his nose.

'Goodnight... Yoshiyuki.' Chiaki murmured softly, burying his face deeper into Hatori's chest.

TBC

I really love this story. Its the kind of story I love to write ^_^

shaneEgirlo- well not quite cancer. Something a little different.

Ikiru- your English is fine. Don't worry so much ^_^ . Thank you for the kind words.

Until we meet again.

Later my Lovelies 3

xoxoCagallirocks