Hitoshi was at the hospital with his father after Kou had called his father saying that the boy was sick, Nowaki had of cause had to go to work but what better place to be fore the sick boy than in the children's department of the hospital. Nowaki kept an eye on the boy just like he would one of his patients with the help of Tsumori. Now Nowaki was reading a story to him as the day drew to an end, sun setting and the boy needed to get some sleep.

He couldn't help but worry for Hiroki, he knew she was visiting her mother but he didn't trust the woman at all. there had been multiple times the woman had been like a switch, one moment being friendly and acting like a mother should and the next trying to murder her or at the very least hurt her. Hiroki would become rather attentive to him on the odd occasion Nowaki had gotten hurt protecting her and as much as he loved soaking in her attention , he hated seeing the sadness and the guilt in her eyes as she did and it lasted until the injury was gone.

Nowaki refused to let Hitoshi near the woman unless there was something between them - Usually glass.

Nowaki had wanted to go with Hiroki, but Hiroki wouldn't let him leave work just because she felt the need to check on her mother's progress. but the later it drew the more he worried. He had sent a Message to her about Hitoshi but she hadn't responded or come to get him. but his heart stopped dead in its tracks when he saw Hiroki's doctor, Tachibana, standing at the door to the children's shared room. "Daddy will be right back Hitoshi, I just have to see what Tachibana-sensei wants"

"Where's mummy?" Hitoshi asked. Nowaki faltered as he looked down at his five year old son. he didn't want to distress the kid but he didn't want to lie

"I don't know" Nowaki answered "But I'll be right back. Tsumori can you keep an eye on Hitoshi's fever?" The blonde nodded as he helped a small girl into bed like she was a little princess. Nowaki ran over to Tachibana "Is everything alright?"

"it's Hiroki... I just got a call, Hiroki is on her way in and she has a rather slim chance of making it if they don't get here soon" Nowaki staggered back in shock

"Daddy?" Hitoshi asked. Nowaki swung around and walked over to son scooping the boy up and hugging him tightly "Daddy are you okay?"

"I'm fine Hito-kun mummy is just...unwell we should go see her later okay?" Hitoshi looked on the verge of crying and Nowaki hugged him tighter "Hey, shh, calm down" Nowaki soothed when he felt his son's breathing become labored before laying him down.

"Is mummy gonna be okay?" Hitoshi asked

"Mummy will be fine, I wont let anything happen to her"

"Promise?" Hitoshi asked as he yawned his breathing evening out. Nowaki smiled as Hitoshi fell asleep, his hazel eyes closing as sleep took him, midnight black hair fanning out as much as it could on the pillow. He looked so much like his Hiroki it hurt, he was her spitting image aside from a more male look to him and the midnight black hair of his father. Nowaki pulled the blankets up over his son.

"I'll certainly try" He whispered before turning to follow Tachibana.

Kusama Nowaki

When Hiroki was wheeled in Nowaki hadn't been expecting what he saw. Hiroki had been lain on her side so she wouldn't choke on her own blood that with dribbling out the corner of her mouth, the sheet that covered her shivering body was stained red and blood poured out the wound in her upper back her eyes closed in a frown obviously in pain. Nowaki couldn't help but remember the time she had been held hostage by her mother, she had more wounds then but she had been at the hospital already when they were inflicted. They had plenty of time to help her but now... she had been ages a way as seemed to be loosing a lot more blood.

He knew he could do something about it but he force himself to stay out of their way. Tachibana had been ready for her, transfusions were ready for when she was to arrive but depending on the situation - their chances of saving her were slim enough as it was. He couldn't do it, no matter how much he loved his son he couldn't raise Hitoshi without her. His son looked so much like her, he would be in agony every time he looked at his son.

he couldn't do it. Within Minutes Akane and Keiichi were by his side, Aoi and Juri not far behind. Both of the woman rested a soothing hand on his back while the men just silently waited offering support. "Nowaki, my child" Juri cooed earning her "Son's" attention "She will be just fine. you married a strong woman, perhaps you should trust in her strength"

"I should have gone with her"

"Nowaki, this isn't your fault son" Keiichi pointed out "I didn't raise a quitter and I sure as hell didn't let her marry one either. don't give up on her yet"

"What am I going to tell Hitoshi? He's only five, what am I going to say when he asks why Hiro-san is staying here? why his mother isn't coming home? I know the chances already..." Tears streaked down Nowaki's face as he let Juri hold him close

"Just hold onto that hope Nowaki, remember how much she loves you and Hitoshi. She isn't gone yet, remember they are only chances, whether it's 1 in 2 or 1 in 1000 there is always that one" Akane soothed. Nowaki nodded but it didn't stop as he fell to his knees Juri following him as he cried on her shoulder