Hikari: Okay, so this is really depressing, I don't quite remember what this is about. But I did edit this sometime ago. So it SHOULD be editted. But I'll leave that to everyone else to figure out. I might rewrite this in the future....maybe.

Disclaimer: I don't own. Please don't sue me, I need Otakon money.

Enjoy!!!!

In A Nutshell

Chapter 7

Visiting Hours

Ichigo hurried down the streets to the hospital she knew Ryou was staying in. It was a large building and towered over all those around it with ease. She ran through the front doors and up to the room she had found out Ryou was in before Keiichiro banned her from coming to see him.

But when she got there, it was not what she expected, the room was empty. No Ryou, no roommate, no nurses or doctors. Just empty. Was he dead? Was he gone? Did they move him?

Ichigo ran out of the room in shock and went to the front desk where she asked for the room that Shirogane, Ryou was staying in. Their answer was that he was gone. That he was dead.

"No," Ichigo gasped as she fled the hospital. "It can't be. It's not supposed to end like this."

She continued running, on and on, back to her own home and up into her room, where all she could do was weep. Weep for herself, weep for Ryou, and weep for those who did not yet know.

"What's wrong dear," Mrs. Momomiya asked coming into her daughter's room with a concerned look etched in her eyes.

"Ryou's dead," Ichigo cried out in between sobs. "And it's all her fault!"

"I'm sure it's no one's fault," Mrs. Momomiya tried to comfort. "These things happen. Here, do you want me to bake you some chocolate cookies with strawberries on the side?"

"No," Ichigo yelled. "It's all her fault! I know it is! I have to tell her!"

"Calm down honey," Mrs. Momomiya comforted, reaching her hand out to her daughter.

Ichigo slapped it away brutally and ran out the door and down the alleyway she had become a regular visitor to. The only problem was that Rika was not there. Even when she called her name, there was not answer, only the leering faces in the shadows.

"She's gone," Ichigo gasped as she sank down onto the ground, exhausted.

***

"You gonna wake up or not," I asked as I kicked the body before me gently.

"What," the girl said, blinking her eyes up at me. Sure enough, it was Ichigo. So much for my plan of a relaxing day.

"Why are you here again," I asked, exasperated already.

"He's dead," Ichigo yelled, snapping wide awake. "And it's all your fault! You got your wish, now he won't bother you anymore!"

"What," I asked, cocking my head to one side like a cat.

"Ryou is dead," Ichigo said, slower this time, but still louder than necessary. "And it's all your fault."

"What are you talking about," I asked again.

"Don't you get it," Ichigo yelled. I may not have known her for very long, but she did not seem like the kind of girl to get this angry. But I was still confused, how could Ryou be gone. "Ryou is dead, he is no more."

"How," I gasped. I felt myself drowning in this feeling of sorrow and remorse. How could he be gone. I looked to Ichigo's face for any signs of deceit, but found none. If something was up, she certainly did not know about it.

I watched as she left the scene. Had she only come here to tell me that it was all my fault, or was this supposed to be a guilt trip. Well, at least she could go with Masaya now and not have to worry about Ryou. Every cloud has a silver lining.

I laid down but did not have the strength to try and escape the pain I felt, this numbness in my heart. I did not believe it, I could not believe it. And it really was all my fault. I let the tears fall freely out of my eyes, something that I had not done for quite awhile now.

Then I stayed like that, curled up in a tiny ball, crying salty tears of despair. I did not even visit him or try to make him feel better. I only thought about myself and what I wanted. Stupid Ryou and his weak heart. I could blame him. Yes, it was his fault for becoming too attached to me. I had nothing to do with this.

I smiled and closed my eyes, it was his fault, not mine.

Please read and review. Actually, I don't really care because I fully recognize how much this story sucks. Oh well. Review if you please!