Hyakkimaru came home and knelt down to take off his shoes when Dororo ran up to his brother and signed to him.

"Welcome home, Aniki!"

"I'm glad to see you too, Dororo." signed Hyakkimaru with a smile, "I've got some good news."

"What is it?" asked Dororo.

"Mio and I have gotten together." signed Hyakkimaru.

"That's great!" signed Dororo.

"Yes. And I have even better news." signed Hyakkimaru, "I've decided not to get the cochlear implant."

Dororo's eyes widened.

"Why?" asked Dororo

"After I told Mio about my feelings for her, I told her I was thinking of getting a cochlear implant." signed Hyakkimaru, "She then told me that no matter what I decided, she would always love me. It was then I realized I didn't need to hear in order to be loved."

It was at that moment, Jukai came into the room and saw Dororo's upset face.

"Daijoubu?" asked Jukai.

"Aniki says he's not getting the cochlear implant." said Dororo.

"Oh." said Jukai, "Well, it IS his decision and we should be supportive."

"I know." said Dororo, "But part of me wanted him to hear."

"Well, this isn't about you, Dororo." said Jukai, "Your brother is old enough to make these choices for himself."

Dororo tried to hold back tears.

Hyakkimaru could sense something was wrong with his brother, so he came over and hugged him.

Dororo sobbed into Hyakkimaru's shoulder.

"Dororo."

Dororo's eyes widened. Did his brother just speak? He looked over at Hyakkimaru.

"I'll be okay." smiled Hyakkimaru.

Dororo smiled back as he wiped a tear away.