Here comes chapter 9! I've gotten really into this story lately, so I should be able to get quite a few more chapters in before the end of break (not counting that beast known as homework which seems quite content to stalk me to the end of its days…). ANYWAY, I'm not even going to think about that right now…as a side note, I did not intend any yaoi in this chapter, but if you want to take it that way that is fine by me. This is purely friendship.

Oh, and PLEASE review! I haven't gotten any for awhile now, and its getting kinda lonely…as I've said before, it's much easier for me to write (or get the hint to stop writing) with reviews…

Without further ado, here is chapter 9! Enjoy!

LINE BREAK

Previously:

It took him some time before he contained himself enough to get up and wander downstairs, where he grabbed a cold drink from his tiny but functional kitchen and wandered down to the basement where his guest had been left a couple days ago. Finding him in the same comatose state as before, and in the same exact spot, he sighed once more in relief before heading back upstairs to catch a few more hours of sleep.

LINE BREAK

Morning came and went, and another night soon greeted the lonely house. The man had visited his only companion in his basement for some time, keeping him company by filing out various bills and papers as he sat by his side, but still Hatori did not awaken. The man knew his friend's time was very short, and that he needed urgent medical attention, but due to his own situation that was currently impossible to supply.

Start Flashback

The same man, now around 10 years old, is nervously curled up in a corner of a stone room as three men look him over and talk in low tones.

"Well then, Badger? What did you plan to do next? We can't keep him here…"

"I am well aware of that, Hawk. As for what to do with him…"

"Well, he managed to sneak past all those guards, and he seems to be very good with medicines…maybe he can join us!"

"We can't do that, Wolf. Boss would kill us…"

"But if he is valuable enough to the team, then why get rid of him?"

A loud sigh followed, before Badger said suddenly, "You might just have a point there."

"You too!?! You know we can't do this! He's just going to get in the way…hell, he'll be the ruin of us all!"

"No, I've decided, Hawk. He's staying."

"Yay!"

"But I have one condition. If he shows any signs of wanting to give us away, if he slips up just one time…he can kiss this life goodbye."

End Flashback

The man gulped nervously, curling up on his chair with his head on his knees as these memories began to slowly overwhelm him. That was right…he couldn't do this! They would surely kill him! But…as he looked back at his pale friend, he knew he couldn't abandon him either. Not after all those years…

Start Flashback

The man, now around 12, is standing in a nervous defensive stance against a school building, eyes wet with unshed tears as he looks at his bullies, who seem to be ages 13, 14, and 16.

"Ha ha, he's such a sissy!"

"Look at him! Crying for his mother…what a wimp!"

"Not like she could do anything anyway, stuck in the hospital. She's such a wimp!"

"Don't talk about her like that! My mother is a great person!"

"Yeah, great for sleeping all day and leaving her son with her ruined life!"

"Hey! Just what is going on here?!?"

The bullies looked over their shoulders at a dark haired boy of around 15, approaching with a rather livid expression. The bullies' apparent boss smirked.

"Just who are you to stop us?"

"Wait boss! Don't!" One of his cronies exclaimed, eyes wide in fear. "He's a sohma! If we were to get him, his family would go after us! You know how tough his father is!"

Even the boss seemed a bit nervous now. "A Sohma?!? Shoot!"

The bullies backed off, and with one more nervous glance, ran for the hills. The older boy approached the younger, smiling a little as he held out his hand. "Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah. Just fine." The younger boy took the offered hand and was pulled to his feet.

"You should be careful." The older boygave him another small smile before starting to walk off. The younger hesitated before calling out suddenly, "Wait! What's your name?"

The older stopped and replied in an easy tone, "Hatori Sohma"(1) before walking off again. The younger could only stare in wonder at his back.

Hatori…

End Flashback

The man continued to stare at Hatori, furrowing his brow as he listened to the older man's ragged breathing. He might have some medical knowledge, but it was clear he could not save him. There was only one choice…

His shaking hands reached inside his pocket, drawing out a cell phone. He knew the number well – Hatori had given it to him just before they went their separate ways – him to become a top member in his group while Hatori became a doctor. The only question was whether or not he could do it…(2)

His fingers slowly dialed the number, and he knew the moment he pressed talk, he could not back out now. It seemed like ages before a man he had only met in person once in their younger years answered.

"This is Shigure Sohma. How may I help you?"

"I do not believe you can help me, but I can help you."

"…Who are you?"

"That is not important, but if you must have a name, you can call me Raven…listen, I know where Hatori is."

"You do?!?" The dog could not hold back his excitement, but it quickly faded as he listened to the other man's grim tone.

"Yes, but I fear he hasn't long…he needs medical attention, and fast. His pursuers do not know he still breathes, but when they find out, everything will be over for him…I have a plan, but it will be difficult to pull off…"

"I will do everything it takes to save him…please, Raven. Tell me what you have in mind."

"Then here is my idea."

TO BE CONTINUED

Sorry that I sort of ended this on a cliffhanger…I was looking over what I had written, and after realizing it was over 4 pages I figured it was probably a good time to end it. And anyway, it's healthy to be left in the dark occasionally…right?!?

Thanks for reading! I really hope you have enjoyed this thus far, and continue to read! As I said before, please review! Please?!? I just pushed myself to write 3 chapters in 2 days, despite not really having the time to do so, so I think you can push yourselves to press that little button down there and give me a bit of an idea of how I'm doing.