Seeing, REALLY Seeing!

Disclaimer:

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Me no own story or poem

So you cannot sue

-By some random person out there…not me

The Kikumaru Family

Oldest Son – Akio Kikumaru - Age 22

Older Son – Kenta Kikumaru - Age 18

Oldest Daughter – Cho Kikumaru - Age 19

Youngest Daughter – Yasu Kikumaru - Age 15

Youngest son - Eiji Kikumaru - Age 14

Mother – Akemi Kikumaru – Age 39

Father – Daiki Kikumaru – Age 41

Grandmother – Naomi Kikumaru – Age 55

Grandfather – Isamu Kikumaru – Age 61

The Ryuzaki's

Grandmother –Sumire Ryuzaki – Age 64

Father – Hiroshi Ryuzaki – Age 41

Mother – Sakura Ryuzaki – Age 38

Son - Aki Ryuzaki – Age 16

Daughter - Sakuno Ryuzaki Age 12

Chapter 10 – A Friendly Visit

(Sakuno's POV)

I jump as my grandma parks the car outside the white hospital building. This is it. I'm going to visit Eiji now…god! I'm nervous about this. I can understand it, too. I don't know what I'll find up there!

"We're here, Sakuno," Sumire says as she sets a comforting hand on my shoulder. She smiles and quietly says, "You have to be brave, Sakuno. For Eiji's sake…"

"Ya, Grandma," I lightly agree. Eiji wouldn't want to be all alone. He'll like that I'm visiting him. I'm so nervous, though! "Let's go…"

"Wait! How 'bout you give him this?" I look at what she was carrying and gasp softly. In her hands was a vase filled with colorful wildflowers. Eiji will LOVE them! She grins and hands them to me. "You're his friend, are you not, Sakuno?" She sniggers at my sheepish grin. "Now come on! Quickly now…"

(Eiji's POV)

I finally managed to coax Akio into going home. I want his company and all, but he needs food and rest! He comes her after work, skips supper and stays an hour or two after visiting hours. The staff here let him. This time I made him go home at five, 3 hours before visiting time is done. I have to admit, though, I AM lonely!

"Eiji-kun?" I look up, recognizing the timid voice right away. "These are for you, Eiji-kun…" she says, a pale blush lining her cheeks softly. From the sight of blue, green, red, pink, orange, yellow, and white flowers I almost didn't catch the 'kun' added onto my name.

I smile brightly up at her. "Thank you, Sakuno-Chan! They're so pretty! Thanks for visiting me, too. I hope I didn't scare you too much." I get up and set the vase on the table by my bed. On it sat roses from my mom and dad; a white teddy bear from Akio; and a vase of carnations from Kenda, Yasu, and Cho. I love my team's gift, though. They sent me tons of little paper cranes of all colors. They got that idea from Sadako and The 1000 Paper Cranes. That's such a good story!

"Hello, Eiji…" I turn from the table to see Sumire Ryusuke walk through the door. "You look cheery today, don't you think?" She winks and her smile gets wider. Sometimes that lady knows TOO much for her own good!

"Hoi, hoi, Coachie!" I chirp, plunking down on my bed. "Ya! I'm happy! Half the team already visited me today. So fun, nya!" My smile widens as she hands me an envelope. "Thanks, Coach!" I open the envelope and slip a card out.

'You will be missed forever…' It read on the front. Beneath it was a lovely drawing of a rose inside a heart. I turn to the inside. 'I don't know you that well, but I do know it is impossible to hate you. I also know that everyone will miss you. Miss your bright smile, your incredible spirit, your helpfulness, your friendship and mostly your love.'

'Sincerely,

Sumire Ryusuke.'

On the page across was a picture of the team and Sakuno. On the right side was a serious Bucho; Fuji was next to him, the common smile and closed eyes on his face; Kaidoh stood next, slightly wary of the grinning Inui who in turn had his arm around the snake-like boy's shoulders; then it was me. I had a cheerful grin on my face as I hugged O'Chibi gently; O'Chibi looked amused and was being given bunny ears by Momo; Momo stood beside O'Chibi with an idiotic grin on his face; Kuwamura stood beside Momo, he seemed as if he was taking protection by the coach; she stood with an arm around Taka-san and Sakuno.

I smile and hug her quickly. "Thanks, Coach!" I show Sakuno who smiles at the memory. I then set the card beside Sakuno's flowers. "Thank you…both of you…"

"Well…I hope you to don't mind, but I have to go pick up some medicine for my careless daughter! Eiji, keep Sakuno company please! I'll be back in an hour or so." Sumire smiles a knowing smile. "Have fun!" She quickly slips out the hospital room door.

"Oh!" Sakuno gasps, startled at her Grandmother's sudden disappearance. "She's quick…"

"She moves too fast to be an elderly lady, nya…" I agree, a shocked grin covering my face. "She sure is special, ain't she? You're sure lucky to have known her for so long, nya!" I joke, sitting back on the bed.

"Hey…Eiji-kun? You ok? You look exhausted!" Sakuno settles down on the bed beside me. "Your voice is a bit hoarse, too…" She places her hand on my shoulder.

"Ya…Doc said I'll experience sleepiness and a hoarse voice from time to time. Part of the cancer, he said." My voice shakes on the word 'cancer'. I'm still scared!

"You should get some rest!" she insists, pushing me softly onto my bed so my head lands softly on the white (Blah! Too much white, nya!) pillow. "And don't even argue how it's impolite to sleep with a guest here! I want you to be as rested as you can be," she warns in a soft, sad voice. "Get some sleep."

"Fi–" My voice is broken by a soft yawn. "Fine…" I lean up and hug her softly. "Good-night, Sakuno-Chan!" I chirp wearily, losing myself in sleep.

(Sakuno's POV)

I rest gently on the edge of his bed, my fingers playing with his ruby-colored bangs. He looks so peaceful his eyes closed, his breathing even with sleep. He also looks frail. I can see that he has lost some weight since I first really talked to him that afternoon when we literally bumped into each other. He also lost his immaturity. He understands everything and is trying to act strong for those around him.

"Eiji…" I mumble, my fingers resting on his cheek. Bad things are happening to the person who deserves the very best.

I finally notice the blue and white hat resting on the gift table. Ryoma believes in him…just as I do.

Chapter 10 done. Sorry for not updating!