Disclaimer…I still own nothing. Annoyance factor…ff.n is still destroying my italics.

Warnings for this chapter:

Not much, actually. Some language, but that's all.

When I first thought of this story, and started to write it, I originally was going to have Ren do most of the saving. Somehow, Shuugo somehow stole a good portion of the limelight. XD

Chapter 10: Making Up

Motoki pulled a stool over and sat down as he gazed at his friend. There were some new poultices on Takaya's face, and some bruising visible underneath. An IV drip was in his left arm, and lower down was a bandage around his wrist, though it was only half visible due to the straps.

Motoki frowned. They transferred him, I heard…I guess to a room that has restraints on the bed to prevent any suicide attempts should he wake before a doctor comes. His parents never showed up, so they can't afford to put a nurse in here to watch him without his parents' say-so.

The boy cursed under his breath and started to undo the straps that held Takaya's arms down to the bed. Morons…Taka doesn't like to be restrained, since the bullies used to hold him down to beat on him. Even now, they'll try to pin his arms when they gang up on him. If he wakes and these things are on, he'll freak out.

Motoki pulled the covers back, and was relieved when he didn't see any by the ankles. He pulled the covers back around his friend, then sighed and took Takaya's right hand in his. His hand is warm. Please wake up soon, Taka. And please…don't hate me too much.

He didn't know how long he sat there, Takaya's hand in his own, until there were signs of life from the still form on the bed.

Motoki, who had been dozing slightly, instantly perked up and looked over. "Taka?"

Takaya cringed. Warmth…and an ache here and there. A…ceiling? Hell is pretty commonplace. Is that a drip pouch…?

"Taka?"

Takaya, surprised at hearing that voice, looked over. Motoki wouldn't be in hell with me…then…

Tears shone in Motoki's eyes, and a smile of relief was on his face. "You're awake! Fucking hell, you scared the shit outta me when I heard what happened! First in the hospital, then hear'n about being stabilized and…geez."

Takaya didn't understand. I'm…alive? Is my curse so powerful that I can't die?

"Taka? Hey, look at me…"

"Did…" Takaya coughed since his throat was a bit dry, then spoke again, "…did you save me? Why?"

"It…" Motoki's expression dropped. "It wasn't me that saved you. It was probably me that drove you to this."

Takaya looked away. "Why can't everyone just let me die?"

"Because we care about you!"

Takaya looked back, surprised at the shout. Even more-so, he was surprised to see Motoki with tears in his eyes. Motoki…never cries…

"I'm sorry, Taka. I never meant to hurt you. I…my parents were shouting at me, then started on each other, then back to me…I got so fed up with it, I told them to shut the fuck up, and my dad hit me. I was so pissed at that time…I'm sorry."

The other boy stayed silent.

Motoki bowed his head. "I was really angry…I wanted to hit someth'n, Taka. When I slammed the door and stormed out…I wanted to punch something until my knuckles bled, and scream until I was hoarse. When you came just then…I was scared, because I thought that…if you touched me…I might hit you. That's why I told you to stay away from me. Nothing was your fault, Taka. I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…you're in this mess because I couldn't cool my temper and was afraid I'd lash out at you…I'm sorry…I'm so, so sorry…"

Takaya's eyes widened, more at the fact that Motoki had just broken down into sobs than the story. Then…he doesn't hate me? He was just…trying to protect me from himself? He's crying, now…I've never seen him cry before. If I had died…he would have cried, then. I would have made him cry. Someone strong like Motoki…would have mourned over me? A curse like me?

"…sorry…I'm so sorry…I'm sorry…"

Takaya felt for the first time since he had woken up. It stirred in his chest, and spread out to his body; a warmth, like he was safe and protected. Motoki's light. This is…because Motoki cares about me…

His lips trembled, and tears pooled in his eyes and ran down his cheeks. " 'Toki…"

Motoki looked up, and their eyes met.

Guilt, pain, sorrow, relief…

Forgive me. I did something stupid.

Takaya tried to push himself up, but his body felt heavy. He wasn't too surprised when an arm wrapped around his back and shoulders, and there was a light tug on the one still in Motoki's hand. The next thing he knew, he was enveloped in an embrace.

Motoki had moved to the bed, and sat there as he held Takaya to him. They were both crying, both pleading, both apologizing, and both accepting the apologies mostly without words.

"You're like family to me, Taka. No, you are family to me. I could never hate you. Even if I push you away…that was just me. I'm sorry."

" 'Toki…I'm sorry I made you worry. I just thought…I was cursed. That I shouldn't exist…that I brought misfortune on you and made them hit you…"

"Never. You're the best thing that's happened to me, Taka. You're my only friend…and you're just as well my little brother. Taka…" his voice cracked at the end, so Motoki just let it drop. He wasn't good at expressing his emotions like that, but he knew that he had said the right words this time.

Takaya couldn't form any other words, as he was too touched by what Motoki had just admitted. He loves me. That's what he's saying. Somebody actually…loves me. He was there all along. He never hated me…never wanted to hurt me. Even if I have to go back to the classroom and have them hate me…even if I have to go back to that sorry excuse for a family and have them treat me like a monster…I still have Motoki.

The two continued to cling to each other like a lifeline.

You're forgiven. I'm right here.

They were interrupted once by a doctor who took in some data and checked up on Takaya, as well as allowing him water, and left after slightly scolding Motoki for undoing the straps that had held Takaya down.

The second time was a surprise to the two boys, since it came in the form of Ren and Shuugo.

Or, it was going to.

Ren peered in shyly and waved, then ducked out…only to be pushed in, along with Shuugo, by an irate Naoe.

"Honestly! You boys…you've been doing nothing but worrying, and now you're afraid to go in?" Naoe huffed as she closed the door behind them. "Be men and suck it up!"

Ren and Shuugo blushed, especially since Motoki and Takaya were staring.

Well, Takaya was staring. Motoki was laughing uncontrollably.

Naoe smiled at the boy in bed. "Nice to meet you. I'm Mihashi Naoe, Ren's mother. He tells me he sits next to you in class…he's the one that found you."

Ren blushed, then seemed to draw courage from having his mother and best friend there, and went over to the bed.

Takaya never knew what to make of Ren, and was sure that the boy was afraid of him after the incident with Hatake. So, he was shocked when Ren bowed.

"Thank you…for saving me!"

Motoki stopped laughing and decided to keep quiet. I wonder what happened. Taka didn't tell me about this. Then again, he tends to play the martyr when it comes to his classmates being bullied. They just see it as him picking a fight, though.

Takaya blinked once, twice…then a third time. "Saving you?"

Tears filled Ren's eyes as he straightened up and nodded. "That day when…Hatake-kun and his…friends were picking…on me. I…ran away…after you…stopped them. I'm sorry if…that hurt you! I…"

Takaya was surprised to see the other crying.

Naoe took a seat in the corner to just listen in, since this wasn't a place for her to intrude. She would have left the boys there, but she wanted to know what sort of child Takaya was after she had said so much to the police. Making a promise like that without even knowing him…I must be an idiot.

Shuugo just remained silent, obviously uncomfortable in the room, but it wasn't due to the company. Rather, it was because of his own guilt that had been eating at him all night long. Yet, he was afraid to apologize. After I hurt him…after I said that much to him…what right do I even have to talk to him?

Ren wiped his eyes, though tears continued to fall. "I don't like…seeing people get hurt. I never wanted…to hurt anyone. Mom says…that it's part of…being human…to hurt people…even on accident. But I still…don't like it!"

Takaya watched with wide eyes, almost uncomprehending that the boy was showing appreciation, and most of all, no fear.

"I…might not be good…with words. And I…talk funny…but…my ears…work just fine! So…if Abe-kun…ever wants to…talk to me…I'll listen! Abe-kun…saved me. Abe-kun…is a good person…"

Naoe watched as Takaya's expression turned slightly incredulous and almost as if he was holding back tears…as if he doesn't hear that often, or even at all.

"…and I want to…be…be…" Ren stammered even more over the words, but after a couple attempts, finally managed to get it out, "…be friends!"

This time, Takaya looked like he had just been blindsided or smashed by a blunt object.

Naoe resisted the urge to go over and hug the poor kid.

Motoki stared at Ren as if he had never quite seen anyone like him, and Shuugo continued to fidget as he waited his turn.

Takaya finally bowed his head. "Isn't it out of pity?"

"NO!"

Even Shuugo was surprised at Ren's shout, as he almost never raised his voice.

Naoe's shocked expression was testimony to that.

Ren wiped his eyes again, and looked at Takaya. He was a shy boy by nature, and typically avoided eye contact, or even looking at someone's face when he talked. Shuugo was the only exception to that rule, as well as his parents.

"I want to…be Abe-kun's…" Ren paused, then shook his head. "…Takaya-kun's friend, because…you're a good person! You always…help people…and nobody notices, but…I realized it…after school that day…so…I want to be…friends, because…I like you!"

Takaya obviously had no clue how to handle such a sentimental offer, as he hadn't had someone want to be his friend since Motoki. His hands clenched the blanket, and trembled slightly.

So, Motoki decided to bail him out. "Ya know you'll get a package deal, right?" Let's test how serious he is.

Ren blinked and looked over at the other boy. "Eh?"

Motoki grinned and indicated to himself. "I'm Taka's best friend! You gotta also deal with me! What do ya think of that?"

"Okay!"

Motoki nearly fell off his stool. So quick to respond…! "Eh?"

Ren scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "Because…you were…in the lobby, when…you were asking for A…Takaya-kun…you were crying. You really…care about him. So…I know…you're a good person, too!"

Motoki flushed and crossed his arms in embarrassment. "I-idiot! Don't ya know about Bonnie and Clyde? Bad people can like each other, too!"

"But you're not…a bad person! Neither is…Takaya-kun!"

Shuugo, Naoe, Takaya, and Motoki all had the same thought.

He says it so earnestly!

Motoki finally regained his poise. "F-fine, then! If you're okay with Nishiura's number one delinquent and problem student be'n your friend as well as mister martyr, here…"

"Hey…" Takaya muttered.

"…then I'm okay with it!"

Ren smiled brightly.

"But!" Motoki held up his index finger. "If ya do anyth'n ta hurt Taka, you're dead meat!" He didn't care that the boy's mother was in the room; Takaya was special to him, after all, and even Motoki didn't trust others much.

For her part, Naoe just remained silent and smiled through it. His protectiveness of his friend is cute.

Ren's expression turned solemn. "I understand."

"Shake on it!" Motoki held out his hand over the bed, since they were on opposite sides.

"Hey…" Takaya's eye twitched.

Ren clasped Motoki's hand without a second thought. "It's a…promise!"

"And…" Motoki didn't allow him to let go, all traces of humor from his voice now gone along with his smile, as his eyes stared into Ren's. "…if I ever hurt Taka…"

Takaya looked up and over at Motoki so fast that it was amazing he didn't get whiplash.

"…then the same deal applies to me. If you won't hit me, ask someone else to. But the deal goes both ways."

Ren disliked violence, but figured that this guy would never do anything to hurt Takaya, so he nodded.

"Motoki…" Takaya mumbled.

Motoki grinned and let go of Ren's hand. "Hey, I'm prone ta mistakes. Like last night…"

"You were trying to protect me last night. That doesn't count, blockhead." Takaya sighed.

"What'd you just call me, ya cheeky kid?"

Takaya stuck his tongue out at Motoki, who responded in turn.

Ren blinked, then snorted on a laugh. I've never seen Abe-kun…no, Takaya-kun…act so natural. Haruna-san…no…Motoki-kun, really is a good person.

Amidst the playful teasing between the two friends, Ren interrupted them by pushing Shuugo over to the bed.

"Shuu-chan has…something to say, too!"

The laughter stopped immediately when Takaya looked up and then away from the boy.

Takaya felt bad for shouting at Shuugo, but hadn't known what else to do at hearing from another student that he was a curse. It was something he only heard around the house, and Shuugo seemed to base all his assumptions on what he wanted to see.

Shuugo shifted, then glanced at the plasters on Takaya's face, and to the bandage around the boy's wrist.

Self consciously, Takaya moved his left arm under the covers.

"Does it hurt?" Shuugo asked quietly.

"Not really…"

Ren, Motoki, and Naoe sweatdropped. Awkward…

"It's…my fault, isn't it. Mihashi-san said it wasn't, but…I know I at least contributed to it. I've hated bullies all my life…I didn't realize that I had turned into one…"

Takaya sighed. "You're not a bully. You were just venting."

"But I said some really nasty things! I called you some nasty names! I…if I hadn't said anything, then…you wouldn't have walked out of the classroom…"

Again, Ren and Naoe got to see a vulnerable side to Shuugo that they rarely ever saw.

"…I hit you…" Shuugo trembled.

Motoki opened his mouth, but Takaya held up a hand.

"I let him hit me, 'Toki," Takaya said quietly.

"Eh!" Motoki exclaimed.

"I was being a dick, so I let him hit me. That's all." Takaya waved it off.

Motoki muttered something about "stupid martyrs" and started to sulk.

"You weren't…being like that. It was me. I…" Shuugo stumbled over his words. I thought you weren't getting punished. I thought you had everything handed to you, and just got into fights for kicks. I ignored the rumors and talk of whenever someone said you stood up for them because they were too afraid to go thank you since you typically fought their captors.

"Kanou, was it?" Takaya interrupted.

Shuugo stopped talking and nodded.

"Look…there were a lot of things and nothing running through my mind when I pulled out that knife. I grew up hearing a lot of the words you said to me…having a kid my age say those things to me wouldn't solely be a reason for me to kill myself. Got it?" Takaya didn't know why he was bothering. Yes, Shuugo's words had hit a chord deep within him, which had caused him to lose his temper in the least, but they were only a reflection of words from other bullies and his family.

Shuugo looked away. "…I'm sorry."

Motoki snorted. "Look at someone when you apologize to…"

" 'Toki!" Takaya scolded.

Motoki crossed his arms and continued with his previous pout.

Takaya rolled his eyes, then looked up at Shuugo. "Will it make you feel better if I said it's not your fault?"

Shuugo started a bit.

"What do you want me to do about it?"

That's when it hit him. Shuugo looked up with wide eyes at Takaya. Is…was he always just thinking of other people? Even when I confronted him, he just gave in. Does he even think of himself? Of what beating he can take? The pain?

Shuugo clenched his hands into fists, mostly to keep himself from crying. "…no. It's something I'll have to live with. And…I'll actually live with it! Pain means you're alive! I won't be a coward and run away from it!"

Motoki stood up so fast that the stool nearly toppled.

Ren yelped.

However, Shuugo just continued before anyone could move, and pointed at Takaya with a determined expression. "Live, Abe! There are people around you, right now, that want you to live! Even if it's hard, and even if it's painful…this world, with them…no, with us, is where you belong!"

Motoki slowly sat back down. Huh…

Takaya smiled slightly. "Yea…I know. I'm surprised Motoki didn't knock me upside the head for this stunt."

"Che! I don't hit a guy when he's down!" Motoki spun around to hide his red face.

Shuugo smiled. "Good. Though, I do have another request…"

"Yea?"

"Hit me. Free shot. I shouldn't have hit you back then…"

Takaya leaned back against the bed which had its headboard area raised and angled so he could be more comfortable in a seated position. Despite Ren's gasp, he pretended to consider it.

Then, Takaya opened his eyes and smirked at Shuugo. "No way in hell. Live with it."

Shuugo clenched a hand into a fist, but had a grin on his face. "Jerk."

"I wouldn't be anyone else if I wasn't," Takaya replied airily.

Motoki snorted, then burst into laughter. Even Ren was attempting and failing to hide his own, while Naoe was practically in stitches over how clumsy the boys were.

Takaya and Shuugo looked at their friends, then at each other in slight confusion, which just furthered the mirth of the room. Finally, the two submitted to chuckles of their own.

Takaya was floored, and felt better than he had in his entire life even though he was in the hospital. It's funny…how natural it feels to laugh with these guys. Last night, I thought the world hated me, and I caused Motoki trouble. Before then, everyone feared me. But now…it's different. I get the feeling this would have happened even if I hadn't picked up that knife. I actually have people that care about me. I can't say I don't like it.

Since everyone was laughing, Takaya allowed a couple tears to fall down his cheeks, and he made sure to wipe them before anyone would look up and see.

There was one person that saw, however. Naoe had easily gotten over her laughter, since it was mostly just the boys laughing, and carefully watched. Words he's heard all his life…friendship he had been denied over misunderstandings…he's blunt, but he has a good heart…he's been repeatedly hurt, but even so, he can still smile because at least one person reached out to him. Now, he has two more. I don't regret the promise I made to the police after seeing him. Not one bit.

TO BE CONTINUED…