This is your Fight

Chapter Ten

By KellyQ

Kai picked up the box of crackers, opened them, and handed one to Aichi before he continued to tell how things ended ….

I stood there and raised a brow when he came in. He had a duffel bag and he had a smile on his face.

"Mind if I stay the night?"

I gave him a straight face. I wasn't expecting that. I sighed, "If you want, but I don't know what we could be doing."

"No worries. I brought a few Blue-rays we can watch later."

I nodded my head and allowed him further in. We made are way into the living room and up the stairs, and that's when I noticed that his balance was off.

"Ren … are you okay?" I asked, reaching out to steady him.

He paused and turned to give me a reassuring smile. "I'm fine. I'm just a little worn out from getting here as fast I could." I raised a brow again. "What? I like hanging out with you."

I shook my head and helped him the rest of the way. Once in my room, he put the bag down beside the bed. He flopped on the bed and sprawled out for a moment until he sat up. He moaned and clutched his head.

"Ren …"

Ren chuckled. "Don't worry. I sat up too fast."

I frowned and studied him for a moment, and that's when I noticed how tired he looked. "Have you scheduled a doctor's appointment? This has been going on for a while." Ren looked uncomfortable and it was the first time it ever showed when I asked him questions about his well-being. "Do you want me to come with you to the emergency room?" I asked, hoping that he didn't have to go alone.

Ren sighed. "Fine. But I don't think there's nothing wrong with me..."

"D-did you encourage him to take any treatment?" Aichi asked, wanting to know. He didn't mean to interrupt, but he concluded that Ren had the same thing: feeling light headed, being tired, and stressed out because his body didn't function properly. Aichi immediately cringed when Kai gave him a piercing glower. "I'm sorry!" his voice came out like a squeak. "I –"

Kai sighed and looked away, closing his eyes. "He had a tumor too, but there wasn't a whole lot that could be done for him …" he paused for a moment trying to collect his thoughts on a memory that haunted him. "It was painful knowing that there wasn't anything I could do for him …"

Aichi watched Kai for a moment and scooted closer to rest his forehead on Kai's shoulder. "I'm sorry …" Aichi's voice was above a whisper. It didn't take much for him to realize what happened to Ren, and he felt a deep pang for Kai.

"That's why …" Kai paused and shifted. Aichi straighten up as Kai turned to face him and touched Aichi's cheek tenderly, "I want you to do whatever it takes to beat this …I lost Ren to cancer … and I don't want to lose you too."

Aichi stared at Kai, his heart pounding hard in his chest. He has that much faith in me that I'll live through this, Aichi thought, blushing. "I'll try," he reassured, a determined look slowly made its way to his face. "I'd rather not have this thing in my head either."

Kai smiled and moved his hand away from Aicihi's face. He picked up the trash and walked to the nearest trashcan, leaving Aichi alone. Aichi looked at the flowers and noticed that Kai's wallet with the pictures sticking out, sitting next to the flowers. He took the wallet and realized (when he opened it) there was one more picture. Aichi knew that he shouldn't even see it, but he couldn't keep his eyes off it. It was a picture of Kai kissing Ren. They did love each other, Aichi thought. He sighed and put the pictures in an empty slot, and carefully made sure that the wallet was where Kai left it.

Kai came back a few seconds later. He plucked his wallet and put it in his back pocket, and he turned his attention back to Aichi to see that he had a mournful look on his face.

Kai sighed, "Aichi, that was a while back," he tried to reassure.

Aichi nodded his head, "What about Tetsu?"

"We're going to meet up with him at the cemetery," Kai explained, avoiding the question.

Aichi exhaled to calm his nerves as he watched Kai push the wheelchair closer. Then Kai went over to Aichi and knelt beside him, taking a gentle hold of his arm and draping it over his shoulder, carefully helping Aichi stand. It took a moment for Kai to help Aichi into the wheelchair, and once Kai had put everything in his duffel bag, they headed to Cray Cemetery.

The cemetery was only one block away from the park and it was only four acres with luscious green-cut-grass. The tombstones were a lined horizontally and cobblestones provided a walkway all the way to the other side of the cemetery.

Aichi shivered. He hated the idea of cemeteries. Only one person stood in front of a tombstone; this tombstone stood out among the rest of them with the description: I'M SORRY, REN: R.I.P. The tombstone was put together with brass and copper, giving it a glossy effect. The teen who stood in front of it was Tetsu. His wild black hair had grown out and when he turned, he looked like he was growing a beard on his chin, and along his jaw line. He reminded Aichi of one of those warriors from ancient Japan who fought with honor and pride.

Kai pushed the wheelchair carefully through the cobblestone. Tetsu stepped to the side so that Kai could have some room.

"It's been a while …" Tetsu said, watching his old friend place the flowers in front of the tombstone.

"Sorry that I'm late …"

Tetsu just nodded and eyed Aichi for a moment, "You must be Aichi Sendou."

Aichi only nodded his head. Kai straightened up and stepped back, placing his hand on Aichi's shoulder. "He's an old friend of mine," Kai exclaimed.

Tetsu gave a light nod toward Aichi's direction. "I see …" he turned his attention back to Kai. "Anyways … I need to get going. I have some things to take care of—otherwise I would stay a little longer."

Kai nodded his head and extended his hand to shake Tetsu's. Aichi just watched awkwardly as Tetsu walked to the exit. Kai sighed. He had forgotten how things drifted apart after Ren's death.

"Kai … are you alright?"

"It was a bad idea to come here…" Kai murmured.

Aichi tiled his head in confusion, "Kai …?"

He moved in front of the wheelchair and leaned in and hugged Aichi. "You see … after I lost Ren, I told myself not to love again …"

Aichi's heart dropped to the pit of his stomach at the sound of Kai's voice. He sounded broken when he mentioned his dead boyfriend. However, Aichi's heart also fluttered when Kai said that Aichi helped him heal. Aichi closed his eyes and hugged Kai back, feeling bliss wash over him. It wasn't often that Kai was this affectionate to him, and Aichi was going to take the opportunity to cherish the moment.

"I do like you, Kai …" Aichi murmured without realizing that he empathized how he felt. "If you didn't give me faith in myself … I wouldn't be the person I am right now."

Kai pulled back just enough to be inches away from Aichi's face. They stared at each other before Aichi leaned up and kissed Kai on the lips. When Aichi pulled back Kai had a smile on his face and it was the first time Aichi could read Kai's expression, and he felt the same way.

"We should be getting back," Kai murmured.

Aichi nodded his head in agreement.

The rest of the day past uneventfully for Aichi after Kai brought him home. Mrs. Sendou made enough dinner for everyone, including Kai (who decided to stay). The meal consisted of a Caesar Salad, a big plate of sandwiches, and chips. Not much conversation was made around the table.

After dinner, Kai scooped Aichi in his out stretched arms, carried him to his room, and helped him sit on his bed. Then Kai helped Aichi into his Pajamas and told him to scoot over before he pulled the covers back. Aichi blushed but nodded his head and scooted until his back was touching the wall as Kai took his pants off, and slipped into the bed and pulled the covers up for the both of them.

Aichi timidly scooted closer and wrapped his arms around Kai. They both self-consciously held each other close before falling asleep in each other's arms.

To Be Continued …