Hiro wasn't exactly sure what was going on. All he knew, is one moment he was fine, enjoying a small conversation with Akio who was stopping by to drop off some things… the next moment he couldn't breathe. He felt dizzy and had passed out.

He was awake now and was being held in Akio's arms. He was wrapped in Black Jack's cloak and was in the exam room.

"Awake?" Akio asked.

Hiro nodded slowly looking around confused.

"Y-Yeah… What happened?" He asked reaching up and rubbing his eye a little.

"You had a rather serious allergic reaction to something you ate. According to Black Jack it would appear you have an allergy to peanuts."

Hiro raised an eyebrow. "Nuts…? That all happened because of some stupid peanut butter!?" Ugh… Just my luck…

"I'm sorry sweetie… but you gave us both quite a scare. Black Jack's doing his double check right now so he left me to look after ya. He was so worried."

The boy frowned cuddling up to her curling up a little.

"I didn't mean to scare you guys… I didn't even know… I mean… I used to eat it all the time… Well not all the time but… Geeze.."

"It happens, sweetie." Akio stroked his hair. "Least we know now."

Hiro nuzzled her hand a little.

"Yeah… I'll be careful too." He sighed keeping close huddling closer into the cloak. "I just hate worryin' people.."

"You're okay now… That's all that matters."

Black Jack came into the room.

"Results confirm-" He stopped short seeing Hiro was awake. "Hiro!" He rushed over to him, taking the boy into his arms.

"Kuro-nii!" Hiro hugged him tightly, nuzzling a little. "I'm sorry I scared you… I didn't mean to honest!"

"I know, I know shh…" Black Jack nuzzled him. "Shh… It's okay…"

Hiro curled up in his arms.

"I'm glad I'm better now…" He laid his head on his shoulder. "I am never… Eating another nut. Again."

"Good boy…" Black Jack kissed his head, looking to Akio. "Thank goodness you were here to help… Not sure what I would've done if you hadn't alerted me."

"You would've figured out something… Just glad he's okay now." Akio sighed in relief. "Poor little thing."

Hiro kept close closing his eyes. "I didn't like how sick I felt…"

"We know little one…"

Black Jack held him closer.

"Nii-san's here… you're okay…"

The boy relaxed, holding onto his shirt a little.

"I know… I love you Nii-san…" He leaned up kissing his chin.

Black Jack kissed his head. "Love you too…"

Hiro smiled nuzzling him.

"Thanks for gettin' me better again."

"Anytime…" Black Jack rocked him a little, humming a bit.

Hiro closed his eyes yawning a little.

"Not sleepy…"

Black Jack smirked, stroking his hair.

Hiro relaxed completely, his head falling on the doctor's shoulder… Out within minutes.

"There we go…" He kept him in his arms, sitting down with him… Not quite ready to let go after a scare like that. "Nice and quiet…"

"He's a good one Black Jack… Sorry this happened."

"Better it happened while company was over than when he was taking a bath, or going to bed…" He shuddered a bit. I don't even wanna think about what would've happened if this had hit him at bedtime… Might not have found him til it was too late… At this thought his grip tightened a bit on the sleeping child. Hiro just mumbled a little nuzzling his shoulder a bit.

Akio made her way over squeezing his other shoulder. "He's okay now… That's what matters… And we have the right medicine for it if it ever happens again."

"Oh yeah… He's carrying an epipen everywhere and I'll make sure my aunt has a few at her place too. This is not going to happen again if I can help it."

"Of course. I'll make sure next order includes some extra epipens too."

"I'd really appreciate that. Thank you."

Akio nodded, giving a gentle smile.

"Anytime, Black Jack."

He smiled back.

"Glad we met you Akio…"

She blushed a little, nodding.

"You're very kind… You know, people really have the wrong idea about you."

He smirked.

"Maybe… But just because of how I work… The thief, the devil doctor, the quack…"

"They just don't get it is all… and shame on them for mocking your appearance. You look just fine to me."

His eyes widened a bit.

"You… You don't think it's weird…?"

"Not at all." Akio gave a gentle look. "Yeah there's scars, and it's different, but I wouldn't call you a monster or a freak because of them. Stuff like that is only skin deep. You're nice… you're a good man. That's what makes the scars seem like nothing. Besides… kind of hard to see you without them."

He smiled giving a bit of a sheepish look.

"That means a lot… Thank you so much.."

"You're welcome…" Akio smiled, looking to Hiro. "I better let you two go so he can rest."

"Alright.. Um… But don't be shy… You can come over more if you want…" He smiled, cradling his brother close. "Hiro's pretty fond of you… And… I'd like it too.."

Akio nodded. "Okay. Whenever I have time I'll come over. Hiro kept telling me he sometimes doesn't have a playmate so… I think I could help with that."

"That'd be great… Hate it when he's bored…" Black Jack rolled his eyes a little. "Kid fancies himself a prankster when he gets too bored."

"Noted. I'll try to come often then." Akio giggled.

"That'd be great." He chuckled.

Hiro sighed happily in his sleep… Mumbling a bit.

"Nii-san's got a girlfriend.."

"... Please ignore him, he's tired."

Akio blushed a little, nodding.

"Right…"

He nodded a bit red himself.

Besides… It wouldn't hurt to have another friend…

Life keeps going… Never stops…