Hello again. Today was my Dad's b-day. Today was also, due to spirit week, Twin Day. Guess who I went as. (My 'twin' happened to be a good friend of mine dressed as Juuhachi-san, but it counted dammit! They're twins!!!)

Anyways, if the last chapter left you feeling depressed, fear not! The next chapter has some humor. It also has a cutesy-sweet ending. Can you believe there are only three chapters left after this? It saddens me but excites me at the same time. I mean, I barely finish my sentences without getting distracted, much less write a whole story. 0.o

Have fun and remember; I love hearing from you, so write to me!!! (Please?)

Review.

Chapter 14: Tpov

It's not that I woke up in a hospital that bothered me. I've done that before, mother sitting worriedly by my side. It was the fact that it was a whole room that irked me. No cracks in the walls or ceiling, no old equipment, and no dirty atmosphere; just a bed, an IV, and a curtain half way enveloping it all. The silhouette of someone moving behind said curtain caught my attention. I moved my head in hopes of seeing who it was.

I couldn't, so I settled with lying relaxed and quiet instead. Isn't that just like me? I thought. I could have been killed, and here I am thinking as rationally and calmly as though nothing had ever happened. Classic.

I was still sore, and my right arm was heavily bandaged. My whole mouth had the faint tang of blood, and my chest felt ready to explode. So what was I doing? Planning where to go once I was out. I guess I should consider myself lucky; if I hadn't been born with Father's blood, I'd probably be dead. That point was made more profound when I heard a surprised "you're awake?!"

Looking over, I saw a man wearing blue scrubs peeking behind the curtain at me. He appeared to be in his mid to late twenties, and had short brown hair that didn't want to lay flat. Not knowing what else to do, I nodded. He let out a short 'huh' of a chuckle and smiled.

"Well I'll be. Everyone was worried you'd be a goner for sure!"

I liked the friendly tone and look in his eyes. It made me feel less awkward about the situation. He pulled up a wooden chair form the desk he'd previously been at, and sat in it backwards, arms resting under his chin.

"Now I do believe in miracles. You've only been out for about five hours," he glanced at the clock.

After a few minutes, I guessed he was an intern, or a brand new nurse. He was very cautious and awkward, but made a point to "keep me comfortable". A half hour or so went by, and he finally stopped talking long enough to turn and see a round, black woman standing at the door

"Henry, you talkin' to yourself again?"

She gave him a funny look. I think he blushed before apologizing, but she shook her head exasperatedly. Then she saw me, and her eyes widened,

"Boy, why didn't you tell me he was awake?!"

She walked across the room, looking at me as if she couldn't believe what she saw. I felt odd as she started asking the other nurse questions (while punctuating their answers with numbers I didn't understand), as she gently pressed and tested me.

"Mm-hm. Well now I've seen everything!" she said, looking back at the door.

"You feelin' up to havin' visitors, hon?"

I tried to shrug, and finding that it was painful to do so, gave up and reluctantly nodded. The only person that I could think of who was around to visit was him, and he was the last person I wanted to see. But she had said "visitors", so I wasn't sure whether to be worried or just pretend to be asleep. Just the same, she turned and walked toward the door, muttering something about God having a strange sense of humor. I heard voices outside, then—

In came the children from before. They all looked solemn, and stood as though it had been rehearsed; the three taller ones in the back, two younger ones in the front, and the smallest on the front left side.

I couldn't help but smile. They all looked so earnest. The youngest walked up to my bed, and had to stand on tiptoe to place something on my stomach before saying "thank you for saving my life, mister."

I picked up the folded piece of paper with my left hand and opened it with my thumb. Inside was a drawing of them all (including the dog) that only a toddler could do. On the other side were the words "get well soon" (the 'n' was backwards) and my smile widened. I looked at the child whose sad expression slowly gave way to a smile all its own.

"My sister helped me spell the words, but I drew the pictures!"

They all laughed, and so did I, despite the twinge in my stomach from doing so. They started telling me how it was the little one's idea to make it when they got home, and in all the years I've been alive, I can honestly say I've never gotten a better gift.