Hey guys, it's been a while, has it not? I've been trying to think of how I want this story to progress, and it's coming along smoothly. I have only this chapter to post currently, but there are two others under construction. Don't get your hopes up too high, because nothing too exciting happens in this chapter, although one of the big turning points occurs in this part of the story.

Healing His Wounds - Chapter 12: Of Joy and Anger

Shuichi could not believe his ears, "So...so he's okay?"

"We don't know the extent of damage to his brain, but right now he can breathe without life support and he will live."

"Has he opened his eyes or said anything yet?

"No, not yet."

"But, I thought you said he wouldn't make it without life support."

"That's what we thought too. But apparently Mr. Yuki has an angel looking out for him."

Shuichi smiled a small smile, "Can I see him?"

The doctor nodded, and led Shuichi to Eiri's new room. Once inside the room, the doctor pointed to the bed at the far end of the room; that was Eiri's bed. Shuichi approached slowly, not wanting to rouse the other patients sharing the room. He reached Eiri's bedside and studued the blonde man: he looked the same as he had the day before, only he did not have the bulky tube in his mouth. He still had IVs inserted into him, but no ventilator. He was breathing on his own. That made Shuichi very happy. He ran his fingers gently through the mass of golden blonde hair, feeling Eiri's scalp beneath. Suddenly, Eiri flinched. Shuichi immediately withdrew his hand. Eiri twitched a couple more times befor resting. That is when he turned his head to the side, facing Shuichi. His eyelids fluttered weakly before opening partially. Eiri eyes darted about the room curiously, wondering where he was. Then, he saw Shuichi standing beside his bed, completely awestruck. Eiri wanted to talk so badly, but he was still very weak. All he could muster up was a smile.

A smile is all it took to melt Shuichi's heart; Shuichi smiled back as tears rolled down his face. He collapsed on Eiri's stomach and hugged him, sobbing into his lover's gown. Eiri gasped from Shuichi's weight on him, but his breathing returned to its previous pace and shrill sound nonetheless. He found the strength to move his arm, and gently placed his hand on Shuichi's back, as if he was reasuuring the boy that everything would be fine. Shuichi cried harder, overjoyed that his blonde-haired angel had not yet left the world.

At one point, Mika walked in and saw Shuichi leaned over on Eiri, sobbing. Her first thought was that her brother has passed away. She shrieked at Shuichi.

"Oh no! Eiri!"

Shuichi turned around, tears staining his face. "What's wrong, Mika?"

"Is Eiri...okay?"

"Yes, look for yourself."

Mika looked and saw her brother's glistening golden eyes looking up at her. He gave her a small smile before resting again; he was indeed very weak and in need of serious recuperation. Mika joined Shuichi and sobbed in joy. Shortly after, Tohma and Tatsuha entered and were beyond thrilled to see Eiri had opened his eyes. The four of them stayed by Eiri's side for the entire day, and they each gave him a hug and kiss before leaving...even Tatsuha. Shuichi was the last person out, but he wanted to give Eiri an extra large hug.

"I'm gonna go, Yuki. But today was good...I'm glad you're still with us."

He clasped Eiri in a light, but loving embrace and then proceeded to give his lover a peck on the cheek before departing. As Shuichi lifted himself from Eiri, the blonde man gave Shuichi a smile and began to move his arm. Shuichi watched closely as Eiri curled his fingers and made a come hither motion. Shuichi understood the gesture and moved close to Eiri's face. Eiri weakly lifted his arm and placed his hand on the back fo Shuichi's head. With barely any pressure, he pushed the pink fluffy head closer. Eiri parted his lips ever so slightly, and Shuichi knew exactly what he wanted. Leaning in close, Shuichi kissed his lover for the first time in months. Shuichi made the kiss fairly short, remembering that Eiri had trouble breathing anyway. Eiri smiled, stroked Shuichi's hair a final time, and relaxed into his bed before going to sleep.

"Goodnight, Yuki...I love you."

Eiri smiled at Shuichi once again before the strawberry-haired teenage boy left the room to head home.

Shuichi arrived back at Hiro's apartment, and Hiro clutched Shuichi in a tight hug. Shuichi had not seen Hiro for three days, and Hiro missed his pink furball.

"It's good to see you again, Shu", Hiro said happily.

"Good to see you too, Hiro."

The two of them sat down on the couch and Hiro asked, "How is Eiri doing? Any better?"

Shuichi yipped happily, "Yeah! He can breathe on his own."

Hiro was amazed, "He can?"

"Yes! And when I saw him today, he opened his eyes and smiled at me. He's still alive, Hiro! He's gonna be okay."

Shuichi was ecstatic, but Hiro's feelings were split down the middle. Part of him was glad to hear that the cold-hearted Eiri Yuki had survived, but the other part of him was disappointed that the blonde man had not perished in the crash. Hiro was worried that Shuichi would allow Eiri to take advantage of him again, and Hiro could not bear to see Shuichi in so much pain again.

"Shuichi...let me ask you something."

"Okay", Shuichi chirped as he lay snuggled deeply into Hiro's chest.

"If Eiri returns home, will you go back to him?"

Shuichi thought about that for a moment...'if Eiri goes back home, will you go back with him?' Shuichi did not think about that...

"Umm...probably. I want to be there to help him if he needs help."

"But, won't his family be doing that?", Hiro asked.

"Yeah, but I still want to be there with him. I want to be sure he's okay. I don't want him to think I deserted him."

"Shuichi, that man raped you. How could you want to go back to him?"

Shuichi became defensive, "He didn't hurt me on purpose! And besides, I love him. I'm happy that he's okay, because no matter what he does to me I'll always love him."

This made Hiro a bit ruffled, "You love him after he raped you! You really are a moron. It doesn't matter how drunk he is, he shouldn't have done that to you! Don't you see, Shuichi? He's using you! You're his fuck toy!"

In that instant, Shuichi felt an animalistic rage boil within him and he stood up immediately and punched Hiro in the face. Hiro managed to catch himself on the arm of the couch and stand back up. He rubbed his aching jaw, his fingers dampening from the fresh blood that dripped from his mouth. Shuichi was breathing hard, and his eyes were full of fire; he was fuming.

"Shut the hell up! Hiro, you've always envied me, all my life. You're jealous of my singing talent, and now you're jealous that I have a lover. You're just pissed that you have no one that loves you!"

Shuichi's words caught Hiro by surprise, and he shuddered before sitting back down on the couch. He bowed his head to the floor, with his mouth cupped in his hand. His shoulders began to quiver, and Shuichi heard a single choking sound come from behind Hiro's blood-stained hand.

"...Hiro?", Shuichi's voice became suddenly sympathetic.

Shuichi sat beside his friend and gently brushed away a long lock of rusty hair to reveal a soft white face with a single line of tears drawn from the eye to the jaw.

"Hiro...I...I'm sorry. Please, don't cry. I didn't mean it...", Shuichi pleaded as he placed his hands gently upon Hiro's shoulders.

Hiro never once looked up, but removed the hand from over his mouth, "No Shuichi...you're right. I don't have anyone that loves me, and it hurts so much. It cuts through me like a knife. And seeing you so deeply in love...it makes me jealous. I just have always wanted to love someone like that, and to be loved in return."

"Hiro, I'm sorry...I'm sorry I hit you, and - ", Shuichi was interrupted as Hiro finally did look up.

His face was streaked with tears and his mouth was curved into a frown as he choked from crying, "Shuichi, I just don't want to see you get hurt again by going back."

Hiro stroked his friend's face with his clean hand, "I want you to be safe...but I also want you to be happy."

Shuichi was very quiet for a long long time, but then he found the strength to say to Hiro, "You mean a lot to me, Hiro. I can't begin to say how thankful I am for you allowing me to live here with you. I owe you big time...

...but now Yuki needs me. I need him too, Hiro."

Hiro could only nod; this is what his friend wanted. "So, when are you leaving?", Hiro asked sadly.

"Maybe tomorrow, so I can be there when Yuki comes home."

Hiro wiped his tears away and hugged Shuichi tightly. Shuichi wrapped his arms around his friend and held him close, adoring the heat that his skin made. Shuichi nuzzled his face into Hiro's shoulder, taking in that wonderful scent yet again. Then, Hiro said something that made Shuichi feel a prickling in his heart.

With a quick stroke of his hand through the young man's hair, Hiro whispered into his friend's ear, "I love you, Shuichi."

Author's Note: gasps Hiro revealed his true feelings for Shuichi! Oh happy day! And Eiri has roused from his catatonic state after being taken off life support...but will his health continue to improve? Find out in Chapter 14!

Also, I'd like to take this time to thank all the readers once again for their support. I feel so special knowing that you guys are reading the story and leaving me such wonderful comments wipes tear away -

-LinZ