Disclaimer: I do not own PoT.

I PROMISE! I will wrap it up soon, just be patient with me. = D Pretty please?

Chapter 35: Emergency attention

Kennichi was breathing but his breathing was shallow, Inui arrived and told them where to go as Eiji and Momoshiro arrived with water and helped wet the handkerchiefs as they placed it on Kennichi's left leg.

Kennichi opened his eyes so fast and gave a small quack in return, Sakuno as her tears were still free falling replied,

"I know it hurts... It will be ok."

Oishi hailed a taxi, Tezuka who was so worried about Sakuno and Kennichi did not give them any orders but Oishi having to be the vice said

"You all go help Fuji and do what Fuji says. Inui and I will go with them."

Eiji and Momoshiro handed over the water bottles as they rushed off to see if Fuji needed any help tormenting the vile women.

Once in the taxi, Sakuno found Kennichi breathing painfully. Tezuka took her shoulder and pulled her to his shoulder, his eyes were also worriedly staring at Kennichi. It was all his fault... if only none of this happened. If only... he arrived sooner...

Once they arrived Kennichi was immediately sent into the surgery room in the vet. Sakuno was still crying. Tezuka took her into his arms as he tried to ease her pain, they clung onto each other for awhile. Oishi tapped Tezuka's shoulder as he said

"... Sakuno should have her injuries tended. There is a nearby clinic we could go to."

Sakuno looked appalled she refused, she tried clinging onto Tezuka as she replied

"I want to be here when the vet comes..."

Tezuka gently pulled her away, he must be strong for her... He replied

"The faster you go, you can get back. I will stay here and wait. It will be just for a short moment."

Sakuno allowed herself to be taken by Oishi, they both walked away to the next door clinic to get her fixed up. Tezuka slumped down onto a seat, Inui merely stared at Tezuka's very limp figure.

Inui in all his life never seen Tezuka so upset and burdened before. He knew partially how he felt... when Sakuno and Kennichi disappeared he was also very worried and panicked but... Tezuka was different... they were his family or to say clearly he loved them more than anyone.

"...Buchou... it is not your fault."

"It is..."

Tezuka said under his gritted teeth, in his mind the whole event played over and over again he always thought he was responsible. If only he made a different decision... if only Sakuno and Kennichi didn't get hurt. But the look on the vet's face, when he saw the duckling... he shook his head. Tezuka thought he might die... Kennichi can't vanish from their lives just because of this. He just can't leave them.

"Things happen buchou."

"NO!"

Tezuka sat up fiercely with his eyes burning with sadness and anger.

Meanwhile, while she was getting bandaged she was still anxious to get back. Her eyes were guilt and pain. Oishi who was there said to her in a kind voice.

"This wasn't your fault you know..."

Sakuno shook her head as she replied in a sad tone, it was cracked as well

"...No... if I had made Kennichi stay home... or stay with Tezuka sempai... If only..."

"Sakuno-san, please you have to remember. Kennichi chose to appear to save you. He did it on his own will. Tezuka cares a great deal that is why he is so hurt... Everyone contributed to what happened. Not just everything on you."

Sakuno and Oishi walked out to pay as she replied in a very worried tone

"...Tezuka sempai must be feeling the same way..."

Oishi nodded as they walked out of the clinic.

"He is very upset, because he is use to taking everything on him."

Sakuno looked at Oishi as there was a small light in her eyes. Sakuno knew, she was sad and scared that Kennichi may not make it but... she could not let Tezuka be chained, she may be hurt but the one who is in the most pain right now was Tezuka, because he felt like he did not do anything or arrived too late. So she did what she did best, she was going to be the support Tezuka needed.

People always knew that a male would be supporting the female, but Sakuno was very strong as she went through the death of her loved ones before and how she came to blame herself. But she had matured since then, and she was extremly strong in spirit. Her supporting nature was what made her truly who she was. So Tezuka needed it right now, and Sakuno knew she was the only one concious to help him.

Sakuno walked in as she saw the slump shoulders of Tezuka. She was the only one who knew exactly how he felt. She blamed herself for what happened to Kennichi... And what that did to Tezuka.

"...Tezuka sempai."

Oishi signaled Inui as they both stood further away to give them privacy. Tezuka looked up at Sakuno, her eyes were glimmering with a small form of light as she took his hand and not said a word to Tezuka. Tezuka was very appreciative as he gripped her hand back.

Inui didn't understand how could silence heal anything? Oishi merely smiled, Sakuno was indeed one of the best people who could offer a strong support and not care about staying in the shadows.

"I don't blame you, you know."

Tezuka looked up after awhile of silence and peace. He frowned as he replied in the same soft voice she did.

"... You should. If it wasn't for me Saiyo..."

"Saiyo was the one who chose how she wanted to hurt us. Not you."

Tezuka looked at the ground as he took off his glasses as he pinched the bridge of his nose. There was a small sign of weakness and she took his head into her arms, as she stroked his hair. She was worried, they both were but they needed the comfort now. To be strong when the vet comes out.

"I caused it."

Sakuno slapped his hand gently, shocked from that he looked at her, as he was surprised she looked angry at him. She replied sternly for the first time

"You regret to ever have met Kennichi?"

Tezuka opened his eyes wide as he replied

"No."

"Kennichi wouldn't be who he was if he didn't meet you. He was my brave Ken-kun."

"... You are right."

"We have to be strong for him...I am very scared of what the vet may say but... I know I have faith that he will pull through."

The rest of the seigaku regulars appeared after an hour and were silently waiting and praying for Kennichi. It had been another 20 minutes before the vet reappeared as he took off his gloves. Sakuno and Tezuka immediately stood up. The vet looked at them and replied

"I am sorry..."

Tezuka and Sakuno thought this was it, the tears were reaching their eyes. The seigaku regulars hung their heads, honestly their eyes were stinging.

"...This duckling lost his leg. But it fought its way to live. That was one strong duckling."

The Seigaku regulars were busy hugging each other, Sakuno and Tezuka was happier to have him alive, but was still sad that he had lost one of his legs to come back to them all.

Kennichi was wheeled out. The stump where his leg was meant to be... Sakuno and Tezuka felt very sad about his leg but the regulars seemed to feel that too. Kennichi had already opened one bleary eye as he quaked in a soft voice and weak voice...

"Quack Quack quack... "

The regulars bursted out laughing, Sakuno and Tezuka broke into a small smile. Kennichi gave them all a glare. What Kennichi said and looked like was 'Why are you all looking at me? 10 laps! I am fine' His parents look like they were so much more closer as they watched him. Just like the day he was born... he was very glad to see that happen.

"You were very strong Ken-kun."

Sakuno stroked his head as he was pleased she did stroke him. Tezuka stroked him too, he said in a calm voice as if he had not been worried earlier.

"Thats good. You kept your guard up. If you made your mother cry..."

Kennichi remembered back to when he was an egg...

If you made Sakuno panic, you run 10 laps."Quack."

Tezuka and Sakuno only smiled at him but Eiji choose to break the ice.

"Huh? Buchou you even told an egg to run laps Nya?"

"Kennichi is going to be a track runner! I can tell."

Everyone was more happy he was alive, Kennichi was a very strong duck as he was also very strong willed. Reminded Tezuka of when he was trying to recover from that injury, they won't give up hope as long as there was something they wanted to work towards. Tezuka saw Sakuno and Kennichi and he knew what he wanted to work towards... it was only a matter of time he'd stop this childish game.

To be cont.

Omake

After Sakuno and Tezuka went with Kennichi to his small rest place, the regulars were in debate.

"I think I heard that some place sell a robotic leg?"

"We do it here actually."

That nearly shocked the regulars but Eiji who was fast to recover asked

"Nya, how much does it cost?"

"$1000, because we will include his growth process."

Fuji smiled as he then said

"Well, our writer is feeling generous. But Snowrider14 needs votes, votes will be like a donation to Kennichi. Whether Ken-kun gets a leg replacement. Or he gets a different contraption to work one legged."

"Ohhh! So people were actually reading? Why didn't you all tell us where Sakuno-chan was nya!"

"Wouldn't be much of a story Eiji."

"Can't we vote?"

"99.99% impossible. We will have to see what the readers think."

"Nya! Snowrider! You killed Kennichi's leg!"

"oh yeah... I have a few questions too. When do I get my close up?"

"Fshh, your close up will be the day you die."

"MAMUSHI!"

"PORCUPINE HEAD!"

"Ah, the writer is going. Bye everyone!"

Fuji then opened his azure eyes as he replied

"Don't forget to vote. It is on her Profile."

"50% will happen."

To be cont.

YOU HEARD THEM! GO! = S