A/N - I know I usually only update on the weekend but felt like giving y'all some more to read this week. Yeah, nope, don't own these characters. Enjoy the story though!

Chapter 32

"How is she doing?" It was late Saturday evening and Yoko had just returned from a study session. Law school felt neverending, especially when she felt she needed to be home. Not necessarily for Yumi's sake, but for Sachiko's. Yumi had amazing friends surrounding her, but Yoko could see the worry that engulfed her little sister's heart. She knew that her being by Yumi's side when Sachiko could not be was a particular help to her, easing her anxiety.

Sei though had insisted she keep her study plans as a way of honoring Yumi's wishes, so Yoko had left. She regretted it soon after though upon receiving word that Yumi had been admitted at the hospital when she showed up for her chemo treatment.

At Sei's and Yumi's insistence, she had stayed for the study group and had only just arrived at the hospital. Sei had met her at the door and was walking her to Yumi's room. "She's fine. The doc was just concerned with her weight loss and how dehydrated she appears to be. They have her on IV fluids now and she met with the oncology nutritionist an hour ago. They have her on anti-nausea medication and are currently trying to get something of more substance in her system than broth."

"You mean she's only been eating broth?" Yoko asked in irritation. Why had no one told her this?

"Apparently so. Don't worry, it wasn't just you that didn't know. We've been trading off with her care so much everyone merely assumed she was getting the nutrition she needed. I've already informed her that she is the biggest pain in the ass we know." Sei was smiling now, but it seemed forced. "It's just like that time she passed out during school. She just pushes herself too hard."

"If I remember correctly, that was actually your fault, Sei." Yoko chided firmly.

"That may be so, but…" She went silent, drawing her hands into fists she hit the elevator button with such force it made a passerby jump in shock.

Stepping into the elevator and selecting the fifth floor, Yoko took Sei's hand in hers and spoke gently. "Breathe. Now, what is it, Sei?"

"She's not holding up her end of the deal!" Sei growled, unrolling her fist and intertwining her fingers with Yoko's. "She's not fighting!"

Yoko thought for a moment before shaking her head in disagreement. "Making mistakes in judgment doesn't mean she isn't fighting. I could argue that she may not have realized surviving on broth was a poor choice. It does hold some nutritional value after all. And if you're referring to earlier this week, that was her trying to fight on her own. You can't say any of this has been a result of her not fighting. It's actually the opposite." Though Sei's eyes were lowered, Yoko knew her words were getting to her heart. "Hope isn't lost and the fight isn't over. She merely needs the right weapons to fight this battle. She has already accepted her friends' assistance, right? Now she needs help knowing how to care for her own body during this treatment. She didn't fight it when they admitted her right?"

"No, she didn't. It actually shocked me how willing she was." Sei mumbled, looking up as the door opened to a bustling hallway.

"There you go. She promised you that she would do whatever the doctors recommended, right? She is holding up her end of the deal, but show her some grace. She's young. She's not going to get everything right on the first try."

Squeezing Yoko's hand tightly, Sei granted her a charming smile. "You're always there to save me from myself, aren't you? Every time, even if I don't want it, you're there."

With a glimmer in her eye, Yoko smiled and squeezed her hand in return. "We save each other, Sei."

"I hope that is true because I'd hate to only be the receiver in this relationship and never the giver." Sei laughed, a bit of her joy returning.

Leaning in close, Yoko whispered, her voice sultry and sweet. "I'm constantly on the receiving end of things in our bed, so I don't know why you would worry about that." They were approaching Yumi's room and Sei was about to open the door.

Sputtering with laughter, Sei's smile turned into a full-blown grin, pride evident in her eyes. "You have a point there. I am good at giving you a good"

"And this conversation stops right here." Yoko spoke loudly to overshadow Sei's words as they walked into Yumi's room, a surprised Yumi waiting for them in a chair by the window.

"So, Yumi-chan, did the jailers say when you'd be a free woman again?" Sei asked, still chuckling from Yoko's embarrassment.

Looking between the two older women, but deciding it was best not to ask, Yumi shook her head. "They won't give me a solid answer yet. It depends on if I can keep food down this evening. The best case is I'll be sent home after morning rounds. Hey Yoko-sama, thanks for coming. Sorry for being such a bother, but I'm glad you were able to stay for your study session."

"Well, to be honest, staying there felt like a betrayal." Yoko admitted, taking a seat at the end of Yumi's bed.

"Betrayal?" Yumi asked, shocked. "But I wanted you to stay."

Rubbing her temples, Yoko shook her head. "Not of you, Yumi. Of Sachiko. I can't replace her, but I fully intend to stand in for her in her absence, as your grandmother of course."

Yumi couldn't help but smile. Yoko being Sachiko's Onee-sama had the added perk of Yoko playing the doting "grandmother" figure for Yumi. It annoyed Sachiko to no end at how Yoko would spoil Yumi, but Yumi reveled in it. "Yoko-sama is the best. You shouldn't have to worry over Sachiko though."

"Not worry over my petite soeur?" Yoko laughed in mock hysteria. "Right. Since the day I met her, that girl has made a home in my heart and invaded my mind. More so these days than ever before. By the way, Sei, what did Sachiko say when you told her about this new occurrence?"

As one, Yumi and Sei avoided her gaze, guilt flowing off them in a massive tidal wave of anxiety. "You can't be serious?!"

"Well, it's not like she could do anything from France now could she?" Sei responded defensively. "I mean, it's not like Yumi is in any real danger right now."

"Oh, no, it's not like dying of hunger and dehydration is anything remotely concerning." Yoko retorted, fuming at their obvious lack of sense. "Honestly, I'm less concerned with Sachiko's hysteria while in France and more concerned with her EVER trusting Yumi in our care again! You two need to think before you act so idiotic!"

Rubbing her neck in reluctant agreement, Sei turned to Yumi and chuckled. "Uh, you know, she's got a point. We fucked up."

Eyes wide, Yumi nodded. "Big time. Should I call her? I mean, letting her hear my voice would probably put her at ease, right?"

"That's a good idea, Yumi. We'll let you call her in privacy while we go get an update from the doctor. Sei, march!" Yoko spun the protesting Sei on her heel and marched her from the room while Yumi retrieved her phone, the one gifted to her by the Ogasawara family.

The phone rang three times and just when she thought it would go to voicemail, Sachiko picked up. "Yumi?"

"Onee-sama!" Yumi was so happy to hear Sachiko's voice. She sounded strong and happy.

"It's good to hear your voice. You fell asleep so quickly last night."

"Your voice was so soothing. I haven't slept so well since you left, but last night was much better thanks to you." Just then a doctor was paged over the speakers in the hospital. Yumi rushed to cover the receiver, but too late.

"Yumi, are you still at the hospital? I thought your appointment was this morning."

"Uh, yes and it was, but… Okay, don't freak out on me."

"Yumi, saying something like that has the opposite effect!"

Yumi sighed heavily into the phone and said, "Sorry, but really don't worry. I've been admitted-"

"Admitted?! Yumi, are you okay? I'll head to the airport right now!"

"Sachiko, wait!"

Silence hung on the line for a few breaths before Sachiko spoke again. "Okay, I'll let you explain."

"I came in for my treatment and they weren't pleased with how much weight I've lost."

"How much?"

Yumi hesitated only a moment before responding, "A little more than four and a half kilos."

"Yumi! Is this due to getting ill?"

"Well, yes, in part. I have only been able to keep broth down since the chemo started. Guess it wasn't enough."

Silence again. "I shouldn't have left. If I had stayed I would have caught this sooner."

"No, Sachiko, I am the one who didn't say anything. I shouldn't need someone to tell me I'm not eating enough, to know that I'm not getting the nutrition I need." Yumi hung her head in frustration and continued in a downcast voice. "I'm making trouble for everyone again because I wasn't being careful. Sei gave me an ear full already."

To Sachiko's credit, she didn't try to make Yumi feel worse, but she also didn't say anything to dissuade the younger girl's guilt. Instead, she went a different route. "Your weight was the only reason they admitted you?"

"Well, no. They said I'm dangerously dehydrated. My nausea… well, every time I drink anything it gets worse. They have me on anti-nausea meds and I'm already on my second bag of IV fluids."

"What are they doing about food?"

"Well, I met with the oncology nutritionist a little bit ago. She gave me some ideas, but said it really comes down to controlling my nausea and pain levels." Sachiko knew what the doctors had said about her pain levels before, so her next question wasn't a shock.

"They want to keep you in the hospital to administer your pain meds in an IV, don't they?"

"Yes. I said no though."

"Yumi… I hate that you're in so much pain. Is it really worth it? Being so stubborn?"

Straightening in her seat, Yumi glared at the far wall as she spoke, an air of seriousness cutting through with every word. "I will finish my exams, but more importantly, I will be there for your graduation. I am not missing that even if they have to wheel me out of there on a stretcher."

"If you push yourself that just might happen!"

Sachiko was breathing hard, Yumi could hear her breath coming in rapid bursts over the line. Feeling close to tears, but still determined, Yumi spoke again this time softly. "Sachiko, please don't be mad. I promise I won't push myself. Really. Everyone is doing so much to take care of me right now and I am doing my best to swallow my pride and accept it. Please, let me have this one thing? Let me make it to your graduation so I can give the sister's farewell and see you off properly. Please? I want to be there for you on that day."

Sachiko heard the desperation and desire in Yumi's voice. She couldn't lie. She wanted Yumi at the graduation as well. Yet, thinking of Yumi in so much pain hurt her heart. Yumi was, after all, a part of her now. Some days it felt as though she shared in Yumi's every pain and fear.

"If I could make this decision for you, you'd be in the hospital indefinitely, Yumi. Where trained professionals could keep their eyes on you at all times."

"I know." To her surprise, it sounded as though Yumi was smiling at that admission.

"You know you are the most frustrating, single-minded, illogical human being?"

"I know."

"Stop saying I know with that smirk of yours. Don't think I don't know you're smirking right now." Sachiko couldn't help but smile herself. They knew each other so well. Intentionally releasing an exaggerated sigh, Sachiko added, "I look forward to your speech, Yumi."

"Me too, Onee-sama. Me too."

Getting back to the present topic, Sachiko asked, "How long will they be keeping you?"

"Looks like at least until tomorrow, late morning. Possibly longer though."

"I see." Sachiko was trying hard to fight back tears. She knew Yumi was relatively safe and in very little immediate danger, but there was something about her being in the hospital, far from her reach, that disturbed Sachiko to her very core. "Yu-Yumi, you'll do whatever the doctors say, right? Short of staying for pain meds I mean."

"Yes, I promised, didn't I?" Yumi spoke softly, obviously sensing how close to tears Sachiko was.

"You did…"

"Trust me, Onee-sa-sama. Ple-Please. I-" It sounded as though Yumi was suddenly having difficulty talking. After a few stuttered words there was silence.

"Yumi?" She could still hear the noise from the hospital, so it was obvious the line hadn't dropped. No, Yumi simply couldn't speak again. Stress seemed to trigger these kinds of episodes for her. "Tap the mic once if you can hear me, Yumi."

Tap.

"Okay, one tap for yes, two for no. Alright?"

Tap.

"Are you okay?"

There was hesitation on the line before she heard. Tap. Tap.

"Are you needing help?"

Tap. Tap.

"Are you upset?"

Tap.

"Oh, Yumi… I wish I could hold you right now. I think holding you in my arms would comfort us both." Sachiko felt her heartache at the silence on the line and the distance between them.

Tap. So Yumi agreed. That made her heart ache even more, knowing she couldn't fulfill that desire for her.

"Yumi, you know that I love you more than any words could possibly express, don't you?"

Tap. Yumi's response was immediate.

"I will be back at your side soon, my love. Don't give up."

Sachiko waited for a response a time before realizing she hadn't asked a yes or no question. Before she could correct her misstep, she heard tapping from Yumi's side.

Tap. Tap. Pause. Tap. Tap. Pause. Tap. Tap. Pause.

This continued for a time before Sachiko finally understood. "Your heart, it beats for me, right?"

Tap.

Sachiko couldn't help but giggle, despite the situation. "Yumi, how is it that even when you can't speak, you are still far more romantic than I could ever hope to be?"

Yumi's answering giggle was indication enough that the younger girl was happy with her response and pleased with herself. Though she added, Tap. Tap. Tap.

Instinctively knowing the meaning, Sachiko bowed her head and let the tears she had been fighting fall into her lap. "I love you, too, Yumi. So very much."

A/N - Awwwwwww T_T I wrote it, but I still tear up whenever I read this one.