Warning- there is mention of a type of skin cancer. It is scary to look at. I'm not kidding. It's called a Destructive metastatic basal cancer.

The side effects hit Rin like a truck. The doctor was baffled and quickly got a second and third opinion. Mephisto was present daily at the hospital, attempting to assist anyway he could.

Rin was severely dehydrated from his inability to hold anything down. He was sweating from a fever that made his skin glow blue. His hair tried to fall out, a common side effect to chemotherapy, but Rin's hair was growing back thicker, and a mix of black/blue and light blue/white. The stubborn locks of hair now came down past his shoulders, framing his blue eyes. His tail was ratty, and having the same issues as the hair on his head. The nails on his hands sharpened but were brittle. Bruises appeared on his skin at the slightest hit, only to fade within minutes of forming. It was truly a sight to see as Rin's body went to war.

Ryuuji was in school, attempting to pay attention even as his mind threatened to wander back to Rin. Rin was having more tests done… Ryuuji looked to where Yukio should be seated. He had only seen the younger twin in passing the past couple days. Ryuuji was worried about both twins, one was sick and the other seemed to be collapsing under the strain. He didn't notice when the teacher passed out colorful flyers, his heart with Rin back at the hospital. The paper crinkled as he shifted in his seat, startling him.

True Cross Festival

October 31st – November 2nd

It then went into admission and rules. Dates were required to go. It was a dance… Ryuuji's mind flashed back to the past week. Rin had been lethargic and clingy. He could use some cheering up. Ryuuji carefully folded up the paper, setting it into his pocket to show Rin later.

The rest of normal school was spent warding off the girls asking him to the dance. Cram school was quiet and empty without Rin, Yukio or Shima, who had said he wasn't feeling well. The class went by at a snail pace and Ryuuji was anxious to run to the hospital. Finally the class was over and he sprang to his feet.

"Can I go too?" Shiemi asked him.

He wasn't sure why she was asking his permission for such a thing. "Of course."

"Me too!" Konekomaru rushed to stuff his books into his bag. The trio walked towards the door and Ryuuji noticed Izumo standing awkwardly at her desk, her eyes staring downward.

He stopped by her desk and coughed nervously. "Come on. He would like to see you too."

He tried to keep his cool as her exotic eyes met his. They walked to the door, and he tried to loosen his tensed shoulders. He used the hospital key on the Cram School door. The walk to Rin's hospital room was quiet. The group was tense for some reason. Ryuuji could feel the tension in the air. He sucked in a shuddering breath, and nudged the door open.

Rin was alone, sprawled out in his bed, a feverish hue on his skin. His cheeks were flushed red but the rest of him glowed that ethereal blue. His lips were parted, panting heavily and his blankets were kicked to the floor. His hospital gown was ruffled and dotted with blood.

Ryuuji frowned at the blood, watching Rin as he literally steamed, thin curls of vapor rising from his skin. He stepped over to his new boyfriend, guilty to have left him. For the first time, Ryuuji considered taking leave from school. Surely, Mephisto would understand.

Rin's eyes met his and even with how uncomfortable he was, he began to grin. "Hey! How was school?"

Rin sat up on unsteady limbs, Ryuuji hesitantly reached out to assist him, the heat was uncomfortable but didn't scald.

"It was fine." Ryuuji answered, laying Rin against his pillows.

"We really miss you in class Rin!" Shiemi kissed Rin's hand.

Rin's lips curled, "I actually miss it, too."

"How are you feeling?" Konekomaru asked.

Rin beamed at the shy boy. "I'm feeling better!"

The worst part of that statement was Rin wasn't lying. He actually did feel better even with the horrendous fever.

"What is your fever at?" Ryuuji set his hand against Rin's forehead only to pull it back quickly.

"I'm sitting at 116(46.6) right now." Ryuuji choked in shock. "Which is better than the 120(48.8) I was at earlier." Rin saw the horror on their faces and winced. "It's really not that bad." Rin squeaked. He didn't even tell them that the doctor had to use a meat thermometer on him... his fever was too high to be read by normal thermometers.

"What did the doctor find out today?" Izumo stayed near the door but appeared to be concerned.

Rin laid his head back, eyes shut and forehead crinkled. "Chemo is out. My body is killing and building immunity to the medicine. I'm burning it off." He wouldn't meet any of their eyes and Ryuuji's chest was tightening.

"And? What else?" he urged, knowing that Rin was delaying something.

"I've got small tumors popping up all over because of the treatment. So…" Rin took a shaky breath. "Mephisto and the doctors are trying an advanced chemo."

"Won't a stronger dose still have the same results?" Konekomaru wondered.

"Not if it's laced with Holy Water." Rin braced himself for the explosion just in time.

"Oh how horrible."

"That doesn't sound safe."

"Hell, no." Ryuuji snarled. "That's not treatment. That's torture."

"I agree with Suguro." Even Izumo was being vocal about this.

Rin hadn't wanted to show them. When he had woken up toitthat morning, he had lost it. Yukio had appeared from who knew where and held Rin while he screamed. It was one of the most horrifying things he had seen.Itwas the only reason why he was allowing the Holy Water treatment. With trembling hands, he carefully pulled his hospital gown away. Ryuuji draped the blanket over his lap and he nervously smiled in thanks.

The room was dead silent as Rin exposed his ribcage and tugged a sterile wrap aside. On his lower left side of his ribs, a blood red crater was growing, pink tendrils expanded from it. The skin had been eaten away, the bone underneath looked to be disappearing little by little.

"What is that?" Rin wasn't sure which of them asked. He reached to poke it, but his hand was caught by Ryuuji. His boyfriend's rich chocolate red eyes were full of concern.

Rin licked his chapped lips, his friends were freaking out. He wished it didn't have to be this way. "It's a metastatic basal cancer."

Ryuuji growled at the word metastatic. He hated that word. He had heard it far too often. He reached out shaking hands and settled the wrap back over the horrific sight.

"I will be getting the treatment." Rin said with an authority that was unlike him.

Izumo sighed. "I can't blame you. That looks like it hurts."

Rin pouted, "It doesn't."

"You are a bad liar, Rin." Shiemi's sweet voice scolded him.

He shot her a soft grin but didn't reply. Ryuuji sat back, and put his hands in his pockets. He froze when he felt the flyer, his intentions of going to the school dance back in his mind.

"Uh, guys. Would you give us some time alone?" Ryuuji asked their gathered friends. They shuffled out, shooting grins to the new couple. The door clicked shut and silence settled over them.

"What is it, Ryuuji?" His cheeks burned as Rin said his name in such a soft tone.

Ryuuji slid the paper from his pocket, unfolding it with uncertainty. "True Cross Festival is coming up. It's a dance. If you are feeling up to it… I'd like to go with you."

Rin looked dumbfounded, cheeks flushing from more than just a fever now. "Of course! I'll have to clear it with the doctor, and Yukio. And Shura. And-" Ryuuji settled his hand over Rin's mouth with a sly grin.

"I know. You don't have to go down the list. If they let you go, don't be afraid to back out. I know you don't feel good." Ryuuji told the boy. He threaded his fingers through the multi colored hair. He was in awe over the white, black, raven blue and pale blue hair that shone from Rin's demonic fever.

"I'm ok. I really am. I just have a headache and I'm hot…" Rin shrugged. He was so brave. Ryuuji couldn't get over it. Rin was still smiling, still laughing. Still willing to give Ryuuji a chance. Ryuuji's eyes flicked down to where the skin cancer was consuming Rin's body.

"Rin?" Ryuuji's voice was hoarse with fear.

"Hmmm?" Rin cocked his head, big blue eyes staring back at Ryuuji.

"Can I kiss you?" He whispered.

Rin appeared thoughtful, then shrugged.

"I don't know if it's allowed." But before Ryuuji could pull away, Rin was yanking him closer. Rin's lips were hot and chapped, and Ryuuji almost pulled away in fear of making his lips bleed. Rin seemed to sense this and one shaking hand tangled in Ryuuji's hair. He relaxed into the kiss, affection growing for the half-demon he held. His heart quivered in pain as his hand traced over the hospital gown and under it, the chest port.

Yukio was in the lab again, frantic. Nothing was working. Nothing he tried was killing the cancer cells he had collected from Rin that morning.

He shuddered at the memory, waking up to Rin's pained screams. His brother had been inconsolable over the rapidly growing, all consuming mass in his side. He had sedated his brother and got to work on slowing the growth. That was easy but only worked for so long.

That cancer was bad. It consumed everything in its path. It would destroy the ribs, the lungs and anything else too close to the tissues.

Saving Rin was becoming something impossible.

Yukio leaned back, glaring down at his hospital coat. His head tilted back, clunking against the hard wall behind him. "I'm so sorry, Rin…"

Sometimes the greatest mercy you can give is eternal rest.

Yukio went back to Rin's room to find his brother beaming.

"I'm going to the dance with Ryuuji!"

Yukio would let his brother have the final night with his boyfriend. Yukio plastered on a smile. "Sounds like fun. I will speak with your doctor."

"Thanks, Yukio!" Rin was so happy.

Rin tightened his tie, flashing back to when his dad taught him how to tie one. He hoped Shiro would be proud of who he was becoming. He laid the sapphire blue tie against his chest, blushing brightly. He was going to a dance! He was so excited to see Ryuuji. He glanced at the medical bracelet he wore on his wrist, giving emergency contact numbers, hospital, primary doctor and other excessive amounts of personal information. It was the only way the doctor would allow him to go.

He turned to look at Shura and Yukio who had also dressed up formally for the occasion. Shura was grinning, her eyes alight with… pride? She was wearing a cute short blue dress. Yukio was more muted, watching Rin do the finishing touches.Yukio almost seemed to be troubled. Yukio donned his own suit, with a single white cuff on the shoulder, the bright red sign of a medic sewn on it.

The whole Exwire class had been set up with the communication system the staff had, and in Ryuuji's pocket was a single emergency dose to stop any seizures in their tracks. Rin was annoyed at all the precautions but he understood. Especially as his cancer continued to spread, slowly speeding back up. His skin cancer was gnawing at his ribcage, his brain tumors caused his body to malfunction, and his bones ached constantly.

"I'm ready!" He beckoned to his ensemble with joy.

"Alright. Here we go." Shura's key brought the trio to the Cram School and she led them down the hall. Rin was impressed with her balance in heels.

The night was cool and beautiful when they stepped out. Fairy lights twinkled in the gentle breeze. The smell of food, fresh air, and flowers curled around them. The sky was dark, and cloudless. He could hear soft music. Further down, exactly where he said he'd be, Ryuuji sat next to the fountain.

He was dressed in his own formal wear, the jacket and tie were pristine. His hair was done up in a way that had Rin's heart melting. Ryuuji's eyes reflected the small lights above, making them look overly bright and rich. The piercings in his ears glistened. Rin wanted to run to him.

"Go on, Rin." Yukio urged, nudging him in the back. "Call me if you need me."

Rin's voice failed him as he stumbled forward. He lifted his arms in a way that may look childish but he didn't care. He collided with Ryuuji's broad chest, breathing in deeply. The last of his tension left him when Ryuuji carefully held him. Rin's side was already starting to pain him from the stretch to get his arms around Ryuuji but he couldn't care less.

"How about we go dance?" The deep voice whispered in his ear.

Rin was so happy. He really didn't deserve anything this perfect.