"I can't take much more of this."
Neku was recovering from yet another psych inflicted on him by the Higher Bastard. Shiki cradled him in her arms and held an icepack to his aching head as the ensuing migraine made itself known. The headache split his skull, throbbing and each time it pulsed it got more painful...and laying down didn't help matters. It only made things more unbearable. The agony he felt just by keeping his eyes open was enough to make him yearn for unconsciousness.
"Then don't. Leave him here to rot!"
"You know I can't do that. Look, I know what he did wasn't the best thing in the world, but face it, we could have been wiped from existence, and Shibuya could have been destroyed! So do me a favor, and stop acting like this is a good thing."
Shiki sighed and took a deep breath "I don't hate him, Neku. I just...he hurt you. He tortured you...and now its like justice is being served."
Neku shook his throbbing head, groaning as the pain shot through his skull again, deepening the cracks that were no doubt forming every time his head decided to ache.
"Don't. He doesn't deserve this...any of it. Bastard does though. No question."
Shiki smirked "Well, look who's sadistic now."
"It's actually warrented from me." Neku held his head and nearly screamed as a new wave of agoiny ripped into his consciousness.
Shiki frowned and rubbed his temples, hoping the gesture would sooth his unrelenting agony. Her mouth opened to comfort him, but her voice never got to emerge, because right then Apollo burst through the bedroom door and he looked actually panicked.
"Sakuraba...you are needed."
"Mph. You go hang yourself. That or heal me. Otherwise I'm not going anywhere, shitface."
"Yoshiya has flatlined. And he refuses to come out of it, no matter what method I use."
All pain was forgotten. Neku sat up, his head exploding but he could care less.
"MISTER H!"
TWEWYTWEWYTWEWYTWEWYTWEWY
The house was in a full blown panic, and Apollo was less than pleased with the situation. Sanae was hardly surprised this had happened, and he chose the tense moment to shoot a rather insulting 'I-told-you-so' look at the Higher Being who had not heeded his warnings. Apollo admitted that he should have let his toy have a bit more peace before he ripped his psyche apart again...but he was too eager.
"I barely used my full psych, Sanae. Don't look at me like that!" He protested as the Barista fixed him with a glare while pouring pure Imagination into the Composer's being.
"What did I tell you, Apollo?! He's in an RG body! A body that's failing! That does it, you are giving us TWO WEEKS to get him healed! I will not let you erase him, Apollo. I. Will. Not! I will risk every single punishment and physically drag you outside and force you to leave him be for a few weeks! Do not test me, Apollo. Do. Not."
The Higher being actually shook, stepping back with his hands raised in the surrender position. Neku snarled from his position next to the teetering Composer, his azure euyes blazing in rage and hatred as he pointed at the front door.
"Get. Out."
As soon as Apollo left, Neku collapsed, Shiki catching him and gently guiding him onto the other couch in the room.
"Easy, Neku." the girl soothed "You got up before your body healed. You just rest now. Mister H. and Rhyme are taking care of Joshua."
"Oh" the once-emo said snidely, "Now you care."
"Shut up! I just...he's your friend, so I guess...I can give him a shot."
Neku smiled and actually curled into the girl's touch, needing comfort and release...and also just proud of her willingness to try.
"Thanks, Stalker."
Shiki lightly smacked him and giggled "Oh you!"