Moving on…how does Hiro get on with his life now that he has serious medical concerns and, more importantly…what happens on the other end of the scale? Read and find out. Thank you to all who have responded, and remember - more responses = faster updates. On to the torture…

I was in the hospital for almost three weeks before they let me go, the last of those I spent building enough muscle to be able to walk on my own again. Shuichi had thought to bring me my guitar once I was out of Intensive Care and it had been one source of consolation. I would always have music. Surprisingly, more people than I thought would showed up, and I'm sorry to say that I really wasn't up to visitors and snapped at more than a fair share of those who did come. K and Sakano came every second day, Shuichi daily with Fuj…Suguru. Even Shuichi's, partner, showed up on occasion. Sakuma-san and Seguchi-san came every Thursday. Ayaka didn't show up once, but Eiri's brother…oh…Tatsu - something or other did. My mom and dad came once before leaving me in my own capable hands… I was glad they trusted me so much, but I did not want to do this by myself. I needed someone there, anyone really. I have to say that it came in a form I should have been expecting, but was still utterly surprised.

Shuichi, with some help from Ryuichi and Suguru and even Yuuuukiiiii as Shuichi so often calls him, wrote a song.

For me.

They had kept it a secret until K came in with a big ass smile (one of the scary ones) on his face and an even bigger gun strapped to his shoulder, pointing a microphone at people instead and telling them to listen up, cause this wasn't coming out on any album ever.

It should have. It was beautiful. It made me cry, but I was so happy that I really didn't care whether or not I looked like an idiot. They lugged a keyboard and set it up right in my room, somehow making space, and brought a second guitar for K to play since they needed the part and I really was in no condition to even try and read music cold. Bet you didn't know K could play, did you? He's not as good as I am, not by a long shot, but he could carry a tune, and that was all that mattered. Even now, with the music in front of me, I still remember exactly how Shuichi's voice sounded, blended with Suguru's - yeah, he can sing - as they sang the chorus, specifically the last line of it.

'Daisuki na tomodachi. (I love you my friend)'

It was that song that really brought me out of my funk and got me back on my feet, willing to get up and do something about this. Having the support of those close to you makes all the difference. Within a month of my release I was up and running and the next concert was looming big on the horizon. I should have known something would happen, but, being optimistic and overconfident, I didn't see it coming.

I had semi-gotten into a routine with my injections, only two a day and they really didn't hurt as much as I thought they would when the whole process had been explained, and my eating habits had definitely taken a turn for the better. How could they not, with K breathing down my neck to make sure that I was eating enough of the right foods at the right time of day. I hadn't given up my smokes, I only feel the urge when I'm stressed, and that's been happening a lot less too. Shuichi was fascinated by some of the mechanical toys, but Suguru just couldn't stomach it. K helped too, taking up my needles and giving them to me when I couldn't reach or was having trouble rotating where it was that I used them. One of the things that had been over emphasised was that the needles had to be given in a variety of locations or build up, resistance and a whole load of nasty shit could happen. I completely forgot about the performance until the evening of it basically. Well, not forgot, just didn't realize that tonight was _tonight_.

I also forgot to eat, but took my needle anyways.

Stupid me.

I felt woozy before going on, but chalked it up to performance anxiety. Yes, I know I'm supposed to be a professional, but no matter how many times you do something you can always expect that little rush of adrenaline beforehand. Ryuichi's been singing far longer and he still freaks out sometimes. We had actually gotten a coherent performance schedule and costuming to top it all off. Shuichi had white shorts and tank topped with a silver jacket, Suguru had baggy silver pants and a white trench, and I had tight white pants and a silver jacket. Wow, coordination, who'd have thought?

By the time we got to the third song, I knew something was off.

Thought it was nervousness after having been away so long.

Intermission I felt weak and was having trouble seeing, broke into a sweat, and was shaking a bit.

Worst case of stage fright ever.

Stupid me.

I went back on after requesting a chair be placed that I could sit on to play, standing for another half hour really didn't seem possible.

I fudged a chord on our next piece.

A whole measure on the third song after intermission. My heart was racing, and the shakes had turned into all out spasms. I couldn't really focus on anything. All I know was that Shuichi and Suguru skipped four selections and moved to the last one where all I had to do was strum three cords over and over.

I couldn't manage. They blanked my section of the stage and I was pulled off, spasming so hard that I couldn't walk on my own and was barely conscious. I smelt K…he always has this faint gunpowder scent to him, and felt something touch my lips.

"C'mon Hiro, you gotta get something in you. Swallow the juice Hiro." The lulling voice was compelling, and I tried to comply, but a particularly nasty jerking hit me and I hit the floor hard. What was going on here?

"Hiro. Hiro stay with us. Swallow. You can do it." The sensation of something on my lips was back and I managed three gulps of something that was nauseatingly sweet before I had to stop and gasp.

"Good. Good Hiro. A little more." Whoever was holding me up murmured and the straw, I had identified the object, returned to my lips. I swallowed again, and was starting to feel a bit better, though very, very weak. I was tired too. Sighing I closed my eyes, and was snapped back to consciousness by a hard but controlled shake.

"Stay awake. You have to eat a little more…" I opened my eyes to stare at blond hair that moved ever so slightly in a completely fascinating way. I don't know how long I stared at it, but felt the straw come back and drank, the spasms fading to nothingness. I recognized K's voice, strange how that happened really. I trusted the man with my life.

"Hiro, Hiroshi. Eat, okay?" Our manager held something solid that required chewing to my lips, and I obediently did as asked. I wasn't in any condition to think for myself, and the suggestion sounded really good. It tasted aweful, and I cringed as another bit was put to my mouth after I swallowed the first.

"You can do it. C'mon. Open up. It's a cracker." That didn't sound too bad, and I let the American continue to feed me even as other voices made themselves known to me.

"How's he holding up?" That was Touma…when did he get here? He wasn't supposed to come to this concert…

"Oh my god!!!! What will…aaaaauuughggggh!" I had to smile. Sakano freaked out so often it was routine proceedure by now.

"He's better. Needs some proteins." K…warm, soothing…I liked his voice…

"Will this do?" Touma again, I saw him move out of the corner of my eye not surrounded by darker blond hair.

"Perfect. Open up Hiro…" I hadn't fought K yet tonight, I didn't now, and something I immediately identified as sharp cheddar cheese, well aged was placed in my mouth. I was surprised that I got such a big piece, the stuff's expensive as all hell. I let the flavour of it assault my senses. There was no way I would let this go to waste.

"Chew it Hiro…there's more as soon as you're ready?"

"More?" My voice was so muffled, blurry almost, around the cheese.

"That's right."

"Hmm." K continued to hand feed me until the lights that I hadn't realized were stabbing into my brain were shut off and Shuichi, or rather, a blob of pink, appeared in my vision.

"Is he alright?" Why was he being so quiet?

"Aa. He'll be okay, just need some sleep." That sounded good. Letting the last of the cheese dissolve in my mouth, I left the floor of the section backstage and drifted into the land of nod.

Next chapter - big move, and more semi-angst… but don't worry, humour on the way.