A.N.. review. please? Thank you Demoness Of Punishment! You're the only one who is actually keeping this story going.. I wonder if anyone really likes it.. *sniff*

She looked out on the vas landscape surrounding her. There was a distant murmur, like a whirlwind, and a bird chirped as a deer trotted frighteningly into the clearing. She opened her mouth, and there was no sound, she tried to walk, and there was no movement. A tear gem worked it's way down her face.

As soon as it hit ground, the place was lit aflame and the animals screamed. Before her the doe was burned alive, and she tried to scream herself. There was still no sound.

Thump

Thump

Thump

Her body shook as a dark figure began to clank it's way towards her. Her mouth opened in horror as it finally make her appearance. It was her, yet it wasn't.

The figure was clad in dark armor, and her eyes were cold and ruthless. She scowled at Cloud. "Get up."

"I-I-I c-c-c-can't," she whimpered. The armor-clad figure was exactly like cloud, yet colder and more evil.

"You pitiful weakling, your mind soars yet your body fails," she kicked Cloud into a tree. Cloud whimpered.

"stop.."

"What was that? I couldn't hear you?' the armored one sneered.

"S-Stop it!"

"Kiss my claws and say pretty please!" she raised her arm to give a deathblow, but a golden light wrapped around it. "what?!" a clinging sound made both wince, but the armored one suddenly screamed in pain as a man, glowing with gold light, stepped easily between them. His hat shielded his eyes.

The light suddenly intensified and Cloud had to shield her eyes. When she opened them again the armor lay in a smoking pile, and the man was facing her. She raised her arms, covering her face.

"Do not be afraid little one," she let her arms down a bit. "I am the Ancient," he paused. "I need you to wake up now, you have a long road ahead of you."

"but,"

"Do it," the clanging returned.



Beep..

Beep..

Beep..

Beep.

That constant sound was accompanied by other machines with their own sounds. But it all seemed quiet as the form lay there, still but breathing. She heard voices.

"There's something your not telling us,"

"Gomen nasi Mr. Sanada,"

"well??!!"

"I. well that is to say," Ms. Lei began.

"Her spinal cord received significant damage," Dr. Kanaido cut off.

"What. what are you saying?" the voice seemed afraid of the answer.

"The programs she's been doing should still be used but. there is little chance she will ever walk again, no matter what we do," there was a pause.

"What's this?!"

"It's a card for IFGRWC, or Institution For Graphic Rehabilitation With Computers. There is a chance they might be able to help, but it costs a lot,"

"I see.,"

"Mr. Sanada, let me say this. Your friend will never walk again, that is what is most likely."

The world seemed to came crashing down on her at that moment as she opened her eyes. She was met by the white ceiling as the heart monitor's pace picked up. The door seemed to come open in a whirlwind and she found herself staring into what she considered the best thing in the world, a pair of tiger blue eyes. "Cloud!"

She opened her mouth to speak but the tube got in the way. Her eyes went wide in a panic. "Calm down Ms. Krishian," she looked the purple haired man that had spoken and was checking the machines. "I'm just going to check your vital signs and if all goes well we might be able to take that out." Cloud looked at Ryo, her eyes begging him to take the tube out.

"I can't, not yet," he hugged her tightly. "You scared me," more than anything she wanted to hug him back, tell him she was sorry and that this was all her fault. She also wanted answers.

Why was she kidnapped?

Why did he do that to her?

Was the guy even. even human?

The stupid fool of a doctor seemed to take forever to get done and he smiled patting her head. "it may hurt a bit," Ryo helped her sit up, he had refused to leave despite Dr. Kanaido's request. It made Cloud feel a bit better to have him there.

There was a tug and Cloud felt her stomach lurch as tears filled her eyes, but she held them back as Dr. Kaniado gave another tug.

The tube seemed never-ending, but it finally came out and Cloud gasped for air, it hurt her throat and she swore it felt like needles.

Ryo then held a drink to her lips and she gulped and gasped for a while like a fish out of water. Once she was sure she wouldn't hurl she tried propping herself up as best as she could. "T-thank you.." she croaked. "I sound like a frog," Ryo laughed in relief.

"It's only temporarily," Dr. K smiled, shutting off the last of the machines as Cloud reached up her shirt and took off the stupid little stickers, and winced brushing up against her side. She still needed Ryo for support and he was more than willing.

Then she looked at the doctor, her eyes showing sadness. "I heard you.. in the hall," Ryo's face fell and he brought her into a warm hug.

"Don't worry, we'll help as much as we can," she continued.

"I always figured I'd never walk ride a horse, and now. now I know for sure," a tear fell out of her left eye, it was one of the regular ones thank goodness.

"Don't get your spirits down," she put on a weak smile.

"When can I go home? I'm so hungry." she trailed off as the doctor smiled.

"I'll go sign your release forms while you get dressed.." He trailed off again noticing her arm was miraculously moving. "Oh lord.." He took in a breath, "you'll need another X-ray before you leave," he tried to keep the edge out of his voice.

It's impossible! He screamed. No one could heal THAT fast. no one! It was inhuman.. It was cleanly snapped. He thought reverently as he left the room.

"Want me to get your clothes?"

"Please?" Ryo smiled and got her clothes, finally, now they could all get on with their lives!

*

They couldn't help but smile as Ryo wheeled Cloud out of the X-ray room at last. "Hey," she smiled; she looked bad, but not as bad as before.

"Hey yourself," Kento grinned, playfully slugging her arm.

"Is Rowen up and about too?"

"Yeah, finally we wont have to see this place ever again!" Mia laughed, relief in her voice. The hospital was now the last place on earth they wanted to be.

"No smart ass comments today?" Rowen chuckled, coming out of his room being pushed in a wheelchair by Sage, much to his dismay. His head was wrapped up and he had a package of painkiller under one arm like Cloud.

"Stick boy!" Cloud smiled. "I bet I could beat ya all the way to the car and-"

"No way." Mia and Cye crossed their arms. "You heard exactly what the doctor said. Rest and relaxation, nothing to strenuous," Cloud and Rowen crossed their arms, Cloud with a pout.

"Oh come on, how about down the hall and ba-"

"no."

"Please?"

"Fine. Spoil all my fun," She looked up at Ryo and he shook his head with a small smile gracing his features. She sighed.

"I give up. All I seem to do is sit anymore!"

"Poor baby, here let me work up a tear," Kento faked a sniffle with a grin.

"Remember, this is in your best interest," Cye pointed out as Sage and Ryo began wheeling both teens out to the car.

"yeah yeah.." both muttered.

**

"Rowen.. pass me the pain killer," Cloud groaned.

"Which one?"

'I don't know." Ryo chuckled and got up, handing both teens some Tylenol and water.

"Poor babies, hungry?"

"Don't talk about food, I think I'm gona be sick," Cloud moaned. Her eyes had dark circles under them. It was day one and already they felt as though they were gona die.

With Rowen's horrid headaches and Cloud's constant pains it was enough, but they were so disorientated when they got up (sitting in Cloud's case) that they fell right over with a small oof or thump.

Finally the rest of them had set up a piggy back routine for them. Ryo was Cloud's carrier and Kento or Sage took care of Rowen.

Luckily they could at least get into the bathroom to do their thing and THEN fall over.

It was kinda fun to take care of the two teens, they were so much easier to handle, yet it made them feel bad because of the pain they experienced.

Cye was one of the experts with the pain though. He often made soothing teas and remedies that made them sleep it off, or it would numb it.

Kento was VERY good at cheering them up to an extent. He made funny jokes or he and Ryo would try their best at imitations.

It had been so far a long to days, and they knew Cloud and Rowen wouldn't last long without an argument or a competition.

Tap

Tap

Tap

"Rowen if you don't stop knocking my book with your stupid slipper I'm going to throw it across the room!"

"Fine," he grinned and tapped her book again. She seized his foot and tore off the slipper, throwing it across the room, which in turn threw them off balance and they fell to the floor with a thud and a few ows.

When Ryo and Kento entered to see what the matter was, they found both teens tangled in a mess of arms and legs and obviously in pain.

"Serves you right," Kento snorted while Ryo immediately went to help.

"That is why you shouldn't do that!" he scolded, gently moving Cloud back onto the couch and giving her some painkiller while Kento did the same with Rowen.

"gomen." Ryo chuckled as she gave him a puppy dog look.

"your not in trouble, just don't do it again,"

"that was so sweet."

"A Kodak moment," Rowen agreed. Cloud and Ryo glared. "Even cuter!"

"Don't make me hurt you!"

"Like you could!"

"Wana bet?!"

"Settle down," laughed Kento. Ryo sighed. This was going to be a LONG recovery.

TBC

A.N. Read and Review!!