Well folks, here's chapter 3. Sorry for such the big delay. It would have been done within the week after chapter 2 but my computer erased it for some odd reason and that ticked me off so I stopped and basically procrastinated. I've spent the last 4 days getting this one typed up. Once again, I'll restate that it's dedicated to James.

Disclaimer: Own none of the characters except Rei. I created her so she's mine =P

Chapter 3: Memories and Surprises

Daisuke paced back and forth across the white tiled floor in Rei's room. Being at the hospital made him nervous and brought back memories, memories that he hated to recall because they were so painful to him. He looked up at the ceiling and muttered a name so softly that it was barely a whisper. "Irisu…"

*Flashback*

A young 10-year-old Daisuke was walking back and forth in the hospital waiting room. He was very scared and nervous. "Dai, come sit down," called his mother, trying to keep the fear and grief out of her voice. She wouldn't let Daisuke on to what she knew could happen, and most certainly would.

"But mom, I can't. I'm worried about Irisu. Why did that man have to hit her? Will she be okay? She was going to take me to the park this afternoon."

"Daisuke, come sit on my lap and I'll try to explain some of this to you," called his mother softly.

"I'm too big for your lap."

"Come sit beside me then."

Daisuke did as his mother bid him. He settled himself as comfortably as he could in the straight-backed hospital chair, but he still fidgeted.

"Daisuke, please listen. Irisu may not be able to play for a long time. The man who hit her was very drunk and he was speeding down the street. Irisu didn't hear him coming as she crossed because the street had been clear when she started off of the sidewalk. Your sister tried calling her back, but by then it was too late. Luckily the car didn't hit her head on. That we can be thankful for, but we still don't know Daisuke, we still don't. The doctors are trying everything they can, but it may not be enough." A few tears began to fall from her eyes.

"Mom…" whispered Daisuke, shocked at her display of emotions. He then turned away from her, unable to handle the emotions that swelled inside of him when he looked at her. He buried his head in his arms and stared at nothingness.

Five minutes later, a doctor in a starch white uniform walked into the waiting room. "Mrs. Motimiya?" he called.

"Over here," she replied, raising her hand slightly.

The doctor walked over to her. "I hate to have to say this, but we did everything we could for her. She had already lost too much blood and her heart just wouldn't respond to our attempts. I'm sorry." He bowed his head in sympathy.

Daisuke listened to it all, hoping it was just a bad dream. Irisu couldn't be dead! She just couldn't be! She was strong; she just didn't give up on her life that easily. She had too much to live for. Daisuke jumped to his feet. "You're wrong mister! Wrong! My sister isn't dead! You're a liar! She still lives!" he shouted, tears rolling down his face.

"Daisuke! Daisuke no! Listen to yourself! You're overcome with grief," called his mother, grabbing him from behind and pulling him into an embrace, her own grief visibly shown. Daisuke turned his head from the doctor and buried it in his mother's blouse. The tears flew freely. Irisu, I'll always be your best bro. You were the best sis I could ever have had…

*End Flashback*

Daisuke smiled softly at the memory. He missed his sister as much as ever. He turned to look at Rei, who was unconscious at the moment. At least I know you'll be okay Rei.

At that same moment, Rei stirred in her bed. She groaned softly and tried to sit up, causing a jolt of pain in her left leg as she did so. She yelped. Daisuke immediately rushed to her side. "Rei, lie down," he commanded softly. She did as bidden and blinked in confusion at him.

"Daisuke, why am I here? Why are you here? Why…" She was cut off by Daisuke.

"You broke your leg, Rei. I'm here because I wanted to be. Takuji's dad filled out all of the necessary forms for me and then took Takuji home. I got you this room to rest in until you woke up."

"But that's expensive…" She was again cut off by Daisuke raising his hand to silence her.

"I've a good friend working here. He pulled a few strings and got the room for me. Don't worry about it."

"You didn't have to go through so much trouble for me. I'm not worth it," Rei softly stated.

Daisuke pulled up a chair to her bedside. "Rei, you may not think you are, but to me you are worth it, okay? I don't think you're a worthless girl. Trust..." This time Daisuke was interrupted by the door opening. A tall man with dark blue hair and glasses walked into the room. Daisuke stood up.

"Rei, this is Doctor Kido. He's the friend I was telling you about," introduced Daisuke. Rei waved at him.

"No need for such formalities, Daisuke. She is a good friend of yours after all. Rei, you may call me Joe, as do all of my friends."

"Nice to meet you… Joe," Rei answered slowly.

"So Joe, is she able to leave yet?" asked Daisuke.

Joe gave Rei a critical look over. "Looks like it to me. Rei, you'll need to come back in about two weeks for a check up. After that one, then I won't see you unless something happens to the cast or three months has passed." He gave a cheery smile. "I must be off now though. More patients to attend to." He strolled out of the room and down the hall.

Daisuke picked up a set of crutches by the door and brought them over to Rei. "Just sit up easy, okay? That shouldn't cause much pain to you." Rei nodded and did as he said, feeling a slight bit of pain, but not enough to cause discomfort. "Now ease yourself around so that your leg is hanging over the bed. Again Rei did as she was told. Daisuke handed her the crutches and Rei eased herself onto them and off of the bed.

"That was easier than I thought it'd be," commented Rei.

Daisuke just smiled at her and opened the door. "Ladies first," he said, bowing.

Rei giggled. "You're such a goof."

Together they walked down the hallway and signed Rei out. Daisuke happened to glance to his left and stopped dead in his tracks. He was lucky that Rei had followed beside of him and not behind, as she would have then been knocked violently onto her back. "Daisuke? What's wrong?" asked Rei, concerned, turning to look where he was looking- a waiting room with a few people in it.

Daisuke didn't look at her and muttered something. "What was that Daisuke? I didn't catch it."

Daisuke said it again. "Irisu…" It was so soft that Rei thought her ears had deceived her.

"Daisuke, who was Irisu? She meant a lot to you, I can tell. Please tell me, though you don't have to if you don't want to."

Daisuke took a deep breath. "Irisu… Irisu was my sister. We were really close. When I was 10, she was hit by a drunken driver. It was in this waiting room that my mother and I waited to hear if she would survive. But she didn't. I've still not forgiven that driver to this day. I found out a few years ago that it was done on purpose. One of her ex-boyfriends wanted revenge. And they…. They got it…." Daisuke trailed off, silent tears rolling down his face.

"Daisuke… I'm sorry to hear that," whispered Rei as she carefully raised her arm and put it on his shoulder. Daisuke nodded and wiped his eyes. "Would you like to sit for a bit?"

"No, it's okay. I'll be fine," replied Daisuke briskly. "Come on. Best to get you home. Your parents must be worried about you."

"I don't live with my parents," Rei simply replied. "They let me rent my own apartment since I'm going to attend University in the fall." She began to hobble towards the hospital doors.

Daisuke quickly caught up with her. "But if you're staying by yourself, how are you ever going to get around on those crutches? Won't it be hard to clean and cook?"

Rei frowned at that. "I'll manage," she finally said.

"Manage and hurt yourself. You need someone to help you out," Daisuke suggested, opening the hospital doors for Rei and letting her outside.

Rei turned to face him. "And who would do that? I don't know anyone from around here and my parents are on vacation for two weeks. I won't bother my soccer parents either. They have enough to deal with without the hindrance of me. Lemme guess. You know of someone who I can stay with right?"

"Wrong. I know of someone who can stay with you," answered Daisuke.

"Who? You?"

"Yes me," he answered softly.

Rei was so shocked at that that she lost her balance on her crutches. Daisuke quickly moved behind her, caught her, and righted her. He wasn't a University player now for nothing. "You.. you?"

"I'm not being perverted Rei. I care about you. I don't want you to hurt yourself trying to live from day to day. It would be my fault for letting such a thing happen. Let me stay, please. I'll sleep in the living room. I won't bother you, just make sure you take care of yourself properly. Is that okay?"

"Daisuke, I'm not sure what to say…" Rei trailed off.

"Say yes then."

"Yes, you can stay Daisuke. On one condition- you behave yourself."

Daisuke put on a look of mock hurt. "Me? Not behave? I'm a good boy."

Rei giggled. That was what she liked about Daisuke. He was so funny. "Good boy my foot…"

"The foot with the broken leg or the foot with the non-broken leg?"

"How should I know?"

"Rei?" Daisuke asked, his voice serious again.

"Hmm?"

"Rei, will you… will you go out with me?" The question was so sudden that even Daisuke himself wasn't sure he'd asked it.

Rei looked up at him and into his eyes. "Yes, Daisuke, I will."

Daisuke smiled softly. "Call me Dai."

"Yes.. Dai."

So what'd you think? The ending was something that just popped into my head. Thought it'd go well with everything else. Leave me a review and tell me what you think and if you like, what you think the next chapter should be about. I'm open to suggestions. Review please!