Author's note: Okay, I can't exactly get the formatting to do what I want with spaces so I'm going to make a small notation that should make the seeming gaps more understandable.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ = Scene Shift ((Basically a break in the scenes indicating that the next part takes place during a different time.))
"I have no assistants on call at the moment so you'll have to do. Follow me into the lab." Muraki's grandfather instructed. Oriya followed behind him, still carrying Muraki, passing through steel doors into the darkened basement levels of the house.
"Put him there on that operating table and then go over to that sink and wash up your arms and hands, then put on some gloves. I'll go get the supplies for the blood transfusion." Muraki's grandfather said and then turned abruptly on his heel, striding for a security sealed door on the other end of the room. Oriya carefully placed Muraki on the steel operating table, worriedly gazing at him for a long moment before turning to the sink. He pushed his long hair over his shoulders and rolled his sleeves up, washing his arms in warm water. Drying his hands he retrieved the latex gloves. Oriya turned, watching as the doctor moved to a cooling unit, retrieving a plastic i.v. bag with blood in it.
"I hope this doesn't sound rude or anything but there's no way a blood transfusion can repair the damage to this guy's body!" Oriya said, moving to stand near the operating table.
"On the contrary, if what I suspect is true this will allow Muraki to recover." the doctor replied.
"How do you figure that? I mean, sure it might keep him alive a little bit longer but between the bloodloss and all his wounds I just don't see how it's going to make a real difference." Oriya argued, watching as Doctor Kazutaka set up the i.v..
"The blood I am using comes from a person with a very unique case." the older man replied and Oriya furrowed his brow.
"So, is this unique person around here somewhere? Do they live near by?" Oriya asked and Muraki's grandfather sighed.
"You ask far too many questions. The donor of this blood is not here any more, he committed suicide." answered the elder male and Oriya grew quiet. He watched as Doctor Kazutaka inserted the i.v. into Muraki's wrist and then opened the valve so that blood could begin flowing into his veins. Slowly, under the gaze of his grandfather and the burgundy haired youth who saved him, Muraki's wounds began to mend themselves, broken bones slipping back into place and fusing.
"My god, it's working! But... This is impossible. How is this happening?" Oriya gasped as the elder male smirked.
"Now it's just up to time." he sighed.
"Is there anything else I can do to help?" Oriya asked, getting the doctor's attention.
"We've done all that can be done for the moment. I could order the drivers to give you a ride home so your parents don't worry." he said and Oriya shifted nervously.
"They won't worry about me besides, I'm living on my own." Oriya answered and Muraki's grandfather raised an eyebrow.
"A little young aren't you to be on your own? You look like you're still in high school. Ah well, that's none of my business. Since you're on your own why don't you stay here for now. You can get a warm bath and get out of those soaking wet clothes." Muraki's grandfather suggested and Oriya nodded in thankful assent, realizing just how cold he really was.
"Before you go get cleaned up I need to promise me something." Muraki's grandfather spoke, gazing intently at Oriya.
"Sure, what?" Oriya asked, removing the latex gloves from his hands.
"I don't want you to tell Muraki anything about what happened this night. You mustn't tell him about he blood transfusion. We will only tell him that he wasn't as badly wounded as he'd appeared to be. Muraki doesn't need any more stress, not after the recent deaths of his parents and half brother. Swear to me that you'll never tell Muraki." Doctor Kazutaka spoke, narrowing his eyes at the youth who saved his grandson's life.
"Of course. I swear on my existence I won't tell him. I promise." Oriya confirmed.
"Good." the elder male replied.
"After I get a bath the transfusion should be complete, right? I know you're probably somewhat busy with other hospital patients... What I mean is, I wouldn't mind watching Muraki until he wakes." Oriya offered. Muraki's grandfather raised an eyebrow and then shrugged.
"If that's what you wish to do, very well. I'll inform the servants who take Muraki back to his room to take you there so you can keep watch over him." the doctor said and Oriya nodded, turning and heading upstairs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"This way, young man." a servant instructed Oriya, leading him down the hall to Muraki's room.
"If you need anything just ask." she added, turning away and leaving Oriya standing outside the door.
"Gee... These people are really generous." Oriya mused, gazing at the elegant silk kimono he'd been provided to wear until his clothes could be washed and dried. He twisted the doorknob and stepped into the room, closing the door quietly behind him. As he turned around he gasped, frightened momentarily by the innumerable amount of dolls that lined the wall opposite the door.
"Oh, just dolls... That's all." Oriya sighed, striding to stand by the bed where Muraki had been laid out, dressed in clean clothed rather than the blood covered ones that Oriya had found him in.
"I wonder when he'll wake up." Oriya mused, sitting on the floor next to the bed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Fox ears..." the whispered comment woke Oriya who'd fallen asleep.
"Huh?" Oriya breathed, turning his head to gaze at Muraki who was laying on his side watching him through half-lidded eyes. The two teenagers stared at each other for long time in contemplative silence.
"It's you, with the fox ears. Translucent fox ears. Why are your ears like that?" Muraki breathed sleepily.
"You... You can see them?" Oriya asked and Muraki nodded faintly.
"No one else but me has ever been able to see them." Oriya replied and Muraki gave him a confused look.
"You mean people in the afterlife have fox ears? Or is it just you?" Muraki asked. Oriya straightened, smiling as he gazed into Muraki's mismatched colored eyes.
"This isn't the afterlife. I am the only one I know with see-through fox ears however. You're back in your home." Oriya explained in an amused tone.
"What?!" Muraki hissed, sitting up and staring around himself in disbelief.
"Easy there! Don't over-exert yourself." Oriya warned, getting to his feet.
"My room? But I had ridden far from the estate. It was raining. The horse, it... I was dying!" Muraki raised his voice, turning to stare at Oriya.
"Well, not exactly dying. You were just a bit roughed up was all and I, uh, well I brought you back here." Oriya explained. Muraki looked as though he might say something for a moment until he turned away.
"You didn't say anything about my eyes... Aren't you afraid of me?" Muraki asked.
"No... Not really. I'm the one with translucent fox ears that only you can see. Why? Should I be afraid of your eyes for some reason?" Oriya asked and Muraki turned to face him with an unreadable expression.
"But I look like a monster." Muraki sighed.
"I don't think so." Oriya said and Muraki rolled his eyes.
"You're lying, but what does it matter. So why are you still here? You said you rescued me yesterday." Muraki questioned.
"I guess... I wanted to make sure you were all right. Besides, I have no where to go anyway." Oriya answered. Muraki shook his head, getting to his feet.
"Fine. So, what's your name?" Muraki asked.
"Oriya." he answered quickly.
"Oriya, hmm? Well then, you're interesting. I have questions to ask you. But first, let's eat breakfast." Muraki said and Oriya tilted his head at him, surprised at Muraki's interest in him.
Additional Notes: Thank you Hotaru Muraki for the review~ ^_~ I've worked on fixing the spelling errors and what not so now it should be a bit better, and sorry but I had to end the chapter like this. Why? Because I'm evil that way! XD
Chapter three will be up shortly!