Author's Note: I'm nervous...I really do hope you'll like it...

Summary : Preview Chapter 1

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Chapter 5

More Than Friends: Turn For the Worse

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"Well?" asked Mei Zhou as the doctor returned back to the room that he was waiting in.

His doctor didn't reply immediately. Instead he walked around the desk to sit down before his patient. Taking the papers spread before him, he slowly organized them into a certain order unknown to Mei Zhou. Throughout this silence, Mei Zhou sat before his doctor carefully examining each movement, anticipating eagerly for the news but at the same time fearing what the man before him might say.

After a few moments of silence, Mei Zhou became slightly irritated and snapped, "What is my condition?! Am I getting better or not?!"

His doctor only glanced up briefly before glancing back down at his hands. Then suddenly, Mei Zhou knew, and his anger melted away as his face became expressionless. Dropping his eyes, Mei Zhou pulled away from the desk and leaned heavily on the back of his chair.

"I see," he whispered forlornly. Then, slowly he averted his eyes to stare into the doctor's eyes and asked, "What will happen to me?"

His doctor could only shrug and replied, "Diseases like this vary from person to person. There are different types of this... and the one you have acquired is the one that is least likely seen in patients. But we do have ways that can help the patient fight this..." The doctor paused, letting the information sink in.

Absorbing the information, Mei Zhou carefully asked, "What...type of help?"

"Well," started the doctor as he glanced at the paperwork before him. "With the stage that you are in, I would recommend that you continue taking your medication as usual and come in for monthly treatment." Looking back up at his patient, the doctor smiled at Mei Zhou's confused look. "With how you are right now, I would like to see you in for monthly treatments, to see how you are progressing and to discuss ways that can help you battle this."

Mei Zhou only nodded as he listened to the doctor's explanation. Turning his attention from his armchair, he asked his doctor a question that he wanted desperately to be answered.

"Sir," he started. "What is the probability that a patient like me might survive? I understand not many...survive this..."

His doctor didn't immediately answer him, not really knowing how to reply back. Leaning forward, Mei Zhou repeated with desperation.

"Please," he begged. "I want to know. I want to know what I should expect."

His doctor sighed, closing his eyes briefly, before returning to the boy before him. "Very few get your type of...'disease' ... but I would say there's about a 50/50 chance of survival."

'50%...'

Pulling back slightly, Mei Zhou tilted his head in thanks. "Thank you."

* A Week Later *

Walking down the street of Taipei, Mei Zhou idly strolled among the masses of people, not really noticing them as he passed each one. Although it went unnoticed by others, Mei Zhou could feel his body slowly "slowing down." He wasn't as perky as he used to be, and sometimes, his friends would catch him staring idly out in space. Sometimes, he would catch himself falling asleep in class even though he had slept for 10 hours the night before.

'...Why me? This stupid disease! Why couldn't it choose someone else?'

He sighed, recovering slightly from his trance. Turning his head to his right, his eyes immediately caught sight of a fast-food restaurant. Stopping in front of the restaurant, he glanced briefly at the people sitting within and at the pictures of the food plastered upon the window for display.

Abruptly, an idea occurred in his mind. Reaching into his front pocket, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Lei's number.

"Xi-Men is on a date and A-Shi is with Shan Cai so there is no point in calling them," he muttered quietly to himself as he brought the phone to his ears, listening to the ring.

After three rings, a voice was heard from the other side. "* Wei?"

Mei Zhou automatically smiled at the sound of his friend's voice. "Lei."

"Mei Zhou?"

"Yeah, it's me. I was wondering if you have time right now..." started Mei Zhou.

"Um...Yeah, I have time right now..." replied Lei slowly. "Why?"

"Nothing," answered Mei Zhou quickly before adding, "Just meet me at Jasmine's Restaurant, ok?"

"...Sure..." said Lei as he carefully absorbed his friend's information. "I'll meet you there in...ten minutes?"

"No problem," replied Mei Zhou. "Ten minutes then."

"Alright then," agreed Lei. "See you later."

"Yeah," answered Mei Zhou before Lei hung up. Sighing in relief or what, Mei Zhou replaced his cell phone in his pocket before he made his way down a few blocks to the restaurant that he was to meet Lei.

Walking in, he quickly found a quiet spot but a spot where he would be seen as Lei entered the restaurant.

Approximately, ten minutes later Mei Zhou spotted Lei entering the restaurant, looking around in search of his friend. Raising his hand slightly, Mei Zhou caught Lei's attention as his eyes swept towards his direction; he smiled and made his way towards the windows.

"Hey," he greeted as he sat down across from his friend. Mei Zhou only smiled brightly. "So...what is it that you needed to see me for?"

Mei Zhou just smiled and acted a bit hurt as he dramatically placed his hands over his chest. "Ouch, Lei! That hurts!" he commented. "Can't I just hang out with my friends without any real reason?"

Lei smiled at the dramatic act that Mei Zhou had put on. "Sorry," he apologized. "I guess there shouldn't be any reason for you wanting to see me."

Mei Zhou grinned softly as he placed his hands down onto his lap. "It doesn't matter. What matters is that you came." He paused shortly as he stared into his friend's eyes before backing away slightly and continued.

"Anyway, I can't actually say I called you here for no reason. There is a reason for why I called you, two of them being A-Shi and Xi-Men is busy so you are the only one available," said Mei Zhou. "And as well, the other two will just complain about what we are about to do."

Lei raised a single eyebrow at that comment. "And what are we going to do?"

Mei Zhou smiled. "You'll see. Come on!" And he stood up, staring down at his friend, waiting for Lei to stand up as well.

Pushing open the door, the two friends exited out the fancy restaurant as Mei Zhou led them down a few blocks, back to where he was standing when he had called Lei.

"Well?" questioned Lei as Mei Zhou stopped suddenly. Glancing around his surroundings, Lei turned to Mei Zhou curiously. "What is it?"

Mei Zhou just nodded his head towards the restaurant before him. Following his gaze, Lei turned his head and saw the pictures of a chocolate milkshake, burger, and fries on the window. Even more confused, he turned towards his friend.

"We're going to eat here," declared Mei Zhou softly before smiling brightly at the surprised look on his friend's face. Taking a hold on Lei's arm, he pulled his surprised friend inside.

Finding a comfortable spot near the window, the two of them settled themselves in the hard seats.

"Mei Zhou," started Lei hesitantly. "I don't get it...you hate eating this stuff!"

Mei Zhou only smiled as he briefly glanced up from the paper menu.

"I know," replied Mei Zhou non-cannily. "But I had never tried it before so I can't really say that I actually hate eating this stuff." Shifting his eyes up to his friend, he smiled and added, "And besides, Lei, don't you have a sense of adventure? Eating this once won't kill you!"

Lei had an unsure look as his eyes swept across the menu on the table. "I don't know..."

"Please?" begged Mei Zhou.

Lei glanced up suddenly, a bit taken back by his friend's tone. Mei Zhou took no notice as he continued on.

"Please," continued Mei Zhou quietly, as the cheerfulness that Lei had grown accustomed to, was slowly replaced by someone he didn't know. "Just this once is all I ask...I want you to remember this experience with me! I'm afraid that one day when I'm gone, you'll forget about me but this is something unique...something special...."

Mei Zhou trailed off as he suddenly realized at what he just said and by the widen eyes of his friend. Nervously, he pulled back, avoiding all eye contact with Lei.

"Wait...what are you talking about?" asked Lei after he had slowly digested what was said by his friend.

Mei Zhou immediately shook his head and smiled a strained smile. "Nothing important just that I want to remember...why don't we get one chocolate milkshake and share it into separate cups and one medium size curly fries, ok?"

Before Lei could agree or disagree with Mei Zhou's decision, Mei Zhou quickly stood up from his seat and briskly walked over to the ordering desk.

Sitting back dejectedly, Lei stared after his friend from afar as he replayed the previous scene over and over again.

Scoffing slightly, Lei muttered silently, "Weird..."

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"That wasn't so bad now, was it?" asked Mei Zhou as he walked side by side with Lei.

"No," sighed Lei, looking at Mei Zhou through his hair. "I guess not. As long as I don't eat it frequently."

Mei Zhou threw his head back slightly at laughed at his friend's reply. "I agree!"

Silently, the two friends strolled down the streets of Taipei, enjoying each other's company. Using this time of silence, Mei Zhou reflected back to the scene in the restaurant, the conversation where he had almost...slipped.

'I almost slipped today. How can I be so careless? I hope he didn't notice,' he thought.

Sighing silently, Mei Zhou suddenly felt a wave of weariness wash over him. Reaching his hand up, his fingers swiftly brushed against his drowsy eyes.

'I'm getting tired too easily,' he thought grimly.

"Oi, Mei Zhou, we're here," stated Lei.

Shaking out from his daze slightly, Mei Zhou unexpectedly noted that they had stopped moving and were no longer in the streets but in front of his front door. Blushing slightly, Mei Zhou wondered slightly if Lei was talking to him before; his friend had an odd expression on his face as Mei Zhou unlocked the door to his house.

Closing the door behind him and Lei, Mei Zhou glanced around his house calling out for his Guan Jia.

"Guan Jia!" he called out randomly. Walking into various rooms with Lei following behind, Mei Zhou searched for him. "Guan Jia?"

Stepping into his living room, Mei Zhou sighed and frowned as he mentally wondered where his Guan Jia might be. Tired and exhausted, Mei Zhou gave up and slumped wearily into a nearby chair, leaning his head back against the back and closed his eyes.

By the doorway, Lei had observed every movement his friend displayed. Ever since that conversation he had with Mei Zhou, they never had brought it up again. He could feel a slight tension between them, an uncomfortable atmosphere...a fear from both sides: Mei Zhou fearing to bring up the subject; Lei fearing what his friend meant.

Either way, Lei became more aware on his friend's movements, his actions and reactions. He began to notice things that he hadn't noticed before. His friend's complexion seemed paler than usual although before he was already pale. But this paleness on his friend was something more. His lips, which were usually "red" with warmth, were now slightly pale. The brightness in his eyes appeared sunken and shadowed. And his clothes were unusually loose around him.

For example, at the restaurant earlier, Lei had commented off-handily that his sleeves were a bit long and asked if he had just bought that shirt recently for the last time he had seen Mei Zhou wear the same shirt, the shirt was tighter. Not thinking too much about it, Mei Zhou just shook his head, no.

Now as he carefully stepped back to observe, Lei was convinced that his friend did loose weight...a LOT of weight.

'Maybe...it's the result of his change of diet,' reasoned Lei mentally. 'He is eating less than usual but...'

"Guan Jia!" exclaimed Mei Zhou as he sprung up from his seat.

Turning around, Lei saw the man standing behind him. Moving into the room to unblock the doorway, Lei gave room for the man to walk in.

"Guan Jia," said Mei Zhou softly. "Where were you? I was calling for you."

Guan Jia bowed loosely in apology. "I'm sorry, Young Master. I was on the phone with your mother."

At the mention of his mother, Mei Zhou's face faintly lit up, a slight gleam within his eyes.

"My mom?" repeated Mei Zhou in anticipation. Walking forward a few steps, he continued with a slight excitement. "When is she coming home?"

Lei frowned vaguely at Mei Zhou's question.

Guan Jia only looked away, avoiding his master's eyes. Immediately, Mei Zhou's face fell, the light that had been on his face disappeared. Turning around, he walked towards the windows in the room and gazed dazedly out.

"Young Master..." started Guan Jia.

"You are dismissed," interrupted Mei Zhou abruptly.

His Guan Jia bowed slightly in acceptance but not before hesitating slightly. Confused, Lei gave a questioningly look at the man. The man only shrugged and nodded his head to his master before backing out the door and down the hall.

A silence filled the room.

"Mei Zhou..." began Lei.

"She never had understand," interjected Mei Zhou, not bothering to turn around.

Cautiously walking forward, Lei paused only a few feet behind his friend before asking.

"What do you mean?" he asked calmly.

"Ever since Father died 12 years ago, she has taken over the business. At first, I didn't mind her not being around. It was her job and it was keeping food on the table!"

Then Mei Zhou sighed heavily. This time Mei Zhou rotated around to face his friend, his eyes half-mast. "Then gradually she became busier and busier. And soon, she's barely home. I tried to tell myself that what she's doing is important but..." Stifling a sigh, he shut his eyes, inclining his forehead against the cool pane glass window tiredly.

"I just want her to be home on my birthday," whispered Mei Zhou sorrowfully. "I just want to see her..."

But Mei Zhou never completed his sentence as the small pounding headache he had been experiencing before suddenly felt like his world was going explode. He felt his body become unexpectedly loose and liquidly, and his knees were trembling under his weight. Unable to hold his person up, Mei Zhou felt his body slid against the window glass; his vision wavered slightly as he landed on the carpet floor.

"Mei Zhou!" he cried out anxiously. Dropping down on the floor besides his friend, he lifted Mei Zhou so he could lean on his shoulder. Shaking him slightly, Lei called out once more.

"Mei Zhou!"

No reply.

Glancing around urgently and down worriedly at his unconcious friend, Lei swore slightly as he lifted his friend into his arm. Looking both ways in the hallway, Lei quickly made his way down the halls, to Mei Zhou's bedroom door, opened it, closed and locked it before he gently lowered his friend down onto his own bed.

Sighing heavily, he dropped on his knees besides the bed. Twisting his body around, Lei leaned his back against the bed as he pulled his knees up, wrapping his lithe arms around them. Closing his eyes, he tilted his head back.

'Mei Zhou...what is happening to you?'

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TBC

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END NOTES: That was stupid, na? But still, I hoped you all had enjoyed it. And to answer the question about Mei Zhou and Lei being best buds and all...they are my favorites^^

Yuuki~