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Ever since the day he woke up , Ken seemed to be getting stronger and stronger .
He'd been sleeping well lately and looked as if his body was filling up . The gaunt and haunted mood had gone , replaced with something almost akin to happiness . All his movements were filled with energy and happiness , as if he was celebrating the fact that he had returned to the living world and that he had chosen to ignore the downside of celebrating it in a hospital and just pretended that it was a hotel room... an antiseptic-smelling hotel room . With everything in white . And nurses checking up on you ever half hour .
His face lit up in a warm smile the moment he saw Schuldich ; and for a long second , the weeks of weariness , the long hours , the sickness , the endless driving back and forth the apartment and the hospital ... all flew past him and disappear into another unheard-of place leaving him with his beautiful angel .
Ken was seated against a tower of pillows , eating breakfast consisting of fruits and oatmeal . " You don't look so good , Schu . Are you sure you're alright ?" His face creased with concern .
Schuldich had bought a breakfast of hotdogs and eggs from the deli across the street but the Amazon nurse that was taking care of Ken glared so vehemently at him that he had to leave it outside and promise not to feed Ken those 'preservative junk'
Schuldich offered a tight-lipped smile . The truth was , he still had that bad migraine from a few days ago ; but he couldn't let Ken know about that . " Yeah , just tired , that's all ." He wiped sleep off his eyes with the back of his hand .
" I wonder why Aya still hasn't come along . It's been five days and I haven't seen him yet ." Ken murmured , spooning some more suspicious mush into his mouth .
The color drained from Schuldich's face . He couldn't tell Ken yet . Ken shouldn't know yet ... Not now .
He glanced briefly at Ken , relieved that the brunette hadn't noticed his sudden distress .
His voice sounded strange – strained – even to his own ears ." He probably is just a little busy . He told me that he was working overtime because the bar was short on manpower ." He almost chocked on the black lie that he had spit out . Ken deserved to know but then ...
" He actually talked to you ?" Ken's eyes widened Schuldich's words like a child who had just been given his most sought-after toy for his birthday . The spoon landed on the goo with a muffled thump .
Schuldich chuckled and ruffled Ken's hair affectionately . " Yeah ; we've been getting along quite well when you went and took your beauty sleep ."
Ken grinned . " I can't believe it . I can't wait to see him !" The breakfast tray teetered dangerously on his lap .
Schuldich's eyes shifted but he kept his smile . " Yeah ; you probably won't see him for a week or two ; but I promised him that I'll take good care of you ."
" You've been doing that already ." Ken teased , pretending to load a spoonful of mush on a makeshift catapult created with his breakfast utensils .
Schuldich rubbed his temples gently , desperately willing away the evil headache that was threatening to smatter his brains onto the pristine floor . He fought the urge to bash his head against the wall more for Ken's sake than for his . "Yeah ... hey ... I have to go somewhere . I'll be back in an hour or two so don't try to sneak away alright ?" Schuldich stood up just as a nurse entered the room with Ken's medicine .
It was one of the nurses who'd been trying to flirt with him for the past few days and she looked like she was game for another one of their verbal sparring matches that she seemed to enjoy thoroughly though it can't exactly be said for Schuldich .
Glancing once at the buxom blonde , Schuldich bent over Ken and kissed him fully on the lips , his tongue darting for a quick taste before giving him a chaste kiss on the forehead . " See you later , kiddo ." He said with a smirk , almost laughing at the scandalized expression on the woman's face as he passed her by . As an afterthought , he flicked his long glossy hair backwards with flourish .
He closed the door at the two blushing occupants of the room and looked grimly on ahead . The charade was finished . He had to take off that mask now .
Schuldich walked briskly , staring harshly forward . He still had to arrange Hidaka Aya's funeral .
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He was getting tired now and he had just woken up . After Schuldich had left , the nurse administered the usual medicines . Perhaps it was the medication . He didn't exactly know . He'd been taking a lot of them lately ever since he had refused chemotherapy .
He fiddled with the spoon idly . He hated this , he hated being in that position and that sad situation – but there wasn't really anything he could do . God hated him so much that He was torturing him with this kind of damned life .
" Chemotherapy ..."
Schuldich really had been insisting that he undergo chemotherapy and that he was willing to pay for all the expenses ... but ... the truth of the matter was , Ken was afraid .
Schuldich said that he loved him . But he always said that Ken was beautiful . He knew what chemotherapy was like . He knew all the side effects .
He knew it was going to painful ; but that wasn't what scared him the most . If he agreed to have chemotherapy , he knew his body would react terribly to the radiation and everything that Schuldich said was beautiful – all of it would be gone , and perhaps , Schuldich would be gone along with them .
Ken didn't want to take the risk . He'd rather die first than have Schuldich or Aya leave him to be alone . He didn't want to be alone .
God , he didn't want to be alone .
He stared at the bowl of oatmeal in front of him and grimaced . He'd only been eating the damn thing because Schuldich was around .
He felt a wave of irritation as he gazed through the window and watched the clouds roll by . He longed to be outside . He longed to play soccer again . He longed to be finally out of that goddamned hospital ... but most of all , he wanted to sleep in Schuldich's arms once more .
" Why is Schuldich so nice to me ?" He sighed , his thin shoulders heaving .
" Because he loves you , that's why ."
He glanced up just in time to see Yohji leaning against the doorframe , grinning widely . " It's nice to see you again , Ken . I'm glad to hear that you're doing fine lately ."
" Yohji !"
" Glad to see me aren't you ?" Yohji uncrossed his arms and crossed the room . " Anyway , I was hoping to find Schuldich here but since he isn't , I guess I'll have to be the one to tell you the good news ... I've found a great doctor who's willing to operate on you . I could've told Schuldich a loooong time ago , but the bastard was being an idiot and kept on zoning out on me so here I am , telling you instead ."
Ken offered a feeble smile . He couldn't believe that Yohji was going to so much trouble to help him . " Thanks ..." If the doctor was really that good ... is there a chance that he could be saved ? But no , he shouldn't get his hopes raised . He was only going to be disappointed in the end . His shoulders slumped . Hope was just a temporary luxury that he couldn't afford right now .
" Thanks , really ; Yohji . I bet Schuldich and Aya would be glad to find out too ."
At the mention of the older brother's name , Yohji forced a grin and gave Ken a friendly pat on the head . " Well , I better be going , Ken . Tell the idiot the good news ."
Ken nodded cheerfully . " I will . Thanks again ."
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Schuldich walked out of the bar and opened the door to his car .
He'd just talked with Aya's boss who had promised to come to the funeral . He told her that Ken was in the hospital after she'd asked and she seemed genuinely sympathetic even though she seemed impersonal at first .
So far , she was the only one that he knew who was vaguely even close to Aya .
Did the guy even have any friends ?
At that , he smiled wryly to himself . It wasn't as if he was Mister Congeniality himself .
He took a slip of paper and read the address written on it .
A flowershop huh ?
Somehow he couldn't imagine Aya working at a flowershop . But then again , there were many things he didn't know about the guy ; and as far as Schuldich could remember , they only had one thing in common – Ken .
Thoughtfully , he drove across town and picked his way to traffic , just trying to get over the rush . Bar downtown and flowershop uptown .
It seemed like Aya was hell bent on exhausting his ass off and that his life totally revolved around Ken . He couldn't really blame him ; he realized that it was happening to him too , and it didn't bother him one bit , because he knew that Ken was the universe to him and he wasn't just about to let anything bad happen to him .
" Koneko no Sumu ie ." He murmured . The name amused him . It certainly didn't look like the kind of place Aya would work . It certainly was cheery enough to drive him away at first sight .
His lips twitched as he imagined the redhead in an apron offering bouquets to lovely customers .
The door bell tinkled as he pushed the door open and he was greeted by two pairs of large blue eyes .
" Good morning ! What could we do for you today ?" A blond teenager was quickly at his side , smiling like there was no tomorrow ."
" Did Aya Hidaka work here ?"
The boy looked startled at his question . " Why , yes . As a matter of fact he does . But he's not in right now . I heard Ken-kun – that's his younger brother – was in the hospital so he asked for several days off . He'll be back indefinitely so I can't really tell you when he'd be here ."
" I know that ."
" Huh ?" The brown-haired teenager took a step forward and looked at him inquiringly .
" I'm sorry to let you know about this , but – well could you come to his funeral ?"
" What ?" The two boys were taken aback by the sudden question and they looked at him with unveiled horror .
" He died in a car accident the day before yesterday and I thought it would be best if we buried him as soon as possible . Ken's still in the hospital and wouldn't be able to come . I just thought he'd appreciate it if Aya's friends were there to bid him goodbye ."
" Oh my God ." The blond boy breathed , his blue eyes wide in shock . Instinctively , he reached for the brunette's hand and they gripped each other with an intensity that almost made Schuldich smile .
Now here was a picture perfect couple if he didn't mind saying .
" It's going to be at the Golden Ridge Memorial Plaza tomorrow morning , around 9:00 . You'd come ?"
" Oh, yes ." Both boys nodded earnestly . " Aya was really nice to us ."
" Thanks ." Schuldich turned and started to walk away , but his eye was caught by a large bucket of violet-blue gentians shining in the bright sunlight . Just then , an image of Ken flashed before his eyes . " How much would the whole thing cost ?" He asked suddenly . It just occurred to him that he had never given Ken flowers before , save for the time he was first in the hospital a long long time ago . It was just less than a month and they'd be celebrating a year of knowing each other .
" 1000 ." The brunette said , looking at him quizzically .
" But I think we can bring the price down to 900 , I know Momoe-san would understand ..."
" No , I'll take all of it for the original price . Thanks for the offer anyway ."
" Alright ."
" I'm sorry , I didn't introduce myself . My name's Schwarz . Schuldich Schwarz . I'm a friend of Ken's ."
A pair of bright smiles shone at him . " We've heard so much about you ! You're a great photographer ! I'm Tsukiyono Omi and he's Naoe Nagi . We're glad to finally meet you ."
" Yeah , the feeling is mutual ." He glanced at his watch . 10:00 . He had to talk to the funeral manager (*) to go over the last details by 10:30 .
" You don't have to wrap it all up . I'll take a bouquet and I'll come back for the rest tomorrow ."
" No problem ."
" Thanks ." Schuldich took the bouquet as he headed for the door . He'd give it to Ken after he talked to the manager . (*)
" Tell Ken we'd stop by later ." The brunette called out after him .
Schuldich gave a little wave as he entered the car and gently placed the flowers on the passenger seat behind him . " I will . He'd like that ."
" Take care , Mr. Schwarz !"
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It was 5:30 and still Schuldich wasn't back . Ken felt a prick of worry .
Maybe something happened to him . Maybe he got into an accident like Aya did . Maybe he was lying half-dead in a hospital somewhere .
" Hello there Ken-kun ! We've come to cheer you up !" The Ken was startled to snap out of his panicked reverie to see Omi Tsukiyono's face grinning down at him . Nagi was , as usual , standing at his side with an identical grin lighting up his solemn-looking features . " And we bought you flowers too !" A bouquet of multicolored flowers was shoved in front of his face .
" Th-thanks ."
" I'm sorry we didn't come by sooner . We thought that you probably didn't want us around with Aya glaring daggers at everyone ... but ... now that ..." Omi's voice cracked . " We're really sorry , Ken-kun . Aya was really a nice person . He cared for you a lot ." Omi was wiping tears with the edge of his sleeve and Nagi patted him on the back even as the boy patted Ken's knee with an almost paternal air . The smiled were gone and were replaced by expression of utter chagrin .
The hairs on Ken's arm stood on end as he fought to keep his voice in check . " Wh – what do you mean ?" His eyes were sharp , his fingers curling like claws as he gripped the edges of his bed so hard that the two boys were afraid that the aluminum pipes would snap into two and he'd pull the tubes out of his arm .
" We - were so - sad to find out that – A-Aya died in a car a-accident . He was so kind to us ... and he really cared so much about you ... " Omi threw his arms around him as he cried , his body racked with sincere sobs .
He didn't know how long he'd been crying against Ken's shoulder and how long Ken has sat there silently . He and Nagi had really looked up to Aya and had respected and regarded him as a friend . Aya didn't really speak much , but when he did , he'd say kind things veiled in his gruff and cold manner . It meant a lot to them , and now , he was gone .
Poor Ken . Losing such a great brother like that .
Even Nagi had turned his back and was crying to himself softly .
Nagi had cared about Aya too .
He sat back , his tears now held in check . " I'm sorry for going at you like that . It just hit me that Aya wasn't going to come back and I was really sad for you too ." He smiled as he wiped away his cheek with his sleeve and he raised his head to look at Ken .
Ken wasn't listening anymore .
He was sitting up on his bed rigidly , his grey eyes wide open , sightless ; silent tears trailing gently down his pale cheeks .
" Ken-kun ?" Omi grabbed his hand . It was icy cold .
" Oh my God ! Call a doctor ! Quick !" Nagi rushed out of the room in a mere moment .
Gently , he tried to puss Ken back on the bed and to rouse him , but it was no use . Ken wasn't going to snap out of it . Blood rose to his face in panic .
Where was Nagi ?!
OhGodohGodohGod !
Tremors were now running up his arms . Before Omi knew what was happening , Ken was convulsing uncontrollably on the creaking white bed , an animal shriek issuing from his bloodless lips .
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*****Redemption_Moon :****** Advanced Merry Christmas Everyone ! I'm soooo soooo sorry for the late post ! I knew you'd be screaming at me for not posting a chapter up for two consecutive weeks but I was reaaaaaallllllyyyyyy and I mean REALLY busy – (not to mention the fact that I was stumped as to how I was going to carry on the story) Annnnnnnyyyywaaaaaayyyyy ... I could see the murderous glares again and I'm taking time out to assure you that you're going to be happy with my Christmas wuff/fluff edition . I'm going to work my ass off for the next few days and try to post chappies daily or at least once every two days till Christmas , after all , it's just five more days to go before the happy happy day ! Can you believe it ?! FIVE DAYS !!! So check FF.net every day to see if I have a chapter up ! Don't forget to read and review okay ?! *jumps up and down excitedly* This thing's going to end by New year's , I'm almost certain of it ! ^_____^ READ AND REVIEW onegai ?! That'll be your Christmas gift to me ! Pweeety Pweeeease ?
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Mariki : Now here I am again . *stares down at her legs ... or at least , where they were once upon a time before you came into my life and chewed them up .* V_V;; My goodness ! Can't a live with my legs a few years more ? I promise , the day I die I was going to put it in my will to let you have them – but nooooooo ! You couldn't wait , could ya ? You had to come right in and chew them off didn't ya ? O__O;; Anyway , I can't believe this is taking things for the worse . I promised myself that everything was going to be peachy on my Christmas post . *crouches with several of her muses to figure out how to do it by Christmas .*
Schu : Now that I think about it ... yeah , you didn't . But don't worry , it's not your fault . I'm glad to know that you at least tried . I'm sorry , you gladness was so short-lived . But don't worry , as I've said before and am trying to assure everyone , the Christmas chapter's going to be really really happy . Now he's found out . The power of the will . You've willed him to find out !!!! *points finger at Schu* It's your fault ! Nah , I was just kidding . It was coming anyway . ^__^
KyraEnsui : _*hands you another box of Kleenex . I figured you might need this . *patspats*
Chahiya : I'm betting you don't feel pleased at me right now . Not at all . Like no la-di-da for me today , huh ? Y__Y . I can just hear you now saying that I'm the next worst thing to liver salad . *worried* Is it still starting to bore you ? Ummm ... are you still inclined to share your strawberry and chocolate pocky ? No ? I thought not . --___-- Anyway , just wait for the Christmas edition and check up on me ne ?
Ariestar48 : Oh God . I know you're not happy with me right now , after asking me to make the next chapter (this one) happy . *muses* it was happy at the start wasn't it ? With Ken and Schuldich waking up to each other and Schuldich giving Ken that yummy *stares away dreamily* kiss and blowing their relationship out in the whole wide open world .
Lady Kickass : Thank you for sating that . And yes , I do agree with you on that . Schu would be such a perfect boyfriend to have – although I must say that even then I still wouldn't choose him over by lovely hunny , Ken .
Misura : Thanks ! ^__^ I guess he didn't have to ask . Fat just had to come in and find a way for him to find out . Oh yes , the bad news has been heard and the worst has passed ... or ... uh ... has yet to pass but it will . Is that any assurance for you ?
Ketty : I will , if you promise to keep on RnR'ing ! ^___~ *winkies* You just know how I love to do that !
Brizey : I'm glad to hear about that . I'll work hard to keep it that way ! ^_____^ I hope you're not too busy to read this and post a little note in the end . *kitty eyes*
Schu-chan : I know what you mean . I'm so glad Christmas break started ! I could almost jumped for insane joy . And to the last moment , we still had to pass a couple or three projects . *mutters* Damn slavedrivers ...
Zeto : *yells along with you* He's aLLiivvvvvveeee ! He's ALLLLLLLIIIIIIIVVVVEEEE !
Oooops . I meant awake too ! He's AWWWWAKKKKE AWAAAAKKKKEE ! I'm afraid the gentians didn't signal too much happiness right now .
Kasugai Gummy : Godawful mush ... I like that . Godawful mush ... Hehehehe . Kekekeke ... Bwahahahaha ! *evil insane laughter*
Kasugai : There she goes again ¬___¬ It'll be wonder if she hasn't gone mad by Christmas .
Redemption : Bwahahahahahahahaha !!! XÐ
Manx16 : Yes , there is timing for my chapters , although I can't say I've been doing good lately considering I neglected two posts . *sighs* Anyway , it might just prove to be true this as I've promised to post frequently within the week . I just hope to survive your threats till the next good thing comes ne ? Anyway , it's probably true and your computer is a review assassin from Takatori – oops , I mean your parents . Hey , don't get me wrong . I love my parents . It's just sometimes the nagging about the computer gets to me . Heh . Oooooh ! You're the first one to ever say that !!! ^____^ I'm really happy you did . I thought everyone was going to think that the title sucks but now I know better ! Arigatou ! ^___^