Heya everyone!

Firstly I would like to apologies for how friggin' slowly this fic is coming along. It is NOT a writer-friendly fic at all. Sometimes it seems like I have to fight for the words. However, I think that after the next few chapters things will move along much faster.

Secondly, I have done my best to research and accurately portray the life of a drug addict in Japan. As you can guess, info on this is not freely forthcoming! Somehow my Japanese friends and teachers don't want to talk about it very much. Fair enough. It's not like I go around telling everyone about Australia's drug problems – lord know there's a big one . So while the actual COUNTRY'S details may not be the same, the hardships of a drug addict are all true.

Thirdly, for some reason ff.net is totally refusing to upload my fics properly even though it looks fine in the preview. I am very sorry about this and I am trying to fix it.

Last but certainly not least, thankyou to all my wonderful reviewers. I love you all =^.^=

CHAPTER 2: Beginnings

The bar is dim and reeks of stale cigarette smoke. He's been coming to this place for a while now, nursing his broken heart with the cheap but plentiful beer. The alcohol clouds his mind, softening his anguish, shielding him from the painful reality that is his miserable life.

Slumped at the bar, he drowns his umpteenth drink and motions for another. The bar tender knows he's not old enough, but as long as he's got the cash, the beer will keep flowing.

Someone pulls up a seat beside him. As he fumbles in his pocket for change, the stranger slaps a handful of coins on the table and says, " I'll get that. "

He's so drunk he doesn't notice the tiny pill as skilful fingers slip it into the frothy amber liquid as the stranger drags the glass toward him. Nodding his thanks, he takes a swig, not noticing the way the stranger's eyes run appreciatively up and down his body.

" So, do you come here often? "

*~*~*

An anguished scream erupted from room 118, punctuated by a heavy bang. The threats and pleas that followed trailed into incoherent sobs, and finally petered out all together. One or two moments of anxious silence, then the cycle began again, the scream a little more desperate, the threats a little more vicious.

The doctors and nurses took no notice as they scurried from room to room, for they were used to this kind of thing. Within days of arriving at Ward 16, the detox clinic, you either got used to the constant screaming or ran to the ward supervisor screaming for a transfer.

In the staff lounge, Robert cradled his head in his hands, out of his depth and knowing it. He wasn't used to unbridled chaos such as he'd seen in the last few hours. The sedative had finally worn off and Kai was experiencing the full force of his withdrawal symptoms, along with almost a dozen other patients, and the ward's corridors rang with their dreadful cries. The doctor had explained that all heroin users went through the same thing – goose flesh, uncontrollable shaking, vomiting, diarrhoea, among other things – but that didn't make it much easier to bare Kai's suffering, especially when the Russian's screams broke off into great wheezing coughs.

The night warden had taken pity on the German and brought him to the staff lounge where he could get a little respite from the ward's commotion. " Nights are always the worst, " she'd told him with a rueful smile as she made him a cup of coffee, " It's the time they'd usually be getting their next fix, especially the club addicts. " Then she'd disappeared back to her duties, leaving Robert to contemplate his thoughts in relative peace.

When he'd found Kai, he'd been shocked to say the least. He had been on his way back to the hotel from dinner with a family friend, and the journey had taken him through the less reputable streets of the city. He'd been gazing idly out of the limousine's window, when he spotted a blue-haired figure curled up in a doorway. At once he'd ordered his driver to pull over and stepped out of the vehicle, hurrying across the road. That hair was so distinctive, he just had to be sure.

To his complete and utter disbelief, the young man was indeed Hiwatari Kai. There was no mistaking the elegant features, smudged with dirt and haggard though they were, and the deep garnet eyes that looked up him, blood-shot and uncomprehending.

Robert couldn't imagine what the Russian was doing out here all alone, dressed in rags and covered with filth, until he'd actually touched Kai and the young man had spoken. The aristocrat remembered the disgust and dismay he'd felt when he realised that Kai was selling himself like a common whore. He may have been raised in luxury, but the German wasn't stupid. He knew that prostitution and drug abuse went hand in hand. Just as he suspected, Kai's inner forearm was laced with angry red welts, the dead give away of a heroin user.

Deeply aggrieved by his friend's condition, Robert had helped Kai over to his limousine and was startled by the resistance he met when he'd tried to get the Russian inside. Kai had gone completely berserk, as if he were afraid to get into the car. But why? Robert didn't have the answer, but he knew that Kai needed to see a doctor immediately, so he'd picked up the Russian's feather-weight body and slid into the backseat with Kai upon his knee.

The way Kai had whimpered and sobbed so helplessly as they sped toward the nearest hospital had confused Robert further. He'd never known the stoic Russian to make say a word unless absolutely necessary, and he hated to see such a strong person reduced to a quivering wreck. It just didn't befit someone of Kai's character and skill. Right there and then Robert had resolved to take care of the trembling teenager who clung to his shirt so fiercely. " I won't let you go, " he'd whispered into Kai's ear, " You're going to be alright, I promise. "

Easier said than done. The doctor had discussed Kai's condition with Robert earlier that night. " Aside from his obvious malnutrition and injection sites, he's got a bad fracture to his right wrist and the lacerations to the same area have become infected. He must have had the injury for at least a week but left it untreated. We've cleaned the wound and put it in plaster, but it's going to require careful monitoring. There's also a mild case of pneumonia, which is quite common for people in his condition. We're still waiting for the results of the blood test, but at this stage it doesn't look like he's contracted any diseases from needle sharing, which is our main concern with heroin users. "

" When will you be able to confirm this? "

" The results should be back within the next two to three days. In the mean time, I've administered a sedative and ordered a regular injection of vitamins to help his immune system to get back on track. "

The doctor leaned back in his chair, rubbing a hand along his clean-shaven jaw. " I have to tell you, the boy's very lucky you found him. A few more weeks on the street and he could have been seriously ill. As it stands, judging by the marks on his forearms, he hasn't been on heroin for more than a few months, which gives him a better chance of successfully kicking the habit. As you requested, we've moved him to the detox clinic and begun the treatment. BUT, " the doctor added, fixing Robert with a serious gaze, " He's going to need a lot of help. The mental dependency on drugs is often greater than the physical need, particularly with heroin. Heroin affects the user by dampening the pain receptors and slowing the heart rate, making the user feel peaceful and care free. It's an escapist's drug. In most cases there is a serious psychological issue behind its use. "

" For example, the death of someone close? "

The doctor nodded. " Most definitely. Grief is a very powerful motivator. In any case, Mr Hiwatari will need to under go serious ongoing counselling if he is to stay off drugs. I'll have a counsellor come and speak to you, if you'd like. "

" Please do. Thankyou doctor. "

" My pleasure. "

" I have one more question, if you don't mind. "

" Of course. "

" When will he be able to travel? "

The doctor considered. " Well, given that his immune system is going to be very low, I wouldn't recommend he travel for any long periods during the next two to three weeks. But it depends on how well he recovers from treatment, and how necessary the travel is. Why? "

" I'd like to take him to Germany. "

" Germany, huh? Lucky kid. " The doctor grinned suddenly. " If going through detox involved a free trip to Germany, maybe we'd get more people willing to give it a go. "

Robert yawned and rubbed his eyes, glancing at the clock over the doorframe. The thin black hands indicated that it was all ready 8 hours since he'd given Kai over to the hospital's care. If what the doctor had said was correct, Kai should be over the worst of his withdrawal symptoms.         

Taking his coffee mug over to the sink and washing it thoroughly, Robert ventured out into the corridors of Ward 16. The patients had evidently exhausted themselves, for the screams had turned into quiet but constant moaning.

" Excuse me, " he said, pulling up a tall brunette nurse. " I'm a friend of Hiwatari Kai, in room 118. Could you tell me how he is? "

" Hiwatari-san? Oh yes, the new kid. I think he's sleeping at the moment. Would you like me to check? "

" Please. "

The nurse dashed off, returning moments later with an affirmative nod. " Yes, Hiwatari-san is asleep. According to his chart, he's responded well to the treatment and should be discharged in a few days. We have to keep him under observation, in case of a relapse, " she explained.

Robert nodded. " Thankyou. "

" No problem. "

Sighing, Robert pulled out his mobile phone and dialled his chauffer. " Start the car. I will be there in a minute. "