Shindemo Ii

Disclaimer: Fruits Basket and its characters do not belong to me, they are the property of Natsuki Takaya. I'm just borrowing them for a while...

Pairings: none, though feel free to read it however you like ^^

Warnings: angst, mild swearing, character death (?)

Spoilers: will have spoilers for episode 26 (takes place a short while after)

A/N: Gyah, can't believe it took this long to update _ And this chapter's kinda short too... I'll try to make up for that in the next one! Thank you to everyone who reviewed! (responses at end of fic) ^^ And once again, thanks so much to R Junkie, for being kind enough to proofread and help me out with some of the medical stuff! ^^

Comments and (constructive) criticism are welcome. Flames will be used to warm me up when it gets cold out again. ^^;;

Ch.2

Kyo hated hospitals. Sitting in the waiting room, he stared ahead at the white walls, cringing at how sterile and unsettling the place seemed to him. White wall before him, white wall behind him, white walls on either side of him. He looked up at the ceiling. White with fluorescent lights. It was enough to make anybody go crazy, and the cat was restless enough as it was. There was just something about these places that he didn't like, and couldn't stand being in them, if he could help it... but he couldn't help it now, could he?

Sighing, he leaned back in his seat. Hatori and the paramedics had rushed Yuki off to the emergency room some time ago, Kyo wasn't sure how long; this whole thing still seemed like some kind of strange dream he just couldn't wake from. No, he was certain he was awake-- any time he tried to close his eyes, all he could see was Yuki's pale, yet flushed face twisted in pain and gasping for breath, and felt the same mix of helplessness and fear as he'd felt when Yuki had first collapsed.



Kyo started slightly at the sound of his name being called, and turned to see Tohru running towards him, along with Shigure, both of them slightly wet from the rain. Jumping out of his seat, he rushed over to them. As he approached, he noticed that Tohru's face looked a little pale. She was about to speak when he interrupted her.

Are you okay? he asked, frowning.

Tohru blinked. Eh? Ah, hai. she stammered, Eto... it's just that Shigure-san's driving was a little, er... fast.

Glaring, Kyo turned to the author, who looked a little sheepish. Baka Shigure. He knew it had been a bad idea to let the Inu behind the wheel.

Demo, Kyo-kun, how is Yuki-kun? Tohru asked, concern lacing her voice as she steered the conversation back to the reason they were all there in the first place.

Kyo lowered his eyes and shrugged. I dunno. They took him somewhere a little while ago. Hatori said he'd be back, but... I don't know how long it's been, I-- It feels like it's been forever. I don't know... he mumbled.

she whispered, her soft voice trembling slightly.

The cat lifted his head to look back up at Tohru as she spoke.

We'll wait for him together. she told him, giving him a small smile.

Nodding, he led her back to where he'd been waiting, while Shigure went to speak to the receptionist.

Kyo-kun, daijoubu? Tohru asked him, tilting her head in concern.

Yeah, I'm fine. he sighed, running a hand through his hair. Just a little freaked out, I guess. he admitted. Plus, I hate these places.

Ah, hai. Tohru responded, looking down at her hands folded on her lap.

Kyo cursed himself mentally, realizing that this place probably didn't hold the best of memories for her. Aw, geez. I--I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--

Iie. It's okay. she assured him. Our memories of the past only make us stronger, ne?

Kyo blinked. He never ceased to be amazed by how Tohru could always manage to encourage people, even if she was clearly hurting as well. Yeah, I guess. he responded, giving her a halfhearted smile.

The two sat together in comfortable silence for a few more moments before Shigure plopped down in a chair opposite them. Well, you two might want to make yourselves comfortable. They don't know how long this will take. he explained, loosening his necktie and stretching slightly.

Both looked at him puzzled. How do you know? Kyo demanded.

Ah, well, I used my exceptional charm on that lovely receptionist over there, and--

Kyo warned.

All right, all right. he relented. She knows Ha-san from when he used to intern here, and was kind enough to look into it for me.

Hatori-san used to work here? Tohru asked, surprised.

For real? Kyo added.

Kyo-kun, all doctors need experience first, you know. Shigure pointed out.

I know that! It just seems like he's always worked at the Sohma clinic, that's all.

Well, it's nothing new. He spent 3 years here before becoming our family physician, so he has some friends working here.

Tohru began, Do they know what's wrong with Yuki-kun?

They're still performing tests, that's why they don't know how long it'll be. So we might have to wait awhile.

Do you think it's serious, Shigure-san? the girl asked, staring up at him worriedly.

As much as he wanted to tell her that everything would be alright, he knew this wasn't the time to sugarcoat things, nor would it be fair to Tohru--she was much stronger than she seemed. I don't know. he confessed. Though if it is, I may have to make a call to the Main House. As her face fell, he couldn't help but add But Yuki-kun is strong. I'm sure he'll be okay.



Kyo just grunted, and turned away, settling himself in his seat. Great, more waiting.

Kyo really hated hospitals.

***

Some time later, Tohru was curled up in chair, sleeping, Kyo stared boredly up at the ceiling, and Shigure was quite contentedly flipping through the women's magazines strewn about on the small table before them.

Kyo glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. You really have no shame, do you?



The cat was about to go back to counting the tiles in the ceiling--he'd gotten quite far, actually-- when he remembered something. Hey, why did you call before anyway?

Shigure blinked at him.

The phone ringing. That was you, remember? Scared the hell outta me too.

Ah yes, that. I was merely calling to check on you two. I can worry, can't I?

Kyo raised an eyebrow doubtfully.

Okay, okay. I was worried about my house. But can you blame me, what with you two destroying it all the time?

The boy rolled his eyes.

Shigure continued, serious now, it's a good thing I did call, isn't it?

Kyo looked away, as images from the night's hectic events once again flashed through his mind, and mumbled something that sounded vaguely like I guess so.

Hmm, I hope it's nothing it's not too much longer. We're worried enough as it is.

Kyo spun back around to face him. Oi, what do you mean, we' ?

Ah, I merely meant myself and Tohru-kun--

Cause I'm not worried!

Of course not.

I don't care what happens to that damn rat!

My mistake.







Silence.

Because if you were--

I'm not!



Crossing his arms and sitting back, Kyo shook his head. Baka inu. he muttered. Sure he was freaked out, but that didn't mean he actually cared... did it?



Both looked up, startled.

Ha-san! How is he?

Kyo gently shook Tohru's shoulder, urging her to wake.

she asked, opening her eyes. Ah! Hatori-san! she exclaimed, sitting up.

Hatori sighed. I'm afraid it's not very good news.



What do you mean? Shigure asked urgently.

According to the test results, it looks like an acute case of viral pneumonia.

What's that mean? Kyo asked, annoyed that he still had no idea what was going on.

It means, Shigure announced gravely, that Yuki-kun could die.

Tohru gasped.

Kyo felt his heart stop and stared at his cousin in disbelief.

Hatori gave the other man a stern look, before turning to the two youths before him and sighing. It means that Yuki is very sick, and will need to be kept here under close observation to be treated, as his asthma will be a complication. Most cases are mild and don't require treatment, but it seems that Yuki's infection is serious.

Tohru choked out, how did he--

Contract it? Hatori asked. The girl nodded. It must have been caused by unprotected exposure to the bad or rainy weather, along with his already weak immune system, due to his asthma.

Kyo snorted. Yeah, but when does that damn rat ever go out... side... he trailed off, eyes widening.

Kyo-kun, what is it? Tohru asked, concerned.

Unprotected exposure to rainy weather.



~ Are you just going to run away?~

Kyo gulped, and took an involuntary step backwards, as he realized how Yuki must have gotten sick. It's because he came after me that night. All this--

It's because of me.

TBC...

See? Kinda short. _ But more explanations and more angst coming up! Oh, and more characters too! Dunno how long it'll take me to get that one up though... got University registration coming up, which I gotta worry about first _

Big thanks to R Junkie (very big thanks! ^^), Shinigami's Voice (Happy to have you cheering me on! As for the rest, well I e-mailed you the reseponse...^^) and Illia Sadri (yeah, I wasn't too sure about that myself. But I figure it's fair to warn ppl, right? I mean, not everyone likes that kinda thing... And the point of this fic is more about dealing with the situation than about what the outcome ends up being. But we'll see... Who knows, I might change my mind...^^)