Author's Note: Well, maybe I shouldn't have ended chapter 8 so soon. It caused a bit of confusion. Well, hope that this chapter clears up some misunderstandings!

Chapter 9:

'Tsukasa, we are going to be late if you continue to sleep!' I shouted at the pig lying on the bed. Today is the 8th day since I moved back to Tsukasa's house. I am happy to be with Tsukasa, he loved and cared a lot for me. Yet sometimes, I still get the feeling that something is missing.

'Okay, since my little princess's taking so much effort to wake her prince charming up, prince charming shall wake up now,' Tsukasa retorted playfully. I shook my head and shot him a look of disgust.

'If you are prince charming, then I'll be the Queen of Egypt!' I mocked and teased. 'Well, hurry up sleepy head. We are going to be major late if you don't get out of bed.'

'Yes Madam!' It's good to be with Tsukasa, he makes me feel wonderful. All these joking around and playing a fool make me relax. Being with Rui was tough in the sense that I did the talking most of the time. It was as though I was having a relationship with a wall. But, I still miss Rui a lot.

(At the office)

'Tsukushi, you do know Hanazawa Rui right?' a colleague of mine asked as soon as I stepped in to the office. How did she know about Rui?

'Yes, I do him. Why did you ask?'

'So it's true! I'm so jealous of you!'

'Why?'

'Didn't you read the magazine? Hanazawa Rui is now the rising star of J-pop! His debut album is called 'Love at first sight'! It's so nice! I love his music. You should listen to him sing!' Rui as a singer? Why didn't I know about it? Is that why he went to US?

(At home)

I am really curious about what Rui is doing. I mean why did he suddenly became a singer? Why didn't I know about it at all?

(RingRingRing)

Did Tsukasa forget his keys again? As I opened the door, a young lady grabbed my hand.

'Are you Tsukushi?' she asked frantically.

'Yes. May I know why are you looking for me?'

'Good, let's get in the car before we start,' she said as she pulled me into her right sports car. I tried to retaliate but to no avail. She was just too strong. Before I could do anything, I was in her car.

'Where are we going? Who are you?' I asked angrily.

'I'm Rui's manager. Well, Rui is in the hospital right now. He got into a car accident and he is in a coma right now. He kept calling your name so I guess you must be someone really important to him Please go and see him,' she pleaded. Rui in hospital?! How could such a tragedy happen?

'You got kidding. Rui told me about a week ago that he was going to the US. So he must be there right now.'

'The truth is he never left the country. He was staying in the hotel till two days ago when he confirmed that you had left the house. I asked him why did he do that, but he refused to answer me. He got drunk at the Pub just now and got into an accident. Why do such things happen when he just release his debut album?!' Why did Rui lie to me? He did he said that he was leaving for the US when he was staying here all along? Why did he do that? Why? I kept thinking about these questions along the way to the hospital.

(At the hospital)

'Tsukushi, I just heard that there are a lot of reporters gathering near Rui's ward. I'll go and distract while you go in. That will save you the questioning.' The manager said as she parked her car. Just as what she had said, there were many reporters standing near the ward. They crowded the manager as soon as she walked near the ward. The manager gave me a sign to go into the room as she answered all their questions.

As I walked in, I saw Rui lying on the bed with his limbs bandaged. I looked at Rui and I couldn't help but touch his face. I held his hand and whisper gently, 'Rui, can you hear me? Don't you dare sleep anymore. Wake up.' Tears slowly flow down my cheeks as Rui lay motionless in front of me. 'Rui, please wake up. Don't do this to me.' Tsukushi, this is not the time to be weak. You have to be strong. You are Rui's only kin in Tokyo. You must take good care of him. I took tissue from the table to dry my tears. There, I saw a VCD with my name written on it. I guess this VCD was a gift from him to me, hence, I started watching it as I dry my tears.

To be continued.... ... ...

Author's Note: What did Tsukushi see? Will Tsukushi still be with Tsukasa or will she go back to Rui? Will Rui ever wake up? Find out the answers and the next chapter of Silence. It's the ending chapter and the chapter not to be missed!