Sorry for the delay in updating. I got a little case of writers block. I never had that before, it's scary. Thanks to my new friend from another fan fic site, I got some great advise and she saved the day. Now on with the story.

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The healing process was slow. Kyo had to endure days and weeks of doctors, nurses and psychologists. They all wanted to find the key to his illness. They all wanted to find a quick cure, knowing full well that Kyo's problems stemmed deep. But time was of essence.

Family was no better. Daily visits from this cousin or that were merely distracting and stressful on their patient. They even gave a thought to restricting these visits, with one exception.

Yuki. The boy came to the hospital on a daily basis. Each time Kyo was in a better mood afterwards, and would actually consume food. Yuki never asked his cousin to. Yuki never even mentioned Kyo's eating habits. Yuki told Kyo about his schooling, as he started college. He told Kyo about the friends they had who would not be allowed to visit, but had expressed their sincere hopes that his health would improve.

The boy had also helped with the problem of the night terrors. The evening after the visit from the family head, Yuki had left at noon only to return just after visiting hour were over. He sat in the nurses lounge with Nijan waiting for the inevitable. Like clockwork, the screams were heard and the two raced to Kyo's room. The orange haired boy sat up and strained against the ties that bound his hands to the bedrails. Nijan rushed over to check on the IV's and once determining that they were intact he looked up at Yuki. They had agreed to attempt to calm Kyo without the use of drugs, and it was time to get started. Kyo, being ever helpful, had begun calling out the other boys name. Yuki took hold of his cousin and forced his face to focus on himself.

"Kyo! I am right here! Look at me!"
"No! Yuki help me! I can't . . . . "
"Kyo. Stop, it's okay. Look at me, Kyo. I'm here, and I'm going to help you."
"I can't, I can't, I . . . .Yuki?"
"Yes, baka. It's me."
"What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to hear about your nightmare, before you can digest it down to less than 7 words." Yuki pulled the chair up and sat, Kyo looked at him oddly before beginning his story. His breathing was a little erratic and he was currently sweating across the bridge of his nose and his forehead. Yuki pulled out a tissue and wiped the beads of perspiration away.
"Okay, fine. I was sitting in a garden. There was like, this big monument and I was looking at it. It was a real big, fat cat. And he starts to talk to me. He says like, "Hey, Kyo what ya doing sitting there. You should be out hunting like everybody else." I told him, I don't hunt. And he says, "Hey, that's okay. I got something for you, look here." And then he lifts up this rock and under it is this . . . . uh," He hesitated and leaned forward gesturing for Yuki to do the same, then whispering to him. "dead rat. He is like squished. Totally flat." Yuki winced and leaned back again.
"Is that when you started yelling?" Kyo shook his head vehemently. "Nah, I seen enough of that lately, it don't shock me so much. But he says to me, 'You need to keep up your strength and this is high in protein. Eat it.' I start shaking my head and saying 'no, no, I can't' but he starts chasing me and holding it up by it's tail waving it at me. I just keep running and running, and yelling 'I can't' and he says he is Neko and that you would want me to. Cause you want me to eat." Kyo had begun shaking and Yuki stood up and put a hand on his shoulder. "You wouldn't do that. Not to a rat, would you? He said you killed it for me. And that you wanted me to eat it." Tears made their way down Kyo's cheeks and Yuki put a new tissue to his eyes.
"Kyo. No I wouldn't. Not to a rat, and not to YOU. Do you understand. I want you to do what makes you happy. And I know that wouldn't make you happy."
Kyo stared at his cousin. Thought processes a little slow at this time of night. Yuki said he wants you to be happy. Why? Ask him.
"Why? Why Yuki?"
"Why? Because I care about you, baka." Kyo only blinked at that. He had to process this, it confused him. Yuki hated him, not cared about him. When did things change?

"You do?" Kyo was trying to say something, but his mind was numb, and the dream was fading now. He leaned back and let his eyes slide closed. Breathing became easier, and slowed to a calming rhythm. Kyo was asleep. Yuki dropped the tissues into the waistebasket and adjusted the covers over his cousin. He turned to see Nijan looking at him oddly.
"What's all that stuff about cats and rats? He seems obsessed."
"He and I are just into animals. No big deal."