Chapter nine: Awakening

A/n: Oh god! Sorry this took me ages to continue! I haven't gotten around to continuing only because we've gotten a new laptop. My other files for the story are on a different computer but I think I'm going to go ahead and just finish up My Love for You on this one. Anyway, I rented volumes two and three of Gravitation TV and got so many new ideas! XD So now, I have seen more than just one DVD. Anyway…onto my next chapter…and so sorry to keep you waiting this long! –feels bad- Oh plus! I have a different word document thing so hopefully my stuff will look well…neater

"Why don't you go home, Mr. Uesugi…we can take care of things from here." The young nurse said to me. I could barely hear a word she was saying, considering I hadn't slept at all since Shuichi was brought in. This wasn't unusual though, there were many times when I hadn't slept trying to make a deadline but…I guess with everything that happened to Shuichi it just added on to the stress. "Shuichi will be perfectly fine and will still be here in the morning. You can come back then after you've had a good night's sleep." She finished, turning back to Shuichi and checking all of his vital signs.

Half of me did want to do what she said, go home a sleep, thinking I'd feel so much better tomorrow morning. And then the other half looked at Shuichi. I couldn't leave him…I didn't want to…but somewhere inside me I knew it was right, it was what Shuichi would have wanted if he was able to tell me. So, I did it.

Standing up, a gave a slight nod to the nurse as she passed me on her way out and then made my way to the side of Shuichi's hospital bed. I lightly took his hand and gave a tired, weak smile.

"I'm going to do what I believe is right for me…I'm going home and getting a couple hours of sleep but don't worry, I'll be back as soon as I can." I brought his hand up to my lips and kissed it lightly before resting it back down beside him. I turned and walked out of the hospital room, looking back and thinking one last thing before I shut the door.

I love you, Shuichi…

The walk home was one of the longest ones I ever remember having to endure. It seemed that time had slowed; that every step I took seemed like another hour. Once I reached our apartment, I fumbled around in my jacket pocket for my key but was having trouble.

"Eiri…allow me to help you with that." I heard a voice from behind me say. As I turned around slowly I soon realized it was Touma, and as I stared at the expression on his face I could tell I looked horrible. He neared me and took the key, opening the door and let me inside, him following after. I took off my jacket and he took it and his own to the closet nearby. "Now why don't you go lie down, I can take care of things around here." He said, pointing me toward my room. I shook my head and shrugged his arms off me.

"If you don't mind I'd rather sleep on the couch…I'm leaving again here in a few hours so why make myself comfortable?" I mumbled, heading toward the couch and sitting on it first. I sighed heavily, hating that I was away from the love of my life but…I was in need of sleep.

"That's fine Eiri…as you want." Touma replied, making his way over to me as I buried my face in my hands. How could I think I was going to be able to sleep at a time like this? Sighing once more I jumped slightly at the feel of a hand resting on my back. "I know how difficult this is for you to bear…" he began and I sat up straight, looking him directly in the eyes. He said he knew how difficult this was for me? Touma doesn't know shit…

"There is so much I wish to tell you now…especially since you are in a bad state, it might be easier for you to hear if I did so. But then again, if I did …I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I can tell how in love you are with Mr. Shindo and that makes me glad…just seeing that you are happy…" he continued on. I had no idea what the hell he was talking about, but let him continue. He gave a small smile and then shook his head. "No matter…you should get some rest Eiri…" he finished, standing up to get a blanket and pillow for me.

I lay back, staring at the ceiling until Touma emerged. I took both items from him and turned on my side, setting the pillow underneath my head and the blanket behind me. I wasn't cold and knew I wouldn't be. I slowly shut my eyes, the last thing I saw was Touma looking back at me, a smile on his face.

It didn't take long, I was actually more tired than I thought, before I was in the state where you're still aware of your surroundings yet you're about asleep. I heard my brother-in-law move and heard a voice say something. The next thing I felt was unusual and I didn't awake. I felt someone's lips against my own, in a soft kiss. The only other person I was aware of in the room was Touma…I soon realized why he was kissing me.

I remembered his words from just moments ago, his words about wanting to tell me something but didn't think it was a proper time. This kiss was telling me everything and I didn't move. Touma had to get this out and I was letting him. His lips left mine and I felt his slender fingers brush away a few stray strands of blonde hair away from my face. He said something but I only heard a few words here and there…

"…love you, Eiri…more than…in the world…"

Love is a confusing thing. Touma married my elder sister but, from his words now, he loved me more than her even. And I could never return that love for Touma, my heart already belongs to another. I inwardly apologized to him, knowing that it must have been difficult for him to see the one he loves, love another. It was hard…but…

The Next Morning…

The sun…that damn sun…it's either that or the brat that wakes me…

My eyes shot open and I sat up, looking around. Touma was no longer there and I blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the light. I brought my hands up and rubbed them before looking at the clock on the wall. 10:43. It was the morning and I had slept longer than I intended to. I walked to my room and, after a quick shower, left my apartment for the hospital. I didn't need my jacket, it wasn't too cold, so I pocketed my key and closed the door. After I locked it, I began walking once again. My thoughts quickly went to the night before and Shuichi at the same time.

So…Touma loved me more than anything in the world did he? This would defiantly be awkward…and I began to wonder if Mika knew. Probably not…but that was enough about Touma…if anything he still had Mika…and I hoped that would be enough.

Hiro told me about Shuichi's incident just yesterday but it seems like it has been months. I started to think about when he would awaken, and when he would be alright. Supposedly all the guy did was beat Shuichi but what…what if he did something more…?

Shaking my head of the thought I entered the hospital, making my way toward the elevator. I figured by now, what happened to Shuichi would be all over the news, radio…everywhere. Fortunately, I hadn't been asked yet but…I knew it was just a matter of time until I would get crowded with reporters. Standing in the elevator I looked to the roof. It occurred to me that…the first kiss Shuichi and I shared was in an elevator. Back then, I didn't care about him too much but…that kiss was one of the ones I'd always remember.

I was now in the hallway of Shuichi's room. Nurses were walking past me, as well as doctors, and some of them seemed in a rush. Out of instinct I thought that something was wrong with my lover, and I picked up my pace. Once I reached his room and opened the door, however, I noticed that he was perfectly fine. Smiling I shut the door behind me and made my way to his bedside. I leaned down and kissed the top of his head, beginning to talk to him.

"I said I'd be back right? Well…here I am…" I started, pulling the lone chair in the room over to the side of his bed and I took his hand once more. "I actually feel better now…how about you?" I wanted to kick myself from how stupid I sounded but shook my head slightly. "Of course you're good…you look great…" I said, sighing slightly and leaning back into the chair. I wanted him to awake, wanted to see his beautiful violet eyes gazing back into mine…and that adorable smile…damn it…there's that word again…

As if answering my want, I felt his hand lightly squeeze mine. I blinked a few times, looking to his face. His eyes slowly opened and he gave a weak smile. He said one word… "…Yuki…."

I felt tears fill my eyes again but I wouldn't let them fall…not now. I smiled back and moved even closer to his body as he looked deep into my eyes.

"Shuichi…I'm here…you-you have to stay with me alright?" I asked and he nodded slowly.

"I will…it'll take…a while but…I'll make it Yuki…" he said, his voice very quiet and hardly audible but I knew he meant every word. I bit my lower lip and looked toward the door as I nurse entered.

"Well Mr. Shindo, decide to finally join us did you?" she questioned, smiling as she checked his vital signs. "Mr. Uesugi…he should be perfectly fine now that he's awake. It will just take him some time to recover from his injuries." she finished before leaving. I swallowed and looked back to Shuichi, saying one small statement.

"Thank you for making it…I love you…"

A/n: TT See! I wouldn't let you all down! Haha! XD Shuichi has awakened! All he has to do is recover right? –mysterious music- Or…not right? :P Read and find out! Oh and please review! It makes me so happy!