Tohru nodded. "Thank you." She was then silent a moment, uncertain where to start. Thinking back to her last memories, she finally asked, "Where is my dress?"

"This?" Nori lifted the bag off the floor, pointing to it.

Tohru nodded, then looked confused. "Where are the flowers?"

"Flowers?" Nori echoed, sounding equally puzzled.

Seeing some flowers in vases around her room, some of which were beginning to wilt despite their constant supply of fresh water, Tohru changed her question to "How long was I…?"

"You've been in a coma for several weeks," Nori replied delicately.

Tohru's face fell. The flowers she had bought would be dead by now, anyway.

At the poor girl's depressed look, Nori said helpfully, "There is a flower shop on the bottom floor. Is there something I can get you?"

Face brightening, Tohru said, "There is? That's wonderful! Thank you for offering, but I'll get them myself." She then proceeded to attempt to get up from the bed.

"Miss Honda!" Tohru halted in her effort and looked at the older woman. "Please, you should not leave the bed. You've only just woken up."

"But…the flowers…" Tohru protested despairingly.

Nori released a sigh. "All right." Tohru looked at her. "I'll take you. Then I'm going to get a doctor in here." Nori was not sure why she was being so lenient with the girl. True, she had never been in the room when a comatose patient woke, but was there something else about the kind girl that compelled Nori to help her? Not knowing, and not giving herself time to ponder the question, Nori disconnected the now unnecessary machinery from Tohru, and helped the girl into a wheelchair. Nori handed Tohru her wallet from the bedside table.

"Thank you for all of this, Nori. I hope it isn't too much trouble," Tohru said as she was pushed into the elevator. Nori blew out a breath, but smiled nonetheless. "Just don't tell anyone," she said with a wink.

"And, Nori?" The nurse looked at her. "Call me Tohru." Nori smiled.

The flower shop was no place for a wheelchair. Tohru, her balance awry and muscles sore and cramped, clung to Nori's arm as they walked around the store, and Tohru did her best to find replicas of the flowers she had had.

By the time she paid for the flowers, Tohru could walk with minimal aid from Nori. She refused the offer for the wheelchair as they returned to her room.

Tohru had been rather quiet since the short conversation in the elevator. Nori placed her silence as a result of exhaustion, until Tohru spoke upon returning to her room, and Nori knew that Tohru had been lost in thought. "Did…did they come and visit me?" she inquired softly, sitting on the bed.

"The Sohmas?" Tohru nodded. Nori gave her warm smile. "Every day, dear."

Tohru's eyes widened. "All of them? All of this time?" Now, Nori nodded in affirmation.

Tohru's cheeks colored slightly in embarrassment, appreciation, and guilt. "They were all very worried about you," Nori added. "That just shows how much they care. Think of how happy they will be to hear you are all right."

"Where are they?" she asked quietly.

Nori put a finger to her cheek in thought. "They were all dressed up when they came to see you this morning. You know, in suits and fancy dresses and such. I think I remember overhearing some of the other nurses mention a…banquet, was it?" she questioned her memory.

"The banquet? Today?"

"So it is a banquet?"

"Yes, but…it was supposed to be just a few days after…"

"They must have postponed it for you."

"But I only just woke up. Did they know…?"

"No. There is no way to predict these things. Perhaps someone just got tired of waiting," Nori reasoned. Tohru nodded. Her suggestion sounded more than plausible.

"You said no one knew I was going to wake up today?"

"Correct. Just luck I was in here when you woke up."

Tohru smiled. "I'm glad you were."

"I bet," Nori replied fondly. "You know, very little is known about comas, but when you became comatose, Dr. Sohma…" She gasped, then looked at her watch. "He should still be here. Wait here, I'll try and catch him before he leaves. He's leaving early today for that banquet, normally..." She shook her head, and rushed from the room.

The desk Hatori had been given at the hospital was piled with cases of coma victims. The computer screen showed websites with neurological information. Medical books on the brain were stacked on shelves. Hatori sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose between his eyes. Ever since he learned Tohru was in a coma, he had pulled up every case he could find, talked to every doctor he knew, and read as much as he could on the subject. Still, he had not found anything useful. He knew few facts were concrete about comas, but he could do nothing else.

A knock on his already open door made him swivel in his seat to face Shigure.

"Anything?" The question was a routine now, whenever either Shigure or Ayame came to see him.

Hatori's customary answer followed. "No, nothing."

Shigure nodded. Based on the condition he had observed the doctor in before knocking, Shigure had not expected any other answer. "Let's get going, then, Ha'ri. The main house sent me to get you."

"You know they said that I could come later," Hatori said stoically.

"It is later."

With a quick glance at the wall clock, Hatori was only partially surprised to discover that Shigure was correct. This was not the first occasion he had lost track of time.

Hatori stood and removed his white medical jacket, revealing a brown suit beneath it. Placing the coat over the back of the chair, and turning off the monitor of the computer, he then met Shigure in the doorway and flicked off the light switch.

The two took the elevator to the bottom floor, Shigure not even attempting to lighten the mood.

Shigure pushed open the large glass door to exit when a voice called out, "Dr. Sohma!" Then, recognizing Shigure, the feminine voice added, "Mr. Sohma!"

Both men turned as a nurse came running towards them. She came to a halt, panting heavily.

Hatori mentally tried to recollect her name. He and Shigure had eventually met all of the nurses and doctors who saw to Tohru. Shigure recalled it first. "Yes, Nori?"

"Tohru," she gasped, trying to regain her breath from the sprint to Hatori's office, then down the few flights of stairs.

Fear seized both men. Tohru… "What happened?" they demanded, rather more harshly than they had intended.

Nori waved a hand in an attempt to calm them. "She's awake."

KamisKisses: I am pleased to hear that. There will probably be only one more chapter. Thank you for reviewing!

Helbaworshipper: Thank you very much! Tension can a make a story more worth reading, yes?

LinBean: Thank you for catching that! I just corrected the mistake, using 'cerulean'. I hope that is an adequate description. The story is coming to a close. Thanks, again!

bunni: Thank you so much! I am very glad that you think my characterizations are accurate. That's usually why we read fan fiction, isn't it? Well, that's my opinion anyway. I am happy you like my story.

Sami the archangel: Thank you for the review! I think one more chapter following this one will be all.

i love athrun: Thank you! I do not think you will be able to say that after the next chapter, however.

Beloved Rose: Yes, she did. Chocolate is still good, though. Perhaps to celebrate? Thanks for reviewing!

Dark Inu Fan: Lol, that was a good suggestion. Thank you for reviewing, and my best wishes to you and your family.

elena: I am glad you are happy with the story thus far. I hope it continues to please you. No need to thank me. I enjoy writing as much as you enjoy reading it. Thank you for the review!

Defafaeth Mechqua: I am glad you feel that way.