Disclaimer: Don't own Revolutionary Girl Utena, don't even think I know who -does- own it. Ah well.
Author's notes: I wasn't sure about this story... I didn't know of a continuation yet at the point of writing the first chapter, but it slowly came to me. This is a bit more dramatic then the previous one, and it was hard to write like that, but I did my best. I hope you like it. Thank you, all, who've said that they like this story. Especially since so many of you seem to prefer another pairing. Thank you very much, your praise is an honour. bows -

Echoes of sobs reach her ears as she sits in the frighteningly white waiting room. Why she has come… just like before, she doesn't know. There is only one thing certain: he isn't well.

The annoying beeping sound in the room behind the wall she leans on feels strangely comforting. She knows, now. That is why burning hot tears run down her face and fall on the blue handkerchief his mother gave her.

The elderly lady sits next to her, her own eyes – blue, so like his – filled with unshed tears. Both women wait, although not patiently, queietly as his father finds out all that he can from the equally white nurse.

She feels as if she's intruding. She's not a part of this family. His mother turns to her, sees the tears still running down the beautiful, pearly white skin of her face. Sad as she is, she can not help feel loved as the lady tenderly squeezes her hand, "Juri-san… are you really just a friend of our Ruka?"

The blurry green orbs widen… "I.. .what?" The lady smiles, a chuckle escaping her even now, and she cannot help but think how nice it would be to be that light-hearted. "You cry uncommonly much for being just a friend."

She feels worried… Lying to this sweet, loving parent lies heavy on her already leaden heart. She sighs. "I'm afraid that I'm not even that, o-… okaa-sama." She wonders why the lady asked her to call her that… but she complies to this worn-out persons wishes. "In truth, I am only just someone he knows."
His mother, as she notices, is uncannily intelligent, "Oh, I know that, deary. But you love him, that is all that matters."

They remain in the stunned silence of her shock, until the elderly father walks up to them. "The nurse says that it's a real setback, no one expected it. he was doing so great after visiting the school. She says he's stable now, so we can go in to see him. But only one at a time, as to not wear him out."

The man looks at his wife and the beautiful girl with eyes as red as her hair. The wife smiles and pats the girl's knee, "I think Juri-chan should see him first, don't you?" The father smiles and nods, taking the old hand of his old wife in his own, wrinkled one. "I agree. I'm sure he'll be glad to see Juri-chan."

She isn't sure what to be more shocked about. Her mind is so occupied and confused that her lengthy limbs act on auto-pilot, leading her to the door. With a slow creek, the door opens and closes and she is enveloped in silence.
He almost stops breathing.
"Juri…?"
She can't stop the tears from falling down from her eyes.
"Oh Ruka!"

-

She hadn't planned any of this. She hadn't planned on meeting his mother and father, two people who greeted her so warmly that she almost felt guilty for having waited so long to make up her mind.
She hadn't planned on seeing him like this, with his face as white as the nurse's outfit or the walls in the waiting room, with the sweaty forehead, the much too thin face and the almost anorexic body.
And she certainly hadn't planned falling on her knees like that at seeing him, at seeing his youthful body be so unhealthy, at seeing his blue eyes and hair which at one point were so vibrant, now be so dull.

"Ruka…" The only word that seems to form on her lips. He watches her, saddened by her grief yet rejoicing in a way too, as he knows that all the tears that are falling from her eyes, are tears shed for him.

"Juri…don't worry. I'll be fine." She can't stop the snarl leaving her lips, "Who are you fooling, I'm seeing you right there, aren't I! You're not fine, you're not fine at all! Dammit, why didn't you tell me sooner!" A small, thin smile forms on his thin lips, "I told you. Dying was a possibility."

Finally, her strength returns to her and she stands up, her face having an almost tortured look to it. "Yes… you did tell me that. But that's not an answer I'm willing to accept anymore. I want something better."

He notices the teary gleam in her vibrant green eyes, sees her firm jaw line set in it's place, and he smiles warmly. "The only thing I can offer you, dearest Juri, are words that you won't accept."

A challenge. He knows already that she has finally lost herself to him, yet that doesn't keep him from pushing her. She fights down the urge to laugh in relief, as his toying ways don't seem to have changed much. "Well, you won't know unless you offer those words to me, will you?"

For a minute, her hand brushes his. In that same moment,she knows he'll be fine. Just like he told her.
"Love me, Ruka?"
"Always, Juri."

The End!