AFTER THE END

Chapter Two: Healing the Heart

"It's a sad day for the people of the Amazuno police force today, as we have been informed of the loss of Police Chief Hiwatari, who died late last night in a tragic accident within the now-destroyed art museum." The newscaster's voice rang through the living room, where Kosuke sat alone. He had finally convinced Risa to go home an hour ago, and Daisuke had gone to walk the Harada twins' home. He still hadn't returned.

Emiko poked her head in the living room from where she was making dinner in the kitchen to see her husband frowning at the television screen, his hands folded and his chin resting on them. He looked deep in thought once again. She was distracted however, when she looked at the TV.

"So he did die," Emiko said, drying her hands on a dishtowel and stepping the rest of the way into the room.

"Yes…" Kosuke said, furrowing his brows. "It's a shame, really," he added.

"Well I don't care what you say about him. That man was evil, and nothing you say can change that," replied Emiko.

Kosuke was silent for a moment. "You're right," he said slowly, "but he wasn't always that way. I think that he was influenced by the power of the Hikari's art." Emiko sighed and wrapped her arms around Kosuke.

"You're just like Dai; always looking for the best in people." She paused here and thought for a moment. "Just how much have you looked into that boy, anyway?" she asked finally. "You seem to know – and care – an awful lot about him. What secrets are you keeping from me, Kosuke?" she demanded.

"Well to be honest, I've been looking into him for a while now. But speaking of Satoshi, I really should go check up on him."

Emiko frowned at her husband's lame attempt to change the subject. "I was just in there," she said.

"And?"

"Sound asleep," she replied. She glanced at the television set where a picture of a smiling man stared back at her. "…in fond memory of Police Chief Hiwatari, who worked hard to protect this city for many…"

Emiko frowned and looked at his picture. Even if she hated that man… it was a sad thing to happen on Christmas Eve. "When he wakes," said Emiko softly, "will you tell him?"

"Or wait until after Christmas, you mean?" Kosuke asked, standing up and stretching slowly. Emiko nodded. "I think… he may already know." Emiko sighed.

"How sad…" she said softly. Both turned to the sound of the door opening and closing. "I'm home!" Daisuke called.

"Welcome back," Emiko called. "Dinner's ready when you are." Kosuke flicked off the television and a moment later Daisuke entered the living room.

"It's getting cold out there," he said, rubbing his hands together. His hair was covered in white flakes, as was his sweater.

"Is that all you wore, Dai-chan?" Emiko scolded, taking in her son's appearance. "You'll catch cold if you're not careful. In this sort of weather…" Kosuke tuned them both out once again and his gaze wandered to the hall for a moment before he followed them into the kitchen to eat, while Emiko's voice drifted up from the basement stairs. "Dad! Towa!"

---

Satoshi opened his eyes and his head swam for a moment. 'Where am I?' His eyes traveled around the room; empty, save for the bed he was in, a bedside table and lamp, a dresser, and a desk. A large window was set above the bed, but it was dark outside. He could see tiny white flakes of snow hitting the glass.

A face crossed his mind and his eyes narrowed sadly. 'Fa…father…' he clenched his eyes shut, preventing the tears from falling. The memory of his father holding the Hikari's axe surfaced in his mind's eye. The axe… one of the Hikari's darkest pieces of art. It had been red with his own blood dripping from the blade. In the end, his father had saved him. But then he had fallen at the foot of the Black Wings, Satoshi's name whispered on his last breath…

His father had wanted him dead; he'd wanted Krad more – Satoshi had known that for such a long time. But still, he had strove to fulfill his father's wishes, hoping that if he did, things would be how they were when he was young – before Krad came.

But in the end, he had repented himself, hadn't he? He had chosen Satoshi. 'He chose me… he chose to save me.' Satoshi felt hot tears sting his eyes. 'Father… I'm sorry. But I can't use your name anymore. Please understand; I am a Hikari.'

---

The door opened slowly, and a familiar face appeared in the light from the hallway. Satoshi regarded his through slightly confused eyes as Kosuke stepped into the room carrying a tray full of food. The warm aroma reached Satoshi, and he realized just how hungry he was.

"Hey there," Kosuke said, walking to the bed and setting the tray on the bedside table next to him. Satoshi's mind was racing. Was he at the Niwa house? How long had he been asleep? "How do you feel?" asked Kosuke. Of all the questions rushing through his mind, that had not been one of them, so it caught Satoshi slightly off guard. He didn't reply.

The smell of the food made the dull ache in Satoshi's stomach more noticeable, and he turned his head to glance at it. Slowly his mind settled down. It felt like it had been days since he'd eaten. It probably had been. But still… accepting help from the Niwa's?

"I brought you some dinner," Kosuke said. He reached out a hand to help him, but Satoshi pulled away and tried to sit up. His entire body ached at the sudden motion, and Kosuke caught him as he fell weakly back to the pillows. So much for his brief attempt to escape.

"Easy now," Kosuke said, releasing his hold on the boy. "You're still pretty weak, so don't over do it, okay?" Satoshi, whose eyes were clenched closed due to the overwhelming pain he felt, once again remained silent. He lay still, waiting for it to fade, and as it did so he opened his eyes to find Kosuke still standing over him.

"Are you alright now?" he asked, and Satoshi sighed.

"Where am I?" he asked, his voice soft and quiet. He decided the silent treatment probably wouldn't help him here. Kosuke smiled warmly, and Satoshi couldn't help but relax. Something about this man was almost… soothing.

"You're at the Niwa home," he replied, confirming Satoshi's suspicions. "And it's Christmas Eve, 9:00pm. You've been asleep since this morning."

"And Daisuke? Where is he?" Satoshi asked."

"He just went upstairs to get ready for bed, I think. He stopped in here after dinner, but didn't want to wake you."

Satoshi nodded his acknowledgement, and then lifted his head a bit so that he could look at the window. "Are you hungry?" Kosuke's voice broke into his thoughts once more. Satoshi turned to look at him, hesitated, and then nodded.

"Good," said Kosuke. "Because you'll need to eat if you want to regain your strength." He reached toward Satoshi and paused when Satoshi tensed. He really didn't like to be touched or helped at all. That much was evident. But he let him help him up into a sitting position, leaning him back against the wall with pillows behind his back to help support him.

"Are you alright?" Kosuke asked once more, as Satoshi cringed from the pain shooting through his body. Every movement, however small, seemed to trigger it. "The medication is probably wearing off by now," Kosuke said, more to himself than anything. "We'll put some more on tonight so that you can sleep."

'Medicine?' Satoshi thought, wondering what sort of things they had given him. But he didn't have much time to dwell on it, because Kosuke had pulled over a small table that came over the bed, and set the tray on it for him.

The food looked as delicious as it smelled, and Satoshi lifted his right arm – the one that wasn't bandaged up passed the elbow – and lifted the chopsticks. Kosuke was about to offer to help him eat, but thought better of it. He already knew what Satoshi's answer would be, and he didn't want to annoy him too much on the first day.

He ate in silence, slowly. He had never realized how much effort it took to chew, and how much energy it took to hold chopsticks. The meal was healthy; rice and soup, with a piece of buttered bread on the side. Satoshi ate some of the rice, and then a bit of soup before he was finally too exhausted to eat anymore.

"Are you finished?" Kosuke asked, when Satoshi put down his spoon and leaned his head back. He just nodded his reply. Kosuke took the tray and moved the table away. "Would you drink some tea if I brought it?" he asked, already on his way to the door. He paused and waited for the reply. Satoshi, realizing he wasn't going to be left alone until he gave one, nodded his head. "Great, Kosuke said, his spirits seeming to brighten a bit. "I'll be right back then."

Satoshi sighed, and closed his eyes to wait, letting himself relax. Although thoughts and questions struggled to surface, he pushed all of them away. Better to deal with the now, now, and the past later. 'When I'm stronger…'

He sat still and concentrated on his body. The most painful areas, when he was still, were his left arm and his shoulders. Actually, his shoulders didn't just hurt, but were throbbing constantly, a dull pain that didn't fade. In fact, he noticed it was hurting more now than it had been a while ago. 'Whatever medicine they gave me, I'd gladly have some now…'

Kosuke returned carrying two steaming mugs, and sat down on the bed, handing one to Satoshi. Then he took a sip and sighed in content. "It's good stuff, this," he said, and Satoshi took a moment to realize that he was referring to the tea. Satoshi carefully lifted the mug, and inhaled deeply.

"What is it?" he asked, not recognizing the odor.

"Catnip tea. It's supposed to be calming and relaxing, but I don't know if it works or not," Kosuke grinned. "I just like the way it tastes." He noticed that Satoshi still hadn't drank any. "Give it a try," he prompted, and Satoshi lifted the mug to his lips once more and took a small, delicate sip.

The steaming liquid slid down his throat, but it was a nice sensation, not a burning one. Kosuke had been right; this was good tea. For a while, they sat and drank their tea in silence.

"Why are you helping me?" Satoshi asked after a while.

"What do you mean?" Kosuke replied.

Satoshi shrugged and took a careful sip of his tea. "Nothing, really. I just thought there might be a reason."

"Isn't caring, reason enough?" Kosuke asked, his eyes soft. Satoshi regarded him for a long moment, but Kosuke didn't break his gaze. Finally the boy sighed in defeat, and leaned back against his pillows.

"Thank you."