Chapter 20
A/N: Greetings everyone! Oh my, 20 chapters!? OoO And there's still some more to come! :D I hope I still have some followers out there! :)
As always, enjoy! And please, don't forget to voice your thoughts about the story, with a review! :)
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"… it seems even worse off than Tsukumo. But I can't identify it. I have never seen anything like it before, and it worries me, because it appears as though, every time our young patient takes a turn for the worse, this one follows suit right after.
And that in turn, seems to make Tsukumo even worse too. It's like a vicious cycle, and I don't know how to stop it. It worries me, very much".
"Now, now Yuri, we'll find a way, trust me. It's not like we're unfamiliar with these things ourselves after all.
I can only assume, from what you have observed, that these two are bound together in some way, and so, if we can stabilize one of them, in this case Tsukumo, the other might also improve. And if it improves, so will Tsukumo.
So really, we just have to keep doing our jobs, to the best of our abilities. And remember, we cannot separate the two of them, for anything in the world.
Obviously, doing so might result in very dire consequences, so keep them together. I'm gonna examine the most recent samples you have provided me with and then I'll come back.
It will be some hours though, so I entrust their well-being to you in the meantime.
Please, attempt to make Yuma stay still. The blood in his urine shows us that he's most certainly not out of the woods yet. We may still lose him, if we aren't careful".
"What should I tell his family?".
"Tell him that he is in the best of hands possible and that we will do everything within our power, to aid both of them".
A sigh. Shuffling of cloth against cloth. Then the sound of footsteps leaving and a door closing.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
He felt nothing beside him, and frightened, he turned his head hazily, wanting only to see one specific thing. With a low moan, he finally did.
"As…tral" he whispered, barely audibly, as he moved a very heavy hand and caressed the side of his lovers' cheek.
The alien was unconscious, but he did not seem to be fading anymore, although he remained very translucent.
Yuma could feel his skin against the palm of his hand, real skin, that could be touched. Which meant that Astral wasn't gone. Not yet.
Opening his mind and reaching for him across their bond again, he felt his heart leap with joy as he, faster than last time, located Astrals end of their connection and his mind and spirit latched on to it, drinking in its steady presence, as though it was something he'd been thirsting for, for weeks.
"You're alive" he whispered.
Astral was alive, and they hadn't been separated.
The coolness of the key, still rested against his chest and it calmed him.
He wasn't alone. He hadn't lost him.
The two halves, were still together.
"Ah, you're awake".
The female voice again, the one he'd heard just before, when he was coming around. Tanima, the nurse. She came into his vies and he groaned quietly, feeling like he wanted to drag Astral so close to himself, that there was no way she'd be able to take him away.
"Don't worry. Your Doctor has accepted that your friend is staying. He's taken it on as a patient too" the nurse said, looking down at him.
"Astral" Yuma moaned, voice hoarse. He felt very thirsty. "His name… is Astral".
"Astral. Very well then, we'll remember that. I'm gonna inform the nurse that tends to you when I'm off duty, about this new arrangement as well. So that she won't separate the two of you either" Tanima responded, smiling softly.
After a bit, she asked "would you like a little water? Maybe some food?".
"Water, please" Yuma replied and Tanima nodded.
"Alright, here you go" she said, holding out a glass of water with a straw in it. "I'm going to tip the bed slightly, to make it easier for you to drink. But you can't move. Understood?".
Yuma nodded.
"Good" the nurse said, then moved to do as she'd said she would.
Once Yuma had half-emptied the glass of water he'd been offered, he sighed quietly and moistened his lips.
"Thank you… for understanding" he said, voice less hoarse than earlier, now that his throat wasn't as parched as before, though it was still only a little higher than a whisper.
Tanima send him a small smile. "Your friend seems better" she said "at least, I think he does. He's not disappearing, like he was when you passed out, which I assume is a good thing, right?" she said.
Yuma nodded and smiled back, ever so faintly.
"Yeah, it is. If he disappears, then that means he di...".
His voice faded at that and he couldn't continue, tears again gathering in his eyes. Why was he crying all the time?! He was 17!
The nurse didn't press the matter further though, understanding that it was painful for him to talk about and not wanting to worsen his condition once more.
"Well then, I guess we'll just need to keep an eye on him as well, won't we?" she said, winking at him to cheer him up, before she moved around the bed to grab something on the side of it.
When Yuma saw what it was, he blushed crimson and felt his heart begin to race, as well as his temperature rising, in his embarrassment.
As the nurse looked at him, he quickly lowered his eyes and as so, he didn't see the gentle smile which played on her lips.
"Don't be embarrassed Yuma" Tanima said softly "I'm a professional, so I'm used to working with these things".
"But, but" Yuma stuttered "it's… that's… Have my friends and family seen that?".
Tanima shook her head.
"Your friends, no. But your family has. They felt sorry for you, more than anything else, but they understood the need for it. As you were unconscious for three days, we had to lay in a catheter, but don't worry.
When your condition improves, we'll be removing it again and then you'll need to get used to going to the bathroom on your own once more.
That may require a bit of training, but I will be helping you with it, so you will be fine before you are send home again" she replied, still smiling softly.
Yumas cheeks were still red, but he too saw the need for it. It was definitely better than the alternatives!
"Doctor Kazuya has requested that you eat proper food as soon as you are up for it again, to help your stomach heal.
However, your exposure to whatever electrical source caused you to end up like this, has done some very serious damage to your organs and your skin too.
It might be a little early for you to start on rice or meat again, but if you'd like some soup, I can get it for you?" Tanima now asked, but Yuma shook his head.
"I'm not hungry…" he mumbled, just as he started swallowing rapidly several times in succession.
When he moved in an attempt to get his head away from the duvet, Tanima quickly held a bowl out to him and a split second later, the sound of liquid hitting metal, echoed in the room.
The nurse held a hand against his forehead, feeling that his skin was clammy and almost burningly hot, as he finished emptying out the next to non-existent content of his stomach into the offered bowl.
When he seemed done, she once more offered him water to clear his mouth with and when he had, she helped him lie properly back in the bed once more.
Now he was shivering, she noticed, and the liquid from his stomach was still grimly colored.
Adjusting the IV drip, she sighed softly, upon noticing that the young man seemed to have fallen asleep. His vitals were steady, and his breathing indicated that for once, he at least wasn't unconscious.
"This recovery will take a very long time indeed it seems" she said softly, before she headed into the hallway, to inform Yumas family of the newest developments in his condition…
For the next many days, Yumas condition changed constantly. One day, it would be improving, the next day deteriorating again.
And never once doing this period of time, were there any certainty that he would pull through.
But then finally, on the 11th day of his stay, Doctor Kazuya could bring Kari and Haru some good news.
"I believe that Yuma is going to make it" he said "if his condition improves further through the day and night, I will be moving him out of the ICU tomorrow.
He will have to remain in the hospital for at least another week though, until we know of any potentially permanent damage".
"Oh, thank goodness" Haru replied, placing a hand over her chest as though in pain.
"Are you okay grandma?" Kari asked, looking at her.
"Yes sweetie, I'm fine. I'm just relieved is all" she replied, and the two women send one another a smile.
Then Kari looked at the doctor again.
"Doctor Kazuya, about the room my little brother is going to be moved in to… Considering that Astral will have to remain with him, and the fact that he is… special" she started, but then Kazuya raised an arm and stopped her.
"A private room will be arranged for him Miss Tsukumo, do not worry. In fact, considering the severity of his condition and the things he will still need to re-train again, he's even getting one with an attached bathroom.
And Tanima will move from the ICU with him and stay as his primary nurse, until we can send him home" he said gently, sending them a small, yet professional, smile.
"How come you are so open to this?" Kari asked suspiciously, but Kazuya just continued to smile.
"Yuma is special. So is Astral. They seem to have friends in pretty high places.
In fact, Dr. Faker personally paid for him to have any and all of the best comforts we could offer him. So you don't have to worry about that either" he replied.
"That's awfully nice of him" Kari said, looking very disapproving.
"Come now Kari" Haru said, looking at her. "Dr. Faker and his sons are very close friends to us all, including Yuma and Astral. I think its sweet of them to want to help us, knowing that Kazuma and Mira can't be reached right now".
Kari sighed. "I guess" she said "so, can we go see him again now Doctor?".
Kazuya nodded. "I'm coming with you. I want to tell Yuma what we have decided upon as well" he replied and with that, he threw out an arm, inviting Kari and Haru to enter Yumas room first…
"Astral, how are you feeling?" Yuma asked, looking at his alien.
Astral was lying beside him, head on his chest, as they watched a bit of TV.
Yuma was supposed to be doing homework, but he was feeling too tired for it right now.
They'd finally been moved out of the ICU and to a private room downstairs.
Tanima was still tending to them, pleased with how Yuma seemed to have improved over the last couple of days.
He was still weak, and most of his numbers definitely weren't back to normal yet, but he was no longer in any immediate, life-threatening danger, which had her smiling.
In the past weeks, she'd taken a liking to the young man and his strange friend, so she was happy that Doctor Kazuya believed he'd make a full recovery in due time.
"Not good, I'm afraid Yuma" Astral replied, clutching at his arm "but at least for now, I am strong enough to remain more solid, than transparent. And that is a good thing, after all".
"Sorry…" Yuma said quietly "if only I could get better faster".
"You are struggling enough, just staying alive my love. I do not blame you. If it wasn't for me, you would not have gotten ill in the first place, after all" the blue alien responded, sighing against his human partner.
Just then, the door to the ward was opened and the nurse, Tanima, entered, pushing a cart with some food on it, in front of her.
She sent them a smile as she saw that they were both awake. "Hello Yuma, Astral. Good to see that both of you are conscious. How are you feeling?" she asked them, as she came in.
"Tired" Astral replied.
"Hey Tanima" was Yumas words, and he continued "my head is killing me, but other than that, I feel better than yesterday".
"Would you like some painkillers for it?" Tanima asked, looking at him with serious eyes.
Yuma nodded. "Yeah, I think I'd like that… But… I'm not sure if I can keep them down" he replied.
Tanima walked over to him, placing a hand on his forehead. "You're still quite feverish. Are you also nauseous?" she asked.
Again, Yuma nodded.
"Hmm…" the nurse said, as she removed her hand again "maybe some food will help? You haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon after all".
"I… didn't have any appetite" Yuma replied, lowering his eyes and swallowing hard as he heard the word 'food' mentioned.
"I know, Tsukumo. But Doctor Kazuya is very strict with getting you to eat proper food again. Your body needs it.
But we'll start small, with some yoghurt and a bit of vegetables.
Unfortunately, I must insist that you keep eating until you can keep it down. It might be quite the hard-fought victory… I hope you are up for it" Tanima said, looking at him with grave eyes.
"Not really" Yuma mumbled, tasting bile, though he forced himself to ignore it.
He had been throwing up so much for the past week, that his throat hurt from it and his stomach felt like a large, empty hole in him
The thought of food alone, made him sick, but at the moment, his stomach was quite empty, so even though it flipped a couple of times, it didn't turn inside out.
"Well, that's just too bad Tsukumo. You're going to have to take up the challenge" Tanima responded, before she looked at Astral.
"What about you Astral? Would you like some food today?" she asked.
The blue being hadn't consumed any food or drink in all the time he'd spend in the hospital, but considering his complexion, Tanima assumed it was because he didn't need to, unlike normal human beings.
She still asked every time she came to give some to Yuma though, out of politeness more than anything.
Astral seemed to hesitate for a moment, before he shook his head.
"Oh, alright then. I hope I can still count on you helping me get your friend to eat something though" Tanima said, sending Astral a small smile.
Then she went about putting some yoghurt into a bowl, finding a spoon and a bigger bowl, and then she moved to sit down on the opposite side of the bed, from where Astral lay, so she wouldn't be bothering him.
"Alright Yuma. This bowl is for if you feel sick. I'm gonna hold it up to you if you need it, so don't worry. Now, let's get started".
With that, she handed Yuma the smaller bowl with the yoghurt in it, having asked him if he'd rather hold it and eat from it without help, which he had said yes to, blushing fiercely.
He'd been fed more than enough through the past weeks and it seemed she wasn't going to let him off the hook this time, no matter what.
He didn't want to eat, but it seemed he had little choice. So, slowly, he took the first spoonful to his mouth…
In the end, Yuma struggled with keeping anything down for the first half an hour.
But then, finally, with a combination of yoghurt and peach, he managed to keep some solid food down for more than a few minutes.
"There we go, well done Tsukumo" Tanima praised him, once he had succeeded.
Astral too, smiled as he sat beside him, and squeezed his arm softly.
"Just like you, never to give up" the alien said tenderly and then he moved to kiss Yumas temple briefly.
"Thanks" Yuma mumbled, looking pale and with beads of cold-sweat, covering his skin.
"You should eat a bit more" the nurse said, cutting up some more peach. Yuma did as he was asked, but when the yoghurt bowl was empty, he said stop.
"I don't think I want any more right now" he said faintly and Tanima nodded.
"That's fine Tsukumo. You had quite a lot" she said gently and placed a hand comfortingly on his shoulder for a moment, sending him a smile, before she rose.
"I'm gonna get this cleaned away, alright?" she said and left with the bowl Yuma had been sick in several times, as well as the one which had contained the yoghurt.
Whilst she was away cleaning them, Yuma looked at Astral, taking his hand.
"Will you be alright Astral? You look really pale, even for you" he asked tenderly, moving the hand so that he could kiss it reverently.
Astral swallowed, moistening his lips, before unconsciously placing a hand over his stomach, before he nodded.
"I'll be fine, as long as you keep getting better" he replied, but then suddenly, a low growl was heard, and Yuma frowned.
"What… was that?" he asked, knowing that it wasn't him that was the cause of it.
Astral looked confused and somewhat startled.
"I… I am not certain" he responded.
Then Yuma spotted the aliens hand, resting on his stomach.
"Wait a minute" he said slowly "Astral… Can it be? Are you… hungry?".
His voice was surprised and more than a little curious.
"No" Astral replied "I can't be… I don't need food to sustain my energy, unlike you. I do not have a digestive system, as you do. So, me being hungry… It cannot logically be the case".
But then another growl was heard, somewhat louder this time, and a slightly pained expression crossed the blue beings face.
"Are you suuuuureeeee?" Yuma said teasingly, smiling widely for the first time in days.
His smile lit up the room like bright light before Astrals eyes and resounded within the alien himself, who couldn't help but smile as well.
That smile. He loved it so much. If he could have only one thing in the whole universe, it would be to see Yuma smile like that, every day.
"Well, I should be" the alien said, as if to himself, looking thoughtful.
"Hey, why don't you try a little food? Maybe a piece of peach, for starters. See what happens?" Yuma said, still smiling.
"Well… I suppose trying just a bite, couldn't harm me?" Astral replied, swayed to attempt it primarily by the radiant smile of his partner.
Yuma grinned, then reached out for the plate of cut peach, offering it to Astral.
Hesitantly, Astral took a small piece and Yuma observed his lovers features as the other took the fruit to his nose, sniffing in its scent first, looking consumed in what he was doing.
Then he put the bite in his mouth, closing his lips around it.
As he started chewing, very slowly, Yuma noticed every minor change in his expression and the way his cheeks moved, as the blue being tasted food with his own body, for the first time ever.
"So… Do you like it?" Yuma asked after a few minutes and Astral nodded.
"I… I do" he replied, sounding surprised at his own realization, even as he reached out for another piece and immediately put it in his mouth.
When he'd taken a few more bites, he looked at Yuma and asked "do you want any more of it?".
Yuma shook his head. "No, I'm good, thanks" he replied and handed the plate to Astral, adding a "why don't you take it all? It might even make you feel better.
Food often helps me recover energy when I'm feeling weakened, but you already know that after all" as Astral took the plate and placed it in his lap, continuously snacking on the sweet and juicy fruit pieces.
Just then, Tanima came back in, and upon seeing Astral eating, she smiled widely at the two of them.
"What's this?" she said, soft laughter in her voice "is our mysterious blue patient actually consuming normal, human food?".
Astral, startled, blushed at her words and attempted to hide the plate of peach beneath the duvet, though without success.
"Relax!" she added, noticing Astrals reaction. "I'm happy to see you eating a bit… Should I prepare food for two from now on?".
Yuma looked at Astral, and shyly, the alien nodded, still blushing, leaving Yuma to reply for him.
"Yes please, miss Tanima" the young man said, smiling, and the nurse nodded.
"Alright, I will then" she answered, as she then went about gathering things back on to the trolley from earlier.
Suddenly, she hesitated, turning her head to look at Astral, who had now emptied the plate of peach and was holding it out for her to take.
"Say Astral" she started "since you seem to have gotten a bit of an appetite now, would you like me to find some yoghurt for you as well?".
Astral looked at Yuma as though he was asking permission, making Yuma laugh softly.
"Don't look at me like that Astral" he said, "it's your decision".
Blinking twice, Astral then returned his eyes to the nurse.
"Yes, please, miss Tanima" he replied and Tanima nodded.
"I'll drop by with it in a little then. I just have to speak with Doctor Kazyua first" she responded and Astral nodded his agreement, as she took the plate and put it on her trolley, with the rest of the things.
"Alright then. You two get a bit of rest now and I'll be back before you know it" she then said, sending them one more smile, before she left the room, trolley in front of her…