I felt drained after this chapter but I wanted to do the best I can. I am deeply honored for receiving so many reviews since I am just an amateur writer who decided to post a story to see if anyone would be remotely interested in it. Positive input from others truly motivate me to do better so I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart.

Chapter 3: A Final Farewell

Hideki coughed several times, he leaned on his arm, against a lamp post as he fought for breath. His legs moved like jelly, taking one cautious step after another. He had never felt so physically exhausted after running only a couple of yards before.

Was I ever this tired? Maybe it's something I ate… or the flu…or something..

He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he pulled his wits together. He only had a couple of blocks to go before his apartment is in sight. Hideki had made several more attempts to jog the rest of the way, but his lungs were just not able to take in enough oxygen and he stopped, gasping from fatigue.

Maybe if I rest for a couple of minutes, I can make the rest of the way.

His heart lurched with pain and he pressed his hand on his chest in an effort to endure it. Hideki's back leaned against the solid wall; his breathing grew even more ragged and labored. He closed his eyes from weariness and he mentally fought to clear his clouded mind. All of a sudden, his knees gave away and his body slid down the rough texture before he landed with a thump on the hard, concrete ground. His heartbeat speeded up rapidly, the chest pains grew tighter and more intense. It was as if pistons were constantly pounding on his upper body. He clutched his knees in a futile attempt to help ease the crushing feeling beneath his ribs.

"Wh-what's going on? It hurts so-UGH!" Hideki's body toppled over, convulsing from the seemingly never ending torture. The pain was just too much to bear. He half-wished that he would die, just for it to end.

I can't take it anymore. I…It looks like I might not be able to get there right now. Please wait a little longer.

The pain became so excruciating that he couldn't even think. He was slowly losing his hold on his consciousness as his body fell limp, sprawled on the sidewalk. Before Hideki's mind finally blacked out, his last thought was of Chii, and feelings of regret filled his heart for his inability to return home.

Chii was looking out the window from their apartment. It became her favorite pastime between the time after work and before Hideki's arrival. The gentle wind tickled her face and rushed through her ivory-colored hair, enticing her sense of touch. She giggled slightly from the sensation, her amber eyes twinkled in happiness and she smiled from simple pleasure. The sky was a deep, rich, blue and the clouds were so light and flat that a person could bounce on them without fear of falling off. Trees peppered across the streets, each one stood strong and tall, yet had an aura of tranquility that only nature could provide.

She looked back to the clock, she only checked between fifteen minute intervals, anticipating her beloved's return. Today was going to be extra special for she baked her very first cake at Chiroru's and wanted to see if Hideki would like it. Of course, Ueda said he would like anything that Chii made, but she was hoping to see his reaction when he takes a bite out of it. She looked down at the box in her hands. The contents held a slice of the fluffy, vanilla cream cake with a fresh, half-sliced strawberry on top. The sweet aroma permeated the room, causing anyone within a few feet away to drool on the spot.

Yet as minutes turned into hours, Chii was beginning to feel signs of worry and uncertainty. Sometimes Hideki would come back after thirty minutes to an hour late from working overtime, but three hours? Well, maybe she could wait just a little longer. He probably needed to do some other errands after serving at the bar. Chii looked down and bit her lip nervously. She couldn't help shake this nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach that something was wrong. Without thinking clearly on what she wanted to do, her hands swept up the small, pink, carton and went out the door.

She moved in a quick fashion, not paying close attention to the surrounding doors in the hallway, only focused on what's in front of her. Her bare feet made a low tapping sound as they made contact with each wooden step down the stairs. She could not explain it. Some feeling inside was tugging her body in predetermined directions even though she did not have a clue where Hideki could possibly be. Sure it was likely that he may be walking back home from Club Pleasure, but he could be miles away. Yet, this sickening feeling was pulling her through the alleyway like she was on a leash.

As Chii ventured deeper in the labyrinth-like alley, her footsteps quickened and the horrid sensation in her stomach grew worse.

Right.

Left.

Right.

Straight.

Left.

Each turn seemed to bear no meaning to her. It was as if each brick corridor was leading her around in circles. She began to feel weary of wandering aimlessly, and was about to turn around, but then her body froze.

A shadowed unmoving figure lied on the cracked concrete base.

"H-Hideki? Is that you?" She stammered, not entirely sure if it was really him.

However, all doubt had vanished when she saw his familiar, unruly, brown hair and the pained face under it.

"Hideki!" Her hands dropped the box, momentarily forgotten, and ran swiftly next to him.

"Hideki! Hideki! Why are you lying on the floor? What is wrong?" Chii asked.

No answer.

"Hideki, are you hurt? Why is Hideki not answering Chii?" She asked again.

No answer.

Her mind raced, trying to find out what was causing Hideki's peculiar behavior. Logically, she reached to two conclusions. He could be asleep, despite the fact that a hard sidewalk is not the most comfortable place to lie on. She shook his body slightly, but there was still no reaction from him.

Then, the other reason why he would not be moving is…she closed her eyes tightly, not wanting to face the possible fate that might had befallen on him. No, it couldn't be. Not here, not now. Her hands trembled as she wrapped her arms around him, pulling his body close to hers. There was still much more to live for. Their lives together shouldn't end like this.

"Hideki! Hideki! Please wake up! Hideki! Wake up! Please!" Chii cried, now with desperation.

Still, no answer.

"Don't leave Chii all alone! Chii wants to be with Hideki forever! Don't leave Chii! Please Hideki!" She looked as if she was about to cry, the feeling of hopelessness enclosed around her, forcing her to feel the cold depths of fear.

She buried her head in his chest; a flood of emotions swirled inside of her, sorrow and anguish radiated from her quivering body.

"Please…"

The box was half open; her spoiled cake and ruined strawberry lay splattered on the grime-covered floor.

The mixture of pink and gold hues in the sky created a warm atmosphere. The sunlight dimly lit the room, particularly directed toward the petite persocom.

Her amber eyes slowly opened, she blinked several times and briefly looked around her. The first thing she noticed was that the bed was completely empty. This bit of knowledge hit her like a ton of bricks. She stared at the pillow, not truly believing that Hideki did not stay with her throughout the night. Her hand rubbed on the soft mattress, acknowledging that the warmth of Hideki's body was still there.

Where is he?

Panic rushed through her body and she immediately stood up, spinning her head around as if he was still around. Was he gone?

Frightened at the thought of being isolated, she sped out the door, and ran through the hallway. It was like last time. Her memory flashed back to when she ran to search for him in the alley. But this time, she's in completely unfamiliar territory. Her eyes darted from one room to another, each one identical to the next. The pain in her chest sharpened after each turn until it almost became unbearable for her to keep it in.

Chii made a small whimper out of pure despair, he was nowhere to be found and she did not know where he is. Her hope dwindled from the endless crossways. She was about to collapse in utter helplessness when she glanced at a faraway corner.

A table with two feet hanging on the side rolled just out of her sight.

With a renewed spurt of energy, she hastened to the curve where she had last seen them. Her neck twisted in the direction they had left and her eyes grew wide in horror.

He was there. Two faceless men were pulling him into an elevator, ready to send him to an unknown place where she may never see him again.

Were they taking him away from her?

Would this be the last time they will ever be together?

Would she ever be able to touch his face, bask in his warmth, and listen to his whispers of comfort?

Is this…goodbye?

"NO!" Chii screamed, running as fast as her legs could carry her. Her feet almost flew as she ran, as if she had just found a lost part of herself.

"What?" One of the doctors looked up. He stared, perplexed at the persocom behind them, gradually gaining speed.

Chii ran like she never had in her life. Her joints screamed in protest, begging for her to stop, but nothing mattered anymore. The thought of never seeing his heartwarming smile, never touching his warm skin, never hearing his soothing voice was too unbearable for her to imagine. She could not lose him. Not now. After all that they had been through, this could not be their final farewell.

Her arm reached out for his limp one, hanging loosely off the table. Her outstretched fingers slowly inched closer. It was as if time had slowed down. Her fingers starved for his touch, to feel his warm skin in contact with hers. She was in a trance, the world stopped spinning, now focused only on his pale arm. Chii moved even closer to him, only one more second was needed to feel his loving hand holding hers.

All of a sudden, time sped up again. She felt another arm grip around her waist and pulled her away from her one moment of salvation. Chii gasped in shock, her eyes widened as she saw her fingernails lightly scratch his open palm.

"Excuse me miss, but running is prohibited in this hospital. You will have to leave." An icy voice reached her ears. The doctor looked at her in a calculating stare.

Chii panicked and tried to break free, but his grip was strong. She pushed with all her might but she refused to budge even one inch closer.

"No! Hideki! Hideki, don't leave me!" She cried in anguish. The grip on her grew tighter and began to slowly pull her away. Never had she felt so helpless, the cold grip of fear enveloped her frame and she shuddered violently.

"Hideki! Please don't go!"

"Excuse me, can you please get her out of here?" the doctor called a well-builtnurse from the office just across the hallway.

"Come on missy, let's get you out of here," said the burly man. He grabbed her wrists hard and tugged her even further.

"NO! Chii must get to Hideki! Chii needs Hideki!" She cried.

But no pleas would persuade the man. Her words were completely useless to express the overwhelming emotions she was suffering from. Chii stretched herself as far as she can but it was hopeless. Hideki was moving further away and she could see the tall, steel doors closing.

"HIDEKI! CHII DOESN'T WANT TO SAY GOODBYE! CHII WANTS TO BE WITH YOU FOREVER!"

Her voice was completely broken. Every yank on her wrists felt as if a part of her was painfully ripped out from her body, slowly leaving her weak and feeble with stinging wounds. Her spirit was completely shattered into a million glass shards. She was like a puppy kicked in the face multiple times and thrown out the door into the pouring rain to shake in pain and grief.

All she yearned for was to hug him one more time. She dearly longed to lay her head on his chest, to hear his steady heartbeat under her ear. All she wished for was to tell him 'I love you' and to hear him say it back. What she only wanted was her 'someone just for me.' Her pitiful form collapsed to the ground, she lost all hope; she arched her back and gave out one last moan of heartache as the elevator doors closed to a complete stop.

I really don't know what to say now. This story has taken a life of its own and I'm not exactly sure how it will end. I guess both you and I will have to see. Please tell me what you think.