WORSHIP

Akito opened his eyes to the stars gazing in the window at him. He was so hot, and his throat burned. He suddenly realized something was grasping his hand. He turned his head to look at what it was. It was another hand, small and delicate. It was attached to an arm that was attached to Tohru's sleeping figure. Her head was resting on the bed while the rest of her was sitting on the floor.

She had stayed with him.

"Ms. Honda?" He scratched out.

Slowly, her eyes opened. "Akito?"

'Oh no!' Akito felt like he was going to cry. 'I'm going to die, and never be able to wake her up like that again. Never again am I going to be able to watch her sleep while grasping her hand.'

"What's wrong?" Tohru asked, feeling his hand tighten on hers, as if trying to keep her there with him. She reached for the cloth in a bowl of cool water. Ringing it out, she used her other hand to place it on his forehead. His eyes never left hers.

He tried to speak, but she hushed him instantly. "Rest. I'm not going anywhere." She could see the fear in his eyes. She was afraid to, but she didn't let him know that. Tohru looked at the clock. It was only 12:45 in the morning.

Akito eventually fell back to sleep, and Tohru went to the spare bedroom and curled up on the bed. "What was he so afraid of?" Soon she, to, fell asleep.

---- Later that morning ----

"Morning," Tohru greeted the sickly Akito with warm leek soup, and herbal tea. He opened his eyes, and painfully began to sit up. Tohru set the tray over his lap, so he could eat. "I'll be back later to get you dishes." She turned to leave.

"I thought you said you weren't going anywhere." Akito's voice sounded much better, but Tohru could hear the pain of sorrow in it. She turned to look at him, and was met with such sad eyes. They were trying to hide, but Akito was just to drained to be successful.

"I'm just downstairs… How about after breakfast I help you down to the back porch for some fresh air? The birds are so beautiful, I think it'll do you some good." She smiled, hoping to make him feel better.

His eyes seemed to light up a bit. "Yes… I would like that very much." He began to eat, and Tohru went off to do her chores.

---- That afternoon ----

"Careful," Tohru said, trying to help Akito down the narrow stair well. They were so close that his hand kept brushing against her side, causing her to blush. Finally they reached the bottom of the stairs, and made their way to the back porch.

Tohru had set up a small chair with a blanket for him to sit in. Next to it was a glass of ice water, and some bird feed. She was told that Akito loved to feed the birds from his hand.

They sat there in silence for almost an hour, Akito sitting in his chair, and Tohru sitting next to him on the floor, just watching the scenery.

"You know…" Tohru started.

"Huh?" Akito asked.

"If I could take your place… I would. I don't like seeing you suffer like this." Tohru stared off at the garden.

Akito's eyes went wide and he nearly gave himself whiplash just turning to look at her. He began to laugh, "you really meant what you said, didn't you?"

She looked at him, "what do you mean?"

"You said you would miss me when I'm gone. You said you would be sad. You really meant it, huh?"

"Yes…"