AN: Hi everyone! Here's chappie 11! I hope you all enjoy this one!
Disclaimer: I own this whole story and created everything and every idea in it. So please no copying. Thank you.
"Why don't you start, Kyo." Smirked Jess.
"Fine. I'm single." Started Kyo.
"Who wouldn't notice." Replied Jess.
"Well, what about you rich boy?" asked Kiyoshi.
"I'm not single anymore." Grinned Jess.
"Lucky you. So you got right back up after Yori dumped you huh." Replied Kiyoshi.
"Whatever. I bet you're still waiting for Yori. Do you really love her that much?" asked Jess.
"…Yes, I love her that much. I love her so much that I'd die for her. Don't you?" Replied Kiyoshi.
"… Yes I did love her that much…Die for her? I used to think that too. But you hardly even know her. You've only been with her for a few months and already you've suddenly decided gee, I think I'll hit on my cousin and make her my girlfriend because she's such a hottie. I bet that in the beginning you only loved her because of her looks. But I do say I can't blame you. She is pretty cute. Still, I've known her since she was a baby. Our families were close and well, that's how I came to love Yori. One day she smiled at me and said Jess! You know what I love most about you? I replied asking what and she told me that what she loved most about me as that I was always there for her. When I found out that I was moving to Japan my heart almost shattered. I raced over to her house and at that moment in her backyard, I kissed her and confessed my love to her. Then the next morning I left her. No matter what her answer was to my confession, I made a promise to myself that I'd see her again. But before I knew it… I… I-I guess I changed from that shy, kind, caring, loving, little boy she used to love into a rich, snobby, smart ass, guy who just wants to do her in. I…I'm ashamed of myself to be this way. It's because I'm this way that when I finally am able to see her again she doesn't' love me anymore. I… I-I don't know what to do… I can't change myself… no, not again." Said Jess.
"…Well rich boy I guess I owe you a long story too huh? Let's see… My father died when I was in 8th grade… and it was because of me. When I was little I had a horrible attitude. The me that people saw wasn't the real me… it was a mask hiding my true nature. Deep down I was arrogant, snobby, and all I wanted was attention. Teachers thought I was a genius because I was so smart. They even let me skip grades. But during 8th grade I decided to stop and show everyone who I really was. I was popular, but the popularity soon disappeared right after the day at school when I punched a guy in the nose for mocking me. You should've seen the teacher's faces, all wide-eyed and couldn't believe it. Heck, even my mom didn't know my fake mask. When she found out my true nature she cried for endless days. Then the day happened. I was walking home from school when one of the guys from my class points a gun at my face shouting and spitting at me. Telling me how I've treated everyone and how I could just change like that. He called me evil and pointed the gun at my neck. I only sighed and stood still, ready for him to shoot when suddenly my father pushed the guy and the bullet shot through my father's chest, through his heart. Ever since that day I realized why my father jumped in front of a bullet for me, it was because he wanted me to change. He wanted to give me a second chance to start over and only after that certain day happened, I've also realized that my true self did this. I didn't want to wear the fake mask ever again… but then I didn't want my true nature to overcome me, so I decided to change. It was hard but ever since Yori arrived I've changed a lot faster. My true nature is disappearing; it's hardly there, and it's all thanks to my father and Yori." Finished Kiyoshi.
"Wow Kiyoshi you sure have a long story there. I guess I'll have to make for half of that…
"Umm excuse me, you two can go in and see Yori now. In fact, the doctor would like to speak with both of you." Said the nurse quietly.
"Yori!" Both of them thought as they slowly walked towards her room. Each took a big gulp before stepping into the small room.
"Ah! You must be Kiyoshi and you, Jess…" started the doctor.
"Yes, can you please tell us how Yori is doing? Will she… live?" asked Kiyoshi.
"Mr. Kura… You have no need of worry… but she does have a serious fever. If it can't be helped soon, she… may die." Replied the doctor.
"How the hell did this happen? I-Is there anything you doctors can do right now?" asked Kiyoshi.
"Well there is one operation… but she's not exactly in the best condition… I'd say that she will probably live for only a year or two even with the operation… What grade is she in?" asked the doctor.
"9th sir." Replied Jess.
"I see… from the looks of it… this is all very serious… she may only make it to the end of 10th grade." Replied the doctor solemnly.
"10th grade only…" mumbled Kiyoshi.
"Can't she live longer? Isn't there anything you can do?" asked Jess as he looked at the worried Kiyoshi.
"I'm afraid not… I'm sorry. I also want to inform you… that from now on she might not act exactly how she used to act…" started the doctor.
"What do you mean?" asked Kiyoshi.
"…Once in a while she may have panic attacks, sudden faults in her system and faint, emotional outbreaks, or right when she wakes up she may even forget the past. I trust that you two will be here for her." Replied the doctor. "As her "time" draws closer the attacks are worse…she needs someone to support her, someone who can withstand rejection, denial, and arguments."
"Yes… of course. But…I'll be graduating next year and so… I won't be able to keep an eye on her, and we're already more than half way into the school year…" said Jess quietly as he took a quick glance at Kiyoshi.
"…I-I'll be with her. After all… we're in the same grade and she is my cousin. I… I will stick with her until she…until she dies." Gulped Kiyoshi. Jess's eyes widened and so did the doctor's. The doctor chuckled.
"I sense strong love between you and this young woman. I know that you'll take excellent care of her…I sure hope that she never forgets you and hopefully her attack won't be the "forget the past" symptom. As for you…" said the doctor as he turned towards Jess. "Even though your time of graduation is drawing near… you should always be with her too. For I also sense some strong love and a strong connection between you and that young woman too…"
"…" Kiyoshi looked down.
"I… I…-" started Jess.
"I understand, a young boy as such as yourself probably already has a girl of your own to look after…I'm sorry I said anything." Said the doctor.
"…"
"So, what will it be? Will you take chances and take the operation? Or will you let her die in peace?" asked the doctor.
"…"
"W-w-we will have her go through the operation. What will be the cost?" asked Kiyoshi.
"What ever it is, I'll pay it off. It's the least I can do for Yori before we walk our separate paths…" exclaimed Jess.
"Well, this is a complicated and long operation. Costing at least 15000 yen." Said the doctor.
"That's fine with me" Said Jess as he pulled out his wallet.
"You'll have to wait until after the operation." Said the doctor. "And don't worry, we'll take excellent care of Yori. She'll be fine. The operation will take a day so come back tomorrow afternoon, after school."
"Thank you." Bowed Kiyoshi.
"Yes, thank you so much doctor." Bowed Jess.
"I'm just glad that this young lady here has two special people awaiting her recovery." Smiled the doctor as Jess and Kiyoshi walked out of the room.
-In the Hospital Lobby-
"So… thanks, I guess. For paying the fee and saving Yori's life." Mumbled Kiyoshi.
" Oh Kiyo you thank too much. There's no possible way you'd be able to repay me for this so it's on the house. Just think of it as a peace treaty between us. I've given up Yori to you and now we're just friends. Take good care of her, but don't mention that I was the one who saved her life because it was you. You were the one who called and begged me to come. If you hadn't called she might've been dead by now. Just don't mention me at all. I'd rather it be as it is. I don't want her to feel in dept and want to pay me back." Winked Jess. "Well, see-you later Kiyo!"
"Huh? Hey! Wait a minute! Hey-… thanks Jess." Sighed Kiyoshi as he headed home.
-At Home-
"Kiyoshi dear! I'm so glad you're home! What happened to Yori-chan? –Hiccup- " asked Aunt Kura.
"Just go back to sleep. You're drunk aren't you? God mom you make me sick, just look at you!" yelled Kiyoshi irritated that his mom was drinking once again.
"Oh Kiyoshi dear… -hiccup- am I… that horrible of a mom?" asked Aunt Kura without thinking.
"Huh? What's this? Why is she asking me something like that? Uh… of course you're not mom? What gave you any idea that you are?" asked Kiyoshi.
"… I am a bad mom… -hiccup- I'm sorry Kiyoshi… I've been a bad parent ever since your father died… I'm so sorry Kiyoshi dear! –Hiccup-" cried Aunt Kura drunk.
"…Mom…" started Kiyoshi.
"Don't deny it Kiyoshi! I-I am the worst mom possible! That's why…" said Aunt Kura as she pulled out a kitchen knife.
"Hey! M-Mom… p-put the knife d-down… how many bottles of sake did you drink? 10? Put-the-knife-down! Put it down damn it!" yelled Kiyoshi as his heart beat wildly. "Damn it! This is not my day…I need to get that knife away from her…"
"That's why… you deserve better Kiyoshi dear!" screamed Aunt Kura as she swung the knife but just as it was about to strike her chest Kiyoshi jumped in front of it and fell to the floor. Blood, dark red blood was spilling everywhere.
"Fuck this…argh…" moaned Kiyoshi as he tried to bear the pain of the knife in his arm. "I'm fortunate that it didn't strike my heart…ugh…Must get mom to get a grip on herself!"
"K-K-K-K-Kiyoshi dear! W-What did I do? Oh no, no, no! This was not suppose to turn out this way! K-Kiyoshi dear! I-I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" cried Aunt Kura as she knelt beside Kiyoshi and pulled the knife out. "You weren't suppose to get hurt at all! No, no, no, no, no!"
"Mom… ouch…damn… mom, w-wash the kitchen knife good and put it away, now! After that can you goddamn help me with this large gash? It's burning the hell out of me…" ordered Kiyoshi as he clenched his teeth together.
"Right, I-I'm so sorry Kiyo-
"Just hurry up and promise me you'll never do that again…" mumbled Kiyoshi trying to bear the pain.
"I-I'm sorry…" sniffed Aunt Kura. "B-By the way…H-How was Yori?" asked Aunt Kura as she began wrapping bandages around Kiyoshi's wound.
"She's…not in the best condition. She's having an operation done right now… but even after that the doctor said she may have a few symptoms or side effects. She won't be able to remember the past, she'll have sudden emotional outbreaks, faint, and a whole lot more. But… we're taking a chance. We want her to live!" said Kiyoshi.
"…That's… terrible Kiyoshi… and you want her live? What if… the pain is so unbearable… these attacks that she might get or if she'll ever try to remember the past she won't be able to? Did you ever think… that having her live would be too painful for her? Didn't you ever think that she might suffer because she's living? Is this… only what you want?" exclaimed Aunt Kura.
"…I-I never thought about it that way… but it's too late now. She's already being operated on." Said Kiyoshi quietly. "B-But I vowed that I would take care of Yori, no matter what. I'll watch over her and be in charge of her. I am willing to take the risks and responsibility."
"…What about Tanna?" asked Aunt Kura. Kiyoshi winced.
"How the hell does everyone already know about us? Aww gee…Tanna! Why does everyone know about this?" shouted Kiyoshi. Aunt Kura giggled.
"She told everyone silly! She's such an energetic and kind, sweet girl. But of course never as sweet as Yori." Chuckled Aunt Kura. "I-I feel so happy to have my son date such a lovely young lady!"
"Cut it out mom! …Mom!" shouted Kiyoshi. "Ouch! Be careful with my wound! It's not a play toy! Ouch! Mom!"
AN: Well that was chappie 11! I hope that you all enjoyed it and please remember to please review! Thank you so much for reading "Tear's of Led"!