Chapter 7:

Tatsuha called Hughes first. He almost threw the phone across the room when the man didn't pick up on the first few rings. After what seemed to him like hours Hughes' voice came through. "Hello?"

"Hughes….do you know where Taki is? He's gone; taken a few clothes and all…he didn't tell me where he was going! I mean I was with Ryuichi and…" Tatsuha babbled.

Hughes cleared his throat. "Well Tatsuha-kun, first you need to calm down. Second he told me he wouldn't be coming in tomorrow. Didn't give me any reasons, but I think he'll be back soon. Trying calling Ma or Ken."

Tatsuha sighed. "All right…I'm just worried." He then tried Ma and Ken, but then they didn't know either. Tatsuha tried to stop the worry clawing at his gut….something wasn't right. Taki would tell him, if he was in trouble right? He tried calling Taki's parents home, but no one picked up the phone there either.

Grimacing Tatsuha picked up his books and made his way to college, there was no point in bunking off, though he didn't dare switch his phone off.

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Taki held his mother close, as she cried. The doctors had said that attack had been severe, but they were trying their best. That had given him a feeling of foreboding. Just give me one chance to say I'm sorry…please god, I'll do anything to say I'm sorry! He was chanting that over and over in head. A part of him longing for Tatsuha to be there, helping him through this, but he shook his head slightly. He couldn't depend on Tatsuha…he had Ryuichi now.

They were waiting for the latest report now. Every time a doctor went by Taki tensed, just wishing it was so painful to wait. He'd been in here for two days now…and all hey were doing was just watching Rei. He looked at his mother and decided that he'd better get her something to eat. She needed to get home.

"Mom…you need to go home and get some sleep. I'll try calling Taro ok? And I'll come back here." Taki said as he helped her stand up.

"But, I have to be there...who'll take care of him if he wakes up? And what if he does when both of us aren't here?" Ochiba shook her head.

"Mom, you'll wear yourself out! You aren't as young as you used to be. I'll be here ok? I'm just going to get you home and come back. If you don't listen to me, I'll make the doctors force you!" Taki said firmly leading her out.

The drive home was fast; he called Taro who thankfully picked up. They agreed to come here, where Moegi and Kumiko would take care of mom and Taro and Taki could care for dad. Taki whipped up something quick for Ochiba; made sure she got into bed and left for the hospital again.

He turned on his phone and saw about thirty messages from Tatsuha and about fifteen missed calls. Taki sighed, he knew he would have to call Tatsuha, but as much as he needed him, now wasn't the time to do so. He looked up as the doctors hurried towards him.

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Tatsuha was going nuts trying to find Taki. It was the fourth day now and he still couldn't locate him. He glanced at the phone and dialed Taki's home number, willing someone to pick up. After a few rings someone did.

"Hello?"

"Hello? Ochiba-san? Moegi-san? This is Taki's roommate Tatsuha…is he there?"

"Tatsuha-kun! Yes, but he's at the hospital right now…."

"Hospital?" Tatsuha was acutely aware of the sinking feeling in his gut. "Why the hospital is everyone ok?"

"Taki didn't tell you? Rei had a heart attack…on Monday….I have no idea why he didn't tell you, but maybe you should come see him Tatsuha…he's been tense and tired and I'm afraid he'll drop if the doctors don't confirm Rei's status soon." Moegi sounded worried.

"I'll be there as soon as possible, Moegi-san…don't worry." Tatsuha put the phone down and buried his hands in his head. Hen he stood up and picked up his bike keys. Looking up at the sky he wondered when it would rain and whether he could make it before it did.

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Taki sat beside his father. Taro had gone to get some sleep in an empty room at the far end of the corridor. Taki just stared at his dad. They said a relapse could occur…Taki didn't understand all the details, but Rei wasn't out of danger yet. It had been four days…Taki couldn't sleep, not until they said Rei was going to be fine.

Suddenly he felt someone touch his hand. He looked up and saw Rei was awake. The older man smiled at him. "Taki…"

"Dad?" Taki clutched the wrinkled hand. "Dad, I'm so glad you're awake." Taki wondered if this was the time for it, but decided to just say it. "Dad…I'm sorry, about everything. I was a fool…you're always my father. I love you…"

Rei smiled wider. "I never thought otherwise….I was just being stubborn, Tachi…I'm so proud of you….I love you too." Taki smiled back and then Rei closed his eyes.

Taki frowned. "Dad? DAD!" he let go and stood up…"DOCTOR!" the doctors and nurses rushed in, ushering him out. Taro had run up to see what the commotion was about. He saw his younger brother staring at the door, as the doctors and nurses moved in and out.

After half an hour or so…the doctor came out. He looked at them gravely…"I'm sorry………"

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Tatsuha had ridden like wild fire and turned up at the Aizawa doorstep. Moegi had told him the way to the hospital. He refused any tea and just rode all the way to the hospital. After stopping at the reception, he ran all the way to where Taki would be. When he reached here, he saw Taki leaning against the wall, staring at a door which opened. A doctor stepped out looking at him gravely.

"I'm sorry……….."

Tatsuha's heart stopped. For a moment he just watched as Taki stared and then, he saw the dark haired man stand up and stumble forward a bit, murmuring something. Tatsuha ran forward to catch him just as he fell, the whispers becoming clearer as Taki's head rested on his shoulder. No. and then Taki crumpled.

Tatsuha straightened and picked him up, taking him to the empty room, leaving Taro to tell the rest of the family. Seeing Taki lying on that pristine bed, looking like a ghost, told Tatsuha something. He was in love with the lead singer of ASK. It wasn't just puppy worship, like he had for Sakuma-san…but love for a real person, a real human being.

Tatsuha bent down and grasped one of his hands. "I won't let you go, Taki…I'll stand by you through his ok?" he dropped a kiss on the singer's wrist, before taking a seat and waiting for him to wake up.

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A/N: yeah sorry about the long wait guys….like I said college and loads of work. I haven't given up on any of my stories!

Taka