A/N: Sorry, I meant to update this sooner. This has been a difficult month for me. I just lost one of my sisters (April) and we were very close. She encouraged me when no one else did, I miss her so much. I talked to her often and I truly miss that. My heart is still very much shattered. I'm going to do my best to push forward. I got my love of writing from her. I never would have attempted to make stories much less share them with all of you if it wasn't for her encouragement and love.

I appreciate your patience and I will work on finishing this as well as my other stories as soon as I can.

Thank you

Sugu gently wiped the beads of sweat from Kazuto's face as he slept . The steady beeping of the machines that surrounded him provided the only sound in the room. She laid the damp cloth on her brother's head and fixed the blanket around him.

She lowered herself into the chair at his bedside.

"I'm worried about you. I know you'd tell me not to be and I'm trying. I remember last time you were here, it was the worst two years of my life. I was so afraid we were going to get a call saying you were never going to wake up . You looked so fragile, so weak, just like you do right now. You've always been the strongest person I know, Brother, so you can imagine what it felt like. I know this is different, but sometimes-" she paused, taking in a breath. "I wish I had said something sooner. Mom blames herself, but she wasn't the one who let it happen. I could've told her you weren't feeling good when you went right to bed after school the other day, or when you wouldn't eat. You told me it was just the flu. I guess at the time I had no reason to doubt it. I don't know if you really thought that or you were trying to protect me. You've always been good at that. You've been doing that all my life and when you really needed me-"

"You were just a phone call away." Kazuto said, his voice was a strained whisper. "C-could've been a lot worse." Sugu could hear the pain in his voice.

"How are you feeling?" The younger teen asked. She reached for the device for the pain medication.

"Not great. It really-" she placed the device in his hand.

"I know. This will make it feel better. The doctor said you're going to have a lot of pain for a while. You push this when you need to, brother." Kazuto pressed the button, he attempted to shift himself into a more comfortable position. Instantly, pain shot through his abdomen.

Kazuto let out a sharp gasp, his hand instinctively moved toward the source of the pain. Sugu gently took hold of his hand.

"I really need you to be still. You can't move around a lot, you'll hurt yourself. Remember, you just had surgery and you can tear the-"

"yeah, I know, the damn-"

" Shh, it'll be okay. You just need to let the medicine work, mom and Asuna should be back soon and Sinon wants to visit when you're feeling better. everyone really misses you and they've been worried. Asuna's been keeping them updated. Oh and Agil asked about you. we all want you to get better and we can get back to the way things should be. You still have to help me with my quest,remember? "

"N-no,sorry.I'm in too much pain to think about much of anything." Kazuto was beginning to drift,the medicine was already taking effect. The boy relaxed, finding it difficult to keep his eyes open.

"I guess I can't really expect you to, you've been very sick. We'll talk about it when you're better." Suguha placed Kazuto's hand on the bed at his side. She knew he needed rest, but hated that he slept so deeply.

"As soon as I get home, we'll work on it." He promised, allowing himself to sleep once more.

"You get better first, you're more important. We can do quests any time. It'll be great to have you home again. You'll be able to rest without people coming in to do tests and it'll be a lot less frustrating for you. We'd feel better too, you should've seen mom when she was leaving, she worried. It was like that before too. Asuna was awake most of the night, we talked about a lot of things. She really loves you a lot, Brother. If you could've heard the way she spoke about you, I know it's no big secret or anything,but...it's good to know." She sat back in her chair.

"It would be great if I could just get you a healing crystal or something. I feel like there's something more I should be doing to help you. Asuna said that's normal, but I don't know..."Sugu turned her attention to the homework in front of her. She had found it difficult to concentrate that morning at school and by the afternoon, she found herself back at her brother's bedside.

"How's the homework coming?" Midori asked, appearing in the doorway, Asuna followed close behind. Both women carried two plastic bags.

"It's okay." Sugu replied, still staring down at the page. Asuna set her items on the chair, making her way over to Kazuto. She reached out, stroking the boy's hair softly,kissing his head.

At her touch, Kazuto opened his eyes, meeting her gaze.

"Hey," She said gently. "I missed you. You feeling any better?" It was clear that the teen was fighting to stay awake.

"Don't know." He managed weakly.

"Sleep for a bit, it'll help." Asuna sat down on the edge of the bed. "I love you."

"love you too." he replied, drifting back into sleep.

"I can't wait until you're off these meds, it'll be nice to be able to communicate. I miss you." Midori opened the bags, removing several plastic containers and offering them to the girls.

'Take a little break and have something to eat, Suguha." She instructed. "I know you're concerned, but you have to keep your strength up or you can't expect to help him much.

"I know, but-"

"He'll be fine, he wants you to be too." Asuna added. Sugu couldn't deny that fact,she knew what her brother would say if he were more aware of what was happening. She nodded, closing her book and opening the container. A soft knock on the door caused them to pause.

A young dark haired girl stood in the doorway, an envelope in her hand.

"Sorry, I can come back if-" Asuna smiled.

"Hey Sinon, Kazuto is sleeping right now, but if you want, you can come in and talk for a bit, maybe he'll wake up again while you're here." Receiving a nod of approval from Sugu and Midori, Sinon entered the room and made herself comfortable on the chair, deciding not to stay long and interrupt them anymore than she already had.