Please don't hate me for doing this to Chihiro!

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Haku transformed to his normal state as soon as he landed in human territory. He sometimes explored this world many times after his visits to see Chihiro so he knew pretty much where everything was.

He ran to the hospital, not caring that he was too out of breath to even talk but still succeeded in asking of his lover's whereabouts. Haku found Lin in the waiting room but did not bother to speak to her. She only noticed him because people were saying there was a lunatic running around. She tried to follow but got herself lost within the first five seconds.

Haku got many complaints from patients, doctors and nurses as he pushed past them in the hallway but he took no notice. All he wanted was to see Chihiro. He approached her room and peered through the door's window, gasping in shock…

Chihiro had been hooked up with wires on her face, chest and arms. Her breathing was delicate as if she could shatter as soon she inhaled too deeply. Her entire face was pale, apart from two dark circles silhouetting her eyes. She looked like she was sleeping but he would wait for the stars to come crashing down before he left.

Haku entered quietly, trying not to disturb Chihiro. He sat beside her bed and watched her sleep. In fact, he was so quiet he could actually hear her feeble heart beating slowly. Haku counted every single one, checking and double checking that everything was in working order.

He sighed. "rest well, my love…" he planted a soft kiss on her forehead, feeling her temperature burning.

Chihiro groaned and turned her head towards him, opening her eyes slightly. "Haku?" she tried to lift her head but gasped in pain in result of the sudden movement.

"Chihiro, lie down!" he ordered, gently pushing her shoulders back against the pillow.

She smiled, laying a hand on his and taking it away from her shoulder. "I'm glad to see you're alright. How long have you been her?" she asked, her voice slightly hoarse.

"not long enough, dearest." He said, hating himself for not coming sooner. (A/N: sniffle… why can't we find a guy like that in reality? Man, I hate reality – hence the pen name 'dr34mer'. So I'm gonna carry on with my dream world…) "I came as soon as I had gotten rid of Katsu. I sensed there was something wrong… will you be okay?"

Chihiro opened her mouth but closed it again when she realised that there was nothing she could say to reassure him. She turned her head away.

"Chihiro, what is it?"

Chihiro remained silent, allowing a tear to escape.

"Chihiro!" he demanded. "I need to know what-"

"I have leukaemia!" she sobbed. "… I… I found out last year. I didn't bother telling my parents because I knew they would not care. I didn't cry all those nights just because of them… I cried because I didn't want to die without seeing you again… I love you so much."

Droplets formed in Haku's eyes. He struggled to remain strong for Chihiro's sake, but he couldn't hold it. He dropped his head down beside Chihiro and let the bed soak up his tears. "no… no… you can't die… I need you!" his hands gripped the blanket as if he were trying to take out his anger on it. "it's not fair… Chihiro, I love you!"

Chihiro ran a hand through his dark hair. "they're treating me with chemotherapy. There's a chance I'll survive it but it's not certain."

Haku grabbed her hand and held it tightly. "anything… absolutely anything you want, I'll get it for you. Anything you ask of me is yours…" he refrained his sobs desperately. "just stay with me as long as you can manage… that is all I ask of you, my love…"

She wept, though she knew she had to preserve her energy. "Haku… all I want is for you to stop worrying about me. To stop beating yourself up about it… I'll be okay…" she said, a hint of uncertainty in her.

Haku inhaled roughly. "I just can't let you leave me again…!"

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Villainous, I know!

I can't continue until i'm sure what kind of ending you people want...

my age will be revealed to all at the end of the story - damn, you people are so close (well the ones that have guessed, anyway)

I thank you...