A/N: Sorry this chapter is short; this is about as far as I got on the whole story so I have to type more later on. For those of you who've reviewed already, you guys rock! I love you!!
The hospital was crisp and clean and smelled like lemons. Fai bounded in elegantly, his backpack swinging on his shoulders. The woman behind the front desk glanced up and nodded companionably.
"She's in Room B23," she told him, smiling.
"Arigato!" Fai waved cheerily, and headed for the elevators.
Chi was a pretty young thing, with warm brown eyes and a timid personality.
"Hello, Fai-san," she greeted him musically, happy to see the blonde.
"Now, now, Chi. What did I tell you about using suffixes?" Fai chided affectionately.
A dainty blush brought color to her pale cheeks and she smiled shyly. "Gomen… Fai."
Fai sat down in a chair next to the bed. He unzipped his backpack and grinned. "I got a present for you."
Chi blushed again. "Oh, Fai, no--"
"I know, I didn't have to, but I did." Fai pulled out a plush white bunny and placed it in her arms. Chi gasped soundlessly, lightly fingering the big red ribbon tied in a bow around its neck, and then hugged the stuffed animal tight.
"It's so cute," she murmured, beaming. "Thank you!"
"Don't mention it." Fai smiled softly, fondly, and reached out to pat the side of her dimpled cheek.
Chi beamed at him tentatively. "How have you been, Fai-s--" she corrected herself, "Fai?"
"Oh, perfectly fine, my Chi-chan."
"And how is… ah… Kurogane-san?"
Fai stuck out his tongue in wicked playfulness and waggled an all-knowing finger. "He's just as ornery as usual!" he exclaimed, in such a way that made Chi erupt into velvety giggles. She turned serious suddenly, her expression earnest as she fixed her doe eyes onto Fai.
"Fai…" she began hesitantly. "Kurogane-san… I've seen him once before. He was with you, I remember. But… Fai, that man seems to… ah… How should I say this?" she mused plaintively, worry spreading across her pretty face. "He looked like… he wanted to protect you. Like… he was worried about you. I remember that I thought Kurogane-san appeared so strong and powerful around Fai. I thought maybe you two were…" She had the grace to blush a little. "In an relationship."
Fai laughed in astonishment. "Me and Kuro-puppy?…" He trailed off thoughtfully. He shook his head slowly. "No… You're my one and only," he told Chi with an air of gallantry.
She bit back a smile.
"Fai…" She lowered her gaze. Fai gazed at her petite form in concern, his heart aching to hold her in his arms but his body painfully aware of the IV drip fastened to the crook of her elbow, preventing an embrace.
"It's starting to fall out," she said after a hushed silence.
"What is?"
"My hair." She threaded her fingers through her white-blond locks and when she withdrew them, long strands of wheat came for the ride. She stared at them oddly, absently petting the fur on her bunny plushie. Fai had nothing to say so he remained quiet, his gaze sympathetic.
"Fai," Chi sighed, and for the first time Fai could see how frail she had become. Her face was thin and pallid, morose shadows beneath her eyes. She looked world-weary and utterly spent. "I don't know if…" She reached out and took his hand, her fingers like glass in his delicate grasp. "I don't have much time left."
"Chi--"
"No, let me finish." She took a breath. "I'm dying, Fai. I think it's best if we don't…"
Fai cupped her cheek in a gentle hand and turned her head to face him. "No," he said simply.
"But Fai, you're still young. You have so much life left to live. I don't want you wasting your time at a hospital with someone who's going to die soon… I just won't be able to bear the thought…" There were tears in her voice but her gaze was steady and sorrowful. "Don't you think you would be better off with Kurogane-san?"
Fai became distant and his tone was faraway. "Who knows…" he whispered.
"He loves you," Chi said, stressed. "He really does. But he just doesn't…"
"I love you, Chi."
"I know. I know," she murmured sadly. "But don't you love Kurogane-san as well?"
Fai gazed down at his lap.
"Don't you?" Chi asked again, her fingers squeezing his hand comfortingly.
"I'm… not…" Fai started carefully, and faded off. "I…"
Fai imagined Kurogane would be very difficult to initiate a relationship with. He was blunt, emotionally resilient, and to the point. He wasn't one for words. He knew what he wanted. Still, when faced with the task, Kurogane would most likely be an extremely kind person, despite his rough exterior. He would be strong and protective and fierce. He would be everything Fai was not. Everything Fai would never be.
"I don't love him," said Fai. "Not… like I love you."
Chi knew that was as close as she was going to get to an outright confession and a crumbly smile bloomed on her lips. "Okay," she whispered. "It's okay."
The sun was beginning its descent when Fai fell asleep with his head on his arm, resting on the side of Chi's bed. They had talked for quite a while. Chi lay a tired hand on top of Fai's head and stroked his hair.
"You'll promise me, won't you?" she whispered faintly. "You are so precious to him. He's being patient. He wants you, Fai, and only you. But even Kurogane-san won't wait forever..." She settled back into her pillow and let her eyes drift shut.
A few moments later, Fai slipped out from under Chi's hand, kissed her forehead, and pulled the covers up around her. She stirred slightly, hugging her stuffed animal, but did not awaken from her well-earned slumber.
Fai cast a last glance at Chi's angelic face as he exited the room.
"I promise," he breathed.
A/N: This is going to be my last chapter installment for a while, so I might delay this story even further depending upon whether or not I have a lot of people waiting on me. I'm not much for building relationships (I mean, come on, Fai. Even Chi wants you to be with Kurogane!) but I'll try and see if I can get up to at least ten chapters. ^^
