Big Changes

Chapter 8

A/N: Hey everyone, sorry for the wait, i've been sick, and also i was at Animethon. So yeah, this one is the magic chapter people! And any of you who LOVE the romance between Wakko and Shaya (and i KNOw there are some out there) you'll LOOOOVE this chapter! XD Enjoy the story i don't own anything from Animaniacs, i only own Shaya, Ryku and any other stuff that's made up in here.

Wakko's POV-

April 30...

It's already been a week and she hasn't waken up. The docters said she'd have waken up by now! Damn it why hasn't she then?

Sighing, i slumped down in the chair. Not sitting by Shaya's bed was a little different, but i needed to, Yakko said if i sat there staring at her for another second, i could snap. So i decided to sit by the window for now, watching cars drive by as they hurried home to get out of the rain that was pouring down.

Everyone had gone to get something to eat, Yakko asked me to come too, but when i declined he said he'd bring me back something instead, knowing i'm hungry. Even so, i couldn't leave right now.

The rain was only worsening my mood, but i couldn't look away, it just hypnotised me, the repeated pip, pip, pip of rain falling on the window, watching each drop slowly fall down to the sill... Hypnotising.

Why wasn't she awake? Could something be wrong? Was she hurt worse then we thought? How do we fix it? When will she wa-

My thoughts were interuppted by a noise from behind me, not the door, not the machines, it sounded more like...someone groaning?

And though before i would've been up in a flash, now... All i could do was slowly turn around, my eyes widening when i saw the only other person in the room with me starting to move. It's funny how i've been waiting for this for a week now, and still, i feel excited, anxious and worried all in one jumble of churning in my stomach. And since i'm the one with a stomach of steel, you know that it means something when my stomach is doing flips.

Another incoherent mumble and i still sat there. She was moving, but more like she was sleeping not waking up. So i turned back to the window thinking she WAS just sleeping.

Something just wanted to make my day and prove me wrong though. "Ugnnnh...W-where? huh?" Her voice sounded hoarse, but she was awake! THAT is was got me up and over to her in a flash. I grabbed her bare hand, not the one with the IV, and gently squeezed it, getting her attention. "Shaya?" That got her attention quick, even though she didn't move fast, i could tell she wanted to, but she slowly turned her head towards me, her eyes shining in the white neon lights.

She just looked at me, a smile spreading on her face, but it was something none the less.

Slipping her hand from mine, she raise it up to touch my face, not a touch romantic wise, just a touch, almost like she was checking to see if i was really there. A small sigh escaped her lips and her smile grew. "Wakko...You're really here this time...So that must mean i'm awake, good, the dreams are always too dull, never zany enough y'know?" Her voice was quiet, but i heard the words, each and every one. That's why, even though i knew i shouldn't, i pulled her up to me, and without thinking, i kissed her. Square on the mouth. She wasn't complaining though, i felt her gently push into it as well, trying to wrap her arms around me, unfortunatly the IV prevented her from using both arms. I just held her, and for once, not nervous or shy about the contact.

Slowly, she pulled away from me, laying back down in the slightly proped up bed, a big smile spread across her face though. The shyness returned to me as i looked at the ground, rubbing my arm nervously. "Sor-" She stopped me, her hand up by my mouth.

"Don't. I'm glad you did that. It's a great welcome back gift." A small grin on her face, a light giggle escaping. I smiled back, relieved that she wasn't upset, though why would she? hehe Proves how modest i am.

"I'm gonna take a wild guess and say we're at a hospital right?" Shaya smirked, i nodded. Her look change to questioning. "Where is...?" She didn't even need to say the name of that...horrible person. "Locked back up in the toon asylum, if her ever gets out of there, he's being put to the death penalty." Shaya nodded at me, looking down at herself, bandages wrapped around every limb, a cast had been on her tail but it had healed enough that they took it off awhile back. I couldn't tell what she was thinking, but i knew not to pressure her, everyone said if you're around when she wakes up, don't make her talk about it. She most likely didn't even want to think about it. So i sat down and stayed silent, waiting patiently for once, cuz atleast she's alive and awake, two of the three things that i need to happen.

Shaya's POV-

Wow...Just wow...

I kind of knew what happened, but the minutes before i fell asleep were fuzzy. It's still a relief that he won't be causing anymore pain for us.

"Wakko?..." He looked up when i called him. "Where's everyone else?" I asked, he smiled slightly. "They left to get something to eat about 10 minutes ago." With a nod, i looked around.

There was stuff around the room, as if people had made it a home. Clothes, blankets, games. Did they stay here the whole time? Wait, how long was i out anyway?

Wakko seemed to guess what i was thinking. "You were in a coma since Febuary...it's April 30th today." It came as a major shock to me. I've been in a coma for 2 months? But! What about their show? What about Ryku? How did they?

The shock was overwhelming, so much that i started to cry.

"Wha? Shaya what's wrong?" Wakko asked, a look of concern on his face. I couldn't answer, just continued to cry, my hands gripping the sheets tightly. When i felt his arms wrap around me, i leaned into him, needing the comfort, the warmth.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My grip loosened as i started to calm down, but tears kept running down my face. I felt Wakko shift slightly, but stayed still, just wanting to have this soothing feeling last.

That's when we heard noise from outside the room.

Wiping my eyes, i looked at Wakko, who smiled at me before watching the door be opened by a familiar face.

Ryku's POV-

Entering the room, i felt content, but as i looked at the sight before me, i froze in my place, dropping the bag of snacks i had.

"Ryku, Why'd ya stop? Is something wrong..." Yakko trailed off as he saw it too. Dot standing there behind me as well.

"Hey guys...Sleeping beauty finally woke up." Wakko's comment meant nothing as i raced over.

I had her locked in a tight embrace before she could get a word out, though she hugged me back too. "Glad to see you were worried...But could you let go now, i need to BREATH!" Shaya choked out, i immiediately let go, but stayed by her bed. She smiled at me, then at Yakko and Dot who came up too.

They each gave her a hug as well, Dot's being ALOT longer then Yakko's, in fact she sat right beside her, still clinging to her arm even after 10 minutes.

"Now that you're awake, the docters will probably wanna know so they can do some tests." Yakko said, i saw Shaya wince at the thought, she hates docters because they almost always want to poke and prode at you with things. "Well the nurse should be here soon to do her noon check." Wakko piped in, everyone nodded and settled down. The Warners sitting around talking to her, while i just sat beside her silently.

After two months, she's finally awake. And seems to be fine, hopefully this hasn't left her with any scars, but that's most likely a lost hope. Atleast she's safe now, safe where she belongs, with us.

I must admit, as cheesy as it seems, this experience has shown me the Warners in a completely different light. Especially Wakko, he's alot more caring for Shaya then i would've guessed, a good thing yes, but that just gives me one less excuse to keep her away from him. It is a silly thing to do, but i just can't figure out why she'd rather be with him, she's 10 for crying out loud! It's just sad that she changed so much while i was gone.

Though now that i look at her, talking with them, hugging them, i see how much she trusts the trio, that she loves them. Not like she loves Wakko, but she loves them all, they're precious to her, just like she's precious to me. Everytime i tried to stop her, she'd just tell me to stop worrying, that she'd be fine, and she wants to be there with them. Just goes to show how lousy of a brother i am...Yet she still loves me...

I sighed, smiling as she leaned towards me a bit as she talked with Dot about what happened while she was asleep.

That's what reminded me, in only a few weeks, it'd be Shaya's 11th birthday! May 27th, the day of Shaya's birth... Wonder what she'll want to do.

Yakko's POV-

When I saw her awake, i was thrilled, when i saw my little brother smiling with his arms around her, i was over joyed.

It was killing me to watch Wakko be so depressed about this, so it's a joy from above to have him grinning and his tongue peaking out the side of his mouth like usual.

Walking over, i stood by Wakko and helped Dot up onto the bed, we both gave her our own hugs, Dot staying put and basically sitting in Shaya's lap for 10 minutes before we could get her off, and she only got off because her weight was hurting Shaya.

I knew for sure when she'd try to stand up she was definatley going to have problems, good thing she'll have help, or she'd most likely fall flat on her face. Though i had a feeling Wakko would be the one to help her the most, him and Ryku. They'd probably be fighting on how to help her! Hehehe...

Thinking about Ryku, i thought about how different he and I are. Sure we're both older brothers, but we're the two different kinds of brothers.

He's the kind of brother to be protective. Not wanting to let Shaya do anything, in fear of she'll get hurt, lost, or some other strange thing. The kind who wants to be everything and anything she needs, and be able to do anything for her, whether she likes it or not. Though he means well, it's just that he's scared of losing her, especially with both their parents gone, it makes it harder because now he's got to keep her healthy, safe, fed, clothed and keep a roof over their heads.

I know this because i use to be the same way, use to being key words.

Now though, i'm the other type of brother. The one who wants to keep them safe, but knows when it's alright. Who can have fun and get into trouble with them, yet be able to keep them out of trouble at the same time. I keep them safe, yet am able to know that they can protect themselves for the most of it.

They grow yes, as much as we want them to stay our lil siblings, but it shows alot to people when you know when to let them go.

Looking at Shaya and Wakko, i knew that Ryku was going to have to let Shaya go soon, i already let Wak go a long time ago, back when he first met her.

Shaya's POV-

While i listened to everyone filling in details for me about what happened, my mind started to wander.

It's kinda shocking that i actually remember everything, and that i can stay awake for long. All the times i've heard of comas, people always have a hard time when they first wake up, not being able to remember stuff, can't stay awake, have loads of trouble moving. The only one of these things i have is that it hurts SO bad to move and my limbs feel super stiff.

Maybe i just wasn't in a super deep coma...Yeah that's probably it.

It's going to be killer when i have to try starting to get up, especially since i'm going to need help alot. Though thankfully Ryku will be here to help with almost anything, the nurses too, and when the Warners are here they'll obviously help. I'm already dreading the first time i go to get out of bed, hopefully it won't be TOO embarrassing.

"Hey Shaya, did you hear Wakko playing his violin all the time? For about the last bit of your coma he was playing alot, especially once the docters said that you could still hear stuff sometimes." Dot said, smirking when Wakko got flustered and turned away a bit, a blush easy to see masking his cheeks.

Now that she mentions it, i swear i remember something about music in my dreams. Soft melodies echoing through a dark space... Never being able to find it...

"Shaya?" I snapped out of my thoughts when Dot tapped me. "Actually...I think i might've...When i was dreaming, i kept hearing music, but i could never find the player..." My voice soft, still a little sore and hoarse no matter how much water i've drank.

Dot grinned wide, i could even see a small smile on Wakko's face when i said that. "Really? Wow, do you remember any of your dreams? Will you tell me? Pleeeease! I love stories!" Dot pleaded, moving to sit cross-legged on the big hospital bed that i was way too small for.

The plead took me back slightly, i did remember most of my dreams, but i didn't think they'd want to hear them, though as i looked at my friends and brother, i saw interest in their eyes. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to tell them a few. Atleast the good ones, there were a few nightmares mixed in as well that i tried not to remember.

"Alright...I guess it couldn't hurt..." I said, taking a breath before starting to tell the story.

(When it's italic that means the person is recalling a dream or flashback)

Dark, everywhere it was pitchblack, yet i could still see anything with color, namely myself.

That's when i heard a faint sound in the silent place, it sounded like a voice, talking to someone. Listening closer, i heard the voice say my name. "Shaya, please wake up soon, i'm begging you..." The voice sounded so sad, the slight accent in the voice making it even sadder, i wanted to find that voice, a feeling told me the person it belonged to was someone special, who didn't deserve to be so sad.

Trying to walk, my limbs felt like lead, but i could still move just enough to follow the voice. Though it got fainter as i approached.

Another sound replaced it. Soft music swirling around, it came from everywhere, so quite and depressing.

A violin.

That's what was being played, someone was playing a violin. But where?

Stepping toward it, i saw faint outlines, memories from past experiences. A boy, no, he was familiar, W-w-Wakko...He was playing the violin, and i was watching, happy, the notes changed to a happier tune.

Then the image faded, changing to something horrible!

A man, a scary, dangerous man that i knew, held the violin in his right hand and grasped Wakko's throat in the other. Left hand tightening round the weak Warner's throat, he bashed him over the head with the violin! Breaking the beautiful instrument on impact and sending Wakko tumbling into a wall, the vison started to fade as the man marched towards the beaten puppy boy.

Now it was dark again, no voice, no music, no visons.

Curling up on the floor, i brought my knees to my chest, hiding my face in them, hoping to get rid of the darkness and find the violin player again.

(back to reality)

As i finished telling the short story of my first encounter with the music, i saw Dot's sad expression, clutching Yakko like a teddy bear life saver. Ryku held my hand, squeezing it gently for reasurrence. And Wakko stared, a blank expression on his face, before finally turning saddened like the others.

"Sorry, i shouldn't have told you-" "No Shay..It's fine, we can handle a little nightmare right?" Ryku joked alittle, grinning at me.

I nodded, the Warners seemed to have calmed down from the story moment.

"So you had to go through stuff like that...the whole time you were asleep?" I wasn't surprised by Dot's question, but shook my head. "No all the time Dot, that was actually one of the nightmarey ones, alot of others were very nice." Smiling, i chose to not give details of some of the nice dreams i had, almost every one involving a certain red cap wearing puppy boy sitting near me.

Just as i was about to say something. The door opened.

"Oh!" A nurse gasped as she looked at the scene. "You woke up. That's wonderful! I'll page the docter." She said, taking a little device out of her nurse uniform and pressing a button. Then she came over to the bed.

Gently pushing me to lean back more, the nurse smiled. "You shouldn't be up so soon, just lay back and relax till the docter comes to do some tests." I winced at the end, i hated tests, especially hospital ones that most likely involve needles and freaky machines. "Do you feel alright? Any dizzyness or numb feelings?" She asked, doing her check over my stats and other stuff. "I'm okay...I was a little dizzy at first, but now it's clearer." The nurse nodded at my repsonse. "Though for some reason i can remember everything and can move. I thought when people go into a coma they can't stay awake or remember stuff for awhile." Looking up after she finished.

"Well sweetie. The way the docter thinks is that your coma wasn't due to any head trauma, more so it was just a self perserving move to help with the pain." She gestured to the many bandages and such i had on. "Since you're so young, you wouldn't be able to with stand that much pain that was forced on you. So your brain decided to wait it out and let you sleep through the pain."

The way she said that made me slightly annoyed. I know what a coma is, she didn't need to tell me.

She looked up when someone came into the room, another woman, though this time it was the docter. Coming over to us, the docter and nurse talked quietly with eachother, stepping away breifly to make sure we didn't hear.

"Don't worry Shay, they're just discussing you're condition and what tests to do. Trust me, i heard them." Ryku grinned at me, squeezing my hand again. I nodded. "Yeah...I just hope it doesn't involve many needles..." Absently brushing my hand over one of the bandages i had on my arms. "Well, you wanna know a secret to helping the pain of a needle?" I looked up at my brother, who smirked and leaned closer as if he was whispering. "When they go to poke you, just close your eyes, and take a breath. It helps the first pain of the poke." He gently poked my nose, making me giggle.

"Alright, we're going to run a few tests, one of the first being a catscan." The docter said as the nurse brought over a wheeling gruney.

At the mention of leaving the comfort of my friends, i gripped onto Ryku's arm,stopping him from standing. "No! I don't wanna go by myself!" Ryku looked down at me, he looked almost surprised, but then smiled softly, nodding and going to stand by the gurney.

The docter and nurse then tried to figure out a way to move me without hurting me, i rolled my eyes, calling Ryku back over.

When he did, i simply lifted my arm up towards him and gestured with my hands. I use to do the same with when i wanted someone to pick me up back when i was 5.

Ryku smirked and bent closer, gently slipping his arms under me and lifting me carefully, i bit back a yelp when he grazed one of my tender injuries. He set me down on the gurney, ignoring the docter and stroking my hair lightly, standing nearby and grasping my hand.

Ryku's POV-

Looking over to the bed , i saw Wakko, Yakko and Dot standing there, a look of confusion and worry on the faces of the younger two.

Smiling, i waved them over a bit. When they came closer, i started to explain.

"No worries, she's just going to get a test done, it gives the docters a look of her insides to see if there is any problems still. It'll be fine, she'll be back in know time." They looked relieved, Yakko standing behind them grinning. "And while we're gone, why don't you three go back down to the cafetieria. Seeing as Wakko didn't eat anything today." Wakko looked sheepish at the look Shaya sent him, she looked annoyed and surprised all in one.

"Don't panic Shaya, we fed him. Though had to force hm a couple of times." Shaya looked a little calmer, but still looked surprised.

"Okay, time to go." The docter started wheeling the gurney towards the door, Shaya smiled at the Warners, me as well as i followed along side the gurney.

Wakko's POV-

Watching her and Ryku disappear down the hall, i sighed, not a sad sigh, more happy, day dreamy if you will.

"What's up with you Wak? You sound happier then the time we got to see Minerva in only a towel on set." Yakko smirked, i turned awhile a bit, wiping the look off my face.

"It's nothing...I'm just happy is all..." I said, going to sit in my previous spot before shaya woke up.

That was what i was happy about, Shaya. Or more specifically, the moment Shaya woke up. I was happy, yet embarrassed. Especially since i kissed her, one thing we both agreed on not doing till MUCH later...Though she didn't seem to mind. Which was good. She even kissed me back, which makes ME happy. Hehehe...

What's strange is that dream Shaya told us about. Heard my voice, my playing, then watched as C. M beating me with my own violin. Which is the confusing part. Why'd she dream of him beating me up? Maybe it has something to do with when she yelled at him to not touch me...Was she that scared about me getting hurt? It's nice to know she was worried, but...Because of her helping me...She got...that...I can't even think it, let alone say it. What he did to her was just vile, cruel and sick. Grrr It's a good thing he got locked up, because if he didn't, i would locked him in his own cell, six feet down in the ground.

"Wakko!"

Snapping out of my thoughts, i looked up at Yakko, who looked annoyed but concerned.

"Yeah?" He smiled a bit. "I asked you if ya want to go down to get something to eat while Shaya's getting tested." "Oh. Sure, i could use a snack." I grinned, hoping up from my spot and heading to the door with Yakko and Dot.

To Be Continued...

A/N: Well? What'd ya think of the waking day? Also, sorry it took so long. I've been real sick lately and couldn't work very much.