Chapter 9- Truth is out

Anzu was immediately sent to the hospital after falling unconscious at the stairway. Ryou was the one who caught her; it almost scared the living daylights out of him. He was looking for Anzu around the school when he heard a loud bang at a nearby staircase, which sounded like someone had dropped a bunch of heavy textbooks. Going to check it out, to Ryou's horror, he saw Anzu at the top swaying, and all of a sudden falling backwards. Immediately, his legs rushed up to catch her, fortunately, he got her in time.

Ryou, Yami, Tristan, and Joey decided to skip last period to go to the hospital to visit Anzu, for they couldn't concentrate in class anyways. They were given permission to stay in her room as long as they don't make too much noise. None of them knew what was wrong, the doctor said that it would be better that she tell them herself. That made the boys very confused and even more worried. They watched as a nurse came into the room to get a blood sample from Anzu, after that they all sat around her bed, hoping that she'd open her eyes soon.

It is just now that they realized how bad she really looked. Her face was fish belly pale, and her check bones were showing. Her eye bags were enormous, giving the impression that she hadn't slept for weeks. Her brown hair lay dull and limp, it has lost its healthiness and shine that it once had. The worst part was she had strange purple and red spots all over her arms and legs. They were also so bony; it looked as if she's anorexic.

Ryou painfully looked away but still holding her hand, the sight of her makes him want to scream and cry. He doesn't want to comprehend the fact that there is something seriously wrong with his girlfriend. And what makes him even sadder is that she didn't tell him or anyone else for that matter.

Anzu suddenly moved her fingers, causing Ryou to jump up, followed by the others. A soft groaning escaped her mouth as her eyes slowly fluttered opened. She called out to Ryou weakly as he helped her sit up. "I'm here Anzu" he reassured her.

After she got adjusted to the light and realized where she was, she held a sad expression on her face and looked down at her hands.

"Are you okay Anzu? What happened...you just fell like that...you had me so worried..." Ryou said sadly.

"N-nothing's wrong..."

"There's no point lying to us now...we saw the strange spots on your skin...and how skinny you've become...the doctor even said something's wrong...he just wouldn't tell us..." Yami said equally sad. He didn't want to see his friend in pain.

"Just tell us Anzu...we might be able to help" Joey said not in a joking tone for once. Tristan nodded, agreeing with them.

Ryou grabbed her hand again. "I can see through you façade Anzu...this is something serious isn't it? I can see it in your eyes..." She always wore a fake smile and her eyes didn't sparkle anymore.

Anzu couldn't take it anymore; she let her walls down and broke into heart wrenching sobs. Ryou pulled her into a tight embrace and whispered soothing words into her ear. "You know you can tell us whenever you're ready" he said gently with his cute British accent.

Her friends stood by her bed and stared at her with sympathy, not knowing what to say to the broken girl. 'What happened? What happen to the Anzu who use to be so full of life and happiness? What changed?" they wondered mentally.

Anzu finally stopped crying and sat up straight. "I...I don't know how to tell you guys..."

"Take your time" Ryou reassured her.

"I...I have..." She couldn't say it, it was too hard.

"You can do it" they encouraged her.

Anzu took a deep breath and looked into Ryou's eyes which gave her strength and determination.

"I'm dying..." she whispered hesitantly looking down at her hands. The gang looked confused and unbelieving. "What are you talking about Anzu? You're joking right? What in Ra's name is going on?! Ryou shouted frantically.

"I have Leukemia"

The boys looked stunned for a moment. No one made a sound; the only noise that can be heard was the slow beeping of the machines.

"You...you what...?" Ryou asked in a small voice after finally found his voice hoping he had heard her wrong.

"You should have told us" Yami said.

"We're your friends Anzu...why didn't you tell us?" Tristan added.

"Because I didn't want the reaction I'm getting right now!" she sobbed.

"How do you think we will react?!" Joey shouted angrily, not angry at her, but angry at himself for not noticing before. Ryou sat there with a stunned look, he too was beating himself up inside as well. He's her boyfriend, why didn't he notice anything?

"Guys stop, this isn't helping" Yami being the reasonable one said as he patted Joey's shoulder.

"Can it not be healed?" Ryou asked hopefully.

"It's...it's too late..."

Everyone was afraid to ask the next question, but they knew that it had to be done. Joey decided to be the brave one. "How...how long do you..." he hesitated, not knowing if he really wanted to find out. But Anzu seemed to understand what he was trying to ask.

"I have less than 2 months..."

The room fell in silence once again except the occasional mutter of "dear Ra...please no..."

Anzu finally realizing that her red spotted skin was exposed looked away and covered herself with the blankets.

"Please...just go away...I don't want you to see me when I'm so...ugly..."

Ryou expression softened. He sat down next to her on the bed. Anzu refused to look at him and tried desperately to get her hands out of his grip, but she was too weak and tired, so it was futile.

"Anzu, look at me" Ryou demanded in a soft tone. He felt her shake her head rapidly under the covers and a whimper escaped her lips.

"Please?" he begged lightly.

After a couple of minutes, Anzu finally began to lower the blankets and peeped out behind the covers. Her hair was plastered all over her face and her eyes were red and puffy. Ryou smiled at her. "Listen Anzu" he said gazing intently into her eyes. "You are NEVER ugly." Even though you are in this state right now, you are still the most beautiful person in my eyes" he continued in a dead serious tone. Anzu sniffed and Ryou wiped away a falling tear with his thumb.

"Really?" she squeaked.

Ryou took her into his arms and buried his face in her hair.

"Absolutely"

The gang quietly left the room, wanting to leave the couple alone, and afraid that they were going to start shedding tears.


Kagome-yasha- thanks for loving my story =)

UltraAnimeFanGurl2004- I had fun at New York, even though the last day was a disaster haha! I actually came back a while ago; I just got around to updating today.

Joeyzgirl- I don't have Leukemia if that's what you're trying to ask. I'm not that lucky...well I hope you liked this chapter!

Chibikittysorceress- yeap, Ryou caught her, hope you liked how this chapter turned out.

Pockynomiko- thanks for reviewing

Lily-oftheshadow- thank for liking my story, hope you like this chapter!

Yamiaishtar- Yes, I like to be evil and leave evil cliffhangers, but unfortunately for me, I suck at them so you won't be seeing them very often.

RamenII- back from New York and thanks for reviewing as always. Hmm...now that the secret is out, I have no idea how to write the next chapters...

FearOfDying- that put you in the mood for an apple? Maybe cuz I was leaving for the big apple? O well, an apple a day keeps the damn doctors away dude.

NoblePaladin- thanks for reviewing as always, hopefully I could get the next chapters going soon.

Momo- hopefully this chapter is good. Thanks for reviewing!