True Colours

Chapter 4 ~ Though I realise it's…

This chapter takes place 10 hours after the previous. Sorry for the HUGE time skip.

Last Time

"Johan-kun? Listen, I don't know if you can hear me…but.." Her words caught in her mouth, but she forced herself to swallow and continue. "Juudai's coming back. After all these years, he's finally coming back. So don't you dare die on us Johan-kun. Wait for him, he'll be able to help."

The only signal that –to Asuka- Johan gave of hearing her words, was the heart monitor's constant monotone 'beep' suddenly grow faster, then slow back down again.

"You see that? H-He heard you!" cried Fubuki.

Asuka nodded mutely. She couldn't believe it either. After days of empty hope, she finally believed that he would 'pull through' as such.

"Oh, Juudai, I wish you were here to see this."

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After finally arriving in Domino, the journey, Juudai had decided, had taken FAR too long, and the slowness had been completely unnecessary. It didn't take him long to reach Domino Central Hospital, but he hesitated at the entrance, somewhat loath to enter. He didn't get very long to consider this, for Fubuki, who had ventured downstairs in search of a coffee machine, spotted him lingering outside the doors.

"Juudai-kun?"

He virtually yelled his name across the reception area, and several people turned to look at him curiously. Juudai blushed a violent shade of crimson and somewhat reluctantly walked into the hospital He was greeted by a bone-crushing hug the instant he walked in.

"It really is you! Juudai-kun!"

"Uh…Fubuki-s-san…"

He looked down. Juudai's face was turning a violent shade of blue. Fubuki looked at him curiously.

"F-Fubuki-san! I…can't…BREATHE!!" He choked out.

"Ohhh! Well you should have said so!" He released his chokehold and Juudai gulped gratefully at the air.

"By taking a guess at your 'tactful lingering' out there, I shall assume that;

One: You are worried about Asuka's reaction.

Two: You're worried how Johan-kun is, correct?"

Juudai mumbled something incoherent, and Fubuki beamed. "Well, you needn't worry, Asuka's really ecstatic that you've returned, and Johan-kun…well…he's still unconscious, but yesterday, he showed signs of response, so everyone's thinking positively."

Juudai breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good," He smiled, "now, can I interest you in a coffee?"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

It was half an hour since his arrival before Juudai and Fubuki made it back to the 'Intensive Care Unit'. Fubuki, who had never once had such a large choice of caffeine in his life, had insisted on trying every single type of coffee the machine had. He finally settled on a 'double macciato with frothed milk and sprinkles'. He had, in his so-called 'decision-making', run Juudai completely out of money, so the brunette was a little more than worried about where he was going to stay during his time in Domino.

Fubuki bounded along the corridor in search of his sister.

"Ne, ne, Asuka-chan! Look who I found while I went to get a coffee?" He motioned behind him with his coffee-free hand.

Asuka simply stared. Then she stood and walked over, past her brother, until she stood barely a foot away from Juudai, who at that present moment, was fearing for his life.

"Juudai?" She lifted her hand. "You…you…IDIOT!!"

She slapped him. Hard.

Everything seemed to travel in slow motion. Well, at least up until his back hit the floor, and Juudai found himself staring up into the face of an extremely pissed-off Asuka.

"F-Fubuki-san? You didn't say she would be this angry!"

Start Flashback

Asuka's really ecstatic you've returned!"

End Flashback

'Note to self: NEVER trust what Fubuki-san says…ever again.'

Fubuki looked shell-shocked.

"A-Asuka? Why the hell are you so angry?"

She glared at him and he whimpered.

"Why am I angry? Why am I ANGRY?!" She looked, for all Fubuki though, like an angry goddess, who had appeared to wreak vengeance on the human race, but in reality, she wasn't angry, just upset.

Juudai sensed this and got to his feet.

"A-Asuka?" She turned. "Listen…I'm really sorry for just…vanishing like I did…I just needed to try and get myself together."

"Why are you telling me this?" He glanced up. She still looked upset but her face had softened somewhat.

"The one you need to be telling this to is him." She motioned to the door, "is him."

Juudai dropped his bag and walked over. He hesitated, his hand on the doorknob. He glanced back.

Asuka motioned for him to 'get a move on' and Fubuki gave him a 'thumbs up' and a massive grin.

He smiled back at them, and, mustering up his courage, turned the doorknob, and entered the room.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Despite his hesitation at the door, Juudai was all too eager to cross the room to Johan.

"Damn It's cold in here."

He sat down on the small plastic chair next to the bed.

He gazed in horror at all the tubes and the wires and the monitors, and found he could not take his eyes off the small bruised marks up Johan's forearm where the I.V had previously been. He flailed for a second and finally rested his hand on top –albeit gently- of Johan's.

"Hey, Johan. S-sorry it took me so long to get here…and I'm sorry I vanished for so long without telling you or anybody else where I'd gone. I guess…I just needed…" He trailed off.

For some reason Juudai found he was unable to justify what he'd done when the consequences of what he'd done were lying, clear as day, in front of him.

He tried again.

"I just want you to know that…I want to help you…it's one of the reasons why I came back."

He could've sworn then that he'd seen Johan's eyelids flutter, but he dismissed it as a trick of the rapidly fading light.

He took hold of Johan's hand.

"And I just want you to know that…" He swallowed violently.

"That, I'm here for you. No matter what."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Author's Notes

Ha ha! Bet you though he was gonna confess! Not yet. He will. But not 'till the very end of the story. :D

Anyway, admittedly, this chapter's a little on the short side, buuut…oh well.

Enjoy! Please R&R