Title: Love is Blind

Genre: romance, hurt/comfort

Rating: T for language, mild violence, and suggested themes

Pairings: JohanXJudai (hinted other pairings)

Summary: When Johan goes back to North Academy, he confesses to Judai just before he leaves. He then gets word at North Academy that Judai has fallen into a coma. Johan rushes to Duel Academy in hopes that Judai will awaken. Judai does, but when he awakens from his coma, he's blind! Is his blindness permanent or temporary? Can Johan cure it? And is it just blindness, or is Judai's life in jeopardy?

Me: This is the next chapter, guys!

Lucy: What will happen?

Me: Read on!

Chapter Eleven: The Journey

"Eh? Johan, you're leaving?" Judai asked, blinking in confusion.

Johan bit his lip and looked to the ground. He had told Judai that he had found a way in order to cure Judai. Judai had been all excited, but then Johan had told Judai that if he was to go and get the cure, it would involve him going away from Judai and going halfway across the island to the abandoned dorms.

"Yes, Judai," Johan admitted, nodding slowly. "B-but it's only for a short time, I promise!" he added.

Judai flashed Johan a smile, the complete opposite of what Johan had expected. He had expected Judai to get upset and refuse to let the bluenette go. Johan just stared at the blind brunette in shock.

"I trust you, Johan," Judai chuckled softly. He threw himself back down on the infirmary bed, pulled the covers up to his waist and looked up towards the ceiling, though he couldn't see. "I'll try and wait for you as long as it takes." Judai flashed Johan another smile, one of his honest trade-mark ones.

Johan frowned and looked down at the brunette. Judai looked so... different. He was pale and weak-looking. His eyes were slowly losing their shine and becoming dull brown orbs. He was slightly thinner than he had been, Johan could see that through the white shirt that Judai had been given to wear. He couldn't move his legs easily, which were hidden beneath baggy blue pants.

And yet, through all of this, Judai still found a reason to smile.

Johan reached forward slowly and cupped Judai's cheek in his hand. Judai blinked innocently when he felt the bluenette's hand on his face and looked in Johan's direction.

"Johan?" he asked. His brown eyes widened slightly. "Johan, you're shaking. Are you okay?" When Johan didn't answer right away, Judai reached up and placed his hand over the hand that was on his cheek. He smiled softly and closed his eyes. "Johan, please don't be upset. I have faith in you. I know you can do it."

Johan closed his eyes and tried to keep tears from falling. "Y-yeah, I know you do, but... But what if I can't do it?" The bluenette asked. The horror seemed to flash through him, and he forced himself not to think about it. Judai had faith in him, so he should have faith in himself. Johan nodded and looked up at Judai.

"I will... get your sight back, Judai," he murmured. The smile on Judai's face was just the confidence boost that he needed. The bluenette nodded and knew instantly what he was to do.

Johan had gathered a group of his friends together in order for this mission. Manjoume, Asuka, and Kenzan were going to go with him to the abandoned dorms and retireve the medicine. They had mostly all volunteered for the mission, but Asuka had practically forced Manjoume into doing it.

"Okay," Johan nodded, glancing around over the group. He noticed that all of them looked amazingly determined. "We are going to head for the abandoned dorms and retrieve the medicine for Judai."

Asuka took a step forward. "Are you certain that you are willing to just leave Judai like this?" she asked.

Johan closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes," he said. He wasn't certain about what he was going to do if he failed to find the medicine that Judai needed to get well, but he knew that he had to try.

Hibiki stalked up to Johan and handed him a map. "Here is the map of the island. The abandoned dorm is somewhere in the woods, but only the woods in the green area. The red area signals areas where there aren't any buildings, so I wouldn't bother with those places," the black-haired young woman explained.

Johan nodded his thanks and turned towards Zane. "You'll watch after Judai for me?"

Zane nodded and folded his arms across his chest. He leaned up against the wall outside the infirmary. "Yes," he said. "Fubuki, Shou, and I will watch over Judai while you are gone. Ayukawa's going to go talk to Daitokuji-sensei, but Hibiki-san will be here to watch over him, and she's a nurse, so he'll be fine," the navyette said.

Johan knew that Judai was in good hands with Zane around. He nodded to him and turned towards Asuka, Manjoume, and Kenzan. The three teenagers turned towards the exit. They were all prepared to be gone for a few hours, but wished to hurry as quickly as they could. Johan turned towards Hibiki.

"We'll try to be back in a few hours," he said.

Hibiki nodded and waved. "Please take care of yourselves," she bid them good luck. Johan led the three others out of the dorms, and led them off into the forests in search of the abandoned dorms.

After a short while after they had left, Hibiki turned towards Zane with a solemn look. Zane didn't feel comfortable with the stare that the Ra Yellow nurse was giving him. He felt cold all of a sudden.

"What's wrong?" the navyette asked after a moment.

"You know, Marufuji-san," Hibiki started. "There is another way to cure Judai, you realize?" She shuffled her feet back and forth and folded her arms behind her back.

Zane's eyes widened. "What!" he shouted. He turned around and gripped the black-haired woman's shoulders. "If there was a way to save Judai, then why did you just send them off into the forests like that!"

Hibiki locked eyes with him. "Johan would never allow us to do such a thing if he heard of it. That's why I didn't tell him," she admitted. Zane gulped and looked towards the ground, feeling nervous for one of the first times in his life. He could feel himself shaking slightly at the mere thought of what it must be.

If Johan wouldn't accept it, then... What on Earth can it be? he thought in horror.

Me: Oh my Gosh! Hibiki-san has an idea on how to save Judai!

Lucy: However, what can it be? I mean, if she didn't want Johan around when she suggested the idea, because he would never accept it, then what in the world can it be!

Me: Review if you want to find out!