Okay! I decided to finally stop procrastinating and write this. Even so, this chapter is much shorter than the first two, 'cos I'm still kinda stuck on it DD:

I'm so sorry to the people who were waiting! The next chapter will be up sooner, I promise. And thanks so much to the people who reviewed and who faved and who alerted, you guys really make my day :'DD

E.m.e.r.g.e.n.c.y

Kukai stared down at his reflection on the cold kitchen counter. Utau had promised to come with him to the hospital that morning, but she had insisted on making them breakfast first. Though the various clanking noises, occasional crashes and numerous strange smells made him a little alarmed at her cooking abilities, in honesty he felt comforted by them. Despite what Utau said, the accident had been his fault. It was all he could do to keep from shaking in fear, and to stop the dread and guilt from consuming him. But Utau's presence was an assurance that some things, at least, were still alright.

Kukai looked up with a start as Utau yelped and swore loudly. She glared at the kettle and proceeded to turn on the tap and run her hand under the cold water.

'Are you alright?' he asked her quietly.

She looked up, smiling. 'I'm just fine,' she reassured him. 'Breakfast will be ready soon.'

To Kukai, the love in her eyes was almost unbearable. How could she still love him after what he'd done, how could she think he still deserved her kindness? But of course she would, Kukai reminded himself. He knew that when Utau loved, she loved through anything, and she loved despite everything. Kukai hadn't known the meaning of 'unconditional' until he'd met Utau.

But it made him feel all the more dirty, that someone like her would give that sort of love to a person like him. What if, one day, he ended up hurting her as well? Kukai quickly pushed the thought away, because to break down in front of her again, and cause her to worry even more, would be unforgivable.

Feigning cheerfulness, Utau settled two bowls of rice on the table. Kukai ate his in silence. He had no appetite, but every time he looked up he saw Utau's deep purple eyes watching him steadfastly, so he obediently finished his meal. Eventually he stared at the bowl and nothing else. He felt loved, and undeserving of love at the same time. He wanted to meet her eyes; he longed to reassure her that he was fine. But he didn't, for fear that he would crumble under that perfect, violet gaze.

Beeping. Hushed voices. The clack of shoes on an impossibly shiny floor. Hospital noises seemed to fill Kukai's ears, but he felt as if the world around him was just drifting by. The only thing he could focus on was the scene through the glass window before him. Two beds, pale green sheets, machines Kukai couldn't even name. It was hard to believe that it was his parents in those beds. They were always so lively. It shocked him to the core that they could appear so lifeless now.

Kukai felt a slender hand slip into his, and squeeze it. Utau. Numbly he squeezed back.

Suddenly, the beeping sound picked up in pace. A doctor cried out in a harsh voice, but Kukai couldn't understand what he was saying, it could have been an alien language for all he knew. Other doctors rushed in, crowding around his father's bed. One called out directions, her voice piercing. Kukai tried to see his father's face, but there were too many white coats, and he couldn't catch a glimpse.

'Dad!' The scream could have come from his own mouth, but he wasn't conscious of screaming. Panic overpowering that terrible numbness, he tried to dart into the room. Hands pulled him back, but he was too strong for their feminine grip, and he struggled free of them to crash through the door.

'Get him out of here,' someone commanded, and strong, sleek arms clamped around him – Dad? No, these arms were younger, and his father never wore black. Hushed voices spoke quickly, telling him to come away, and the relentless, unbreakable grip pulled him down the corridor.

'Dad!' Kukai called again, struggling against this unwanted dark stranger, before he realised that it was Ikuto holding him, and Utau pleading with him desperately to calm down. So he let them pull him away and away, down the corridors and flights of stairs. The surrounding people seemed so wrong and so nonchalantly impersonal and so large somehow, like scantily-clad strangers on a beach. Utau and Ikuto led him past all the unfriendly glances, but weren't bothered by it at all – the Tsukiyomi siblings knew of hospitals and staring strangers. But eventually, the brightest light was open daylight, and the only sound was Utau's voice, soft and gentle as a lullaby.

So, there's chapter three. I'm sorry it was so short T^T but I wanted to get it uploaded rather than procrastinate even more, which I knew I would do.

Thanks for reading! I hope you're liking it so far. Please review? The next chapter is called Cry.