Lilly: Excuses! Excuses! Excuses!! I shan't give you any! Even through I'm soo sick I feel like barfing up my guts all over the comp… Here is the chapter deemed as the…

Laurry: Que the fan girl squeal….

Lilly(SQUEEEL!!) Kiba Chapter!! (Squeeeel)

Laurry: Enjoy! -

Chapter 6: Marshmallows

"Mellow marshes… or marshy mallows... altogether a complete and sweet way of life" -- me

'Kiba, this one needs you!'

He woke up suddenly, blinking into the yellow morning sun streaming in from the window. Another dream about her. He rolled over and dropped out of bed. He could hear Tsume already move about the kitchen. The absence of Hige's snores was a little unnerving.

It was Monday and being away for the past three days at a class trip only returning the night before Kiba was a little late in waking up. He stood up and stretched before walking to the bathroom.

When he came out Tsume had already left. Kiba walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. It was really quite empty containing only a half empty milk carton years past expiry date, pizza from last week, some unidentified blue substance in Hige's corner and a jam jar tucked away in another corner. The jar was filled with marmalade the exact same shad of red as her eyes. Kiba blinked and closed the fridge. Raking a hand through his wet brown hair he left the apartment, grabbing his bag on the way out.

As Kiba walked through the Freeton College gates he noticed Russell McFaul eyeing him from a corner of the courtyard. Kiba looked away deciding not to give Russell his time of day. Heading for his first class he heard his name being called.

"Kiba!! –hey Kiba, Wait up!"

He turned to see Blue running at full speed towards him. Kiba had just been walking up the stone steps to the lecture hall when he turned to see her. Blue's momentum was so great that in her haste she had run right past him and up the steps. She jumped and performed a multitude of Aerial-gymnastics which consisted of a hand stand and back flip before coming to land sitting on the steps in front of Kiba.

"Hey." She said not at all out of breath. "Where have you been?"

"Just here and there…" was his reply.

"Class trip, huh? Blue asked.

Kiba nodded.

Freeton College was an immense building converted in only the last century from monastery to college. The main building a great work of architecture contained a vast library, the main office building and an auditorium. Most lecture halls had their own separate building and entrance. To change classes the students had to walk outside, across the court yard or walk under the court yard walkway, no matter what the weather. The walkways roof was supported by great stone pillars. It was against one of these pillars that Kiba leaned as he looked down at Blue.

"Hige is bored." Blue reported, when Kiba didn't reply she added. "Extremely"

At this Kiba raised an eyebrow.

"Well he's made friends to occupy himself…" she continued.

Kiba's eyebrow only went higher as he watched Blue speculatively.

"Honestly, Cheza's learning all about food from him." Her tone went sarcastic towards the end but she looked up at Kiba with an expectant expression. Her expectation was received in the form of the reaction from Kiba.

The very name sent a pang through Kiba's chest and shivers up his spine. What was this feeling? It felt somewhat like happiness yet not…more than anything Kiba felt a longing...?

She had been in his mind constantly since the day he had left her at the hospital. His silent promise was heavy in his heart and his resolve to fulfill it strong. Even when he had no idea when or how he had made this decision.

Kiba blinked pulling out of his thoughts.

"Cheza?" he asked.

"That's right you know her!" Blue played along trying to get information.

Kiba only nodded in return a little bewildered.

Blue opened her mouth about to explain when someone gave a low whistle from behind them. Russell McFaul came out from around the pillar. His dirty blonde hair falling into his eyes and ripped clothing screamed "Rebel!!" not to mention his attitude that just marked him as a trouble maker.

"Well , what do we have here?" he asked in mock politeness.

Kiba stiffened and Blue stood up her expression darkening.

"Blue you wouldn't be going behind your dear boyfriends back now would you? Or did I already finish him off?" Russell laughed.

Kiba's eyes narrowed in anger but Blue folded her arms her chest and replied calmly "Idiot… Hige's perfectly fine and I'm just talking to Kiba as you're too blind to see Russell!" But she spread her legs apart and stood in a more wary stance.

Russell only laughed it off as Blue's reputation for kicks was legendary, No-One wanted to be at the receiving end of one of her blows. Russell instead moved onto Kiba.

"Haven't seen you around campus?" he leered. "Did you get scared because I beat your pal up?"

Kiba's hand molded into a fist but he stayed where he was. Russell had his gang of thugs with him and even with Blue they were outnumbered if it came down to a fight. Russell fought dirty, he almost always won. Almost because there was one exception, Tsume. But sadly for Kiba and Blue there was no Tsume around.

"C'mon Kiba lets get to class." Blue said tugging at Kiba's sleeve.

Kiba's expression was still thunderous as he sat down beside Blue a few minutes later but soon he relaxed into a calmer frame of mind. That's when he noticed the dark circles around Blue's eyes. She had not slept at all the night before.

"Blue? It every thing alright?" Kiba asked abruptly. When she looked up Kiba added "At home I mean?"

She looked alarmed at first but then she sighed.

"Well actually…" and then everything burst out or her. " Pops… he got really drunk last night he-he hit Toboe again. Toboe cut his hands falling on the broken glass from Pops beer bottle… he was messed up pretty bad…" Blue looked down.

Kiba took a moment to absorb all this then keep his tone as casual as possible offered. "Hey if you want you and Toboe can move in with us… we have a small spare room and you could have mine… I'm sure Hige wouldn't mind me sharing with him…"

Blue only laughed " And have you die on me because of sleep deprivation? How can anyone be expected to sleep with Hige's snoring? I feel sorry for the patients in the hospital…"

Kiba smiled slightly thinking that sleep deprivation was a very apt description on the effects of bunking with Hige.

As the teacher walked in Blue lowered her voice "Thank you for the offer but I think I'll take my chances at home."

"Well then you should at least talk to Quent…" Kiba stated quietly.

"Yeah… well it's kinda hard to talk to Pops…" Blue sighed again but seemed to be in a better mood.

Kiba not being on to pry left it at that as the class went on. He found it easy to keep calm even though Russell was glaring at him from across the room. He knew Russell was keeping a grudge for their ignoring him before class and would be looking for a fight but Kiba thought he would deal with that when it came up.

Another reason why he didn't concentrate much on Russell was because he kept replaying their earlier conversation in his mind.

"Cheza?"

"That's right you know her!"

And he did know her at least that's what it felt like. They had met but a few times yet it felt like they'd been together all their lives. Of course they hadn't really and he felt curious, who was she really? What was she like? Why did his heart beat so when he as near her? What was the mystery behind those amazing yet sad crimson eyes? And her hear that he had vowed to fix?

"Cheza." The word unconsciously escaped his lips forever embedding it self in his being.

"I'm coming."

The said girl at this moment sat on Hige's bed examining a soft pink marshmallow in her hands.

"You're supposed to eat it Cheza…" the boy said popping one in his mouth.

Hige thanked his lucky stars that he had friends who occasionally brought him snacks and the like because the hospital food had no taste and turned his stomach.

Meanwhile Cheza delicately bit into the pink sweet. She chewed for a while then exclaimed in surprise as the sweet taste flooded her mouth.

"Good isn't it?" Hige asked.

She only nodded concentrating on swallowing the now sticky pink mess in her mouth. As she gulped and smiled reaching for another Hige chuckled.

Just then an uncertain voice in the ward asked "Uh… is Hige here?"

"Yes bed number four." A nurse replied.

Toboe came into view his gaze searching as soon as he saw Hige sitting in bed he smiled and walked over.

"Hey Hige!"

"Toboe? What're you doing here?"

"…school was out … and Blue said I could come over to see you..." His voice trailed away as he saw the girl.

She sat legs dangling off Hige's bed, clad in a short dress of pale green and white leggings. She was chewing, her face animated, a far away look in her eyes.

Toboe looked at her in surprise.

"What-" he began but then changed to "Who is…?"

His voice trailed away again as she looked up.

Cheza mean while had been thinking, thinking of him.

'Kiba' her heart beat each time.

She knew she shouldn't have come here, after the incident yesterday. But she needed a distraction. Hige and the sweets provided just that yet, that constant irregular thump of her heart still reminded her of him.

Her movements were careful, measured, Cheza didn't want to be sick again. She turned her head upward and noticed someone.

Toboe stared.

Her crimson eyes were in stark contrast to her white skin.

Hige noticing the too long silence quickly said "Toboe this is Cheza, Cheza this is…. Cheza!?"

She pitched forward all of a sudden, falling off the bed. Hige jumped trying to stop her falling but failed.

But she landed on her hands and knees. Toboe crouched down near her and asked " A-are you alright?"

"This one is alright," she said breathing hard and rising to her feet. Toboe moved back as she got up, her face was grey.

"This one-" she gasped.

"This one just needs a rest" and with that she inclined her head in Hige's direction before stumbling quickly away.

Toboe reached out a hand to stop her, confused but dropped it as the skirt of her frock disappeared behind the corner of the ward.

Hige called him back. "It's okay Cheza can handle her self…"

"But she's blind…"

"So?" Hige asked an eyebrow raised.

Toboe sat down on Cheza's vacated spot and asked "But who is she?"

"That's Cheza, sweet little thing isn't she? She's a patient here too, comes over when she's lonely, keeps me occupied." He grinned.

But then sighed " But Yuki told me she's an orphan…"

" Who's Yuki?" Toboe questioned eyebrows raised.

"Yuki? She's… well she's a nurse, a medical student, a fire breathing monster of death, an information center, a good cook and a friend…" Hige said all this with a straight face but couldn't help a tiny grin escaping him at the end.

Sitting in her MBBS class Yuki sneezed.

Toboe smiled slightly. "Friend?" he questioned. "I wonder does Blue know?"

Hige's smile broadened. "Oh for the love of…. There's nothing like that… not with Yuki… Ew! She's like a year older than me…A year!" He began to laugh as did Toboe.

Hige opened his mouth to say more but stopped and stared at Toboe.

"What?"

"Toboe." Hige said in a death still voice. "What happened to your eye?"

"Nothing!" was the rushed reply.

"What. Happened." Hige deadpanned.

"I told you nothing!"

Almost to quickly for a patient in bed Hige reached and grabbed Toboe's head, pulling it closer he poked under his eye.

"Ow! Ow! Hige!" Toboe tried to get away.

"Toboe you were punched in the face"

"Yeah… thanks captain obvious!" Toboe rolled his eyes. "Now will you let go of my head?"

It was released only to snap back on his neck as Hige now grabbed his arm.

"Ouch! Hige let go!" Toboe complained.

Hige examined Toboe's hands, they were bandaged, mostly minor cuts showing.

"Toboe.." Hige continued in the same quiet voice. "Your hands are cut."

"Thank you very much!" Toboe exclaimed frowning as he pulled his arm back. "What are you now? A doctor?" He rubbed his arm and glared at Hige.

"Toboe tell me what happened?"

The younger boy's expression turned from angry to worried. "Nothing really…" he muttered looking down.

Blue hadn't foreseen this part of her brilliant plan Toboe though downcast. Hige was still waiting. Sighing he said the dreaded words.

"Pops was just... you know…"

Hige's eyes widened and his breath came in a gasp. His expression changed rapidly. He sucked in air before exploding.

"That Bastard!! How can he do that! He won't lay another finger on anyone! If he ever comes close to Blue I'll-!!" he tried to rise pushing the covers off all to no avail.

Toboe jumped up.

"Shh! Hige, Blue's just fine!! Get back down!"

"Just wait till I get out of here! I will… I'll.." Hige apparently couldn't find words to go on. At that moment a nurse came running, all intent of telling Toboe off.

"Visiting hours are-" She stopped seeing the violent expression on the invalids face and the worried on Toboe's.

"Ahe-he.. bad news..?" Toboe offered.

She frowned but left with a glare, closing the curtain behind her with a "humph!"

Although he had calmed down a bit Hige continued his vendetta against Yaden Quent in a low growl.

"That man is scum, Toboe why do you two put up with him?"

"He took us in Hige… we owe him that much..." Toboe replied a little angry.

"But-but! That's it you wait till I get out of here!" Hige said

with finality. "I'm going to marry your sister and force both of you out of there!!" he declared.

Grinning now he grabbed Toboe again and ruffled his hair "You can be the flower boy…" he laughed.

Toboe only rolled his eyes and smiling settled back into a chair a safe distance away from Hige's range.

"So what else have you been up to?"

"Well…" Hige began smiling. "You see that man over there?" He pointed to another patient in the ward.

Toboe moved the curtain.

"Yeah?"

It was a balding man snoring loudly, his mouth open. The name plate at the foot of the bed read 'P.O. Plunkett'.

"Well you see I was trying to flick peas in his mouth…." Hige snickered mischief alight in his eyes as he pointed to a plate of discarded and picked at hospital food. "I got two in before Cheza came... I'm not sure if he eats them or what? He hasn't choked yet…"

Toboe giggled and reached for a spoon on Hige's bedside table. "Don't stop on my account, Hige… please continue…"

The room was dark, dark and empty. The only sounds were the humming of machines, the only light there red green lights. A solitary bed was placed in the middle of the floor, an angel in am enchanted sleep resting in it.

He paced up and down and then around before he came to stand at the head of the bed.

Her pale skin was cold when he rested one hand at her cheek. He pulled his hand through her blonde curls and then bent over to kiss her forehead gently.

"My Hamona…"

She didn't react, she hadn't for two years now, not even a flicker under her purple lids. Her lips were stone cold grey, dead. Her breathing was shallow almost invisible. For all anyone could tell she was dead, her pulse barely detectable.

Yet she lived on, trapped in a coma from which the doctors best efforts and even his most pathetic begging could not revive her from.

He sighed and exited the room. There was no sound in the empty room. No one could hear her heart beating… "My Darcia…"

And the machines continued to beep and hum. And the clock continued to tick forward, closer to the seconds when her blood would run out. Falling on the floor the last time, the crimson puddles of her life.

A sigh.

'My Darcia...'

"Excuse me Lord Darcia!"

He turned his face stoic.

"Yes Dr. Degre?"

She was unnerved and she looked down at her clipboard.

"Dr. Degre?" he asked again.

Blushing she looked up. "Right… Lord Darcia I have some bad news, your wife has been worsening over the last few weeks. I have already informed you about the chances of her recovery.., they're quite slim, almost impossible. Wouldn't it be better to turn of the machine now then let her suffer?"

"No." was the cold reply.

"But she would-"

"Dr. Degre am I not paying this hospital sufficiently enough? Or would you like your salary increased?

"No- that is quite alright." She was looking down again saying no more.

This woman looked so much like his wife yet nothing in comparison. Nevertheless she was annoying him, although not like the other horror he must face everyday.

"If you're done, I am a busy man…" he turned as he said this.

"I-I would also like to tell you about… Cheza…" she spoke timidly.

His golden eyes flashed with anger as he looked at poor Cher.

" I do not wish to discuss that child Dr. Degre, you are to care for her, I realize I'm her guardian but it is a responsibility I do not want."

"But Lady Hamona left her in your care, not her sister's; surely you want to see the child from time to time at least! Why would you she leave Cheza to you then?" Cher exclaimed finally getting exasperated.

"Dr. Degre do not talk about my wife as if she were already dead and do not mention that child to me again." With a curt nod he left a stunned Cher in the corridor.

Lilly: Yeah… this was like uh... Longer than the last... right… ? I have this annoying habit of making tha chapters longer and longer as I go on into the story…I cant help it.. it just grows and grows it's like a living monster or something!!

Laurry: You're saying this story's a monster?

Lilly: You know I'm actually cutting it off early and adding another chapter… the next one was supposed to be part of this but eh…

Laurry: Hey look a flying pie….

Lilly: WHARE?! !! I don't see it! Where is it?

Laurry: There isn't one…

Lilly: But you said…

Laurry: I lied…

Lilly: oh… You meanie!! T-T

Laurry: bleh… '

Lilly: Dear and nice reviewers please do what you are aptly named for and Review! 0