It was dark. Ever so dark.

The overwhelming smell of cleanliness swarmed Haru's senses until he could recognise nothing else. His eyelids were heavy. They wouldn't open.

The raven haired man did know where he was. Last he could remember he was… with them. Haru felt sick. The things they had done to him, the things they made him do and say… he couldn't forgive himself for it.

Was he still there? Would he have to go through everything again? More?

No. He wouldn't. He couldn't.

He tried to focus of something else, something other than the smell of the antibacterial atmosphere.

And then he heard it. It was foggy, but he heard it.

"Will he be okay?" a deep and familiar voice asked, it sounded laced with an undertone of sadness. The slight croak in the voice told Haru they had been crying.

"He should be. He's recovering just fine. A little shock will probably be evident when he wakes up and mentally there no telling, but physically; excluding some minor injuries that should heal themselves in time, he's fine." An unrecognisable voice said.

"Thank God," The man said with a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much Doctor."

"Mr. Yamazaki, no need to thank me. It's my job. For now, he needs rest, but soon he should be up. We'll make sure to call you."

Yamazaki? Sousuke! Haru willed his eyes to open, but they stayed closed until he felt himself drifting back in to the darkness once more.

Rin couldn't move.

He was trapped in darkness and he couldn't move.

He was confused to say the least.

He could vaguely recall the events that had happened before he found himself in this state. He knew he was with Haru before he blacked out but why had he blacked out?

There was a house, a lodge, and then people. Kisumi's parents! Rin, in his drowsy state, fought in his head to put the pieces back together from the night before. I mean, he thought it was only the night before, he had been-!

Stabbed! He was stabbed! In the side, he must be… in a hospital? But he couldn't even feel the pain anymore. If he could just wake himself up he could fine Haru and see if he was alright.

God he hoped Haru was okay. After everything they'd gone through… he needed to see him. To finally know he was safe. But his damn eyelids wouldn't open.

His thoughts were interrupted by a high pitched sobbing. He couldn't for the life of him figure out what it was until the noise began to form coherent sentences.

"Please be okay. Please b-be okay Rin. You can't die yet. You can't leave me here on my own. Us against the world right? Always. I don't know what to do without you. I know I moved away, but I never stopped thinking about you. But you know t-that don't you? I mean, we d-did speak almost every night." There was a pause and a sniff. "What if I never get to speak to you again?" the voice suddenly choked on words and began to cry at full pelt. And Rin wanted too as well because he would be a fool to not recognise the voice of his own sister.

Gou. Oh god, he knew how much this must be hurting her, but he couldn't reply. As hard as he tried, as much as he wanted to scream that he was there, that he was okay, he couldn't fathom how to.

He was forced to listen to the continuous sobbing until the sound faded out into nothing.

Haru's senses picked back up again at the sound of yelling. A woman yelling.

"Please, can we not do this now? You're disturbing him!" The female voice said.

"I'm disturbing him? The cheek of it! You're the one shouting-" A more masculine voice added in.

"Oh do not even start right now. You think he didn't hear enough of our arguing as a child? For once can we just sit here and talk peacefully. For the sake of our son!" a sharp silence pierced the room's lively atmosphere, leaving Haru to mentally curl up into a metaphorical ball.

His parents had come? He hadn't seen them in… well, he didn't know how long. But now they were there. Beside him. And yet he couldn't reach out to touch them.

Haru's father sighed. "Fine. Fine. God, I'm sorry. I'm just… our baby boy." Haru suddenly felt wet droplets falling onto what he though was his hand. Tears… His father was crying for him?

"I know, I know," He heard the comforting voice of his mother sooth. "He's a strong boy. He'll pull through. He always does."

"How's the other man he came in with?" Haru's dad asked. Other man? Who else was injured? He desperately wanted to hear more, but was suddenly drifting back through the blackness into a slumber.

"Hey Sensei," A small voice said quietly. Rin felt a dip in where he was laying, the child obviously sitting down on his bed. "We made this for you today in class. I know it's not great, but we all really want you to get better soon. Makoto and I more than anyone. The substitute teacher said we should be doing school work and not some 'silly' drawing but we all stuck up for you. We miss you Rin. I miss you."

Rin felt Kisumi's hand clasp around his own as he continued to speak, sniffling and stuttering due to his tears. "You need to wake up so I can say thank you. I mean, I've said it so much anyway. But you can't hear me. Can you?" There was a pause, as if the child was waiting for a reply, but to his dismay a response never came. "I didn't think so. But that's why you need to get up now! Thanks to you Sousuke and Momo are going to adopt me! Yeah, I know- me! I'm so excited. They say we can even get a dog or a cat or something cool like that. I can't wait to move in with them. But I have to wait a little while. There's some papers and stuff, adult stuff that needs to be done. I'm in a… what did Momo call it? A care home? A foster house? I can't remember. But there are lots of other children here, so it's never boring. Still, I'd like to leave as soon as I can .It's all thanks to you. My par- umm… Ryuga and Kaede are gone now. I'll tell you about it when you wake up. It's a story you'll want to hear. So wake up okay? Because you started this! You need to know how it ends!"

Rin felt something be placed gently into his hand as the weight from his bed was removed. "See you soon Matsuoka Sensei, yeah?" The boy said before he left, leaving Rin to lay immobile in silence.

When Haru finally regained the ability to hear what was going on around him, he desperately wished to drift back. He could instantly tell that this time it was Makoto in the room with him. His sons hand was in his own, squeezing harder than it ever had before.

"Daddy? It's me, Makoto." The boy broke down already, tears pouring down his cheeks. "I'm s-s-sorry I haven't been to see you much. I tried to be strong and not get upset, I went to school and everything. But I miss you. I want you to wake up. Why haven't you woken up yet? The doctors said it wouldn't be long but you're still asleep." Makoto took a few deep breaths before continuing. "I've been with Sousuke, so I haven't been on my own. Kisumi has been there for me too, but tensions are still pretty high after… what happened. You'll hear about it when you wake up, it was intense. But don't worry about it no one was hurt. Well… no one important was hurt. Daddy, the doctors won't tell me anything about you or Rin," Rin? Why Rin? "I don't like it. They treat me like I'm a child. You never did that daddy. You would never do that. So you need to wake up please, so we can be grown-ups together." He felt Makoto climb up onto the bed he was on and lay next to Haru, hugging his dad tightly.

"I already lost mummy, I can't lose you too."

Just when Haru thought he was blacking out again he found himself standing in a black space. Areas of white seemed to continue for miles and miles. There was no one else there. Or so he thought, until he heard a voice behind him.

"Haru." Haru whipped around to see an angel. The most beautiful angel he had ever laid eyes upon. Her brunette hair hung down past her waist and her green eye shone vibrantly as she smiled at Haru. He felt his knees buckle beneath him; he fell onto them shortly after, his body giving up.

"H-Hana?" He whispered. Tears cascaded down his face. He squeezed his hands into fists. "I don't… I don't understand! I don't understand any of this! Why can't I move? Why can't I wake up? Why are you… here?" He yelled, his voice dry and yet still loud.

"Shhh Haruka," She cooed as she knelt down next to him, her wings spreading out wide, white and large and full of thick fluffy feathers. "It's okay. Of course it's confusing. A lot has happened, and you'll understand in time, I promise."

"Am I dead?" He whispered, his voice now barely audible, not wanting it to be true.

Hana chuckled softly. "No silly, you're not dead. Do you really think I'd let you leave Makoto?"

Haru looked up at her finally again. "No, No you'd never do that." He replied. "So where am I?"

"You got stuck in-between. In-between life and death. You lost a lot of blood, a few head injuries, it's taken a while for you to recover, and therefore you've been here. In nothingness. But now you have to go back."

"Yes, yes, please send me back. Makoto, Sousuke, Kisumi, Rin, I need them to be alright." Haru said, stumbling to his feet again.

"I know you do. You're lucky Haru. You get to return. You get to continue. Make the most of it okay?" She whispered sweetly.

"I will. I always have." Hana leant forward and kissed Haru on the cheek.

"I hope this is the last time I see you in a long time Haru. It's not your time yet."

"I hope so too," He said. "I've gotta keep my eye on Makoto." He glanced around the empty whiteness of the room, expecting to see a door or something of such likeness, but to no avail.

"Haru, what are you looking for?" Hana inquired.

"How? How do I get back?" She sent him a pitiful smile.

"Shut your eyes numnuts." She watched as his blue orbs disappeared and then she covered his eyes with her hands. "When you open your eyes, you'll be back."

"Just like that?" He asked holding his breath.

"Just like that." She kissed his lips one last time. "Goodbye my love."

And suddenly the room of white was gone, and so was Hana, and the nothingness and the inability to move.

He could open his eyes. He could see the cosy hospital room he had been put up in, he could see the flowers and card sent by friends and family, but most importantly; he could see his son in front of him. He smiled softly as he weakly brought a hand up to rub Makoto's head.

"Hey Mako, I'm back." He croaked, not sure he had spoken loud enough for the child to hear him, but when he saw the emerald eyes meet his sapphire ones he knew he had woken his son.

Makoto's eyes went wide. "D-Daddy? Is that really you?" He asked, making sure it wasn't another dream.

"Yes," He wheezed. "It's me. I missed you Makoto." He said quietly before his son enveloped him into a bone crushing hug that knocked the wind out of him.

But he had no complaints. He was back. And he was ready to find answers.

"Oh baby we were so worried about you." His mum cooed, stroking his hair.

"Mum, I'm fine, I'm honestly fine." He reassured her. But the truth was, he wasn't okay. He felt… empty. After hearing from Sousuke about Rin's condition he had felt even more sad than he already was. He couldn't sleep well either. Every time he shut his eyes-

No. He couldn't think about that. Not right now.

"I know, I'm so glad." The kind woman said with a smile.

"Me too. I don't know what I would've done if you'd…" Haru's father started. "Well, that's not important now, is it?"

"Any news on Rin's condition?" Haru asked desperately.

His mother shook her head. "I'm sorry honey. Not yet. I do hope he wakes up soon. I'm looking forward to meeting him. He better be treating you right."

"Mum, it's because he was trying to save me that he's ill, I think we know already he treats me right." He replied.

"Of course! What a stand-up guy, I shall have to thank him when he wakes up." Haru's dad said.

His parents stayed around a little longer, which was nice for Haru. He didn't spend time with his family much- mostly because they weren't really a family. The two had raised Haru, but they never felt any love towards each other so sometimes Haru felt as though he was a burden to them, or that they were just playing pretend. He never liked his parents relationship, but he loved them both in his own weird way.

"We should get going now, let you have some rest." Haru's dad said, kissing his forehead.

"We'll stop by sometime soon though, to make sure you're still okay."

"Alright. See you guys later." Haru said with a faint wave.

He wanted to go and see Rin. But he wasn't allowed out of his bed, something about it being dangerous in his condition. He didn't care though. He wanted to see him. And he would, tonight. He planned on getting up and going to see his boyfriend.

He suddenly had a great idea! He dialled Sousuke's number and rang his best friend's phone.

"Sousuke?"

"Hey Haru, how are you feeling?"

"I'm… alright. Hey, I was wondering if you could bring something to the hospital for me."

"…What kind of something?"

For Rin, no such luck wasn't on his side. His body still lay immobile on the bed. However he could still hear. Doctors speaking about his condition, visitors coming in daily. It pained him so much that he couldn't respond to them. He wanted them to know he was here, that he could understand them. He-

"Rin?" a voice whispered. A voice so familiar.

"Oh my god Rin." A voice so lovely.

"I'm so sorry." A voice he craved to move for.

But how was he here? He was injured surely. And if he wasn't, why hadn't he come to see Rin sooner?

"Can you hear me Rin?" He wanted to scream it 'Yes Haru, yes I can hear you!' but of course, he couldn't even twitch a finger. "I don't remember everything from when I was asleep, but I know I could hear. I… I hope you can too." Rin wanted to scream. Finally! Someone knew!

"I wanted to say I'm sorry," No. "You shouldn't have had to come after me," No, no, no! "You got hurt because of me." He was okay with that really, as long as Haru was okay.

He heard his boyfriend chuckle softly. "If you could reply you'd probably tell me I'm being stupid. But, y'know, you'd probably feel the same way if it were me so you can't judge," He suddenly felt Haru's warm hand in his own cold one. "Umm… wake up soon okay? I can't handle being here without you. They say I'm traumatised by what happened. And I guess on some level they're right, but I'd rather talk it out with you. It's hard for me to talk about but I feel you have a right to know what happened. But I want to talk to you when you can respond and hold me and tell me I'm beautiful. Bless him, Makoto's been a star, but I can't… I can't tell him what happened. What would he think of me as a father?" Haru's body was trembling now. He could feel Haru crying, he would do anything to make it stop.

But what could he do?

"I love you. I love you so much. I don't care how long it takes for you to wake up- I know you will. And when you do, I'll be right here beside you." Haru brought Rin's hand up to his mouth and kissed the knuckle. "There's… a long story with K-Kaede and Ryuga. They… They're gone, I'll say that, but I'm not strong enough to go through it again. Not yet."

For a long while Haru was quiet. Just sitting embracing the time with his boyfriend.

"Hey," He finally spoke again. "I brought something for you. I thought, maybe it'd cheer you up." There was a soft rummaging of bags before Rin felt something being placed on his head.

"You look fucking ridiculous, but if it makes you feel any better, I'm wearing mine too. I made Sousuke go and get them for us." Haru made a quiet dolphin noise. Rin felt his ear twitch. That sound… it was the sound Haru made on their first date! When they were sitting in that café wearing…

Oh god. He knew what was on his head now. That outrageous shark hat from the aquarium. It felt like so long ago now, but it was a happy time, a better time. He tried to squeeze Haru's hand.

"Rin?" He was confused at Haru's questioning voice. What did he do? "Did you just… Do it again!" Haru urged.

Rin thought back. Had he actually squeezed Haru's hand? He tried again, feeling that his hand was slightly moving.

"Oh shit! Someone! Anyone! He's moving, he's moving!" He heard Haru cry before he started to fade out again.

Fuck.

When he finally opened his eyes, he was alone. In a vast space of white. He didn't know where he was, or how he'd got there. All he knew was that he could move and see, he breathed a sigh of relief as he started to wander around the emptiness.

He suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. Quick as a flash he turned around, ready to yell questions at the person and find out what was going on. But he stopped when he looked at them. When he looked in to red eyes that mimicked his own.

"…Dad?" Rin whispered, reaching out a hand to touch his father.

The man smiled, he didn't look a day older than when Rin last saw him. He guessed once you died, you just didn't age.

"Son. It's been a long time." Rin stumbled forward into his father's arms as tears welled up in his eyes.

"How? How can you be here?" Rin whispered.

"That's what I should be asking you Rinrin," Rin blushed at the use of his old nickname. "Why are you here so soon?"

"I don't even know where here is." The burgundy haired man said as his shouldered slumped forward.

"Life and death aren't that far apart Rin. There's only a thin barrier that separates them, that's where we are. Between the two worlds. You lost a lot of blood Rin. A lot. It's a miracle you lasted this long."

"What are you saying? That I'm going to die?" Rin worried.

"No, that's not what I'm saying at all. Don't you understand? Rin, you're one of the lucky ones. You get to go back; you can be with your family. I… I would give anything to have your chance." Rin's father said with a slight stammer.

"Dad… I missed you so much. So did and Gou. Why didn't you get to come back? I-It's not fair." Rin blubbered into his father's shoulder.

"I know, I know. But look at you! You've done so well! You became an amazing teacher, you landed yourself an amazing partner and you're already a dad. You've grown up so much."

"You know about all that?" Rin asked in shock.

"Of course I do Rin, I'm always watching over you, both you and Gou. I love you. I'm always there for you guys, if not in person, then in spirit." He paused. "That was too cheesy, wasn't it?"

Rin laughed. "No, no it was perfect."

They shared a smile before Rin's dropped. "Does this mean…I won't see you after this?"

"Not for a long time I hope." His father said with sincerity.

"B-But I love you. I don't want to leave you." Rin's head dropped.

"Now listen to me son," His father said, making Rin face him "You have a boyfriend who loves you, and a little boy who needs you. You have to make sure Gou is alright too. You have friends, and students that you can't just leave behind foe me. I'm in your past Rin. You have to have a future."

Rin's lower lip trembled but he nodded anyway. "Okay. It's time to go."

Rin pulled his father in for a crushing hug. "How do I wake up?"

"Close your eyes."

Rin obliged. "Now what?"

Rin's father squeezed his son tight before whispering to him-

"Open them."

Haru was sitting in a comfy chair next to Rin's bed. It had been two weeks since he felt Rin move. The doctors told him he was imagining this, most likely due to the fact that he got out of bed before he was supposed to.

Yeah right.

Haru knew he felt Rin move, and so every moment he could, he was here with Rin.

"And then Makoto did the craziest thing," He continued his story with his hand in Rin's his head leaning on the bed. "He ran over to the person in the bed next to mine and stole their pudding cup while they weren't looking just so I could eat it. Sometimes that boy is too nice for his own good."

"You could say that again."

Haru lifted his head and turned towards the croaky voice, almost cracking his neck in the process.

"Oh my God." Haru breathed.

"Surprise." The laying man said with a weak grin, showing his sharp teeth to Haru one again.

Haru gripped the sides of Rin's face, water forming in the bottoms of both their eyes. "Oh my God." Haru repeated. "You're awake. You're here- I-" Haru began to shake.

"Hey, no need for tears. I'm back baby." Rin sobbed as a tear fell from his eye.

Haru leant forward and gently pressed his lips against Rin's, kissing him deeply but gently. As they kissed, tears fell down their faces, a miracle! Finally something good was happening in their lives.

They didn't know how long they stayed in the same position, kissing each other softly and crying with joy, but they knew they didn't care.

"I thought I'd lost you." Haru whimpered.

"I thought I'd lost you." Rin said back.

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have been so careless. You wouldn't have gotten hurt if I hadn't been taken. I never wanted you hurt."

"Has it not occurred to you that I came after you because I feel the same? I never wanted you to be hurt because of me."

"It's all okay now though isn't it?" Haru asked, not sure if he was asking or trying to convince himself.

"Its fine, we're fine." He said back, leaning his forehead against Haru's.

"I love you so much." Haru said softly, Rin replied using the same words.

"Rin?" A voice said from the doorway. "Rin you're awake! You're finally awake!" Makoto ran and all but lept onto the bed where the two men were embracing.

"Careful Makoto!" Haru said, worried for Rin.

"No, it fine, I'd happily be jumped on if it meant I got a hug from my favourite little guy." Makoto beamed and hugged Rin tightly, his small arms winding around his neck. Rin couldn't suddenly feel his neck getting wet.

"No, not you too Makoto, I thought one of us would get to stay strong." Rin teased.

"I'm s-sorry, I just… I've been waiting so long so that we could be a family again. And now you're back. We can be. I'm just so happy." Makoto said, pulling his face back up to look at Rin again.

"Me too buddy." Rin said, his voice was still immensely croaky. Haru made a mental note to get his lover some water when the doctor arrived.

"You'll come back and live with us again right?" The child said excitedly.

"Of course I will."

"And… and you won't ever have to leave again?"

"Until death do us part Makoto."

The green eyed boy giggled. He looked away shyly before saying. "I love you Dad, I'm so glad you're back."

Rin smiled the widest he had in ages. "I love you too son."

"You two…" Haru said, pulling them both in for a hug. "Stop making everything so much more sentimental! I don't think I can take it."

The family laughed together. All joint in a hug, one they never wanted to break out of.

"Welcome back Mr. Matsuoka," Their moment was interrupted by the warm voice of the doctor from the doorway.

"Let's get you caught up on what happened while you were out."