After my conversation, I went to see her the next day. Unusually, she was awake and doing something. Going by the presence of crayons and things, I figured that she was probably drawing pictures or coloring black and white pictures in coloring books, things to take her mind off of her illness and its treatments. Upon noticing my presence, she said, "Oh, hey Sis!" and reached out her arms for an embrace. We hugged for awhile, before she let go and said, "Doc said I can go home with you for a couple of nights."

"When?"

"This weekend."

"Is there any special preparations that need to be made?"

"Well, I'm on a special diet, for one, which sucks, but I can still eat lemons, only on Tuesdays and weekends."

"Alright then, enlighten me, what isn't allowed on your diet?"

"Too many things to count but here is a list. The lemons are the exception and it also can't be microwaved, processed, or whatever some shit, along with being 'fresh'."

"Anything else?"

"I would like a fluffy blanket because I get really cold at times and that is pretty much it."

After that conversation, we sat for awhile before she asked, as visiting hours were ending, "Hey, Sis, is it cool if I braid your hair?" Of course, I didn't ask why, I just let her have her fun, allowing her to do so should things take a turn for the worst. Ironically, for someone who didn't even have hair at that point (save a few red strands), she seemed to be pretty content with doing something small. Seeing her content and relatively happy, she seemed almost like a child whose discovered something new and preoccupying. After she finished braiding my hair, tying it off with a blue ribbon, she asked if I could play the piano for her this weekend, knowing I hadn't did that in a long time, yet I complied nevertheless.

Once I came home, I set about making preparations for her weekend visit. Her list was a long one but it wasn't hard to adapt, seeing it was practically akin to a detox diet, only the circumstance was different. As I shopped, I made a note to get a cook book, so I could cook the stuff and make it more to her tastes. After I had shopped, I made a resolve to practice the piano, as to bring back a few skills. Of course, I wasn't sure of what to play but I figured it would be soothing like a lullaby, after all, she did soothe my recurrent nightmares with one, so I assume it would be most appropriate.

That weekend, she did come home with me. For a spell, it was like old times, before she had fallen ill, except she was quieter than usual. Illness would do that and whatever energy she did have, she focused it on on getting well. However, she was unusually awake and, yet, she wasn't doing much of anything, outside of waiting for me come home and arts and crafts. We enjoyed each other's company and often, once again, told each other stories, tried new recipes, and watched movies.

In that line, we did often talk about what we were to do when she got well and asked me if there was somewhere special I'd like to go, to which I responded, "Yes, I do have a place I'd like to go, Europe." In response, she'd ask if she could go with me when I get the chance, to which I obliged.

Before I took her back to the hospital, I opted to play a couple of songs for her, as she's asked. I told her I'd see her again the next day and have her home with me the next weekend, telling her I'd play for her again and that we'd spend even more time together. Like still wet watercolors, the days I've visit just bled and mixed, until the weekend came, where she came home with me again.

Of course, said weekend, just couldn't be quiet, as the Devas opted on visiting unannounced. Frankly, I do wish they could have told me beforehand, so I could explain a few things. However, while it is a tad pestering to have them come over unannounced, they were just curious to see how she was doing and she just so happened to be staying. She didn't mind and, with the patience of a saint, answered their questions in simple and to the point answers. Suffice to say, the conversation proved to be an interesting one.

"Are you getting better?"

"Apparently, Doc hasn't told me otherwise."

"What happened to your hair?"

"Chemo."

"What's 'chemo'?"

"A medicine."

"Are you scared?"

"Kinda."

"Is it boring in the hospital?"

"Can be."

"Does it hurt when you get your medicines?"

"Yes, actually, when they put the IVs in."

"How many doctors do you have?"

"Three, the rest are nurses."

"How come you stay here instead of with the Underacheiver?"

"I want to."

"Make any new friends?"

"You guys and the kid down the hall."

"What's their name?"

"Momo."

"Is Momo nice?"

"Yes."

"How old is she?"

"Eight."

"How is she?"

"Getting better, actually, she's on her last round of chemo and will be going home soon."

That conversation dragged on for hours before snapped her head to the side, signalling that she was tired and would like to be left alone for a bit. She retreated to her room, where she remained until dinnertime. "Matoi tires out easily, doesn't she?" Houka asked, while I cooked dinner, to which I responded, "Yes, she does, being sick, however, that is the most energetic that I have seen her today."

"Hmm, interesting, how are you affected by her being ill?"

"I'm scared, just as much as she is, however, I know I would have to be strong for her and make what could be her last time happy. Generally, I enjoy spending time with her and she in turn, so, naturally, she and Mako agreed that she would spend weekends here. Honestly, seeing the amount of pain she is in and how much the illness and the treatments thereof take a toll on her, I would opt to switch places with her if I could, let nature be cruel to me instead of her. Of course, I don't think I'd be as strong as she is when it comes to dealing with this, after all, she's taken the news, treatments, and has coped pretty well, no matter how painful and tiring it's proven to be."

"Interesting."

"Yes, I suppose it is, at the same time, Little Sister has always been stronger than me in some way, shape, or form. If anything, she is one of if not the strongest people I know. At times, I will have preferred to cry for her but I know she will not allow it, so my best alternative is to be there for her while I can. No time for tears and no time for regrets."

After dinner and before bed, I opted to play the piano for her again. She requested but one song, "Baby Mine" and asked me to sing.

To our surprises, it turns out I have a really nice singing voice.