Chapter 27: Survey

Hiroki snarled at the huge package on his desk as Demion smirked weakly. Demion was Hiroki's new assistant and very fearful of Hiroki…it both annoyed and made Hiroki feel like a teacher. He said, "What is this obstruction on my desk?"

Demion gulped and looked away. He mumbled, "I…got it from the Dean…he says that Karuiinochi Researchers wanted the college to participate in the survey of…" He gulped and said a little louder, "the homosexual marriage law."

Hiroki held his breath as he stared at the package. His left hand was slowly lifted to his face as he stared at his engagement ring…Nowaki was a little impatient as they planned some things like the cake, what they were wearing, and the place…but the date was not possible until the law was passed. He slowly released his breath as he said, "how many packages were delivered…do you know?"

Demion looked at Hiroki with light blue eyes and said, "Nearly every department has enough to ask every student to fill out a survey. Of course, the researchers only want one from each student but…this way, the researchers can have each college student at least once give their tally for the senator in court."

Hiroki just stood there as he said, "can the staff…"

Demion nodded and held the sealing envelope. He said, "I completed one the moment the survey came in, sir."

Hiroki looked at Demion closely…the kid was fresh off the college wagon, but his lack of courage or defense…it annoyed Hiroki that the Dean suggested that Demion was his new assistant. Demion did not fight, annoy, or even touched Hiroki…the kid just did his work and kept his presence low. Demion, in Hiroki's opinion, reminded him of a lower class boy with fortunate luck with loans or grants. The kid dressed in clashing colors; like today's outfit consisted of striped red and orange top, yellow pants, green shoes, and a bold pink tie. His black hair was greasy and fell flat against his head. His light blue eyes were always finding a reason to not look at Hiroki in the eyes…but he did have a vast intelligence. Demion was very good at American Literature and proved his worth…but Hiroki could not like the kid. Hiroki just disliked the clothing, the constant fear in Demion's eyes, and…the fear that Demion was hiding something. Demion did not look or act like a spy for Goda…but Hiroki saw Goda in town again.

He groaned and went to the package as he said, "be sure to pass the survey first thing…and—"

Demion gave him an empty envelope and said, "Bring it to the researcher in the building…"

Hiroki took the envelope and said, "thanks…be sure to write down the students' names on the envelope on who has taken it or not. Just to make it easier for the researcher to keep tally."

Demion looked away and mumbled, "It is supposed to be an anonymous tally of the survey…sir."

Hiroki rolled his eyes and said, "then how are we supposed to keep track of the…" Demion produced a sheet of paper with his list of students, and he shifted the second sheet to reveal Hiroki's classes.

Demion said, "This way…the teachers will know who did it or not…sir."

Hiroki said, "You seem very interested in this bill, Demion. Why?"

Demion looked straight into Hiroki eyes and said, "I am gay…with a crew of men…so…" He looked away and finished, "I…well…I am very attracted to one guy but…he refuses to get close unless if I…ask him to marry me…you know?"

Hiroki blinked and said, "You are stranger than I thought…a crew? That is sick."

Demion smiled and said, "I knew you would say that. Oh well, viva homosexuality." He took his things for class and walked away.

Hiroki felt this was not a development that he wanted to know about Demion…but he shrugged and went to his classroom. He took out the survey and placed it by the door on a table. Hiroki went to the board and wrote: Please complete the survey before we begin class. Be sure to not place your name on the survey and answer in truthful responses. Thank you.

He sat down as the class came in and saw the surveys. Most of the students stared at the paper then took it to their seats. They looked at message on the board and began.

Hiroki waited for all his students to grab a survey as Misaki came in gasping for breath. Misaki turned to Hiroki and said, "Sorry…am I late?"

He shook his head and pointed to the survey. Misaki turned and looked at it with enlarged eyes; he slowly took it and went to his seat in the front. Hiroki watched as flushed cheeks came to Misaki's face. Misaki began the survey.

Hiroki stood and grabbed a survey. His eyes searched over the questions as he felt the need to be in the tally…not only for Japanese homosexuals…but for himself and his lover…Nowaki. He sat back down and read:

This survey is unlike any other, for the reason is to find a collective sample of people to see their opinions on the homosexual marriage law. This law dedicates that homosexuals, of the age sixteen and older, can marry and have the same rights as heterosexual married couples. Please answer the questions to both best of your ability and reasoning for this survey's purpose. The purpose for this survey is to find a statistic to either pass or delay the bill. Please write your answers legibly for the survey lab to tally your vote for this statistic. Thank you for your time and return this survey to the researchers from Karuiinochi Researchers.

What is your gender? Male or Female

What is your age? 18 18

What is your social economic status? Please write in the space below what best describes your social economic status.

Please describe the benefits for this bill passing?

Please describe the consequences for this bill passing?

Do you have any questions for Senator Chi-san? If so, list the questions do below and Karuiinochi Researchers will forward the questions to her and her staff as soon as possible.

After deliberating these questions, what is your final decision on passing this bill?

Yes or No

This concludes the survey for this homosexual marriage law. Thank you for answering, in your own words and being honest, to support Chi-san in court. Please if there is not enough room for the written work, write on the back.

Thank you, © Sugisaki, Atsushi

Karuiinochi Researchers

Tokyo, Japan

Hiroki sighed in disappointment the lack of questions, but his breath stalled when he looked at his students…everyone was turning the page over and continued to write…He slowly took a pen and wrote his answers down. His breathing came back when he came to these questions:

Please describe the benefits for this bill passing?

Please describe the consequences for this bill passing?

Hiroki wrote for the bill passing, he wrote:

The bill passing would benefit homosexuals in the security of the lovers in both monetary and emotional. There has been a stigma towards homosexuality since the fears of unknown is difficult to explain unless you are a homosexual. The further explanation of homosexuality must be adapted into the world for acceptance of married couples than reverting to the old cliché of "hidden in the closet." This bill would also adapt homosexuals to be freer in expression and show their true…

Hiroki stalled at his own reactions to these questions. He felt…Nowaki would say these things than he would…but…he wanted this bill to pass. His eyes tuned to his engagement ring…he wanted to say love was a major reason for this bill to pass in his eyes. Love and acceptance of homosexuality from everyone than only in the job world was also another reason. Hiroki rubbed his engagement finger as he finished the sentence:

…selves without fear of retribution or insults from the people who do not know of this way of life. Marriage is a gift of promise to two lovers…why should this gift be denied to homosexuals who deserve to marry as much as heterosexuals?

He moaned under his breath. If Nowaki saw this…Nowaki would rip Hiroki's clothes and take him on a sexual ride of endearing passion…Hiroki shivered and looked at the other question…consequences…he sighed and wrote:

The consequences are hard to determine at this point since the bill is not yet passed. The general stigma may take time, even years, to die down. But the overall fear and stereotypes may not stop, the minds of people are hard to determine and impossible to read. The bill is just a gift to a lucky few…but could there be issues or even problems with this bill passing? The answers are vast as the opinions answering this survey, but the protection of the homosexuals that rush to the altar would be a concern than the consequences of the bill passing or not. Would the public actually stop these homosexuals from marrying by using picketing or hurting them into admitting defeat? The consequences will not be known until the bill passes…but scenarios can be formulated. What will the government do to protect the homosexuals is my question…if the bill passes?

Hiroki felt this question more as Nowaki gushed about the wedding. Would they be threatened from marrying each other? He shivered at the thought as he ignored the last question and shoved the survey into the envelope. His body moved slowly to receive the finalized surveys, which a few students gave him some. Hiroki respected his students' opinions and did not look at the answers.

Misaki gave over his survey as Hiroki took it. He mouthed, "Did you take one?"

Hiroki nodded as Misaki continued to mouth, "what do you think will happen if this passes?"

He stared at the youth in Misaki's eyes…his green eyes were fearful but respecting Hiroki's answer. Hiroki did not know how to answer, but he shrugged as he went around the room to collect all the surveys.

Hiroki closed the envelope and said, "That was actually my journal question…about this law. But I will take a vote, who wants to opt out of my question…" He dropped the envelope when no one raised their hands…not the entire class had to be homosexual! There was no way… He bent to receive the envelope and went to the door.

A young researcher, who probably just got out of college, smirked at Hiroki. His gray eyes gently smiled as well, and he said, "I will collect the surveys, sir."

Hiroki gave the young man the surveys as the young man bowed to the class and said, "Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen."

The class smirked and gently bowed to the survey researcher. The man bowed to Hiroki and said, "thank you too for your opinion, sir."

Hiroki smirked and bowed back. He said, "thank you for asking the college to complete the survey. Have a nice day."

The man smiled and walked away. The class chanted their farewells to the survey researcher as Hiroki waved his hand to get attention. The class slowly turned to him and paid closer attention.

Hiroki said, "The survey…well, I will ask you to spend the rest of the class time to write about your best possible opinions on the homosexual marriage law. They can be pro, con, or even in between. I want developed opinions with personal evidence that proves your point. Begin."

Everyone started writing in their notebooks as Hiroki sat down again. He sighed as his eyes bulged at the last person on earth that would be here…looking like he ran from the hospital to here…Nowaki.

Nowaki was panting, red faced as tears slipped down his face…the man had no coat or equipment from the hospital on his body. He just shivered and stared blankly at Hiroki.

Hiroki slowly stood shakily as Nowaki ran into Hiroki's arms. Nowaki sobbed openly as the class looked at the new man in the room. Some people began to talk and shift in their seats. Hiroki was in too much shock…Nowaki…crying…and his class… He said, "Stay still, students! This is…a personal matter. I will return in a few moments after speaking to this man. Takahashi-san, can you watch the class and collect the papers for me?"

Misaki nodded quickly as he watched Hiroki and Nowaki leave the room.

Hiroki gently pushed Nowaki out and into the men's bathroom. Nowaki hugged Hiroki again and sobbed, "it…Hiro-san…it was so horrible! I…god…" Nowaki's body shivered and his head leaned into Hiro-san's neck. Hiroki just held Nowaki as Nowaki kept sobbing.

Nowaki gasped and looked at Hiroki's confused face. He gulped and sobbed, "Hiro-san…he died…he just died…he was only…" His sobs overcame his voice as he lowered to the ground. Nowaki curled into a ball as he hid his face into his hands.

Hiroki quickly went to Nowaki and rubbed his lover's back. He felt his heart break slowly…a child died. Of course, this was Nowaki's job but this reaction…Hiroki never expected Nowaki to overreact like this unless…he froze as he hugged Nowaki tightly. His mind came up with two conclusions…one, this child was a favorite of Nowaki's or…one of the boys they were going to adopt.

Nowaki just kept sobbing as his hand rubbed Hiroki's. Nowaki's body laid flat on the tiled floor as he slowly turned to allow Hiroki to lie on top of him. His face was so somber and lost in sadness… Hiroki gently rubbed the tears away and looked at Nowaki's blue eyes…he never saw Nowaki like this…his blue eyes looked like life lost meaning and purpose…Hiroki kissed Nowaki's face gently.

Hiroki felt Nowaki's strong arms around him as Nowaki said, "Hiro-san…please…don't stop yet…" Nowaki's voice was still thick with sadness, but his eyes brightened a little in sight of his lover near him.

Nowaki turned away and sighed a few deep breaths. Hiroki gulped and tried to keep calm…his lover like this made him want to cry. They looked at each other again as their mouths gave a tender touch. Nowaki allowed Hiroki to led, but Hiroki did not push his lover. They parted as Hiroki just looked at Nowaki as Nowaki did the same. The tears kept following as Nowaki said, "Hiro-san…we tried to save him…he just…" Nowaki's voice was thick with sadness as he continued, "he had a horrid reaction to the change of drugs…his heart rate sped up…his body just went into cardiac arrest…he died….without…even meeting his new parents…"

Hiroki leaned into Nowaki's chest and moaned. It was one of the sick boys…their new kids after getting married… Hiroki gulped and sobbed into Nowaki's chest. He could not stop thinking that he could have seen them…gave them hope…but he just did not want to see them until his papers passed in the adoption agency…they could not adopt them until they were married. So…Hiroki stayed away while Nowaki looked at Hiroki with his puppy-eyes look, but Nowaki never pushed the idea…the fact that one of their "future sons" died…he sobbed as Nowaki joined him.

They sobbed at the loss, but they openly just allowed the emotions show. Hiroki may have not know them…but he did want them…he wanted them since Nowaki explained them to Hiroki. He wailed in the lost promise as Nowaki allowed his tears to mix into Hiroki's as they kissed gently again. They mouths just rubbed in union than burning passion…they parted as they turned to their sides, but they kept just as close to each other.

Nowaki held Hiroki close as Hiroki groaned, "why is life so damn cruel? He was only a child…"

Hiroki felt Nowaki's hands gently stroke Hiroki's body as Nowaki said, "yes…a mere boy of eleven…"

He stiffened as he looked at Nowaki. Hiroki sighed, "Takachici…oh god Nowaki…you were there when he…"

Nowaki groaned and sobbed again. He held Hiroki close and said, "we tried everything! Takachici just….I don't understand! He was shivering, foaming at the mouth, and then…he started to shake even worse than the shivering….his heart sped up and….he died….in a matter of ten minutes….of those symptoms…." His body shivered and his sobs kept coming as Hiroki held Nowaki close to him.

Hiroki sobbed with Nowaki as they held each other. They sobbed for more than a child that could have been theirs….they sobbed for a life that would never see life beyond the hospital. Their sobs were united in the times, both good and bad, that they could have shared with three beautiful children…but now…they had a great tragedy to endure…

Nowaki sobbed, "I still want to adopt them…"

Hiroki sniffed and choked out, "we…should…I don't know."

Nowaki looked into Hiroki's eyes with a determined look…his face was wet from the tears, but his blue eyes were passionate. He said, "please Hiro-san…more than ever…Machi and Bachi need supportive parents…we can help them through this turmoil of losing an older sibling…please…stand with me."

Hiroki saw Nowaki hold out his hand…his left hand for Hiroki's…he said, "Nowaki…are you sure that we can handle grief stricken children…after a tragedy like this?"

Nowaki smiled, even through the tears still falling, and said "I believe now is better than ever…they need us…both of them…"

Hiroki said, "my papers…we need to be married…and…"

Nowaki kissed Hiroki's nose and said, "I talked to my parents, and your papers are fine…also, in light of this tragedy…they are allowing us to adopt them."

Hiroki flushed as he said, "are you…we have to plan a funeral…"

Nowaki shook his head and said, "Their parents funded enough money into their personal funds…Takachici has enough money to have a decent funeral…" He gulped and closed his eyes at the thought.

Hiroki snarled through the tears, "It almost sounds like the parents knew this would happen! Bastards!"

Nowaki opened his eyes as fresh tears came down. He said, "please…Hiro-san…not everyone knows their children will die at an early age…the parents just left funds…for the new parents to care for them…I feel this is generous of the parents…"

Hiroki rolled his eyes and snarled, "I feel if the parents cared enough about abortion than this would not be an issue."

Nowaki stiffened and said, "How could you say that…everyone deserves to be born…"

Hiroki sighed and said, "Maybe I should say…the mother is irresponsible to have children and not keep them to take better care of them…or even leave a list of medications that her sons could be allergic to…"

Nowaki stopped breathing for a second and gasped as he sat up. Hiroki joined him as Nowaki said, "An allergic reaction…why didn't I or the others think of that…"

Hiroki blinked twice and said, "You…felt the kid was not having an allergic reaction?"

Nowaki said, "well…the diagnosis was sketchy…Tsumori found Takachici having irregular reactions to the new drugs, but he just kept him on them…he felt that Takachici was just having a bad reaction then might adapt to the drugs…"

Hiroki snarled, "That brat killed our son!" He blushed quickly as soon as he finished the sentence as Nowaki smiled gently.

Nowaki said, "how could we known….as doctors, we usually have the facts from the parents but…the three children had nothing. Machi was tested, but she was clean. Bachi is getting better…but he is still very weak…Takachici…well…he never got better."

Hiroki said, "What does Bachi have?"

Nowaki wiped his tears away and said, "I am not sure…the blood samples read positive for healthy but…he is sick. The kid cannot even walk, eat on his own, or even leave his bed…he lost a few pounds and…" Tears slipped down his face as he finished, "he has lost consciousness a few times…like Takachici…Hiro-san…I am so scared! I do not want to lose Bachi….I love him so much…when he smiles…his smile lightens the entire room….he is so beautiful but…no one knows how to help him…"

Hiroki snarled, "Do not give him the same medicine that Takachici had!"

Nowaki smirked and said in a choked voice, "no…the drugs have been considered a problem and labeled on Bachi's file to not use on him…"

Hiroko rolled his eyes and said, "When is the asshole leaving?"

Nowaki sighed and said, "Today…at three…he was finishing his last batch of patients and giving them to me…but I cannot serve Bachi any more if we adopt him…"

Hiroki said, "find someone trust worthy…and…I want to see them before we—WHAH! Nowaki! Nowaki….Nowaki…."

Nowaki leapt onto Hiroki and hugged him tightly. He said, "Darling…can you come tomorrow?"

Hiroki moaned and said, "I want to see him alone…."

Nowaki giggled and kissed Hiroki's forehead. He said, "As you wish but…Machi…we need to tell her…"

Hiroki nodded and said, "We will…sweetheart."

Nowaki flushed and said, "I love you, Hiro-san."

Hiroki smiled and said, "I love you too."

They kissed each other as their tears combined once again. Their bodies opened for the touch that both of them knew so well, but this time…they felt each other's pains as well as love. Nowaki did not remove any clothing as Hiroki sighed happily. Hiroki really did not want to have sex in the school's bathroom.

Nowaki said, "I am sorry I took you from class…the shock…I just could not stand staying at the hospital…"

Hiroki sighed and said, "dear, you a doctor…so, you will be seeing death…even Bachi's could happen…"

Nowaki moaned and leaned onto Hiroki. He said, "I know…but it hurts deeper when…the child that dies could have been your son…I was attached, Hiroki…even if Bachi dies…I will cry just as much…"

Hiroki gulped and said, "I would join you…I cannot wait to meet them…"

A/N: I will not dumb down the sadness, but out of curiosity…I would like to ask the fans to complete the survey…for fun.

Writing death of a child…it is not fun, but…Takachici was not going to make it. I will explain his illness later, but…Bachi…does he have the same thing? It will be known…soon…