Wow, it's been a long long time! I am so sorry for not continuing this earlier. *bows and does the dogeza*. I am still a little unsure about the direction of this story, although I have a brief general idea on how to end it. I know it's been months and months since I updated this story and for that I deeply, humbly apologize to my beloved readers. Hey at least I updated chapter 3! XD Anyway, this story will not be lengthy and I will probably end it in about 5 chapters. Hope you guys still enjoy it!

PS. I've updated and corrected a few mistakes in the previous chapters. Only the grammatical errors that I spot - the storyline is still the same. Now on with the story!

Disclaimer: Don't sue me. I do not even own a strand of Shusei's hair.

Chapter 3: Tenderness

"I love you, Shusei," Shusei heard a voice calling him. He was not sure what was going on - only for a fact that he had to reach out to this person calling him before he lost sight of him. Who was it? 'Hotsuma, is that you?' he thought as he tried to relocate the voice.

Another scene unfolded across his eyes, as he was staring into the widened eyes of his partner. A familiar looking sword was pierced right across Hotsuma's chest, and the blond was vomiting blood. "No! Hotsuma!" Shusei screamed from the bottom of his lungs as he knelt down and brought the lifeless figure into his arms.

"Hotsuma! Hotsuma!" Shusei screamed out his name, but the blond remained lifeless. Blood was oozing out fast from the wound and Shusei felt his insides grew cold as he saw a pool of blood surrounding Hotsuma's form.

"No, Hotsuma! Don't you dare give up on me! Yuki! Yuki where are you?" Shusei screamed but there was no one else that heard him.

Shusei choked on his own tears as he shook Hotsuma's figure. "Hotsuma! Hotsuma! NOOOOO!" he screamed.

.

Hotsuma gasped when he saw tears falling from the side of Shusei's eyelids. He heard a soft mumble of "Hotsuma" from the unconscious brunet. Hotsuma took a pale hand and squeezed it gently.

"Shusei, Shhh… it's alright," said Hotsuma in a soft voice. "It's all just a nightmare." Hotsuma caressed a cheek, wiping away the tears with his thumb and he continued to talk, hoping that it would guide his partner back to him.

"I'm right here. I am not going anywhere, Shusei," said Hotsuma.

Shusei eyebrows furrowed a little but the tears from his eyes won't stop. Suddenly, his eyelids flew open and he yelled out a choked "Hotsuma!"

Hotsuma froze before quickly forcing his partner to lie back down onto the mattress. "Shusei… I am right here," he gave a tiny smile onto the still figure. Shusei's face was even paler and Hotsuma felt helpless. There was nothing he could do for his partner, other than being right by his side.

"Shusei…" he said again, this time a little louder as Shusei didn't acknowledge his presence the first time.

Shusei blinked once before turning his head to gaze at Hotsuma. Tears fell even harder down his cheeks as he saw Hotsuma right by his side. He leaned onto the strong chest and sobbed onto Hotsuma's open arms.

"Hotsuma… Oh my god, Hotsuma…" Shusei croaked out, his fists clenching onto Hotsuma's jacket. Hotsuma wrapped his arms around the lithe figure, one hand on the soft brown locks and another rubbing soothing circles on his back.

"Shh, Shusei. It's all right. You are alright," Hotsuma reassured as he brought Shusei closer, placing his lips onto the top of Shusei's head.

Shusei's breath hitched a little, inhaling and exhaling at a fast pace. Hotsuma threaded his fingers into Shusei's silky hair, and the other move in soothing circular motions on his back.

"It's just a nightmare, Shusei," said Hotsuma. Shusei shook his head, his form still trembling and he fisted even tighter into Hotsuma's shirt.

"It… it felt so real," Shusei choked out, breathing heavily. Hotsuma whispered words of comfort and continued to embrace Shusei – neither of them noticing that the sun was rising.

"Don't leave me, Hotsuma," Shusei said desperately, clinging tightly to Hotsuma. He needed the blond next to him. Hotsuma was his pillar, his support, his partner, the only person he trusted.

He smiled a little when he felt Hotsuma kissing the top of his head. Strangely, the feel of the blonds' lips did not disgust him nor made him feel awkward. In fact, it was so comforting, so warm that it made him shiver lightly in pleasure.

"I won't leave you, Shusei. I promise," a deep voice whispered into his ears and Shusei breathed a sigh of relief before falling back asleep in Hotsuma's arms.

.

Much to relief of many, Shusei had recovered and he was soon able to perform his Zweilt duties. Hotsuma had wanted to protest when Shusei decided to attend back school but Shusei brushed him off, saying that he was absolutely fine and fully recovered. Hotsuma glanced at his partner and sighed. He knew that Shusei had not fully recovered. The brunet still looked pale, and Hotsuma swore that Shusei had lost even more weight.

A few weeks later, Hotsuma's worst fear came to life. When he and Shusei were battling against some stray Mid-Villain Duras that was aiming at Yuki, Shusei had as usual sealed and immobilized them with his Kurai Kurou. Hotsuma had burned them alive with his God's Voice.

When he turned, his insides turned cold when he saw Shusei losing consciousness and the brunet fell onto the cold hard earth.

Hotsuma and Yuki were by his side immediately. Hotsuma lifted Shusei by the back and he stomach churn with fear when Shusei looked deathly pale.

"Hey, Shusei!" his voice cracked. Yuki placed his hand across Shusei's heart and familiar golden yellow light emitted from his palms. Hotsuma watched anxiously, wondering what was wrong with Shusei.

"Shusei-kun is not recovering. My powers are not working on him," Yuki's brows were furrowed and sweat was appearing on his forehead as he tried to heal Shusei. Hotsuma's hands shook a little, and he easily lifted the brunet in his arms.

"We need to bring him to Dr Isuzu, Yuki!" Hotsuma shouted out, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes. He ran blindly across the streets and roads, ignoring the murmurings and curious stares from the people that he passed. When he reached the Twilight Mansion, he kicked open the door and raced to the medical room.

"Dr Isuzu, Shusei is… S-Shusei is…" Hotsuma breathed in, his body was all sweaty from the run and no words were needed. Dr Isuzu quickly took Shusei and placed him on the bed, before gently ushering out the blond from the room. Hotsuma sat down on the couch in front of the medical room and he dreaded on the results. What was going on with Shusei?

'Shusei. You can't leave me… Don't you leave me, Shusei…'

.

It felt like hours, or even days before the medical room door clicked open and Dr Isuzu stepped out. Hotsuma, previously in a daze and trance immediately stood up from his sitting position, and he gaze desperately at the Giou physician.

"Sensei, how is he?" he heard another voice asked and Hotsuma turned to see Yuki there. He looked around the waiting area and saw that everyone was there – Tsukumo and Toko, Yuki and Luka and even Takashiro and Tachibana.

The downward glance from Dr Isuzu made Hotsuma's mind go blank. That was not a good sign. He stepped forward and shook Dr Isuzu's shoulders.

"What's going on? Tell me!" he yelled. He felt a clasp on his shoulder and he turn to see Tsukumo looking at him gravely. "Calm down, Hotsuma. Remember, Shusei is still resting inside."

Hotsuma's hold loosened on the physician but his eyes were still glaring daggers. His voice was barely over a whisper, "Shusei… is he alright?"

Dr Isuzu slowly shook his head. "I took a sample of his blood and just did a blood test. I'm sorry, Hotsuma. He has leukemia," he said, voice low and sympathetic. Everyone gasped and Toko clapped her hands over her mouth in shock.

Yuki came forward and his eyes were pleading. "There has got to be a cure or something!"

Dr Isuzu shook his head once more. "It's close to the last stage, Yuki. I'm afraid there is nothing you and I can do."

"We should send him to a proper hospital, and get a second opinion," Takashiro said authoritatively.

"Wha-" Hotsuma felt his blood grow cold, and his legs actually gave out. He took a few paces back and collapsed back onto the couch. He had forgotten how to breath, and his mind went blank in shock. 'Shusei, Shusei is dying.'

I know this chapter is really short compared to the earlier two but I simply had to end it

Please, please, please review! I want to know whether there are still people reading this! (Thanks to my procrastination! =.=)