A.I. Takuya

Chapter 16 - Exclamations

By KellyQ

Kouji looked down at Takuya. An oxygen mask was strapped to his face, IVs were taped to his arm, and a bandage was around his head. He still couldn't believe he was staring at the real Takuya. Sure, he felt terrible that Android 6-2-5 was gone.

"Takuya, no!"

Kouji picked himself up and was about to dash into the smoky room to find 6-2-5. Strong arms pulled him back. Kouji looked over his shoulder to see that it was his brother.

"Let me go!" he ordered, struggling to free himself, "I've got to save Takuya!"

Kouichi pulled out a damp cloth and pressed it to Koui's nose and mouth, causing him to feel weak and pass out. When Kouji came to, the first thing Kouji did was grab his brother by the collar, looking as though he was ready to kill.

"Alright - I want some answers!"

"First off - I'm sorry I got you into this mess. You know most of the story, but - dad is in jail, and Mr. Kanbara had two sons, Takuya and Shinya ... so what you encountered was an android that looked like Takuya ..."

Kouji wanted to run his hand through Takuya's hair and put an ear to his chest to listen to the other boy's heartbeat. Yet, just looking at Takuya was good enough for him. A light, scratchy moan came from Takuya's parted lips. Kouji stared into unfocused brown eyes.

"Who ... are .. you ...?" Takuya asked, his voice just above a whisper.

"Ah ... you're awake."

Kouji turned to see a nurse walking up to the other side of the bed and started to check everything over.

"Where's .. where's my brother," Takuya asked, figuring he was in a hospital.

"He's here but in critical condition," the nurse informed. Takuya closed his eyes, and tears came down his flushed face. Kouji looked sadly at him.

"You should rest, young Kanbara," the nurse said, walking out, "you're still weak from being in stasis for too long."

With a shaky sigh, Takuya turned and looked at Kouji curiously. "You haven't told me your name."

"Oh ... it's Kouji ... Kouji Minamoto."

"Kouji huh," Takuya repeated, letting the name roll off his tongue, "that's a beautiful name." Kouji to blush, "I'm Takuya Kanbara."


Two weeks had gone by, and the Kanbara brothers were still confined to the hospital. Takuya was lying in bed watching TV when Kouji walked in with one hand behind his back. Takuya's eyes averted from the TV and noticed that Kouji was blushing.

"Kouji, are you all right?" Takuya asked, reaching out to touch him, "You look flushed."

"I'm fine," Kouji reassured, trying not to blush any more than he was, "I checked on your little brother, and he wanted me to kiss you on the cheek."

Hesitating, Kouji leaned closer, giving Takuya a quick peek on the cheek. Pulling away quickly, a sound of plastic reached Takuya's ears.

"What was that?"

"Oh - when ... I went out ... I thought ..." Kouji paused, holding out a bouquet of red roses, "I thought something like this would help you feel better."

Handing the flowers, Takuya took them and smiled. He stared softly into Kouji's eyes.

"Thank you, Kouji, for buying me red roses. That was sweet of you," he said softly, " but you didn't have to go through all that trouble."

"Trouble? It was no trouble at all," Kouji said, still blushing, "you're my friend, and I want you got to get better ... so, this is a reminder."

Takuya opened his mouth to say something when the nurse, standing at the door, cleared her throat. Kouji turned his head.

"I don't mean to interrupt anything, but visiting hours are over, and it's time for the patient to have their dinner," she reminded.

"Right," Kouji said, looking back at Takuya, "I'll come back tomorrow."

Giving Takuya a quick peek on the cheek, Kouji walked out.

To Be Continued ...