Max left a confused Ash and several minutes later Eiji was on the way to his room, relieved that Ash had finally woken up. Eiji had spent some time here as a patient as well since he had collapsed as soon as he had known that Ash had been cared for. It really had been a miracle he had been holding up until then. He had still been weak to begin with and his wound had reopened, soaking his shirt and pants with blood. Actually he had looked as bad as Ash in his bloodstained clothes... Eiji had barely registered any of that, so focused had he been on Ash. So in the end they had to stitch Eiji up again and told him to rest as Ash was unconscious anyway and needed at least one week to wake up - if he woke up at all. Eiji must have been in pretty bad shape as well since even all the anger on Ibe's face dissipated into thin air when seeing him. He didn't even mention the missed flight and his sudden disappearance. He had just been relieved that he would be fine.

The doctors had hammered it into Eiji's head not to bring up anything that will upset Ash since he was still very weak and on painkillers. It was thanks to his strong, iron-like body that he was even able to regain consciousness at all. Normally people would die from such a wound and most of all from such a huge amount of blood loss. Especially when they had already had a similar wound in the same area. But even Ash would need much rest if he wanted to recover completely.

Well, we'll see how that will work out, Eiji thought skeptically, since my presence alone is a reason that will upset him. At least that's what he expected. After all Ash thought he 'd be safe in Japan by now. Well, here goes nothing., Eiji thought, while entering Ash's room.

When Eiji entered Ash couldn't believe his eyes. He gasped, completely speechless for once, his jade green eyes wide open with shock. He tried to get up and immediately regretted it, paling from the effort and grimacing in pain. Rushing to his side Eiji pushed him back into the cushions, gently but firmly, and told him to calm down.

"What the hell...Eiji...? Why are you here, goddamn? Why the fuck aren't you back in Japan?", he swore in an irritated voice. He was frowning up at him while his narrowed eyes were burning with anger. Most people would have thought his intense glare looked frightening. But Eiji had never been scared of him and could even hear the worry in his cold voice.

"I missed you, too, Ash.", Eiji said, scowling down at him, arms crossed in defiance.

"No, I didn't mean...", he started to say but gave up when he saw the warmth returning to Eiji's brown eyes.

Eiji sat next to him on the bed so that they were at the same eye level.

"I guess I missed another flight. Again. My parents will really kill me this time. My mom's a lot scarier than any mafia boss when worrying about me. I think I'll be much safer here.", Eiji said, smirking to lighten up the mood.

"But I guess it was more important to save a really smart but dumb American from bleeding to death after reading my embarrassing letter." His smile faded and sadness clouded his features. "I still can't believe you really did that, Ash." Ash had to avert his gaze from the hurt in Eiji's eyes and abruptly changed the topic.

"But how did you even manage to get to me in your injured state? Are you really all right?", Ash asked in a concerned tone.

Eiji was actually grateful for the change of subject to something slightly less dramatic. He wasn't ready to talk about that yet. And he wasn't sure he could control his emotions at this time. He really wanted to punch that idiot but after all he went through he immediately regretted that thought, feeling like the worst friend ever.

"I'm fine now as long as I don't move.", Eiji assured him, wincing a bit when he did. He decided it would be a pretty bad idea to tell Ash he had reopened his wound in the process of saving him. Not now at least. When he was this weak. He'd just get upset or mad or both. He'd tell him later, he decided.

"Now we have matching scars, at least." Eiji said with a smirk on his face.

"That's not funny, Eiji!" exclaimed Ash, flinching suddenly from his sudden movement. Eiji was just grinning anyway and slowly pushed him back down again.

"Eiji...you... how could you do something so crazy and dangerous again...And in your injured state even...And how did you even find me?"

Eiji answered in a serious tone "I just had a bad feeling leaving you alone. I somehow knew something bad would happen. So did Sing. He convinced me to miss my flight and helped me escape from the airport."

"I'm going to kill him... after thanking him for saving my life, of course.", Ash commented with a sarcastic smile on his face. "He's a bad influence on you, Eiji!"

"Then, what are you exactly?", Eiji asked curiously, half-joking.

"The worst influence. A person you shouldn't get close to." He was actually serious. Eiji couldn't believe it. He shot him an incredulous look.

"That ship sailed a long time ago. Even you must know that by now."

Eiji wondered if Ash actually knew that. Ash had never really understood why Eiji had stayed by his side. And that their bond worked both ways. He was kind of clueless in that regard.

"I guess.", Ash answered reluctantly, looking away from him.

After a few minutes in silence Ash's curiosity won out.

"But, really, how did you escape? And how did you even get back downtown? You were in a wheelchair for God's sake! You couldn't even walk. You still can't...not really..." Ash's voice broke and Eiji could see an ocean of guilt in his green eyes.

Eiji touched his arm gently. "Stop blaming yourself for that. Protecting you was my decision. I don't regret it and neither should you!" Eiji's face radiated determination. Before Ash knew how to react to that, Eiji continued quickly.

"As I told you Sing helped me. The short version is that we created a diversion. Or maybe I should say your gang created a diversion while I distracted Ibe and Max by talking to them." Eiji just had to smile remembering that. That had really been fun.

"You mean you lied to Ibe and Max and they actually fell for it?"

Ash started laughing and this time his laugh really reached his eyes, making them light up with humor. But he also winced in pain from laughing so hard. "Don't worry, Eiji, I'm fine.", he said when seeing the anxious look on Eiji's face.

"So you really managed to lie to them?", he asked incredulously.

"Yeah, I was surprised, too. But I learned from the best after all.", Eiji reminded him, laughing as well.

"What happened then? How did you get away?"

"After our quick escape on Sing's motorbike, we made a little road trip to Manhattan. I swear Sing drives as recklessly as you do. He apparently wanted to break the world record or something..." Eiji complained.

"Shortly before arriving we encountered a roadblock with a shot Lao and your damn weapon lying next to him. How could you lose your .357 Magnum by the way?" Ash actually flinched at that. Under normal circumstances he would never let go of his weapon. Ever. Let alone lose it.

"I guess I lost it when..."

Ash stopped himself. He couldn't tell Eiji that he had lost his gun while trying to pick up his letter again. And that he didn't care for his gun at all since he knew he's be dying soon anyway. So he asked something else he was curious about.

"But how did you even know where I was? Or where I would go?"

"I knew you were in the public library because I do know you very well. Better than you think. That and even you couldn't have gotten that far with such a bleeding wound.", Eiji answered honestly.

"But without Sing's help I wouldn't have been able to do it.", he admitted reluctantly. He helped me calm down and think about all the places you could have gone. The public library was the best option. It had always been one of your favorite spots. Like a sanctuary or something. A place where you felt safe. It made sense you'd go there. So that was where we went first. We were just lucky, I guess." He began trembling. "I'm really glad I found you in time..." Eiji said, tears suddenly filling up his brown eyes.

Ash slowly took Eiji's hand. "Eiji. I really am...sorry." Ash wished he could comfort him by putting an arm around his shoulders but he could still barely move his arms at all. Or sit up. Or stay awake. He hated being this powerless. It made him nervous.

"But I'd never have expected you to come back for me... After I haven't even seen you off...? And after not visiting you at the hospital...", he explained to Eiji in a guilt-stricken voice, not meeting his eyes.

"You couldn't have visited me. Charlie would have arrested you on the spot. I knew that.", Eiji said, understanding in his tone.

"And I knew you weren't seeing me off for my sake. You either thought that I wouldn't leave when seeing the sad and pained look on your face or that you'd put me in danger again, right?", Eiji concluded his eyes displaying pure kindness while looking into his.

Ash stared at him in amazement, a stunned look on his face. Then he relaxed, closing his eyes for a moment.

Trying to hide a yawn he said in a relieved tone "I knew that you'd understand it. Even if no one else did."

Ash hoped Eiji wouldn't notice how exhausted he was. At this point he could hardly keep his eyes open. Maybe the next time he woke up Eiji wouldn't be there, not after what he had just done. That must have been the final straw. Even Eiji wouldn't forgive him this time.

Eiji stared at him intently, noticing how fatigue slowly clouded his features. "Well, it was still stupid.", Eiji noted. "I wanted to see you one last time before I left." Ash didn't say anything, too sleepy to argue.

Suddenly Eiji scrutinized Ash with an intensity he had never seen before. Anger flashed in his brown eyes. "You look white as a sheet and your eyes are filled with fatigue. Don't try to hide that from me!" Ash's eyes widened with shock at Eiji's upset tone.

"Go back to sleep.", he said in a softer voice. "You'll need it."

"I'm fine...", Ash said stubbornly, avoiding eye contact. Fuck, he just couldn't fool Eiji.

Eiji rolled his eyes dramatically at his tough-guy act, just glaring at him. But after seeing the miserable look on his face, his brown eyes flooded with compassion while he assured him "I'll be right here."