[auntslappy282]

I woke, a numbness all throughout my body. My mind was hazy and I felt rather odd. I opened my eyes slowly only to see that I was in a hospital. "Oh shit..." I muttered under my breath, making my way into an upright position. Nothing really hurt, but I wasn't in my clothes. I looked down, an IV in my wrist. I sighed. I really hated the doctors. I looked down, and then around. A nurse came into the room. I was a little furious, and I really wondered exactly all that happened. Everything was so hazy.

"I'm glad to see you up. So I need to call your parents, can I get there names?" I looked at her, a blank expression on my face. "T-They're out of town. I'm staying with my friends..." She nodded and then walked out. I sighed and then stared at the wall. This numbness and hazyness wasn't really all that fun. Another nurse came in and smiled. "It really is a miracle you survived. It almost seems like you've cheated death some how.. Anyways, I'll leave you and your friends to talk," She said before leaving. I sighed. And then realized what a wreck Karin would be in. I would never hear the end of it from her grandma... Maybe she'd kill me.

[Atoli01]

When I heard about Neku's condition, I surely could say I was scared out of my mind. I was quite literally crying in the waiting room. I could tell Maki was going through hell trying to calm me down. But when they said that everything went fine, and that we could go and visit him, trust me, I instantly perked up. Assuming they did everything right, it should be the end of this whole ordeal, right? I was just glad he survived.

"Glad to see-" "Neku!" I ran over to him happily, sliding into the small part of the bed next to him. I almost immediately broke out into tears and snuggled up next to him. "N-neku...! I was... I was s-so scared!" I heard a sniffle come from the other side of the room, surely from Maki. I guess she really was worried about him too. "O-oh, I'm sorry! It must hurt, r-right Neku?" I quickly slid back off the bed--almost falling on the way off-- and stood by the edge of the bed. I tried to wipe the rest of the tears out of my eyes and looked back up at him. I was just glad he was okay now.

[auntslappy282]

My attention was broken from the space on the wall I was focusing on and saw Karin enter and Maki. I smiled slightly when Karin ran over and cried into my chest. I laid my hand onto her head and just tangled my numb fingers in her hair. It wasn't to comforting, I will have to admit, I just felt so bad. I should have not be stabbed! I will get them next time. I swear it. I looked up when Maki started sniffling. "Atleast I'm not dead, and we don't have to worry about the bills. I'll just ask Jun to pay them off," I said with a chuckle.

I smiled at Karin, but my face grew hard. I felt so terrible for everything that I had done to her. I would be a dead man as soon as Karin's grandma saw me. I stretched slightly, getting the feeling back into my body, and then looked at Karin and Maki with a grin. "So when do I get out and get back at Fuyuko?" I said with a grin, and a crack of my knuckles.

[Atoli01]

"...I guess... there's kind of a bright said to everything, if you look at it that way," I replied to his comment. It was true though. It was good that he wasn't dead, and hospital bills definitely weren't the cheapest things out there, to say the least. I was just glad he was alive, and right now at least, doing well. I just hoped his condition didn't get any worse.

At his question though, both me and Maki frowned. "She is a pretty serious threat, but you're still injured, Neku. Be rational. Give it a couple days, at least. We'll lay low inside or something while you heal up. If you get injured again in your condition, you're basically a goner. And in the house, we have granny there to protect us too." I sighed and nodded at what she said. If he got injured again, he would basically be dead. We couldn't take that risk. It was a miracle he survived this time around.

I shook my head slightly and looked back over at Neku. "Well... since it doesn't hurt that much right now, that means I can cuddle with you, right?" I grinned a little and slid back into bed next to him. I rested my head on his chest and closed my eyes, just glad we could still be like this. "I'll just leave you two lovebirds alone, okay? If you need me, I'll be out in the hall," Maki said with a laugh and left the room, just as she said she would. I blushed a little and buried my head into his chest. I really was happy.

[auntslappy282]

I frowned. "I am absolutely certain that it will be near impossible for me to stay still in one place for to long. It's to hard," I said with a frown. I laughed slightly as Maki left, and Karin cuddled up next to me. My face hardened and tears began to form in my eyes. They slowly slid down my face and just kept coming. I felt so terrible for everything that had happened. How could I let this happen to Karin? To me? To Shiki? I bit my lip to try and stop them, and thankfully, they began to subside.

I laid my head on Karins and burst into tears again. "I am so sorry. I am so sorry. I tried to hurt her the most I could... I'm out of my game. I am so sorry. I am so sorry for everything I've put you through," I said, just taking in her scent. It was comforting and the tears stopped. I just wanted to get out of the hospital and back on my feet. I don't care if I died taking out the threat that tried to kill the one thing on this earth I still love. I would make sure to find a way to cheat death. I would.

[Atoli01]

Considering that we were just sitting there quietly for a few minutes, I was kind of shocked when Neku started crying. It was only the second time I had ever seen him cry, and trust me, I hated it. It made me feel almost... guilty, for some reason. And besides, I didn't like seeing him sad. Not that I just didn't like it, I really just couldn't stand it.

"Neku. Its not you fault, please... please understand that. You did what you could, and... you're in a lot worse of a condition than I am anyways..." I bit my lip and looked up at him. I just wanted him to be happy again! I... hated this sad Neku. "Please..." I muttered quietly. I threw out the idea of testing the water and just went straight out and kissed him. That has got to cheer him up, right?

[auntslappy282]

I sniffled a few times, just happy that the tears stopped coming. I was indeed very suprised when Karin kissed me, but I soon closed my eyes and fell into it, but then realized where we were and had to pull back after a few seconds. "I'm sorry Karin, but not right now... We are in a hospital and all... And well, it's public. I'll make sure to continue when we get home if I can get out of this hospital okay?" I said with a light peck on her forehead.

The nurse came in and smiled slightly at me and Karin, an intense blush forming on my face. "Well, Neku, since your well enough to kiss, I think you can head home. You've made a tremendous recovery after your surgery, oh and where should we send the bill?" I looked at her in shock. Surgery? It was THAT major? I gulped and looked at her. "W-what did I need surgery for?" I asked. The nurse blinked a few times and nodded. "Whatever hit you managed to puncture your heart slightly. We needed to burn the hole shut. But, you have recovered ridiculously quickly, and we are surprised you aren't dead!" She said. I nodded. "Yeah, I'm good at cheating death," I said with a slight smile.

The nurse looked confused and then shrugged. "We gave some pills and instructions to the girl outside that we need to to take. Please don't move for at least a few days. We don't want your wounds to re-open. Go ahead and get dressed, but carefully, and then you can go," She said with a smile. "Oh and the bill...?" "Oh send it to Apartment 13 Way Street, Alderect City, 7689." She nodded and left. I managed to wiggle off of the bed, and take the IV out. I stretched slightly and then motioned for Karin to leave with a smile.

[Atoli01]

I couldn't help but grin a little when Neku kissed me back. I guess it worked pretty well then? It was like killing two birds with one stone anyways. When he pulled away and reminded me of where we were though... I guess it wasn't the best idea I had ever had. I mean, a nurse or someone could just...

Like that. I quickly turned to face the wall, trying to hide my blush. Just my luck, right? How embarrassing though! The whole time the nurse was talking to Neku, I was sitting there with the edge of my skirt bunched up in my fists. H-how embarrassing! I was just barely listening to the nurse at all, but I listened enough to hear his clean bill of health. Thank god.

Once the nurse walked out, I quickly followed suit and rushed out of the room. My blush was obviously still there, because Maki giggled a little when I came out of the room. "See the nurse caught you two, huh?" I bit my lip as my blush deepened some more. "You really love him, don't you, Karin?" I looked back at her and nodded. "He's... extremely important to me," I replied with a slight grin. "He's just gotta get changed and then he can go home. I didn't think he would be able to come back the same day." Maki smiled a bit. "I'll be sure to give you two your space."

[auntslappy282]

Neku smiled, he was happy he managed to keep his healing pen in hand, or like the nurse said, he'd probably be dead. He changed back into his clothes, noticing the burn mark on his side where he was stabbed. It was better and more effective then stitches. He pulled over his shirt, twinging at the pain, and then sighing. Man, he really needed to work out or something. Eat a cheeseburger. He was way to skinny and vulnerable.

He put on the rest of his clothes, stretched slightly, twinged and walked out into the hallway. "So lets get home so I can be promptly killed by your grandma," I said with a chuckle. I started too walk out, but twinged slightly. This was going to be much harder than I thought, my heart this out of shape as it was now. I sighed and kept walking as best I could.

[Atoli01]

Me and Maki waited a minute or two longer before Neku finally came out. But once he did, I ran over to his side, smiling some. At what he said though, I blinked a couple times. "Is she up yet Maki?" She simply shrugged in response. "May be, may not be. I dunno. I already told her while you were asleep, Karin. And, well... Neku passed out. So... I have no clue." I sighed a little, kind of hoping she wouldn't be up. I really did have a feeling she would be, though.

I glanced over at Neku for a minute and walked a little closer to him. "You need any help walking? My shoulder is always here," I told him, grinning just a little. "Oh... and sorry about earlier. I guess I should've thought about where we were before I... you know..." I bit my lip and blushed a little. Stupid me causing such an awkward moment for the two of us. But still... I couldn't say I hated it, either.

[auntslappy282]

I laughed slightly. These guys were so good at reassuring me. I smiled and then shook my head at Karin. "Na,I think I'm good for the moment," I said. It was gonna be difficult to walk home though. My heart was just to weak. I smiled softly at Karin. "Oh your fine," I said with a slight shove to her shoulder. I coughed slightly and then kept walking. If Karins grandmother was awake, I would be in a rather large amount of trouble. She doesn't like me, and I can tell every bit. I started walking slower, for fear that if I walked any faster my heart would explode. It really was sore, and I could feel it every minute.

After a slow, quiet walk home, which I managed to survive some how, I meandered my way up the stairs with the help of Karin. I had had to need her help pretty much as soon as we got out of the hospital, due to the pain in my chest. I was practically panting as soon as we got up the stairs I put my hands on my knee's, realizing exactly how much that tiny blow did to me. I grabbed my healing pen and held it tight. This was the moment of truth now. I'd rather not be killed by an old lady, that would just be embarrassing.

[Atoli01]

His reply made me frown. But just a bit. He was always so stubborn! Still though... I guess it would be good to give him at least a little freedom. If he said he didn't need help, then I would just have to believe him for now. Even if his face read otherwise. I sighed and shrugged it off, continuing our walk. I would imagine that it would end up taking a lot out of him.

By the time we got back inside and up the stairs, I could tell he was exhausted. I sat down on the ground and looked up at him, still quite concerned. "You okay Neku?" Maki came up the stairs as well and walked over to the door. She stopped right in front and put her ear on it. "Granny? You almost done with your bath?" I could hear the faint splash of water, followed by granny's voice. "Almost. Just give me a second."

I sighed a little and frowned at Neku. "She won't hurt you or anything, I'm sure," I told him, my frown disappearing. After several minutes, granny came walking out the room, still muttering things to herself. "...boy got blood on the rug." She looked down up at Neku and frowned a bit. "Got blood on the rug. And its not tasty, either. Mind explaining yourself?"

[auntslappy282]

I sat down on the ground next to Karin, panting slightly. I really was much weaker than I expected. I sighed slightly. "Ya-Ya I-I'm fine," I said, panting slightly. When Karins grandma came out of the bath, I sighed. I really didn't want to be yelled at today or really have to explain myself in this situation. "Uhm well we went to the beach. The slayer and her friends showed up and I guess I tried to be the hero and ended up being stabbed and something about a punctured heart and hospitals. Thats the jist of the story. I'll try my hardest to get the blood out of your carpet ma'am, it was my fault."

I began getting up off the floor, but stopped half way to catch my breath. I managed to finish getting up of the floor and nodded to Karin's grandma. "I'll be out of your hair, sorry about the trouble." I bowed slightly and turned to leave, still finding it hard to walk. I waited slightly to catch my breath.

[Atoli01]

I frowned a little bit at grandma, my eyes drifting between her and Neku. "Ugh. This girl will be sad, for god only knows what reason, if you die. So just be more careful." I glared a little at her and sighed slightly. I was just glad she wasn't too angry with him. She definitely didn't have the best track record dealing with humans. She opened the door to her room and walked back in, with some mention of the rug again.

I sighed again and jumped up off the ground, waiting for Neku. I suppose he needed his rest now, considering he had just gotten done with surgery and all. Once we were both up, I wrapped my arm around his waist and put his arm over my shoulder. "Can ya make it down? Or do ya need a minute?" I asked him, a little worried. "I'll be in my room, okay guys? Call me if you need anything." Maki ran back down the stairs, and presumably, to her room, just as she had said. Guess that just left the two of us alone for now. Not that I really had any complaints, though.

[auntslappy282]

I wrapped my arm around Karin, thankful for her support. "Yeah, I think were good," I said, beginning to direct us down the stairs. It was hard, but Karin's support made it every bit as easier. Once we got down the stairs, I stopped to catch my breath. I cringed and moaned slightly as a twinge of pain was sent up my whole body. It was rather painful. I grabbed my side where my heart is, I felt is twinge again. I  gritted my teeth to try and stop the pain, but soon it subsided.

I sighed. "I hate being out of commission like this," I said, another groan of pain. I closed my eyes, and realized my grip from Karin and searched my pocket for my healing pen. I grabbed it in my hand and then wrapped my arm back around Karin. I began leading us forward again towards the room we shared. I really was beat. When we got there, I managed to sit down on the bed with minimal pain. "I wish those pain killers didn't wear off," I mummbled.