The Key to My Heart

Title: The Key to My Heart: Chapter 7
Author: JadeHeart
Archived: Found on gurabiteshiyon.net. If anyone else would like it, please ask me first!
Fandom: Gravitation
Rating: R
Warnings: Bad language mainly
Timeline: After the anime/manga finishes.
Characters: Yuki, Tohma
Feedback: Feedback is always welcome! If I don’t get feedback, I don’t want to continue!
Summary: Just how far would Yuki go in search of Shuichi?
Author’s Notes: Thank you to all the reviewers, and I have been suitably chastised by Reyn for Chapter 6 being so short! So here’s Chapter 7 to whet your appetites again! I wonder if I’ve lost any readers because of the last couple of chapters being depressing?

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, they belong to the creators of ‘Gravitation’, nor am I making any profits from this.

The Key to My Heart: Chapter 7


Tohma worriedly looked at where Yuki was sitting on the bed. He was silent now after his extreme outburst earlier. But what broke Tohma’s heart was to see the silent path of tears coursing down Yuki’s face, never ending.

It had been with great difficulty that Tohma had managed, with some assistance, to bring Yuki back here to his room. It was over now. He had to get Yuki away from here.

His forehead creased with worry. He wanted to go and speak to the doctors, before they disappeared into the depths of the bowels of this hospital, but he was afraid to leave Yuki on his own in his current state. He frowned, wandering what to do, then nodded to himself. Yuki wasn’t going anywhere at present.

With that decision made, Tohma turned and quickly left the room, making his way back to the nurses’ station. He spotted the doctor still there and approached.

“Doctor?” he said.

The practitioner turned to face him “Ah, Mr Seguchi.”

“I wanted to thank you for all your assistance over this time. It has been appreciated.” Tohma gave a brief bow of respect.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” The doctor’s expression softened. “How is your friend doing?”

“Not well.” was Tohma’s honest reply.

“I’ll give you a script.” the doctored turned and grabbed a note pad, scribbling for a moment. “It’s some heavy sedatives which should help him at least sleep. But please only take them as directed.”

Tohma accepted the paper.

“And a friendly word of warning,” the doctor continued seriously. “I wouldn’t let him near the bottle himself. You don’t want him deciding to take an overdose.”

“I agree. Thank you. What formalities are required to be completed now?”

“We need to do a brief autopsy. As you know, the government is still concerned about this particular event and the investigations are on-going. Do you know if the family would have any objections to such a procedure?”

“No. That would be fine.”

“That’s good. It will help speed up the process. We’ve just been notified that we’ll be receiving the dental records of all the passengers tomorrow, so we can make a positive identification and put the paperwork through. It’s been frustrating to have all those records held somewhere in the Pentagon as they investigated every person. We really could have used them here earlier.”

“It must have been a difficult time for the hospital.” Tohma sympathized. “I will be taking my friend with me, but you have my contact number on file if you require anything else.”

The doctor looked down at the folder in his hand and confirmed this. “Will you be remaining here in the States a while longer?”

“Until you indicate that my presence is no longer required. I would like to take Shindou back to Japan with us.”

“I’m sure that can be arranged. It may take a little time though.”

Tohma nodded. “I understand. Thank you once again.” and he gave a final bow and left.

He returned to find Yuki exactly where he left him. He quickly moved around the room, packing Yuki’s things. Still Yuki didn’t move. And the tears continued to flow.

When the packing was done, Tohma picked up the room phone as he couldn’t use his cell in the hospital and dialed. He finally heard a familiar voice on the other end,

“Jim Harris.”

“Jim.”

“Tohma! Buddy! How’s it doing?” Jim sounded cheerful and Tohma’s stomach knotted.

He cleared his throat. “Shindou…passed away this morning.”

“Oh, shit, man.” Jim’s voice dropped to a whisper. “I am so sorry. How’s Yuki doing?”

Tohma glanced over at the silent figure. “Poorly.”

“Yeah. I can guess. Poor bastard.” A sigh. “So, what are you going to do?”

“I’m taking Eiri back to my hotel. The doctors are going to do the autopsy and arrange for the clearance to return the body to Japan. They said they’ve finally received the dental records so they can make a positive identification.”

“Hhumph.” Jim snorted. “The bloody red tape that those records have been caught up in! Sometimes I think all this is just about some people trying to justify their jobs. They haven’t got a clue about what they’re doing to others in the process.”

Tohma heard some shouting in the background, over Jim’s voice.

“Look, Tohma. I’ve really got to go. Sorry.”

“That’s fine. You have a job to do.”

“I’ll call you later. If I can do anything to speed things up, let me know. ‘K?”

“I will. And thank you for everything you have done for us.”

“Anytime, pal. Talk later.” and he hung up.

Tohma set the phone down and stood there for a moment. He could feel his own emotions begin to turn, twist inside him. He had liked Shindou, for all that the kid also drove him to distraction. He still couldn’t see what Yuki saw in the boy, but there was no denying that Shindou had been exactly what Yuki had needed. What he had wanted. It had been quite a pairing.

Tohma took a deep breath and straightened. There were still things to do. He filled the script he had been provided. Then he organized a wheel chair, bundling Yuki’s tall, unresponsive body into it, placing his bag on his knees. He called for a taxi, and by the time he had reached the main entrance, it was waiting for him. He was pleased that the taxi driver was of a compassionate nature, and got out to help him move Yuki into the car. Tohma left his arm around Yuki’s shoulder, holding him tightly as they drove to the hotel.

The taxi driver looked at them in the rear view mirror. “You boys alright?” He was a white haired, grizzled older man with a soft voice.

Tohma looked up. “Yes. Yes, we’re fine.”

“Sonny, it sure doesn’t look it.” Tohma didn’t respond.

The driver spoke again. “I’ve been doing this area for nearly 40 years. Since that hospital went up a while back, you’re not the first passengers I’ve had in my cab that looks like that. I know what it’s like to lose someone. My wife passed away five years ago in that very hospital. It’s never easy.”

They pulled up in front of the hotel. Tohma struggled to pull Yuki out.

“Here, let me.” the taxi driver suddenly said. He was taller than Tohma, and broader in the shoulder, and for all his age seemed to still have substantial strength. He physically dragged Yuki from the car and slung one arm over his shoulder. “Come on.” he said to Tohma. “I’ll help you get him inside.”

Tohma grabbed the bag and hurried inside. They drew a few looks at their unusual group, but Tohma didn’t care. He pushed the door to his room open and assisted the driver to lay Yuki down on the bed.

“Thank you so much for your kindness and help.” Tohma said with a low grateful bow.

The driver waved it away. “No sweat. Wish I could do more.”

“You have done more than many would, and I thank you.” Tohma pressed the taxi fare into the man’s hand, with something extra.

The driver noticed the extra folded bill and his eyes widened at seeing the $100 note. “Hey, I can’t take this! It’s far too much!”

Tohma closed the man’s fingers around the money. “Please take it. It is the only way I can show you my gratefulness for your kindness. So please, accept it.”

The driver opened his mouth as though to refuse, but then closed it. “Thanks.” he said, voice thick with emotion. “Thanks a lot.”

Tohma nodded and closed the door behind the driver.

He let out another sigh. How he wanted to speak to Mika, to hear her voice. He turned to the bed. Now wasn’t the time though. He made his way over to Yuki and began to try and make him as comfortable as possible. When Yuki was under the covers, he sat down beside him, watching. Yuki just continued to stare up at the ceiling. The tears had finally stopped, though some still clung to his lashes, like dew drops.

Tohma just sat and watched.

Tohma stepped out of the shower, feeling a little better. Yuki’s eyes had finally closed a number of hours later. The trauma had finally taken its toll on the body, and the mind sought refuge in sleep.

Tohma had been frantic as Yuki thrashed around in his sleep, screaming out Shuichi’s name, crying in huge sobs that shook his whole body. It was heartbreaking. Tohma could do nothing, except try to hold him, soothe his demons. It had been a long day.

Yuki was still sleeping now, finally falling into a more peaceful slumber, only occasionally punctuated with soft moans. Night had fallen, and Tohma had got stiffly out of his car and went to shower. He felt dreadful.

He had called Mika, spoken to her. She had been strong for him, for which he was extremely grateful. If she had broken down on the phone as well, it would have undone him completely. He knew that she would cry later, but whilst they talked, she only showed concern for himself and for Yuki’s state. He had really needed to hear that calm even voice. He had finally allowed himself then to cry.

He checked on Yuki again. Still sleeping. He walked out to the balcony. He wished they were back in Japan. Soon. Hopefully soon. They needed to get away from here. He yawned. He felt completely drained. He needed to sleep as well.

He walked back inside and carefully locked the balcony door, hiding the key. He didn’t need to be worrying about Yuki getting up in the middle of the night and trying to commit suicide. Until Yuki woke up and was more like himself, Tohma had no way of knowing just what sort of state his mind was in after his loss. It was an uncertain time.

He tucked the blankets around Yuki a little tighter so they wouldn’t slip off during the night as he tossed. Reaching out he brushed a strand of hair away from Yuki’s face. He shook his head. Poor Eiri. He lost his important person again. How cruel could fate be?

He let out a soft sigh and turned to the other bed, crawling in and switched off the light. He lay there for a moment, trying to relax enough to sleep. Tomorrow was another day. But another day was not going to change the events of this one. He really didn’t know what he was going to do next, and not knowing was a new experience for Tohma Seguchi.

Tohma was relieved that Yuki at least seemed a little more in the real world the next morning, when he woke close to lunchtime. He had been fearful that his friend would have retreated into some catatonic state, not that he would have blamed Yuki if he had. But Yuki did respond to his soft questions, even had some coffee, though he didn’t touch anything else. Tohma didn’t push the issue. He gave one of the sedatives to Yuki. For even though he seemed calm, Tohma could see the tension knotted in Yuki’s face, in his neck and back muscles. Yuki took the tablet without protest.

Yuki sat in a chair looking out the balcony doors. Tohma was still taking no chances, and the door remained locked, but Yuki didn’t seem too curious about that. Tohma let the TV drone in the background, and tried to read during the course of the afternoon.

His cell phone rang, startling him. He picked it up and checked the number. It was the hospital.

“Hello.”

“Mr Seguchi?”

“Speaking.”

“It’s Dr Charles. Could you please come back to the hospital for a moment. There is something I would like to discuss with you.”

Tohma glanced over to where Yuki sat quietly. He frowned. He didn’t think it was a good idea to leave Yuki alone, and there was no way he was taking him back to the hospital.

“I really don’t think I can do so, Doctor. Can’t this be done over the phone?”

“Ah, yes, sorry. Your friend. Of course, that makes it difficult. I wouldn’t normally do this over the phone, but in the circumstances it may be best. We’ve received the dental records of the patients. You did say the name of the patient here was Shuichi Shindou, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Could you please spell it for me?” Tohma did so. “Fine,” The doctor asked a few more questions which Tohma answered to the best of his ability, with what little knowledge he had of Shuichi. Yuki would have been the better one to provide this information.

“Doctor, just what is going on?”

“Well, I don’t quite know how to tell you this. It’s never happened before, and after all that you and your friend have been through.”

Tohma felt his stomach knotting up again. Now what? What had happened?

He heard the doctor sigh. “Mr Seguchi. We went through all the dental records and the passenger manifest and could match up all the names, including your Mr Shindou. So we used his dental records for the identification, and from the medical information you have just provided me, I’ve compared it with the autopsy findings. I have to tell you, Mr Seguchi. The patient in room 213 is not Shuichi Shindou.”

Tohma stood there, frozen.

“Mr Seguchi? Mr Seguchi?”

He couldn’t respond. He began to shake. Not…Shuichi?? After all of this, it’s not Shuichi? Yuki went through all of this for …..nothing?!

“Mr Seguchi? Are you still there?”

“Ah. Yes. Sorry, Doctor.”

“That is quite alright. I understand how much of a shock this must be for you. I can only say it was unavoidable due to not being able to make an earlier identification, but I’m extremely sorry that your friend has been through all this.”

“Yes. So, if that was not Shindou, where is he?” Now, he thought, now we find out that he perished right at the start, and everything has been entirely for naught.

“Well, I’ve done some checking myself. Most of the passengers that perished have now been identified from the remains taken at the site. We’ve matched up the records with the patients that were brought here, but two were originally taken to another hospital.”

Another hospital? Tohma’s mind spun. Another hospital! He hadn’t known about this. There had been no information!

“Why…why didn’t we know?”

“The two that went elsewhere were in a less critical condition than those here. We specialize in severe burns, so naturally the majority came to us. But from what I can gather, two of the patients were not considered to be in such a bad state and could be accommodated elsewhere. We have a very limited number of beds in the ICU, so if a patient doesn’t need to be here for our special treatment, the other hospitals take them.”

“Do you know what hospital?”

The doctor gave him the name and address. Tohma scribbled it down.

“I’ve only just found out about this myself,” the doctor continued. “So I’m sending all the dental records over to them now by courier. They’ll have had time to go through them by tomorrow, so go there then. I’ll leave a message for them to expect you.”

“Doctor, thank you again for your help.”

“It’s the least I can do after everything you two have been through. I really hope you find the person you’re looking for.”

“I do also. Thank you.”

Tohma hung up, looking down at the hospital name scrawled on the notepad. His hands were shaking. He found that somewhat amusing in a way. He prided himself on his self control, and yet here he was shaking like a leaf.

He looked over at Yuki. Should he tell him? He didn’t know if they would find Shuichi at the other hospital. Shuichi could still be dead. Should he make Yuki go through all that again?

But he couldn’t stand to see Yuki so broken like this. Whilst he had hope, he continued to live. So Tohma would give him that hope, give him the hope that Shuichi may still be out there. Until they find out otherwise.

He walked over and knelt next to Yuki, placing a hand on his knee. “Hey,” he said quietly, looking up into the blank face. The eyes flicked downwards. “Eiri, I want you to listen to me, very carefully.” Yuki said nothing. Tohma maintained the eye contact.

“That was the doctor from the hospital. They’ve checked Shindou’s dental records. Eiri, that wasn’t Shindou in that room. They have positively identified that it wasn’t Shuichi Shindou. Do you understand?”

There was a flicker of emotion deep in those golden eyes. The lips moved a little, a ghost of a breath. Then Yuki spoke.

“Not…”

“No.” Tohma said firmly, still looking up at Yuki’s face. “It’s not Shuichi.”

“Then…”

“Listen. The doctor said that two survivors were taken to another hospital. He doesn’t know anything more. He’s sent the dental records over there now for them to verify. He told us to go tomorrow and ask.”

“Not….Shuichi?”

“Eiri, you’ve got to listen to me. I don’t know if you will find Shuichi there. It may still not change anything. You know that, don’t you?”

“Not…Shuichi.” A single tear slipped down Yuki’s face. “Not Shuichi.” His voice was getting stronger.

Tohma sighed. He had been right. It was only hope that drove Yuki onwards now. He took a deep breathe and stood, holding his hand out to Yuki.

“Come on then. You need to have a shower, get dressed, and we are going downstairs to eat a proper meal for once. It’s going to be a busy day tomorrow.”

Yuki sat there for a moment. Then slowly, his hand stretched out and clasped Tohma’s.