The Key to My Heart

Title: The Key to My Heart: Chapter 8
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: Thanks so much for your encouragement, Ukera! And feel free to say what you like, I don’t mind! So the hunt is on again! I have no idea where this story is going now. At first, it was going to end at Chapter 1. (Would that have been bad?) Then a few more chapters rolled out, and the end was going to be Chapter 5 (chapter 6 was originally the end of Chapter 5 when I wrote it but when I was about to post it, it didn’t seem to fit well so I gave it its own chapter). So chapter 5 was going to be it – all over and done with. (Does that make me an evil person?) However, people seemed to want it to continue and this inspired another train of thought! Now I know that some people will hate the fact that I used the old cliché of it being the wrong patient – but what else could I do? I had killed Shuichi off in Chapter 5 (the original ending, remember!). So I wasn’t left with a lot of options! It really was the only way I could think of bringing him back for the moment in a reasonably plausible manner for the storyline to continue.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, they belong to the creators of ‘Gravitation’, nor am I making any profits from this. (Except the character of Dr Karancski who is mine, and for a doctor I rather like his attitude!)

The Key to My Heart: Chapter 8


The sound of running water ceased as Yuki turned the taps off. He set the razor back down and watched his reflection, as he ran a hand over his freshly shaven chin. The image looking back seemed like a stranger.

His face was pale, far paler than his fair complexion was wont to be. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, standing out starkly. His eyes looked dull, even to himself. His face was definitely a lot thinner, and glancing down at the reflection of his chest, he could see the ribs standing out more prominently. He didn’t look good.

He took a deep breath, leaning on the basin. He had to pull himself together. They were about to head over to the other hospital. He clenched his jaw. He knew that it was a slim hope at best. In the coldly analytical part of his mind, he knew that. He knew that Tohma was worried that he didn’t realize it, but he did.

But in the other part of him, deep in his heart, he refused to believe it. Would not believe it. For the fear of believing it, was almost paralyzing.

He began to shake, and gripped the edge of the basin harder, taking a couple of deep breaths. Focus, he thought to himself. Don’t give in. It did no-one any good.

He took another breath, and unclenched his hands. Tohma had told him that two survivors had been transferred to the other hospital. How typical that it would be one on the far side of the city. Couldn’t be in easy distance, no, that would be too convenient.

He still didn’t know if he would find Shuichi there. The chances were a million to one. Probably greater. Yuki wasn’t much of a gambling man, and the odds on this one were so high that he wouldn’t have placed a bet on it to save his life. He knew that. He truly did.

He felt his eyes begin to burn with unshed tears. Hurriedly, he reached down and splashed water over his face. He glared at himself in the mirror, water falling in droplets from his hair around his face. Don’t! he growled in his mind to himself. Don’t you dare break down again and be a fool!

Another deep breath. He straightened up, still staring at himself. He would go and find out the truth this time. This was the last stop. There was no where after this. And afterwards…..

Well, afterwards he would know what he had to do. If Shuichi…he choked a little at the name, then let the thought continue. If Shuichi wasn’t there, if he was truly gone….then…..then Yuki would return to Japan. It would be over. He swallowed against the lump in his throat, as he turned to grab the towel, scrubbing it over his face, wiping away water, and tears.

Tohma looked up as Yuki exited the bathroom. He had been worrying the whole time. Yuki had eaten rather well last night, the first signs of his usual appetite returning, and then, after another sleeping tablet, had slept entirely through the night. The most telling thing had been that it had been a reasonably peaceful sleep, no nightmares seeming to plague his slumber. Tohma knew this because he couldn’t sleep himself, due to his worry. He half smiled to himself. Soon he would be the one on tranquilizers, not Yuki!

Yuki had awoken, seeming far more like himself, even if he was still somewhat subdued. Now, Tohma watched him grab the shirt that had been laid out for him, shrugging it over his shoulders, leaving it unbuttoned as he reached for his packet of cigarettes.

“Here.” Tohma said, holding out a glass to him.

Yuki took it, and without asking took a gulp. His face screwed up, eyes widening, then he swiftly turned his head and spat it out in a steam, gagging.

“What the fucking hell was that?!” he shouted in anger.

Tohma reached out and took the glass from Yuki’s hand before it could be thrown at him, refusing to tell Yuki about the concoction of mouthwash, soya and chilli sauce.

“Just checking to see what reaction I would get.” he said mildly.

“I should knock your fucking head off!”

“Now, now, Eiri,” Tohma said, holding up a hand and waggling a finger at him. “Is that any way to treat family?”

“You fucking psychotic twerp!”

“Ah, that’s my old Eiri!” Tohma said with a broad smile.

Yuki wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, grimacing at the bitter taste still left, glaring at his brother-in-law who was grinning in front of him like a demented peacock.

“You are seriously fucking nuts!” he growled, turning to the mini-bar and pulling out a beer, quickly popping the cap, and swirling a mouthful around before swallowing.

Tohma just smiled at him sweetly. “Are you nearly ready to go?”

Yuki threw him a baleful look. “After I’ve had a bloody cigarette!”

Tohma held his hands out in acquiescence. “Of course. I wouldn’t want to rush you.”

“Humph!” Yuki snorted, as he opened the balcony door and stepped out into the morning sunlight.

He cupped the flame to the end of his cigarette, to prevent it from blowing out with the strengthening wind, and took a drag. It was a little cool outside, for all there was some warmth in the sun. He would still need to take his coat.

He took another drag, looking out over the view. Somewhere over there was where they were heading. He half nodded to himself, chewing his lip. Soon. Soon he would finally know. One way, or the other. The smoke drifted away.

Time to go. He tossed the still smoking cigarette towards the ground, heedless of the fact that there could be passer-bys just underneath, and turned to re-enter the room. Tohma was just leaving the bathroom, having completed his own morning ablutions.

Yuki finished buttoning his shirt and grabbed his coat. “Well?” he said to Tohma sharply. “Have you finished preening? Don’t know who you think you’re going to impress.”

Tohma couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face. Ah, it was just so good to have Eiri back to normal, he thought, delighted. “You never know, Eiri, you never know. And it doesn’t hurt to be prepared!”

“Whatever. Come on, or the day will be bloody over!” and he stalked out the room.

Tohma couldn’t stop the small chuckle that escaped him. Perhaps things would be alright after all. What ever happens.

Tohma had ensured that a taxi was waiting for them. He gave the address he had been given and then sat back. After a time, he spoke. “Are you going to be alright?” he quietly asked Yuki, not looking at him.

Yuki didn’t turn his head either. “Yeah.”

“Truly?”

“You want a written bloody testament to the fact!”

This time Tohma did turn, and looked at Yuki seriously, all signs of humour gone.

“Eiri.” he said firmly. “You know what you’re going to, don’t you? You’ve already been there once. And this may change nothing. Nothing at all. Are you really telling me you’re alright?”

Yuki was silent for a moment, still refusing to look at Tohma. Then he spoke, “I know. I’ll deal.”

Tohma had to accept that answer. “Fine then.”

They sat in silence for the rest of the trip, the sound of the cab’s radio playing in the background, the general morning traffic noise drifting through the glass to them. It took more than half an hour before they reached their destination, and it had taken all of Yuki’s self control to hide his impatience.

They stepped in the chilled atmosphere. Yuki could feel himself begin to shiver, and it wasn’t just from the cold air. He could feel his heart beginning to pound, his vision beginning to grow dark, as recent memories threatened to overwhelm him. A hand on his arm made him turn, focusing onto Tohma’s concerned face.

“Take it easy. Breathe.”

Yuki followed the instructions, never taking his eyes from Tohma’s, using that as his focus point to calm his racing thoughts. Slowly, he felt the tightness in his chest release.

“Better?”

Yuki nodded curtly, not trusting himself to speak.

“Good.” Tohma patted his arm gently, then turned to walk over to the reception desk. Yuki trailed him.

“Excuse me.” Tohma asked politely.

The nurse glanced up, then raised her head completely so she could look Tohma full in the face, appreciation in her eyes. Tohma put on his most suave smile, charm positively dripping from him. The nurse fell under his spell immediately.

“Yes, can I help you, sir?”

Tohma propped his elbows onto the top of the tall counter and rested his chin on his laced hands.

“I’m hoping you can. We were told to come here and speak to a Doctor Karancski. Could you tell us where we might find him?”

The nurse dragged her eyes away from the angelic face before her, to turn to the computer screen at her elbow. It took a few moments of tapping on the keyboard before she spoke again.

“I’m afraid the doctor is currently in theater. Can anyone else help?”

Tohma looked saddened, gazing down at her upturned face. “Ah, sadly, no. We must speak to Dr Karancski only. Could you tell us what time he will be finished so we may speak to him after?”

“We,” the nurse hesitantly began, “We don’t generally do that.”

Tohma flashed another blinding smile. “We would be most grateful, and he is expecting us.”

She visibly weakened. “Well, I suppose it might be alright…”

“Could you just tell us where we could wait for him perhaps? A place where we would be able to speak to him when he’s done?”

“It could be sometime before he is finished.” the nurse said.

“We’re willing to wait however long is required.” Tohma assured her.

“I guess,” she quickly glanced around her to see if she could be overheard, then leant a little forward, closer to Tohma. “I could let you go to the waiting room directly next to the theater. It’s supposed to only be for the family of the patient being operated on. If you’re there, Dr Karancski will definitely come in to see you.”

Tohma straightened up and reached a hand over the counter towards her. Startled, she reached out and placed her hand in his, watching with wide eyes as he raised it to his lips.

“Thank you for your kind assistance.” he said warmly, his breath caressing the back of her hand.

A blush suffused her features as Tohma released his grip. “Oh. Oh, that’s quite alright, sir.” She shuffled through some papers, clearly flustered, before writing on some paper with a shaking hand and passing the note to Tohma.

“Here are directions of how to get there. I’m afraid I can’t take you there myself, but I can’t leave the reception unattended.”

Tohma gave her another smile. “That’s such a shame, but I quite understand. I’m sure we’ll be more than fine. Have a lovely day.”

“And you, too, sir!”

Tohma smiled once more, and walked towards the lift.

“You are such a fucking flirt.” Yuki growled from behind.

Tohma tossed a smirk over his shoulder at his friend. “But it worked. Aren’t you now glad for my ‘preening’, as you put it?”

“Huh!” was the only reply.

They followed the written directions without difficulty, all the corridors and wings were clearly marked, and they soon found themselves in the waiting room. Yuki threw himself down into the couch there.

“I saw a coffee machine down the corridor. Would you like one?” Tohma asked.

Yuki reached into his pocket for his cigarettes. “Yeah.”

“I wouldn’t do that, if I were you.” Tohma warned.

“What?” Yuki snapped.

“That.” Tohma pointed to the cigarette in his hands.

“Why not? There’s no-one bloody here!”

“True, but unless you plan to be waiting in a swimming pool, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea.” and Tohma pointed skywards.

Looking up, Yuki noticed the ceiling fire sprinklers. Damn it! Where the bloody hell could he go to have a fucking smoke?!!

“Why don’t I ask if there’s a place you can smoke, while I’m getting the coffee?” Tohma said, as he turned to walk out the door. “In your state of mind, if you tried to ask, you would probably be providing Dr Karancski with another patient to operate on. And I, for one, would like to speak to the good doctor sooner, rather than later!”

“Shut up!” Yuki tossed at his departing back. He leant his head back on the couch. He really needed a smoke! His nostrils wrinkled at the astringent smell of antiseptic as it wafted through the door upon Tohma’s departure. How he had come to hate that smell!

He got up and began to pace. His nerves prevented him sitting still. Who knows how long they would have to wait here. He should have expected this. He hadn’t been thinking straight. From his two months stay at the other hospital, he knew how busy the doctors were, how infrequently they would be seen. At least they were here, and close by.

He heard a scuff outside the door and it swung open to reveal Tohma, holding two steaming cups.

“Come this way.” he motioned with his head. Yuki followed him out into the corridor and Tohma led them further along, before turning right, passing through another section and reaching a sliding door.

“After you.” Tohma said, and Yuki opened the door, stepping out into the open air. Tohma followed, and Yuki pushed the door closed behind them.

Yuki immediately reached for his cigarettes, lighting one, and inhaling deeply, tipping his head back with closed eyes.

“Here.” Tohma held out one of the cups and Yuki took it. He took a sip, sucking in the cold air to cool his scorched tongue. Damn, that’s hot! He took another, more careful, sip and felt the familiar buzz as the caffeine began to seep into his bloodstream. That’s good stuff!

“Are we supposed to be here?” he asked Tohma.

“Yes. It’s actually set aside for visitors waiting in this wing. They don’t encourage it, but obviously recognize that at times of stress some people could really be needing to calm their nerves with a cigarette.”

“So they should.” Yuki grunted. Tohma smiled and sipped his coffee.

“How long do you think we’ll have to wait?” Yuki asked.

“I asked the head nurse, and she said it could be a number of hours yet. Are you up to the wait?” he looked at Yuki.

Yuki took another drag on his cigarette. “Have to be, don’t I? No bloody point leaving now.”

“We could always just come back later.” Tohma suggested quietly.

“And probably miss the bastard! I don’t think so! If we stay here, he can’t ignore us.”

“Fair enough.” Tohma finished the last of his coffee. “Well, if that’s the case, I’m going to go downstairs and find something to read. Any preferences?”

“No.”

“Can you find you’re way back to the room?”

“I’m not fucking five years old!”

“No-one said you were.” Tohma replied mildly. “I’ll see you later.” and he left.

Bloody Tohma! Yuki fumed, lighting up another cigarette. He drove him crazy at times, acting like a bloody mother hen! When was he ever going to realize that Yuki had grown up!

He snorted, and calmed himself. He knew that Tohma was just trying to help, and knew full well that he owed Tohma a hell of a lot. For previous times, and more recently now. He knew that Tohma had spent long hours on the phone and internet, conversing with his people back at NG, and ensuring that business was continuing. The biggest advantage Tohma had was that he was a shrewd businessman, and had ensured that he surrounded himself only with the most capable of employees. It’s not that they could run themselves without Tohma, but Tohma could give them instructions, and they made sure it happened exactly the way he wanted it. Tohma was sometimes too damn clever for himself!

He finished his second cigarette and ground the butt under his shoe. He swallowed the last of the lukewarm coffee and conscientiously picked up the butt and put it in the now empty cup. It wasn’t that he was that concerned about cleanliness, but more that he didn’t want the nursing staff to start complaining and banning him from using this area again. If they had a long wait, he was definitely going to need another cigarette, or two, at some time!

He wandered back inside and dropped the cup into a bin just by the door. He moved back through the corridor, and paused a moment to get his bearings. Yes, it’s that way. I think. He frowned. Tohma would never let him live it down if he did get himself bloody lost after all. He looked up and down again. Yes, he was pretty certain it was that way. He strode down the corridor. He had better be right!

Fortunately he was correct, and he found the waiting room. Tohma was already there, a number of papers and magazines scattered over the coffee table. He looked up as Yuki entered.

“Glad you could join me.” There was a smugness in his voice, as though he knew that Yuki hadn’t been 100 percent sure of his way back. Yuki just narrowed his eyes, but bit back on what he could have said. He snatched up a newspaper and sat down heavily. Tohma just smiled.

The hours ticked by. The papers were read, the magazines scanned. They passed between them, mostly in silence. Yuki smoked until his packet was almost empty. It had been full when they had arrived. Coffee cups piled up.

Suddenly the door opened, making them both start as though two naughty boys caught doing something wrong, though that was far from the case. A tall grey haired elderly man stood there, white coat crisply pressed. He frowned at them.

“And just who might you two be?” he said, a frown creasing his forehead.

Tohma stood and quickly stepped closer to extend his greetings. “Dr Karancski,” he said, reading the name tag and holding out his hand. “My name is Tohma Seguchi.” He motioned to Yuki. “And my brother-in-law, Eiri Yuki. Dr Charles told us to come and speak with you today. I hope it isn’t too much of an intrusion, but it is extremely important.”

The man’s frown disappeared. “Ah, yes. John told me about you both. That’s quite alright. I was expecting you. Have you been waiting long?”

“Not at all.” Tohma lied smoothly.

Dr Karancski threw him a shrewd look and his lips quirked in a small smile. “You are a very smooth man, Mr Seguchi. Are you a politician?”

Yuki snorted. Tohma just smiled.

“No. Actually, I’m a record producer.”

“Really. My daughter would probably know something about that, but I’m afraid I don’t have much interest in it.”

“Not many people truly do.”

“And are you in the music business also?” he asked Yuki.

“No.”

The doctor raised an eyebrow at Yuki’s monosyllabic answer. Tohma gave a small cough.

“Yuki.” he chided gently.

Yuki threw him a glare and sighed. “I write.”

“Write what?” the doctor pressed.

“Books.”

“I see.” He looked Yuki over again from head to toe. “Well, we could stand here all day while I tried to put together an entire sentence from your one word answers, but I think there are more important things we need to be discussing. So follow me.” and he turned away.

They stepped into the lift and ascended two floors, then followed Dr Karancski to an office marked with his name.

“Come on in, take a seat.” he waved them to the two chairs placed before the large desk. He took off his coat, and sat behind the desk, facing them.

He shuffled some papers away, glancing at a couple briefly before placing them on different piles.

“Just a moment.” he muttered, and scanned a couple of pages before scribbling a signature and dropping them into the Out tray marked as such. He then pulled two files directly in front of him and opened them.

“John Charles contacted me about this and explained your situation.” He glanced up at them both, sympathy now evident in his eyes. “You must have gone through hell over there, thinking that was your friend. You can’t blame the hospital though. They didn’t know we had a couple of others here. We got two that weren’t such severe burn cases. Don’t get me wrong. They were far from healthy, but we could deal with it here.

With all this cloak and dagger stuff for the last couple of months, it’s been a nightmare for the staff to work in. The number of government officials that have tramped through this place! Well, we dubbed them the ‘stuffed shirt brigade’! Thank goodness that it’s died down over the past couple of weeks. Maybe now things might be able to get back to normal.”

“What can you tell us?” Tohma asked quietly.

“You want to know if your friend is here, right?” Tohma and Yuki said nothing. Dr Karancski nodded. “Yes, I know. You’re afraid that you’ll find that he’s not, which means that he did die in the crash. If you had turned up yesterday to ask this, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you anything. Now though, thanks to this,” and he held up one of the files before him. “I can.”

Yuki felt his heart clench in his chest. His palms were beginning to sweat, his breath coming in pants. The doctor looked over at him.

“Son, you had better stop hyperventilating. I don’t need another patient. Just calm down. I think this could be good news.”

Yuki stopped breathing completely, holding his breath at those words.

The doctor continued. “We had two survivors come to us. One is still here, a young woman, still in critical but she’s stabilized and conscious and will probably pull through. That’s been a great relief for us all. She’s been a real trooper. Breathe, son. Blue’s not your colour.”

Yuki took in a gulp of air.

“As I was saying. One’s still here. The other was a young man. He had been crushed under some of the wreckage, and came to us with broken leg and arm bones, broken ribs, collapsed lung, fractured collarbone, and a cracked cheek bone. He had second degree burns across his back, which could have, and should have, been a lot worse, but it seems that the debris that had fallen on him actually acted partially as a shield. So he came off a lot better than he should have, considering. The most worrying thing was he had a fractured skull, which meant a concussion.

The rest we were able to patch up right away. Broken bones are easy. Put them into place, and there you go. The collapsed lung was a little concern as there was some internal bleeding, but after we operated that righted itself. It helps that he was young, fit and healthy. Means that he’s got a more than fighting chance. The burns we got straight onto and gradually worked on the grafting, and it was coming along nicely. It would take a while for it to be healed completely, and the dressings have to keep being changed regularly, but the skin growth was responding well.

However, the fractured skull was a bit more of a worry. We had to monitor that pretty carefully, and early on we identified some swelling there. We didn’t know if there was any internal bleeding, and anything to do with the brain is a risk at best. Fortunately, the swelling rectified itself, and he came out of the concussion a few days later. We had him doped up to his eyeballs for sometime after to help him with the pain levels. He looked a bit like a patch work quilt. There was more plaster and bandages on him than my nurses have in store! Once we had the pain controlled and he was starting to mend, we could begin to decrease the dosages of the medication. Pretty soon his mind wasn’t addled by the meds, and he could begin to talk to us.”

Yuki found his hands were shaking where they rested on his knees. He was listening intently to everything the doctor was saying, hanging onto every word, but he was still waiting for the words he so desperately hoped to hear. Was it Shuichi?

The doctor flipped over a couple of pages on his desk as he continued. “It was once the meds had worn off that we found out something else.” He looked up at Tohma and Yuki. “The young man had amnesia. Didn’t know who he was, or what he was doing here.”

Yuki’s hands clenched into fists, gripping the cloth of his trousers. “The government officials came through as soon as we notified them he was awake and able to talk. They really gave him a grilling. The matron ran them out a few times. A good woman that, worth her weight in gold, and she’s not frightened by some flashy badge. They kept coming back for days, but the boy really couldn’t remember much at all. Some parts of the crash he could recall, but he couldn’t remember even why he was on that flight. They eventually cleared him, and that was the last we saw of them.”

“So. Where is he now?” Tohma asked.

“The boy was as good as we could make him at this time. Physically, there wasn’t anything wrong with him that time wouldn’t heal naturally now. He really didn’t need to remain in hospital. He didn’t want to stay any longer either. So five days ago, he discharged himself.”

Yuki’s heart plummeted, sinking like a stone into an abyss of darkness that threatened to wash over him. He struggled with the pain.

“I wasn’t happy about it, but I also couldn’t stop him. It was his choice. And to be perfectly honest, we needed the bed. He still didn’t have his memory back, but he said he could remember two things. An address in New York, that we checked out and it actually does exist. And his name.”

Tohma reached out a hand and rested it over Yuki’s, squeezing gently. “What was his name?” he asked quietly.

“He said his name was ‘Shu’.”

A sound very like a small sob, escaped Yuki’s lips. He clamped down on it hard, for if he didn’t, he thought he would never stop more coming.

“Whilst he was here we, of course, took all the necessary measures for identification. We had no idea when we would get the dental records through, so we took our own, as well as the usual DNA tests. When Dr Charles sent the files over, I pulled this one,” and he held up the other file so Tohma and Yuki could see the name, ‘Shindou Shuichi’, in bold black type on the front. “And checked with what we had.”

He put the file back on the desk and folded his hands on top of it. “I can unequivocally confirm to you both, that the young man who was here, was Shuichi Shindou.”

This time Yuki couldn’t stop the tear that slid down his face. He stood abruptly and flung himself out of the room.

He stood in the silent corridor, forehead leaning against the wall, hands supporting him. His whole body was shaking. Shuichi had been here! Had been here all along!! All that time wasted, and he had just been here on the other side of town! So close!!

Yuki slammed a fist against the wall. God damn it! How could he have been so close and not known it! It’s not fair! It’s so fucking not fair!!

He turned, back against the wall, and slid down until he was sitting on the floor, head falling into his hands. And now Shuichi was gone again. He had left. Gone gods knows where! The kid can’t even remember who he is?! How the hell is he going to look after himself?! Where the hell could he go?!

“Eiri?” the quiet voice made him look up. Tohma stood there, gazing down.

Yuki wiped a hand across his face, brushing the tears away.

“Here.” Tohma said, holding out a handkerchief.

“What do I need that for?” Yuki said sharply, not taking it.

“Because you’ve got a runny nose. And it’s truly not becoming.”

Yuki snatched the cloth and scrubbed it over his face, scowling up at Tohma as he extended it back to him.

Tohma just smiled. “Ah, Eiri, as much as I love you, dear brother, I have absolutely no intention of touching that again after you have just used it!”

Tohma motioned with his head back towards the office. “The doctor has some more information. Are you ready to go back?”

Yuki pushed himself to his feet, shoving Tohma’s now soiled handkerchief into his pocket. “Yeah.” and followed Tohma back.

He took his seat again, and looked at the doctor, who said nothing about his sudden departure.

“Now, I can’t give you much more, but this much I can give you. As I mentioned, the only other thing that ‘Shu’ remembered was an address. It was in New York. Perhaps it will mean something to you.” He pushed a sheet of paper across to them. They both leant forward to read it.

Yuki felt the blood drain from his face in shock.

“Eiri!” Tohma gasped, sounding just as shocked.

“I gather you know this place?” the doctor said somewhat dryly, for clearly it was evident that they did.

Tohma turned to stare at Yuki. “That’s…..”

“Yeah.” Yuki choked out breathlessly. “I know.”

Yuki knew that address. It was burned into his mind, a part of his past. Tohma knew that address too. He had found Yuki there, many, many years ago. That address was where Yuki…..had killed.

“But how did…..”

“He found me there once. Remember? He knew the address.”

“Maybe, but that was just once! And so long ago! Why would he remember that place?!”

Yuki shrugged. “How the hell would I know?! I can never figure out what that stupid brat will do next!! He’s bloody driving me mad!!” Yuki almost shouted the last, this being one shock too many to his emotionally abused mind.

“If you don’t keep your voice down, I will personally stick you with a tranquilizer, using the biggest needle I can find.” Dr Karancski said, glaring at them.

Yuki turned his head to snap back, but the steely look in the doctor’s eyes made him pause. Calm, he thought to himself, calm. Don’t piss the good doctor off. Just in case he’s got anything else to tell them. Fucking quacks!! Yuki bit his tongue to keep silent.

“That’s better.” the doctor said. “Obviously you know this place. In cases of amnesia, sometimes the things a patient remembers can be very strange, seeming completely unrelated or unimportant in their usual life. However, it may be the one and only memory that they have. My guess is, that if that is the address he could remember, then he would try and make his way there.”

“But how would he get there?”

“Part of the deal with the government was a sort of ‘care package’ if you like. Clothes, temporary visa, money, enough for them to get going with things, or return home if that is the case. Not a very efficient method, but who am I say. Anyway, I would say that New York is where ‘Shu’ would have headed to.”

“And you say he left here five days ago?”

“That’s right. So he’s got quite a head start on you, but you should be able to catch up with him.”

“Can you tell us anything else, Doctor?”

“Well, he would have to continue to get some medical treatment to change the dressings, and check for possible infection. Also to get the scripts filled. So you could try through the hospitals and doctors surgeries perhaps, if you have trouble locating him. That’s about all that I can tell you”

Tohma stood and held out his hand, gripping the doctor’s firmly. “Thank you so much.” he said, with complete sincerity. “You don’t know how much this means to us.”

“Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea, Mr Seguchi.” He turned to Yuki, who had also stood. “Good luck in finding him.”

Tohma began to head for the door, and paused when he realized that Yuki wasn’t following him.

Yuki looked the doctor in the eye, then slowly extended his hand. The doctor clasped it.

“Thank you.” Yuki said, in a raspy voice. “Thank you for looking after him. And for helping us.”

Dr Karancski gave his hand one more firm shake, and nodded sharply. “Go and get him. Take him home.”

“I will.”