Try Understanding without Words

Chapter 11: No Say Good-Bye

By KellyQ

Kouji found himself looking at a six-story apartment building. One month had past after Takuya had his operation. It took two days for Takuya to even feel better, and the pain to die down. The orphanage's nurse kept an eye on Takuya, and changed the dressing around his ear every time it drained. Kouji never left Takuya's side the whole two weeks that Takuya was under the weather. By the time Takuya's ear healed, and he was perfectly fine, Miss. Right made the phone call and told Takuya's aunt that he was ready to take home.

"Come on Kouji," Miss. Right insisted, "try and cheer up. You're going to love it here." She chewed on her lip when she saw that he just looked sadly ahead. "Come on, Kouji. You'll see Takuya again ..."

Kouji just walked on, holding what little belongings he had. The apartment was a two-bedroom 1/2 bathroom with its white walls. Most of it was carpeted save the small kitchen. Kouji followed Mrs. Right to the guest room now to become Kouji's. He sat his stuff on the bed, flopped down, and closed his eyes allowing the darkness to take over him.

Takuya looked down at the Board-game with frustration. Izumi and Junpei waited for him to move the chess piece. He was cornered. If Takuya moved his pawn, Izumi's knight could knock it down and take it away when he only had four pieces left on the chessboard. He could feel all eyes on him. Come on Takuya! You can do this! He picked his piece up and moved it. Sweat came down his face. Takuya was just moving the pawn when Miss. Right walked up.

"I'm sorry to interrupt but I need to talk to Takuya ..." she said, translating it with her hands.

"Hold it," Kouji said, watching the two walk out of the room. He walked up and took Takuya's hand. "I'm coming too."

"As you wish," was all Miss Right said.

The two walked into the office and sat down. Mrs. Right inhaled before she exhaled. The tension in the room increased and Kouji didn't like it.

"Well? Start talking."

Miss. Right sighed and she looked in Takuya's direction. Miss Right started to move her hands in sign language. Kouji watched with confusion, but the look on Takuya's face told Kouji that Mrs. Right was saying something that he didn't like.

"What did you say to him?" Kouji probed.

"I ... I know this is going to be hard ... Takuya is going to leave tomorrow ..." Miss. Right explained.

Kouji flinched. "Leave? What are you talking about?"

A disapproving sound came from the back of Takuya's throat as his hands angrily, signing that he didn't want to be separated from Kouji and he didn't have an Aunt. Miss. Right reached out to take hold of Takuya, but he pulled away. Kouji how ever only got half of what they were talking about.

"Where is Takuya going? Kouji demanded. This was scaring him. Kouji was going to lose the one he loved and never see him again.

"I know this hard ..." Mrs. Right said repeating it in sign language, "but there's not much I can do -"

The sound of Takuya getting to his feet got their attention. His eyes held no emotion in them. Takuya turned and walked out the door. He made his way to the main room. Everyone looked up when Takuya walked to his bed pulled out his suitcase and duffle bag from underneath the bed. Tears came down his face. Takuya felt betrayed. He was so upset that he didn't even realizing that he was just slamming things into his suitcase.

Izumi wheeled herself to the other side of the bed so she could take a good look at him. She tried to get Takuya's attention, but he didn't even acknowledge her.

"It's obvious," Zake said in a mocking tone, "he's leaving ..." Izumi's eyes widened, before Zake continued. "Which is good. We don't need someone like him around."

Another orphan, almost the female version of Takuya, who went by the name of Christen glared at Zake. "You take that back!"

"Why? It's true. We -"

Before he could finish she slapped him across the face. "You're the most self-centered boy I've ever met," she hissed. "I can't even believe I liked you!"

Christen turned and ran out with tears in her eyes. Everyone scowled at him with hate in their eyes. The door opened a second later and Miss. Right walked in with Christen and Kouji by her side.

"Zake, we need to talk," Miss. Right said in a low cold tone.

"Can't I say I'm sorry?" He protested.

"No! Now come."

Zake groaned and hung his head. Takuya pat his back as Zake followed Miss. Right out of the room.

"Are you all right?" Izumi asked Christen with concern.

"Yea .." she breathed walking to the bed and collapsed, closing her eyes.

Takuya and Kouji glaced at each other, before they walked out, holding hands. They both made their way to another room where they were going to spend time alone before they were going to depart.

Kouji woke to the sound of voices coming from the living room. He sat up and slowly got out of bed. He staggered to the door and walked out. Kouji sluggishly made his way to the living room and stopped when he heard Miss. Right talking.

"Yea. He's been under the weather ... but now your here, Takuya ..."

Kouji's heart almost stopped. He dashed into the room and stopped dead. Sitting on the sofa, holding a glass of water was Takuya. They both stared at each other. Takuya was the first to get to his feet, set his glass down on the table, and run to the dark-haired boy. Kouji stepped back and struck Takuya hard enough to send him to the floor. Mrs. Right and Takuya's Aunt got to their feet alarmed.

"You hurt me, Takuya!" Kouji seethed, pinning him down. Takuya squeaked out of fear and confusion. He tried to struggle free from Kouji. "You left without saying good-bye! Do you know how that made me feel? Do you?"

"Kouji!" Miss. Right walked up took hold of him and dragged Kouji down the hallway and into his room. Miss. Right let him go once the door was closed. "Kouji, I know you're still mad for what Takuya did -"

"Mad? Mad is not the word I chose to describe how I feel! He hurt me, Miss. Right!"

"I know he did - that's why he's here," Miss. Right explained. "He wants to apologize to you."

"We, tell him I don't need it ..." Kouji muttered, looking away.

"You're going to have to tell him that, Kouji. Not me."

Miss. Right turned and walked out closing the door softly behind her. Kouji sat there, not ready to come out. Not until Takuya was gone. Kouji flopped down on the bed when he heard a knock at his door. With a growl, Kouji got up and walked to the door, knowing who was going to be on the other side. Kouji opened the door and Takuya stood there, holding a bouquet of flowers in his arms.

They both stared at each other again. Then Takuya decided to hand Kouji the flowers as his arms shook. He looked more hurt when Kouji didn't even take them. Takuya hung his head, and then collapsed to the floor sobbing in shame. Kouji bent down and told Takuya to stop crying. Takuya did as Kouji pointed to his eye and then his chest. Kouji hoped that Takuya got the message. He did when Takuya nodded his head and handed the flowers over to Kouji, who took them and smiled. Takuya did too and wrapped his arms around Kouji, and kissed him.

THE END