We Live for you

Chapter Eight

By Kelly Q

Two weeks have gone by since Masamune so-called confession and Zeo's talk with Ziggurat. Zeo's behavior toward Masamune had steadily gotten worse. Zeo rarely talked to Masamune. The only time he did was when Masamune said that he was going out. At first, Masamune didn't mind but when it became incessant, Masamune started to be annoyed. Why did Zeo want to know where he was going when he stepped out? Masamune was also hurt about how he was treated. Masamune knew Zeo wasn't the type of person to make grudge toward anyone.

"Can I talk to you for a moment," Masamune asked Zeo.

After some weeks with Zeo's behavior, Masamune decided to talk to him. The two stood in the main room where the other participants were playing Ping-Pong, could hear their conversation. The participants were also good at not associating with them during their niggles.

Zeo sighed and nodded his head and suggested they talk outside away from the club. Masamune agreed and followed Zeo outside and once outside they agreed to go to the nearby park that was two blocks away from the club. Some building and a few Cherry blossom trees cast a shadow around the edges of the park. Most of the pedals had scattered around their trunks. The grass was shaved around the sidewalk leading to the park. In the middle of the park contained a swing set, a slide, and a wooden bench. Once they got to the park, they sat down on the bench.

"What is it that you want to talk to me about?" Zeo started.

Masamune took a deep breath to calm his nerves. "I just want to know if you are mad at me for being Toby's close friend?"

Zeo sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. I'm not ready for Masamune to know that Toby is my partner, Zeo thought. He was also aware that his gut had been chewing at his logic to tell Masamune that he and Toby are a couple would be better than not telling. After sitting there for a few moments Zeo moved his hand down his face and let it fall to the side.

"Do you actually love Toby?" Zeo asked.

Masamune frowned. "Of course I do! He's a good friend! Why would you ask?" Then he remembered what Coach Steel told him and the cold shoulder he got from Zeo. "Look, Zeo," he said placing his hand on Zeo's shoulder. By now Masamune tried to keep his composure and not let his true feelings come to the surface. "We should really stop fighting over who loves Toby more … because it's not helping our friendship." Masamune closed his eyes as his body began to shake and he squeezed Zeo's arm, he also couldn't make eye contact with Zeo. "No more of this … please …"

Zeo grumbled, took a hold of Masamune's wrist and pried his fingers off and made sure that Masamune's hand was back to his side. "How do you feel about both of us?"

Masamune straightened up and started to feel hopeful about getting some answers, and then after careful thinking, Masamune frowned. "Of course I care about the both of you! You two are like brothers to me! That's why I'm offended about the whole thing of you thinking that I want Toby as a partner!"

Zeo straitened up too. He didn't think along that aspect. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose again. "I should apologize for treating you so badly, Masamune. I'm just worried …"

Masamune loosened up and placed a comforting hand on Zeo's shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze. "You know that I'm here - I know! How about we see about taking Toby to the beach?"

Zeo frowned in contemplation, that might be an idea, he thought. "I'll have to talk to DR Ziggurat and see what he thinks."

Masamune jumped from his seat ready to see his sick friend. The thought of seeing Toby energized him. The last time they were all together was a few days ago. Masamune was ready to hang out and have fun like they did before Toby became sick. "Than let's do it!"

It didn't take long for them to get to the hospital and check in to see Toby. When they came to his room the door was partly ajar. Zeo and Masamune stopped when they heard Toby talking and their ears strained to hear who he was talking to. Zeo was the first to recognize who Toby was talking to DR Ziggurat. Masamune strained to hear the person talking to Toby and the person had a high pitch and clear male voice with a hint of seduction.

"Your treatment has improved," Ziggurat stated.

"That's good," Toby said with a sigh, "Now … if only Zeo wasn't short with Masamune and the others …"

"He's only looking out for you," Ziggurat pointed out. Toby sighed. "You want to get better … do you not?"

"Well …yeah …"

There was a short pause and Zeo took that as an opportunity to knock on the door. Once he and Masamune were allowed to come in, Zeo pushed the door further open. The sight of Toby has improved but not by much; his skin was paler and his hair was a lighter shade of peach.

"Hey guys," Toby greeted them, welcoming them with open arms. Zeo and Masamune both hugged him back.

"How is he doing?" Masamune asked Ziggurat.

"He's doing better than he has since he came in," Ziggurat stated.

Masamune bit his lip wondering how he was going to bring up the subject of Toby's condition without making things seem that he was prying out information. He wanted to get to the bottom of it because Toby shouldn't look frail.

"Uhh … is there anything that I should know," Masamune tried.

"I'm fine," Toby cut in. Ziggurat and Zeo nodded their heads in agreement. Toby didn't think that it was all to important to go into detail about was going on since he, Ziggurat, and Zeo didn't know what was the real problem was with his body. "Besides, I don't want you two to waste your visiting hours worrying out me. I'd rather hang out with you guys. What do you guys want to do?"

Deciding to not make things any more awkward, Masamune asked if he and Zeo could take Toby to the nearby park.

"As long as a nurse accompanies you guys," Ziggurat suggested, "I don't see why not."

To Be Continued