School is back in again and updates are slowing down (if you couldn't tell). I'm still dedicated to this story but for some reason school has higher priority….

And I give up on writing this line creatively, I'm too tired: I don't own .

Chapter 27: Of Approaching Death

It was one vicious round: his throat and lungs were irritated and to clear them, his body started coughing, which only resulted in them becoming more irritated, which only initiated more coughing. Upward and onward this terrible cycle went, even when Netto had long since become completely breathless. A nurse had helped put the breathing mask on but it seemed to do no good and the painful bought of coughing continued. Rockman and the nurse attending to the unfortunate brunette tried to help but the best they could do was to barely keep him from having a heart attack on top of the coughing fits.

This was the state Netto was in when Botan was brought back into the room. Even though the younger boy was clearly exhausted, the Botan quickly asked if Netto was okay and asked if there was anything he could do to help. Ueda told him the best thing to do was to get into bed and get some rest. Botan did as he was told but could not help but watch in worry as Netto continued to have a fit. He felt guilty as the drugs he had been given finally started to take effect and Botan fell into a deep sleep.

He did not remember when he had fallen asleep but the next moment he knew was that the hospital room was dark. He felt the urge to cough again but he fought the urge, knowing full well that coughing would only bring more pain and a possible attack. Even still with this knowledge, Netto almost lost to the urge and was only able to overcome it with sheer stubborn will that only someone like Netto could possess.

Rockman must have sensed Netto had awoken because in a moment the small holographic form of the blue navi formed beside his still brother.

"Are you okay?" Rockman asked.

Netto slowly nodded, afraid to trust his voice. Sensing Netto's fear and pain, Rockman frowned. "I wish there was some way they could clean out all the smoke in your lungs," he said quietly. Through there link, Rockman got the distinct impression that Netto readily agreed. Rockman smiled ever slightly, grateful that even if Netto was essentially mute at the moment they could still communicate. Again, Netto agreed.

The two then stayed silent. In the past, the two could not have stayed silent together to save their lives but now the quiet nature innate in hospitals had overtaken even Netto. Besides, there was not much to say anything anymore. Every day was the same: Netto fighting for his life and Rockman doing his best to fight for him and with him.

Rockman looked up as a door opened and light from the hall flooded in. Soon the pair heard the quiet whisperings of Ueda with some quiet interjections by Botan's father. Even though he could not hear what the men were saying to Botan, Netto had the eerie feeling of déjà vu.

However, unlike his own experience of being told his condition, Botan was left alone afterwards. Shortly after the door had shut, Netto and Rockman could hear gentle sobs as Botan started to cry.

"Botan?" Rockman asked quietly. Botan did not answer but the sobs became slower as the boy tried to suppress his tears, realizing he had been caught. "Are you okay?" the navi continued, sympathy filling his voice.

Botan shook his head but no one could see it.

"Botan?" Rockman asked again. He then looked back at Netto sadly. Netto shared his own sad express. He did not need the link to tell Netto wanted him to try and continue, and he did not need Netto to know that he should. Rockman turned back to the curtain that divided the two boys.

"Botan, please let us help you," Rockman begged. "No one should have to face things alone."

Again there was no response except for a renewed crying.

Rockman looked extremely upset by now and he tried once again to find a way to help the younger boy that had befriended his brother. "Botan! What's wrong?"

Finally Botan mustered the courage to try and speak. First he tried to again suppress his crying but as he wailed that he was dying the sobbing only continued again.

Rockman and Netto were both surprised by Botan's answer. They stumbled for a suitable answer but before they could come up with anything, Botan continued: "I…I have a hea…heart disease and…and…no…no one's…," Botan crying deepened, "…survived!"

Rockman and Netto looked at each other. Netto coughed a few times and Rockman was afraid Netto would enter another round of coughing fits. However, the fit never came and instead Netto spoke. His voice was raw and therefore horse from the coughing he had done earlier.

"Don't give up, Botan," Netto said.

Botan's cries softened. "H..huh?"

"Don't give up," Netto repeated.

"B…but no one has…" Botan began.

"Don't give up!" It much more a command then a request.

"But…"

"No buts. So what if no one's done it before? There is always, always a first. I'm gonna be the first person who survived the disease I have," Netto said, his voice faltering a bit from the pain and irritation in his throat. Netto was missing his ability to control his voice and make it sound steady and full of courage even when he wasn't. Netto took in a deep breathe to try and regain his voice but it only resulted in a few more hard, painful coughs.

"Netto!" Botan cried.

Netto tenderly cleared his throat. "I'm okay. Listen, Botan. Let's live together."

Botan could not help but chuckle and Rockman shook his head.

"What?" Netto asked.

"I know what you meant, but it sounded funny: 'let's live together'," Botan said.

"Oh," Netto smiled, keeping himself from laughing to prevent more coughing. "Yeah, that did sound weird. But regardless, promise?"

Botan was quiet for a moment and Netto was afraid Botan would not respond. But finally Botan's gentle voice came from across the curtain.

"Promise," he said.

Netto smiled. "Okay, good. Now the first step is getting a good night's sleep. So oyasumi, Botan. You too, Rock."

"Oyasumi, Netto," both chimed, though Rockman of course added the honorific –kun. And with some satisfaction, Rockman watched as the two boys fell asleep, not being able to be any prouder of his brother than he was right now.