{These characters are not property of me. I would never attempt to claim them as my own. This story may not be used without my permission, and may not be used to make money in any way, shape or form. Characters and certain situations were created by Rumiko Takahashi, so don't try any funny stuff!}

The doctor entered her room carrying his clipboard. He sat in the chair at bedside and looked at his papers before looking at her. "Miss Tendo," he began.

Nabiki knew what he was going to say as soon as those two words were out of his mouth. She leaned back in the pillows and closed her eyes.

"You know your injuries will heal fully in time. In fact, you'll be able to leave the hospital within a week..."

"Get on with it, doctor."

"All right Miss Tendo. It seems that you're pregnant."

That was the last thing she heard from the doctor. She hoped it wasn't true, but she knew it her heart that it was. The next thing she knew, her sister was asking if she was all right.

Nabiki blinked once and looked at Akane. Akane had tears in her eyes. Apparently the doctor had informed her family of the pregnancy. Nabiki didn't even want to think what her father was acting like.

Akane just kept saying 'I'm sorry' over and over, so Nabiki pretended to be semi-comatose until Akane left. She didn't like deceiving Akane that way but she needed to be alone. She couldn't stand having her family so close to her when they knew all the awful things that had happened.

For a few minutes, Nabiki simply sat and stared at the wall. Soon she slumped down in the bed and entered a troubled sleep.

"But she's been asleep for so long."

"There's nothing we can do. And frankly, her body needs the rest after the beating it took."

"If you think that's best for her, doctor."

Nabiki emerged from her sleep feeling drained and confused. What she saw on her bed didn't help. Across her legs was a katana, carefully wrapped to protect the blade. She looked at the door and saw two rather large, uniformed men standing with their arms crossed. And then she looked down next to the bed.

Kneeling, with his head bowed, was Tatewaki Kuno. Nabiki peered over the side of the bed and saw the blade sitting on the floor in front of him.

He felt her stare and looked up. Nabiki could truly say he looked like hell. He looked comparable to her in his own destructive way. She wasn't sure if she should hate him or pity him. Sure, she had plenty of reason to hate him, but...

"Nabiki Tendo," he began, his voice quiet and sincere. "I would ask you your forgiveness but I know it can never be enough." He bowed his head again.

They stayed that way for several minutes.

He cleared his throat. "I... It is your right to ask for my life. And I would most assuredly give it for the horrendous crimes I have committed. I only ask that you... you... forgive me." He buried his face in his hands and began to weep. The knowledge of what he had done was too much; the knowledge that she did not forgive easily and would ask a high price for her forgiveness weighed heavily upon him. A high price indeed, one he could not refuse.

"Kuno-chan?"

He looked at her, surprised that she would even talk to him. He wiped his eyes. "Yes? Anything you ask of me, it is yours."

"You know what you did to me?"

He nodded, lowering his eyes. "I can never forget."

She took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."

He looked at her, his eyes widening in disbelief. Then he started to shake his head. It wasn't possible, he couldn't have. She couldn't be, how could it have happened from so vile an act? "No, it can't be."

"It is."

Silence again.

"Kuno-chan, did you mean all those things you said?" She didn't know why she was asking. The things he had said were so twisted; words of love mixed with words of anger and hate. She couldn't trust anything he said and should have had him kill himself right there.

Kuno got a pained look on his face. "I... don't..." He stood up, hoping she would not ask for his life, and sat on the bed next to her. "I could say that I don't know, that I wasn't thinking straight..." He lifted her bandaged hand and studied it. "But that would be a lie."

She watched him hold her hand, not knowing how to respond. He couldn't mean it, he couldn't be in love with her. He loved Akane. 'She is of no concern to me. You are all that matters.' But that was from whatever Kodachi gave him... "What.. what do you mean?"

He continued to study her hand, unable to meet her gaze. "I suppose I realized, though it may be too late now. I couldn't blame you. I realized that no matter what you say or do you are my only friend." He returned her gaze then. "You are the only light in my world of darkness." She watched a single tear roll down his face. "And I have extinguished it."

"Would you really kill yourself if I told you to?"

"Of course. It is the least I deserve for harming you in such a manner. I would hold nothing against you if asked as much of me." He didn't know what else to say. There was so much he had to explain, so much he had to atone for...

"I don't want you to kill yourself." She covered his hands. "I don't want your sister to get the better of either of us. And if you were gone, I... I think I'd miss you."

He looked down quickly at their hands. He didn't want her to see his tears. That she could forgive him so easily and even admit she would miss him made her a person of such a character far beyond that which he could ever aspire to be.

Her hand came up underneath his chin and lifted his head. "If you truly meant those things you said then there are two things you'll do for me."

Kuno nodded, unable to look away.

"Don't ever kill yourself. Don't ever think you deserve to be dead. You know there are actually people that care about you? I think even Akane would miss you."

He smiled a little. He had always felt so alone, that no one ever really liked him... To know there were some, even if they didn't make themselves known, was a comfort.

"And..." She looked at him, all humor gone. "Change. Be someone better than who you are. I know you can be, I know you're not stupid. You'll find that life is a lot easier if you do. You won't be so alone."

"But I..."

"Don't. Just say that you'll do those two things for me."

He looked down, his brow furrowing. Change. How could he change for the better after what he had done? And the thoughts of ending his life, with honor or without, were so overwhelming. "I can't..."

"For me. For the baby."

Kuno's head sagged and his shoulders slumped. Nabiki could see the tears hit the bed. "All right. I'll do it. I'll try. But I don't know how long..." He looked at her, his eyes filled with tears and sorrow and guilt. "I don't know how long I'll... be gone." He spared a glance back at the two men.

"As long as you come back and see me, and show me how much better you are, I don't care." Nabiki leaned forward, going against all her instincts, and hugged him. She managed to control the shudder as he put his arms around her and laid his head on her shoulder.

"I'll take care of you as long as I have the ability to... for real," he whispered. "And the baby."

They broke apart and looked at each other. He silently mouthed the words 'forgive me'. She nodded.

Kuno stood, getting the attention of the two men. "I'm ready," he said in a clear, strong voice, his eyes never leaving Nabiki.

The two men walked over, one gathering the katana and tanto while the other stood closely behind Kuno. Without another word, they all left the room and Nabiki was left alone.

And then she began to cry.