Hi, I'm here again with another story. Just came back from a month long of exams and what hellish month it was. I tried my hand at a multi-chapter fic this time. I don't really know where I'm going with this but I hope you like it. If you don't then into the waste basket it goes [I hope I won't have to do that]. I also would like to say thanks to those who reviewed and favourited my other fanfic. It made my heart warm that people liked it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Mai Hime. It would be nice if I did though.
Sirens flash in an almost quiet neighbourhood. Most of the occupants had already lain on their comfortable beds as the Sandman came for his nightly visits. Not many sleepers awoke from the noise; they were just in too deep a sleep.
It blared until it came to a stop in front of quaint little house; not too big, not too small. The residents were just content with a decent sized house just enough for their small little family. A woman stood at the porch. In her petite arms, she held her beloved, whom at this moment was unconscious. The woman had tears in her eyes, probably worried at the state of her fallen lover. At her legs, a small little hand was clutching her pajama pants. That little hand clung onto it as if the woman would disappear the minute she let go. The hand belonged to a little girl, no more than 4 years of age. She had a confused look in her eyes but also somewhat sad just like her mother's, only she wasn't crying. She probably had not realized the full extent of the seriousness of the situation but in her heart she knew that if she let go of her hand, she probably would have been left there all by herself.
The paramedics exited the vehicle and rushed towards them. They checked the body's pulse and carried it on the stretcher to the waiting ambulance. The woman held her child's hand, not wanting to forget or leave without her. Neither did she want to be alone right now. They both rode on the ambulance despite protests from the paramedics. Once inside, the woman used her other hand to hold onto the one on the stretcher.
It was almost a long ride to the nearby hospital. Long being that every minute felt like an hour when actually it was only a few minutes ride. Just as the ambulance stopped, the paramedics rushed out and ran as fast as they could to the emergency room where the doctors and nurses took over. The woman tried to follow them but the nurses held her back and tried to reason with her.
The bright light of the sign upon the doors to the room felt like they were glaring at her and felt irritation growing inside of her. As if sensing this, the small hand held tighter onto her hand, reminding her that she was not alone in this and that she should also worry about her child. She immediately calmed down.
"Shizuka, are you alright? Do you need anything?"
She tried to give her smile but she just couldn't. All she could muster up was a lopsided grin.
"I'm alright, mama. I don't need anything… but I think mama is the one who needs something."
Instantly, as the words left her mouth, she hugged her mother tightly.
"Wha-?" caught by surprise, the older let out an incoherent response.
"It's okay, mama. I'm here. Everything is going to be alright."
The small lithe hands enveloped her, circling her neck, bringing warmth. The mother instantly relaxed into her hold. It seems although being the younger of the two, the girl was taking the situation much more calmly than her counterpart.
"Thank you, Shizuka. Mama really needed that," she uttered, closing her eyes and leaning her head onto her daughter's on her left shoulder.
After a long wait of 8 hours, a doctor emerged from the doors. The light from the sign had turned off signaling the end of the operation. The man's head was down, hiding his face from everyone. When he did look up, his expression was one she did not want to see. She immediately burst into tears.
"No…no…no…NO!"
She knew before he even said anything. Her hands went up to cover her face; covering her sobs. The little girl at her side clutched tightly onto her, she too, sad at the turn of events. She did not cry. No, she didn't. Her mother was already crying enough for the two of them. She needed to be the pillar that held her together at these devastating times.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. We tried but she didn't make it."
He shook his head at his last statement. He didn't like to be the bringer of bad news but who would do it if he didn't? After giving one last sympathetic look, he led them to the room where her most precious person laid; motionless. The one on the table there, her beloved looked so serene. Her face was not contorted in pain, not in any way marred or bruised. No blood was seen on her milky white skin. They must have cleaned her up, she thought. When the crying woman laid her eyes on her, she came to an acceptance and understanding. Her lover has left; never to return again. She was alone now.
Shizuka stood behind her mother, not wanting to see her other parent as well as the look on her mother's face. She needed to prepare herself before she could take it in. She needed to still her pounding heart.
When she did finally approach the body, the walls inside her came crushing down. Nothing could have prepared her for the loss. She may have looked calm on the outside but everything inside began to crumble into tiny pieces. Like glass, she was fragile at that moment.
"Mama?"
Her voice sounded broken as if she was going to cry. Once again, the woman came to realize that she is not alone. She still had her daughter. Her beautiful baby girl. The only thing that's left of her beloved. The proof of their love; their daughter, Shizuka.
She stopped her tears. How she could cry when her daughter was trying so hard to act strong in front of her? Her voice betrayed the pain she felt. And it was no different than the pain she too had. How could she selfishly cry when she was not the only one in pain?
She squatted down to the level where she could be face to face with her daughter. Her hands went to rest on the little one's shoulders.
"Shizuka, I want you to promise…promise me that you will never leave me. Please, my baby?"
She tried very hard to convey her thoughts and her heart constricted at the thought of her baby rejecting her and leaving her all alone. She tried all she could to quell the pain in her heart. Despite knowing her daughter too was in pain, she still needed to hear her answer; needed to dispel the hateful voice in her head who threatened to distort her mind. Making her think of things that would never happen; making her doubt.
The girl held tightly onto her mother's blouse. As if just the action gave her emotional support. Maybe it did; she felt a sense of relief knowing her mother was not going anywhere; still in her grip. Within reach. She let loose the breath she didn't know she kept and she smiled a tiny smile.
"You know I would never leave you, mama. I will always be with you forever and ever. Don't you ever forget that."
She placed a chaste kiss onto her mother's forehead. The action caused her mother to tear up; touched by her words. She embraced her, taking comfort in the warmth which radiated from her daughter.
"What would I do without my sweet little Shi-chan?"
She smiled at sad smile.
"It's just the two of us now."