Sleeping Beauty
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She couldn't breathe. Gasping for air, she struggled to keep from blackingout. It had

happened many times before. Above her, she saw the faces of the doctors she knew well

and behind them, her mother and grandpa. "We got here as fast as we could,"Her

mother explained. "It came on so quickly. We didn't have warning."

"Yes Mrs. Higurashi. We're going to do all we can for Kagome,"The doctor comforted

her. He eased an oxygen mask onto Kagome's face and a nurse shot a syringeful of

medication into her IV line attached to her arm. Immediately Kagome felt her breathing

slow, her heart stop fluttering. Electrodes were stuck to her chest and hooked to a

bedside heart monitor. This had been going on for four years, this failing heart. She also

knew she'd never get used to it.

"How are we feeling Kagome?" The doctor leaned over her. His face slowly came into

focus. Why did doctors always speak in the first person plural? As if they are victims

too? This doc wasn't. He would not know what it was to live like a broken toy, never

knowing when you'd wind down. "I'm fine."Kagome mananged to say.
"She is not fine,"Her grandpa contradicted. "I want her heart specialist called now."

"Dr. Kaede has been paged and will arrive shortly." As if she knew they were speaking of

her, in walked Dr.Kaede. She was a short pudgy lady with a warm heart and caring smile.

She always wore her hair back in a ponytail and wore no makeup. "What's going on?"she

asked politely. The doctor responded with a list of medical terms. Kagome ignored it'My

heart is lousy, and you can't fix it' she wanted to say. The muscle weakened by the virus

when she was twelve had turned her into an invalid. Nothing could help her.

Dr.Kaede spoke up,"Kagome I must tell you child..." "No,"Kagome gasped. "I know its not

what you want but we don't have a choice,"Kaede said gently. "School?"Kagome asked.

"Must wait."Kaede began,"You have an pneumonia in your lungs and thats making your

heart work overtime. We all know that its dangerous, i am sorry." "You don't understand,

I just started!!!"Kagome wept. "How long doctor?"Her mother spoke up. "As long as it

takes ma'am."Kaede answered. "Kagome I will get your teachers to prepare your work

for you, so you can keep up."Her mother smiled. "That is not the problem mother."

Kagome said. How could she explain everything she would miss out on other than the

work. She had finally made a friend in Sango and now..... "Sorry sweetie."Her mother

said.

Kagome had a lovely room in the teen wing of the hospital. It overlooked the river, the

cherry blossoms that lined the river we getting ready for winter. It was so beautiful.

"Nice view,"Her grandfather said,"i will get someone to push the bed towards the

window so you may enjoy it." She was welcomed by the staff whom she knew well. A

nurse named Yura had set up an oxygen tent above Kagome's bed. "We'll get these

vapors going and you will feel better soon." Yura had told her. "Not soon enough."Kagome

knew this all too well: Oxygen tent until her lungs cleared. Meds in her IV lines to heal

her lungs and calm her heart. When she came out of the tent, mor days in bed hooked to

an oxygen tank. Then, slowly, she would venture down the hall in a wheelchair. Then she

would begin walking. Then one day Dr. Kaede would say she was fit enough to go home.

Until next time. Which there always was a next time.
Before her bed could be moved Yura told her she needed to get longer tubing and find

someone to do it. "It shouldn't be a problem,"she told her. "Nothing is too good for our

well known lady."She patted Kagome's arm. "Thank you,"Kagome responded. "You need

to get some sleep,"her grandfather said. "Yes sleep now," her mother told her. "Let your

meds work and we will return later." "Please call Sango for me and tell her." "I will let

her know," her mother reassured her. Kagome watched as they left, wishing she could go

with them. The oxygen made a hissing sound and soon her eye lids grew heavy. She

wanted to sleep and wake up when the nightmare was done. She wanted a healthy heart.

She wanted to be normal to continue living at the family shrine. Kagome Higurashi

wanted her life back.
She had the most wonderful dream. She was adrift in a boat on the river, she lay

stretched out on a pallet of spring flowers. Her long raven hair trailing onto the floor

planks like a poem of a Lady from medievil times she had read about once in English

class. She was like a petal floating down the river free of everything. From a far bank

she could hear the soft sultry sounds of a guitar. She tried to raise her head and search

for the musician but couldn't. She felt as if she were tied to the pallet, unable to move.

Her heart, her poor sad heart began to pound crazily.
She awoke with a start, only to realize that her bed was moving. She cried out. The bed

stopped. A male face appeared through the plastic film of her tent. Even though it was

hard to see clearly she saw he was quite young. His face strong boned, his eyes golden

and his hair was long and tied back.It looked silver. "Forgive me for waking you," he

calmly said. "I thought I could move your bed without waking you. I did not mean to

frighten you, Sleeping Beauty."
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Note:I do not own the characters I am about to use in the reproduction of a lovely book

I chanced upon in my readings'. This story was called Laura's heart it was written by

Ms Lurlene McDaniel.

I decided perhaps those who never heard would enjoy it but with Kagome as Laura. Its a

sad tale so i tell you ladies, you may want to grab some tissue. I am here for you so you

can cry on my shoulder^_*. I do hope you will continue to read I promise it gets better.
___________________________
Miroku:$Stroke of genious pal.$
Sen:~Perhaps, do you think it will work?~
Miroku:$Am I a nice wholesome guy?$
Sen:~(swirly eyes @_@) OrOoOoO!!~