loud

It was so fucking loud

That's to be expected in a hospital. Especially now, with a car crash that happened two blocks away. Doctors running around and barking out orders, nurses trying to keep up and keep the patients alive while desperately trying to figure out how much damage was done as fast as they could and not screwing up in the process.

And here I was, sitting on my ass with my feet up. Trying to watch the program on the TV that was up on the wall.

The hospital pharmacy I was in charge of was relatively small and, quite literally, in the middle of the hospital. Who the hell was idiotic enough to put a pharmacy boot in the middle of the waiting room must have been dropped on their head when they were born. Or better yet, maybe the moronic doctor that dropped the baby now owns the hospital and decided to put it where it is. My nice, circular prison did not give me much privacy, not that I really gave a shit. I could tune out people and stay sharp at the same time easily.

A sharp noise of panic to my right caught my attention, there was something about it that was different from the other cries of desperation. Particularly because the people from the car crash were all unconscious and were taken to the Trauma rooms.

No this was the cry of a soul lost and on the edge of a breaking point. I looked out the corner of my eye and saw a crying woman being held back by a crying man as she tried to hold on to the gurney with a girl on it. Unconscious and pale as death, she didn't look like she was gonna make it. The dark circles under her eyes signaled brain damage of some sort. Most of the time eye bags weren't serious, hers though, they were so black that even a man sleep-deprived for three weeks wouldn't have them. Not that that person would be alive. Normal humans die after a week without sleep, although there are those who can push it to the extreme.

She was taken away to an ER if I was not mistaken. After she was gone out of sight I turned back to the TV. Wasn't anything I could do, well not with my restrictions. I may know my way with medicine but since I don't have the diploma for it I can't go near patients.

That and the issue of having the mutant gene made many people wary. I still don't know how I would have been hired if it Wasn't for doc Snow, Dean of medicine. I almost snorted at the thought of him. Guy was capable and serious. Saw a person by their worth and was fair no matter what they were, just wish he wasn't an uptight ass all the time.

Not my fucking problem, I thought as I sharpened my hearing so I could actually hear what the News was saying.

It's been a year since the assassination of King Enki and normal humans found out about demons and genetically enhanced humans such as myself. By the lord that must have been one of the darkest days in recent history. Came to me as a surprise, the death of that demon was unexpected. I remember hearing about him winning while being in demon world. He seemed like one of those demons that actually gave a damn about something other than taking the throne just to be in power.

Explains why he was killed.

Not that humans were any different. Known for our violence, we did worse things, killing a ruler because he was actually kind was nothing new.

"Cifer!"

I felt my eyebrow twitch at the nauseating voice but refused to show any other annoyance. Blondie was not worth it.

There she was, in all her bitchy glory, walking dramatically with her clipboard and white coat hanging off one shoulder. I had to admit it was amusing to see her this way. Miss pain in the neck always had the need to be perfect. From the tight bun with all the strands in place to the painted toenails on her feet. Her insecurity always made me chuckle, then again who was I to say anything. I always sought to be perfect as well, just in ways that actually mattered.

"Yes Dr. Parker? You are quite in a hurry, do you wish for a repeat of last night?"

She stopped in front of the boot, anger making her strict blue eyes come alive with an inferno I only see when she deals with incompetent imbeciles that gave the wrong needle or mix up files, or whatever other stupid move they make. The woman had no mercy when it came to things like that.

It was about the only thing I liked about her.

"I have no time for this, you are needed upstairs now. The Chief is putting you in charge of the patients on the first floor. They all have their files so you will know what you must give them."

I raised in eyebrow. What was she smoking? "You are saying that I have permission to give the patients their medication directly? I am surprised, given the fact you don't trust freaks."

She flinched at that. Knowing full well what I was referring to. I nearly laughed but I wasn't petty. I did not give a damn about their opinions, although most of the people here accepted me. The nurses were nice most of the time but I did catch a bit of fear here and there from time to time. The surgeons didn't care for me much. Rich kids with diplomas for cutting into people tended to not care for those "beneath" their station.

Regular doctors without specialization weren't as lenient. More than once had I felt their scathing glares but of course, they would look away as soon as I turned. Bunch of cowards. Their bitterness at not being more plus me, someone who never even went to medical school is working here, must do wonders for their self-esteem.

Not my fault I had talent and was an exception.

"The accident was serious, the casualties are huge with this one. Most doctors are here and the ORs are filled, we need someone to take care of the ones upstairs because the first floor is packed with patients in need of scheduled medication. The nurses need help and it will take time for those with the day off to come back here. Precious time."

I could only guess how the traffic looked like. The accident occurred on the main road so I bet it was packed. And this hospital seriously needed more staff.

I rose from my seat, taking my name tag. Usually they don't let me deal with the patients, well other then giving them medicine prescribed here at the boot and diagnosing them once in a while when all others were stuck. I was good at my job. Knowing if a person got sick by consuming drugs or something akin to them or hell, tried new ones that were not even known by some was my specialty and was the best part of my job. I actually liked solving mysteries and helping people.

It was a nice change for someone like me. Violence has always been a part of my life and always will be. Hell, it's what meant being what I am.

But it was refreshing to use my skills for something good.

As I exited the boot I eyed the lose strands of her usually perfect bun."You should go wash your face, you look like hell."

"No time." She growled out. Alright so there were two things I liked about her. She wasn't afraid of me unlike the sissies I had to deal with here. Made her almost tolerable.

Almost.

She shoved the clipboard in my hands. It had the names of all the people I needed to go to on upstairs. Twenty six, well at least I won't be bored anymore.

After reading what was needed for each patient I stuffed my black medicine bag. I never actually used it before since there was no need. No time like the present.

I walked away without saying a word and she ran off as someone called out for assistance. The elevator was down the hall and usually my boots would echo but the noise of chaos drowned them out. Not that I couldn't be quiet, stealth was also a skill of mine.

My white coat swished behind me, a month into this job and I still wasn't used to wearing it. I find it annoying for my height even if it was in my size. I did not dislike it though, made me feel like one of those children whose dream of being a super hero came true.

The elevator wasn't occupied when I entered it, the chaos wasn't effecting this part of the hospital. It was cut off precisely in case of emergencies, to be free just in case for some other importance that needed immediate attention.

I got to the first floor and walked out. The white that surrounded me was almost blinding and the hall was empty. I hated white walls, it brought back unpleasant flashes before I could will them to stay buried as I always commanded them to be.

I stopped in front of the first room and glanced at the clipboard. First patient was a fifty two year old woman. A regular human with heart problems.

I didn't bother knocking, I opened the door and was greeted by pale green eyes, they lost their color with age.

A kind smile was sent my way. "Hello, are you going to give me my medicine? I didn't think a doctor would come see an old woman for that."

"I am not a doctor." I said plainly. No use in lying in this situation. "I am a pharmacist, all the doctors and nurses are occupied right now. There was an accident on the main road." I opened my bag and took out Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners. They didn't literally thin blood, just reduced clots. And they also prevent blood cell fragments from sticking to the walls of blood vessels.

"Oh dear." Her eyes widened and then narrowed. "Must have been those filthy inhumans or demons. It was truly a dark day when we discovered such filth lived among us."

I nearly went still from that. A bigot. I was not surprised, takes more than a year for people to get used to such a change. I heard that the new king is giving his best to keep all under control now that the portals to the human realm remain opened. Still, many would prefer that they stayed on their own side. People didn't give a damn about someone elses difficulties, they wanted their own safety bubble just as it was, safe.

I felt a cruel smile wanting to make its way across my face. I did not allow it. Her opinion did not matter, weaklings with no power never did to me.

Well that wasn't exactly true. I would not be here if I didn't care. I realized deep inside of myself that those without power would always relay on those who had it. In a way, I felt it was the path I should have taken now. After you see so much death you learn how to appreciate life.

All life

I put the pills in a small cup and handed her a glass of water. "Why do you think it was them? It could have just as easily been the normal humans." She put the pills in her mouth and drank the water.

"Oh but I know, violence and death have become increased since last year. Rape, theft... all of it... it's horrible."

"It was horrible before it was known about them." I kept my tone neutral, did not let a spec of coldness enter it. "We are what we are and cannot change what is in our nature to be."

Her eyes grew suspicious. "You sound like you are defending them."

I turned around, not giving a damn about arguing with someone like her but hell... I never backed down from someone so I won't start now.

And it was in immense satisfaction that I left the room when I heard the plastic cup hit the floor. The fear in her gaze when I turned my head to her with a smirk on my face. The dread I could practically smell on her when she saw my eyes.

My next patient was a hanyou boy aged seven. Or at least that's how he looked like when I took him in. He grinned at me and I noticed one of his fangs were missing.

"Hello! I am Toga!"

"Yes I know, I have your name right here." This time I actually smiled. Ah half demons, most of them have a heart the size of the moon and are as pleasant as cool water on heated skin.

He sniffed the air. "You don't smell like that other lady that visited me this morning, even though you look a lot a like."

Almost all the nurses here are humans, less than a handful are otherwise. "I suppose it was a normal human that gave you your medication."

His eyes filled with wonder. "You... you are like one of those humans aren't you! That can use renki right?"

"It's reiki." I stated simply. "And no,I do not have reiki."

He looked at me with confusion now. And I stepped closer to him. I could feel it, he was some sort of cat. Rare to see a half demon that looked so human. Excluding the brown tail laying next to him and the fangs.

I noticed his nails were cut. Idiots. They keep doing that to demonic patients. When will they learn that claws grew back in a matter of hours. And weren't they tired of breaking nail files or whatever they use to cut them already? Given the fact how strong they were. He was so young though, I suppose it would be easier and take longer to grow back. Safety measures should be taken but something tells me there was more to it than that.

I took out the shot needed. He had a rare bone condition that made them heavier and thus was difficult for him to move around sometimes. Until he grows up and builds muscles they will be a problem. Oh yes, this case was much more interesting. Inhuman patients always tended to be the more interesting ones. Mostly because they don't get sick. But through the mixing of blood such as in this boy's case, it awakened a biological reaction of the mixed cells of a human and a demon. It triggered chemicals that changed the way his bones were built. It wasn't causing him any pain, in fact one day it will be a strength. I can bet my ass that when he grows up he will have some intriguing power that comes from his bones.

"So you are... how was it... an abnormal one?" He had difficulty saying the word.

The boy was sharp. "Yes,now lie on your stomach."

I swear his eyes lit up even more than when he thought I was a reiki user. "Oh! I can't believe it! I have never met an abnormal one before!" Suddenly he remembered what I was holding and his eyes dimmed a bit. "Do I really have to again?" His voice was so small but I can tell he was trying to be brave in spite of it. It wasn't easy. While his condition didn't pain him, the liquid he is injected with here did sting. The bright side is the pain wore of in a couple of minutes.

"Just this one left and you will be done for today." He still didn't seem all that thrilled, suddenly it hit me. "Where is your family?"

"It's only my dad and me, mom died while she gave birth to me."

My expression didn't change. "Where is your father?"

"He was here this morning but he had to go back to work."

Well there was no way around it, he was a child after all. "I will stay with you until the pain passes."

If he had actual cat ears they would have perked up from the droopy position they would have without a doubt been in.

"Really? Thank you!" He caught himself and a blush spread from his neck. "I-I mean you don't have to stay, you must be busy."

The corner of my lip twitched. Brave little shit. Cute, brave little shit. "I know I don't have to but you are a patient,I am supposed to be here in your time of need. Now lie down, when I am done giving you the injection I will hold your hand."

As I exited the room he called out,now lying down.

"Hey! Um..."

"Yes?"

"You... um have a really pretty name."

That made a light laugh escape my lips. The kid kept repeating it while he was clenching my hand. He had a firm grip.

"Thank you, yours is as well."

I strode down to the next room and continued so until I finished with all the patients. The kid was by far the most pleasant. The teenage bitch I dealt with last barely let me treat her, something about not liking the way I looked at her after I told her that I had other patients to deal with besides her and that that was the reason she had to wait so long.

Oh how I loved people like that.

I tossed the leftovers of my sandwich in the trash. God they needed to get better food. It was as dry as sand. The situation was much better now than it was this afternoon. The ones that weren't dead are now stabilized and I think even the road is unblocked, hopefully. Then again I don't really give a crap since I am walking home.

My shift ends in half an hour, I could use the night stride in the fresh air. I suppose I will go back to my little prison. Maybe I will be able to actually catch the whole news tonight.

He seemed so out of his zone, the King. Can he actually be considered one after that shitty finals at the last tournament? I heard it was an outrage but they couldn't have done better given the situation. The former King's death set sale a chain of events that were unpredictable for all.

Intriguing. It was all so wonderfully intriguing. Considering that the normals couldn't deny us any longer. There was a down side however. There were those who knew how to put pieces of the puzzle together and they knew who I was. Myself aside, there were abnormals who now took this chance, and for the past eight months attacks were everywhere. Demons were no better and the humans took all excuses to strike out.

But then there was the King.

Everything might have really gone completely to shit if it wasn't for him. So I had to give him credit.

I almost pitied the people that got caught in the middle but it was the price of weakness. As I rounded the corner I barely managed to avoid running into a woman. She seemed out of it but spoke out in a broken voice.

"S-sorry, I-I should watch where I am going."

I recognized her, it was the same woman from earlier today."It's fine, you must have a lot on your mind right now."

That broke what little composure she had left. She fell on her knees and buried her face in her hands as fresh tears spilled.

I looked at her at a loss. I wasn't really all that compassionate, however it was needed here. I dropped down to her eye level and gently placed my hand on hers."What you are going through is unimaginable, especially if she is your only daughter."

Her head snapped up, the tears like precious jewels escaping her eyes. "H-how do you..?"

"I saw you this morning when she was brought in."

Her face contorted, if it was possible, into an even bigger expression of agony. "Oh God I..I just-she, so still and hopeless..."

"Please try to keep calm, tell me, is she stable?"

"Y-yes but..they...they still don't know what happened to her..."

That got my attention. "She has no diagnosis yet?"

"No... they can't figure it out... she hasn't woken up yet."

I grabbed her by the shoulders and helped her up. She was trembling. "Everyone here refers to me by my last name, Cifer. I am this hospital's pharmacist."

"Yukimura... I am Mrs Yukimura and my daughter is in there... my only daughter."

"What's her name?"

"Keiko..."

"Take me to her."

She looked surprised. "I-I thought you said you were a pharmacist."

"I am, however sometimes my opinion is sought after when a diagnosis can't be made. While it isn't a surprise that one hasn't been given so soon, I still think I should take a look since I have the time now." I avoided telling her that I was doing this mostly because I didn't really have anything better to do until the end of my shift. Who knows, maybe this girl will be interesting.

She nodded in understanding, probably desperate to get someone else take a look and find what's wrong with her only child.

We went down the hall, her shoulders sagged but she was not defeated yet. We went down a hallway that led to the ER. On the way I saw miss perfect come my way with a grim look on her face. I saw that look too many times to not know what it meant. Her hair was tied at the nape of her neck now. The bun most likely fell completely apart.

I caught her by the elbow. "How bad is it?"

"What do you think?" She answered in a cold tone. "I just had to tell a mother her sixteen-year-old son is brain dead and won't wake up."

Mrs Yukimura choked a bit in front of me having heard that. I let go of Parker's elbow. For the second time today we walked away from each other without a word. Tough day but what could I say. Death is a part of life, nothing can change that. I knew that better than most.

We made it to the room Keiko was in. And the one I assume was her father sat next to her bed wiping his tears with the back of his hand. He looked over at us and jumped up. And in quick strides walked over to us. "Ca-can you tell us what's wrong with her?"

"I can try, I need to see her chart."

The man looked confused and looked back at his wife, who simply put a finger to her lips telling him not to ask questions. I had no idea why the woman put so much trust in me. Desperation did wonders I suppose.

I stopped in front of Keiko's bed. She was breathing on her own now, that was good. Her heart was fluttering weakly though... Irregular heartbeat patterns...

"Did she have a cardiac arrest?"

Mr Yukimura's eyes widened, they were red from crying. "Y-yes, how did you? You haven't even looked at her chart yet."

There was something in my gut that warned me about this girl. I took a look at her chart. Nothing. They found absolutely nothing in her blood stream. She was negative on alcohol and drugs. There was nothing that would incline on something that would cause cardiac arrest but that was insane in a girl so young. And for it to happen so suddenly.

Unless

"Your daughter has had trouble sleeping right?"

"Y-yes but it seemed like she was getting better in the past few days..." Mr. Yukimura replied.

I raised the sheets above her feet. Swollen, just as I thought they would be. I could see that her hands were the same too.

"Did she have tremors?"

Mrs Yukimura spoke up now. "I saw that she had difficulty pouring her tea this morning... right before she fainted."

"Was your daughter on any kind of medication?"

They seemed to have gotten angry at that one. "Our daughter is not a drug addict, she wasn't taking anything!" Mrs. Yukimura stated in an outraged voice while her husband held her back.

"I never said she was." Even though deep down, I was almost sure I knew what it was. This girl's case wasn't rare.

I stepped over to her, since I didn't want her parents to find out just yet, wanting to know the truth for myself first I raised my hand.

It was dangerous to give her something now. So I decided that I was going to do this one myself. My palm started to glow a sapphire blue color. I heard gasps from the right but choose to ignore them. If they valued her life they would let me do what I could.

Gently, as if caressing the wings of a butterfly I placed three of my fingers against her temple. I had to wake her up now, that wasn't going to happen unless I recovered at least some of the fried brain cells. So I tuned the world out and felt it. I avoided picking around people's brains. I had little choice in this matter and I was sure there would be a time I needed to use this again. Practice makes perfect.

As I felt her cells being restored I gave her a a nudge with my own mind.

Wake up

As the glow died down, her eyelids opened up, confusion and pain in them. I put my index finger in the center of her forehead, focusing on clearing her mind up.

She blinked slowly when I was done, aware of herself now and her parents flew over to her side as they cried. I moved out of their way and watched the girl weakly clench the hands that were holding hers.

As much as I wanted to let this heart warming reunion happen, I desired for the girl to confirm my suspicions. So after their cries died down I spoke up. "Who treated her?"

Mr Yukimura spoke up. "I-It was a tall male doctor. His head was shaved, D-Dr Nao."

Oh man no wonder the girl didn't have a diagnosis, the man was a moron.

"Can you please go outside and fetch him right away for me please? I do not have a pager on me and I must look at your daughter more closely now that she is awake."

"W-what's wrong with her?"

"That is why Dr. Nao is needed here, I need to confirm this with him, a second opinion is always welcomed."

"You-you healed her with a touch. You are one of them but-but that doesn't matter, thank you so much we will never be able to repay you." Mrs Yukimura said while still holding her daughter's hands.

"You don't have to repay me, just go find him please. He should be on the third floor. That's where his other patient is, he should be done with her by now."

They both took my bullshit in without fail as they left the room. Probably too happy now to even question why I didn't send a nurse, as I knew they would be. They didn't even make me being what I am a problem. Which was good, reactions like these were rare.

I walked over to this Keiko and took her in. She was pale, her skin even paler than mine and I tucked a short lock of hair behind my ear before I spoke. "Do you know where you are?"

Her response was slow, good thing I used my powers, she might not even be able to talk if I didn't. "In... in a hospital... I'm... alive...?"

"Yes you are." I stated, not letting the sarcasm enter my voice. "You had a cardiac arrest, no one knew why so I woke you up with my powers."

She didn't seem all that surprised when I mentioned powers. Of course that might have meant she was still out of it a bit if it wasn't for her eyes. There was something in them, something dark that spoke of things she knew and preferred not to.

"I see." Her tone cracked, her mouth was dry. I walked over to the bedside table with a glass of water with a straw in it. I helped her sit up a bit so she could take a few sips, I needed her hydrated for the questions I was going to ask her.

I put the glass back where it used to be and sat on the chair on her right side. "So miss Keiko." I didn't bother to introduce myself, something told me she didn't really give a damn either. I didn't sugar coat it and asked her openly.

"Why did you try to kill yourself?"