Can't Stop Loving You
Chapter 2 - You're the Only Place
Ten years after Aoshi left. As sad as it is, I find it easier to gage time by putting it in those terms.
Anyway, the day was normal. A lunch like every other lunch. Kaoru and I were chatting about anything. Sano and Megumi were bickering over some stupid thing or another, while Kenshin was trying to keep the peace.
The normal disappeared quickly. One little tweak and normal died. Bye bye normal. See ya later.
The little tweak happened as the school secretary walked up. That's bad in general.
"Shit, I didn't do it!" Sano exclaims, disappearing behind Kenshin.
Everyone around us fall silent. They want to know who's in trouble.
"Makimachi Misao, you have a phone call in the office," the secretary states plainly. It's as if she doesn't understand that she's murdering the normal day.
The stability in the world cracked. The walk to the office was slow. A weight settled in my gut. Impending doom sucks. The phone receiver was heavy as I picked it up and held it to my ear.
I waited. "Hello?" I ask tentatively.
"Yes, Makimachi Misao?"
"Yeah, that's me."
"It's about Kashiwazaki Nenji. There's been an accident. He's in critical condition. He's alive, but it's going to be a hard fight. We're doing all we can."
Now the world was dumb and broken. I could do nothing. My brain was barely working.
"Misao?"
I jump. I had forgotten there was a phone. "Yes?"
"Is there a private number we can reach you at? Incase anything happens?"
"Yeah. The school has it." Cuz I sure as hell can't remember my cell number. I'm still stuck at the first part, that Jiya was in critical condition.
"You can stop by anytime."
"Ok. Thanks."
I put the phone down so that they can get everything squared away. I just stand there, staring blankly at the object that the bad news had come from. I was startled a second time when the secretary put her hand on my shoulder. When a professional ninja is startled twice in a day, let alone within the hour, things are bad. The secretary leads me out of the office.
The bell had rung while I was in the office. I barely noticed that the halls were empty. As I enter the class room, I get questioning glances. I don't allow them to register in my numbed brain as I go and sit in my seat.
Kaoru texts me as soon as the class resumed. What's up?
Jiya's been in an accident.
How is he?
Critical.
Wat r u doin here thn? It's easy to tell how worried Kaoru is because she switched to serious shorthand. Kaoru rarely does that.
I can't drive...
O... jus a sec.
A break.
Meg'll drive.
The rest of the day passed slowly. I couldn't concentrate on anything in front of me.
School let out. Kaoru led me to Megumi's car and explained the situation quickly.
The car ride to the hospital was quiet, save for the light background noise that Megumi had playing off of the radio.
She dropped me off in front of the hospital. She had somewhere she needed to be, but I could call her if/when I needed a ride home.
I went into the building. Being there assured me of the realness of the situation. I almost felt sick.
At the front desk, I was directed to an upper level. At that level, I was told that Jiya was just out of surgery and was led to a room.
I waited patiently as Jiya was wheeled into the room. He was covered in bandages, like a mummy.
"How..." I start, directing my attention to one of the doctors.
"We don't know. Someone found him, almost dead. It's all we got."
Stupid doctors.
The doctors left after their patient was situated. I sit and wait for Jiya to come to. And I wait and wait and wait. Waiting sucks.
Finally, after who knows how long, Jiya starts stirring.
"Jiya," I call softly, stepping forward.
"Misao-chan, it's nice to see you."
"What happened, Jiya?"
He shook his head. I frown. Simple as that?
"Jiya..."
He sighs. "I was attacked...by a demon...called Aoshi."
The world shatters. "It can't be. Not our Aoshi..." I start.
"Our Aoshi, Misao. He's no longer ours."
I feel empty and numb again. Jiya eases up. He says something, but I'm not listening.
...Can't Stop Loving You...
Later that day finds me sitting in the waiting room. I had no desire to return to an empty house. Jiya wasn't quite out of the woods yet, so the employees let me stay. I hadn't wanted to stay in the room with Jiya sleeping, so, that's why I'm in the waiting room. Absolutely alone.
I couldn't figure it out. Aoshi had tried to kill Jiya. Why? What reason did he have? These thoughts were my only company. At first, I had to fight back tears. But I remained strong and I managed not to. My thoughts kept coming quicker, trying to figure things out.
Until...
"Misao-dono?"
I look up to see Kenshin standing before me. His violet eyes were filled with curiosity and concern.
"Kenshin, what are you doing here?" I ask, surprised.
"This one is here merely for a checkup, that it is. What about you, Misao-dono?"
Kenshin's reason was boring. "My Jiya almost died. He was attacked."
"This one is sorry to hear that."
"I've been waiting all day for him..." I stop. I don't know if I want to continue or not.
"Is that so?"
And because Kenshin prompted me, I did go on.
"All I seem to do is wait. I'm waiting for Jiya right now. I waited ten years for Aoshi-sama. You know, I just want to see him. I miss him. He was like an older brother to me." I feel the weight behind what I was saying. I felt pathetic saying it. I was just a pathetic looser who sits and waits for things. For the one I love. I feel the tears start. They aren't those big tears, just little ones. Depressing ones. Ones just as pathetic as me.
"Misao-dono..." Kenshin puts and arm around my shoulder, attempting to comfort me.
I look to him. "I still want to see Aoshi-sama. He tried to kill Jiya, but I still want to see him. Is that bad?"
Kenshin paused. I could feel a change in the air, that iciness that comes when he's getting broody. Was it something about killing, or did he just catch on to Aoshi's name? It was there a moment, then gone.
"If he means that much to you Misao-dono, then it does not matter. Things will be difficult, but you can handle them, that you can," Kenshin decides. He gives a little smile. It's reassuring, not happy. It makes me feel slightly better.
"You think?"
Kenshin nods.
"Right now I just want to know why."
"Why will come." He looks down to his watch. "Look at the time. This one must be going now." He starts to leave.
"Kenshin!" I call after him.
He turns to look. "He will come back to you. I promise."
As he leaves, I whisper my thanks. I was thankful that he heard me out, thankful that he tried to reassure me, that it was fine that I felt the way I did.
I have a feeling that Kenshin knows more than he's letting on.
