Chapter 3
"I feel like a pin cushion," Noriko commented aside to Shimako, who was seated in a chair next to her bed, as the latest in a string of nurses left the room. Shimako smiled and patted the smaller girl's arm comfortingly in way of response. With Noriko's great aunt's help they had gotten the bed-ridden girl dressed and downstairs into the car which brought them to the hospital. Once again she was admitted into the emergency room. A full workup of x-ray's were done while the other two waited outside anxiously. Numerous blood samples were taken and a throat culture was taken as well as other, more mundane, examinations. All they could do was sit back and await the results.
The hospital finally admitted her, placing her in a shared room with another woman that did little more than sleep it seemed. A team of white coat wearing doctors suddenly piled into the room and surrounded the bed in which Noriko was reclining. They began asking questions about the young girl's family and relatives. Were there any histories of unusual illness or sudden deaths? Thankfully Noriko's great aunt was there to answer the brunt of it as best she could. From what Shimako could tell there was nothing out of the ordinary. As quickly as the doctors came they left again, many with puzzled looks upon their faces.
"Shimako-chan," the oldest of the three of the women present said as she stood up and stepped to the bedside of her great niece. The day was growing long and evening had already fallen as the three had passed the time in idle conversation punctuated by moments of humor to stave off the fears of each of them. "I spoke with the head nurse," she stated as she leaned over and gave Noriko an affectionate kiss upon the brow. "As Riko is under age she's allowed to have someone stay with her," The former Lillian Alumna turned to regard the light haired woman who was even now looking at her with a curious expression upon her stunningly western features. "As you are her older sister it would be alright if you wanted to spend the night." Shimako's eyes grew large and Noriko actually squealed from her place in the bed. "You'll need to call and speak with your father though to get his approval," the elder lady said as she slipped a cell phone from her small purse and held it out to Shimako.
Accepting the phone, Shimako called the temple and then waited while her father was found. The light wavy haired woman explained the situation to her father and then listened to his response before saying her goodbye and dropping the call. Noriko and her aunt both remained quiet as Shimako handed the phone back across the bed and turned slightly to face her little sister. "Father asked that I convey his well wishes to you, Noriko. He said he would pray for your recovery." Shimako stood up and walked around the bed towards the older woman who watched her approach, stopping within a few feet of her, Shimako bowed deeply. "Thank you Oba-sama," she said before rising. "It looks like I will be staying the night," she finally said as a dazzling smile appeared upon her face and Noriko fist pumped the air.
After Noriko's great aunt departed Shimako sat in the chair next to Noriko's bed and their hands found one another once again. Grey eyes regarded the small perfect face before them with love and caring. The younger girl blushed under the intense gaze but refused to look away. Entranced by the delicate western features that sat before her, she felt her heart skip a beat and a warmth flood through her that had nothing to do with the slight blush she felt upon her youthful cheeks. "Shimako-san," Noriko finally spoke, breaking the silence that had hung in the room for some time now while their eyes spoke from their hearts. "Do you think you could get one of the nurses for me?"
"Is something wrong? Are you alright?" Shimako inquired instantly concerned for the smaller girl resounding in every word that past her lips.
"No…no...,"Noriko replied and then dropped her gaze into her lap but not before Shimako saw her Petite Sœur's cheeks suddenly turn a lovely shade of scarlet. "I have to go to the bathroom," was the mumbled conclusion from the bed after a long moment.
"Well then," Shimako said in a serious tone of voice, "I can assist you with that."
Noriko's head shot up upon hearing her words. "No!" The mere thought of Shimako helping her do that mortified her to no end. "A nurse will do fine, Shimako-san."
Shimako rested both her hands gently in her lap and tilted her head slightly off center and regarded the girl with her for one long silent moment. "So a complete stranger will do where as your Onee-sama will not?"
"That's not what I meant," Noriko quickly retaliated with in her defense knowing she was being backed into a corner.
"Well then which will it be, Noriko?" Shimako continued on, driving home her point. "A complete stranger or someone you know and trust?" Seeing her Petite Sœur waver in her decision Shimako nudged her towards the conclusion she wished for by asking, "Please let me help you, Noriko." Torn between disappointing the woman that meant the world to her and being embarrassed she chose the latter of the two and allowed Shimako to help her to the bathroom.
The rest of the evening passed uneventfully and soon it was time for them both to sleep. Shimako reclined the chair she had been sitting in and adjusted a blanket which one of the nurses had been kind enough to bring her. Closing her eyes she said a silent prayer for Noriko and then tried to set her own worries aside and sleep.
"Shimako-san," was the soft inquiry from the bed as Noriko turned her head to see the other girl lying in the chair. Shimako opened her eyes and smiled softly at the dark haired girl in way of answer. "I can't sleep."
Shimako stood up, having found it difficult to fall asleep herself, and assessed the situation. Reaching down she gently pushed the other girl's hips toward the far side of the bed and then did the same for her legs and feet. "Scoot over," she instructed. Noriko, realizing what she was doing, quickly complied. Once there was room Shimako situated herself in the bed so that she was lying on her side facing Noriko who quickly scooted back over and snuggled in. "Better?" Shimako asked as she felt the smaller girl nuzzle affectionately into her bosom.
Noriko smiled feeling the warmth of the woman next to her even as Shimako's aura of calmness seemed to settle over her. Reaching across her body she took Shimako's hand in hers and entwined their fingers together, laying their joined hands a top the blanket which covered her stomach. "Much better," she finally replied as she felt Shimako's other arm snake around her head to land softly along her other side. "Tell me about the cherry blossoms as I missed them this year."
Shimako smiled softly as she laid her head upon her shoulder and kissed the crown of the head that was snuggled in close to her. "This year there were even more of them than last year," she began with. "In the afternoon sun the Sakura trees seems to shimmer and glow with a light pink corona that was all their own." Lured by the soft steady tones of her Onee-sama's voice the young Rosa Gigantea slowly slipped into slumber. Sometime later when the night nurse came in to check vitals she found the two sleeping girls snuggled together with their hands still joined. Taking the blanket from the chair next to the bed she gently covered the two of them before slipping quietly from the room.
-oOo-
The following day the attendants arrived bright and early to roll Noriko from the room. The small girl was first subjected to a CAT scan and then taken for a full body MRI. It was late in the morning before Noriko was finally brought back to a very anxiously waiting Shimako. Once the bed was in place, and the attendants had left, the nurses arrived to reconnect everything. Finally the last of them left and Shimako stepped to the bedside having tried to stay out of everyone's way during the entire parade of people in and out of the room. "How are you, Noriko," she inquired but before the first word had even left her lips the smaller girl was reaching for her and tumbled into her arms as her tiny frame shook with soft stuttering sobs.
"Shimako-san," she bewailed between indrawn breaths as she clung to woman and cried. "It was terrible!" Long moments passed as Shimako tried to comfort the trembling girl in her arms. Finally Noriko managed to regain control of herself enough to sit back in her bed. The dark haired beauty's eyes were swollen and shimmered yet with unshed tears as she regained her composure.
Reaching into her pocket Shimako extracted a white handkerchief before sitting on the edge of the bed and then tending to the tear streaked face before her. "Do you want to talk about it," she gently probed as she wiped away the tears.
Noriko nodded hesitantly and reached for Shimako's hand as if it were the only lifeline left to her in a world that had suddenly turned dark and frightening. "They had me lay on this table," the small girl began with her words stumbling over themselves at first. Shimako gave a gentle squeeze to the hands within hers and it seemed to calm the distressed girl residing in the bed. "The table then was pulled into this machine and they placed this thing over my head." Shimako felt the hands in hers begin to shake as Noriko vividly recalled the experience from not all that long ago. "They said I wasn't to swallow or move at all. I tried! I really did," the petite black hair girl cried even as tears began to trickle down her cheeks once more. "I…I couldn't breathe in there. I felt like I was trapped."
Shimako released the hands in hers and gathered up her little sister once more within her arms, her heart going out to the girl upon feeling her trembling. "Shhh my Noriko," Shimako gently soothed her. "It's alright now. It's over with and you're back in your room now. I'm here with you now."
"I'm afraid that's not actually correct," said a female voice from the doorway to the room. Both women looked over to see a woman in a white doctor's coat standing there with a medical chart in hand. Short cropped black hair and traditional Japanese features with warm brown eyes stared back at them. "I'm afraid we'll have to try again tomorrow with Nijō-san and the MRI." The woman crossed the room to stand at the foot of the bed. "I'm Dr. Ito," she introduced herself with a warm and caring smile.
Noriko didn't return the smile upon hearing she would have to try the MRI again tomorrow. As she wiped at the tears still upon her cheeks she asked, "So you're the unlucky one to draw my case?"
"Unlucky? On the contrary, I requested it," replied the doctor with an infectious grin that reminded both girls of Sei-sama for some reason. "I like a good challenge and you, if nothing else, are certainly that!"
"Ito-sensei," Shimako suddenly spoke up as a thought occurred to her. "I may have a solution to the problem of the MRI." Shimako quickly explained her thoughts based off of the previous night's events. Upon hearing her words Noriko was excited and willing to give it a try. Both younger women looked expectantly to the doctor as she thought it over.
"It's highly unusual," Ito-sensei commented. "However if it will help Nijō-san relax and get through it then I am willing to give it a try."
The next morning saw the small girl once again upon the table and loaded into the MRI machine. "Noriko, can you hear me?" Shimako spoke softly into the microphone before her. From the small speaker close at hand she heard her little sister reply back that she could. "Alight then, listen to the sound of my voice. I'm right here with you. I won't leave you alone," she promised in her most sincere and calming of tones. Looking to the technicians she received a nod that they were ready to begin. "Alright they are going to start. Try to lay as still as possible," Shimako instructed her. "Noriko, do you recall that small shine we visited last summer before we went to see Yumi-san at the Ogasawara summer home?" Shimako's soft voice rolled on, calming the smaller girl's fears, as she recounted memories of all the trips they had taken to visit one Buddhist shrine or another. When those tales were exhausted she turned to memories of high school and the time they spent at the Rose Mansion together with their friends. In this manner Noriko was able to abide the confined space and finish the MRI.
-oOo-
The days began to roll past and pile up behind them it seemed. The list of tests and discarded causes of Noriko's affliction increased and still they were no closer to determining what the petite girl's problem was. Every morning a team of doctors, headed by Ito-sensei, would arrive to tell them what it wasn't. They would take Noriko from her bed and make her walk with an orderly on each arm. The first day they had done this the dark haired girl had broken down and cried she was so happy to be walking again even if it was with assistance. Through it all Shimako was there by her side, solid and unyielding in her support of her little sister. The single solid constant point of reference in the young girl's life that had so rapidly changed from the quiet third year of high school she thought she would be having. When Noriko returned from a spinal tap procedure, where spinal fluid was withdrawn for analyzing, Shimako encouraged the smaller girl upon seeing Noriko trying to put a brave face on for her Onee-sama, even though the procedure had left a large bruise on her lower back. Shimako held the crying girl who was wracked with pain when she returned from her second spinal tap due to the first one being inconclusive. Eventually she was given a pain killer and drained from the ordeal fell into a fitful slumber. Shimako sat on her bed and held her the entire time.
One week turned into two and still there were no answers. Shimako had called the university, and requested a leave of absence for the semester, feeling that it was far more important to be where she was. The only time the light haired woman left Noriko's side was when the nurse would come in to bathe the bed-ridden girl. Noriko, not ready for the older girl to see her as such, had declined Shimako's offer to do even this for her. It was during these times that Shimako herself left the hospital and walked a block down the street to a public bath house and cleaned herself up. Early on she had asked, though it pained her to have to impose upon her friends, Yumi and Yoshino to bring her some items that she needed so that she herself would not have to leave the young girls side. Her former classmates visited often to help bolster not only Noriko's spirits but their friends as well. Sachiko came once or twice with Yumi and even Rei-sama dropped in once while home on a short break from university. Seeing all their friends caring so much for her Petite Sœur just made her love them all the more.
"And then they placed this pin in my thigh," Noriko said excitedly recounting to Shimako the latest test she had undergone. "Then the technician pushed a button or something and my leg moved on its own!" Shimako smiled; happy to see the other girl in such high spirits given everything she had been through over the last two weeks. "It was the strangest feeling to see it move without me telling it to." The dark haired girl shook her head from side to side causing the shoulder length hair to sway back and forth in a manner Shimako found adorable. "It's a beautiful day out," Noriko sighed softly as she looked out the window at the sunshine and the clear blue sky. "I wish I could be out there."
Shimako sat up straight upon hearing those words and the longing within them. "Wait right here," she instructed the bed ridden girl as she stood up quickly and hurried from the room. Several long minutes passed for the anxious girl in the bed when suddenly Shimako reappear pushing a wheelchair. "Your chariot awaits," the older girl proclaimed with a soft gentle smile.
"Shimako-san," Noriko stammered, torn between wanting to be outside and not wanting to do anything they might get in trouble for. "Are you sure it's alright?"
"I spoke with the nurse and she called and spoke to Ito-sensei who said it should be alright," Shimako assured her. No sooner did the light haired woman explain this than an orderly arrived to assist Noriko into the chair. Once seated and situated as well as covered with a light blanket they both thanked the nice woman who relinquished the wheelchair into Shimako's care.
"Thank you, Shimako-san," the seated girl offered over her shoulder in way of thanks as they made their way down the hallway. "I'm sorry for being such a bother."
"You're welcome, Noriko," Shimako said with a soft smile. "Though I am certain that were our positions reversed you would do the same for me."
Noriko grinned and nodded that she would as they rolled through an open door and out onto an enclosed patio set aside specifically for patients at the hospital. As the sunshine washed over her, enveloping her body in its warmth, she smiled and visibly relaxed. "That feels wonderful," Noriko said in a soft and dreamy voice. Shimako, after bringing over a chair and seating herself, had to admit that the warm sunshine did feel good.
For the next several days the two girls would come to the patio and enjoy the sunshine and just being outside. It was a pleasant change from sitting in the sterile hospital room for the entire day. It was while they were out on the patio that a nurse came and asked them to return to the room as Noriko's doctor, Ito-sensei, wanted to see her. Shimako quickly turned the wheelchair around and wheeled the smaller girl back to her room. When they arrived there Shimako saw Noriko's great aunt was there with a woman and man. It was clear to see from the resemblance that the woman was Noriko's mother which meant that the man had to be her father.
"Mother? Father? " Noriko said in surprise confirming the other girls suspicions. "What are the two of you doing here?" The dark haired girl knew that her father was a minor government official and her mother was a school teacher which meant that it was near impossible for them to get time away from work. Noriko's mother whimpered and hastily raised a handkerchief to her eyes to catch the tears that were leaking from them as she turned and buried her face into her husband's shoulder. The elder Nijō did his best to comfort his wife while offering a weak smile to his daughter in way of greeting. Noriko, more puzzled than concerned, looked to her great aunt.
"Riko, why don't we get you back into your bed," she said with a nod to Shimako. "Once you're comfortable we can then see about answering your questions."
Shimako helped her little sister back into bed, lifting her legs and placing them under the covers and then tucked her in, insuring she was comfortable before wheeling the chair out into the hallway. "I think I shall take my leave now," Shimako said feeling that this was most certainly a family moment and not wishing to intrude.
"I wish you would stay," Ito-sensei suddenly said from behind the light haired woman before anyone else could say anything. "If that's alright with the family of course," she added moving her eyes from Shimako, who had turned to face her upon hearing her voice, to the adults present.
"Shimako-chan, please take a seat by Riko," Noriko's great aunt said motioning not to the chair but rather to the bed where the petite girl was resting. Shimako hesitantly complied and sat on the bed next to the girl that meant the world to her. The older girl's arms unconsciously wrapped themselves around the younger girl protectively even as Noriko leaned back into the embrace welcoming its support and comfort.
Ito-sensei, after closing the door to the room, came and sat on the foot of the bed facing the two youngest girls in the room. "I've already spoken with your great aunt as well as your parents concerning your condition and a treatment plan moving forward," Ito-sensei informed them.
"So you've determined what is wrong with me," Noriko asked both needing to know as well as being fearful of the answer.
Ito-sensei nodded once and then licked her suddenly dry lips before continuing. "The last set of tests confirmed it. What you have is called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS for short. It's something that usually appears in older people," she continued to explain. "Which is why it took us so long to determine it was the cause of your affliction. While it is not unheard of for younger people such as you to have it, it is highly rare though. The Electromyogram we did a few days back is what finally pointed us in the right direction. The deep muscle nerves didn't respond as they should have."
"Sensei, what is ALS and how do we treat it," Noriko inquired as she felt Shimako's arms tighten reassuringly around her, telling her that she was not alone. "How did I catch it?"
Ito-sensei shrugged slightly as she replied. "We're not certain how people contract it. A small percentage, only ten percent or so, get it from their genes. Usually when someone else in their family had it and provided the genetic marker which was then passed down to them. There's still a great deal we don't know about ALS," she admitted. "As for what it is, the neurons which send the electrical pulses to your muscles begin to breakdown and stop functioning. This leads to weak muscles, twitching and then the inability to move those muscles at all. I've already prescribed a prescription of Riluzole to slow the spread of it to other muscle groups. So we'll get that started just as soon as possible."
"Sensei," Shimako spoke up with a mouth that had suddenly gone dry. "You said this Riluzole would slow the spread of it. Will it not cure it as well?"
Ito-sensei glanced at the other adults before dropping a comforting hand to Noriko's leg. "Riluzole will only slow it. There is no known medical cure for ALS," she stated though it pained her to have to do so. It only took the two girls a moment to realize that meant that sooner or later the muscles that controlled Noriko's breathing would cease to function. "I'm very sorry," she offered to Noriko who mutely nodded. Ito-sensei stood with a sad expression on her face always hating to give anyone bad news but especially when they were so young and had so much life ahead of them. "We can talk more later about what to expect and what can be done," she said to the parents and great aunt before turning to leave.
"Sensei," Noriko suddenly said in a strained and hollow voice causing the doctor to pause and look back. "How...how long?"
"We can talk about that later when you've had some time," Ito replied.
"Please…'" Noriko near pleaded.
Ito sighed heavily glancing down at the floor for a long second before looking back up and meeting the young girls shimmering eyes. "Two…maybe three years," she finally answered before turning and leaving the room and allowing the door to close behind her.
Within her arms Shimako felt the girl who once seemed for vibrant and full of life and who now appeared so small and frail begin to tremble and shake as the first sob of despair escaped Noriko's lips as she turned within Shimako's arms and buried her face against her Onee-sama's chest. Shimako tried to console the inconsolable girl even as Noriko's great aunt worked to console the parents who openly cried within each other's arms. Shimako slowly rocked the petite girl back and forth while whispering soothing words and repeatedly telling her that she loved her in a soft steady litany as if that would make it all better. It was the hardest thing she had ever done to sit there and project a calm serenity while being strong for the small woman she loved when all she wanted to do was break down and cry herself and be held as her heart broke within her chest.
How long she sat there, dry eyed and softly speaking to the girl in her arms, she didn't know as time lost all meaning to her. "I love you Noriko. I love you with all my heart," became her litany as she rocked slowly back and forth with her arms wrapped around the petite girl protectively and her cheek resting lightly upon the crown of black hair. A tapping on her shoulder finally brought her awareness back to the room. "Oba-sama," she said in surprise once her eyes opened and focused upon the person trying to get her attention.
"Shimako-chan, I believe she's cried herself to sleep," Noriko's great aunt said. "We should lay her down and let her rest."
Numbly Shimako complied and helped ease the sleeping girl down and then pulled the covers up and tucked her in. "If you'll excuse me, I think I need to go use the bathroom," Shimako said to the elder woman. "Will you remain here just in case she wakes up? Thank you," Shimako said seeing the woman nod that she would. In a daze the light haired woman with western features walked past the bathroom in the room and slipped out into the hall, allowing the door to the room to close securely behind her. Taking a few steps forward she staggered and then leaned against the wall and slowly slide down it as her knees turned to jelly and refused to support her any longer. Squatting there with her arms wrapped around her legs and hugging them to her chest her carefully maintained serenity cracked and crumbled as tears streamed down her face and her shoulders shook with silent sobs of sorrow for the girl asleep in the room she had just left.
Author's Note:
In trying to write this chapter and express the emotions an event of this nature brings, I realized just how far short my ability as a writer falls from the reality of real life. It is nearly…no it is impossible to accurately portray the grief one feels upon hearing this news about someone you love. I can only try to imagine what it must mean to be the recipient of such new directly while desperately praying in my heart that I never need to learn firsthand.
In the story description I dedicated this tale to my cousin Cheri. During a recent trip back home I was on hand when Cheri was diagnosed with ALS which is also known as Lou Gehrig Disease. Cheri, who is only a month younger than myself, and I grew up together and have always been close. If you were to look within the dictionary under "Good People" you'd find her at the front of the list. Quick to laughter, slow to anger, always with a helping hand to lend before even being asked. Smart, pretty, intelligent, popular…as an adolescent I wanted to be more like her, as an adult I'm sadly glad I'm not for a purely selfish reason. The good ones, those that shine the brightest are also usually the ones that burn out the quickest and are taken from us far sooner than anyone would like. Cheri, who will always be my friend, my confidant, my go to person when I need my spirits lifted…who will always be in my heart, more sister than cousin.
As always, though certainly not required, I do appreciate any and all reviews.
Kind Regards,
EJ Daniels
All characters within this story, unless otherwise stated are the sole property of Oyuki Konno the original writer of the Maria-sama ga Miteru light novel series.
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