kerrowe: Good to hear it.
risedragon0009: All I can say is that such questions will be answered in the later chapters, though one thing I forgot to mention is that this fanfic takes place after the Skank Hunt season, way past the part Wendy caused the death of a teacher.
I do agree that South Park's characters are terribly hypocritical, though Kyle seems the most sensible out of them all.
Chapter VI: Life goes on
Their trip to the hospital was brief and swift, thanks in no small part to the short distance they needed to travel. Wasting no time, they quickly made their way towards Lia's designated ward, where they found said girl sitting on her hospital bed.
Though she seemed physically healthy to most people, Ken could see in her eyes she was burdened by great sorrow, the bags beneath her eyes pronounced and black, a lack of sleep being the likely culprit. Her face was gaunt, looking aged by several years. She reminded her of Rin, the lone girl who accompanied her on her travels in the wasteland in her previous life, a girl who suffered the same tragedy as she had.
As of now, a doctor was currently tending to Lia, undoubtedly assessing her mental condition in the wake of her trauma.
"Lia, look, you've got visitors," The doctor told the girl, causing her to turn in the direction of Ken and Kyle.
Where most would shy away from one of Ken's demeanor, Lia smiled at her visitors and nodded her head in greeting, though that smile quickly faded.
Turning to the doctor, Ken asked, "How is she?"
The doctor answered, "She's more or less stable for now, though we've yet to determine any other changes to her mental health."
"Can she be discharged soon?" Asked Kyle.
The doctor shook his head.
"I'm afraid not, at least not yet," He said, "She's still prone to suffering relapses, so we'll be keeping her here for further observation."
Ken nodded.
"Thank you, doctor," She said."
"Paging Doctor James to the Reception. I repeat, paging Doctor James to the Reception," Sounded a nearby speaker, drawing the doctor's attention.
"I guess that's my cue to go. You take care now, Lia," Said the doctor as he turned to leave, Lia giving a nod in response.
As Kyle and Ken were left alone with the young girl, Kyle then said, "So, how are you?"
As Lia turned to face them, her vacant look becoming slightly brighter, Kyle then pointed to himself and Ken, saying, "I'm Kyle, Kyle Broflovski. This is Ken, we're the ones who took you to the hospital."
Ken nodded at Lia in greeting, a gentle, warm smile on her face.
Lia returned the smile, however ruined it was by her gaunt-looking face.
"Want an apple?" Kyle asked, trying to lighten the mood of the despondent girl, to little effect. Lia shook her head, and Kyle settled for sitting on a chair next to Lia's bedside.
Taking a chair and sitting in front of Lia, Ken fixed a sombre expression on her face, a feeling of bitterness in her heart at the thought of Lia's parents' deaths; though it did not look as if Lia blamed her for such, still she felt guilt at being unable to save their lives. Such was the weight of her curse.
"My condolences for your loss," Ken said, her voice as sombre as her face, "I truly wish I arrived in time to save your parents."
Lia, however, merely shook her head, saying monotonously, "It's not your fault. It couldn't be helped."
"Is it truly not my fault?" Ken said, as if she were to blame.
Lia took Ken's hand in a gentle touch, the lingering warmth of compassion in it reminding her of Yuria. She said, "No need to feel sad. Rather... I just..."
Lia began to tremble, her eyes watering with tears as she tried to speak, her words coming out hoarse and broken, "Why... why did mummy and daddy have to die..."
Ken then took Lia in an embrace, allowing Lia to cry softly into her chest.
"Our world is plagued by villains and evildoers, Lia," Ken stated, "They can never truly be extinct, and always will innocents die at their hands so long as they exist. We can only pray for your parents now, that they rest in peace in the afterlife, that the heavens may grant them peace."
Lia took comfort in the warm embrace given by Ken, and she ceased to try speaking, letting out all her sorrow as she cried unceasingly. As Kyle watched, he was unable to watch, silently shedding tears as he wiped them with a tissue.
IIOII
The duo left the hospital in a solemn mood, neither speaking a single word as they made their way back towards the house. Yet even as they began the journey back, Kyle abruptly said to Ken, "Shall we go to the park for a bit?"
Seeing no issue, Ken nodded, and together they walked towards the local park, where the other boys, girls and younger children would be playing by now.
Along the way, Kyle noted with amusement how so many heads turned at the sight of Kenshiro as they passed by; even after having spent over three weeks in South Park - time in which most would be used to her by now, people never stopped staring at her, either because of her beauty or her imposing stature. It was a sight Kyle never tired of.
As if inspiration struck him, Kyle quickly walked up towards Ken and slipped his hand into hers, holding it tight. Ken, for some unknown reason, held his hand just as tightly, though she was careful to not exert force. From a distance, they looked as if they were a couple, inseparable from each other, something that would undoubtedly arouse jealousy from some others.
Ken abruptly stopped in her tracks, turning to look elsewhere, a hardened expression on her face as she looked around, as if some unknown predator were lurking behind, ready to pounce on them at any moment.
"Ken? What's wrong?" Asked a concerned Kyle.
Ken shook her head, saying, "It is nothing for now. Let us continue."
Though Kyle remained unconvinced, seeing how Ken was acting, he dropped the matter and resumed their walk.
Little did he know, however, that someone was indeed stalking them, skilfully hiding from sight and hiding his tracks well. He found it interesting that the girl, the one called Ken, managed to detect his presence from a mile away. Clearly she was not one to be underestimated.
"Let us see what you're made of, woman of Hokuto..." The stalker muttered to himself, a wicked smile spreading across his face.
