Chasing Fleeting Dreams
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story, all rights go to Rumiko Takahashi. I really don't know why we have to do one of these things, it's a fanfiction site...you know that these characters don't belong to me.
Part 6: Becoming A Reality
The months pass and things stay uneventful and normal, but things are beginning to change. I'm in my third period of the day and I'm already completely tired. I try to ignore to dull ache and heavy pressure in my chest. I push aside the sickening feeling and kept working on my paper. "Miroku, you look pale." I look over at Inuyasha. "I do?" He nods. "Yeah man, you do. Are you feeling alright?" I smile. "I'll be fine." He shrugs. "If you're sure." He turns his attention back to his paper as I return back to mine.
As I walked to my next period with Inuyasha, I still feel off. I ignore the weak feeling that is over coming my body. I guess I'm sicker than I realized. I walk into math class and my knees begin to shake. I feel my legs give out and I drop to the floor. I start to cough, my breathing ragged. I hear Inuyasha. "Miroku, are you alright?" I notice the warm, stickiness in my hand. I look at my palm, my eyes widen as the color red comes to sight. "No, I'm not. Get me to the bathroom." Inuyasha helps me up and leads me to the bathroom. I rinse off my hands, cleaning my palms of the blood. Inuyasha looks away, trying to pretend that nothing was happening. "Let's go back to class, Yash." He looks at me with concern. "You should probably just go home." "I can't or people will notice. I'm fine."
We make our way back to class, my chest aching painfully. I refuse to leave, not after the scene I just made. Maybe no one even noticed me, I could only hope. Although my main concern wasn't the other students, it was Inuyasha. I can feel the tension between us, he had something to say, but he chose not to. I look over at him to find him looking at me with concern. "What?" He looks away. "Man that was scary. I've never seen anyone cough up blood before, but I know that's a bad sign. Are you in pain?" I smile easily. "I'm fine, nothing I can't handle. Just don't worry about me." "I'll try not to, but that won't be easy."
As I ran my second lap around the gym, I mentally kick myself for forgetting this class. I know I won't make it through this class and I can't think of an excuse to get myself out. I jog up to Koga. "I need to get out of here. Help." He shrugs. "Pretend to twist your ankle or something, then get up and limp. That's all I got, man." I frown, either way it goes, I have to make a scene. I know I'm not a very convincing actor, so I decide I have to push myself, and finish this class. It can't be that hard, it's just running laps.
Six laps in and I regret not taking Koga's advice. I find myself sitting on the floor, struggling to breathe. Several teens looking down on me and Koga shoving a water bottle into my hands. I try to take a drink, but choke. I taste the blood on my tongue. I cover my mouth coughing quickly, the crimson liquid oozing from between my fingers. I notice the look of horror on the other students faces, the gym teacher helps me up, and takes me to the office. The principle looks over. "What's going on?" She finally looks at me and her eyes widen. "What's going on here?!" I take a couple tissues to clean off my hands and mouth. "I'm fine now." She looks at me firmly. "You better start explaining yourself, Mr Hisashi." I grimace. "Yes ma'am. I'm sick...and I've been hiding it. I have cancer..."
She stares at me with disbelief. "Why are you still coming to school?" I sigh, "I wanted to live a normal life for as long as possible, but I think I may be reaching my limit. I didn't mean to cause a scene, I'm really sorry." The principle frowns. "You may want to consider staying home, what you have is serious." "I know, this will probably be my last week. I can go back to class now, I'll sit it out." She nods. "No more gym class, you will spend this class in the library for the rest of the week." She writes me a pass and gives it to me. "Thank you."
I walk back to the gym and a bunch of people surround me. "What just happened to you?" "Are you okay?" "Was that blood?" "Are you dying?" Koga walks up beside me. "No questions guys, he obviously doesn't feel like talking about it. So leave him alone. Now step aside so he can go sit down." The crowd breaks up and I sigh in relief. "Thanks, you just saved me from talking about that." He shrugs. "No problem man." I sit down and watch life keep going on around me as my life slows down. Thinking about everything that happened today, I decide that this really is my last week. I can no longer hide my symptoms and I'm too tired to pretend I am.
Sango walked beside me as we headed towards my house. "People were talking about what happened to you in gym class." I look over at her. "I figured they would, I didn't answer a single one of their questions. I know they're gonna spread some rumors about what they think I have." She takes my hand. "Are you still gonna be going to school?" I shake my head. "This will be my last week." I feel her squeeze my hand. "Things won't be the same with you gone. No more best friend. I'm gonna miss you." I smile. "You know where to find me. I'll be there every time." Is that a lie? I can only be there for so long. I look over at her again and I notice the sadness in her eyes. "Don't be sad Sango." "I can't help it, I don't know what I'll do without you. You've always been a part of my life, I thought it'd always stay that way."
Thinking about what she said, I realize that I thought the same thing. We had been friends for years, I thought her and I would always last. She would be my life long friend, but I couldn't be hers. I can't find that fair, I want to stay by her side, just like this. I need more time, a lot more time, but I can't get more. My fate is set, but I tighten my hold on her hand. Maybe if I hold on tight enough, I won't slip away. "Miroku, are you okay?" I snap back to reality. "Uh yeah, I was just thinking." "What about." I look away. "Life."
She and I reach my house and I unlock the door. "Is your mom home?" "No, she's at work. Let's watch a movie." She smiles. "Okay, sounds good to me, but I'm a little hungry." I think for a moment. "Candy and popcorn always go well with movie time." She walks into the kitchen. "Sounds like a plan." She grabs the popcorn and starts making it. "You got any gummy bears?" I chuckle. "You know my mom always keeps your favorite candy in here." I get her the gummy bears she always request. "What movie should we watch?" She thinks for a second. "Um, let's watch the Halloween movies, you know I like the Michael Myers slasher flicks." I smile brightly. "That's a lot of movies." The microwave beeps and she takes out the popcorn and puts it in a bowl. "I wanna watch every one of them and spend all those hours sitting beside you."
I wake up the next morning with a smile still on my face. The scent of her perfume still on my shirt. I remember every second of her in my arms, then the regret washes over me. I don't want to die and leave her behind, I want to stay with her. I get up and cross to my closet and pull out some close. Today is Friday and my final day of school. I pull on the dark and faded blue jeans and a forest green t-shirt. Then slide on my socks and shoes. I grab my bag, head out the door, and begin my walk to school.
"Hey bro." I turn around and see Inuyasha. "Hey Yash." He walks up beside me. "Sango tells me that this is the last time you're going to school." I smile weakly. "Yeah, I can't keep going after what happened yesterday." I continue to walk slowly. "You don't seem like you like your own decision." I frown. "I don't, I wanted to keep going." He pats my shoulder. "It's gonna be okay." I shake my head. "No it won't, I'm dying. Things will only get worse from now on." I see him flinch inwardly as the reality hit him.
After the longest school day and the worst was over, I come to the conclusion that I made the right decision. I couldn't face another day like that again. The questions were enough to drive a man with the patiences of a saint crazy. So I walk away from the school for the last time and never look back.
(A/N) Please drop me a review, I worked my butt off to get this story finished.
