*Disclaimer: I am really running out of ideas on
different ways to put this, so I'll be brief. I do
not own Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon.
Medical Miracle
Chapter 9: Yuuichirou's Wish
By: The Rose Society
Rating: PG-13
email: EtrlSlrMn@aol.com
http://www.geocities.com/the_rose_society/index.html
*Next Day*
Usagi slowly drove from the grave site to Hikawa
Jinja. Like last year, Shingo sat in silence next to her,
dressed in a dark blue suit, his green eyes solemn. Usagi
herself wore a simple black dress, her hair in its usual
odangos. After parking the car, the two siblings walked
toward the shrine, both dealing with their own thoughts.
Finally reaching the top, Usagi gave a quick smile and
wave to Rei, who was sweeping the grounds. Smiling back,
Rei continued to sweep, knowing that the two wanted some
time alone.
Shingo approached the prayer bell first. After
pulling on the thick red and white cord that rang the bell,
Shingo clasped his hands together, closed his eyes and began
to pray. When Shingo was done, Usagi repeated his actions.
While Usagi was occupied, Shingo walked over to Rei to wait
for his sister.
"Ohayo, Rei-san," said Shingo as he bowed respectfully.
Holding her broom in one hand and dusting off her white and
red robes with the other, Rei made sure she looked like a
proper Shinto priestess before replying.
"Ohayo, Shingo. How are things? It has been awhile
since I've seen you," asked Rei as she smoothed back her long
black hair. They continued the small talk until Rei noticed
that Usagi had finished praying and was approaching them.
"Ohayo, Usagi-chan! I was catching up with Shingo on
all the events at the uni." Rei grinned at her friend. "I
can't believe that Shimamura-sensei's toupee actually fell
off during one of his lectures. After all the attempts our
classmates tried to pull off that hideous thing, it finally
just falls off his head?! I would have paid admission to see
such an event."
All three shared a laugh. When Usagi regained control
of herself, she said, "Rei-chan, could we all speak in your
room for awhile? There is something I must tell Shingo and I
would like you to be there as well." Both Rei and Shingo gave
Usagi a surprised and confused look. "Rei-chan, onegai,
shinnjite. I'll need you there for this conversation."
Realization hitting her, Rei nodded, all laughter
gone from her eyes. "Let me get Yuui-chan to make us some tea
and I'll be in shortly. You and Shingo go ahead without me."
Usagi nodded and led the befuddled Shingo towards the private
building on the shrine grounds.
While they were making themselves cozy in Rei's
room, Rei was trying to find her fiancé. 'Kami-sama. Where
is that dolt fiancé of mine?' Rei swerved around another
corner of the temple grounds, headed toward the cherry trees.
'Knowing him, he's probably sleeping under the trees instead
of sweeping up the leaves like I asked him to. Why do I put
up with him?' Spotting a odd pile of leaves, Rei ran up to
the pile and promptly whacked it with her broom.
The pile was promptly dispersed into the air as a
figure with a brown mop of hair and dressed in blue and
white Shinto priest robes shot up, wide-awake. "ITAI!!
WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS THAT? SHOW YOURSELF, COWARD. I AM
NOT AFRAID OF YOU! I WAS TAUGHT BY THE GREAT MASTER--"
"Yuui-chan, before I give you another smack of
my broom, URUSAI!" shouted Rei. Yuuichirou immediately
quieted. "Yuui-chan, Usagi and Shingo are here and I think
that Usagi finally wants to tell him everything. Would you
please make yourself useful and make us some tea?"
Yuuichirou pulled out the leaves that were stuck in
his hair before saluting. "Hai, as you wish, Rei-chan."
Sighing in exasperation at her hopelessly silly fiancé, Rei
turned to join the Tsukino siblings. "Rei..." As Yuuichirou's
words, Rei spun around, annoyance clearly written in her
features.
"Nani, Yuuichirou?" she cried, her broom already
raised into the air. If he dared to say that he wanted to
sleep more, she'd sacrifice him to the sacred fire.
"Rei-chan, Usagi-chan will really need your help
to get through this. Be strong for her, ne?" he said softly.
Rei's face immediately softened and her broom dropped
to the ground. "Oh Yuui-chan. It's times like this that remind
me just how much I love you. Aishiteru." Giving him a small
peck on the cheek, Rei quickly ran back to her two waiting
guests.
Yuuichirou's eyes twinkled beneath his bangs.
'Rei-chan, aishiteru. And I hope you can lend Usagi-chan
some of your strength. Kami-sama knows she'll need it.'
Heading toward the kitchen, Yuuichirou rubbed the lump on
his head. 'If Kami is kind, maybe Usagi will keep some of
Rei-chan's strength or else she might end up killing me one
day with that broom of hers.'
*Hikawa Jinja, Hino Rei's Room*
Rei slid the rice paper door closed. Kneeling on a
cushion to the right of Usagi and the left of Shingo, she
looked at the two siblings kneeling on opposite sides of the
square wooden table. Shingo was looking at Usagi in confusion
while Usagi was staring intently as her hands, which were
folded in her lap. Rei cleared her throat to get their
attention. Both Shingo and Usagi looked at Rei, eager to dispel
the uncomfortable silence.
Rei sighed. It was up to her to get this started.
"Usagi-chan, I'm here now and I'll support you in whatever you
need to tell Shingo."
Usagi gave Rei a grateful smile. "Arigato gozaimasu,
Rei-chan." Taking a deep breath, Usagi's face grew very serious.
"Shingo, gomen nasai demo I have been hiding something from
you. I did not want to lie to you demo I did not want you to
worry about it. Even now, I have taken care of most of the
details. Of course, there will still be a considerable burden
on you demo I think that you will be able to handle it well..."
"Onee-chan, what in the world are you saying? Burden
on me? Handle what well? I'm still so confused," interrupted
Shingo. Usagi glanced at Rei and they both broke out into
nervous giggles.
"Gomen Shingo. I suppose I should start from the
beginning. Remember last year when I began getting those odd
nosebleeds?" Shingo nodded. He remembered. "Well, I went to the
hospital and my friend, Dr. Hongo ran some tests on me." Dread
began to gnaw at Shingo's insides. Something told him that this
was not something that he wanted to hear. "She told me...she
told me that I had brain cancer."
"NANI?!" Shingo's hand pounded into the table. "Cancer?
How is that possible? A year ago? How come you aren't getting
treatment? Why didn't you tell me then?" He was about to pound
the table into tiny toothpicks when Rei's hand grabbed his
shoulder. Looking at the priestess, Shingo calmed himself and
waited for Usagi to continue speaking.
"Gomen nasai, Shingo. I did not want to tell you then
because you were in your second year at the uni. You had
studies to concentrate on and I did not want this weighing on
your mind."
"Of course I worry about you. I should worry and I do
worry. Never mind my studies, onee-chan. You're my only onee-chan
and the only one of my family left. I should have been there to
help you with the news." Usagi gave Shingo a sad smile as she
patted his cheek.
"Shingo, I appreciate that." Shingo began to relax his
body as the shock gave way to thought.
"Onee-chan, how come you aren't in the hospital getting
chemo or something? You shouldn't be working and tiring yourself
out. You need to rest and take care of yourself to fight the
cancer, right?" Shingo looked from his sister to Rei and back
to his sister. Both girls were not looking at him and Shingo
could even see a tear escape down Rei's cheek. Shingo had never
seen the priestess cry, not even at her grandfather's funeral.
Rei always was strong enough to hide her pain until she was alone.
"Iie..." he breathed.
"Shingo, it has been a year since the diagnosis. Dr.
Hongo told me that the traditional methods of treatment were
hopeless. I decided that I did not want to suffer through them
if they were not going to help me in any way. I wanted my time
left to be as productive and as happy as possible. I'm telling
you now because you'll need to get a job. When I leave, I want
to make sure that you'll be ok and well provided for." Usagi
blinked back the tears in her eyes. She needed to be strong for
her brother.
"Leave? Where are you going, onee-chan? Is there an
experimental treatment you're going to try? Don't worry about
the cost, I'll find a good job and pay for the treatment. Just
get better, ne?" Shingo could feel the panic rising in his
chest. His sister would get better. Kami could not be this
cruel to him. Kami had taken his parents. Heaven couldn't be
calling for Usagi already.
Usagi bit her lip, trying to keep her sobs to herself.
Shingo was not willing to see the truth. "Ano...Shingo. I'm
not going anywhere. At least, not the way that you're thinking.
Listen to me." Shingo reluctantly looked straight into Usagi's
eyes. "There is no miracle cure. There is no experimental
medicine for the type of cancer I have. Dr. Hongo examined me
recently and has found that the cancer has begun to spread.
There is nothing she can do. Chemo and radiation will do nothing
for this type of cancer. Basically she's given me a year at best.
She's surprised that I've been able to hold out this long. So
before I die, I want to make sure that you'll be able to be
taken care of."
Clenching his jaw, Shingo tried to process all the
information that Usagi had given him. His sister was dying and
he was going to be left alone. "Usagi...is there anything I
can do?"
Usagi's eyes were filling with tears. Rei had turned
away, hiding her own sobs with her hands. "Shingo, there is
nothing you can do. There is nothing anyone can do." At those
words, Shingo slumped down, defeated. "Shingo, I sent in my
resignation to Juuban High School. After this term, I will no
longer be teaching there. Once I'm gone, you'll need to support
yourself. Can you do it? I've asked some of the relatives and
my friends. They have agreed to help if you need it."
Shaking his head, Shingo looked at his sister with
determined eyes. "Iie, onee-chan. After all you gave up to
raise me, you think that I would not be capable of handling
this? You did not raise a louse, onee-chan. Don't worry. I'll
find some way to support us. Don't worry onee-chan. I'll get
you the finest care before you..." Despite all his efforts,
Shingo finally broke down. Sobs racking his chest, he threw his
arms around his older sister. After their parents' death, she
had become his anchor, his shelter from the harshness of the
world. But now she was going to be taken from him. Would he be
ok without her? As he cried, Shingo thought about all the things
that Usagi had taught him, whether intentional or otherwise.
No matter what happened, Usagi did not raise him to be a
weakling. He would survive. Even if he had to do so, alone.
*Half an Hour Later, On the Steps of Hikawa Jinja*
Mamoru looked at the old Shinto shrine. It had been
years since he last visited the place. He had never been a
really religious man; after all, if Kami had robbed him of his
parents, he didn't see a point in fearing such a heartless deity.
But after Ami's story about how Usagi lost her parents and all
the hardships she had to endure, Mamoru began to think twice.
Usagi had not become bitter or cold, despite the fate that Kami
had thrown at her. Maybe he had been too busy blaming the whole
entire world for something it hadn't done.
'This is too much philosophizing. What do you think this
is, a philosophy class? Just ring the dang bell and be done with
it,' yelled the Voice. 'That crazy Hino Rei might still be
around. With our luck, Yuuichirou might have finally come to his
senses and run away. If that happened, then you can be sure Rei
will be looking for a new guy. Namely, us.'
Self-Control stopped Mamoru from chuckling. 'Baka, we're
at a shrine. It's time to be respectful.'
The Voice rolled its eyes. 'Being respectful is going to
get us caught.'
Mamoru began to look around the old shrine. There was
Yuuichirou, dressed in his robes, sweeping up some leaves.
Spotting Mamoru, Yuuichirou walked toward Mamoru's position.
'Ouch...that bump looks like it hurts,' thought Mamoru
as he inwardly winced. On the outside, however, Mamoru smiled
and bowed to Yuuichirou.
"Ohayo, Yuuichirou-kun. Long time, no see," Mamoru
said pleasantly.
Bowing despite the broom in his hand, Yuuichirou gave
Mamoru a big grin. "Ohayo, Mamoru-kun. What brings you to the
Hikawa Jinja?" Noticing that Mamoru seemed to be on the look out
for something, Yuuichirou chuckled. "Mamoru-kun, no need to be
afraid. Rei-chan and I are now engaged to be married."
Sheepishly, Mamoru held a nervous hand to the back of
his head. "Nani, Yuuichirou-kun? I was not afraid. I was just...
just..." At Yuuichirou's laugh, Mamoru gave up trying to hide it.
"Ano...Yuuichirou-kun, I didn't mean to interrupt you. I just
wanted to look around. It's been such a long time since I've seen
a jinja. There weren't any near my school in America and I kind of
missed it." Playfully smacking Mamoru's back, Yuuichirou nodded
and gave him another grin before walking back towards the unswept
leaves.
With a sigh of relief, Mamoru returned to examining the
area. It was just as he remembered it. Peaceful and comforting.
At a relaxed pace, Mamoru began to walk around the grounds.
Suddenly the door to the private building opened and out stepped
Rei. Immediately, Mamoru darted behind the corner of the nearest
building, his heart racing.
'Did she see me?' he thought. As cautiously as possible,
Mamoru peeked around the corner. Rei was not looking in his
direction. Rather, her attention was focused on the occupants of
the room behind her.
"Usagi-chan, you really should come by more often. I
hardly get to see you outside of our work at the orphanage. I
miss our old study sessions with minna," said Rei, her head still
turned away from Mamoru.
Mamoru felt his heart leap. Usagi was here? Maybe he
could get a chance to talk to her, provided that he avoided Rei's
notice. Even though Rei was engaged...she still frightened him.
'She should be committed. She could easily chase us down
and throw us into that sacred fire of hers,' said the Voice.
Self-Control rolled its eyes but said nothing. As long as
Rei did not notice Mamoru, it would remain in control. But once
Rei spotted him, Self-Control would probably be replaced by Fear,
Self-Preservation and Flight. It shuddered. Better to avoid the
fiery Shrine maiden.
Slowly a figure emerged from the building. Mamoru melted.
There she was, in a black dress, its dark colors contrasting with
her golden hair and blue eyes perfectly.
'Kawaii,' sighed the Voice and Self-Control.
'Go talk to her,' ordered the Voice.
But just when Mamoru was about to emerge from hiding,
a man appeared behind Usagi and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Are you sure you're ok?" he asked, his deep voice filled
with worry.
To Mamoru's shock, Usagi turned her head and gave the man
one of her gorgeous smiles. "Hai, Shingo. I'll be fine. We should
leave now." The man nodded and bowed to Rei. After saying her own
goodbye, Usagi and the man walked side by side and disappeared
down the shrine steps.
'NANI!!!' cried the Voice and Self-Control.
The Voice began to choke Self-Control. 'BAKA!!! YOU LET
HER GO! WE LOST USAGI! SHE'S WITH THAT OTHER MAN! WE'RE GOING TO
BE DOOMED TO LONELINESS AND IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!!'
Gagging, Self-Control tried to reason with the Voice.
'It...is...not...my...fault.' Its face began to turn blue. 'Will
you...let...GO!!'
The Voice and Self-Control began to wrestle so neither
was able to prevent Jealousy from popping up, curious at what was
causing such a ruckus. It laughed at the sight of the Voice and
Self-Control rolling around, each trying to place the other in
a headlock. However, all laughter fled when it laid eyes on the
image of Usagi and Shingo walking away together.
'N-A-N-I?!?!' Self-Control and the Voice grew still. Mount
Jealousy was about to erupt. Looking at each other with pale faces,
the two quickly scrambled to find some sort of cover.
'WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE? WHERE IS MY USAGI GOING
WITH THAT KISAMA?' Jealousy seethed, hands in upturned claws,
nostrils flaring, back hunched in preparation for battle. It ranted,
using words way beyond the rating of this fanfiction. Outside of
Mamoru's mind, back to the man himself, the situation was very
similar.
"How dare that guy act so familiar with my Odango?" he
fumed. "When I find out who he is, I'll...I'll..." *CRACK* The
deathgrip that Mamoru had placed on the temple's wooden pole had
actually started to split the bamboo. His face was an unhealthy
shade of green and his blue eyes turned a murderous shade of
black. Steam began to emerge from his ears.
"Ano...Mamoru-san." Mamoru yelped in surprise. Grinning,
Rei leaned her face closer to the red faced, hyperventilating man.
"Why are you making indentations in the temple walls? And why would
a guy being familiar with Odango bother you so much?" She wagged a
finger at him. "Have you been spying on our little Odango?"
Shamefully, Mamoru replied, "Iie, I did not mean to spy
on Usagi-chan." He looked at the wall and indeed there were five
holes where his fingers had been. "And those holes were an
accident, I swear."
Her grin getting even wider, Rei pretended to be in shock.
"Usagi-chan? Since when did you start calling Odango Atama that?"
Blushing, Mamoru began to stammer. "Since...since..."
Rei couldn't take it anymore and started laughing.
"It's ok, Mamoru-san. Ami-chan told me about everything at the
hospital. You don't need to explain to me." Mamoru sighed in
relief. "Demo don't think you're off the hook. Who did you say
Usagi-chan was seeing?"
Mamoru looked at Rei in confusion. "Nani? Shouldn't you
know who Usagi-chan is seeing?" Rei shook her head. "You were just
talking to him. He and Usagi-chan just left together."
Rei looked at Mamoru in shock. And then she did something
completely unexpected. She started rolling on the temple grounds,
clutching her sides as she laughed for a long time.
Inside the mental bomb shelter, the Voice poked Self-Control
in the side. 'You see, baka? We asked her a simple question and now
look what she's doing! Rolling around on the ground and laughing
like a lunatic! I told you this was dangerous, but did you listen
to me? Iie!' Before the Voice could continue its little rant,
Self-Control threw some canned foods at its head, effectively
shutting up the Voice. Self-Control picked up a dented can.
'Hmph. Just as I thought, expired!'
Wiping a tear from her eye, Rei finally stood up again and
spoke. "That man Usagi-chan just left with is her younger brother,
Shingo. Her boyfriend?" Rei burst into giggles again. "That has got
to be the most hilarious thing I ever heard. Mamoru-san being
jealous of Usagi's brother."
Mamoru sweatdropped. Of course, why did it not occur to him
earlier? Self-Control blushed while holding up a sign that read,
'Oops!' Usagi and her brother, Shingo. There was no reason for him
to be jealous. Everything was ok in his world.
"Now that I saved you from a heart attack, Mamoru-san, I
expect you to pay me back." Rei grinned. How she was going to enjoy
prying the information from Mamoru. Mamoru grimaced while
Self-Control dove back into the bomb shelter. The Voice was still
seeing little SD Usagi's running around so it did not notice Fear,
Flight and Self-Preservation make the scene.
Mamoru gulped, nervous. "Ano...Rei-san, what do you expect
from me?" His feet began to move unconsciously toward the exit.
Rei continued to grin fiendishly. "I expect you to tell me
just exactly what are your intentions toward our little Odango."
With that, Rei promptly began to haul Mamoru toward her room.
Watching the entire situation, Yuuichirou sweatdropped.
Looking up at the sky, he shook his head ruefully. "You couldn't
even let Usagi keep a little?"
Translations:
ano- um...
shinnjite- trust me
Author Notes:
Grr...I meant for a better chapter than this, demo I had
to cut it out due to length. =P Oh well, this just means that the
next chapter will be full of good developments =)
Until the next chapter...
~The moonlight carries the message of love.~
~Tsuki no hikari wa ai no message.~
different ways to put this, so I'll be brief. I do
not own Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon.
Medical Miracle
Chapter 9: Yuuichirou's Wish
By: The Rose Society
Rating: PG-13
email: EtrlSlrMn@aol.com
http://www.geocities.com/the_rose_society/index.html
*Next Day*
Usagi slowly drove from the grave site to Hikawa
Jinja. Like last year, Shingo sat in silence next to her,
dressed in a dark blue suit, his green eyes solemn. Usagi
herself wore a simple black dress, her hair in its usual
odangos. After parking the car, the two siblings walked
toward the shrine, both dealing with their own thoughts.
Finally reaching the top, Usagi gave a quick smile and
wave to Rei, who was sweeping the grounds. Smiling back,
Rei continued to sweep, knowing that the two wanted some
time alone.
Shingo approached the prayer bell first. After
pulling on the thick red and white cord that rang the bell,
Shingo clasped his hands together, closed his eyes and began
to pray. When Shingo was done, Usagi repeated his actions.
While Usagi was occupied, Shingo walked over to Rei to wait
for his sister.
"Ohayo, Rei-san," said Shingo as he bowed respectfully.
Holding her broom in one hand and dusting off her white and
red robes with the other, Rei made sure she looked like a
proper Shinto priestess before replying.
"Ohayo, Shingo. How are things? It has been awhile
since I've seen you," asked Rei as she smoothed back her long
black hair. They continued the small talk until Rei noticed
that Usagi had finished praying and was approaching them.
"Ohayo, Usagi-chan! I was catching up with Shingo on
all the events at the uni." Rei grinned at her friend. "I
can't believe that Shimamura-sensei's toupee actually fell
off during one of his lectures. After all the attempts our
classmates tried to pull off that hideous thing, it finally
just falls off his head?! I would have paid admission to see
such an event."
All three shared a laugh. When Usagi regained control
of herself, she said, "Rei-chan, could we all speak in your
room for awhile? There is something I must tell Shingo and I
would like you to be there as well." Both Rei and Shingo gave
Usagi a surprised and confused look. "Rei-chan, onegai,
shinnjite. I'll need you there for this conversation."
Realization hitting her, Rei nodded, all laughter
gone from her eyes. "Let me get Yuui-chan to make us some tea
and I'll be in shortly. You and Shingo go ahead without me."
Usagi nodded and led the befuddled Shingo towards the private
building on the shrine grounds.
While they were making themselves cozy in Rei's
room, Rei was trying to find her fiancé. 'Kami-sama. Where
is that dolt fiancé of mine?' Rei swerved around another
corner of the temple grounds, headed toward the cherry trees.
'Knowing him, he's probably sleeping under the trees instead
of sweeping up the leaves like I asked him to. Why do I put
up with him?' Spotting a odd pile of leaves, Rei ran up to
the pile and promptly whacked it with her broom.
The pile was promptly dispersed into the air as a
figure with a brown mop of hair and dressed in blue and
white Shinto priest robes shot up, wide-awake. "ITAI!!
WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS THAT? SHOW YOURSELF, COWARD. I AM
NOT AFRAID OF YOU! I WAS TAUGHT BY THE GREAT MASTER--"
"Yuui-chan, before I give you another smack of
my broom, URUSAI!" shouted Rei. Yuuichirou immediately
quieted. "Yuui-chan, Usagi and Shingo are here and I think
that Usagi finally wants to tell him everything. Would you
please make yourself useful and make us some tea?"
Yuuichirou pulled out the leaves that were stuck in
his hair before saluting. "Hai, as you wish, Rei-chan."
Sighing in exasperation at her hopelessly silly fiancé, Rei
turned to join the Tsukino siblings. "Rei..." As Yuuichirou's
words, Rei spun around, annoyance clearly written in her
features.
"Nani, Yuuichirou?" she cried, her broom already
raised into the air. If he dared to say that he wanted to
sleep more, she'd sacrifice him to the sacred fire.
"Rei-chan, Usagi-chan will really need your help
to get through this. Be strong for her, ne?" he said softly.
Rei's face immediately softened and her broom dropped
to the ground. "Oh Yuui-chan. It's times like this that remind
me just how much I love you. Aishiteru." Giving him a small
peck on the cheek, Rei quickly ran back to her two waiting
guests.
Yuuichirou's eyes twinkled beneath his bangs.
'Rei-chan, aishiteru. And I hope you can lend Usagi-chan
some of your strength. Kami-sama knows she'll need it.'
Heading toward the kitchen, Yuuichirou rubbed the lump on
his head. 'If Kami is kind, maybe Usagi will keep some of
Rei-chan's strength or else she might end up killing me one
day with that broom of hers.'
*Hikawa Jinja, Hino Rei's Room*
Rei slid the rice paper door closed. Kneeling on a
cushion to the right of Usagi and the left of Shingo, she
looked at the two siblings kneeling on opposite sides of the
square wooden table. Shingo was looking at Usagi in confusion
while Usagi was staring intently as her hands, which were
folded in her lap. Rei cleared her throat to get their
attention. Both Shingo and Usagi looked at Rei, eager to dispel
the uncomfortable silence.
Rei sighed. It was up to her to get this started.
"Usagi-chan, I'm here now and I'll support you in whatever you
need to tell Shingo."
Usagi gave Rei a grateful smile. "Arigato gozaimasu,
Rei-chan." Taking a deep breath, Usagi's face grew very serious.
"Shingo, gomen nasai demo I have been hiding something from
you. I did not want to lie to you demo I did not want you to
worry about it. Even now, I have taken care of most of the
details. Of course, there will still be a considerable burden
on you demo I think that you will be able to handle it well..."
"Onee-chan, what in the world are you saying? Burden
on me? Handle what well? I'm still so confused," interrupted
Shingo. Usagi glanced at Rei and they both broke out into
nervous giggles.
"Gomen Shingo. I suppose I should start from the
beginning. Remember last year when I began getting those odd
nosebleeds?" Shingo nodded. He remembered. "Well, I went to the
hospital and my friend, Dr. Hongo ran some tests on me." Dread
began to gnaw at Shingo's insides. Something told him that this
was not something that he wanted to hear. "She told me...she
told me that I had brain cancer."
"NANI?!" Shingo's hand pounded into the table. "Cancer?
How is that possible? A year ago? How come you aren't getting
treatment? Why didn't you tell me then?" He was about to pound
the table into tiny toothpicks when Rei's hand grabbed his
shoulder. Looking at the priestess, Shingo calmed himself and
waited for Usagi to continue speaking.
"Gomen nasai, Shingo. I did not want to tell you then
because you were in your second year at the uni. You had
studies to concentrate on and I did not want this weighing on
your mind."
"Of course I worry about you. I should worry and I do
worry. Never mind my studies, onee-chan. You're my only onee-chan
and the only one of my family left. I should have been there to
help you with the news." Usagi gave Shingo a sad smile as she
patted his cheek.
"Shingo, I appreciate that." Shingo began to relax his
body as the shock gave way to thought.
"Onee-chan, how come you aren't in the hospital getting
chemo or something? You shouldn't be working and tiring yourself
out. You need to rest and take care of yourself to fight the
cancer, right?" Shingo looked from his sister to Rei and back
to his sister. Both girls were not looking at him and Shingo
could even see a tear escape down Rei's cheek. Shingo had never
seen the priestess cry, not even at her grandfather's funeral.
Rei always was strong enough to hide her pain until she was alone.
"Iie..." he breathed.
"Shingo, it has been a year since the diagnosis. Dr.
Hongo told me that the traditional methods of treatment were
hopeless. I decided that I did not want to suffer through them
if they were not going to help me in any way. I wanted my time
left to be as productive and as happy as possible. I'm telling
you now because you'll need to get a job. When I leave, I want
to make sure that you'll be ok and well provided for." Usagi
blinked back the tears in her eyes. She needed to be strong for
her brother.
"Leave? Where are you going, onee-chan? Is there an
experimental treatment you're going to try? Don't worry about
the cost, I'll find a good job and pay for the treatment. Just
get better, ne?" Shingo could feel the panic rising in his
chest. His sister would get better. Kami could not be this
cruel to him. Kami had taken his parents. Heaven couldn't be
calling for Usagi already.
Usagi bit her lip, trying to keep her sobs to herself.
Shingo was not willing to see the truth. "Ano...Shingo. I'm
not going anywhere. At least, not the way that you're thinking.
Listen to me." Shingo reluctantly looked straight into Usagi's
eyes. "There is no miracle cure. There is no experimental
medicine for the type of cancer I have. Dr. Hongo examined me
recently and has found that the cancer has begun to spread.
There is nothing she can do. Chemo and radiation will do nothing
for this type of cancer. Basically she's given me a year at best.
She's surprised that I've been able to hold out this long. So
before I die, I want to make sure that you'll be able to be
taken care of."
Clenching his jaw, Shingo tried to process all the
information that Usagi had given him. His sister was dying and
he was going to be left alone. "Usagi...is there anything I
can do?"
Usagi's eyes were filling with tears. Rei had turned
away, hiding her own sobs with her hands. "Shingo, there is
nothing you can do. There is nothing anyone can do." At those
words, Shingo slumped down, defeated. "Shingo, I sent in my
resignation to Juuban High School. After this term, I will no
longer be teaching there. Once I'm gone, you'll need to support
yourself. Can you do it? I've asked some of the relatives and
my friends. They have agreed to help if you need it."
Shaking his head, Shingo looked at his sister with
determined eyes. "Iie, onee-chan. After all you gave up to
raise me, you think that I would not be capable of handling
this? You did not raise a louse, onee-chan. Don't worry. I'll
find some way to support us. Don't worry onee-chan. I'll get
you the finest care before you..." Despite all his efforts,
Shingo finally broke down. Sobs racking his chest, he threw his
arms around his older sister. After their parents' death, she
had become his anchor, his shelter from the harshness of the
world. But now she was going to be taken from him. Would he be
ok without her? As he cried, Shingo thought about all the things
that Usagi had taught him, whether intentional or otherwise.
No matter what happened, Usagi did not raise him to be a
weakling. He would survive. Even if he had to do so, alone.
*Half an Hour Later, On the Steps of Hikawa Jinja*
Mamoru looked at the old Shinto shrine. It had been
years since he last visited the place. He had never been a
really religious man; after all, if Kami had robbed him of his
parents, he didn't see a point in fearing such a heartless deity.
But after Ami's story about how Usagi lost her parents and all
the hardships she had to endure, Mamoru began to think twice.
Usagi had not become bitter or cold, despite the fate that Kami
had thrown at her. Maybe he had been too busy blaming the whole
entire world for something it hadn't done.
'This is too much philosophizing. What do you think this
is, a philosophy class? Just ring the dang bell and be done with
it,' yelled the Voice. 'That crazy Hino Rei might still be
around. With our luck, Yuuichirou might have finally come to his
senses and run away. If that happened, then you can be sure Rei
will be looking for a new guy. Namely, us.'
Self-Control stopped Mamoru from chuckling. 'Baka, we're
at a shrine. It's time to be respectful.'
The Voice rolled its eyes. 'Being respectful is going to
get us caught.'
Mamoru began to look around the old shrine. There was
Yuuichirou, dressed in his robes, sweeping up some leaves.
Spotting Mamoru, Yuuichirou walked toward Mamoru's position.
'Ouch...that bump looks like it hurts,' thought Mamoru
as he inwardly winced. On the outside, however, Mamoru smiled
and bowed to Yuuichirou.
"Ohayo, Yuuichirou-kun. Long time, no see," Mamoru
said pleasantly.
Bowing despite the broom in his hand, Yuuichirou gave
Mamoru a big grin. "Ohayo, Mamoru-kun. What brings you to the
Hikawa Jinja?" Noticing that Mamoru seemed to be on the look out
for something, Yuuichirou chuckled. "Mamoru-kun, no need to be
afraid. Rei-chan and I are now engaged to be married."
Sheepishly, Mamoru held a nervous hand to the back of
his head. "Nani, Yuuichirou-kun? I was not afraid. I was just...
just..." At Yuuichirou's laugh, Mamoru gave up trying to hide it.
"Ano...Yuuichirou-kun, I didn't mean to interrupt you. I just
wanted to look around. It's been such a long time since I've seen
a jinja. There weren't any near my school in America and I kind of
missed it." Playfully smacking Mamoru's back, Yuuichirou nodded
and gave him another grin before walking back towards the unswept
leaves.
With a sigh of relief, Mamoru returned to examining the
area. It was just as he remembered it. Peaceful and comforting.
At a relaxed pace, Mamoru began to walk around the grounds.
Suddenly the door to the private building opened and out stepped
Rei. Immediately, Mamoru darted behind the corner of the nearest
building, his heart racing.
'Did she see me?' he thought. As cautiously as possible,
Mamoru peeked around the corner. Rei was not looking in his
direction. Rather, her attention was focused on the occupants of
the room behind her.
"Usagi-chan, you really should come by more often. I
hardly get to see you outside of our work at the orphanage. I
miss our old study sessions with minna," said Rei, her head still
turned away from Mamoru.
Mamoru felt his heart leap. Usagi was here? Maybe he
could get a chance to talk to her, provided that he avoided Rei's
notice. Even though Rei was engaged...she still frightened him.
'She should be committed. She could easily chase us down
and throw us into that sacred fire of hers,' said the Voice.
Self-Control rolled its eyes but said nothing. As long as
Rei did not notice Mamoru, it would remain in control. But once
Rei spotted him, Self-Control would probably be replaced by Fear,
Self-Preservation and Flight. It shuddered. Better to avoid the
fiery Shrine maiden.
Slowly a figure emerged from the building. Mamoru melted.
There she was, in a black dress, its dark colors contrasting with
her golden hair and blue eyes perfectly.
'Kawaii,' sighed the Voice and Self-Control.
'Go talk to her,' ordered the Voice.
But just when Mamoru was about to emerge from hiding,
a man appeared behind Usagi and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Are you sure you're ok?" he asked, his deep voice filled
with worry.
To Mamoru's shock, Usagi turned her head and gave the man
one of her gorgeous smiles. "Hai, Shingo. I'll be fine. We should
leave now." The man nodded and bowed to Rei. After saying her own
goodbye, Usagi and the man walked side by side and disappeared
down the shrine steps.
'NANI!!!' cried the Voice and Self-Control.
The Voice began to choke Self-Control. 'BAKA!!! YOU LET
HER GO! WE LOST USAGI! SHE'S WITH THAT OTHER MAN! WE'RE GOING TO
BE DOOMED TO LONELINESS AND IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!!'
Gagging, Self-Control tried to reason with the Voice.
'It...is...not...my...fault.' Its face began to turn blue. 'Will
you...let...GO!!'
The Voice and Self-Control began to wrestle so neither
was able to prevent Jealousy from popping up, curious at what was
causing such a ruckus. It laughed at the sight of the Voice and
Self-Control rolling around, each trying to place the other in
a headlock. However, all laughter fled when it laid eyes on the
image of Usagi and Shingo walking away together.
'N-A-N-I?!?!' Self-Control and the Voice grew still. Mount
Jealousy was about to erupt. Looking at each other with pale faces,
the two quickly scrambled to find some sort of cover.
'WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE? WHERE IS MY USAGI GOING
WITH THAT KISAMA?' Jealousy seethed, hands in upturned claws,
nostrils flaring, back hunched in preparation for battle. It ranted,
using words way beyond the rating of this fanfiction. Outside of
Mamoru's mind, back to the man himself, the situation was very
similar.
"How dare that guy act so familiar with my Odango?" he
fumed. "When I find out who he is, I'll...I'll..." *CRACK* The
deathgrip that Mamoru had placed on the temple's wooden pole had
actually started to split the bamboo. His face was an unhealthy
shade of green and his blue eyes turned a murderous shade of
black. Steam began to emerge from his ears.
"Ano...Mamoru-san." Mamoru yelped in surprise. Grinning,
Rei leaned her face closer to the red faced, hyperventilating man.
"Why are you making indentations in the temple walls? And why would
a guy being familiar with Odango bother you so much?" She wagged a
finger at him. "Have you been spying on our little Odango?"
Shamefully, Mamoru replied, "Iie, I did not mean to spy
on Usagi-chan." He looked at the wall and indeed there were five
holes where his fingers had been. "And those holes were an
accident, I swear."
Her grin getting even wider, Rei pretended to be in shock.
"Usagi-chan? Since when did you start calling Odango Atama that?"
Blushing, Mamoru began to stammer. "Since...since..."
Rei couldn't take it anymore and started laughing.
"It's ok, Mamoru-san. Ami-chan told me about everything at the
hospital. You don't need to explain to me." Mamoru sighed in
relief. "Demo don't think you're off the hook. Who did you say
Usagi-chan was seeing?"
Mamoru looked at Rei in confusion. "Nani? Shouldn't you
know who Usagi-chan is seeing?" Rei shook her head. "You were just
talking to him. He and Usagi-chan just left together."
Rei looked at Mamoru in shock. And then she did something
completely unexpected. She started rolling on the temple grounds,
clutching her sides as she laughed for a long time.
Inside the mental bomb shelter, the Voice poked Self-Control
in the side. 'You see, baka? We asked her a simple question and now
look what she's doing! Rolling around on the ground and laughing
like a lunatic! I told you this was dangerous, but did you listen
to me? Iie!' Before the Voice could continue its little rant,
Self-Control threw some canned foods at its head, effectively
shutting up the Voice. Self-Control picked up a dented can.
'Hmph. Just as I thought, expired!'
Wiping a tear from her eye, Rei finally stood up again and
spoke. "That man Usagi-chan just left with is her younger brother,
Shingo. Her boyfriend?" Rei burst into giggles again. "That has got
to be the most hilarious thing I ever heard. Mamoru-san being
jealous of Usagi's brother."
Mamoru sweatdropped. Of course, why did it not occur to him
earlier? Self-Control blushed while holding up a sign that read,
'Oops!' Usagi and her brother, Shingo. There was no reason for him
to be jealous. Everything was ok in his world.
"Now that I saved you from a heart attack, Mamoru-san, I
expect you to pay me back." Rei grinned. How she was going to enjoy
prying the information from Mamoru. Mamoru grimaced while
Self-Control dove back into the bomb shelter. The Voice was still
seeing little SD Usagi's running around so it did not notice Fear,
Flight and Self-Preservation make the scene.
Mamoru gulped, nervous. "Ano...Rei-san, what do you expect
from me?" His feet began to move unconsciously toward the exit.
Rei continued to grin fiendishly. "I expect you to tell me
just exactly what are your intentions toward our little Odango."
With that, Rei promptly began to haul Mamoru toward her room.
Watching the entire situation, Yuuichirou sweatdropped.
Looking up at the sky, he shook his head ruefully. "You couldn't
even let Usagi keep a little?"
Translations:
ano- um...
shinnjite- trust me
Author Notes:
Grr...I meant for a better chapter than this, demo I had
to cut it out due to length. =P Oh well, this just means that the
next chapter will be full of good developments =)
Until the next chapter...
~The moonlight carries the message of love.~
~Tsuki no hikari wa ai no message.~