"In Sickness and Health"
It was now late November. As the soothing, vibrant tranquilly of autumn came to a close, the floodgates, opened up to spread their sickness to the populace. The rise of colds and flu was going up every passing day. However this was all really minor. Not like anyone was truly sick, at least not yet.
Sitting under a large tree out front of the school was Ace and Blaze. Blaze was clicking away at his laptop and his cousin was busy juggling his dice. He was concreting exceptionally hard it would seem.
"C'mon Lady Luck shine upon me tonight! Go Magical Dice Roll!" as he let them soar. He started to do a half smile when, he was able to read the verdict of his roll. Blaze looked up from his work and asked, "What did you get, Ace? Anything good is going to happen?"
"Well it looks like I'm in for a special surprise. So I'll have something lucky occur to me in a little while. It looks like my good fortune will be shared with someone else. However some series of bad luck is to befall few numbers of people shortly," he replied simply as he gathered up his crystal dice.
"Well let's hope for the best. I'm glad you don't try, to live off your luck. That you do the hard work at times too. That makes you a lot better, then that lucky lazy goose, Gladstone Gander," Blaze comment impressively. His jade-eyed smiled pleasantly back at him. It was private joke between them.
"Whatever my luck may bring, Blaze, I know I've to make my own at times. Hard work is especially important in life. I'm not going to be lazy and not try to make my own luck. I just hope whatever I just rolled comes my way soon."
"Well it looks like your good fortune, is coming our way right now. Check it out," Blaze said pointing to the beautiful Chinese maiden walking their way. It was Yani Kinta the Vice Principal goddaughter. She looked practically eye-catching today. Her beautiful smile was easily the best feature, of this walking porcelain doll of gorgeousness.
Ace's heart almost immediately, began to start pounding away, as if he was running a marathon. He'd been smitten with this young maiden for some time now. From the first time he'd ever met her. He'd been dropping off; a CD of his dad's new commercial jingles, at the school media center. Ryo Bakura was in charge of it all. Furthermore she had made Yani her personal assistant. When his jade eyes had first gazed at this perfect porcelain doll, he'd fallen head over heels in love.
Smiling shyly at the two hot young boys, she approached them. "Mind if I sit here, boys?" she inquired hesitantly. Shaking their heads, she proceeded to sit down. She paused for a moment, to smooth out her snowy-white silk skirt, before she spoke.
"How are you two doing?"
"We're fine, Yani. How are you doing?" Ace asked as, he tried not having a spaze attack. He always got a bit klutzy, when he was nervous or stressed. He really wanted to make a good impression on this young lady.
"I'm glad to hear that. Um I've a favor to ask of you Ace. You know that huge geometry exam; Mr. Bastion is having this Friday?"
"Yeah, I'm not worried. Math is a piece of cake for me. But do you need help studying or something?"
"Yes, that exactly what I need. I was hoping we could study together. Like today at the Duel Club? I've never been in there before. From what I can tell it is tremendously breathtaking. I love to check it out. I know you, in addition to; all your friends have membership to that place. Maybe we could get me one too?"
"Sure let's get going! If we hurry Yani, we can catch the bus downtown. See you later cuz!" Ace called over his shoulder as he and his dream girl spirited away.
"Well at least it's a study date. In a little while, maybe they'll go on a real one. Well I better get going myself." Blaze muttered to himself, as he ran to get to bus stop. He barely made it before Robin left.
"Thanks for waiting for me," thanking her at the same time as she handed him a sucker. She smiled nicely at they young boy. It been awhile since he rode with her. But she was pleased to see him all the same.
"It's ok. I'll always wait, for those whom run a little behind. Why aren't you going home with Joei, today?" the redhead asked curiously. She was surprised to see him. In view of the fact that he'd rode with Joei in her car.
"Well I've been excused from my responsibility to the school for this week. I'm taking a special after-school computer class at the university. So I need to get home to get a few things then catch a bus."
"Hop aboard then. I'll get you home in no time flat. Everyone enjoy the show," as she turned on the DVD player and played "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" The twenty minute ride, was especially enjoyable for all the passengers, on the extraordinarily bus. Everyone was glued to the TV, as Harry tried to prevail over the Dementor horrendous powers. They'd just reached the part where Lupin, was helping Harry become, skilled at conjuring a Patronus Charm, when they at last pulled up to Blaze's street. With a quick farewell he bolted to his home.
He lived with his family on the right side of the duplex, whilst his cousin lived on the left. He dashed up to his bedroom, as fast as if a Dementor was after him! He paused for a moment to check, a locked glass cabinet in his room. It was where he kept his collection of magnas. With a small smile he grabbed some diskettes and bolted out of the house, barely remember to lock the door behind him.
He ran as fast as he could to the bus stop. But he reached it far too late. By the time the winded young boy reached it, the bus had already left. Kicking the sign in frustration, he swore deafeningly to the heavens.
"I guess this is my bad luck. Stupid Ace! You've got the good luck with your date. However you left me high and dry! Oh Ms. Angela won't be happy, if I don't show up on time. That lady is really one you don't want to get mad. What am I going to do?" he wondered aloud. He then spied a murder of crows flying overhead. A sly grin etched its way across his face. Checking to make sure no-one was watching he speed down a grimy alleyway. Subsequently he flew far above the ground, and into the atmosphere
With an enchanting scream, he flied even higher above the vanishing ground below. Till at last he was just a speck in the heavens. This was beyond doubt, the coolest thing ever! A one-of-kind experience! How many people wished to take to the air? He didn't need to dream to touch the periwinkle blanket above.
He all too soon arrived at the university. Touching down gently behind a grove of trees, he smoothed his black and crimson, leather clothes. Then he dashed to the computer lab. He barely made it before the bell.
Waiting in the computer lab, was a young woman, with lengthy wavy brunette tresses in a salmon dress. She pushed up her eyeglasses up her nose and gave Blaze a stern look. "Welcome Mr. Lemley. I was wondering if you show up. Take a sit next to Ms. Hatch and we'll begin tonight lesson," The professor indicated to a school desk in the back of the classroom.
Blaze flushed as crimson as his undershirt, at the same time as he scurried like a rat, to his seat. The young woman sitting, at the desk gave him a small wave. She looked a lot like a boy to be honest. She was tall, with short dark sea green tresses, in dazzling red-violet clothes.
"Hello," as she clicked away at her laptop.
"Hi. I've never seen you before. Do you go to Pharaoh Yugi?"
"No I'm home-schooled. I'm hoping to become a software designer one day. So I signed up for this course group. I hear Ms. Angela is the best to gain knowledge from. Heard she used, to be a successful beta-tester, for some bigwig business in America. Now she teaches college classes here. Why are you here?"
"I wanted to create a line of CGI magnas, one day. I wanted to get some help for that dream. I'm Blaze Lemley by the way," holding his cinnamon colored hand out. The ivory skinned lass smiled and shook it. "I'm Terry Hatch."
"Quiet! Now let's begin our lesson!" snapped the old hacker. Class went from 3:30 to 5:30. Whilst the advance group of students was busy with binary codes, in addition to, debugging systems, Blaze blazing blue eyes couldn't help but check Terry out. She seemed to do to the same.
After the class came to end, the pair left together to the bus stop. On their way to the bus stop, they stop at a place called "Candy Dream Sweets Shop" It sold all kind's of sweets from around the world. In addition to that it also made the best smoothies around. It was located between "Music Manor" and a computer store called "Reboot Center"
"So tell me more about your self. I mean what are you like?" as he slurped up more of his raspberry smoothie. She smiled as she sucked more of her own smoothie. With a nervous laugh she told her new friend about herself.
"Well both my parents are highly legendary plastic surgeons. They do a lot of the charity cases, for HTC. Both thought home-schooling would be better for me, because…you know forget it. What else can I tell you about myself? Hmm. Well I adore jazz music. My favorite artist is named William Franks. He's incredibly excellent. His music is perfect for romantic moonlight. It's also especially fun to dance to. In addition to that I play the saxophone reasonably well. I'm a skilled computer hacker. Every Saturday I've yoga plus acupuncture done to unwind and distressed."
"Hmm. Well I hang out with my friends all the time. My best friend is my cousin Ace. I love dogs and I'm an animal activist. I'm an extremely good dancer, just like my mother. She and my dad own the Domino City Theater. I love reading and collecting magnas. I love wolves a lot. My father and my aunt are bi-racial. Half-African and half-Caucasia. So I've an extraordinarily and equally remarkable bloodline."
"You seemed to be a decent young man. I must admit I've not meet anyone quite like you before. I wish I went to your school. Unfortunately Mom and Dad if truth be told, think being tutored, by our housekeeper Lucinda, is best option for me. It's really a double edge sword. I'm highly intelligent yet very lonely," Terry admitted sadly as the bored the bus.
They'd a lively conversation all the way home. With another wave she departed from the bus. He gazed his blazing blue eyes at her intensely. He just gazed affectionately at her, as she entered an apartment building, which strongly resembled a petrified birthday cake.
He rode the bus for another fifteen minutes. He just listened to the radio which was playing the song "Bless the broken road, Rascal Flatts." At long last around 6: 45 he made it home. He thanked the bus driver for the ride and waltz up the sandstone driveway.
"I wonder how Ace's date went. Well I'll ask him after dinner. I hope Mom didn't burn it. Hmm that odd, why are the lights off? Shouldn't Mom be home by now?" the lights won't come on. So he felt his way to a nearby lamp and turned the rose lamp on.
He leapt backwards at the sight that was in front of him. His mother was lying on the floor cataleptic. Gizmo was trying his best to awaken her, but to little success. He then noticed her left leg was at an odd angle.
"MOM!" he exclaimed as he dashed to her side. He sent a wave of cold air to awaken her. She little by little regained concision. "Blaze? Is that you honey?" she asked weakly as she groaned noisily.
"Yes it's me Mom. What happened?" as he lifted her up and on to the pastel yellow couch. He went to examine her leg whilst she elucidated on the subject of what happened.
"Well, I came home early from the theater. I open the door, but the lights wouldn't come on. I think one blew a fuse. So I felt my way to the closet to replace it. But I didn't see little Gizmo and tripped. I hit my head on the stair banister and was down for the count. My leg hurts pretty badly. I think I broke it."
"C'mon Mom, I'll drive you to the hospital. Let's get a professional opinion before we make any guess, ok? Can I have your keys please?" as he held out his palm. She winced in pain as she handed him her keys. Dangling from them was a small figure of her favorite duel monster, Magician of Faith. He carefully placed her in their light cerulean sports car and drove her to the hospital.
It turn out she had broken her leg. She would've to wear a cast for two month. As well not do anything athletic for a month afterwards. This was a big blow for her. For the reason, that she was at the moment, teaching her students different dances, for a show in two weeks. So taking it easy wasn't so easy to do. Still the doctors insisted on bed rest and taking it easy or she might not recover.
Blaze waited patiently in the waiting room, while the doctors put his mother cast on. He'd called his father whom was out with his aunt. They'd been busy getting music along with costumes for the dance show. But his dad promised he been there as soon as possible.
He was doing a crossword on his laptop, at what time he noticed something peculiar. Sitting in the corner of the crammed full waiting room was Ryo and her parents. It looked like her father had been crying, given how red his pale eyes were. Her mother had a petrified look upon her face and Ryo herself looked gravely upset.
Shutting his laptop he moved over to his friend. "Hi Ryo! Mr. and Mrs. Bakura. How are you all doing, tonight?" he asked cheerfully. But not one of them looked extremely cheerful. In fact they looked even sadder.
"Hello, Blaze. What brings you here?" asked Bakura friendly as he shook the boy hand. He may've been friendly, but it was obvious something, was really scaring him. He'd a hint of alcohol on his breath. That's when Blaze realized it had to be something very serious, which had brought them here. He knew Ryo's father wouldn't ever drink. Not unless something was dreadfully wrong had occurred.
"His mother just broke her left leg. He's waiting for his mother, Daddy. She still has to get out of the exam room." Ryo answered simply. Her earthy brown twinkled for a moment then turned back to a concerned look.
"Is it that obvious? Or do you get pleasure from reading everyone mind?" he inquired the charming young girl. She looked away from him for a moment. Then after brushing a bead of moisture from her face, she answered him.
"Every so often I can't help myself. Just like you can't help, but take to the air from time to time. You're mom gonna have a fit if she finds out. I won't tell."
"Please don't, Ryo. She's in enough pain as it is. So why are you here?"
"They're here because of me, young friend. I've been feeling a little unwell lately. So my husband insisted we come here. To see if anything is seriously wrong with me. Ryo be a dear and get us something to drink ok?" her mother kindly ordered her.
"Ok, Mom. C'mon Blaze let's get some refreshments."
"What's wrong with your mom? Is she ok?" as they headed to the vending machines.
"Well I'm not sure, to be honest. I've tried numerous times to read her mind. To see if her brain can tell me what ailing her body. Yet for some mysterious reason my telepathy isn't working. I can't read her mind. That makes me think perhaps her mind is what's sick," as they got the sodas.
"Gee I hope she's ok. Ryo I really hope she's ok."
"So do I Blaze. Yet she has become quite clumsily lately. She also has had a few other problems. Blurred vision, minor seizures along with other symptoms. I strongly believe the source is within her mind. I just hope I'm mistaken. I can't image life without my mother. Dad has taken time out of his busy work to be of assistance to her," as they enter the waiting room for a second time.
'Has he had a few drinks? I smelled a little liquid poison on his breath. Tell me the truth."
"Yes he came home late last night. Drunk as a skunk," shaking her head contemptuously. She was exceedingly distraught with father's thoughtless choices. Avoiding a dilemma never made it go away. Furthermore attempting to numb pain was equally unwise to do. You've to experience, both good and bad feelings, in order to appreciated good things. Even if pain every now and then made you wish you're dead.
"Mother had had a seizure earlier that evening. He left me to look after her and didn't come back till after midnight. Thank god neo-environment cars were invented. Otherwise he could've had a car crash."
"That is very true. Good thing Eco-Inc cared more about the world people, then a profit. People used to waste great time plus money improving the wrongs things. Like making cell phones have more junk then needed or stupid games. We need to have a planet to live on not stupid X-box and such. Well there my mom. I'll see you tomorrow at school. Hope you're mother is ok. See yea!" as he escorted his mother to the car.
Once they're on their way home, he started to joke around with his mom. She really needed to laugh, after all that pain. So he tried to cheer up the best he could. Even little Gizmo whom caused her injury tried to help out some.
"Mom, you do know that, when someone says "Break a leg" in the theater, they mean figural not literally. It just means good luck!" Blaze joshed his steamed mother, as they came to a stop light.
"Ha Ha, Blaze you're so witty. I won't have broken my leg, if little Gizmo here hadn't been, silly enough to sleep at the foot the steps," Tea informed her son irritably as the light turned green. Gizmo wined shamefully. Then he licked her face tenderly as if to apologize.
"We're both sorry Mom. Really! I'll help you in anyway you need to be helped. Including helping train your students, for the forthcoming original dance recital ok?"
"That would be just fine, sweetheart. I hope your father is there, when we get home. I'll need a lot of help for a long while. It's really bad timing, with Wakanda and her sisters away at the Lazarus Spas for the week."
"Yes I agree Mom. But everyone needs a mini vacation, once and while. Even guardian goddess need time to unwind. I promise you, Mom, I'll make sure everything done just peachy! C'mon Gizmo. We're going to have to help Mom for the next two months," as they pulled up at their home. Adrian was already waiting to help them out.
The next day during snack time Ryo gave everyone the bad news. The gang was at their usual table enjoying soy shakes and apples. Ryo only picked at her food till Uta asked her what the matter was.
"It's my mother. She's sick, very sick."
"What's wrong with her?" Uta asked with caution to her friend at the same time as she nibbled on her apple.
"Yeah tell us Ryo. Maybe we can help," Seymour offered thoughtfully. But by the expression on the shy young lady face, told them this maybe out of their hands to help.
"My mother has a…a…" gulping "A tumor. She's got a brain tumor and the doctors don't know much else yet. They don't if is benign or even if it can be removed. She still at the hospital getting more tests done," as she broke into tears.
Ruth, who was sitting next to her, wrapped her up in loving arms. She'd been unusual quite the past couple of days herself, as if she was harboring some painful secret too. Ruth herself looked like she was about to shed tears too and she did.
"You're not the only one worried about your mother. My mother may go blind once more. The doctors don't know why, but she is little by little having a relapsed in her sight, and they don't understand why. She's also in the hospital and I don't know if she'll be ok or not," confessed the angelic brunette maiden sorrowfully.
"We may not be able to help your mothers. But we can help you find some comforted to help you through this ordeal," Maha spoke up for the first time. She hadn't said a lot lately. In view of the fact that she along with her cousin we're still settling in. But her musical voice brought a blanket of soothing calm to everyone.
"I think I know what you're suggesting, cuz. That is extremely clever of you, Maha, to think of that, I must admit. I'm very impressed." Maverick said with a twinkle in his light lavender eyes.
"What are you two going on about?" Jay inquired to his new friends.
"Well it's rather simple young Prince. We believe you three should journey over to The Sanctuary of Souls. It's a multi-religion house of worship. From what we've heard from the grapevine, it is an astonishing place undeniably. It truly is a one-of-a-kind place of worship. It has got cryptogram from all recognized religions world over. That place is the most sacred along with bless land in the world. Everyone who needs something to believe in is welcome." Maverick enlighten his new friends as he wiped his hands with an indigo napkin.
"After all while we can't prove or disprove that God, or and kinda of religious being for that matter, truly exist isn't the point. The point of any religion is to have something that gives you hope and faith to get through life. So in truth that is exactly what "God" is. Each person own interpretation of hope and faith. So if you're scared for your mothers we suggest you go there for help. It couldn't hurt any," Maha finished up as she gathered her up her belongings.
"Thank you both, so much. For both your wisdom along with kindness, to us in are hour of need. You two are true friends and the angels we needed right now. I'm going to take you up on that proposal. You want to come, Ryo?" Ruth asked her friend softly
"Well as they said it couldn't hurt. I'll leave Yani in charge today to cover the school new station. She'll do fine on her own for a few days. She is such a sweet child. I'm glad I've her to be my friend. C'mon snack time over. Time to resume with are school lives."
Right after school was over the trio went to "The Sanctuary of Souls." It was an enormous house of worship without a doubt. It took up three whole blocks. It unique design allowed it to represent every religion from Christianity to Muslim all at once. There was also a cemetery in the far west side that gleamed brilliants in the dying sunlight.
"Well, my friends what are waiting for? Let's go in and seek help and comforted. Our mothers need all the help they can get. C'mon shake a leg," Blaze commented as the trio slowly walked through the golden arched doorway.
Once inside they headed straight for the hollowed safe haven. All three of them walked into the chamber without a sound. It was huge the spectacular chamber. Every one of the stain glass windowpanes showed religious figures from all the religion. With scented white candles on golden stands lined the path, which lead right up to the golden alter. Falling to their needs they began to join others in prayer.
They spent three hours there. Praying and talking to the church staff about their problems in addition to woes. Each and every one of the leaders, of this exceptional house of worship, told them God helped one and all. With a blessing and thanks they left. On their way out Ruth bought some holy water. It felt like the water had called her.
When Ruth got home she found her mother asleep on the coach. She was shivering a bit so got a blanket for her. She then went up to her room to do her homework. She soon fell asleep though. Being both physical and emotional exhausted, from all that had been going on. Hours past quickly till it was almost midnight. The moonlight from the full moon shone beautifultifuly in her blue room.
Then something extremely weird and wonderful ensued. As soon as the dazzling silver moonlight hit the tiny bottle of holy water, it began to glow vibrantly. The radiant luminosity it produced awoke the slumbering maiden from her dreamless slumber.
"Huh?" as she slowly awoke from her dreamless slumber. Rubbing the lingering sleep from her eyes she gazed them at the bottle. She never seen water act this way before. Then she noticed to her bewilderment her palms were glowing the same color as the holy water.
"What is going on?!" she gasped aloud in fright. At the same time as the light shone even brighter, as the clock ticked closer to midnight. Out of the blue she recalled something that Kanda had a long time ago told her. The first lesson she'd ever learned in her training of water enchantment
"Water is the source of life. Everything needs water to live. You can use it to heal life that been damage. This is the hardest magic of those who can use water. It can only be done during the full moon. Because that is when your power is at its zenith and the power of the life-giving liquid can be used for healing. Be forewarned my child. To do such a great act you have to use some of your own life force to activate this power. So be causations and used it only if you must"
Slowly she took the water and even more slowly made her way to her mother. Once she had reached the living room she put her plan into action. As the moon reached its midnight point in the darken heavens above, she poured the glowing holy water upon her hands. Then she whispered a prayer and asked Obelisk for strength. She little by little then placed her hands upon her mother face. After that she used the blessed water to restore to health her eyes once and for all.
Almost immediately she fell upon, the azure carpet unconscious. She didn't see the blue aura surround her mother like chrysalis waiting for a butterfly to emerge. Nor did she see the wicked demon of sickness be purged from her mother body. She lay there for hours till her father came home at last. He picked her up and carried her to bed.
The next morning when the Taylors went to the hospital, the doctors were stunned speechless from Serenity mysterious revitalization. Ruth smiled weakly at her mother who gave her a big hug.
As Tristan went to fetch their car, Ruth noticed Ryo, pulling up to the hospital parking lot. Racing over to her friend she informed them of the good news. Ryo was pleased at the unearthing of Ruth new abilities.
"I'm so glad you're able to heal your mother. But I don't think it can help my mother though. Something as amazing as that certainly can only be done, under the right circumstances. However my mother is going into the hospital today. The doctors plan to eliminate the tumor. Then she'll be in the hospital for a week after that. But I'm overjoyed she getting the help she needs."
"I think if God does exist he played a small part in healing our mothers. Hope it all works out for you. You've all our friends love and support," showing her the golden friendship symbol glowing on their hands. With a smile Ryo vanished into the hospital with hope in her heart.