Holding On
The following day, Aimi felt better and was surprised to find Byakuya at the dormitory's lobby waiting for her. He smiled as he saw her descending the stairs and carried her books for her. Since she only has two classes to attend that day, Byakuya spent the afternoon with her and they went to a nearby deli to have dinner.
That evening as she was about to prepare for bed, she had another attack. This time Byakuya who was in his Shinigami form opened her door and knocked on one of Aimi's dorm mates. They found her slumped near the door, not seeing Byakuya who was cradling her. As her dorm mates rushed Aimi to the clinic, Byakuya was at her side, calming her.
'Aimi…I'm here…' he said
'I'm scared heavenly guardian…' Aimi replied
'Don't be… always remember I am here' he softly said
At the clinic, Dr. Saremi who was about to leave saw Aimi being wheeled in and rushed to attend to his goddaughter. Aimi looked so pale and her pulse weak. Dr. Saremi then decided to bring her to the hospital instead just to make sure. Inside the ambulance, Aimi was still unconscious, her godfather called her parents to follow them to the hospital.
Aimi was rushed to the Emergency Room, and was attended by the resident doctors with her godfather briefing them on her medical history. She was given medication and as soon as her heart stabilized she was brought to the ICU.
It was this time that Aimi felt she was in a bright, empty place, she could not even see her body, it was as if her mind was floating. Then she heard his voice…
'Aimi….'
'Heavenly guardian, is that you?... Am I dead?'
'No Aimi, you're not…'
I'm scared…'
'Don't be… I'm here… can't you feel me?'
'I do… '
'I'm here Aimi… I'll always be here…'
Aimi's parents arrived and they were ushered to the office. Inside the office…
"How's our daughter?" Mr. Fuyuko asked the doctor.
"She is holding on Mr. Fuyuko, but we don't know until when. Her heart is very weak and even if we do surgery, chances are she could not take the stress" the doctor somberly replied.
Aimi's mother broke into tears as her husband embraced to comfort her. Aimi's godfather, Dr. Saremi came in and upon seeing his friends he silently went to them and sat beside Aimi's father.
"We're about to lose her…" Aimi's father said, to which Dr. Saremi just comforted his friends.
At the ICU, numerous medical monitors were attached to Aimi. It was a sight too much for Byakuya to see that his beloved is in pain and suffering. He was speaking to her and knew that at that moment she was resting. Her reiatsu was spiking up and knew that she was fighting for her life, willing herself to live.
'Heavenly guardian?'
'Yes Aimi…'
'I – I feel that I have no time left…'
'Do not be afraid, I am here to guide you'
'I need to say goodbye… to my family…'
Byakuya wanted to cry at her plea, hoping he could do something but remained silent.
'I want to see him before I go…'
'Aimi…'
'I know it is selfish of me to let him see me like this… but I need to see him… before I go…'
'Hold on Aimi… just hold on…'
Aimi felt the cold gadgets on her arms and on her chest. Her eyes felt heavy, still she wanted to open her eyes as she felt a strong presence, a familiar comforting presence. Slowly she opened her eyes, her surroundings blurred. As she looked around the room she noticed a man by her bedside. She could not see him clearly and she noticed that he was wearing black clothing, a scarf around his neck and a headpiece on his head. He was not moving, merely watching her… could this be her heavenly guardian, she wondered as she felt drowsy again and let sleep envelope her.
Byakuya was watching her, sensing her reiatsu. He saw her open her eyes and looked at him then fell asleep again. It must be the medication, he mused. Then he heard the door open and saw her mother and brothers enter the room. As her mother entered she choked back a cry and slowly went to her daughter's side, stroking her head. Her elder brothers gestured that they would be waiting outside, since only one visitor was allowed in the room. Byakuya left the room as well, to give privacy for Aimi and her mother.
At the waiting area, Hajime, one of her brothers spoke. "It pains me to took at her Nii-sama"
"I know… but we have to be strong not only for her but for mom and dad too." Koji, the eldest replied.
"I heard that Aimi-chan is seeing someone, do you know him?" Hajime asked
"Hmn…Not that I know of… Maybe Aya can help" said Koji. It was this time that Aya and Iwao arrived and were greeted by Hajime and Koji.
As the group was waiting for Aimi's mother, a heartrending scene was unfolding inside Aimi's room.
"Mommy…" Aimi softly said, as she saw her mother clutching her hand.
"Aimi… " her mother softly spoke, tears gathering in her eyes
"Iie mommy, do not cry… I can feel it, as the day went on I'm getting weaker. Whatever condition I have, I know that you did not want me to worry and for that I am thankful to you and otōsan …" she said softly, a smile brightening her pale features.
"Mommy, if it is my time to go, then I will accept it with open arms."
With that Aimi's mother could no longer contain herself and cried while clutching her daughter's hand. Aimi smiled back through her tear strained face. Aimi's mother held on to her only daughter until Aimi felt tired and drifted off to sleep.
During that day, Aimi though weak was able to speak to her family and her best friend, Aya. Then she experienced another pain and the doctors and nurses attended to her, requesting her family to stay at the nearby Receiving Room.
It was way past midnight and the ICU Department of the hospital was silent. Nurses were gathered at their station as they finished doing their rounds. Some took a nap at the lounge while others with mugs of hot coffee nearby, stayed to look after the patients.
The elevator door opened and he stepped out, walking silently. As he passed by the Nurses Station, he acknowledged them as they greeted him politely. Languidly he walked, and upon reaching the last room he gently opened the door.
The sight before him startled him, Aimi was sleeping peacefully, the pallor on her face gone as she was tenderly cradled by a handsome young man dressed in black kimono and hakama, an elegant scarf around his neck. A headpiece adorned his head. The man was silent as he gently stroked Aimi's head and he noticed that Aimi's hand was holding the man's hand. Koji was rooted to his place, thinking that this must be the man his sister was seeing; but what shocked him was the man was somewhat translucent.
Byakuya knew that Aimi's brother saw him and gently raised his head and stared at him. Neither of them spoke as they both regarded each other's presence. It was Koji who spoke first as he slowly closed the door and stepped forward near his sister's bedside.
"Are you what I think you are?" Koji asked, his fear rising
"I am…a Shinigami… a death god" Byakuya replied
"Are you taking her now?" Koji asked
"It's not her time yet… but when that comes, yes, I will take her with me." Byakuya softly replied.
"Can she see you like I do?" Koji wondered
"She can see me, but I am hazy to her vision… your reiatsu is strong, like your sister's" Byakuya told him. Byakuya felt Koji's apprehension and assured him "There is nothing to be frightened of, I have no intention of harming your sister or your family for that matter."
Koji looked at Byakuya and saw the sincerity in his eyes and… something else.
"You are in love with my sister…" he realized
"I am." Byakuya softly stated
This time, Koji gently smiled, knowing that his sister will be in good hands once she leaves them. He looked at Byakuya who was still cradling his sister. "Thank you for loving her…" he said.
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