A Tail of Two Brothers Chapter 21
I do not own Big Hero 6 or any of its characters
*Sorry everyone, I tried to update this chapter earlier today but I accidentally uploaded another chapter instead. So here is the real chapter, sorry for the confusion. Enjoy XD
Today was the day; it was time for Hiro's appointment. The Hamada family was driving to the city at the moment. Hiro was nervous but somewhat excited too. He had never been inside a hospital before; in fact he didn't even think he was born in one. At least he wanted to think that, his biological parents had never been smart when it came to responsibility and time. He was sure that he was born in that little hovel he called a home for the first four years of his life. That would explain why they always told him that nobody knew he existed.
"Alright we're here you two," Cass said.
That interrupted Hiro's thoughts as a big building caught his attention. He marveled at how tall and wide it was. Some portions of it were very colorful while others were a simply white color. There were big bold red letters that read "San Fransokyo Hospital." Hiro also noticed that the building had many windows as well. He wondered what it looked like on the inside, he guessed that he would soon find out.
Cass entered the parking lot of the hospital and quickly found a spot. She parked and the three Hamada relatives exited the truck. Tadashi took Hiro into his arms and he carried him along the way. They walked to the entrance and entered the hospital. Immediately Hiro noticed how cold it was and how clean it smelled. He also saw that there were a lot of people gathered together in the room in front of the entrance. Some of them had small injuries and some looked sick. He cringed a little but he was quickly reassured by his older brother.
Tadashi could sense Hiro's discomfort as they entered into the building. He knew that this was Hiro's first time at a place like this so it came as no surprise that Hiro didn't know what to expect from it. He reassured his younger brother by patting his back as he carried him. He could feel the tension he Hiro's body leave as he relaxed in his embrace. His aunt and him walked over the reception desk, a woman was there and she busy writing something when they caught her attention. She smiled at them and spoke.
"Hello, may I help you?" she asked.
Cass nodded.
"Yes," Cass greeted. "My name is Cass Hamada and we're here for an appointment with Dr. Callaghan for Hiro Hamada."
"Alright then, let me check the computer real quick," she said.
She typed and clicked away at the keyboard before finally pulling up the appointment time. She went over it real quickly before answering to the woman and her family.
"Yes ma'am, I can see that we have a Hiro Hamada set for 10:00 am today. In that case, Dr. Callaghan is located on the fourth floor. You can fill out the necessary paperwork there," she said.
"Thank you," Cass stated. "We'll be heading there right now then."
The lady nodded her head and watched as the Hamada family made their way to the elevator. Once inside they pressed the button that lead to the fourth floor. Hiro was amazed by the transportation; it was almost like being on a ride. He could feel the movement until it came to the fourth floor. The door opened and they were greeted by the sight of another waiting room. Cass and Tadashi walked to it and approached another reception desk. This time there was a man who was filling out some paperwork when the Hamada family greeted him.
"Yes?" he asked. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, my nephew is scheduled for an appointment with Dr. Callaghan today at 10:00 am. His name is Hiro Hamada," Cass stated.
"Let me check the records then," he said as he typed Hiro's name. "Yes I can see that you're right, Hiro Hamada for a 10:00 am appointment and just on time too. Here, just fill out this paperwork and you can see Dr. Callaghan."
"Thank you," Cass responded as she took the clipboard filled with the necessary paperwork.
With that the family sat down on the closest seats and Cass began to fill out the papers. Meanwhile, Hiro observed the room he was in. It was so quiet here at the hospital, he kind of liked it for this reason. And that was not all he liked about it. For some reason the hospital had a comforting presence, it was like the patients were the main priority and therefore it wanted to provide a suitable environment for them. Despite the fact that it was cold and it smelled like medicine he felt this way.
However, there was one thing Hiro hadn't noticed about the hospital before, there were a lot of decorations. There were ghosts, pumpkins, witches, vampires and other things that looked like monsters. He couldn't believe that he didn't notice that sooner. What were those decorations for? He turned to his brother and poked his shoulder. Tadashi looked at him.
"Yes kiddo?"
"Dashi, what are those decorations for?"
Tadashi looked around to see what his younger brother was talking about and a realization hit him. He realized that Hiro didn't know what the holidays were. He probably had heard of them but he didn't know how to celebrate them. He smiled at his little brother and patted his head.
"Well Hiro have you ever heard of Halloween?" Tadashi asked.
Hiro titled his head in confusion, he heard the television say something like that before but he didn't know what to think of it.
"Not really," he answered.
"Well do you want to know about it?" he questioned it.
Hiro nodded his head.
"Yes please," he answered.
"Well you see Hiro, Halloween is time for scaring and celebrating all that is spooky. It's a time for people to come together and become someone they're not," Tadashi stated. "Halloween started centuries ago, the people believed that Halloween was when the spirits of the dead and monsters came out to bother and terrorize the people."
Hiro shuddered a little at that thought a Tadashi continued with the story.
"The people were so scared of them that they started to look for ways to avoid them, that was when they started to dress up as the monsters. They hoped that the real monsters would leave them alone by doing so. Others would leave out food for the monsters as a way to pacify their antics," Tadashi explained. "And over time the traditions started to change, suddenly people began to dress up for fun on Halloween and they started to pass out sweets to the people who dressed up. And now Halloween is a fun time for children to dress up as different people or things and enjoy a night of roaming the city in search of candy."
Hiro's eyes widen and his form perked up once he heard that.
"Candy?" he repeated.
Tadashi smiled a little at his childish innocence and he nodded his head.
"That's right, candy," Tadashi confirmed. "It's called trick or treating. The more houses you go to the more candy you're bound to get. But every time you go to a new house you have to say 'trick or treat' when someone answers the door. That's the only way you get candy"
Hiro listened to the story with interest and a question popped into his head.
"Have you ever been trick or treating before Dashi?" Hiro asked.
"Several times when I was younger," Tadashi answered and then he leaned close to Hiro in order to whisper into his ear. "One good thing about being a kitsune is that you get away with looking younger for a long time."
Hiro giggled a little at that thought, but it was true. He then turned to his aunt, she was already on the last page of the paperwork.
"Aunt Cass, have you ever been trick or treating?" he asked.
Cass turned her attention away from the papers and to her youngest nephew. She smiled at him and nodded her head.
"When Maemi and I were children we used to go every Halloween," she said. "Those were the days I tell ya."
Hiro couldn't help but feel a little envious over that. He wanted to be able to have memories like them when it came to the holiday. But this was the first time he had ever heard of it. It just wasn't fair. Why couldn't his parents have been nice and loving? Why couldn't they give him holidays like Halloween? Why couldn't they spend time with him for things like that? He shook his head and made those thoughts go away. He then put on his best pleading look for his family.
"Can I celebrate Halloween too?" he questioned.
Cass and Tadashi looked at Hiro with surprised looks. They couldn't believe Hiro had asked them for permission but at the same time they could understand it. They merely smiled and Tadashi ruffled his hair.
"Of course you can kiddo; in fact Halloween is this month. There's still time to decorate and go shopping for it," Tadashi said.
Cass nodded in agreement.
"That's right sweetie, in fact, we can go shopping for it right after this appointment is over, that is if you want to," Cass added.
A big smile appeared on Hiro's face and he couldn't help but jump up and down on his seat.
"Yes, yes, yes! A million yeses!" Hiro cheered.
"Then it's settled," Cass replied. "We'll go right after this."
With that Cass quickly finished the last part of the paperwork and submitted it to the receptionist. He looked over the papers and nodded his head.
"Alright then, it looks like everything is in order. Just me call the doctor and he will be with you in a minute."
The receptionist called Dr. Callaghan as the Hamada family waited. Within a minute the door beside the reception desk opened to reveal the doctor. Callaghan came out, dressed in a lab coat with a stethoscope around his neck along with some pens in his front pocket. Hiro smiled at the sight of his friend and he quickly went up to hug him. Callaghan accepted the gesture as he hugged him back.
"Good morning Hiro are you ready for your checkup?" he asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Hiro responded.
Callaghan chuckled a little at that response and he motioned for the Hamada family to follow him. They all made their way down a long hallway.
"In this room if you please," Callaghan stated as they reached one of the rooms.
They went inside and were greeted by the sight of a typical examination room. There was a large exam table in the middle of it all along with several cabinets and drawers. There was also a desk with a computer and some paperwork. Several chairs were scattered in the room as well. Other equipment included an eye chart and a scale.
"Now Hiro please sit on the exam table," Callaghan said. "And then we can begin."
Hiro made is way over but he needed some help in order to reach it. Callaghan was more than happy to be of assistance as he lifted the boy up onto it. Once he was on top Hiro got comfortable while his aunt and older brother sat on the chairs in the corner of the room. Callaghan picked up a clipboard that was filled with the various tests he wanted to run on Hiro. The fact that Hiro was a kitsune made him a special case so he had to take some precautions when it came to the procedures. Callaghan had treated dozens of kitsunes before in the past so he wasn't new to this.
"Alright first I want to perform simple and basic tests," Callaghan stated. "First, a heartbeat exam. Hiro please stay still for me."
Hiro listened to him and he stayed perfectly still for the doctor. Callaghan placed the stethoscope in his ears and placed the end part of it over Hiro's heart. He listened carefully to the child's heartbeat and he nodded his head.
"Very good Hiro, now I want you to breathe in and out for me," Callaghan said.
Hiro did as he was told and slowly breathed in and out; Callaghan positioned the stethoscope over Hiro's lungs this time. He listened once again as the air made its way in and out of Hiro's lungs.
"Excellent," Callaghan stated. "Well it looks like you have a healthy heart and lungs Hiro."
Hiro smiled a little over that and Callaghan checked the items off his list. He then moved onto the part.
"Time for the reflexes and then we can move onto height and weight," Callaghan stated. "Then we will check your spine, your eyes and take a blood sample to see if you are allergic to anything."
"What's allergic mean?" Hiro asked.
"It means that you might have bad reactions to certain foods or items. For example, the most common allergies I've seen are peanut, milk, fish and wheat. Some people can be allergic to the pollen and oak in the air," Callaghan explained.
Hiro winced a little at the items the doctor listed; he was familiar with all of those items. He couldn't believe that food could be dangerous.
"That doesn't sound fun," Hiro commented.
"It's not, if not treated correctly allergies can have a harmful effect on the person," Callaghan said. "But that test won't be in for several days so for now it's just drawing some blood. Now let's check your reflexes."
Callaghan took out a small reflex hammer and hit several parts of his appendages. First, it was his knee, then his foot, then his shoulder and his elbow. Once again Callaghan found no problems with Hiro and he marked it off the list. Next was the height and weight. Callaghan placed Hiro on the floor and had the boy stand on a scale that could measure both in one try. He adjusted it to the appropriate settings and within seconds he received his answers. He made some notes on the clipboard.
"Very good, you're the right size and weight for someone your age," Callaghan commented. "Your family has done a good job of feeding you the appropriate nutrition."
Cass smiled and she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of pride.
"Of course, I take pride in my cooking Callaghan," Cass responded. "It also helps that Hiro has a good appetite.
Tadashi was especially happy to hear that, when Hiro first came to them he was unhealthy skinny. But with constant meals and care Hiro was able to put on a few pounds. However, Tadashi was worried how it would affect his growth in the future. Just because he was the appropriate height right now doesn't mean his growth wasn't somewhat stunted from his years of abuse. Hiro had a natural petite frame as well so Tadashi couldn't help but wonder if Hiro would be a little short as he grew up. He would have to wait and see for that though. Nevertheless, he would make sure that Hiro got the care he needed in order to be healthy.
"And now we can move onto the spine, we wouldn't want there to be any problems in the future if we don't check now," Callaghan commented. "Hiro please bend over and try to touch your toes."
Hiro stretched and he reached for his feet, as he did so he felt Callaghan lift the back of his shirt a little. Callaghan then pulled out a small measuring tape and placed it over the boy's spine.
"Everything seems to be in order for here as well, your spine is the right shape and size. I don't see or feel any deformations," Callaghan noted. "Very good, you may stand up now Hiro."
Hiro did as he was told and pulled his shirt down as he did so. That was when Callaghan motioned for him to stand in front of the eye chart. There were multiple letters that he was familiar with on there. Callaghan gave Hiro some eye glasses that had the left eye blackened out.
"Now read the first two lines for me Hiro," Callaghan instructed.
"Z, B, W," Hiro started. "G, Q, R, X."
Callaghan then handed Hiro another pair of eye glasses, this time the right eye was blackened out.
"Now read the next two lines."
"P, A, V, O," Hiro started again. "H, S, K, I, M."
"Well your eyesight is perfect," Callaghan stated as she scribbled some more. "And now time for the blood test."
Callaghan went over to one of the cabinets and pulled out a small bag that contain a small syringe inside it. He also pulled out a small tube with a cap on it. Hiro shivered a little at the sight, he didn't like the way it looked. Tadashi noticed his discomfort and he rubbed his shoulders a little.
"It's alright Hiro, it may pinch a little but you'll be fine," he reassured his brother.
"That's right dear, you'll be fine. Just relax and it will be over before you know it," Cass added
Hiro looked somewhat hesitant but he had to remember that no one in the room had ever harmed him before. He took a deep breath and nodded his head.
"Let's do it," Hiro stated.
Callaghan smiled as he positioned himself over Hiro's arm, the needle touched his skin and then it pierced it. Hiro flinched a little but he remained calm. He watched as the syringe filled with red liquid. It was his blood. In all honesty, this was the first time his blood had been spilt in a nonviolent manner and for the right reasons. Before his parents would hit him so hard that blood would come out and he was left to clean up the mess on his own. But this was different, this time it wasn't out of anger or hatred that his blood was being taken. This time is was for his care and safety. True to his word Callaghan only took a small sample before he gently pulled the syringe out. He then quickly placed the blood inside the small tube and he closed the cap on it. He wrote down the name assigned to the blood on the tube as well. Once he was done with that he pulled out some antiseptic and a small bandage. He sprayed some of the antiseptic over the small wound before placing the bandage over it
"There we go," Callaghan stated. "Your arm might feel a little sore after a while but it will wear out soon. Other than that it looks like you're as healthy as can be and once the blood test comes back we should be able to see what you have to avoid in regards to food and other allergens."
Satisfied with those results Tadashi and Cass hugged their young family member.
"I'm so proud of you Hiro," Cass said as she placed a kiss on his cheek. "You were such a big boy today."
"Yeah great job little bro," Tadashi added as he held out his fist to him.
Hiro formed a fist with his own hand and they did their signature fist bump before making an explosion with it. Callaghan smiled over the family's actions and he wrote down some more notes on Hiro's chart before turning his attention back to the Hamada family.
"Now once the blood test comes back in several days I will call you with the results," Callaghan stated. "And then if Hiro is allergic to anything we will have to discuss what can be done. Don't worry about today's appointment by the way your kitsune insurance will cover that."
Cass nodded her head; another great thing about kitsunes having medical assistance is that they had their very own insurance. It worked the same way as a human insurance did but it was exclusively for kitsunes and their families.
"We understand Callaghan, thank you for your time and for checking up on Hiro," Cass replied.
"It's no problem at all, in fact I recommend having Hiro come back in six months just to make sure that his health is still as it should be," Callaghan added. "But for now he gets a reward for being a good patient."
With that said Callaghan reached into one of the desk drawers and pulled out a red lollipop. He handed it to Hiro, who happily accepted it. He quickly unwrapped it and began to savor it.
"Thank you Mr. Callaghan," he said.
"You're very welcome Hiro," Callaghan responded.
"Well we should be going now, we promised Hiro a day filled with Halloween shopping after this," Tadashi stated.
"What an excellent idea, my grandchildren are looking forward to the holiday," Callaghan stated. "Sarah just loves to dress them up and take them trick or treating."
"Hiro is looking forward to that as well," Cass replied. "This will be his first Halloween with us."
"Well I hope you enjoy it Hiro," Callaghan stated.
Hiro nodded his head as he continued to lick his lollipop.
"I will," he answered.
Callaghan nodded and then stood up from his seat. The Hamada family followed his example as they walked to the door.
"Enjoy the rest of your day everyone," Callaghan said.
"You too Mr. Callaghan," Tadashi replied.
The Hamada family exited the room and made their way back to the first floor. Once they were there they left the hospital and they were soon back in the truck. Cass got it started and with a big smile on her face she spoke.
"And Halloween shopping we go!" Cass declared.
The Hamada brothers cheered in response and with that the Hamada family drove to the store to prepare for the first holiday they would celebrate with Hiro.
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