A/N: I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and credit to Noniebee (4352183) for brainstorming with me and pretty much plotting out the rest of these scenes. She's fucking brilliant! Hopefully, the last few chapters haven't left you too on edge. This will probably quell that, but raise a few more issues, etc. We're almost at the end, folks! :D
Kagura and Gintoki were able to breath a sigh of relief at the sight of Kamui not attacking the child and appearing to be fully aware of himself again. Steel eyes fixated on the sapphire pools of Kamui's gaze. The kid had been caught. After lifting him up, Kamui grinned in greeting, but the child seemed suspicious. The first sign was resistance. Despite his cheerful expression, the boy struggled against the hands under his armpits and started to kick.
"Let me go! My Nee-San will beat you up! She'll kill you!" It was a good start, if he had to say so himself. He'd thought the kid would do nothing but stare at him, dumbstruck, but here he was fighting to be released and trying to kick Kamui in the stomach. As the rest of his group joined him in a loose circle of observation, Kamui kept the kid suspended.
"Is that so?" Only a "yeah" was received. Maybe the kid had information. Something about people other than his big sister. Kamui could strike a deal with him if he cooperated. "Where are you going?"
"I'm not telling you!"
"We can help you get there. Are you leaving?" Abuto didn't move or approach, but at his voice, the kid twisted to face him.
"You're the enemy! We never trust the enemy!"
"Enemy? Hmm, I think he thinks we're one of those pirates. Gin-Chan, tell him that we are not pirates. We don't even have peg legs or hook hands." Kagura held her hand up to prove that it was normal. Wiggled her fingers for the boy to see, but he wasn't impressed. Her statement was met with the ash blond Yato across from her frowning.
"Have you seen any peg legs and hook hands here?" His question caused the girl to tilt her head and look up to the ceiling. Deeply contemplate whether she had seen any run-of-the-mill pirates lurking about.
"Enemy? Where'd you learn a word like that?" Ignoring the two, Kamui kept his eyes on the kid. This was probably his last chance at insight. If the kid didn't know anything, he'd have to tear the building apart from top to bottom. When the kid didn't answer him, he changed course. "Tell us where you're going and we'll take you. We're leaving, anyway."
At that, the boy frowned up at Kamui. Seemed to gauge whether he believed the man, but conceded. Likely didn't know where to start.
"A snack shop- Otose's snack shop."
"Huh? What'd you say kid?" Perking up at the name, Gintoki took a step forward. Moved to Kamui's side to get a good look at the boy. He knew it. That had to be the one, and Ame had paid him to take the kid if she couldn't. With this, he wouldn't have to return the money. His half of the deal would be upheld, and Ame would be pleased that they had managed to take him in. A foot shot into Gintoki's jaw and the boy started to struggle as he was knocked back.
"I'm not a kid! I'm a soldier! My Nee-San said I'm a soldier!"
Hand to his chin, the Yorozuya glared at the apparent soldier as Kamui grinned.
"That's a strange sister you have"
"She would get along with the the Human were looking for!" Bouncing into view, Kagura peered up at the boy and his futile fight to break away from Kamui was abandoned once more. Then his face puckered, and his brows drew up. Confusion laced through Kagura as she stared back. Couldn't think of how she'd made the kid cry. All she'd said was that they'd get along. Be best friends, maybe.
With a glance at Abuto, Kamui received a small nod. A prompt that they were thinking the same thing.
"Hey, soldier, where's your big sister?"
"I can't tell you..." Kamui's wrists were grabbed as the kid averted his gaze. Sealed his lips and stared at the floor beyond his feet.
"Why not?"
"She needed to take a nap so she's hidden." That earned another knowing glance from Abuto, and he stepped forward to take the kid from Kamui. Held him up, as if it was necessary. Like they could hear him more clearly if he was face level. "You'll never find her! I'm not gonna let you hurt her!"
"Brat," As the silver haired samurai started, the kid eyed him. Seemed to dislike him for no particular reason other than the fact that he'd called him a kid. Maybe he'd like his new title better. "We're friends of your idiot Nee-San."
"I don't believe you!" Almost without warning, the kicking started up again. Kamui stepped back and the kid dug into his yukata. Obviously pulled out a weapon to attack. Subtlety wasn't his strong suit, apparently. His foot shot into Abuto's groin, and the older Yato doubled over as he dropped the boy. Cradled his crotch. The kid, on the other hand, cringed from the impact of the floor, still holding his knife but far too jilted to escape.
Then Kamui saw it. He crouched in front of the boy and took hold of the sheath that had been abandoned in the fall. Was positive that he had seen it before. While the kid was down, he stole the opportunity of relieving him of the blade and piecing it back together with the sheath while Kagura peered over his shoulder. He knew it. This kid was the one Ame had been trying to get, and they had definitely met one another in their time there.
"This is Ame's..." Murmuring under his breath, Kamui held the boot knife towards the kid, no longer smiling, but pensively digging the information out of his eyes. "Is she hurt?"
There was a pause that told him the answer before the kid responded. Abuto was still on the fringe of recovery behind the kid, but glanced to the side at Kamui. Possibly trying to listen, but wishing to decapitate the boy in front of him. With a slow nod, the boy shifted his gaze, and Kamui mirrored the look.
"Where?"
"We'll take you to the snack shop if you show us where she is." Stepping to the Captain's side, Gintoki offered his hand to the boy. Kamui glanced up at him as his assistance was accepted. "We just want to help her."
"It's the truth, kid-" Straining past his pain, Abuto managed to finally remove his hands from his crotch.
"We came here looking for her! See that dummy?" Pointing to her brother, Kagura grinned. Kamui gazed up at the child, still on the balls of his feet as his sister pleaded his case. Maybe her and Gintoki tagging along wasn't so bad. Hands pinched at his face and his mouth was pulled into an unnatural frown as Kagura leaned over his shoulder. "This is her boyfriend!" Again, Kamui's face was forcefully shifted, and he turned away to smack at Kagura's hands.
"Boyfriend?"
"And he's been through a lot to find her." Abuto, finally regaining his breath took to his feet and glared down at the boy as Kamui smiled up at him.
"Where is she?" He asked again, and the kid's face contorted. His brows scrunched together, and his eyes squinted at the Captain. Instead of saying a word, he took Kamui by the hand, undisturbed by the dried blood, and led him away. The group followed, and with each step, quiet settled over them. They didn't bother looking at one another, and none dared to break the ominous spell as they entered an oversized warehouse, filled with wooden crates. Some had broken open, and fragmented glass littered the floor; decorating the scene around the still bodies on the ground.
As they walked, a low sniffle sounded, and Kamui glanced down at the kid as he pointed to a man in blue yukata, more specifically, at a sword beside him.
"He got her..." They didn't stop. Kept on until they rounded a corner of containers, and at the sight, and scent of blood, Kamui released the boy's hand.
"Ame-" The moment she was in sight, Kamui left the kid's side. Gasped as he dropped down to the woman and dragged her into his lap. She didn't move. Seemed to be doing exactly as the boy had said; taking a nap. But Kamui knew that Ame was a light sleeper. She never napped before using a needle box if she was injured. Badly bruised, and limp against his hands, the woman showed no resistance when he took hold of her arm to check for a heartbeat. All he felt was his own. His fingers jumped to the pulse point of her neck searching for anything that could pass.
Three forms appeared from beyond the crates and upon seeing his frantic examination of the woman, halted. Didn't dare to move any closer, or pass the onlooking child that hadn't rounded the crates. Kamui repeated her name as though it would bring her back to her senses. Dissuade her from actually dying, or whatever she thought she was doing. She'd skipped Monday. Owed him an extra trap, and explanation for her weird behavior. Even when he lifted the woman to his lips, she didn't respond. Just laid there, with her head hung over his arm. Oblivious to his mouth against her jaw, and the tight hug he had pulled her into.
Gintoki, of all people, was the first to move. Joined Kamui on the ground to check the woman's vitals. Didn't pay any mind to the Yato cradling her when he pressed his pointer and middle fingers into her wrist. As the boy from before wiped at his face, Abuto placed a hand on his head. Nothing much, but a reminder that he wasn't the only one concerned. Kagura didn't move. Didn't want to confirm the sight for herself.
"Do you feel a pulse?" Turning to the Yorozuya, Kamui lowered the woman. Allowed Gintoki to try to find one at her neck for himself. He wouldn't accept a no. He hadn't felt anything, but he wouldn't take that for an answer.
"It's there. Barely..."
"She said- went to sleep- but- didn't want it-" Though his words were barely decipherable, the boy made his way to the men's sides and reached into a red bag that had been abandoned on the floor behind Kamui. He took a needle and held it up for them to see, teary eyed and trying to contain another sniffle. Kamui accepted the object from him and eyed it, reading the side aloud.
"An epi-pen? What is it?"
Frowning at the needle, Gintoki glanced down at the woman. Why an epi-pen? Had she eaten something bad? As Kamui turned it over in his hands, it struck Gintoki. The ingredients were on the side, in bold black letters, and he grasped the Yato's wrist to stop the turn of the label. Ignored the glare Kamui set on him as he pointed at the line.
"Adrenaline- It's adrenaline-"
"Adrenaline?" Still staring at the label, Kamui echoed the word in his mind.
"Might kick her pulse back up." Gintoki's idea was more than they had, and probably couldn't do worse damage. Couldn't make Ame any worse than she already appeared. They could get her to the hospital in about a quarter of an hour if they rushed. He looked at the Yorozuya and received a tentative nod. Took that as agreement. They were thinking the same thing. Even if it didn't work, it was worth a try. As Kamui pulled the cover off the needle, the boy grabbed his arm.
"She didn't want it-"
That kid didn't know what he was on about. Even if he did, Kamui would have probably done the same. This wasn't Ame's choice anymore. It wasn't anybody's decision but Kamui's, and it was only right that he did it. The needle was jabbed into Ame's arm and injected. Better than nothing. For now, he needed to get her back to a doctor, because she was determined to kill herself. Slack as she was, Ame was no problem to gather and lift. He carried her past his sister and Abuto, not sparing a single glance. Not waiting for Gintoki to stand, or for the kid to follow, and none of them even looked at him.
Ame was more of an idiot than he'd thought. The boxes hadn't even been a good hiding spot, and she'd taken on a samurai alone. Being there, going after some kid without telling him, was bad enough, but she should have known that samurai were probably the highest step on the human scale. Sure Kamui hated weak people, but he'd have preferred her to be one of them at that moment. Instead of throwing herself in harm's way every chance she got. Maybe if Ame was less forceful. Meek, and agreeable, they wouldn't have to keep doing this.
Iori was as good as dead when he saw her again.
As they walked, a slight twitch of the woman's leg was the first sign of life. It was followed by a low groan of pain stole not only the attention of the Captain, but everybody with him. Kamui's shirt was grasped, and he glanced down at Ame as she picked her head up. Winced as she leaned into him. Her free hand wrapped over her side and she shifted in place. Then she looked up at him. Ignored his frown.
"Kamui," His name was a sigh, and nothing more. The four at his sides sped up to confirm what they'd heard and get a good look at Ame as she grinned. "let's get a smoothie."
Really? That was all she had to say for herself? After all that time; her leaving, and him having to track her down... She wanted a smoothie? No apology? No explanation? Food? He didn't have time for food right now, and neither did she!
"Everybody's so angry-" Glancing around herself, Ame was met with nothing but frowns and solemn glances. Nobody even responded to her. Just walked on, as if she wasn't even there. "Michi?"
"Nee-San! I'm here!" As the boy waved up at her and hopped beside Kamui, Ame shook her head and leaned back into the man.
"That's a stupid name..."
Red landing lights against the night sky was the first indication that they had reached the hospital. The trip had taken longer than Kamui had expected, but as they neared the door, a woman in a pale nurse's uniform was exhaling a trail of smoke. Calmly enjoying her smoke break until the group came into view. Kamui recognized her immediately. The same woman that had been monitoring Ame's charts and performing weekly check ups. As she caught sight of them, more specifically, the woman Kamui was parading around like a festival ornament, her jaw dropped.
"What happened to her?!" Her hands shot up to Ame's neck and pressed into her pulse point, and the woman in question lazily turned away from Kamui's chest. Fixed her hazel gaze on the nurse as though she hadn't been expecting company and had the audacity to grin.
"Oh, I've been taking it easy- everything's fine- peachy-"
"It's not peachy!" Snapping back, the nurse peered up at Kamui. He was frowning down at her with nearly the same amount of alarm in his eyes, and didn't have the words to explain what had happened. He didn't even know what had happened. Just that she was like this right now, and everybody needed to accept that and fix her. At most, the man could only thrust Ame into people's faces and hope they could do something to make it better. With a wave of her hand, the nurse led the group into the hospital with renewed urgency as she called out to other medical personell, and panic set over the room. A stretcher was rolled in front of the man and he carefully placed Ame on it to be carted away by the people he'd almost committed to memory at this point.
Didn't know their names, but their faces were familiar, and he hadn't seen them as anxious as they were now; shouting for papers and equipment. Ame had been in and out of consciousness for most of the walk, and now that she was in the hospital, her tired gaze swept over the people around her once before fading altogether, and from the look of it, she was asleep again. For a while, Kamui stuck beside the cart, and everybody followed. Abuto was behind him, Gintoki, Kagura, and the kid had all but blocked the hallway. Then the nurse turned back to him as they rushed ahead.
"It looks like a lot of blood, but that's just because of the miscarriage."
The words froze him in his tracks. What? Abuto nearly crashed into his back, and as the cart was further wheeled away, Kamui could do nothing but stare after the group. Gawk at the nurse, frowning and suspecting that he'd misheard. Fallen victim to another faulty chart. The medical team disappeared from sight, and Kamui remained still. A miscarriage? Since when was Ame pregnant? How could she be? As if a match had been struck, the secret that had been kept from him was illuminated, and full realization hit Kamui like a punch in the gut.
"Gin-Chan, what's a Miss Cabbage?"
Slowly turning to look at Kagura, Gintoki was unable to shake the despondent air that had come over him.
As Kamui stared on, a palm landed on his shoulder. Was intended to be some form of consolation, but before Abuto could say a word, the Captain moved. Whipped around to strike him, and he stumbled back as Kamui glared directly into his eyes.
"You knew!" As Abuto stepped back, the others held their ground. Just watched. Kamui advanced towards the older man; hands balled and tight jawed. "Why didn't you tell me?!"
"It wasn't my place!" Another swipe was narrowly avoided, and the men passed their audience. Abuto put his hands up. Prepared himself to block if need be as Kamui continued to move towards him. Wanted to take his frustration out on anybody he could and decided that his second in command fit the part. The younger man's leg kicked into a wheel chair and it rolled in front of him as Abuto tried to explain his innocence. "She was going to tell you- I'm sure she tried to tell you!"
That seemed to do it. Stopped Kamui, though left him on the offensive and ready to continue trying to abuse his friend.
"What?"
"Last time I saw her, she was going to tell you. That old lady- Otose- She told her to tell you. I told her to tell you. She had the papers and everything- unidentified hormones and stuff- I dunno. She didn't think you'd believe her! Didn't she try?" Kamui's brow had remained drawn into a tight line that showed no sign of easing. He stared at the older man; his childhood mentor. Recalled the last time he'd spoken with Ame as he glared across the hallway, still wanting to blame Abuto. All Ame had told him was that she bought gauze. It was weird, sure, and she had been jumpy, but... Abuto held his ground and reasserted his point. Didn't give Kamui enough time to gather himself and choose the proper response. "If you really even cared, you should have known that something was wrong."
The line made Kamui recoil. He leaned back, insulted and astounded by the insinuation. Could have been knocked off of his feet. His wrath quelled and was transformed into quiet. "Don't you have the balls to ask when something is wrong? You should know her well enough now- know how she is-" Anger leaked away to a stern lifelessness that burned out any wick that fueled Kamui. "You need to listen. Not with just your ears, but with your heart... Listen, I ain't good with all this mushy stuff, but- it was obvious..."
Statuesque in every way, Kamui eyed the older man. His mouth opened, as if he had a defense, but quickly closed. Then he turned to the wheelchair. Picked it up and crushed it in his palms like a paper ball. The wheels popped out of their frames and rolled away as everybody moved back from him, and he threw it to the ground. Left a dent in the beige tile. With a tight jaw, and too much on his mind, he started down the hallway and stormed past Abuto.
Didn't care to look at the older man or any of the audience as he let himself out of the hospital for fresh air.
