Shiloh

Beep…beep…..beep…..beep…..beep…..beep.

I watched mom, sitting bedside, holding dads hand like an angel with sunshine hair. The hospital room was cold and white washed making everything look sickly. Dada started to cough so mom grabbed the water nearby and helped him drink calming his cough. Quietly I moved to the foot of his bed so I could see him entirely.

His face was wrinkled with time, one eye blind and milky, his hair was completely grey and there were tubs coming out of everywhere. But, despite all that, mom held his ancient hand and smiled, looked at him, with a love so deep not even the universes vastness could compete.

"Lex-"he groaned reaching up and touching her cheek gently, "you are so beautiful. Just like always."

She placed her smooth hand over his and a tear slipped down her cheek rolling across his hand.

"My Masaomi you are just as handsome as ever." She smiled.

In my chest I felt like my heart was being torn to shreds. The sorrow and heartbreak radiating from my mother was palpable. My father sat up, pulling against all the tubes tying him down, and my mother met him. They kissed gently, I saw the light leave his good eye, and then he collapsed back making the heart monitor flat line.

"M-Masaomi? Masaomi!"

"Mom." I hurried to her, as nurses rushed into the room, and pulled her away.

She turned her back and I held her to me as she cried. Dad was ninety-six and at the end of his road. I doubted he was coming back. In my arms my tiny mother, a woman of fierce war mongering and priestly piece, shook with un-screamed cries. I held her tighter to keep her from shaking. The shouting and yelling of the nurses was all but static in my ears and I watched as they rolled dad out on his bed trying desperately to revive him. We were left in the room with the silence.

"Mom." I breathed into her hair, "Dad lived a good life. A long life."

She nodded, "I know." And pulled away suddenly, "I'm sorry Shiloh."

In that moment I saw her face, the face of a seventeen year old even ninety-three years later, steel itself to the next task at hand. As dad had aged mom had remained…preserved in her youth and only seemed to be refined as years went by. She was an unnatural beauty.

"What do you want to do now?" I asked quietly.

She turned back to me and smiled meekly reminding me of my father, "I will always be your mother, Shiloh," she walked over and hugged me, "I want you to go and live your life. I know what I need to do."

She let go and headed towards the door looking fragile and little among the fixtures of giants.

"Mom?"

She stopped and looked over her shoulder, "Soji died before he could figure out how to separate the Immortality Complex from the cancer healing one. Before he could save your father. I know one of his colleagues in Brazil is waiting for me. I hope that he will be able to finish Soji's work. Keep in contact with Futo, Yusuke, Wataru and Tsubaki for me, will you?"

I nodded, "Yes mom."

"I love you son. I will never leave you."

It was a promise made on a disturbing level.

She turned to leave-

"Mom-"she looked back at me, "I love you. Take care of yourself. Call me when you can."

For the first time since dad had gotten sick she smiled, a happy carefree smile, and laughed, "Yes Shiloh."

Standing in the empty room I watched my mom leave praying that no one would get in her way because she was a woman Hell bent on completing a mission.

Well that's how the cookie crumbles folks! Hope you enjoyed this screwed up rollercoaster ride that was the Masaomi route. I do plan on writing routes for each brother so please be patient as I am racking my brain between these and an official publish/ original creation. Thank you for your patience and your constant reviews.