A/N - I do not own these characters.
Chapter 26
Hospitals felt so cold and sterile to Sachiko. This hospital, while being considered one of the best in the country, wasted nothing on warmth. They had arrived that morning to find Sachiko's parents waiting for them at the hospital entrance. Together the four of them met the team of doctors selected by Toru, experts in their fields from all around the world. They had wasted no time in revising Yumi's previous treatment plan. They would begin with twelve intensive rounds of Chemo over a twenty-day period, followed by multiple rounds of 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy. If things went well, they hoped to have the surgery scheduled for sometime in early April.
Sachiko had been shocked by the speed of the plan. It was only the beginning of March. To think that Yumi might be in surgery in a month's time was terrifying.
Sayako had been concerned about the rapid pace of the treatment, but the team had assured them that they were all in agreement that given the size and placement of the tumor this was the most logical and effective method of handling Yumi's case.
Now Sachiko sat next to Yumi as she was getting her first Chemo treatment. For a girl having chemical poison dripped slowly into her arm, Yumi actually seemed in high spirits. While Sayako and Sachiko had been troubled by the speed of the treatment plan, Yumi had been thrilled.
"I may have to miss some time at the beginning of next term, but at least part of my chemo treatment will be happening during the break." Yumi was talking animatedly, seemingly encouraged by the positive outlook given to them by the doctors.
"I'll ask the school if it would be possible for you to take your exams early for this semester. It wouldn't be good to postpone just in case the chemo causes you issues." Sachiko added, looking at the calendar on the far wall. "It's hard to imagine that exams are in two weeks and graduation is right after that."
Yumi nodded in agreement. "This past year flew by, didn't it?"
"Yes. Yumi, are you still giving the sister's farewell at the graduation?" Sachiko asked, hoping that Yumi would be able to.
Eyes lit with excitement, Yumi smiled. "That's the plan! I've already written my speech. I just have to hope that my voice doesn't fail me that day."
"Yumi, you mustn't strain yourself." Sachiko let out a heavy sigh, clueing Yumi into her concern.
Reaching out, Yumi took Sachiko's hand and held it firmly. "We don't know how I'll react to the treatment yet. Let's wait and see before we become too pessimistic over it. Okay?"
Shaking her head, Sachiko squeezed Yumi's smaller hand. "You are perhaps too optimistic, Yumi."
"That's why we're a good match, Onee-sama. We balance each other out." It was obvious that Yumi was trying to put on a brave and unconcerned face, but Sachiko could feel her hands trembling.
Instead of pointing that out, Sachiko returned the smile and nodded her agreement. "Yes, we are the perfect match, Yumi."
"Sachiko, didn't your father need you to attend a meeting this afternoon?" Yumi asked curiously, looking at the time.
"Yes, it starts in a few hours. I'm fine to stay with you until your treatment is over though. Our driver will pick us up and I'll drop you off at home before I go."
Yumi nodded, looking somewhat relieved that she wouldn't have to leave yet. When she then grimaced and bent forward in pain, Sachiko was there to hold her steady in the chair.
"Yumi? What is it?" Anxiety was written all over Sachiko's face as she tried to determine what was wrong.
Yumi tried for a smile, but the expression eluded her. "It's just that I suddenly feel really nauseous."
"Do you need a pale?"
She shook her head. "I should be fine. It'll pass."
"Yumi, you have another hour of treatment. Lay back and try to rest, okay? It'll be over soon." Sachiko didn't wait for acquiescence on her part. Instead, she raised the feet on the treatment chair, pushed the seat into a reclined position, and laid a soft warm blanket over Yumi's body.
"Will you be okay while I rest?" Yumi asked, the concern now evident in her eyes as well.
The black-haired goddess couldn't help but laugh in response. "You're the one getting treatment for a tumor and you're concerned for me? Your kind heart will never change, will it?" Leaning forward, she kissed Yumi's forehead and then leaned back. "I will be fine. Rest, Yumi."
Yumi drifted off quickly after that, never once releasing Sachiko's hand.
It was late when Sachiko finally returned home, closing in on 8 pm. She was anxious to see Yumi, having spent most of the afternoon wondering how she was fairing after the chemo. The few messages she had sent her had gone unread. Sachiko hoped it was merely that Yumi was resting.
Entering the apartment and removing her shoes, she stepped into her slippers and called out. "I'm back."
"Welcome back." Sei stood waiting in the hallway, leaning against the doorframe to the closed bathroom door.
Looking around, Sachiko saw no sign of Yumi or Yoko. "Is Yumi in bed?" she asked as she made her way toward their room. Before Sei could respond, she heard the retching from the bathroom.
"Yumi!" Dropping her bag, Sachiko moved quickly to the bathroom door but was stopped by Sei. "Let me by, Sei."
"Yoko's in there with her. Give it a moment, okay?" Though reluctant to wait, Sachiko stopped and listened.
She could hear Yoko's soothing voice from inside, mixed with soft sobs. Yumi must be crying. When the retching ceased, Sei knocked quietly on the door. "Come in." Yoko's voice came strong and clear.
Opening the door they found Yoko kneeling by the toilet with Yumi's head in her lap. By all appearances, they looked to have been there for quite some time. Yoko smiled sadly at Sachiko and raised her hand, a silent beckoning for her to approach. Hesitantly at first, Sachiko stepped forward and came to her knees next to her beloved soeurs.
There was a sheen of sweat glistening on Yumi's forehead and she was visibly trembling, exhausted from her ordeal. Removing a handkerchief from her pocket, Sachiko dabbed the sweat away. Without opening her eyes, Yumi spoke. "Onee-sama?" Her voice was so weak and scratchy, it didn't even sound like her.
"Yes, Yumi, I'm here." Sachiko tried to hide the worry in her voice but knew she was failing at it.
"Here, Sachiko, hold her. I'll draw a bath for her. We need to get her cleaned up and dry and in bed, before she comes down with a cold." Yoko skillfully transferred Yumi's small frame into Sachiko's arms and proceeded to prepare a bath.
Yumi, who would have normally snuggled into Sachiko's hold, laid motionless. Her breathing seemed labored, but that was to be expected if she had become physically and violently ill. When the water was ready, Yoko excused herself after Sachiko assured her that she could bathe Yumi on her own. Removing Yumi's clothing was easy, though her hands were shaking. It scared her to see Yumi, a girl full of passion and life, so sapped of energy.
"Yumi? Can you stand if I help you?" Sachiko didn't know that she was strong enough or steady enough to lift the younger girl into the tub on her own. If Yumi couldn't stand, she might need Yoko or Sei to help get her in and out of the tub. Sachiko knew Yumi would be anxious about anyone else seeing her naked body, so she would try on her own.
Yumi didn't speak, only nodded slowly. Putting Yumi's arms around her neck, Sachiko stood, bringing Yumi to her feet as well. A soft whimper came from Yumi, but she didn't complain and did manage to stand under her own strength. Gingerly, they moved to the shower and Sachiko helped her lover lower herself onto the shower seat. After swiftly removing her own clothes, Sachiko went about tenderly cleaning Yumi's body and washing her hair. Absently she wondered just how much longer she was going to be able to wash Yumi's beautiful brown hair. Would it all be gone soon?
All the while, Yumi remained silent as Sachiko tended to her. She didn't speak until Sachiko had helped her into the bath and stepped away. "Are you joining me?" The words were weak, but Sachiko could hear the pleading.
"Let me wash quickly and I'll come in, too." A few minutes later, Sachiko sat behind Yumi in the bath, holding the younger woman as they both enjoyed the water. "How are you feeling, Yumi?"
Her response was slow in coming, but eventually, she responded, "Raw." Weakly, she pulled on Sachiko's arms, drawing them closer around herself, and snuggled into the embrace as far as she could. "I was fine when you first brought me home, but when I tried to eat the food you had left for me everything went wrong."
"Yumi," Resting her head against Yumi's, Sachiko felt a pain in her heart at seeing her girlfriend suffering so much.
They rested only for a short while before Sachiko determined they needed to get dried and dressed for bed. It took a few minutes, but they were soon both dressed and cuddled together in bed. Yoko came once more to check on them before she too went to cuddle with her lover.
Enjoying the warmth of Sachiko's body, Yumi inched as close as she could to her black-haired goddess. In a voice as soft as a summer breeze, she whispered into Sachiko's neck. "How was your meeting?" When the older woman stiffened slightly, Yumi knew she had touched on a topic that was bothering Sachiko.
"It was… productive."
When she left it at that, Yumi sighed in weak exasperation and without warning gave her shoulder a gentle nip.
"Yumi! What was that for?" Sachiko's harsh whisper felt loud in the quiet room.
"Don't start to guard me from things already, Onee-sama." Yumi licked the spot she nipped, replacing the sting with a soothing sensation instead. Once she felt she soothed it enough, she rested her head on Sachiko's shoulder once more and continued. "Something is bothering you. Out with it."
"It's both a relief and an annoyance how well you have learned me, Yumi." A tender hand caressed Yumi's head, fingers delving into her hair with strands sliding between her fingers. Yumi loved it when Sachiko did this. Especially now, the sensation was comforting in a way she couldn't describe.
Voice low, as if afraid to speak too loudly, else risk breaking the spell that caressed her, Yumi replied, "Bear with it, Sachiko. It's because I love you so much that I learned you so well. Don't wish for that to change."
Turning her head, Sachiko placed an adoring kiss on Yumi's temple. "I would never." Once more staring toward the ceiling, she finally spoke about her day. "It was a trial like I've never imagined before. It came as quite a shock to the board that I, not Kashiwagi-san, would be taking over the company. They had many unfiltered comments to voice about it, though my father shot every complaint down in moments."
"It sounds like it went better than I expected."
"Huh? Really?"
She felt Yumi nodded ever so slightly. "A board room full of grouchy misogynistic old men? Yeah, the fact that your father stood up to them makes the situation far better than what I imagined."
"It shocked me too, honestly. I never imagined my father would embrace my desire to run the company with such fervor… though, that fervor does come with drawbacks as well." Sachiko's voice grew softer as her hold on Yumi intensified.
"Sa-chan? What is it?" Yumi was concerned but didn't want to push too terribly hard.
"My father wants me to meet the head of our biggest client this coming Thursday."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"Yumi, he's taking me to France."
The silence was thick in the air for a time before Yumi tightened her arms around Sachiko and whispered, "You should go and enjoy the time with your father, learning about the company you love, Sachiko."
"Yumi, but your treatment! I would be away from you for at least three days. I can't do that!" Sachiko was vehement in her response, but Yumi continued as if not hearing her. "You'll go and make a good, strong connection with the client. It'll be a wonderful opportunity for you to begin making your public appearance with the company. Your future is going to be glorious, Onee-sama."
"Yumi, don't ignore me. I don't want to go. I'll just have to tell my father no, this time."
At that, Yumi slowly raised herself up until their eyes met. No tears, no fear, no doubt was in Yumi's eyes. No, only annoyance. "We discussed this, Sachiko. Your life isn't going to be put on hold because of me. If your father needs you with him at a business meeting, you need to go. It's your company now too!"
"I'm not saying I won't go. I'm saying I won't go right now. They can postpone it until your treatment is over." Sachiko was trying to sound reasonable, but Yumi caught the flaw in her argument.
"So, you'll go when I have my 3D conformal treatment then?" Sachiko only silently searched her brown gaze. "No? Then I guess when I'm in surgery? What if I'm in recovery for a long time, how about then? Or in therapy learning to speak again? That would be the perf-"
"Alright!" Sachiko's anger flared suddenly and died just as quickly. Holding Yumi's face gingerly in her hands she shook her head. "If there wasn't already something wrong with your head, I would hit you."
Yumi couldn't hold back her giggle. "Sachiko, did you just make a tumor joke?"
Humphing, Sachiko kissed her lips softly then pulled her back down into an embrace. "So, what if I did? Baka."
Ghosting her fingertips along Sachiko's bare arm, Yumi nodded her agreement. "Baka, indeed. But Sachiko, don't be angry. After all, it's our future you're working toward, right?"
"You're right, Yumi. I just don't want to leave your care to anyone else. I want to see you through this myself." Her heart was breaking, just thinking about leaving Yumi during this time.
"I know, but it'll only be for three days, right? You'll be back before my treatment is over. I'm sure it'll be okay."
Sachiko wasn't sure she agreed with Yumi's optimism. A lot could go wrong in that short time. She would try to be strong for her lover though. This was indeed for their future, after all.
A/N - Things are getting real here, people! Forecasting some rough weather ahead folks. I just ask that y'all bear through the storm with me!