Just introduced another character Tsukuji Shirahata.(gee, I saw that name somewhere and put it down) She's Tsukasa's cousin and she has a purpose for being in this story. ^_^ Thank u all for the reviews anyway!
Kazuya held out the plastic bag, at which Makino took it from him hesitantly.
"He was clutching this tightly in his palm when he was wheeled in. From an eyewitness, he had apparently dropped the ring and tried to pick it up and that was when he got hit by the lorry." Kazuya cleared his throat again.
Makino took the ring out from the bag and fingered it gently. It was clear that the ring was meant to be a wedding band. The carvings on the inner side of the ring caught her eye.
"Love is eternal." She read out quietly. She clutched it tightly and held it to her bosom. The tears started to fall again as a wave of grief washed over her.
"Baka. Why did he have to do it? BAKA!" She sobbed as she sat down on the cold hard floor of the hospital corridor. Akira and Soujiro looked away, while Kazuya lowered his face. Rui sat next to her, supporting her.
"WHY? HE DID NOT NEED TO RISH HIS LIFE FOR JUST A RING!" She lifted her face to Rui. "Tell me, why was he so foolish?" Rui could not answer her then.
A silence loomed over them safe for the sobs. The tears for her loved one never seemed to stop. Makino's heart throbbed in agony and grief. It was a feeling that she could not have control over. Never.
"Makino." A female voice broke the silence.
"Shi…Shigeru?" Akira sputtered in surprise.
*
"Tsubaki-sama, there's a call waiting for you in the living hall. It's from Japan." The servant said. She frowned at her as she pointed towards her sleeping child. The servant bowed her head hastily and excused herself.
"Hello? Yes, this is Tsubaki. What's the matter now? Tsukasa's gotten into some trouble again? " She snapped. The few servants looked at each other, anticipating their mistress to throw a tantrum. It always happened whenever there was a call from Japan-Most of the time, it was because Tsuaksa-sama had gotten into trouble.
She dropped the receiver suddenly and stood rooted. The voice at the other end was still talking.
"Tsubaki-sama? Is everything okay?" One of them bravely approached her. She turned to look at him.
"Get me a flight to Japan now. " She whispered. "Tsukasa."
*
"Shigeru? What are you doing here? Don't tell me…My gosh. You are working here?" Akira asked, the rest clearly surprised.
She nodded crisply. "That's secondary now Akira. I am the doctor in charge of Tsukasa's operation…"
Makino suddenly sprang up and pounced on her.
"HOW'S HE? HOW'S DOUMYOUJI?" She asked anxiously. Rui had to pry her off, together with the help of Kazuya.
"Relax Makino." Shigeru looked at the girl, full of concern. "He's fine. But he needs another blood transfusion and the snag is, his blood group is very rare. It's an O-."
"I am ready to test for it!" Soujiro said immediately. Akira and Rui nodded their heads to give their approval.
"Can I go for it too?" Makino asked weakly this time.
Shigeru looked at Makino. She was obviously drained from what had been happening, both emotionally and physically.
"Tsukushi, I am afraid not. You are too weak now."
"But I want to help him! Please Shigeru! Please!" She pleaded.
"Makino, calm down." Kazuya said suddenly. "You are too weak currently. It would be best if you rest for now." Shigeru nodded.
"But," Shigeru said gravely. "It would best if you can contact his family members. A match would be more possible with them. The three of you, follow me first." She waved them to a room. "Kazuya, please take care of Makino for the time being." He nodded.
Makino slumped her shoulders in despair as she watched the F3 walk gravely to the room. What if they could not find a match in time? What if Doumyouji did not get his blood transfusion on time? Would he die? Her tears flowed fast and free. This could not be happening now. Not now.
Kazuya could only watch on helplessly as he saw his childhood friend being torn apart by anxiety and fear for the one she loved.
*
22-yr old Tsukuji Shirahata walked briskly down the hospital corridor and broke into a run.
Tsuaksa, hang on there, she thought silently. Hang on. She was Tsukasa's only cousin from Canada and Akira's girlfriend at that. She had received the news from Akira himself and rushed down from her office to Japan immediately.
She turned the corner and saw Makino crying, with a police inspector by her side.
"Makino!" She shouted. Makino turned to see her. Tsukuji knelt down besides her and hugged her tightly.
"I am sorry for what has happened. I am sorry." Makino cried harder. "Nobody wanted it to happen."
Makino collapsed into Tsukuji's arms. All she needed now was just someone to support her and be with her. Through this sea of grief and heartbreak, at least someone was there to guide her.
*
"Doumyouji! Hurry up!" The smiling Makino beckoned to him. He ran after her, trying to catch up with her.
"Makino! Wait for me!" Tsukasa shouted. He could never seem to catch up with her. He felt tired suddenly and he wanted to stop.
"Doumyouji!"
"Makino… I can't…" He faltered. "I can't…"
*
"Shigeru san! The patient! His blood pressure is dropping rapidly!" The nurse burst into the room and shouted. Shigeru looked up in surprise.
"What? I thought his condition just stabilized!"
"I don't know! It's decreasing rapidly!" Shigeru burst out of the testing room with the F3 hot on her heels.
Makino lifted her head to see people running past her.
"Akira! What's happening?" Tsukuji shouted. Akira stopped running.
"Tsukuji! You're back!" He said, clearly relieved.
"WHAT"S HAPPENING?" She demanded.
"Quick! Get that machine in!" Shigeru shouted from the ward. Makino's eyes widened in horror.
"Doumyouji!" She called out desperately as she rushed over to the room."DOUMYOUJI!"
*
"Okay, ready, one two three!" Shigeru placed the electric pads on Tsukasa's body.
"Still no response!"
"Increase the voltage! One two three!"
"Still no response!"
Makino watched this from the clear glass panel behind, restrained by Rui and Tsukuji.
"Doumyouji…please…"
"Increase the voltage!"
"There's still no response!"
No, this can't be happening. Makino watched on in horror, as Tsukasa seemed to slip away. "NO!!!!!" She cried out as she burst free from the restrains of Rui and Tsukuji and burst into the room.
Shigeru and the other nurses looked at her surprised.
"DOUMYOUJI!!! DON'T LEAVE ME!!!!" She rushed over to his bedside and held his hand.
"YOU BAKA! DON'T LEAVE ME NOW!!"
*
Tsukasa faltered and he wanted to stop. Something was telling him to stop. Suddenly, a voice rang out.
"Doumyouji! Don't leave me!" Makino. That was Makino's voice. He could not stop now. Makino was waiting for him.
*
"Shigeru san! The patient! His heartbeat is resuming back to normal!" The nurse cried out. She stared at the machine, the pulse was steady.
Shigeru heaved a sigh of relief. The others outside were clearly relived as well. Makino still stood there, clutching his hand tightly.
"Shigeru san, shall we ask her to go out?" Shigeru paused for a while.
"Let her stay. The worst is over."
*
Soujiro and the rest walked out of the room, together with Shigeru. Kazuya bade them good bye and left first.
"Shigeru, how is Tsukasa exactly now?" Rui asked.
"I would say the worst is now over and we would not need a blood transfusion, but for further analysis of his condition, the neurologist would have to come and…" Before Shigeru could finish her sentence, Tsubaki came running frantically up to the group.
"TSUKASA! HOW'S HE? TELL ME!" Tsubaki shouted pleadingly.
"Tsubaki, he's in there. He's okay, Shigeru said he's fine." Tsukuji stepped out to say. Tsubaki stepped shakily to the glass panel to see Tsukasa lying on the hospital bed, heavily bandaged. Intravenous tubes poked out from almost every part of his body. She stifled her sobs as she gazed upon her brother.
"Don't worry. Makino's in there with him now." Soujiro placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
"I suggest that you all go back for now and take a rest. Come back again tomorrow and the neurologist would be able to tell you something about Tsukasa's condition." Shigeru said. "It's best if you all can take Makino back. She's exhausted." Her expression softened at this.
"I agree. But who would watch over Tsukasa?" Akira asked worriedly.
"I will. " Rui volunteered. The rest nodded their heads in approval. Tsubaki was still standing in front of the glass panel, looking at Tsukasa.
"Tsubaki, let's go home first. We can come again tomorrow." Tsukuji said gently. "Come."
"Tsukasa…"
*
Makino clutched Tsukasa's hand tightly and sobbed uncontrollably. His hand was cold and clammy, so unlike the hand she had held a long time ago.
"Doumyouji, please, just give me some response." She pleaded with him.
He still slept.
"Makino."
"Hanazwa Rui?" Rui looked at her worriedly. This emotional strain was too much for her to bear.
"Soujiro would bring you back to Tsukasa's house to rest for the night. You would need the sleep."
"NO! I want to stay with him!" She raised her voice slightly. "I can't leave him alone. Not now." She looked at Tsuaksa again, her tears falling again.
"I'll be here to watch over him. Come on, go with Soujiro. You can come back again tomorrow." Makino still would not budge.
"Makino, if Tsuaksa wakes up tomorrow and finds you looking so haggard, he would blame us and give us hell. I'm sure you don't want that right?" Rui tried another approach this time. She managed a small smile at this. She nodded and Rui led her outside to Soujiro.
"Hanazawa Rui, promise me something." She said urgently. He nodded.
"Tell Doumyouji I love him, and I am waiting for him." Soujiro led her away and Rui watched them disappear round the corner.
"I will Makino." He said silently.
*
The cold wind blew, causing the group to hold on tightly to their coats. They got onto the cars and drove off. Makino looked at the hospital gradually disappear from her view and sat back in the car seat. Soujiro looked at her from the rear view mirror and shook his head.
The wind blew again, this time, bringing with it the soothing message of hope, "Be strong. Be strong."