Durian: Everyone has sad lives, but hope is around the corner.

~*~Second Chance~*~

Shinomori Aoshi

Year 2000

Whenever Dr Shinomori Aoshi was sad he would go rock climbing. After the incident he decided to climb Mt Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan. The climb will be long and dangerous but Aoshi is an experienced climber. The death risk is high but he had nothing left to live for…

He climbed for three weeks, not showering and only eating bread, beans, biscuit and canned meat. Climbing was the only escape he has from the sorrow of his lost. The temperature became colder as he climbed higher, but he didn't care. He has lost his urge to live; if he dies from climbing then he has no regrets…

Aoshi finally reached the top of Mt Fuji. He breathed and looked down. One jump, one jump is all it takes for him to end his life now! However, he decided to eat his last meal before doing anything rash. After he finished, a distant cave caught his eyes. He had heard not many people have returned from climbing Mt Fuji. At first he thought they had fallen and died, but this cave may have something behind it all.

His curiosity aroused him to search the cave. He walked inside with his lamp for around ten minutes before he tripped over something. Already a dense air of rotten flesh swamped around the cave. He picked up his lamp to see a skeleton. Aoshi raised his lamp higher to see further in the cave, but was frightened to see more skeletons. A shiver ran down his spine and goose bumps started to appear on his arms.

The skeletons may be gruesome but nothing scared him, not even death. He continued walking ahead until he saw light. As he got closer, he saw flecks of green. Strange he thought, why will there be trees or grass on top of Mt Fuji? Before he realised, he has stepped into the world of the 1600's…

 ~*~

"Thank you"

"You're a healer!"

"I knew you could help me!"

"You're a God, I tell you!"

"You're truly amazing!"

Aoshi smiled as he recalled all the positive comments from his patients. He had walked into this strange world of the past, three years ago. The sense of pride he has from helping people allowed him to live on. When Aoshi was a child, he had dreamt to become a doctor and save as many lives as possible. Throughout his life, he had studied herbal medicine from his father as well as studying western medicine. When he graduated from university at the age of 22, he went to practice in a hospital. That was when he met Rei and within a month they had married. It was truly, love at first sight…

Aoshi opened his wallet to stare at his family. This was the only item he had left that reminded him of Rei and Itoshi. Sad memories flashed back at him as he stared at his beautiful Rei.

Rei and Itoshi (4 years old) were waiting on a curb for Aoshi to pick them up. Aoshi was about to park his car in front of them, when suddenly a big truck crashed into his car. The impact pushed his car forward hitting Rei and Itoshi. Rei, Itoshi and him were sent straight to hospital.

Aoshi awoke with a bandage on his head, the first thing he asked was, "WHERE ARE THEY?"

 A doctor shook his head and replied, "Your son is dead…"

"NOOOO!" Aoshi screamed, "WHERE IS REI?"

The doctor replied, "She's is in the critical ward and may not be able to survive tonight…"

As soon as Aoshi heard these words, he ran towards the critical ward to find Rei. The nurses blocked Aoshi from entering as the doctors were doing CPR.

"SHE'S MY WIFE! I WANT TO SEE HER!!" screamed Aoshi as he pushed the nurses away.

He pushed open the room to see his unconscious wife. "Rei, Rei, it's me Aoshi! Please wake up, wake up!" pleaded Aoshi.

Rei whimpered as she saw Aoshi and used her last breath to say, "Please live on and save others…" She smiled and stopped breathing. Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

"1,2,3 Clear!" said the doctor.

"1,2,3 Clear!" said the doctor.

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeep…

"11:23 pm, certified"

Tears rolled down Aoshi's face. How could he lose everything in one day?

His ambition was to save lives, why couldn't he save the ones he love?!

Durian: I just love tragedies, no writing this made me really depressed too. T_T

~*~

"Thank you for the mask, Sano, I really like it!" said Kaoru as she gave Sano a hug.

The two had set out for three days in search for news of the healer. As they went further north, more news of the healer was rumoured. On the fifth day, they finally reached the home of the healer…

~*~

"Next please," said Dr Shinomori Aoshi

When Kaoru entered the room, Aoshi looked up and grasped.

"Rei?" asked Aoshi

Durian: Sakura Butterfly- I haven't decided who will go out with Kaoru but I am opened to suggestions.

Please review if you wish me to continue…