Within These Padded Walls

By

Black Twilight

And like a little girl cries

in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there?

'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe

-- MAROON 5

He sighed and ruffled the papers on his desk. As much as he hated to admit it, things were more eventful when Megumi was around. Now that she was absent all he had to do was paperwork. How eventful.

Running a hand through his snowy hair he mentally prepared himself for work. Enishi grabbed a folder and shifted through the papers. Medical records, psychological observations, etc…They were all there. One might've thought that they were running a mini Big Brother instead of a hospital. He scoffed and read the report.

NAME: HITEN KENJI

SYMPTOMS: BIPOLAR, DEPRESSION, PARANOIA, CONSTANT DOMINANCE

NOTES: SEEN FRATERNIZING WITH OTHER PATIENTS. DISCIPLINED ON REGULAR BASIS

STATUS: DESCEASED

Enishi's eyes widened at the report. "Just when I think I've seen it all," he muttered lying down the rest of the report, not bothering to finish.

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Enishi lifted his hand towards room 666 and hesitated. Ever since his first encounter with her, Enishi had been wary of her actions. He even went as far as sending other doctors to tend to her wounds. However, her condition remained the same, much to his chagrin.

'I should have left her on the street where she belongs,' he mused.

Yet Megumi's words still echoed in his head like an annoying insect. 'It would be a shame if you forgot our little deal…'

He cursed under his breath. That woman would be the death of him; that is, if Kaoru didn't get to him first.

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"Miss?" he said through gritted teeth. Once again Enishi found himself staring and the back of the raven haired girl and she was trying his patience. Men like Enishi could only be pushed so far…

"Listen," he growled, "I'd tried helping you and you pushed me away. However, I can't aid you without your cooperation…and you're not giving me much to work with."

No answer. His words died on deaf ears.

Enishi sighed and moved to the door. 'No use wasting my time on a hopeless cause. Surely Megumi would understand that.'

"You sigh too much."

Enishi stopped in his tracks. Did she just…? He turned back to Kaoru and surely enough, there she was.

"Someone once told me that whenever you sigh, you shrink a little. So that must mean tha-." Kaoru paused let her gaze linger on Enishi. More specifically, his face. "Y-You're face…" she stammered. "NO! Get away! Get away from me!"

Kaoru scrambled off the bed and crouched in the corner of her small cell while Enishi stood there in shock.

"Hey," he called. "Calm down. It's just a scratch."

However Kaoru paid him no attention and continued to scream.

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After the morning's revelations, Enishi decided to check up on his favorite patient once more. Only this time it was out of curiosity.

He took the familiar trek down the hallway to Kaoru's room and didn't like what he saw. Kaoru was on the floor with her chest heaving up in down in a strained effort to breathe. She tossed her head wildly and whimpered.

Enishi immediately ran by her side. He noticed that she was saying something over and over….like a broken record.

"Coming….He said he would, but…no," Kaoru moaned.

"Who? Who's coming?"

"…Kenji."

-------------------- end of chapter three --------------------------------------------------

Author's Notes: Confused yet?

I'm SO incredibly sorry for the late update. Between school, family issues, and being sick, I simply didn't have the time to write the chapter as soon as I expected. I hope you understand. *crosses fingers* Forgive me? I even made the chapter longer! See?! On a happier note, I've been asked to enter a Rurouni Kenshin fan fiction contest. I probably don't stand a chance…but I'll enter anyways. J

Also, I need one more doctor for this fic. Remember when I mentioned Enishi sending another person to take care of Kaoru? Well, I need him/her. It can't be a main character (ie- Sano, Yahiko, Kenshin, etc…). An original character would be great! Just send in a short description in the review, k? (FYI, he/she is only going to have about 4 lines, hehe.) I'll give u credit, too.

Oh yeah, and I have a 4 days off from school so more time to write! If I'm not updating fast enough, someone PLEASE e-mail me with reminder.

Reviewers:

Masutsa - Thank you! I don't know where I get my ideas from. ^^;

Crystal Renee - *blush* Well, I seem to be incapable of writing long chapters. Unlike you. You could write a novel overnight, heh. Maybe it's because I have an attention span of a 2 year old…

Wistful-Eyes - Hehe, yeah…Her nails are long. The one on her pinky in a mini katana. *nods* And the screaming is the best part of the song! Oh yes, and I like your latest fanfic, 'Blind At Heart.'

Cathy Angel - There's a reason for his vulnerability. All will be revealed! (Look! Chibi Enishi! )

Goldmund - I take it you're not a Megumi fan, either? I don't blame you, though. She can be a real bi…never mind. J And congrats on finding the clue! (System of a Down fans are the smartest.)