R_M : My goodness ! I didn't know that it was already December 23rd !!!!
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BEAUTIFUL HUNNY KENKEN !!!!!!!!!
In honor of Ken's birthday , this is gonna be one of the best chapters I've ever written . (In me humble opinion)
Music playing : Call me , call me from Cowboy Bebop
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Date : December 19 , 2003
Time : 6:08:01 p.m.
" Where is he ? Where's Ken ?! Answer me goddamnit !!" Schuldich shook Omi's shoulder with a force that he didn't know existed .
More tears sprang forth from the agitated blond . " I-I'm sorry , they ... they put him in the intensive care unit ... They ... they said he almost died ..."
" Mein Gott ..." He couldn't help it . Throwing one last glance at the pair , he ran through the corridors and pressed the elevator button in distress .
He had to be with Ken . He had to be with Ken .
Ken ...
His cellphone rang just as the empty elevator popped open ; absently , he opened it , as if he was running on mechanical instincts . "Hello ?" He stepped in , not really noticing anything else .
" Schuldich ! Finally you answered the goddamned phone ! I've been calling you all day !" Yohji's voice broke through the line .
Schuldich felt like he was drowning when he heard the news , but Yohji's voice served as a lifeline and he grabbed it ; " Yohj ! Ken ! Ken's in a really bad shape now . Could you get the doctor you were talking about ? They said he almost died ..." He knew he was blabbering , it was certainly unlike him to do so , but he couldn't help it , he couldn't swallow the rising panic that was sweeping through his chest like an insane tide .
" Shit ! Yeah , I'll call him right now ; he's off call right now , I just talked to him about an hour ago . You take care of the arrangements and ask for everything he'll need for the surgery . I already found a donor so sit tight , man . Your Ken's going to be alright ."
" Thanks . I owe you ."
There was a chuckle at the end of the line . "You sure do . Big time . I'll see you in thirty . Hang on , he's gonna be perfectly fine , I guarantee it ."
Ting !
The doors opened and he could see the nurses' station . The ICU was beside it . He'd passed the ward a hundred times and he never paid much attention to it ; he'd always believed that he'd never have to come there ...
" Ken Hidaka ? Is he there ?" He asked a passing nurse .
The startled woman looked up at him and nodded blankly .
" Can I go see him ?"
" I'm afraid that's not possible , sir . He's just been admitted and he's resting . He's in critical condition right now ."
" But I'm family ." It was true . After Aya died , he was the only family Ken had .
" I'm really sorry , sir . You could talk to the doctor in charge and see if you can fix it with him ."
It was only after the nurse had left did it occur to him that he hadn't ask the doctor's name .
" Excuse me . Who's the doctor in charge of Hidaka Ken ?" The nurse at the desk scanned the logbook in front of her and said a name .
" Thanks ." He strode of purposefully . Ken was going to be alright . He could feel it in his gut .
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Yohji had arrived just thirty minutes after he had talked to Schuldich , adrenaline racing through his veins .
Sure , he hadn't been exactly close to the kid , but he had to admit ; he liked the boy Schuldich was so smitten with . Besides , he made the redhead happy and Hidaka Ken was the only one really capable of that .
He glanced at the doctor beside him , who was looking aloof as hell .
You better be as good as they say you are ... He thought as he steered his sports car into the receiving area . Without bothering to park it , he and the doctor sprang out of the car and raced into the hospital .
Someone would deal with the car later , as much as he loved the thing , Schuldich and his precious little lover were more important .
They sprinted to the front desk where the nurse said that everything was ready for a surgery and a team has already been formed .
Also , all the things he had needed were already there and the donor bank had already done their job .
It was all in the good doctor's hands now .
The doctor was already dressed in his scrubs by the time he was finished coordinating with the head nurse and soon they were hurrying through the corridors to the operating room .
The circuits of the hallways met and the two of them came just in time to reach the rushing team of doctors and nurses wheeling a motionless figure . Schuldich was with them , his gaunt face etched with worry .
He barely said a word when he caught sight of Yohji and the doctor hurrying beside them . His lips were pursed tight with worry .
They burst through the preliminary door and were about to enter another one when they were stopped by a nurse . " I'm sorry , but you can't enter this area ."
" We have to come in !" Yohji argued . Schuldich still hadn't said a single syllable .
" I'm sorry , but you really can't ..."
" It's either you let us in or we're gonna break down the goddamned doors ."
" Sir ! It's really against hospital rules for you to be in there . I would have to call security ."
Yohji opened his mouth to say some words in protest , but Schuldich rested a hand on his shoulder wordlessly and he closed it .
Schuldich looked like he had aged ten years since he last saw him just two days ago .
Yohji relented , his features softening at the anguish that was deeply etched in his friend's face . He now knew how much sacrifice it was for Schuldich not to be there , not to be at Ken's side while he was undergoing probably the most dangerous endeavor ever done to him . " All right . Damnit ... I ain't happy ." He sighed and put an arm around Schuldich , his best friend ; the stubborn , arrogant man that he had grown to love as the brother he'd never had . Once you look at it , they weren't really too different at all . Maybe the reason why he could identify with him was because they were kindred spirits in a way , which was why Schuldich's pain was his pain .
And right now , Schuldich was in so much anguish that he sensed that the man felt like he was dying and they had done what they could .
It was all in someone else's hands now .
" You better do you job , Takatori , or I'll hunt you down ." Yohji muttered as he towered over Schuldich , who had buried his face into his hands .
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Music Playing : Blue from Cowboy Bebop (Yoko Kanno)
Time : 6:10:08 p.m.
The surgery began almost as soon as they entered the O.R.
Dr. Shuuichi Takatori was the best in his field , he'd already been world-renowned for his several 'miracles' because his was the highest survival rate among his advanced chronic leukemia patients ; most of whom recovered fully and were able to lead normal and healthy lives .
He'd already been on the cover of Time Magazine and was featured several times on the most popular magazines covering his 'miracle works' . He'd already been interviewed by Oprah twice, a feat that was not often claimed by Asians .
The interns and even the doctors on this team were awed simply by the recognition of him and they moved with an efficiency of a trained surgical team that he approved of .
He pulled on his surgical gloves as a nurse tied his mask . Mr. Kudoh certainly took care that the best was supplied . He mused .
Certainly , he was the best and the team right now was one of the best in the country .
He looked grimly at the young face plastered with so much pain before him . He'd been studying Hidaka Ken's case for several days now , ever since Kudoh contacted him and he'd finally decided on a plan of action to use .
He certainly hadn't expected to perform on him so soon , but circumstances called for it and he wasn't just about to refuse .
The boy was so young ... so young ... and so innocent ...
He didn't deserve this ! No one deserved this !
The thought of his teenaged son flashed before his eyes .
The young son who had died of the same illness several years before ...
He gritted his teeth and tried to lose himself as the music (*) of Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 In F Major, 'Pastorale' Scene (**) started to play .
He wasn't going to lose this boy too . There was no way he was going to let his son die again .
" Scalpel ." He called out .
The operation which was going to last for more than ten hours had now begun while Schuldich prayed for Ken's life in the room outside .
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Date : December 20 , 2003
Time : 4:03:42 a.m.
They were almost through , they only needed to stitch him up and the surgery was going to be a fantastic success .
Shuuichi Takatori wiped the cold sweat from his brow with his sleeve . He could almost feel his heart leaping for joy .
He'd saved his son ! Oh God ! He was finally able to save his son !
He could barely keep the grin from spreading as he pulled the last stitch close and the large wound gaping at him was finally sealed .
The room erupted into cheers as they viewed that all the vital signs were going perfectly ...
He started to pull the blood-stained surgical gloves from his hands – and stopped .
A tiny sound tore the ecstatic shouts from their lips .
The heart monitor had started to beep faster , a little louder and in distress . (***)
" Sir , he's going into shock again . His heartbeat's accelerating ." One of the doctors called out .
" He's going into shock . His heart's still speeding up ." The measured voices of the other doctors echoed in his mind as he calculated what he should do in this situation . His mind raced , and his pulse sped in fear .
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Time : 4:04:57 a.m.
" His heart's stopped !" The almost panicked voice of the head nurse called out .
" Reopen the wound , I'm going to massage his heart ." He said grimly , pulling the gloves back . His eyes steely , his breathing deliberate , he ignored the pouring blood and massaged the delicate muscle carefully ; running his thumb over the Atria and the Ventricles .
No response .
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Time : 4:12:05 a.m.
" It's no use ." He muttered , half to himself and half to the intent surgical team crowding around him . " I have to sew him back up and try the defibrillators ."
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Time : 4:21:36 a.m.
His breath came in short , rugged gasps as he pulled the last stitch close for the second time . It was like de ja vu but now , Hidaka Ken was clinically dead for seventeen minutes . Ten minutes more after the start of organ damage due to lack of circulated oxygen .
Was there even a chance that he'd be revived ? The chances were bleak , and the hope was almost extinguished .
Even if they revived him , there was a 99.9 % chance of him suffering serious brain damage .
The triumph he had felt just mere minutes before had turned into severe anguish .
" Defibrillator . Charge to 90 joules ." He could heat the harsh keening sound as the machine charge the paddles .
Seconds dragged by into thousands of eternities as one precious life waited to be saved .
" Clear ." He pressed the paddles on the bloody chest and the boy's frail body jolted for a moment into the air several inches above the operating table .
All eyes turned to the monitor .
Still a flat line .
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Time : 4:22:023 a.m.
Takatori bit the inside of his lip until he could taste the coppery tang of blood . " Charge to 200 joules ." It was the second attempt . They could not try beyond a third .
" Clear ." Ken's body once again had a life of its own , but the face remained devoid of any expression still .
The monitor once more declared a flat line . The ticking of the large clock on the wall grew louder with each passing second .
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Time : 4:24:06 a.m.
This was their last chance . It was the last chance for Ken .
Was there any hope ?
" Charge to 360 Joules ." 360 Joules was the maximum for electric shock . It was the end of the line .
He waited for the machine to charge , a litany of prayers chanting steadily through his head .
You have to live , Ken Hidaka . There are people waiting for you . Come back , don't forget that you are loved . He murmured silently .
It was something that he had never gotten around to say to his son before he died , to tell him that he was loved ...
Come back , Ken ! It was an internal scream ; and he was the only one in the room who could hear it deafeningly in his ears .
Outside , Schuldich bloodless lips were moving silently to his thousandth Hail Mary .
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Time : 4:24:54 a.m.
For the last time , he placed the paddles on Ken's chest and felt the tiny shudder from the machine as it discharged an electric shock .
Ken seemed to tremble before he once more lay on his back , lifeless ...
He was dead .
He was really dead .
Shuuichi Takatori , for the first time in years since his son died , shed anguished tears .
He had not been able to save him .
† † †
" Hail Mary , full of grace ..."
Yohji turned , bleary-eyed at his
pale friend , who had stopped in mid-prayer .
" Schul ?" He queried softly .
All at once , silent tears were streaming down the redhead's deep jade eyes like a sanctified rivulet and he could not fathom the reason why .
† † †
Time : 4:25:00 a.m.
'Beep ... beep ... beep ... beep ... beep '
Could it be ?
Shuuichi Takatori raised his hazy eyes to the body in front of him . He could hear the faint beeping of the monitor .
Was it true ? Or was it his imagination ?
Silently , he gazed at the monitor , just as all eyes turned to it as well .
There were small peaks marring the flat line .
'Beep ... beep ... beep ... beep ... beep '
Ken Hidaka was alive !
The room erupted into soft and relieved giggles and laughter . A subdued celebration from the first , but a more joyous one than any of them had ever felt before in their entire lives .
Dr. Shuuichi Takatori had performed his greatest miracle yet !!
" Thank you , Lord ." He murmured , raising his eyes to heaven as he placed his hand on Ken's chest to feel the faint yet steady beating of his heart .
† † †
Schuldich had stopped praying so suddenly , so abruptly , that Yohji thought that he had collapsed into fatigued unconsciousness and all at once the redhead jumped uncertainly to his feet with a suddenness that startled the blond .
Yohji merely watched in muted stupefaction as his friend raced through the double doors of the O.R. leaving them swinging at his wake as he disappeared into the room (+).
He hadn't even had the chance to call out his name in an attempt to stop him .
† † †
He could hear the quiet laughter , he could feel the relieved atmosphere in the air despite the strong scent of coppery blood .
All at once , the doctors parted , as if sensing him standing silently behind them and his eyes rested on bare-chested Ken , looking so pale and lifeless on the operating table , covered with scarlet blood all of which were his own .
He couldn't restrain his lips from letting loose a happy purring from the back of his throat , nor could he conceal the jumping and the cartwheels his heart was doing .
The doctor merely smiled as they watched him step closer to the man he loved with his entire life and put his arms around his frail body .
He had shared his blood in that moment , and they were one in that second .
Without knowing who he was and why they weren't even driving him out of the operating room , they knew , with a feeling they could not define , that the reason that Ken Hidaka had fought so hard to survive , was for this man ... and this man alone .
They were glad that Ken had someone praying for him as he turned back from the gates of death .
A thought crossed in Schuldich's mind and a slow grin spread on his face . He just remembered something .
" Happy birthday , Ken ."
And it was true .
Ken Hidaka was given a second chance in life . God was merciful after all .
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R_M : Oh my ! I have lots of notes today ! ^___^
Notes :
(*) Most surgeons put on music while they operate , this is to calm them or perhaps put the in the mood they need to operate . à (I read that somewhere ^__~)
(**)Symphony No. 6 In F Major, 'Pastorale' Scene is one of Beethoven's more soothing works . It is now more commonly used to put babies to sleep . *lol*
(***) I have no idea how this thing works ! Honestly , you can't trust me with cough medicine , much less surgery . I know there are gazillions of mistakes here , and adhere to that because I know I am the ultimate medical ignoramus . I have manipulated facts (that I actually know) and procedures here to suit my purpose so forgive me for that .
(+) I don't even know if that's allowed . Heh . ^__^
R_M : Man , am I ecstatic with today's post ! Ooooooh ! I'm so very very very happy !!! ~____~ I think this is the most pulse-pounding chapter I've ever written ! *dances around for joy* Ken's finally fine and happy and healthy and alive and with Schuldich waiting faithfully at his side (wheee that rhymes !)
I feel like my heart's about to burst with joy !!!
At this rate , all of you guys just might get your happy ending , so go ahead and goad me more , I just might convince my muses to concede !!! (^___^)
*runs to check her reviews* Hmmm ... just twelve reviews for two chapters . I'm kind disappointed *facevaults* It's okay , maybe I didn't give you guys enough time to review ! Anyway , please do ! please do ! Review every chapter if you can .
Kenken : ¬____¬ She's getting too spoiled , methinks .
R_M : *pouts* but I did bring you back to life , didn't I ? I think that deserves some pocky and stuff . T____T *starts to bawl*
Ken : *sighs* alright , alright . *sighs again* Please review her chapters if you can , I AM alive after all .
Schuldich : *mutters* Yeah , after nearly giving ME a hear attack .
R_M : *ignores him and wags tail and bats eyelashes the way she did to convince Kenken to take her home with them* WOOF !!! *barks in a thoroughly un-rabbit-like manner and commences to wag fluffy bunny tail again*
The truth of the matter is , I was planning something else for Ken's birthday release , but I was confused with the days . I thought today was just December twenty-two and tomorrow was going to be December twenty-three . So this was planned for yesterday and something else was planned for today *smacks head* How stupid can I get ? Maybe that's the result of celebrating my having a Christmas Break !!!! *dances around*
Now on to my replies ! *marches away carrying a stick and a feather pen*
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Ketty : Ah , the Machiavellian events have now been unfolded , I hope that you guys are now satisfied with the twist and turn of events .
KyraEnsui : THREE updates in FOUR days !!! I am sure as hell proud of myself ! ^___^ *hands you another box of Kleenex* You're making that company filthy rich , Kyra . ^___~
Chahiya : *wallowed in pride at that* Yes , I AM a cruel writer aren't I ? *is now starting to believe that* Are you still on the verge of a temper tantrum ? Work a little more on your begging and raise the stakes on that bribery and you just might corrupt me ! Do it quick or my muses will lapse on their prozac and might refuse your happy ending !!! Undying devotion as a fan , huh ? ^___^ That makes me happy !!! *skips away with Chahiya*
Schu : O__________O;;; You WILLED him to FIND OUT ?!!!???!!! *points accusingly at you* Hey , minna ! Here is the culprit ! This is why Ken had another arrest and had to undergo surgery and stuff and almost gave Schuldich a heart attack !!! *throws a stick at Schu* Now sic , minna , sic ! *readers latch on Schu like rabid dogs*
Dark Demigoddess : Oh yes , of course . I know how to appreciate things and people . ^___^ *patpats you* Don't worry about it , it has happened to me before (or rather ... often) Ehhhh ... ¬_____¬;;; which is why I can relate . I'm glad to see you're back in commission again . Arigatou . Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year too ! Wait for my last posts on Christmas day and New Year's eve and/or New Year's Day okay ?! ^_____~
Mariki : *guffaws* I can just imagine you doing that !!!! It's hilarious !!! And yes , I do love torturing Ken ! Arigatou for the praise !!! *bows*
Zeto : Ooooh , I'm glad you guys actually read and *like* my notes ! ^___^ *is once more in seventh heaven* Well , honey , *shrugs* life's not fair , but maybe they're both gonna see more of the sun from now on , eh ? Schuldich ? Get tired of beautiful Kenken ? Not in a million years , methinks . At least not in this ficcy , I guarantee it . Yes , I agree , Kenken can't always be happy , but it's about time he started to be happy , ne ? Arigatou , Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too ! but don't forget to check in on December 25 , December 31 and/or January 1 , ne ?
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
KyraEnsui : It was ? Ehehehe ... Neeee , belated happy birthday !!!! *running-glomp at you !* There goes the Kleenex again . My God , Kleenex can buy half the world at the rate you're going ! ^____~ *starts to sing* HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYRA ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYRA ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY , HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYRA !!! ^_____^ How old are you ?!
Zeto : O_______O;;;; *turns , walks away , grabbing a shovel and stuff* Ayaaaa-kunnnn !!!! *starts to dig Aya's grave , pries the cover from his coffin and hauls Aya's rotting body from six feet under* Gwahgwahgwahgwahgwah !!! *gets bashed with ten-year old fruitcake while revived zombiefied Aya watches calmly on muttering 'Die bitch ! Die !'* He's not dead on his birthday !!! He'sNOTHe'sNOTHe'sNOTHe'sNOT!!!! *starts to throw a temper tantrum herself* Nobody appreciates me !! *pouts before starting to bawl*
Mariki : NOooooooOOOOOoooooo !!!!! Don't do thattttttt !!!! *crawls away writing imaginary circles on the floor in an all too-pouty manner* ---à (O____O;;) [Doesn't have legs since you chewed the both away] Eeeeek ! *runs away from Mr. Squishy... or rather , slithered squishilly [invented a word] away from Mr. Squishy*
Misura : Ah ! Fantastic investigatory skills ! *applauds you* You were touched ? Oh happy day ! *does another jig , frighteningly like Barney's dance* Tension and angst have passed and depends on feedback if it will resume or completely dissipate !!! ^____~ (you know how much I value all my readers' opinions)
Anna Hibiki : Ah ,yes , he isn't *nods resolutely* I'm not an Omi fan either ... *pauses* In fact , I don't like the damn brat at all , and his seiyuu too . *cowers from Omi fans* No offense meant . *patspats Schu* I sympathize with you , even though you caused me several sleepless nights . ¬ . ¬ -à Is referring to previous chapter . I'm sad too . I'm really really sad . T____T . Maybe it doesn't have to end ! I'll keep on rambling and rambling and rambling on without making much sense just to keep it going and it WON'T END ! *à insert insane laughter* I'm not sure of which one I'll continue , most probably the ones that are more in demand , like Moonbeams in your smile , which is CxK and SxK or Cry of the Captive in which Aya is thrown into the picture , making it rightfully CxK , AxK and SxK .
Goddamnit , I love this birthday celebrating soccer playing hunny of mine !!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENKEN !!!!
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