Chapter 5: Don't Shed Any Tears
Another week past and Karasuma was given a treatment to hopeful ward of what ever this strange disease was. While Amon worked with Solomon for a cure to the orbo poisoning, Sakaki stayed close at hand at Karasuma's side. He would leave the office at lunch and take care of her and return to complete a hunt. At night Sakaki would stay with her watching over her as she slept. Sakaki curled up on her couch and would find in the morning Karasuma sleeping in the chair across from the couch.
" I'm going to work," Karasuma said
" Your not ready," Sakaki said
" I can't just waste away in this apartment. I need fresh air Sakaki, I need a new environment," Karasuma said
Sakaki wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him. He pushed her hair back from her face and then kissed her.
" Come away to my apartment," Sakaki said
Karasuma laughed a little and said, " I have to stay here for Amon's call."
" I'll reroute your phone to my phone so that when he calls, you can get it from my place."
Karasuma looked at him and laid her head on his chest. She closed her eyes and listened to his heart while he stroked her back.
" Are you cold?" he asked
" No, I'm fine," she whispered
Sakaki smiled and pulled her closer to him and breathed deep. He closed his eyes as he held her, treasuring every minuet he spent with her.
Another week past and Sakaki took her to work. He walked with her upstairs and guiding her up. They entered to the office and everyone turned, to see who entered the office.
" Miho," Doujima said, " Your back."
Karasuma smiled as Doujima came up and hugged her then Robin hugged her.
" Your looking well," Robin said
" I'm feeling well," Karasuma said
Though deep down in side Karasuma was lying, but she wanted them to stop worrying about her. She had her guardian angel and trusted friend by her side until the end. Karasuma sat down and Sakaki sat just beside her as she talked to them, he saw that the new environment brought life back to her. He found a peaceful moment where worrying wasn't an option. His phone rang and he picked it up and walked out the room for a little while.
" Hello," Sakaki answered
" Sakaki, it's Amon, where's Karasuma?" he asked
" With me, we're at work," Sakaki said
" How is she?" Amon asked
" She seems to be fine, the doctors gave her some medicine which seem to be working," Sakaki said, " I've seen improvements since her first episode."
Amon sighed and said, " I found a component that may reverse the effects of the orbo. But it's going to be a little longer."
Sakaki felt there was hope, that there was a cure for Karasuma's case and for the hope to avoid this situation. Sakaki soon hung up after hearing the news and couldn't wait to tell Karasuma.
" There's a cure," he announced
" What?" Karasuma questioned
" Amon called and said he found something that may reverse the effects of the orbo," Sakaki said
Karasuma gave a smile and said, " That's wonderful, but how long will it take?"
" They hope soon," Sakaki said
He knelt down beside Karasuma and grabbed her hand.
" Your going to be cured," Sakaki said
As the day wore on Sakaki took Karasuma out to enjoy the rest of the day. He walked with her through the park and watched her take in the fresh air. He walked up and lifted her into his arms and she wrapped her arms around.
" Haruto," she said
He looked at her and she smiled and leaned her head down on his chest as he carried her. They sat down on the grass and enjoyed the sun's light as it poured through the trees' leaves. Karasuma stroked Sakaki's head as he laid on the ground, hands behind his head. She looked down at him as he closed his eyes and she leaned over to him and kissed him. Sakaki opened his eyes and then returned the kiss, by making it a deeper kiss.
That evening Karasuma sat down on her couch and Sakaki prepared dinner for her. She stared out the window and Sakaki walked over to her, then sat beside her.
" Here," he said, " take these."
Karasuma looked at Sakaki as he handed her a glass of water then two pills. Karasuma grabbed the pills and took them and sipped the water. He stared at her, feeling she was distant, he grabbed her hand and she stared at him. It was there in her eyes that she was slipping away from him.
" Am I ever going to get better Sakaki?" she asked
Sakaki looked at her and embraced her and she leaned her head down on his chest.
" Your just tiered that's all," Sakaki whispered, " You'll be better in the morning."
Karasuma closed her eyes and let the tears fall from her face, she was fighting and she was beginning to become tiered of fighting, both for life and which man she desired most. Both were there for her, but there was something that made her try to pick out who she truly loved. Karasuma looked up at Sakaki and he looked down at her.
" I've been alone for two years," she whispered
" No, you haven't," Sakaki whispered, " Everyone's here for you."
Karasuma grabbed Sakaki's hands into her own and smiled.
" You've been there for me, Sakaki," Karasuma said
" Your not giving up Miho," Sakaki said, " You will fight this."
" I'm to tiered," Karasuma said
Sakaki pulled her close and rubbed her back. Tears fell from his face and Karasuma felt his chest rise. She looked up and stared at Sakaki, and entwined her fingers with his own.
" I want you Sakaki, I want you to be with me," Karasuma said
Sakaki looked at her and kissed her, like he had not kissed her before. Karasuma closed her eyes feeling his lips on hers. She returned his gentle yet passionate kisses, which made her desire him more. Sakaki lifted her into his arms and carried her to her bed room. He shut the door and laid her down and leaned over her and kissed her.
" I love you," Sakaki whispered
Karasuma smiled and kissed him again and this time they got more passionate and began to undress each other. Sakaki was hesitated, but Karasuma wanted him and so their desire for one another took over their judgment.
The next morning both were wrapped up into one another's arms and Sakaki stroke Karasuma's soft skin as she slept. He looked at her and saw the sheet cling to her slender form out lining several details about her body. Karasuma opened her eyes and smiled.
" Morning," Sakaki whispered
" Morning," Karasuma said
He stroked her cheek and kissed her.
" Haruto," she whispered, " I'm glad I met you."
Sakaki looked at her and nodded.
" I'm glad I met you too Miho," Sakaki said
He sat up and Karasuma looked at him as she laid there. He looked at her and gently traced her form over the sheets, she grabbed his hand and kissed it. She glanced over his body and seeing his body was not that of a young man, but a real man. She had not looked past the boyish face he always showed. She saw the scars on his form and she sat up. She traced one and he grabbed her hand and pulled her up to him.
" What happened Haruto?" she asked
" Nothing, just only pain," Sakaki said
" A past is a pain, but there must have been something that brought that smile you wear most the time," Karasuma said
Sakaki looked at her and kissed her head.
" After my parents were killed by a witch, I became the pass around child. One relative to another. I finally met up with a group of kids who's parents forsaken them. I ran away became the street smart kid that everyone liked to be around, I was wanted for the first time in my life. I got caught and escape and I met up with my first true care taker. An older woman who had lost her son 15 years ago. She took me in like I was her own and then they took me away from her. Brought me back to my home to my hometown on one of the islands. Past around again for the next four years. From foster parents to relatives, then Solomon took me and brought me here," Sakaki said, " The scars are from the abuse I received from my relatives, they'd use anything that would hurt. All drunks and blamed my mother and father for raising an ungrateful child."
Karasuma looked at him and shook her head.
" I'm sorry, you and no other should go through that," Karasuma said
Sakaki looked at her and then looked at her chest seeing a scar. He gently traced the scar and she gabbed his hand. She lowered her gaze and Sakaki lifted her chin
" It's a fresh scar," Sakaki said
" Two years old," Karasuma said, " Just an accident."
" But you never forgot about it," Sakaki replied
Karasuma looked at the scar and said, " Razan shot me in the chest with the orbo gun. A witch actually used me as shield. It was a large amount of orbo in that one bullet. Razan had the old gun that we banned 5 years ago, but since he was more experienced he was able to keep it."
Sakaki stroked her cheek and then laid her down and kissed her deeply. Karasuma wrapped her arms around him and smiled.
After a few hours Karasuma started a shower and Sakaki cut up some fruit for them to eat for breakfast. He pulled out two pills for Karasuma and then walked in. He set the tray of fruit down and walked into her bathroom. She looked at him and kissed him as she undressed him once more.
" Breakfast is ready," Sakaki said
" It can wait come take a shower," Karasuma whispered
They showered together, washing each other and teasingly playing with one another.
After the two sat on Karasuma's bed, there they ate food and fed each other. Sakaki looked at her feeding her a strawberry and she looked at him.
" Your looking well each time I see you," Sakaki said, " I'm beginning to think you only faked you sickness."
" Maybe the best cure is love," Karasuma said
She leaned over and kissed him and Sakaki reached over and handed her a glass of water. She took the two pills and stared at him. He smiled at her and she stroked his cheek.
" Maybe you're the medicine I needed all along," Karasuma whispered, " Maybe your everything that I needed."
1 month later
Sakaki entered Karasuma's apartment and sat some groceries on her kitchen counter then walked down the hall and opened her bed room door.
" Miho," he whispered
Karasuma moan and opened her eyes to the lights that broke through the darkness. She sat up and looked at her clock seeing it was 8:30pm.
" I didn't realize you were going to come so late," Karasuma said
Sakaki walked in and sat down on her bedside.
" Go back to sleep," Sakaki whispered, " You need all the rest you can get. I just wanted to check on you."
Karasuma leaned her head on his shoulder and smiled.
" I'm fine," she said, " I'm just tiered."
" The doctor said you'd probably be tiered some days," Sakaki said, " So, get some rest."
She laid back and Sakaki kissed her forehead, then got up. Karasuma grabbed his arm and he turned and looked at her.
" Stay with me Sakaki," she whispered
Sakaki nodded and walked to the other side of her bed. He slid in next to her and wrapped his arms around her.
The next morning Sakaki made breakfast for Karasuma and then went on to work. He was given updates on the progress of the cure for orbo poisoning.. Sakaki and Doujima were in charge of organizing hunts, started. They would go on three hunts to four hunts a day trying to making up for the loss time they loss during worrying about Karasuma.
" Michael call the factory," Sakaki said
" Already done," Michael said
Sakaki looked around and then rubbed his head.
" Hey Sakaki you ok?" Doujima asked
" Yeah, I'm fine," Sakaki said, " Let's get moving we have witches to hunt."
Robin and Doujima sighed feeling that Sakaki was wearing himself out.
" Take it easy Sakaki, your picking up to much of the slack," Robin said
" The witch should be close to you Robin," Sakaki said
Doujima sighed and said, " He's trying to hard."
By 10 at night they came back from all day hunts. Sakaki set his gun down and flopped in the chair.
" Go home Sakaki, I'll go take care of Miho," Doujima said, " Your pushing yourself."
" Since when did you become an expert in telling people their working to hard?" Sakaki said, " All I need is coffee."
" The way you look for one, your looking like you've lost about 20 pounds," Doujima said
" Have you eaten anything all day?" Robin asked
" A couple slices of toast and a glass of orange juice," Sakaki said, " before a I came into work."
" Go home," Doujima and Robin said
" I can't I promised I would be there for Miho," Sakaki said, " I can't leave your side."
" Miho will understand, after all she's done exactly what your doing now and your going to burn yourself out Sakaki Haruto," Doujima said, " So, orders from your elders go home rest up and leave the care taking to me."
Robin handed him a cup of coffee and looked at him.
" Oh, clean up a little Sakaki you look like shit," Doujima said
She pulled a piece of hair from his chin and he looked at her.
" Baby soft, that's what we want for our little Sakaki," Doujima said pinching his cheek
" Would you stop," Sakaki said slapping her hand off
Sakaki stood up and looked at the clock then got up and Doujima sighed and pushed him down in the chair.
" Come on Robin lets got I'll drop you off and then go to Miho's," Doujima said
Robin followed Doujima downstairs and Sakaki sighed. He really didn't want to not be there for Karasuma, but he could feel his body failing on him. He had to get home before something happened. He walked downstairs and rode off to his apartment, there he did his usual, but then called Karasuma.
" She's fine Sakaki," Doujima answered the phone
" How did your know it was me?" he asked
" Because you'd be the only person to call at this hour," Doujima replied, " She's fine Sakaki. Here I'll put her on the phone."
Doujima put Karasuma on the phone.
" Hey Sakaki," Karasuma said
" How are you?" he asked
" I'm fine Sakaki, you don't have to worry, You need rest too," Karasuma said, " Congratulations on your hunts your organizing. You might be taking over Amon and my job."
" I never want to do another hunt. We're doing four a day," Sakaki said
" Get some rest," Karasuma said, " I know how it is trying to pick up the slack."
Sakaki talked to her for a little while convinced she was alright. He hung up and went off to bed, falling to sleep right upon lying down.
Three hours later Sakaki's phone rang and he fell out of bed reaching for the phone. He grabbed it and lifted to his ear.
" Hello," Sakaki said
" Sakaki, come to the hospital," Doujima said
" What happened?" Sakaki asked
" She fainted again," Doujima said, " I think she's getting worse."
Sakaki hung up and quickly got dress and grabbed his helmet and ran downstairs. He quickly got on and took off the road to the hospital. He ran in and ran to the waiting room where he was directed. He saw Doujima standing there and stopped, his heart raced as he waited to hear Doujima say something. She walked over and hugged him and Sakaki hugged her tight.
" Did you call Amon?" Sakaki asked
" No, not yet," Doujima said, " I wanted to wait to hear what the doctor said."
Sakaki nodded and pulled out his phone and called Amon. He walked out and told Amon what happened. Sakaki soon hung up and walked back in. He sat down and leaned his head into his hands. Doujima rubbed his back as he fought his tears.
" What did Amon say?" Doujima asked
" He's coming tomorrow morning with what he has," Sakaki replied
Where Amon was
Amon looked the research and in anger pushed everything off the table. He breathed deep and fell to his knees.
" Why are you punishing me," Amon asked
He looked down at the spilled substance and picked up the unbroken bottle and looked at it. He stared at it and pulled it close to him and leaned against a door.
" I need your help, I need you to be with her," Amon whispered looking down at the ground praying
Amon fell asleep leaned against the door and for the first time let his own emotions show in his sleep.
Hospital
Sakaki and Doujima fell asleep while they waited for someone to tell them. A doctor came out and looked at the two and gently tapped them both. Sakaki opened his eyes and sat up and hit Doujima.
" You two were waiting on Miho, Karasuma?" the doctor asked
" Yes," Sakaki replied
" Come with me," the doctor said
They followed the doctor into a office and she offered them a seat. Sakaki and Doujima sat down and the doctor pulled out X-rays.
" What's wrong with her?" Sakaki asked
" In the X-rays we took and examined her, we found clots of this odd substance in her blood. We're going to do surgery and try to stop these clots from moving up her blood stream," the doctor said, " You two seem to know more about her situation then you want to tell me. Her life depends on it, these clots are not blood, they're something else. Something in my 15 years of being a doctor have never seen and many other doctors can't tell me what it is."
Doujima sighed and looked at Sakaki then the doctor.
" It's a chemical that we've used for over several years," Doujima said, " We use it often."
" Do you know how harmful this stuff is?" she asked
" We're very careful, but in her case we think it's because she got hurt using it 2 years ago," Sakaki replied
" We can't go into great details," Doujima said, " Can we see her now?"
" Yes," the doctor said
They were escorted by a nurse to Karasuma's room, there the lights were dim, Karasuma laid there peacefully, as though no one could disturb her.
" Ms. Karasuma, you have visitors," the nurse said
" Oh," Karasuma said
Sakaki and Doujima looked at her and she smiled at them.
" Hi," she said
" Not to long," the nurse said
Sakaki nodded and walked to her and grabbed her hand. He stared at her and kissed her hand.
" Don't leave us," Sakaki said, " Please."
" Don't shed tears Sakaki, I'm still here," Karasuma said
She looked up at Doujima and gave a smiled.
" Are you in pain?" Doujima asked as she walked over
" Not a lot," she whispered
Doujima sat down and said, " And Amon's trying to find a cure."
" Sakaki, Doujima don't worry," she said
Sakaki stared at her and pushed her hair back. Doujima stood up and looked at Sakaki and Karasuma.
" I need to let you talk, I'm going to call everyone else to tell them every things ok," Doujima said
She walked off and left Sakaki and Karasuma to talk. Karasuma looked at him and entwined her fingers with his. Sakaki pulled up her hand and kissed it.
" Sakaki, it's getting worse isn't it?" Karasuma said
Sakaki nodded and she leaned back and he stared at her.
" Amon's coming back," Sakaki said, " He's bring what he has, with hope that it will be ok."
" How bad is it?" she asked
" He's pretty sure this will work and you'll be on your feet soon," Sakaki said forcing a smile
Karasuma looked at him and asked again, " How bad is it?"
" You'll be healed in no time…" Sakaki said until Karasuma placed a finger on his lips
She looked at him and saw the hurt and pain in his eyes. They we're no longer eyes of her true partner's personality. They were filled with eternal sadness.
" Your going to have surgery, the orbo that entered your blood stream is forming several clots," Sakaki said, " Your body is trying to fight it, but is not working. The orbo is fighting off everything that is trying to help your body heal."
Karasuma looked at him and felt the tears fall from her face and Sakaki walked over to her, then sat down in her bed. He laid with her holding her in his arms as she cried.
" How long do I have to live Sakaki?" she asked
" I don't know, but I'll be with you along with everyone else," Sakaki whispered, "Just don't give up on us."