STANDARD DISCLAIMER: You know it. I know it. Not mine.
Hayase
by Shinto Red
Part 4:
Misa waved at Riber who was getting on the bus that would take him home. Misa, though, got on the bus that took her to the city. It was a half hour ride that took her to just outside the city center. She walked up to the automatic doors that swooshed open for her.
" Hello there Misa! " greeted a cheery nurse at the nurse's station. " I've got a little something for you. "
The woman gave her a little wink and handed her a lollipop. " Spoiling her again! "
The first nurse stood up and placed her hands on her hips. " Like you're any better, Mary, when you gave her the chocolates. "
Mary raised her hands in defeat and Misa tried to stifle a giggle. " We've been holding you up far too long . You know where to go, Misa. "
She took the elevator up and made her way through the labyrinth to her destination. She raised herself slightly on her toes and twisted the door knob. A woman who was sitting up in bed and reading a magazine was the lone occupant of the room. When she saw who her uninvited guest was, her pale face seemed to glow with happiness. She placed the magazine down and stretched out her hands.
Misa dropped her backpack and ran into her mother's arms. She climbed
onto the squeaky hospital bed. Her mother adjusted the bandana she wore. " How was school today? "
" I got a 100 on my math test! " said the excited child.
Sakiko planted a kiss on her forehead and gave her a warm smile. " That's wonderful. I see you've been working hard on your arithmetic. "
She pulled out a colorful book from a drawer in her mobile storage unit, one of the few pieces of furniture in the room. " How about I read you a story after you finish your school work? "
Misa gave her a toothy smile, hopped off the bed and went off to complete the task.
#%#%#%#%#%#%#%#
Sakiko gently brushed a strand of hair away from her daughter's peaceful face. The sandman had caught her an hour earlier while she read to her. Her finger tips brushed over the soft skin. Her vision started to blur while she watched Misa's slow breathing. The door opened suddenly and she quickly brushed away the evidence from her eyes.
" Hi... "
Sakiko gestured to Misa's sleeping form. Takashi nodded and carefully shut the door. He gave his wife a peck on the cheek before gently cupping it. Sakiko couldn't hold his gaze.
" You better take her home... she has school... " she whispered.
He slowly removed his hand and nodded his head slightly. He placed all of Misa's personal items into her backpack. He slung the small bag onto his shoulder and carefully scooped his daughter up. Before leaving the room, he turned back at Sakiko.
" We'll beat this. " he whispered.
#%#%#%#%#%#
" I hear you have piano recital coming up. Have you been listening to Mrs. Johnson? "
Misa nodded her head. " Uh-huh. And I even practiced the way she wanted me to. But, I like your way better. "
" Well, everyone has their own way of doing things. That's what makes us special. "
" Mommy, are you coming to the recital? "
Sakiko let out a shaky breath. " No... no I can't. The doctors think it's better that I stay here. "
Misa's head drooped. Sakiko lifted her daughter's chin with a finger.
" Promise me that you'll go and do your very best. It will make me very happy to hear that you did it. "
Misa gave a less than enthusiastic nod. " Misa... "
She looked up at her mother. " Misa... You won't be there alone. You're father will be there and even Riber will be there. "
The child still wasn't smiling. " His mother told me he'll be wearing a bow tie. "
A small smile formed. " He hates bowties. He says he feels like he's wearing a collar like his dog. "
Sakiko chuckled and Misa giggled. " See, it won't be so bad. "
" I guess... but I still wish you could come... "
Sakiko swallowed the lump in her throat. " I know..."
#%#%#%#%#%#%
Misa fidgeted slightly in her seat. She would be one of the last to play and she didn't know if she could wait that long.
' I need to go to the bathroom. '
She glanced down the first row. Different piano students of varying ages sat in their Sunday best. The younger ones, like herself, weren't fairing any better. She smoothed her pale yellow dress and swung her feet back and forth. She glanced back and found Riber and her father sitting together. The two waved at her and she waved back.
#%#%#%#%#%#%#
Misa rubbed her sweaty palms on her dress. She placed her fingers on the keys, took a deep breath and started to play. She had a slight slip, but quickly corrected herself. The audience slowly faded away.
Meanwhile, Riber tugged at his bowtie yet another time. Takashi stifled a chuckle by trying to concentrate on Misa's playing. He couldn't prevent the twitching in his lips. He felt someone tapping his shoulder and he turned to find Mrs. Johnson standing behind him.
Riber's attention was pulled away from his bowtie when Takashi abruptly stood up and ran out the door. Mrs. Johnson was twisting the recital program in her hands.
" What wrong? " asked Riber.
Mrs. Johnson looked startled by his question. " You're Mr. Fruhling's
boy, right? "
" Yeah... But- "
Mrs. Johnson was already heading towards the doors.
With one last chord, she completed the piece. Misa was smiling from ear to ear. She hopped off the bench and took her bow. Her smile faded when she only saw Riber who was still looking at the doors.
#%#%#%#%#%#%#%
" You did really great! " said Riber while he tugged at his bowtie.
Misa had a frown on her face. " Thanks. Where's my daddy? "
Riber stopped tugging. " I don't know. Mrs. Johnson came, said something to him and he left real quick. He even forgot his hat. "
He handed Misa Takashi's cap. " Isn't that your mommy and daddy? "
Riber turned to find that, indeed, his parents were there, searching the crowd. They were still dressed in their work attire, with their nametags still on their shirts. Misa waved at them while Riber's brows knitted together.
" There... there you... you are. " said Herbert Fruhling.
Misa looked at Riber's father. " Mr. Fruhling, you don't look too good. "
Alice Fruhling sniffled slightly. " Do you have a cold, Mrs. Fruhling?"
" Why are you crying, mom? " asked Riber.
His heart seemed to be picking up pace. Neither adult seemed to want to answer.
Misa walked up to Alice. " Why are you crying? Does something hurt? "
Herbert let out a shaky breath before he kneeled down next to Misa. " Misa... "
" What's going on? "
Herbert looked Misa in the eye. " Misa... Misa, your mother... your mother passed away... "
#%#%#%#%#%#%#%
Sunlight flowed in from the windows of the small white church. The eulogy and ceremonial aspect of the funeral had been completed already. People were hugging and shedding tears. Misa stood in the middle of the aisle, watching the way the beams of sunlight bounced off the polished casket, making it seem like it was glowing. She wiped her tear stained face with the palm of her hand and slowly took a step forward.
" Misa...? "
Riber stood behind her. His shoulders were hunched and he was twisting his black tie. Misa bowed her head. She stood in the line of a beam of light which revealed two streams flowing down her face.
" I... I... "
Riber's vision started to blur.
" I... want... my mommy. "
Misa looked up at him and choked out through her tears, " I want her. "
Riber tried to swallow the ball he seemed to have in his throat and nodded.
A slender, frail man with snowy white hair and startling green eyes came up to the two children. He placed a hand on Misa's shoulder and she looked up at him. A small gasp escaped his lips.
" You look so much like her... "
She rubbed her tears away again. " Do you know who I am? "
She nodded her head and said in a hoarse voice, " You're... my grandpa. The man in the picture at home. "
" That's right... I saw you when you were a very little girl... How old are you now...?"
" Seven. "
" A big girl... "
Misa's grandfather slipped his hand into his pocket. The chain shined as if it were sunlight itself. " It's my- your grandmother's locket. "
He pressed the button to open it. " There's a picture of my family... and of yours... you're a baby here... "
He placed it around her neck. " It's yours now... "
He looked at Riber. " You'll take care of her? "
" Yes, sir. "
He nodded his head and walked to his daughter. Misa stared at the locket and started to cry once more. Riber looked around saw his parents and most of the adults around Takashi. He looked at Misa's shaking form.
" I'll...one second... "
He walked up to the group. " Mr. Hayase... Mi-"
" What are you bothering the poor man! " hissed his father.
" But- "
" This isn't time for nonsense. " said his mother.
" But Mis- "
" But nothing! Leave him alone! "
" Well, can you- "
His father gave him a glare. Riber stood there with wide eyes. He turned around and walked away. Hot tears slid down his face and he roughly rubbed them away with his forearm.
#%#%#%#%#%#%#
The boy walked back to Takashi's daughter. The old man had his hand resting atop the casket. The late comer tried to not to frown.
He walked up to the huddled mass of adults and found the slumped figure of the grieving husband. No one would have ever thought he was an admiral in his state. The young UN Navy commander made a brief salute before placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Takashi blinked a few times before his eyes looked somewhat focused.
" Thank you... Bruno.." he whispered.
Global nodded and left him to the group. He walked up to the casket and placed a sunflower on it. " You said to me once you loved these flowers. "
The old man didn't stir. " It's a pity that I didn't get more opportunities to visit everyone. The few times I did, I found you to be an amazing person. Takashi was very fortunate. "
A smile cracked his lips. " Not that I don't love my own wife. "
" You had many who loved you, but unfortunately they didn't know you.
For if they did... they'd know what the most important thing to you was... and they would be taking care of your little sunflower... "
He glanced behind him and found Riber trying to comfort Misa. " Perhaps there is someone... "
He saluted the coffin. He caught the gaze of the old man for a few moments before nodding at him and walking to Sakiko's flower.
#%#%#%#%#%#%
The last box was placed in the truck. Misa rubbed her tears away. It seemed that was all she had been doing recently. Riber came running up the road. The lanky ten year old slid to a stop in front his eight year friend who was trying to wave the dust away from around her.
"...So-Sorry... " he said breathlessly.
He placed his hands on his knees while breathing heavily. Misa sniffled. Riber straightened up and pulled out of his pocket a rock and handed it to her.
" Here... "
Misa turned the rock over to find a fossil on it. " But it's your favorite- "
" Take it. Besides, you helped to find it and I'd probably loose it at the junior academy. "
Misa cupped her gift. " Thank you. "
Misa wiped her face again. " I'll miss you... "
" Misa! "
The two glanced over at the group of adults. " I guess we better go to them. "
Herbert shook Takashi's hand. " We're so sorry about everything Takashi. "
Takashi gave him a weak smile. " I just can't be here anymore. And I want Misa to be able to visit her since her grandfather took her back to Japan. "
" We wish you and Misa the best of luck. " said a teary eyed Alice.
Takashi placed his hands on Misa's shoulders. " Thank you. "
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