Warning: In case no-one has noticed, this is – or mainly will be – a Nakago X Tamahome fanfic. I simply adore those two too much to let an overly naive, too-idealistic-for-her-own-good foodaholic like Miaka have such guy as Tamahome. (Now how to get those two apart... *starts scheming*)
Notes: Yay! Finally managed to type what I had written over the holidays. *munches heart-shaped cookies* I like to write – but I hate to type! *munch munch* Say, is it just me or are these chappies getting somewhat longer...?
Not Letting Goby Hotaru Muraki
Chapter 3: A hospital is a thought-full place"...-san, you need to be careful for a while but your injuries should be healed completely in about two weeks." The sound of someone shuffling paper. Then footsteps walking away, a door opening and closing with an unusually loud click. Or maybe this silence was just making me react overly sensitive right now.
I came to with a start, realizing just as soon as I opened my eyes where I was and why. Those—! Hot, fiery anger was rising within me. How dare those low-life bastards attack me, the shogun of Kutou!? I would— No. I no longer held that position, nor did Kutou exist in this time and place anymore. The realization really hit me then, hard, and all I could do not to scream was to lie back, embarrassingly helpless, as my memories came crashing back fully, threatening to drown me in their intensity. For a moment, I was totally disoriented. Only when the nurses came running, called by the accelerated beeping of that infernal machine they attached me to – only then did I notice that I was shaking. Me – shaking!
As those probably well-meaning but nevertheless incompetent fools fussed around me, my eyes focused on the doctor entering my room. He seemed like a rock of calm in a noisy sea of movement. Swiftly he calmed the nurses, admonishing them for their unprofessional chattering sternly but more gently than I would and – thank the Heavens! – finally sending them out of the room. How embarrassing! My consciousness must have...slipped for a moment because the next thing I knew was the doctor bending over me, shining a light into my eyes. I glared at him. He stepped back slightly, blinking at me in astonishment. Clearly my reaction to his nearness surprised the man. Well, I never liked people getting too close to me, invading my personal space. The only exception being— Wrenching my mind from...things I would consider later, I looked at him, my mask of calm control easily sliding into place. I bet he didn't expect me to recover so quickly from...whatever I had. Then the tall doctor smiled faintly. What was it that he found so obviously amusing!?
"I am glad you are fully conscious now. I spoke to you earlier but you seemed to be not...quite awake then. How do you feel?"
Stupid question. Really... "Reasonably well, thank you."
"...ah." Double-blink. "As for your injuries..." Here the doctor flipped open a clip-chart he pulled from the foot of my bed. Glancing down briefly, he looked at me again. "Considering what happened to you, you can consider yourself lucky."
Lucky? Lucky!? This had nothing to do with luck. This doctor was joking, right?
"The car must have only grazed you. Discounting the several abrasions and lacerations you suffered, you sprained your right ankle and dislocated your left shoulder. When you subsequently fell, your left arm was fractured but, fortunately, not broken completely. This will take the longest time to heal. However, it should be fine if you do not put any undue stress on the limb."
'Undue stress' – what was that man thinking?! I had a corporation to run. It is never advisable to leave business matters alone for too long. Who knew what would happen if, for example, Shouyu decided to preside over the next company-meeting. That would just scream disaster! She might be a business-woman in her own right – but not on that scale. Still, that was not what was foremost on my mind right now. Deciding to leave pondering 'that' special matter for a later time – preferably when I was alone and undisturbed – I tuned in again on what the doctor was saying.
"...so you will have to take it a bit more easy for the time being." The doctor tilted his head a little to the side, clearly puzzled by my lack of response. Or maybe he already suspected how his advice would be followed. "There are some people who claim to be...friends of yours waiting outside. When the hospital called the number the medics found in your wallet, they came immediately. As you were still unconscious then, I asked them to wait outside while I checked on you. Now... Do you want to see them?"
Misinterpreting my silence as a negative, he continued. "But maybe this would not be such a good idea right now. You're still somewhat in shock and—"
"No, show them in." If I correlated my newly recovered 'old' memories correctly with the ones of this incarnation's then... "It's alright."
As I watched the doctor reluctantly turn towards the door, I had a sudden...flashback of this man, standing with sad eyes, yet somehow still tall and proud among a host of wounded people, literally giving his life, doing his best to help them. Then the man in the vision and the doctor in my hospital room both turned their head to the side. One image overlay the other, unintentionally giving me a good view of his profile. I knew him! I had seen this man...before. Back then. In another life a long, long time ago. . . . . Although he was not sporting that purple-and-yellow headband, there was no mistaking that Suzaku-healer. Mitsukake, I believe he was called. It figured, somehow, that he would stay true to his chosen calling even in another incarnation. But then again...so will I.
Before I could say anything, the broad-shouldered doctor had stepped outside, talking low to someone just out of sight of my room's doorway. I had little time to wonder about their conversation, however, because all of a sudden, the door was thrown open and a woman I knew only too well walked—no, sashayed in. Superimposed over her graceful, costume-clad body, I saw the form of a rather scantily clad woman with her long, reddish hair partly pulled into a loop over her right ear. Soi. I didn't think I would meet you again, or, at least, not this fast. But now that it actually happened, I found that I was not as surprised as I should be, not really anyway. I wondered who would be next.
"Nagare-sama, are you alright? What happened? ...How do you feel?"
I blinked. 'Nagare-sama'...?! Then I reminded myself that for her, it was only natural to know me by another name. It was another life-time, after all. So she really did not remember me... And for no particular reason I could discern, I felt a little disappointed at that.
"Nagare-sama......?" A worried, questioning gaze was directed at me.
She still was as beautiful, as dedicated as she ever had been before. Her voice still had the same sultry almost-purr it held...the last time we both met. "Iie, nan demonai, Shouyu-san. I am alright, really. The doctor told me I was lucky to sustain only 'minor injuries' as he put it. They insist on keeping me here for some more days 'for observation'." A cool, well-manicured hand lightly touched my cheek, brushing along my jaw and, in the process, moving some strands of my hair out of the way. This felt so familiar...
"I was really worried when I got the call from the hospital, you know." Although her voice stayed calm and even, her eyes softened and her body relaxed somewhat. Soi's voice was dropping, becoming more husky, more...intimate as she continued. "When they told me you had been in an accident, I...I thought you... I was...afraid that you had... I—"
"Actually, she practically dropped what she was holding and rushed here. Shouyu-san was so anxious to reach you that she probably broke every speed-limit and then some on our way here," a youth of about fourteen years said wryly upon entering. His [blue] eyes twinkled with a mixture of amusement and relief. The eyes of the boy following closely behind were more guarded but they mirrored the relief in his... brothers. ...They...were twins?! Then everything clicked into place. Of course! Where Amiboshi went, Suboshi inevitably was bound to follow. Smiling somewhat wryly myself, I look at....Soi.
"So....Shouyu-san, why did you bring those two along with you?" Not that I disliked seeing them, mind you. Quite the contrary, in fact, unusual though that may be for me. What did peak me, however, was watching Soi blush, for once at a loss on how to answer without embarrassing herself. Surprisingly enough, it was Suboshi who answered. Or maybe he just wanted to get out of here again. Not that I could blame him for that. I was starting to get that feeling myself.
"We asked her to." The accompanying almost-glare dared me to comment lightly on that. Of course I did not. Why would I ever do such a thing...? But before I could answer, a minor commotion erupted suddenly out in the hallway. Soi as well as Amiboshi and Suboshi seemed to know what was happening. Or, rather, who. Unfortunately, I did not. Not yet. But instinct told me that this would change sooner than I might think. I directed a questioning gaze at Soi, rising an eyebrow slightly in silent query. Her rather guilty twitch betrayed her nervousness, giving vivid proof that indeed, Soi knew what was going on and was obviously loath to share that information.
And I was right. The door crashed inward, making Soi flinch and Amiboshi wince as it connects with the wall. Suboshi just stepped protectively in front of his brother, glaring at the newcomer with a fury that could in its intensity almost peel off the paint of the wall. The newcomer, however, paid the glaring teen no heed, instead rushing to my side, almost bowling Soi over in his haste to reach me.
"Kiryuu-sama, are you alright? How hurt are you? What happened? Who—?..."
And while he continued barraging me with questions ranging from inquiries after my health to the recently altered furnishing of my office, I had time enough to look the man over thoroughly. He was two or three years younger than me, rather on the willowy side, with shoulder-length, glossy grey-black hair pulled back in a ponytail and piercing yellow-amber eyes.
For a rather surreal moment I wondered why he wasn't wearing any of his usual makeup. Then I was once more quite rudely reminded of where and when I was right now. Dumping a laptop in someone's...well, lap, could do that. I must have looked somewhat incredulously at ex-Tomo because he fell silent all of a sudden. I wonder how he managed to look chagrined, guilty, apologetic and yet business-like all at the same time and with just one expression. But then again, he was—no, had been a superb actor whenever it had become necessary. Hm... Maybe I was interpreting too much into this...
"Kiryuu-sama... I know you have to stay in this hospital for a few days...but there are some matters that need your personal attention. Some important business-matters..." A calculated, not-quite-derisive glance towards Soi. "...with far-reaching consequences. The plans that have been discussed for some time now..." Here Tomo deliberately but foolishly turned his back on Soi. "Those plans are ready to be taken to the next level."
I guessed by that look of his that Tomo sought my approval and/or attention. Well, what we had discussed did warrant close attention from me. My being where I was right now was just another – in my opinion absolutely unnecessary – proof of that. Drawing myself forcibly back from my musings of what I would like to do to those who dared to oppose me, I gazed back at Tomo. "I am aware of that, Keshou-san, thank you." He flinched at my rather acerbic tone. "And thank you for your concern regarding my person. Is there anything that needs immediate attention?" Besides a pair of violet-grey eyes, that is. Preferably with the respective body attached.
For some mysterious reason, Tomo tensed, his hitherto relaxed stance becoming a closed-off sort of posture. I blinked. Then, upon seeing the twins strain to keep a straight face, I looked at Soi, my face blank and rather devoid of emotion. Soi was not quite as... adamant in hiding her amusement. Or maybe she saw no need to.
Tomo, however, was not amused. "Is there something funny about what I said...Shouyu-san!? Or maybe you are too 'occupied'... elsewhere...?" A thinly-veiled look of disdain crossed Tomo's features. Soi's varied...appetites obviously rankled him.
The woman in question, however, was anything but shy about voicing her opinions. "Maa, maa... Keshou-chan, what are you worried about? Are you maybe...'frustrated' in some way...?" Soi's smile was so saccharine-sweet it made your teeth ache.
Tomo remained visibly unaffected though. Instead he glared at Soi for all he was worth, not wanting to deign her with a verbal rejoinder but clearly not content to let the... insinuated matter drop either.
Soon the proverbial sparks flew between them. The air fairly sizzled with tension, just waiting to escalate into violence. Some of the people present, namely myself, did not want the figurative sparring followed up by a literal one. Amiboshi and Suboshi both threw me Look, obviously from experience not daring to try and intervene in fear of getting scorched to cinders in the process. If looks could kill...
I coughed, immediately drawing the attention of both. My face must have shown them what I thought of their childish bickering for they had the grace to at least look sheepish and embarrassed at being caught like that.
"Shouyu-san, please call the doctor. I need to speak with him."
Nodding in an attempt at dignified acquiescence, Soi hurriedly left the room. Tomo wisely refrained from gloating openly.
"...As for you, Keshou-san... Please answer my question."
A calm slightly impatient voice worked wonders here. Sigh. Or not. Tomo blinked at me for a moment, trying to remember what the question had been. I could feel a headache coming.
"Ah, yes... The documents and information regarding your business-plans are in here." He indicated the light but expensive-looking laptop. "They are just as you left them...although Tare-san insisted on providing an additional encrypting program for a maximum of security."
"Ah." Now why did that not surprise me? My chief of security had always been cautious but after this incident, he probably would elevate the meaning of 'paranoia' to new heights. Sighing inaudibly, I knew that there would be no avoiding the inevitable. There never was. I might as well get it over and done with now. "Thank you...Keshou-san. I will take care of these matters."
Tomo appeared relieved to have escaped any scathing remarks concerning professional behaviour. Normally, I would have said something – but not now, not today. Another matter was far more prominent on my mind right now. Which reminded me...
"Oh, and Keshou-san."
Said person had already moved towards the door but upon hearing his name, turned around again to fully face me.
"Yes, Kiryuu-sama...?" Tomo's voice as well as his whole bearing spoke of polite attentiveness, an underlying eagerness to please, to prove his loyalty towards me only discernible for those who knew how to look for it. I could not but wonder. Was he acting? Or...was there also something more to this time's incarnation, too? Ah well...
"One other thing. How is the schedule for this year's internship proceeding?"
".........It is proceeding as planned. The applications have been sorted and the...unsuitable candidates dismissed. At this stage, all that remains to be done is to select the set number from those remaining. The same procedure as last year, Kiryuu-sama?"
"The same procedure as every year, Keshou-san." Odd. For some reason, this conversation sounded very familiar. But how—? Shrugging it off as irrelevant, I focused on Tomo once more. Was he...blushing!? "Then bring me the respective files when you come to visit tomorrow. I will take care of this personally." And for totally different reasons than you might imagine.
"...hai, Kiryuu-sama. Is there anything else you need?"
"Actually... Yes. I need a new set of clothes from my office. These—" I gestured towards the discarded, dirty pile of clothing on the small table near the window. "—are damaged beyond repair. Only fit for the rag-bin."
"Hai, Kiryuu-sama. As you wish." With that, Tomo bowed deeply in my direction, murmuring "Mata ashita, Kiryuu-sama.". Then he turned and opened the door, nearly colliding with Soi in the process. Sparks flew – but fortunately nothing else. Amiboshi and Suboshi just watched, wisely choosing to remain silent and out of immediate harm's way. Both of them managed to contain their obvious amusement rather admirably.
Soi... Soi just stepped a little sideways. Her face was a carefully composed blank as Tomo walked past. However, the way she was watching his retreating back for a moment longer, one could almost think that she wanted to make absolutely sure that the man was really, really gone. I snickered. How much had changed – and yet how little.
Confronted with Soi's perplexed gaze, I composed myself again, outwardly appearing calm and focused once more. "Yes? Is something the matter...?" I let my voice trail off, letting just a hint of impatience show.
"I...ah.....eto..."
Usually, Soi was not a woman who could be flustered easily. Maybe it was just me.
Visibly pulling herself together, Soi ploughed on determinedly. "....no, Kiryuu-sama." She glared at the softly whispering twins. "I just came in to tell you that the doctor will be with you shortly."
"Thank you, Shouyu-san. I will see you tomorrow...?" I looked at her, my expression slightly questioning but mostly deadpan. Then, upon seeing Soi's cheeks heat up, I inanely wondered whether she chose mostly reddish colours because she wanted to distract from her blushing. Hm....... How far did that blush reach exactly...? I glanced at the twins. While Soi was busy blushing, Amiboshi and Suboshi were busy whispering and giggling. When they noticed me watching them, they fell silent, however. Is my gaze that unnerving? Internally smirking, I decided to try something new. I winked at them.
What followed only proved that although those two were twins, Amiboshi and Suboshi also were separate people with different personalities. Amiboshi's face lit up like the Christmas Tree at Nakano Plaza whereas Suboshi simply froze, looking anywhere else but in my direction. How droll! Now I was really smirking, albeit slightly. Apparently, that was too much for them. They bolted, nearly bowling over the doctor who had been about to enter.
"Nani? What has gotten into them now!?" Soi said, blinking in astonishment. For once, her observational skill had failed. She obviously hadn't noticed a thing. When she saw the doctor, she bowed to him politely. "Sensei, please take good care of Kiryuu-sama." Then she turned to me, trying to convey with her eyes what her mouth dared not utter in the presence of others. "Kiryuu-sama, I will see you tomorrow then. Please get well soon." Bowing deeply, she straightened and walked out of the room, shutting the door with an audible click.
"Kiryuu-san?"
"Hai?"
"Is anything amiss? Do you need anything?" The doctor, amnesiac Mitsukake, walked to my bedside. As he looked at me, I could see it in his eyes. He seemed genuinely concerned. How odd... What was that saying? 'The eyes are the window to the soul.'? Ah.... Sigh. How I long to open those violet-grey windows to yours.......
Sighing softly, I answered the doctor's query from before. "No, everything is fine. I was just wondering whether there was a possibility to connect my laptop to the hospital's power supply. The battery won't last forever..." Not that this was a normal everyday request. However, it is strategically imprudent to blindly proceed into a possibly unpleasant situation where a few words could get you the desired results without any risk involved. If this failed... Well, then I could still proceed as I wanted to. Anyway, some people don't take lightly someone infringing on what they considered 'their' territory. I should know. I was like that myself. Plus, I still needed that doctor.
"You want to work here!?" Disbelief had crept into the hitherto stoic doctor's voice.
"Yes." I thought that had been obvious, but... "Is that a problem?"
Blink. Blink. Double-blink. ".....no. As long as you don't overexert yourself. And you will have to adhere to the lights-out at 21:00." Amnesia-Mitsukake sighed somewhat wryly at that. He seemed to be used to patients being 'difficult'. ...but why did he find that so amusing?
"I will plug in the cord in the socket to the right of your bed." He grinned slightly. "Otherwise you might get it into your head to do it yourself. And from what I've heard, a fall from the bed can be quite...painful." With that, the healer reached for the extension cord and, kneeling down, plugged it in.
Was that big dolt trying to make a jest?! For how insensible did that ex-Suzaku-goon take me? ...And why did that small jibe rankle me so unproportionally?
Straightening up again, the doctor dusted off his pants. "If there is anything else you need..." Nodding at my head-shake, he continued, "...please call one of the nurses. They will be only too happy to help you."
Heavens forbid! I had seen them whispering to each other earlier. And from the looks they gave me whenever they thought I was not watching, I could guess their intentions quite clearly, thank you very much! Seriously injuring a nurse while still in hospital was not an option. Sadly enough, neither was killing those annoying twittery pests. Sigh. Anyway... "Thank you...sensei. For your...professional advice."
The doctor, his hand already on the doorknob, turned his head towards me. "You are welcome, Kiryuu-san." A small bow and he was gone. The door clicked shut.
I wondered whether the healer's friendly demeanour had anything to do with who I was. And yet... Somehow I didn't think so.
Sighing to an empty, peaceful, quiet room, I switched on my laptop and set to work.
TBC...
Note: Sorry, I forgot to explain this in the last chapter. 'mitsukareta' roughly translates as 'I found you again!' As for the expressions/names in this chapter…
~ KIRYUU Nagare = Nakago; Kiryuu = ki + dragon
~ KESHOU ??? = Tomo; keshou = MakeUp
~ SHOUYU ??? = Soi; shouyu = soy sauce ^^v
~ 'Iie, nan demonai.' = 'No, it's nothing.' (a.k.a. 'I'm alright.')
Reply to reviews:
Thank you, all of you, for not giving up on the lazy bum who's writing this fic. ^^;; You really keep me going!
- Illusions-chan: Believe me, I know what too much sugar can do. (How do you think I got into this…this…whatever! *points to NLG*) As for Nakago not liking attention... Well, it's sooo much easier to get something if you're unconspicuous, noda. (Not that that'd ever stop him! ^^v)
- Hydra-Star: *g* So sorry to leave you hanging. And for so long, too. Thanks for raising some interesting points. (Especially that TxM-thing!)
- Ish: I agree. It does sound quite unbelievable. (And thanks for your tip! ^^) And yes, Tamahome/Taka does have his memories. *points to anime* But I couldn't resist making him a little...befuddled. I mean, come on. Who'd expext to meet their greatest enemy just like that?
- Lady-Luna-sky: *huggles* I knew there had to be other Nakago/Tamahome fans out there!! ^^v