Part 14

My first thought when I finally awakened was a rather stupid one: Why do I smell plastic?

Then immediately came the more probable one: pain.

It was pretty dim for a hospital room. But the soft beeps and hums of the machines behind me were a pretty good reminder that it was a hospital. I realized I smelled plastic because I was wearing an oxygen mask. And I just felt so…heavy. I couldn't even lift my arms. And pain was radiating like crazy from my back.

Even though I was awake, I would've trade my current state for the one I had in my field of flowers. Any day.

It was then I realized I wasn't alone in the room. Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone sitting facing away from me, reading a clipboard.

Hatori.

"Hatori," I said weakly. But I could barely hear my own voice, so Hatori didn't hear it either. He didn't seem to even notice I was awake.

"Hat…" I was too weak to even finish his name. I finally got one of my arms moving and I lifted it, reaching for him. But the simple motion took away most of my strength and my arm head fell back onto my bed with a simple thump.

But it was enough to get Hatori's attention. He jerked violently in his seat and turned around. When he saw me his exhausted eyes filled with shock and joy.

"Kagura?!" he quickly rushed to my side and checked the machines. "I don't believe it!! You're awake!!"

I blinked slowly. "How…" my voice was muffled by the mask. I forced my arm up and took off the oxygen mask. "What happened?"

"After Akito…after you were attacked, you lapsed into shock and then into a coma."

"A coma?" I had to force the words out of me. Since the time inside my mind seemed short, I assumed my coma was short. "How long have I been unconscious?"

"Almost three weeks. We were almost afraid you wouldn't wake up."

I gasped. Three weeks? That short time inside my head was actually three weeks?!

"M-my stitches—"

"I'll explain your injuries later. For right now I need to call you mother and tell her you're awake." Then Hatori did something that shocked me. He leaned down and kissed me on the forehead! "I'm really glad you woke up…"

I felt myself getting tired after he left. The concerned relief in his voice really tore at my heart. Even more so as I recalled the words my younger self said inside my mind.

"…Hatori was also on his way home. Couldn't you just wait a half hour until he came back and told him? Or did you think that he wouldn't care?"

I caused him so much pain and worry. After everything he did for me.

"I'm sorry…" I whimpered, a single tear sliding down my face as I fell back asleep.

---

"Kagura? Sweetie?"

"Eh?" I awakened, not realizing just how much time had passed. Seeing the love and relief on Mom's face and the fact she was still wearing a jacket told me about ten minutes had passed.

"Kagura!!" Mom hugged me tightly, bursting into tears. "I was so afraid!! I thought I had lost my little girl!!"

I winced under Mom's tight hold, but didn't voice any pains. "I'm sorry, Mom. I really am."

"Before I call everyone else here," said Hatori, pulling up two seats. "I'm sure we all have questions we want to ask. Why don't you start?"

I nodded weakly. "Isuzu—"

"She's still gone," said Hatori. "Akito hasn't found her yet. But some of the younger Juunishi seemed to have some idea where she is. Haru disappeared just two days ago and hasn't returned yet."

I sighed in relief. "I'm glad…"

"I am too. I'd hate to see her captured and have all this gone to waste."

I winced again, but not from the pain. "Momiji…is he all right?"

Hatori nodded. "One of his ribs broke during the assault. But he's healing up nicely. He was discharged last week and he's in high spirits. His father has been by a lot to see him…without his wife and Momo finding out."

I closed my eyes. "I was afraid…since he took most of my blows—"

"Bear in mind you were still recovering from surgery. Your injuries were far worse because of that."

I swallowed audibly. Now for the hard part. "My stitches—"

"Your stitches were torn badly during the assault. It took me a good long while to repair the surgery site. I had to put in new stitches that were sterile since the old ones became dirty. But it's looking better now. Bear in mind your recovery time had increased greatly though."

I nodded. "My kidney…is it—"

"It was bruised, but the damage wasn't serious. It's still healing very nicely; you don't need to get it replaced."

I sighed heavily. "That's good."

"Now my turn," said Hatori. "I must ask what the hell you were thinking that night."

I could feel tears building up, but I said nothing.

"You deliberately endangered yourself. I don't care that you trying to save someone; you were still recovering!! You went against my orders and your mother's. I may have been away at the time, but I was on my home! Couldn't you have waited until I got back? You know I would've done everything to get Isuzu out of there!!"

I looked away from Hatori so I wouldn't have to look into his pained face. "I wasn't thinking. When I saw her…so frail, so sickly…I panicked. All I could think was 'I have to get Isuzu out of there'. She had been down there so long, starving. I thought she was at death's door. I…I had to do something."

I looked back at him. "I know I was stupid. I know I caused you both more trouble, and even got Momiji hurt though he was trying to save me. But…I had the best of intentions in mind. Please believe that."

Hatori closed his eyes and sighed. Then he opened them. "Kagura, I understand. I'm sure if I saw what Isuzu looked like I would've acted the same way. But…it's going to be very hard for me to trust you now. Since you pulled a stunt like this during your recovery stage."

"I understand. I don't really blame you." The tears that had been building up now slid down my face. Hatori didn't trust me anymore. His trust meant a lot to me; especially after all he did for me.

"Please stop," Mom pleaded. "She just woke up! And don't you stress not to put much anxiety on patients?"

Hatori nodded. "You're right. I'm sorry for saying so much at a time like this." He stood up. "I have to go inform everyone that you've woken up. If anything happens, don't hesitate to call me."

He started for the door. But I needed to say more to him!

"Hatori!!" I called weakly. "I really am sorry! And I'll try everything I can to get your trust back!!"

Hatori stopped in the doorway. He turned around and gave me a small smile. "I'm sure you will." Then he left.

Hearing him say that made me feel much better about everything. Especially since the entire family was going to be down here tomorrow.

---

Just as I predicted, the next day my hospital room was filled with Juunishi members, with the exception of Isuzu and Haru. This made me feel so much better. I knew they both were spending quality time together.

And as usual, they all seemed to be just a loud as usual. Hatori yelled at all of them to shut up while he produced a chair for Momiji to sit in.

"Hi Kagura!!" he greeted cheerfully, in his usual bubbly manner. But as he sat down I noticed the huge wince he gave. My heart ached for him.

"I'm sorry, Momiji," I said, reaching out a hand to him.

Momiji smiled. "Oh, I'm all right! It's just a little cramp!"

I motioned to him. "Come here."

He obeyed and I pulled him into a weak hug. "Thank you, Momiji. For saving my life."

Momiji laughed nervously. "Oh, I didn't do much! I just didn't want Akito hurting you."

I smiled. "Thank you."

All conversations seemed to cease during our conversation. But they picked up after I let Momiji go.

"We were all worried about you," said Tohru. "When we first saw you in the hospital it…" she trailed off, a sad look on her face. Then she brightened. "Oh, but you're awake now and that's what matters!!"

"The idiot was acting up while you were in a coma," said Yuki, looking pointedly at Kyo, who was sitting in a corner. "All he did was mope around the house looking like a lost kitten."

"Shut the hell up!!" Kyo barked, jumping to his feet. "Don't go making up shit!!"

"Oh, but Kyo you truly were depressed," said Shigure. Suddenly the area around him became sparkly, as did his eyes. "It was like watching a lovelorn boy, staring into the starlight sky, whimpering 'oh Kagura, when will you come back to—"

"That's it!!!!!!!" Kyo pounced on Shigure while in the process knocking over other members of the Juunishi.

Yuki put a hand to his face. "He's such an embarrassment."

"Kyo-kun, please calm down!!" Tohru cried at the chaos.

Hiro, having yanked Kisa out of Kyo's path, walked up to my bed. "Rin's still missing."

"I know," I answered. "I'm glad. Looks like our efforts weren't for nothing."

Hiro nodded. "Me too. But I want to know how she's doing. Haru went off to go find her, but he hasn't returned. This means he probably did find her."

I smiled. "I guess so."

Kisa hesitantly approached my side. "Are you really all right now? That time…"

"Hatori said my recovery time has doubled. But all in all I'm going to be all right."

Kisa nodded. "That's glad."

It was hard talking over the commotion Kyo was making. Finally Hatori snapped and kicked everyone out.

"Wait," I interrupted. "I want to talk to Kyo-kun."

Hatori nodded. "I'll give you ten minutes. Everyone else out!"

Everyone was herded out of the room. Once we were alone Kyo took a seat next to my bed. Before I could say anything he pulled me into a tight embrace.

"I'm really glad you're all right," he murmured into my hair. "When we got the news that night, the way they spoke sounded like you died. It…I was scared. And it didn't help with Tohru sobbing so hysterically." My throat tightened, knowing I caused Tohru to cry so much.

"I guess it was because of the commotion Tohru made that we were allowed to see you once they got you out of I.C.U. Seeing you laying there…it didn't help to calm our fears. And Tohru started crying again. It was enough to get most of us crying.

"I talked to you a lot, while you were in the coma. Hatori said comatose people can hear conversations around them, but can't respond. So I said a few embarrassing things. I kinds hoped it would get you to come back."

I closed my eyes. I didn't hear what Kyo had said to me because I was too busy talking to my inner self.

But, whatever he said must've sent that child form of his to me in my mind.

"I'm sorry," I murmured. "I'm afraid I didn't hear you clearly. But, your presence was the reason I came out of it. So thank you."

Kyo leaned back. "You…didn't hear anything I said?"

"You can say it now; I can hear now."

Kyo's face turned dark red and he looked away. "No way! It's way too embarrassing!!"

I laughed a little. "Let me guess. You were confessing your undying love for me and how you wanted to—"

I was cut off by Kyo doing a surprising thing. He leaned down and kissed me; full on the mouth. I knew he wanted to shut me up, but I also suspected that he really did want to kiss me. So I yielded; my eyes slid closed and I buried my fingers deep into the fabric of his shirt.

I could tell he'd never kissed anyone like this before. I never did, but being someone who was older I had to take some form of initiative. So I pushed my tongue into his mouth, startling us both as our kiss became more intimate. After the initial shock he returned my kiss.

A few moments later we parted and just held each other. I really did feel like a dream; having Kyo here with me, being able to be with him.

Then again, my dreams never had me with cancer, or Akito stomping on my back. But all of it seemed so much worth it with Kyo.

I laughed a little and leaned my head against his. "I think I got my answer."

"Shut up or I'll do it again," said Kyo.

I smirked at him. "Hmm, I think I'll keep talking."

As he had threatened, he kissed me again. I had no complaints of course. We just held each other, floating in a hazy abyss that we didn't want to seem to leave.

Even so, I couldn't shake off this feeling that while we were kissing, someone was watching us.