Part: 9/9

Epilogue (Day 11)

(Kita)

The doctor looked at me, "You can go in to see him."

I nodded, 'So I can finally go in, huh? I really want to see what kind of person he is.'

I washed my hands, put on the gown and went inside. I frowned, 'He looks so frail.'

Though he looked slender the last time I saw him, he appeared even thinner now almost to the extent of being bony. His skin was as white as freshly fallen snow. It might have been all the machines he was hooked up to, or the constant slow beeping of the heart monitor but I was under the impression he was struggling for every breath.

He glanced over at me with piercing blue eyes, "Who are you?"

That gaze made me want to take back thinking he was ever frail and fragile. I bowed, "I'm Shimizu Kita, Sendoh's…assistant."

Sorrow flashed through his eyes, "Where is Akira? Is he ok?"

"He had to go. He wanted me to apologize on his behalf for not being able to stay with you."

"Its understandable he really thought I'd get better," Rukawa said.

"He left immediately after your surgery," I said.

"So…he doesn't know my body's rejecting the heart?"

"No. If he did I don't think he would have left. At least not until…the end," I said.

He looked at me intensely, "Don't tell him."

"I won't. He left you a message," I said and took out the recorder putting it into his hands, "I'll go out now."

"Uh. Can you come back in later and give him a message for me?"

I nodded.


(Rukawa)

I pressed the 'play' button.

"Hey, Kaede. Are you mad at me? Please hear me out. Um…I don't know what to say but sumimasen."

Silence.

'What the? Is that it?'

"Actually there's so much I want to say that I don't know where to start. I guess I should explain, I initially came here wanting to enjoy a peaceful week but then I met you… I really want to stay but I got this appointment I got to keep. Well, I don't have to but if I don't, I won't be able to live with myself and you'll be disgusted too. Not disgusted at me, after all how could you be disgusted at me, right? But you will be disgusted at my actions."

'That's a pretty half-hearted explanation.'

"I'm really sorry. I really do love you, but I don't think we're going to meet again. In fact I'm pretty sure about it considering where you're going to go and where I'm off too. I hope you won't hate me. I hope that when you think about me you won't feel sad or anger. Instead you'll be like me when I think about the past week, you feel warm and happy. Don't think about me all the time, you got to look forward in life, right?"

'Baka. Maybe if I got a chance I'd follow your advice but I don't have anything to look forward too. All I can do now in reminisce.'

"I better go back to the waiting area. I wish you a healthy recovery and just…enjoy life. Sayonara Kaede."

'Sayonara.'


(Kita)

"When you see Akira, tell him. That message left more questions than answers. But I'm not mad at him, and I'm glad to have met him."

I nodded.

"Remember to not say anything about my condition."

"Of course," I said, 'he asked for the same thing too.'

Silence.

"You got anything to ask?"

"No, he sounded cheerful. That's all I need to know."

I smiled, "If you weren't going to die would you still say that?"

"I prefer to not think like so," he said coughing slightly, "I prefer to think that had I not gotten this illness I might never have met him."

'Such similar train of thought.'

Flashback

I looked at Sendoh, "You ok?"

"Fine," he stated.

"Do you have to be so cold?"

"I'm being normal," he stated, "was this not how I trained to act?"

"You must really hate us, huh?"

"I use to, but not anymore. Had it not been for you guys I might not have met Kaede and even if I had met him there would be nothing I can do for him. At least this way I can help him so, no I don't hate you guys," he said and added as an afterthought, "and I guess I should say sorry, since you're going to have to handle the body disposal for me again."

End of Flashback

"Perhaps. I'm going to leave now, Rukawa-san," I said.

"Uh."

The End

A/N: I always have trouble ending stories, I'm never satisfied with them.I hope this one is ok. I didn't want to make it angsty or anything.

I know gotta stop killing my characters. I promise no more killing in my next fic (when I think of it).