AN: Alrighty. My week starts off as any mediocre week of mine would, slightly depressing but bearable. My friend called me the other night and told me her friend Nick shot himself in the head, he is no longer with us, and the funeral had already occurred and I was not able to attend, nor will my mother allow me to visit the grave of someone I never met. I felt close to him though, because he was there for my friend when I couldn't be. I am not feeling all too well over this, bear with me in this chapter. I'm really..not feeling well at…all..
Nick, this is for you.
***
The morning started off pretty good. Aoshi and Kenshin had to go to work, and left Sanosuke sleeping on their couch. Soujiro fell asleep sitting at the kitchen counter with a mug of coffee in his hand. Last night's babysitting Shina had exhausted all the boys close to death.
Aoshi opened the door, fumbling with his keys while Kenshin yawned and leaned against the wall. He nonchalantly turned to see who was opening the door from inside the room next to theirs, when his jaw dropped open and he began prodding Aoshi.
"What, jerk?" He snapped.
"L-look…" Kenshin pointed fervently to his left. Aoshi turned around, and immediately jammed the key back into the lock and flung the door back open.
"SOUJIRO! GET A CAMERA! PROFESSOR SAITOU IS GETTING HIS MAIL IN A BLUE SILK ROBE AND BUNNY SLIPPERS!"
"What?!" Both Soujiro and Sanosuke were awake now, madly dashing around the dorm in hopes of finding a camera. By the time one was found, Saitou had hurried his way back into the dorm. Disappointed, Kenshin and Aoshi went to work while Soujiro and Sanosuke waited by their door in hopes they could confront Saitou.
**4 hours later**
"Hey, wake up, I think he's coming out of his room!" Soujiro hissed, elbowing Sanosuke.
"Well, go out there and ask him what he's doing living in student dorms!"
"Why me? He hates you more!" Soujiro scoffed.
"Fine."
Sanosuke sauntered out of the dorm, attempting to nonchalantly head for the elevator. He thought he saw Saitou glance over his shoulder as he pressed the "down" button. Sanosuke drew closer and, a little panicked, Saitou pressed the button again. Not wanting to lose his cool, he ignored Sanosuke as he stood next to him.
"Professor Saitou! Old buddy! What brings you around here?"
"A dumb ass plumber."
"Huh?"
"My plumber completely screwed up my plumbing system, and the school offered one of the student dorms as compensation until it is fixed by an intelligent plumber."
"Cool."
"You live next door?" Saitou asked coolly.
"Nah. I actually live with my sister," Sanosuke started slowly, running his hand through his hair. He could tell Saitou was relieved. "But…..I'm over at Kenshin's all the time!" He gave Saitou a big grin.
"How often?"
"Every day." Sanosuke quipped, giving Saitou a fiendish grin. Saitou narrowed his eyes.
"Why won't this damn elevator open?" Saitou finally asked, exasperated.
"Check out the sign, MORON! HA HA HA!"
At the very top of the elevator was a sign that read "out of order". Saitou glowered at it then turned back to Sanosuke with an amused smile.
"Nice boxers, MORON."
***
"I can't believe you carried out a conversation with Saitou and didn't know you weren't wearing your jeans." Kenshin shook his head, holding back a snicker. His effort proved futile as he burst into laughter, slamming his hand on the counter. Aoshi allowed himself a twitched smile, and Soujiro excused himself from the room to answer the doorbell.
"Misao!" Soujiro greeted, surprised. "And Kaoru!"
"Kaoru?" Kenshin immediately grew serious, turning to greet their long-absent friend.
"Hi, Mrs. Kenshin." Sanosuke recited in a singsong voice.
"Save it, Sanosuke." Kaoru rolled her eyes. The room fell silent; awkward and unaccustomed to Kaoru's presence.
"So how are you? No lasting damage, right?"
"Nope." Kaoru shook her head. "Maybe a little paranoia about crossing streets, but nothing permanent. I'm lucky. It feels so great to be back in school!"
Everyone sighed. It seemed Kaoru was the only one who enjoyed schoolwork.
"So who wants to eat out? My treat. It's celebratory!" Misao smiled.
"Only if it has nothing to do with chicken." Aoshi stated as the others nodded their heads. Oh, if only he knew what lay in store for him at…you guessed it…the Kickin' Chicken Palace.
***
"…I…..said…no…CHICKEN." Aoshi forced out of his clenched teeth. He was surprised they had even gotten him into the restaurant. Being the strong and silent type had made it very difficult for Kenshin, Soujiro, and Sanosuke to lift him slightly off the ground and carry him in while trying to save their dignity. Kaoru pouted and tried to keep him at the table by making him feel guilty about Misao's paying for everyone's meal.
"You don't understand. I work here. I know ALL THEIR SECRETS!" Aoshi clutched his arms closer to himself, resolving not to panic when the food made its appearance at their table. The waiter came around and asked for their orders.
"No thanks, not me, I'm not hungry." Aoshi mumbled. The party decided to let him be for the moment, and placed their orders ahead of him. Aoshi, on the verge of paranoia, shifted his glance around the dining area the way a claustrophobic would. As everyone ate he swore to himself that he heard the familiar rustle of feathers behind that kitchen door that was so close to their table. His eyes widened. Could it be? No, they wouldn't.
"Kenshin, does today mean anything to you?" Aoshi asked as calmly as he could.
"Well….it means……BWAHAHAHAHA! That it does. You'll see."
Aoshi suppressed a nervous twitch in his eye. Kenshin typically didn't go from normal to psychotic and back in less than .5 seconds. All the while the strange rustling grew louder.
"If it's you're birthday and you know it, flap your wings! BUCKAW BUCKAW!"
{Maybe they'll pass the table, maybe they'll pass the table, maybe they'll pass the table, maybe they'll pass…} Aoshi opened an eye. The birthday squad was right in front of him. Aoshi paled considerably, but found the strength to exclaim "Shit!" and jump up from the table. Misao firmly dug her nails into his arm, and Kenshin dangled from his other shoulder.
"SHAKE YA TAILFEATHERS!"
Aoshi fought off the urge to pass out when the cancan dancers came out in their neon orange heels and long white tail feathers attached to their miniskirts. He froze as he saw the beautiful girl yet again, Shizuko.
***
A dry cough erupted from the silent backseat of the car. The driver took no notice, taking another drag of their cigarette, glaring at the girl in the back as she coughed again. In the rearview mirror, the girl glared back, but her eyes receded into the darkness once again as they passed the streetlamp.
"Maggie, ya gonna cough up a lung or something?" The driver asked.
"You're not helping with that damn cigarette. And my name is not Maggie. It's Magdaria."
"Okay, Maggie."
Cabdriver and passenger glared at each other yet again, but this time, the girl broke the gaze. The smoke was making her eyes water, and she closed them as they passed under another streetlamp.
"My brother wasn't kidding when he told you I had tuberculosis." She muttered. The cabdriver caught her gaze again in the mirror, though this time Magdaria's expression was that of embarrassment.
"I…don't remember that part of the conversation." He apologized as best he could by throwing the cigarette out the window.
Discussion ended, Magdaria stifled another cough, and felt her throat ease as she looked out the window. She trailed her fingers through her brunette tresses that fell unevenly about her shoulders. She had hacked off the locks herself, and she was proud to say she had done an artistic job of it, and it didn't look half bad once she had put in dark burgundy streaks and a bit of gel here and there. Her touch wished to linger elsewhere, however, and her trembling fingers found their way to the cross at her neck. It was there she found comfort, not in Christ, but in her brother.
Christ had abandoned her long ago. Her brother had not, though she felt his ministry a waste of time.
She knew what the cabdriver's thoughts were leading to. It was everyone else's thought as well once she revealed to them she had the disease.
What is it like…to know you're going to die?
Everyone knows that they're going to die. But Magdaria was different. Her terminal illness left her with an unknown time on earth. It could last ten more years, or three more weeks. She never truly was concerned unless she was ill enough to enter the hospital. Magdaria had visited the medical facilities often, and each time posed the grim question: Is this the last time? She had survived so far, but hope was not hers to own. Her brother often told her that it was God's plan, that she would join him in heaven and all would be well.
But even her brother didn't want to follow God's plan, she could tell, no matter what solemn face he tried to mask himself with. She knew his love ran deep for her, ever since they had first been united as siblings.
What was it like…to know you're going to die so young?
Like the suicide.
Gun in place, what was it like? The cold metal against clammy skin, refusing to go to the hospital that time, Magdaria had sat in her room, ready to pull the trigger. But her finger never moved. Her brother's mournful cries at the other side of her door rendered her helpless to her own will to just end the torture now. She did not want to be God's prey, to toy with, to wonder when her time would so suddenly end.
Magdaria shivered her book bag under her head as a pillow. Perhaps a visit to this Uncle Saitou would take her mind off some of her depression. Amakusa was reluctant to send her, as he had never really met Saitou himself, but he felt sure Saitou could handle her from the stories his grandmother told him about her strict and cynical son. Magdaria hoped he wasn't too strict, but what else can you expect from a high school teacher? Drifting off into sleep, her lips formed the question the cabdriver's eyes betrayed as he glanced at her shivering form.
What was it like…?
Nick, this is for you.
***
The morning started off pretty good. Aoshi and Kenshin had to go to work, and left Sanosuke sleeping on their couch. Soujiro fell asleep sitting at the kitchen counter with a mug of coffee in his hand. Last night's babysitting Shina had exhausted all the boys close to death.
Aoshi opened the door, fumbling with his keys while Kenshin yawned and leaned against the wall. He nonchalantly turned to see who was opening the door from inside the room next to theirs, when his jaw dropped open and he began prodding Aoshi.
"What, jerk?" He snapped.
"L-look…" Kenshin pointed fervently to his left. Aoshi turned around, and immediately jammed the key back into the lock and flung the door back open.
"SOUJIRO! GET A CAMERA! PROFESSOR SAITOU IS GETTING HIS MAIL IN A BLUE SILK ROBE AND BUNNY SLIPPERS!"
"What?!" Both Soujiro and Sanosuke were awake now, madly dashing around the dorm in hopes of finding a camera. By the time one was found, Saitou had hurried his way back into the dorm. Disappointed, Kenshin and Aoshi went to work while Soujiro and Sanosuke waited by their door in hopes they could confront Saitou.
**4 hours later**
"Hey, wake up, I think he's coming out of his room!" Soujiro hissed, elbowing Sanosuke.
"Well, go out there and ask him what he's doing living in student dorms!"
"Why me? He hates you more!" Soujiro scoffed.
"Fine."
Sanosuke sauntered out of the dorm, attempting to nonchalantly head for the elevator. He thought he saw Saitou glance over his shoulder as he pressed the "down" button. Sanosuke drew closer and, a little panicked, Saitou pressed the button again. Not wanting to lose his cool, he ignored Sanosuke as he stood next to him.
"Professor Saitou! Old buddy! What brings you around here?"
"A dumb ass plumber."
"Huh?"
"My plumber completely screwed up my plumbing system, and the school offered one of the student dorms as compensation until it is fixed by an intelligent plumber."
"Cool."
"You live next door?" Saitou asked coolly.
"Nah. I actually live with my sister," Sanosuke started slowly, running his hand through his hair. He could tell Saitou was relieved. "But…..I'm over at Kenshin's all the time!" He gave Saitou a big grin.
"How often?"
"Every day." Sanosuke quipped, giving Saitou a fiendish grin. Saitou narrowed his eyes.
"Why won't this damn elevator open?" Saitou finally asked, exasperated.
"Check out the sign, MORON! HA HA HA!"
At the very top of the elevator was a sign that read "out of order". Saitou glowered at it then turned back to Sanosuke with an amused smile.
"Nice boxers, MORON."
***
"I can't believe you carried out a conversation with Saitou and didn't know you weren't wearing your jeans." Kenshin shook his head, holding back a snicker. His effort proved futile as he burst into laughter, slamming his hand on the counter. Aoshi allowed himself a twitched smile, and Soujiro excused himself from the room to answer the doorbell.
"Misao!" Soujiro greeted, surprised. "And Kaoru!"
"Kaoru?" Kenshin immediately grew serious, turning to greet their long-absent friend.
"Hi, Mrs. Kenshin." Sanosuke recited in a singsong voice.
"Save it, Sanosuke." Kaoru rolled her eyes. The room fell silent; awkward and unaccustomed to Kaoru's presence.
"So how are you? No lasting damage, right?"
"Nope." Kaoru shook her head. "Maybe a little paranoia about crossing streets, but nothing permanent. I'm lucky. It feels so great to be back in school!"
Everyone sighed. It seemed Kaoru was the only one who enjoyed schoolwork.
"So who wants to eat out? My treat. It's celebratory!" Misao smiled.
"Only if it has nothing to do with chicken." Aoshi stated as the others nodded their heads. Oh, if only he knew what lay in store for him at…you guessed it…the Kickin' Chicken Palace.
***
"…I…..said…no…CHICKEN." Aoshi forced out of his clenched teeth. He was surprised they had even gotten him into the restaurant. Being the strong and silent type had made it very difficult for Kenshin, Soujiro, and Sanosuke to lift him slightly off the ground and carry him in while trying to save their dignity. Kaoru pouted and tried to keep him at the table by making him feel guilty about Misao's paying for everyone's meal.
"You don't understand. I work here. I know ALL THEIR SECRETS!" Aoshi clutched his arms closer to himself, resolving not to panic when the food made its appearance at their table. The waiter came around and asked for their orders.
"No thanks, not me, I'm not hungry." Aoshi mumbled. The party decided to let him be for the moment, and placed their orders ahead of him. Aoshi, on the verge of paranoia, shifted his glance around the dining area the way a claustrophobic would. As everyone ate he swore to himself that he heard the familiar rustle of feathers behind that kitchen door that was so close to their table. His eyes widened. Could it be? No, they wouldn't.
"Kenshin, does today mean anything to you?" Aoshi asked as calmly as he could.
"Well….it means……BWAHAHAHAHA! That it does. You'll see."
Aoshi suppressed a nervous twitch in his eye. Kenshin typically didn't go from normal to psychotic and back in less than .5 seconds. All the while the strange rustling grew louder.
"If it's you're birthday and you know it, flap your wings! BUCKAW BUCKAW!"
{Maybe they'll pass the table, maybe they'll pass the table, maybe they'll pass the table, maybe they'll pass…} Aoshi opened an eye. The birthday squad was right in front of him. Aoshi paled considerably, but found the strength to exclaim "Shit!" and jump up from the table. Misao firmly dug her nails into his arm, and Kenshin dangled from his other shoulder.
"SHAKE YA TAILFEATHERS!"
Aoshi fought off the urge to pass out when the cancan dancers came out in their neon orange heels and long white tail feathers attached to their miniskirts. He froze as he saw the beautiful girl yet again, Shizuko.
***
A dry cough erupted from the silent backseat of the car. The driver took no notice, taking another drag of their cigarette, glaring at the girl in the back as she coughed again. In the rearview mirror, the girl glared back, but her eyes receded into the darkness once again as they passed the streetlamp.
"Maggie, ya gonna cough up a lung or something?" The driver asked.
"You're not helping with that damn cigarette. And my name is not Maggie. It's Magdaria."
"Okay, Maggie."
Cabdriver and passenger glared at each other yet again, but this time, the girl broke the gaze. The smoke was making her eyes water, and she closed them as they passed under another streetlamp.
"My brother wasn't kidding when he told you I had tuberculosis." She muttered. The cabdriver caught her gaze again in the mirror, though this time Magdaria's expression was that of embarrassment.
"I…don't remember that part of the conversation." He apologized as best he could by throwing the cigarette out the window.
Discussion ended, Magdaria stifled another cough, and felt her throat ease as she looked out the window. She trailed her fingers through her brunette tresses that fell unevenly about her shoulders. She had hacked off the locks herself, and she was proud to say she had done an artistic job of it, and it didn't look half bad once she had put in dark burgundy streaks and a bit of gel here and there. Her touch wished to linger elsewhere, however, and her trembling fingers found their way to the cross at her neck. It was there she found comfort, not in Christ, but in her brother.
Christ had abandoned her long ago. Her brother had not, though she felt his ministry a waste of time.
She knew what the cabdriver's thoughts were leading to. It was everyone else's thought as well once she revealed to them she had the disease.
What is it like…to know you're going to die?
Everyone knows that they're going to die. But Magdaria was different. Her terminal illness left her with an unknown time on earth. It could last ten more years, or three more weeks. She never truly was concerned unless she was ill enough to enter the hospital. Magdaria had visited the medical facilities often, and each time posed the grim question: Is this the last time? She had survived so far, but hope was not hers to own. Her brother often told her that it was God's plan, that she would join him in heaven and all would be well.
But even her brother didn't want to follow God's plan, she could tell, no matter what solemn face he tried to mask himself with. She knew his love ran deep for her, ever since they had first been united as siblings.
What was it like…to know you're going to die so young?
Like the suicide.
Gun in place, what was it like? The cold metal against clammy skin, refusing to go to the hospital that time, Magdaria had sat in her room, ready to pull the trigger. But her finger never moved. Her brother's mournful cries at the other side of her door rendered her helpless to her own will to just end the torture now. She did not want to be God's prey, to toy with, to wonder when her time would so suddenly end.
Magdaria shivered her book bag under her head as a pillow. Perhaps a visit to this Uncle Saitou would take her mind off some of her depression. Amakusa was reluctant to send her, as he had never really met Saitou himself, but he felt sure Saitou could handle her from the stories his grandmother told him about her strict and cynical son. Magdaria hoped he wasn't too strict, but what else can you expect from a high school teacher? Drifting off into sleep, her lips formed the question the cabdriver's eyes betrayed as he glanced at her shivering form.
What was it like…?