At long last! The next chapter! Oh well better late than never...
Cheers all!
Beyond the Darkness
Chapter Five: Revelations
Akito's malicious eyes narrowed as his gaze fell on the ebony haired young woman, watching silently as she passed from sight. Her gaze had never lifted from the ground before her, almost as though she dreaded to have anyone see her. With a short, frustrated sigh, Akito returned to his seat beside the heater, waiting for the arrival of his guest.
Aiska sneezed as snow whirled around her head, the umbrella Hatori held over her head failing to do its job. Together they past the many doors and windows of the main Sohma estate as they made their way towards what Aiska assumed to be Hatori's house. As he slid the door open for her, she shrugged her coat off, shaking the snow from her hair before stepping into the warmth of the room. She watched nervously as Hatori took a seat at his desk, inviting her to take the seat opposite him. With a sigh Aiska complied, dropping a hand full of documents and envelopes before him. Hatori's gaze swept the many pieces of paper now on his desk before glancing to her.
"I agreed to a check-up, I believe." She smiled almost sadly as Hatori approached her with his stethoscope. "An auscultation. You don't like to fool around much, do you?" She asked dryly as Hatori paused, the stethoscope barely inches from her body. He raised an eyebrow curiously before gently placing the cool metal onto her skin. Aiska breathed deeply, watching Hatori's expression expectantly. After a moment he withdrew the stethoscope before taking her thinning wrist in his hand, and with one eye on the clock, checked her pulse. The second hand completed one full turn before Hatori rose silently to collect the necessary equipment before returning to test her blood pressure.
Aiska sat quietly, allowing Hatori to do what he wished. She watched as his brow furrowed before he dropped into his chair, staring at her disbelievingly. Aiska pushed the many documents towards him, most of them written in Romiko's hand. He effortlessly slid the x-rays out, holding them up to the light to study them.
"Aiska, this is very serious…"
"Before you start," she cut him off, "I suggest you call my old doctor." Hatori took the slip of paper offered to him before turning to the phone. He did not have to wait long until a male voice answered.
"Hello, Dr. Kraise here."
"Good day, this is Dr. Hatori Sohma and I am calling regarding an old patient of yours, a Miss Aiska Tokari."
"Ah yes! How is she? I take it she managed to find another doctor at last."
"She is well enough…"
"Well, of course, considering…" He trailed off slightly. "What has she told you?"
"Very little, I'm afraid."
"So very like Aiska." The man chuckled. "I was the one who first discovered her condition, so vary rare in someone her age. It hasn't affected her much though, she has always been a feisty little thing."
"Yes, she is full of spirit." Hatori replied, watching Aiska blush.
"Well, since she clearly won't tell you herself, I guess I better. Aiska Tokari has been diagnosed with aortic stenosis. She suffers fits of dizziness and is prone to fainting when she over exerts herself, which she does frequently."
"Yes, I had noticed that."
"Although she very rarely admits it, she suffers heart pain as well."
"How long has this been known?"
"She was diagnosed when she was twelve."
"And she has never been treated?"
"It's very rare to find such an advanced stage of this in someone so young, the surgeons were worried what effect heart surgery would have on her at such an early age. They did perform an operation when she was sixteen, but it nearly killed her."
"Surely…?"
"I assure you, her parents and myself explored every avenue, but there is just nothing we can do. Such a shame really for a lovely girl like her to have to deal with this, Romiko too."
"Romiko?"
"Oh yes, that girl has always been with Aiska. She nearly died when she heard Aiska had been officially dead for two minutes on the operating table."
Hatori was unable to speak.
"I know how this must seem, but Aiska clearly believes you to be more than capable, so I shall sleep soundly knowing she is in capable hands."
"Thank you, doctor."
"No, thank you."
Hatori placed the receiver down and sat back to study Aiska.
"This was selfish of me, you have enough to worry about, let alone allowing me to burden you." She sighed, standing abruptly to collect her things. "Forgive me, you have done enough for me all ready."
"You have low blood pressure, a weak, almost irregular pulse and a heart murmur. Aortic stenosis is very serious. You could…"
"Die any day now? Believe me, I'm well aware of that. You know, the surgeons said I would probably never live to see my thirtieth birthday, and they're probably right." She collapsed back into the chair, her hair falling over her sapphire eyes. "Romiko and I spent the last few years traveling the world. We had to take it slowly of course, but everything went perfectly, and I couldn't have asked for a more ideal traveling companion." She smiled sadly as she reminisced. "When I was first told, I never thought I'd be able to see beauty again. I was always a sickly child, locked away most of the time, unable to go out, meet people. I was very rarely at school, but on one of those occasions I met Romiko Matochi. I usually kept to myself, I didn't have any friends, but Romiko changed all of that…"
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"Hello Aiska!" The small brunette smiled, her curls bouncing as she brushed them from her face. "How are you?"
"Why are you asking me this?" The younger Aiska scowled, suspicion cutting into her voice.
"You're never at school, so I figured you haven't been well."
"That's…very kind of you…" She replied wearily.
"I saw that Star Wars poster on your folder. I love Darth Vader too!" Aiska, shocked, could do nothing but listen as Romiko prattled on. Looking at her, Aiska wondered if she would ever shut up. The sound of Romiko's voice echoed through her head as she walked across the playground, anxious to be alone once more, yet Romiko continued to trail her, chatting about something Aiska could no longer follow. She was not used to this attention, and very quickly it was making her nervous. Before too long, she felt the tightening in her chest and gasped, stumbling. Romiko caught her as they struggled to a playground chair.
"What's wrong? Should we get you to a nurse? Do you have something? A cold? Do you need medication?"
Aiska shook her head, "Don't worry about it, it's nothing."
"Nothing my foot, you need to see the nurse, there must be something you can take."
"There's nothing I can take and I don't need to go to any nurse!" Aiska snapped and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. She expected Romiko to simply get up and leave, that tone of voice did the trick with everyone else.
"We are going to the nurse now!" Aiska opened her eyes to see Romiko standing over her with a familiar look of cheerful determination on her face holding, out her hand.
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"We've been best friends ever since." Aiska finished, her eyes distant as she stared out the window. "I guess I never really wanted any friends, not when I knew they would have to deal with the inevitable. It still doesn't seem fair for her. I can only imagine how she must feel, having to live with that weight hanging over her. I'll never be able to repay her with the kindness she has shown me. It was Romiko who wanted me to come to you. Now for her sake, I ask you for a referral, it doesn't matter how far I have to travel, but I cannot let you burden yourself with my problems as well. I'm sorry to have wasted your time." Her eyes finally met Hatori's, and she was surprised at how hard he appeared to be taking this.
"You…" He was unable to finish, merely shaking his head in awe.
"You imagine I would hold a grudge against mankind for my fate? Ha! I did, for a while. But how can I blame anyone for this? There isn't any point. I haven't got long left, so I figure I might as well enjoy myself." She smiled as she rose.
"I…can't let you leave, I don't know of anyone capable of dealing with this properly. The doctors at the hospital have neither time nor the patience for a case like this. And even so, they would probably wish you to move into the hospital…" Hatori had managed to regain his professional demeanor.
"Never." She snarled, the gleam of hatred in her gaze quickly reminding Hatori of his other patient.
"Then it is settled, I shall attend to you." He concluded, rising and gathering the documents from her.
"Are…you sure?"
"Very much so." Hatori filed away the documents. His back remained turned for a moment, his gaze searching the clear blue sky out the window.
'Akito…'"I have a request. The head of the Sohma family would like to see you."
"The head of your family? Why? When?" Aiska blinked.
"Right now."
Akito Sohma had not moved from his seat beside the fire, his gaze sweeping the line of trees outside his window. Still he did not move as footsteps echoed down the passage outside his room. The door gently slid open and two bodies entered. Slowly Akito turned his head, taking in the sight of the young girl bowed on her knees, Hatori in a similar position behind her.
"Leave us, Hatori." His soft voice broke the thick silence. Hatori hesitated, but complied.
Aiska found herself completely alone with the head of the household, the one responsible for leasing the house to her and Romiko. Yet, she lost her voice as she felt his dark, almost cold eyes regarding her.
"We haven't been properly introduced." He cast her a small, secretive smile as he cocked his head. "I am Akito Sohma, head of the Sohma family."
"And I am Aiska Tokari, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"Believe me, the pleasure is all mine." Akito rose almost gracefully and slowly circled Aiska, studying her from every angle. "Do you enjoy living in that house?"
"Indeed I do. I am honored." She replied bowing her head in respect.
"And is everyone…taking care of you?"
"They have been too good to us. We could ask for nothing more." Akito paused before her, gently using a finger to tilt her head back. They locked eyes, neither revealing their true emotions.
"Hm, you are actually quite cute." He smirked, leaning closer to her as she blushed slightly. "Now how did you manage to beat Yuki?"
"It was an accident!" She gasped afraid she had offended him.
"Nothing is an accident." He stated firmly, turning his back on her. "There doesn't seem to be anything special about you. You are quite the disappointment really."
"Excuse me?"
"Did Hatori… attend to you?" Akito asked over his shoulder.
"He has been too good to me, I do not deserve his attention, nor do I deserve yours." Aiska replied, rising in order to leave.
"I will be the judge of that." Akito snapped, moving to stand between Aiska and the door. "There is nothing remarkable about you, you're as pale and drawn as the day I saw you arrive, and yet, you have managed to solve a rather aggravating problem for me. Perhaps there is more to you than I can see." Akito seemed to ponder this for a moment, forcing Aiska to stand before his scrupulous gaze.
"There is always more to someone than there seems. I'm sure there is more to you than I can possibly guess. I know nothing about you, how you are feeling, what you do with your days. But then, you are the head of a household; I cannot expect to have these questions answered. I do believe I have wasted enough of your time though." Aiska bowed respectfully as she was forced to brush past Akito to reach the door, oblivious to his quickly rising anger. In one swift motion, Akito locked his hand around Aiska's upper arm, pulling her towards him.
"You think to understand? You could nevereven comprehend what I have to go through!" He hissed in her ear.
"That is the most selfish thing I have ever heard!" She snarled back, pulling her arm from his grasp only to feel his hand sting her cheek. Aiska stumbled to the side before slowly raising her gaze to meet his once more.
"Never assume. There is always someone out there who understands a little better than you'd like them to. You'd do well to remember that." She hissed, promptly striking him with equal force. In pure rage Akito slammed her against the nearest wall,
"Maybe it was a mistake to allow an outsider like you into this family." He snarled just as the door slid open.
Hatori was quick to act, pulling Akito from Aiska.
"You have some serious issues." She spat, straightening her clothing while Hatori wrestled to hold Akito back. To Hatori's surprise, Akito suddenly went limp in his arms, the fight merely leaving him as Aiska crossed the room, heading for the door. Yet in a sudden fit of strength, Akito elbowed Hatori in the ribs, breaking free in time to grab Aiska by the hair, pulling her back towards him. She collapsed to her knees, choking back her cries of pain as Akito stood over her.
"Akito!" Hatori cried, concern etching his voice as he eyed Aiska nervously.
"Tell me, Akito, are you by any chance hiding something?"
"What do you mean?" He snarled, only gripping her hair tighter.
"People do strange things when they try to hide something. I should know." She hissed, quickly kicking Akito's legs out from under him. In his surprise, Akito released her hair as he crashed to the ground. Taking the chance, Aiska sprang up, readying to run for the door when she felt Akito's cool hand wrap around her ankle. She cried out as she lost her balance and went tumbling into a stunned Hatori, who could do little but crash to the floor with Aiska on top of him. A strange smoke filled her eyes as Aiska groaned, sitting up slowly while rubbing her head. Her gaze quickly landed on the seahorse before her.
"H…Hatori?" Her voice quavering as the seahorse looked up at her sadly. Aiska's brow furrowed in confusion at the sight.
"What are you going to do now?" Akito sneered as he stood and brushed himself off.
"Doesn't he need water? Surely a seahorse can't survive out of water!" She cried, hysteria creeping into her voice. Akito watched silently as Aiska scooped the seahorse into her arms and raced around the room, looking for some water. In fear, she bolted out into the courtyard to the pond and dropped him in, thankful that the water was not frozen. She sighed in relief as Akito came up behind her.
"Wait…do seahorses need salt water or fresh water?" She spun around only to find herself face to face with Akito. She cried out in fear before stumbling back and falling over, into the pond. Akito stood back, watching her splutter while wiping the water from her eyes, a smirk tainting his lips. The scene only worsened when Hatori suddenly transformed back into his human form, completely naked. He stood in the water behind Aiska, who tilted her head back to look up at him. The scream echoed through their heads long after she had leapt from the water, covering her eyes and stumbling back inside, all the while muttering incoherently. She suddenly popped her head around the corner, her hands still covering her eyes,
"You know, a little warning next time would be nice!"
"She took that rather well." Akito mused, seemingly pleased as Aiska vanished inside with Hatori close behind, both shivering violently.