Disclaimer: I still don't own this
Chapter Three: Miracle
Haruko lay on his bed watching television with an oxygen mask over his mouth. For two weeks, his health had plummeted and the treatment he needed hadn't arrived. The program he had worked so hard to be a part of was only a week away on Christmas Eve. He had long given his job to his three friends – Seiko, Keitaro, and Amarante. Even though he had promised he would be there, it was simply impossible.
The worst part was that the advertisements had been passed out around the town, to the students and to the parents of the students. They all advertised the order of the songs including 'Carol of the Bells.'
As long as Haruko had been playing the hand bells, he had always wanted to play his favorite song in front of an audience. And now with his diminishing health, it seemed that it would never happen.
He thought all the time about what people would think of him if he did die. He knew that his parents would miss him. After all, he loved them like they loved him. A small smile would play on his face when he heard his parents speak highly of him.
He thought of his friends from the first time he had met them which was usually through helping them in one way or another. Amarante had been failing in science when he met her in the library. He would never forget the look on her tear-streaked face when he offered to help her.
He had known Keitaro from back when they were in kindergarten. Because of Keitaro's shyness, the older boys made fun of him. Haruko befriended him and ever since, they had been inseparable friends.
Seiko had always been the class clown when they were younger with the excuse that he couldn't read. Even at Haruko's young age, he wanted to help Seiko and did by letting Seiko watch him read and eventually Seiko improved. He was always the one who came up with the ideas that all three were crazy enough to try. His mischievous streak balanced out Haruko's seriousness and Keitaro's shyness. Over the years, Seiko, Keitaro and Haruko had become almost as close as brothers.
And he didn't want to leave them. They had sworn that they would always be friends no matter what and that they would stick together and help each other as they grew up.
He felt helpless and scared.
Christmas Eve, 5:30
Kurama, Botan, Keitaro, Seiko and Amarante sat in Haruko's room with him. As much as they hated to leave Haruko alone, he had insisted on them going to the program instead.
"I've thought so much about this over the last couple weeks. It doesn't bother me anymore that I won't be there. You guys need to go instead and tell me all about it," he explained hoarsely.
"But, Haruko, doesn't it bother you that after all the time you put into helping plan this that you won't even be there?" Keitaro asked concerned that his friend might be hiding something.
Haruko smiled. "I once read somewhere that the greatest joy usually comes from doing something and having the satisfaction of knowing you helped with something and not being there to see it but instead hearing about it from someone you don't even know."
"Haruko, are you sure you don't want your father and I to stay here with you? You're too weak and from what the doctor told you, you might not have much time left. It is Christmas Eve after all and besides your aunts and uncles (Yusuke, Kuwabara, Yukina, Shizuru and Keiko) and cousins are all going to be there," Botan argued.
Haruko crossed his arms stubbornly. "No, Mother. You need to enjoy tonight. And if me you guys don't hurry, you won't make it in time for the last rehearsal."
Kurama stood and embraced his son. "We'll come back after the program and tell you all about it."
Haruko smiled as he watched his parents usher his friends out so they could all go to the school together. Wearily, he lay back down and dozed off.
As he dozed, however, he thought he dreamed of an angel carrying him to the school and allowing him to perform. He dreamed of being well again and doing all the everyday activities he loved. He dreamed of waking up, dressing and playing in the snow…
He opened his eyes with a start and stared wide-eyed at the scene before him.
Last he had looked; he had been lying in his bed with an IV in his arm, an oxygen mask on his face and he had trying to nap. Now, he was standing in the middle of the room without either of them and staring out the window at the snowy landscape beyond.
And the strange thing was that he didn't feel dizzy or even weak for that matter. His eyes darted over to look at the time on the clock. It was 6:30. He knew he had to be crazy to try but he was going to dress and walk the one block to the school. He wasn't about to let anyone get in his way.
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"Are you sure Haruko won't be able to make it tonight?" Ayame asked Kurama and Botan.
Botan nodded her head slowly and spoke slowly. "No, he's at the hospital. He won't be able to make it." She was about to continue but she choked up and was led away by Kurama.
"Places everyone!" Ayame called to everyone. "Make sure you're dressed right. We have a show to put on."
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Haruko pulled his winter coat on and walked out into the hallway. He was ready to confront the nurses on staff and argue with them until they let him go but for some reason they didn't notice him. Hurriedly, he wrote a note and left it in his room in case some one did discover he was gone. He opened the lobby door and was hit by a blast of cold air. For a moment he considered turning back but as long as he felt as strong as he did, he was going to go.
He stepped out into the clear, snowy night and began walking. His pace was slow but he gradually picked it up until he was running like he had never done before. If only he could arrive on time.
The wind picked up and tore at his clothing as if begging him to turn back. Wind nipped at his face but he protected it as much as he could and kept going. The city streets were nearly empty as he was one of the only people outside. Bits of trash whipped past him as the angry, howling wind whistled around him. Even with his coat, he was shivering but he pushed on.
Within twenty minutes, he was at his school. He ran to the side of the auditorium and snuck into the back door where he immediately shed his coat, scarf and hat. Using the shadows around him, he made his way backstage and hid in the curtains. When he heard everyone going out on stage, he slipped out of his hiding place and raced over to the closet where his white shirt and pants outfit awaited him. It was the only one hanging and within two minutes, he had changed.
He crept over to the stage door and cautiously peaked out. He knew what was going to happen. The lights would go black then go up to a dim illuminating the stage. That's when he would get out there.
The lights went out and Haruko dashed out. Thankfully, the hand bells were still on the table that he hid under. The lights came back on and Haruko prayed that he hadn't been discovered.
"Welcome, everyone, to tonight's Christmas Eve show put on by the Jr. high students with some assistance of some high school students in the orchestra. We are aware that your programs said that there wouldn't be any speaking until the end and we would be starting with the classic song 'Carol of the Bells.' That song has been cancelled due to the sickness of our head hand bell player, Haruko. Haruko suffers from leukemia and is currently at the hospital. And now, our program, 'Silver Bells.'
This is my chance Haruko said to himself as he reached up and grabbed the first two bells.
Somewhere in the audience, Botan stood and began walking out with tears streaming down her face. Kurama got up out of his seat and followed but froze in their tracks as a familiar sound rang through the auditorium.
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ring-ding-ling, ring-ding-a-ling…
Everyone from the oldest to the youngest gasped in astonishment as the notes rang crystal clear and echoed from every off of every wall. The onstage lights focused on one white-headed boy who was pouring his heart and soul into his playing and the orchestra who was playing enthusiastically beside him empowered by his presence.
Haruko's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he finally realized that he was indeed performing his dream.
When Botan realized that it was indeed her son playing so flawlessly, she knelt in the aisle crying tears of joy. Kurama knelt beside her and gathered her in his arms as she exclaimed over and over, "My baby's dream is being lived, he's here, he's here, he's here."
Kurama placed his finger over his ecstatic wife's lips and kissed her deeply. "If you don't settle down they're going to take us out of here."
Botan smiled and looked up into her husband's emerald green eyes.
He was crying as well.
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After Haruko's miraculous and unexpected arrival, the program went on flawlessly. When it was all over, the audience gave them a standing ovation that lasted for five minutes. Lined up in separate rows, the students bowed in unison. Keitaro and Seiko stood next to each other and the latter whispered into the others ear. Smirking, they ran over to wear Haruko stood and hoisted him up on their shoulders much to the delight of the crowd. The whistling and applause thundered so loudly that many had to cover their years but Haruko heard one voice above all.
"Haruko!" the voice squealed.
Haruko smiled as he spotted his mother in the crowd and without hesitation, ran to her and threw his arms around her neck as they both cried on each other. Kurama soon joined the laughing group.
"Come on now everyone. Quit with the hugging and crying and let's go to my place for some ice cream!" Yusuke came over to the group with his smiling wife Keiko beside him.
"Urameshi's right," Kuwabara's voice bellowed. "Let's go."
"And hear what this little schemer has to say," Keiko added asYukina hugged Haruko tightly before they made their way out to where the gray clouds from earlier that day cleared to reveal thousands of stars twinkling on a black backdrop. A light snow was falling much to the delight of the merry group.
Halfway down the street, three voices called out Haruko's name. Haruko stopped and turned around to see Amarante, Keitaro and Seiko running toward him.
Amarante stepped forward and planted a kiss on Haruko's cheek causing him to turn a bright red. "Thank you so much. I would never have had made it through tonight if you hadn't been there. I'll see you next week and then you can tell me how you came to show up. Merry Christmas!" She turned and ran off to where her parents were waiting for her.
Keitaro and Seiko exchanged high-fives with Haruko. "Man, you were the last person I expected to show up. Keitaro and I are buying a copy for each of us and we're going to give you one as well. Merry Christmas!"
"Marry Christmas to you guys too!" Haruko called out to them as they ran back to the school.
As the group walked merrily toward the Urameshi residence, Shizuru asked, "How come you were almost dead a couple hours ago and you're now walking around as if nothing were wrong?"
Botan wrapped her arm protectively around her son. "It was a Christmas miracle. Nothing more, nothing less."
AN: Review? Please? Only an epilogue to go... it is written. I'll post it in a week or so.