Chapter 23
Crash
"…Kenshin…" she mumbled while still lying on the ground. "Please no" her sobs were barely audible, but Yahiko had heard the commotion from earlier and came to check on his sister.
"Kaoru, what's wrong?" he rushed to her side after seeing her crying on the floor.
She couldn't bring the words to her lips and kept on repeating his name, "Kenshin…its Kenshin…Yahiko…Kenshin" and she broke down once more.
"Kaoru what happened? What about Kenshin?" Yahiko grew more concerned for his sister.
"He's…" she sobbed and fought to speak, "he's in the hospital…" she wept.
Yahiko tensed suddenly under the shock, "In the hospital?" he repeated.
"He was in an accident…oh my god…" she cried.
"Kaoru get a hold of yourself" he tried to keep his own strength up for the sake of his sister. Usually they fought like bitter rivals would, as was typical for any brother and sister, but seeing her in so much pain now ate at his own heart.
"I can't Yahiko," she whispered, "I…I can't without him."
"Well nothing's gonna' happen with you just sitting here! Get yourself together and go to the hospital Kao."
She finally gathered herself together but could not stop her tears. The cell phone rang again and she shuddered to think about the news on the other end. But this was Kenshin and she was desperate to know how he was.
Without looking at the ID, she flipped it open and answered, "Hello?"
"MISSY! It's Sano. I just spoke to Kenshin's dad and heard what happened. I'm on my way to get you and we're going right over to the hospital!"
Kaoru could barely speak through her tears, "Sano…"
"Just get ready! I'll be there in a few" and he hung up the phone.
Kaoru grabbed whatever jacket she found and pulled it on. Yahiko waited as she washed her face and pulled on her shoes downstairs. He'd liked Kenshin from the moment he met him, and hoped with all his heart that he would be okay. Several minutes later, a horn was heard outside and Kaoru quickly opened the door.
At this point she didn't even think about her father passed out in the living room and what he might think or say. Right now, all that mattered was seeing Kenshin. She ran out quickly to the black SUV and climbed in the front passenger seat.
The usually upbeat Sano looked pale and worried for both his friends. They drove towards the hospital in relative silence as Kaoru reflected back on the day.
"I can't believe we argued. I…I didn't even say I love you to him…oh God I'll never forgive myself if…if…no, no, no. Please God, please help him!" Fresh tears slid down her already stained cheeks and she muffled a cry by placing a hand over her mouth.
Sano felt her anguish and rested a hand on her shoulder. "Missy…everything will be okay." He didn't entirely believe his own words.
Kaoru looked over at her friend and nodded through her tears. "I hope so Sano. Thank you…"
"No thank you's needed!" he started, "Kenshin's my friend too. I called him and his dad picked up and told me everything. He said you sounded like you needed help too, so I ran out and called you from the way. He's a strong guy…I-I'm certain he'll be fine!"
She looked at him and swallowed another cry as they continued on their way, and continued to pray.
After pulling into the parking lot and practically running the entire way to the building, Kaoru and Sano found the waiting room. There she spotted Mr. Himura and ran over to him.
"What did they say?" she asked anxiously.
Mr. Himura looked up from his seat in surprise and stood up. "Kaoru!" he looked over at the other young man, "you must be Sano, thank you for coming." The two men shook hands and he looked back over at the young girl, "he's in intensive care right now. The surgery finished a few minutes ago and he's still unconscious."
"Unconscious?...surgery?" she mumbled back.
"They said he was pretty hurt with a possible fractured rib…I'm just no sure yet. The doctor should be out any minute to tell us." He gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
"What…what happened?" she asked.
The man's eyes saddened at the sight of her, "Kaoru, the police said he was going at least 40 mph over the speed limit and then tried to merge over off the exit. The other car was in his blind spot and they collided. After spinning around a few times, his car slammed into the concrete barrier. The physicians on the scene said that he was very cut up and wounded, but thank God he was wearing a seat belt."
"Kenshin…I…please don't leave me Kenshin…" she could do nothing more than continue to pray and hope.
She sat down in a chair and looked blankly towards the floor, his father's words still echoed through her mind. "…slammed into the concrete barrier…unconscious…Kenshin…please…"
Sano stood next to where she sat and sank down into the seat next to her. Kenshin's father excused himself and said he'd be right back. Kaoru's mind raced with a million different thoughts at first, until she finally could take no more.
She'd been crying almost continuously, screaming and worried beyond sanity. She held her head in both hands and closed her eyes. Sano leaned over and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Missy…it'll be okay…I know Kenhsin…he'll be fine."
"Sano…we argued before and…I was so mad at him…and now look…" she broke down.
He leaned in closer and hugged the girl trying to comfort her, "Missy he loves you no matter what, you know that. Don't blame yourself. Right now you have to be strong, for his sake!"
"He's right," she thought to herself, "I need to the strong one right now. He's always been by my side and now he needs me."
She wiped her tears and sat up, Sano stood up, "I'm gonna go get us some water. I'll be right back okay?"
Kaoru looked up at him and smiled, "Okay, and thank you Sano."
He smiled back warmly and walked away. A few minutes later he returned with bottled water and handed her one. Mr. Himura also returned and sat next to Kaoru on her right side.
"Any word from the doctors?" he asked.
She shook her head. "Are you okay dear? I know this must be very hard for you. What did your parents say when you left to come here?"
"Oh my gosh…I…I didn't even tell mom…" she remembered suddenly. "I…I left so quickly, that I only told my brother. Um…I should go and check on him. Excuse me."
Sano and Mr. Himura nodded as she walked and exited the building. Standing outside, she quickly called her home. A sleepy Yahiko answered and she reassured him that Sano had brought her to the hospital. After making sure he was safe in bed, she dialed her mother's job.
"Hello Mom?"
"Yes Kaoru, what's wrong? Why are you up so late?" came her mother's voice over the bustle of the busy restaurant.
"Mom…I'm…I'm at the hospital" she weakly responded.
"What? Your father…?"
"No, NO! It's…Kenshin. He was in a car crash. Sano brought me here and I'm staying until I can see him."
"Oh my lord! Is he okay?"
"I don't know yet. We haven't seen him…" her voice became shaky at the thought of him.
"Kaoru honey, I'm so sorry. I…I hope he'll be alright. Just please call me and let me know what's going on okay?"
"I will mom, don't worry about me. I just wanted to let you know."
"Thanks honey, call me as soon as you get word from the doctors. I'll…I'll see if I can leave early and meet you there…"
"No mom! You go home and rest. Sano and Kenshin's father are here with me. I'll call you okay?"
"Alright, be sure to!"
"Bye mom"
With that she hung up and looked up into the night sky. The air was cold and crisp around her and the front of the hospital still bustled with some activity even though it was quite late at night.
Kaoru needed to talk to her friend decided to give Misao a ring. It rang several times and finally the sleepy girl answered. "Mmmm, Kaoru? What time is it?"
"Misao…I…I'm at the hospital."
"WHAT? Are you okay Kaoru?" suddenly she didn't sound tired anymore.
"I'm…I don't know, it's Kenshin. He was…" it was getting harder to repeat no matter how times she tried, "he was in an accident" she barely cried. She stepped to the side of the building trying to hide her tears from the passerby's.
"Which hospital? I'm coming down there right now!"
"No, it's okay Misao. I just wanted to call and let you know incase I don't come in to school tomorrow. He just got out of surgery and the doctors are waiting for him to regain consciousness."
"What hospital Kaoru?" came the demand.
Kaoru sighed and tried to explain again that she didn't want to drive the girl out of bed in the middle of the night. But her friend was persistent and finally Kaoru gave in.
"Good, I'll be right there! You're in the waiting area right?"
"Yes…"
"Okay, see you soon!"
With that Kaoru sauntered back into the hospital and found a tall man in scrubs talking to Mr. Himura and Sano who were now standing.
She quickly rushed over and joined the conversation. "How is he? Can we see him?" she asked.
"Kaoru, this is Doctor Yoshi and he's the one that conducted the surgery. Doctor this is…my soon to be daughter in law, Kaoru Kamiya, and a mutual friend of bothSanosuke Sagara" his father responded.
Kaoru was momentarily in shock over the announcement. "Future daughter in law? What…"
"He's in recovery and except for a few cuts and scrapes and a broken rib, he'll be fine. I can't say enough just how lucky he was. You should really insist that he drive slower! You can go in and see him only two at a time just as soon as he's awake. The surgery was over about 45 minutes ago, so I'd say another 15-20 minutes. Wait here and the nurse will come and get you. Okay?"
"Thank You! Oh my gosh, thank you so much" she smiled back.
The man nodded and smiled. "Mr. Himura? Please follow me, you have some paperwork to complete for him."
"Yes of course." And with that, both men walked away. "I'll be right back Kaoru. If he wakes up before then, you go in and see him okay?"
"Okay" she didn't need to be told twice, or even once for that matter.
Kaoru turned to Sano and gave him a hug, elated at the fact that Kenshin was okay. "See, I told you Missy, it'll take more than that to keep him down!"
She didn't reply and just kept hugging him for fear that if she let go, her dizzying happiness would cause her to collapse.
"Thank you God! Thank you!" she prayed.
The two sat back down and waited for the nurse. As promised, about 20 minutes later a short woman in scrubs walked towards them. "Himura?" she read off her pad.
"Here! Right here, Kenshin Himura right?" Kaoru jumped to her feet and walked towards the woman, with Sano behind her.
"You can go in and see him, we already moved him into a room and you can follow me there."
"Ah, his father went to go complete some paperwork and I don't want him not know where we are. And Misao is on her way here…" Kaoru looked around for the man but saw no signs of him.
"Well only two people can be in the room with him, so one of you three can't…" the nurse started.
"Don't worry about it!" Sano interrupted. "Missy, you go with her. What room is he in?"
"Room 317 in Tower C" she replied.
"Okay, I'll wait for Mr. Himura, and send him up and also wait for Misao" he offered.
"Thank you Sano!"
He smiled back and gave her one last hug, "Tell that brainiac that I'm really pissed at him for getting into this, okay?"
She could barely contain her happiness, "I will!"
Kaoru nervously followed the nurse towards the Tower C elevators. After taking it to the third floor, they both exited and walked quietly down the hallway. Empty beds and other medical equipment were scattered here and there along the way, but Kaoru kept her eyes focused for Room 317. It was already late, and most visitors had left, leaving the other patients to sleep or watch TV. She even saw some walking along in the hallways in their gowns and rolling along their metal tree-stands along side them.
Finally the two reached the door numbered 317 and the nurse gently pushed it open. Inside the room was fairly large, much larger than her father's had been. But this was a better hospital and she expected that. She walked in and noticed that his was the only bed in the room. Large windows looked out into the night sky and several chairs were scattered about for visitors.
She saw him lying in bed and gasped at the scene. His torso was wrapped in bandages as was his head. Normally lustrous red hair was swept back and stuck out over the bandages. Flawless features were marred by cuts and scratches and a large bandage formed an X on the side of his face.
A thin clear tube protruded from his hand and traveled up to a pouch filled with clear liquid. Patches clung from under the gown on his chest and she noticed they monitored his heart rate. She walked slowly towards the bed and was reluctant to even touch him for fear of causing him more pain.
As she approached she couldn't help but whisper his name not in an attempt to rouse him, but to instead just to herself. Slowly he opened his eyes and took in the sight of the girl standing to his side.
He turned his head towards her and raised his hand slightly. She grasped it and gently held it with both of hers. "Kenshin…" she started and tried her best to not cry.
"K…when did you get here?" he asked hoarsely.
She sniffled, holding back and pulled up a chair besides him. "I called your phone and your dad answered. He told me everything and then apparently the same happened with Sano. Sano called me and drove me right over. Kenshin…how…how are you feeling?" She gently stroked his cheek and then his forehead.
He smiled as best he could and admired her. "I'm okay Kaoru, really! They just…make a big deal out of nothing you know."
"You're not in any pain?" she asked innocently.
He shook his head, "No, just my throat is a bit sore, but I'm fine." .
She couldn't hold back any longer. "Kenshin! You're not fine. You…you were in such a serious accident…" her tears ran freely down her face, "I…I don't even want to imagine if it was any worse…"
He held her face as her warm tears wet his hand. "I know, I know. I'm sorry for worrying you like this."
"Don't apologize…please. I…I was completely lost with out you."
"Shhh, don't cry." He gently wiped away her tears as best he could.
Reveling in his touch she bent her heads down and gently kissed him. "I can't help but think if I hadn't argued with you earlier…that…that…"
"Don't blame yourself for this Kaoru. It was my fault for driving like that then and before with you."
"God Kenshin…I was so scared, I'm just so happy that you're not hurt any worse than this."
"This? This is nothing! I'm gonna' tell these clowns I want out ASAP!"
"You have to let them monitor you properly and make sure everything's okay."
"Yes Dr. Kamiya" he teased.
"Funny!" she replied sarcastically. "As soon as you're completely okay and healed, I'm gonna kick your ass!"
He chuckled slightly and then winced at the pain in his torso.
"Are you okay?" she rose from her seat and looked out the door for a nurse.
"I'm okay, I'm okay. Just…just stay with me for a bit, hm?" he relaxed and shut his eyes.
"I'm right here" she knelt over him and kissed him on the forehead. He held onto her hand and refused to let go even as sleep overtook him. She sat in the chair beside him and gently pushed around stray bangs.
"Kenshin…I'll always be right here for you. I just…wish I could be stronger for you."
She heard a noise at the door and Mr. Himura entered cautiously. She saw the look of despair in his eyes as he looked down at his son. He stood silence at the foot of the bed and looked on as Kenshin rested for several minutes.
Kaoru wondered if she should rouse him to speak to his father, but the man stopped her with a finger over his mouth and whispered, "Let him rest." He then motioned for her to step outside with him and silently walked out.
She turned back to the now soundly sleeping boy and gently tried to slip her hand from his grasp. As soon as she made a motion to move away from him, he gripped her hand even tighter and groaned a, "Where're you going?"
"Shhhh, sleep baby. I'll be right back okay? I promise" and she knelt down again to place another kiss on his forehead.
He finally released her hand and she quietly walked out of the room, making sure to close the door behind her. She found the man standing at the end of the hallway and looking out the window. While making her way to him, she thought about his words earlier. "Why did he introduce me as his soon to be daughter in law?"
The thought didn't bother her so much because she clearly loved Kenshin. But she prayed he wouldn't insist on a marriage so early in their lives. "What about school?"
Finally, she reached him and he looked up and smiled. "Did you speak to him?" he asked.
"Yes. He said he was okay and stubbornly insisted on going home as soon as possible. What else did the doctors say?"
"Well, they'll keep him for about 2 or 3 days under observation. The wounds are superficial except for the broken rib. That'll keep him bed bound for a few more days if not weeks at home."
"I, I'm so angry at him for driving like that" she shook her head.
"Stubborn, remember?" he joked.
"Yes, I know. Aren't you going to see him?"
"I ah, I think he'd better get some rest. I'll stay the night…"
"No Mr. Himura, I'll stay here and you go home. You probably have to wrap up things at work and take care of letting the school know about Kenshin. When you get back tomorrow, I'll go home." She felt a bit flustered after practically ordering the man what to do.
He smiled, "you're that worried about him huh?"
She smiled back shyly. "I just...he asked me to stay and I promised…But you should really talk to him."
"He needs his rest right now, and the anesthesia probably hasn't completely worn off. I…I have some thing to wrap up and like you said, I'll contact the school. I'll be back first thing in the morning. Why don't you go down stairs first and talk to your friends. I believe Misao is there. I'll wait here until you get back."
"You mean in Kenshin's room?"
"Um, yes. In Kenshin's room."
She walked back towards the elevators and rode the next car down. "I hope that you and your son can make some amends in your relationship Mr. Himura. He needs you, he just won't admit it."
After walking back to the main waiting room, she spotted familiar faces. Sano, Misao and Aoshi sat all rose as she walked towards them. Misao sprinted towards her and embraced her tightly.
"Oh Kaoru, how is he?" she asked. The other two quickly walked up and stood behind her.
Kaoru looked at Aoshi and smiled, and then smiled once more at Sano. "He's okay. I spoke to him for a bit, but he's tired. Cut and scratches and a broken rib, but he's… okay" she sighed.
"When will he able to go home?" Sano asked.
"Ah, I think they're gonna keep him here for about 2 or 3 days. Then it's more bed rest."
"Good to hear" Aoshi stated.
"And how are you doin' sweety?" Misao asked.
Kaoru smiled back at her, "I'm okay. I didn't mean to drag you out of bed and then Aoshi too…I'm really sorry guys…"
"Oh please! Stop! No matter what, we're all always here for you guys. You couldn't keep us away!" Misao refuted.
"It's no trouble Kaoru. I just hope he learned a lesson about driving so fast" Aoshi added sounding very paternal.
"I hope so too" she looked down.
"You need anything. Food? Coffee? Tea?" Misao asked.
"I'm okay. I'm actually going to stay the night with him so his dad can get some rest. You guys should go home too. I guess I won't be coming to school tomorrow, so please let the principal know what's going on. I'm sure his dad will take care of that too."
"You sure you're okay Missy?" Sano asked.
"Yes, I…I just wish I hadn't dragged you out of bed. You came all this way…"
"Missy for god's sake that all doesn't matter right now! We would've come out here even if it were for a second. Just to know that he's okay and so are you. So stop worrying about that okay?" Sano interrupted.
"Yea Kaoru it really was no trouble at all so stop saying so. We don't mind anything that has to do with our friends…" Misao smiled.
Kaoru smiled appreciatively towards her friends and thanked her stars for having such wonderful people in her life. "What did I do to deserve friends like these?"
"Well, then we're gonna come back tomorrow right after school and check in on you guys" Misao hugged her friend.
"Okay…"
Sano and Misao gave her another hug and Aoshi merely nodded, smiling slightly, which was more than enough for him. The three then walked out and left her there. After a few moments of being lost in her own thoughts, Kaoru made her way back upstairs.
She found his father in the room, sitting at the window and looking out. He awoke to her presence and they both walked outside into the hallway to talk once again.
"Kaoru, are you sure you want to stay. I can take you home and come back…I don't want to get you in trouble with your folks."
"It's okay Mr. Himura. I already told my mom everything."
"Well just to be sure I'd like to talk to your mom and assure her that at least you're okay. Is that acceptable?"
"I…ah…I guess so. She's probably at work right now…" she read off the phone number and address of the restaurant and gave him her mother's name. He quickly stored it in his blackberry.
"Did Kenshin um, talk to you?" she inquired.
"He's been asleep. I suppose I'll just talk to him tomorrow. It's alright" he placed a hand on her shoulder. "He's just taking his time. I'll be here first thing in the morning. I have the phone number for the room and I'll call before I leave the house."
She nodded and he took one last peek inside the room before leaving. Kaoru walked back into the room and sat down next to the slumbering form. Gently she placed her hand over his and instantly he reacted. He slowly opened his eyes and entwined his fingers with hers.
"You're back…" he whispered.
"I'm here" she smiled gently and whispered back.
"Good, don't leave."
She smiled at his request and nodded just as he closed his eyes and drifted off once more. Laying back in the plush chair Kaoru too closed her weary eyes.
END CHAPTER 23
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A bit demanding isn't he? LOL…I know you guys thought he was a total jerk toward Kaoru and that'll soon get resolved as well. In the mean time, I just wanted to make sure that his little temperamental outburst would teach him a lesson! Too mean? Well he really is lucky to be alive.
And wasn't that 'soon to be daughter in law' comment weird? Well, trust me, it happens and it's very, very, VERY awkward to hear that. But it doesn't mean she does want that, just means…they're no where near ready for it!
She did a lot of crying in this chapter huh? I guess throughout the entire fic she did a lot of crying. But…that's life! The way I see it, she's still doing what she can and moving forward with her relationships, school, and her goals.
I got a review a while back that got me thinking about the image that I'm putting forth regarding Kaoru. Someone stated that she was too childish, and I just haven't been able to shake it. I didn't take it negatively, on the contrary, it made me think if I just wasn't getting across the emotions that I want to in her character. She's strong, but she's still young. So a lot of this does scare and frustrate her, but in the long run, it shapes her to be stronger and more resilient. She wasn't even able to go see her father on her own in the hospital, but she toughened up this time around.
And just a thought towards Kenshin. He really does mean to be a jerk. He's very protective towards her, but at the same time, he still has walls up to protect himself from getting hurt. More on that…to come! LOL…I wonder where this story will finally end…
Thanks for all the support to all of you that read and especially to all of you that review! You guys are very inspiring and I'll be sure to update soon!
