"Death in the family-Azumanga Daioh"
Chapter 4:"Whirlwind" Note:I need to fix the other chapters I know,I know-LOL! -Krull-
When Mr Menji said "she's not expected to live" Kronos felt as if his entire life force drained right down to his feet.
"unnnnn...how..sure are you she's not gonna make it?" he asked calmly "it was the team leader for the raid who called-Shijo Howaga he's an old friend,he wouldn't say it unless he was sure...I'm sorry" Letting that settle in Kronos didn't respond right away "oh..fuck! um..un..has anybody told Osaka yet? he said coming out of it and looking at Menji "no-no I felt it would be better if you did that...it will be hard I know..if you need help I'll be there" "thanks..I'll.." Kronos said starting to stammer a bit "please let me call Mrs.Shinguji down...that way you won't have to explain what's happend to her,I can do it here it's quicker" Kronos just nodded,he was short of words at this point..the one thing that was gnawing at him was how on earth he was gonna tell Osaka?
"you can use a company car to go to Tokyo central hospital..here I almost forgot to give you the directions" Menji said handing a slip of paper to Kronos,he took it almost automatically..he was just about over the edge and telling his wife one of her old friends was gonna be dead was goning to put him over Menji could see this and said nothing more;Mrs.Shinguji walked in a few minutes later and was told what was going on and that Mr. and Mrs. Kasuga would be out for the day,and probably longer."I'm so sorry for your friend" Mrs.Shinguji said simpathetically "ah..un thank you I'm..un I..I..I'm not real sure what to say right now-I'm sorry words are going right out the window" Kronos stammered as pretty much everything hit him all at once...
Just how the hell am I gonna tell everbody else? this is real;she's really going to die and I'm going to have to toss an atomic bomb in everybody's lap...
Life suck's sometimes.
As he and Shinguji rode up the elevator to the third floor Kronos rolled over about a dozen options on how to tell Osaka perhaps the worst news one can get...and came up with squat..he was just gonna have to say it outright...and doing that without cracking up himself was going to be utter hell...he didn't know Tomo as well as Osaka,but he'd gotten close to all her female friends rather quick (considering how she dragged him along all the time) normally it would have been weird but he wasn't quite normal himself and little Osaka was a world unto herself so it actually worked out quite well...and worse of all..Tomo'd been one who'd gotten him and Osaka together..
Kronos caught himself before he started choking up,feeling a hand on his arm he looked at Mrs.Shinguji "just be strong..for her,that's the best you can do now" he nodded and smiled "I know..thanks..I mean..thanks for everthing,you've done a lot for her,don't think I've ever said that before" He said trying to make some small talk and take his mind off of the present situation.
"she's a bright girl,more so then she acts;she's actually one of the fastest typest we have" Mrs.Shinguji said proudly.
The elevator doors opened and they stepped out onto the third floor "I'll be right there if you need me" Shinguji said softly before going back to her desk,Kronos nodded then taking a deep breath set himself for what needed doing;Osaka had a desk on the left most of the room facing the small plaza the front of buliding had and she was busy typing away not noticing Kronos had entered the room,as he walked over she looked up though "ah-hallo hon..what'cha doing in? it's early still.." looking at him she knew right away something was wrong,the look on his face was somewhat telling "unn..what up? you look upset?..did somethin' all happen?...hn?" she said cocking her head to one side,Kronos sighed a little and leaned on her desk with both hands "ummmm..we gotta a problem...ahh-..." as he trailed off Osaka blinked "wha's happened? you look like like you're about to fall apart!..h-hon just-just tell me what happened...please..just tell me ok?" she stuttered and stammered putting her hand on one of his;Kronos couldn't help grimacing a little.
"it's..Tomo..she-um she was in a police operation this morning and,well she's been hurt...bad..real bad" Osaka stood up and grabbed his shirt "WHA? she's in the hospital?..y..yu..you said it's bad-HOW BAD?" she shook him as hard as she could..Kronos put both hands on her sholders "sweety...I'm..I'm sorry but they say she ain't gonna make it" she let go of him and slumped back into her chair "she..ain't gonna make it? Tomo's..not..gonna make it?" Kronos came over and kneeled next to her "look..her parents live in another city now,the officer Mr.Menji talked to asked if one her friends could help with-things untill her mom and dad arrive..I said you and me would do what we could least 'till one of us who might be better prepaired to do it shows up..ok?" Osaka just nodded blankly "alright then..let's get your fanny pack and get going..I have no real idea when the hospital is though" as Kronos spoke he got her up and headed to the elevator "oh!...I'd better tell Mrs. Shinguji I can't finish up today..'cos..of.." patting her sholder he let her know it was taken care of and waved the head secretary over "we'll be going now,um thanks for this;it ain't gonna be an easy day" by now Kronos was just on autopilot trying to figger out how to get to the next point.
After a few kind words of sympathy they were on the elevator headed back down,Kronos kept his hand around Osaka holding her close "really sucks this has to happen to you guys,knowing how close you are..even for me I'm-well..dunno just in shock right now.You ok? hm?" he asked softy "one life,one meetin'...I'll never forget you" that made him pause "pardon? what's that mean sweety?" he asked slightly confused "it's about,when you meet a friend or relative,to treat it like you'll never see them again...something I said to Tomo and Yomi when we had first met;never thought about how true that is an' all..." she said in a small voice "I..I guess it just ain't hit me yet..wha's happened" she started to cry a little Kronos hugged her gently "it's alright,when it does and you need someone to cry on that's what I'm here for" He said to her as they stepped off the elevator she grabbed onto him with both arms "I know,and I'm glad for it" she sqeeked considering her size compaired to Kronos's she looked more like a kid then a twenty-five year old young lady,he swolled...he'd never been in this kind of thing before;he'd seen one person die in his life..but he'd been too young to do anything but stay out of the way..now he was the main person somebody'd be looking to for support-wonderful just wonderful how lfe hands one the most unpleasant things to deal with.
Osaka looked up at him "guess we should get over to the hospital...do what we can hn?" she said getting herself back together "yea,oh-we'll be using the company car Mr.Menji was rather insistant about that" he told her as they walked across the lobby,as they stepped outside the sun shone brightly..Kronos had forgotten how nice a day it was,funny how the worst things happen on the nicest days he thought to himself;after they had gone into the parking garage and gotten into the car Osaka paused "I forgot..nobody's called the others yet right?" she asked "umm-hm if you think you can handel it that's fine,but if you want I'll do it..I know how hard that's going to be" Kronos offered,Osaka didn't didn't say anything for a few blocks 'till they reached a stop light."I don't wanna have to be the one to break this to everybody...if you can I'll be greatful" she said looking at her hands and flexing them "ok I'll do that,you'll need to tell me-um the steps you do here for..um-the dead" he said trying to use the right words for it,saying it for a stranger is easy...saying it for a friend or family member is always the shits "I..really think we should let Chiyo do thin..things 'till Tomo's mom and dad get here...do you..think they'll let me see her? I jus wanna...say goodby...if I can" she said rocking back and forth in her seat;taking a deep breath to compose himself before he answered Kronos nodded "we'll see if we can kiddo,I'll make sure of that don't worry" he said softly.
When they arrived at the hospital Kronos sat there and stared at the place for a minute,he'd been in them only three times..this was the first he felt like not going in...he just wanted this to all go away;didn't want to have to go in and tend to a dead or dying friend;leaning on the steering wheel he sighed loudly "you ok Krono?" Osaka asked "no,no I'm not,this is the first time I've felt this way...I've never felt like this" sitting up suddenly he punched the steering wheel "GODDAMNIT! why the hell does this have to happen to us!" Osaka sat back blinking,she'd never seen Kronos act like this,but she'd also never seen him in a real bad situation...she knew he could be a real loving guy,now she could see just how much he cared for those around him."hey..come'on big guy it's gonna..gonna be ok,we gotta deal with what life brings,and sometimes it's hard yea?" Kronos ran his hand over his face trying like hell to not crack and start up..not yet anyway "I..I know I just,it just..hurts like hell;sorry if I scared you honey" she kissed him on the cheek and told him it was ok,then they got out of the car at the same time and went in to the hospital.
What Osaka and Kronos walked into was literal media free-for-all there was at least five crews there doing on the spot reporting,they made their way around this and went to the front desk as they stopped Kronos spotted Shijo talking,or more like,chewing out a young cop Kronos took Osaka's arm and made a beeline to the senior officer;turning around Shijo's face went sour adding to his haggared look,Kronos didn't like that..he felt his stomach sink to his feet,he unconsciously pulled Osaka behind him and bowed to "Mr.Howaga? been awhile,um we came quick as we could" Shijo just motioned for them to follow him "we can talk over here..this place is a goddamn zoo" he said glowering tword the press,they stepped into a small room which Kronos had no idea what was for.
Sighing heavily Shijo looked at them "first let me say how sorry I am for this to have happened to your friend...I don't know how many of you there are,but from what I understand you've all known eachother for a long time?" Kronos nodded "I haven't know her as long..but we're still close,the girls have known her longer" he said in a low voice "we've all been together since high-school" Osaka said looking at,and twiddling,her fingers she was on the verge of crying again Shijo swallowed when he looked at her "umm..yes;her parents..are living in another city,we need some one to take care of matters here untill they arrive,are you sure you can do this?" he said his concern coming to the surface "it's ok,I'll do what I have to,but we have one in mind who will be better for this..we'll call her and the others after..after we take care of a few things here" Kronos braced himself for what he had to say next:"I was told by Mr.Menji she isn't expected to make it...my wife...would like to see her before-you'know" Shijo nodded "we'll get her parents permission first-won't take long just wait here" as he said that Osaka stepped forward "please..I don't want her to go..without at least one of us sayin' goodby...I'll take responsibility if that upset's her mom and dad" Shijo's face was starting to melt..Osaka could have that effect on people but now it was giving Kronos a feeling of dread that felt like somebody was pouring molten lead on the back of his neck;something awful had already happened;Shijo was trying to buy time and it wasn't working he was about to crack.
Kronos put his arm around Osaka again and looked at Shijo "what's happened? I know something's up..your..." Shijo put his his hand over his face when he looked at them he was crying "please excuse me..I've been an officer thirty years and I've never broke down like this" pulling Osaka closer Kronos gritted his teeth and asked slowly "is...has...she" turning back to them Shijo shook his head "I'm sorry...your friend died ten minutes ago...while they were trying to save her"
Even though Kronos was expecting this he didn't take it well,it felt like somebody had jammed a hot knife into him,his eyes started to water but he fought to keep from going completely over;Osaka just went limp it seemed she was gonna fall as her legs gave out,but she grabbed onto Kronos insted and buryed her face "aw-fuck!...urrrrr dammit!" Kronos growled "it's ok,it's ok..it's gonna be alright kiddo" he said holding her tightly,that was all he could think to do right then.Shijo cleared his throat "I know the doctor handling this personally;I'll make sure you two can go see her ASP...if anyone's going to get into trouble it'll be me I'll take responsibilty give me a few minutes" he said taking charge,Kronos thanked him as he turned to leave.
Looking around the room Kronos could see it was a waiting room of some sort with benches "hey kiddo why don't we sit down 'till Shijo get's back hm?" he said rubbing her back gently she nodded with out saying anything she hadn't let loose-yet,he knew when she did it was bound to be unpleasant;as for himself he felt like screaming to God and beating on the walls but he knew he had to keep it in check untill he got everything he needed to do done,then he could let it go.
Sighing to himself he leaned back and held Osaka tight;maybe ten or fifteen minutes later Shijo returned with a doctor following him "this is Dr.Kazuki,we've worked together a lot over the years,he was the one of the doctors who responded when they brought this mess in...he was with your friend" the doctor stepped forward and bowed "I'm very sorry about your friend,I understand you'll be in place of her parents untill they can make it here?" he asked Kronos "um-yes..though I'm sure one of her other friends will step in here sortly,I'm-un still not entirely sure how it's done here..." Kronos drifted off and looked at Osaka she hadn't stood up,she was just staring at the doctor "sweety-you alright?" as Kronos asked she snapped out of it and stood up "ah! than..thank you..I..I'm..I'm jus' upset and all-sorry" Kronos patted her back "it's ok kiddo,don't worry" he said,turning back to the doctor Kronos took a deep breath "unn..can we see her?..she..my wife wants...wants to see her friend you'know if it's ok" he asked not real sure what this was going to be like,probably highly unpleasant,the doctor raised a hand "wait a bit longer..we'll make your friend ready,then you can see her,you understand yes? It will be about a half hour...alright?" Kronos nodded "yea we do;thank you,thank you very much".
After the doctor left Kronos took Osaka and sat back down and then waited...it was probably the longest half hour he ever went through in his life;Osaka curled up next to him and just went silent until she suddenly spoke up."Krono...I..I..never thought I'd go through t-this kinda thing again-" he rubbed her shoulder and waited for her to finish;when after several minutes she didn't "what,what were you going to say?" he asked gentally "Krono...I can't really believe this is happein'...I DON'T want to believe this is..is happening..and...I'm scared" Krono didn't know what to say,thinking for a moment he blurted finally "I am too..a little bit...I'd guess we all will be before this is over"
He just couldn't think of much else to say,it felt like something had ripped out a vital part of him but he didn't know what it was-he just felt empty.
Dr.Kazuki returned exactly a half hour later "everything is ready,are you sure you want to do this? It's difficult under the best of circumstances;impossible in the worst I understand you're not family,but are quite close-" Osaka sat up "I'll be ok,I really wanna do this-really" Krono had a thought flash through his head "umm..lemme talk to the doctor for a second ok hon?" looking at him with a "what now look?" he patted he shoulder "just take a sec" he said with a smile.
Outside he said it straight out "doctor,Tomo,how messed up is she?" he understood immediately "everything that happened was in the body cavity,it's all covered by a sheet" Krono got that hot-knife in the gut again "you'll understand when I say that's no comfort to hear" the doctor nodded "do you think your wife can handel this?" he asked plainly Krono paused for a second before he answered "she's a good kid and she's been through this once,I hate like hell for her to have do it again-but yea she's good to go;she wants to do it...all I can do is provide support yea?" the doctor nodded and Krono went back and opened the door."ok kiddo-let's go"
End Chapter 4.