...This is for all of you Miroku lovers. Hah- he's a skater!...
Miroku shuffled his feet shifting his weight from one sneaker clad foot to the other. They were his new Vans in a simple black color with a red 'V' for a logo on the side. His wavy black hair was tied back per usual, but for once tucked under an olive green beanie. The white logo of the hat, resting over his forehead, was a dead fish. He had headphones in his ears playing one of his favorite bands. The disc player sat in his backpack with the wire going through a pre-made hole at the top of his forest green bag that hung on his shoulders. Miroku had decided to dress casually today. His khakis bagged at the ends, but because this was a work trip hew was making, he used a belt and made sure the pants hung around his thin hips. The grey cotton, collared shirt was buttoned all the way, but two from the top. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and the tails hung just below his rear. A navy blue jacket was layered over top to keep warm from the winter chill.
His violet eyes danced when he saw two men who had just walked out of the building, the one he was presently waiting outside of, held hands as soon as they turned the corner. They were smiling and Miroku tilted one side of mouth up at their courage. This world today wasn't easy on same sex relationships. It was nice to see that people would still stick up for themselves and what they believe is right. After all who were we to judge them? It was their choice and was neither right nor wrong. Miroku tilted his head back as he leaned further back against the stone wall of the towering sky scraper, though it was shorter than the others around it, it still wasn't small by any measure. Taka tech. was on a wider base so as to lessen the number of floors. Its diameter took up almost an entire block.
Miroku stood when he saw his partner exit the building. He noticed the wide smile sitting contentedly on her features. Kagome was dressed casually as well it seems. The approaching woman was wearing a sea green collared shirt with three-quarter inch long sleeves and was left unbuttoned showing off the close fitted black tank beneath. Her white and silver Nikes flashed in the sun as she jogged over to him. The navy backpack was slung haphazardly over one shoulder flopping in her hurried movement. Her jeans were snug around the hips and rear, but loosened the further they went down to flare slightly to fit over her sneakers nicely.
"Sorry I'm late…I uh had to finish up a prior engagement."
Kagome said this all as she tugged her bag around the side of her body to pull a pair of dark sun glasses from the front small pocket of her bag. She had tied her hair back in a loose pony tail and it tumbled down her back swinging with her every shift.
"No problem. All set?"
"Yup, let's go!"
Miroku smiled as he walked beside her down the pavement. Kagome raised her face to let the sun warm the naturally light tone of her skin. Miroku watched her from the corner of his eye and shoved his hands in his pockets with his thumbs poking over top of the tough fabric. She seemed so happy today, he could only wonder why. He shrugged and let his thoughts wander as they walked down the streets towards the subway. The hospital was about twenty blocks, not too far by train, but a long walk even on such a nice day like today.
Kagome swung her arms happily as she walked. She still couldn't believe her plan worked! Sango wouldn't believe it. Kagome and Sango had always caused trouble, somehow, together, but whenever Kagome organized it the 'operation' always fell apart and they'd get caught. Nothing major only a scolding from…well Kohaku or Shippou. It was ironic actually that the kids would chastise the adults more than the other way around. Those kids could be so mature and intelligent. Kagome could never see herself going to a place like Seikio.
Shippou…I don't even know if he got home alright, though I'm sure he did.-
Kagome had tried to distance herself from that fight. It wasn't their first granted, but this was the first that was even semi-serious and Kagome couldn't bring herself to call the kid. He'd become so important to her without Kagome ever realizing it and not speaking to him for almost an entire week…killed her. Her already tortured heart that she hadn't noticed his tiny innocent hands were healing, with only the warmth of his company, was not drying. Kagome could only wait with baited breath and a panicked mind for it to turn back to the dust from whence it was created.
Shippou had wriggled under her skin like no other and he demanded attention, to be a priority. And now she was stunned to know that she actually like having to care for him. That she liked buying him things Kagome knew he needed, but would never ask for or get himself because he couldn't afford it. Shippou was…what was he? Kagome smiled tenderly. He was her hope and her love. Holding that bratty orphan in her arms as he complained that she was getting lipstick on his cheek was nice. Kagome smiled wanly as an ironic laugh quietly was acknowledged in her now depressed mind. A picture of his scrunched up nose and crinkled mouth as he wiped at his cheek disgustingly to remove the lipstick. That was what…a year ago? She made a note to call him it had been long enough and this terse silence between them wasn't right. She needed him and she would ask him to forgive her. Truly she hadn't even considered his feelings and Kagome wasn't stupid. She knew the boy saw her as more than a friend, even more than a confidant.
Am I really ready for that?-
Miroku heard numerous sounds coming from his companion. First a remorseful laugh and now a tired sigh. What was so heavy on her mind? She was so cheerful a minute ago. Miroku studied her face. It was now serious and it made her look so much older with problems so heavy on her shoulders. She hadn't even noticed they had gotten on the train. His flickering orbs landed on the sign for their exit as it flashed, in neon letters highlighted on the screen, over and over above the door. He tapped her shoulder seeing her hand come up in response ready to whack him, his guess, should he lower that hand.
"Okay, okay I get it."
Miroku lifted both hands back into her view in a conceding manner. He'd heard of how fiery her temper could really be. Kagome simply cornered him with a look before settling back in her seat.
"Uh…this is our stop."
"Oh! Gomen, was that what you wanted?"
"Hai, come on."
Kagome followed the handsome lecher out of the train to the station. They hadn't even gotten to the steps before the man had kneeled before a woman sitting on a bench waiting for the next train. But before he could get a word in, Kagome was dragging him away by a strong hold on an ear. Kagome didn't stop until they were up the steps and just about onto the street of Tokyo roaring above them. Kagome pushed him none too gently against the wall.
Miroku's ear was no doubt red and was screeching in pain from the yank it received. Miroku rubbed into soothingly fiddling with the earring in anxiety. He saw her lean in close and her face twisted in anger. It was scary. To see that beautiful innocence mutate into an almost cruel expression, but her words hit home. And for once he felt shame for his usually harmless actions.
"We are going to see some young kids that will die without our help. And you find this the right time to go ask for a date?"
"Uh…iie ma'am."
Kagome's anger deflated at his response. He looked like a cornered mouse as it recoiled before the cat. Miroku wasn't exactly the most muscular guy, but he was strong enough to defend himself especially against tiny Kagome. Miroku was lean and his muscle wasn't very prominent, but the dips could be seen beneath his skin. He was nearly four or five inches taller than Kagome, but he was more of a lover than a fighter. As he said the second time she and Sango had run into him. Sango had threatened him and that was his only reply along with a beaming smile of course.
"Gomen ne, but can you just be good today? This is our job and I really want to help them. Okay?"
Miroku sighed and nodded. Then they continued on around the corner and up the steps. Even during work hours they had to push their way through the streets and it surprisingly it took agility to miss other rushed citizens that passed. It was ridiculous really, but eventually they made it to the hospital without any other unnecessary stops. Kagome had made a pit stop just before they got there deciding to pick up some candy should they be able to have it. What kid didn't like candy?
Shippou did…heck he was an addict.-
Kagome shook her head of these thoughts. This was not the time to think of Shippou. If Miroku can keep his mind on the job than she definitely could. The two partners entered the tall white building walking up to the head nurse's station. Once correct id was acquired and verified Miroku and Kagome continued to the elevator. There was a terminally ill section on the first floor, but these patients were separated for further inspection as well as making it easier to find all of these specific patients.
There was actually a lot of knowledge already attained by the research and tests on the kids. The age group for the disease seemed, as the trend went so far, to befall children between the ages of three months to seven years old. It was a large and general age group, but all they had. There were absolutely no signs of the illness being contagious seeing as how all the daily nurses never retracted any symptoms. Also the tests show that the sickness stayed in one area of the body never spreading anywhere else.
Its focus was direct and as soon as it was contracted, by some means, the cells were almost immediately affected in those certain areas. The areas were the throat, stomach, and lungs, but only particular sections. It was the entire throat, but only the top curve of the stomach. And in the lungs, it was the front wall, but not the back of the organ. The disease hung in angry red in random shape, but most often imperfect spheres and in some of the worse cases black. But in the patients, the only similarity was that they all have is an albino trait, even if not directly prominent, in their genes. In fact the worse cases are in full-blown albinos showing in the skin, hair, and eyes.
Kagome's brow furrowed. The two walked into the ward and were intercepted by the caring nurse that was expecting them. Each room, twice the size of the normal, held six beds. There were only two rooms filled, but one more was set aside for new patients that were befallen by the ailment. The children were quite lively as they scampered around the room playing tag. In fact it was surprising to see them about. But the head nurse explained that the kids had bouts randomly among them all and during these times there were taken into the spare room for privacy.
Usually in these 'down' times, blood is coughed from the mouth and runs from the nose. The whites of the eyes would turn red and water constantly. Some of the worse off would throw up blood because their body wishes to purge themselves of the alien cells. The red blood cells are first affected. As the disease destroys the healthy red blood cells, or as they finish their life cycle, new ones are replaced naturally. But the disease attacks the genes mutated the trait for creating new red blood cells so only diseased cells are reproduced. The quickest deaths are those that die by blood loss. This is the most violent reaction where the body spasms and purges itself on all red blood cells. It is also the most painful.
Most however live as long as the disease thrives in them and it becomes a part of them, but when the life cycle of the illness ends so does the child's life. The disease keeps them alive and truthfully death is inevitable without cure. Eight have already passed and three more are soon to enter the critical stages of the ailment. At first it seemed to an adaptation of tuberculosis and that theory still stands, but the disease changes, adapts, quickly like AIDS. So a cure has been nearly impossible to find without the proper classification. It isn't known if the sickness is a bacteria or a virus, but the signs show that it is more like a parasite than anything else. The sickness keeping the person alive until no longer needed, but that is only if the disease and body merge and co-exist. It was a horrible epidemic that was distressing the public who feared for the younger generation.
Kagome smiled as all of the kids ceased their game and lined up in front of them. Worry played in most sets of eyes, but a few were smiling at her. Kagome smiled sadly at those few. So merry even in such a dire condition. However there was one still in their bed and the girl was currently staring out the window as her bed was pulled up close to it so she could look out easily without much strain. Her short hair was the palest white-blonde. And it certain places, the strands were whiter than others. Her skin was still slightly tan, but had a slightly red tint especially on her cheeks telling Kagome that she was a natural born albino.
The red was a trait of only natural born since a sick child would never get a red tinge to their cheeks, unless embarrassed. They would only lighten and turn white. Kagome could clearly see the cells' slow loss of pigment as written in her reports. That was one the major signs, it seemed to be some side effect of the illness tampering with the genes. The trait to create pigment was also damaged and one could tell by the color of the skin, hair, and eyes how long the child had to live. Natural albinos by birth however were the exception.
Even with her eyes turned from Kagome, the elder woman could see the tormented sadness swimming in those pale grey pools. There was a crimson tint to the outer corner of her eye and when Kagome quietly pointed that out to the nurse, the middle aged woman bustled over. Then she picked her and carried her on her hip to the third room designated for the 'down' times. The children all waved as the little girl looked over the nurse's shoulder hiding her face except for the top bridge of her nose and the reddening whites of her eyes.
Kagome turned to look at Miroku who had started a strange grunting sound, only to burst out laughing. Miroku had three of the sickened boys climbing like monkeys all over him. One had clambered up on the nearest sick bed to launch himself onto his shoulders causing her colleague to topple over forward with the force of the jump. Then the other two tackled his legs making it impossible for him to walk, but Miroku simply smiled. And with a jesting laugh proceeded to tickle them mercilessly when he could.
Kagome hid her smile behind her hand and swiveled at a pull on her shirt tail. She kneeled before a grey haired child who still had strands of black in her straight bangs hanging across hiding her forehead. The girl could be no more than four and barely came to Kagome mid-thigh. Kagome tilted her head to the side in inquisition and the girl spoke quietly.
"Want to play doll house?"
The girl pointed to a doll house in the corner nearly as big as she was. Kagome giggled and said the first word that came to her mind. She wasn't sure if it was directed at the doll house or the little girl in front of her hugging a rag doll to her chest. But it did make the girl give a large grin.
"Kawaii!"
Sesshoumaru turned the page, his fingers sliding down the next page as he skimmed the documents. Someone was buying a lot of stock from his company and it was an anonymous buyer, but his guess would be Naraku or one of his associates. He gritted his teeth, Sesshoumaru would be worried if he didn't hold fifty percent of it himself and Inuyasha having ten. That would leave only forty for this secret buyer to acquire and would still leave him in the minority. But if he somehow conned Inuyasha, the baka that he is, to hand over his ten percent, Sesshoumaru would have to consider this person's ideas because they would be fifty-fifty in the shares. That was not acceptable though he knew Inuyasha wouldn't just hand over his stock shares or he would have given them to Sesshoumaru as Sesshoumaru had planned after their father's retirement.
He sighed tossing the folder with its contents to spill on the desk unimportantly. Sesshoumaru massaged his temples and pushed away from the table to face the window. The sun shined down between drifting clouds. The bright blue skies had darkened to a grey signifying that it was going to rain. Rin couldn't play in the park today and it was nearly time that she would be home too. Sesshoumaru picked up the phone to his left and dialed the number of his new trusted sitter.
"Moshi moshi."
"Kaede-san."
"Hai, Takarashi-san?"
"It is to rain this afternoon."
"Hai, the child will remain indoors. Don't worry, ye can get her on your way up."
"Hai, Six thirty."
"Sayonara, Takarashi-san."
Sesshoumaru straightened in his chair and checked his watch. He was finished for the day except for a last minute meeting with the board of directors at Hama Corp. Apparently there's a new disease causing some distress seeing as how it's main target was children. He had contacted Bankotsu only to find that he had taken a personal day. He was beyond frustrated that the one day he required the man's attendance he wasn't in. Then he had called Jakotsu who was basically on the same level of importance of Bankotsu, but he just hadn't been in the company as long and Sesshoumaru had more faith in Bankotsu. The man gave the information he needed and to the point. Bankotsu was one of the only who didn't shrivel in his presence, but that's not to say Sesshoumaru didn't make him nervous. He was Bankotsu's boss after all.
Sesshoumaru stood from his office chair and grabbed the black trench coat from the coat rack in the corner of his office. He grabbed his briefcase and turned off the lights in his office. He would be going home after this. Grabbing the keys for his jag from his pocket he started off for Hama Corp. Hopefully this meeting would be productive and not a waste of his time.
...Just so you know, this disease is a product of my imagination and I have an entire sheet full of symptoms and the cause. Can you say boredom? What can I say I love genetics.
Words to know:
Kawaii- cute, pretty
Iie- no
Baka- (heh I think we all know this one by now)...
