Chap 17
At the hospital
Same day
Yuki sat in the waiting room crying. She had pulled herself together long enough to call Barbie and Bobby's school and a second call to Suzy's school. She tried to call Kenichi but was transferred to voice mail. By that time she was blubbering so no one could understand her. She texted the "all family group", "Rin badly injured. At hospital. Come now."
Yuki had accompanied her parents to the hospital but once they entered the Emergency room the nurses pulled her to the side for information. She supplied as much as she could and then she was asked to sit down and wait.
"But it's my sister, My baby sister. Please, I need to be there."
The nurses patted her hand and offered words of encouragement like; "she's in good hands" and "she has the best doctors in town working on her" but honestly those words felt hollow.
Yuki cried herself out and then sat there quietly doing breathing exercises trying to make sense of what happened. They were playing. Rin was crawling and giggling and then she tried to stand. It was going to be one of those things Yuki would get to see first. Rin pulled herself up, looked at Yuki, giggled and turned right into the corner of that stupid table.
"I'm going to destroy that table!" she growled out loud.
"Which one?" Bobby asked as he sat down next to her.
Yuki looked up. Barbie was hugging Suzy who obviously had been crying. Bobby and Barbie looked lost and out of place in the hospital. Yuki realized she had to be the big sister right now since none of the others were around. She and Kyo were always the youngest in Japan and then Father moved the family to Canada and they stayed at the castle with Uncle Jaken and Kenichi. 'Why did we do that?' Yuki ruminated. 'I missed my initial opportunity to be a big sister. Well, I'm going to do it now.' Yuki pulled her wits together as she took a deep breath in and gathered her siblings close.
"Rin hit her head on the coffee table. She started bleeding and I couldn't stop it so I took her to Daddy and Father's clinic. She was screaming then. They were checking her out when she just stopped crying. Father said that she had lost too much blood and lost consciousness and that we needed to come to the hospital. So we came here." Yuki looked at each of her siblings while she told the story assuring they understood. Barbie spoke first.
"How did she hit her head?" There was a puzzled expression on her face.
"She stood up today." Yuki sighed. She had been looking forward to seeing joy on her family's faces but now the news seemed so empty.
"Really?" Suzy's eyes light up. "That means we can dance together soon."
Yuki tried to smile. She realized she needed to give her sisters some hope so she returned the smile as she replied, "Yes, you should be able to dance with her soon."
There was a silence as the four Takahashi kids sat quietly in the waiting area. Yuki felt the imposing silence closing in on her. So she spoke.
"Hey you guys want to hear a story that Daddy told me when I was younger than Suzy? Rin was in the story. She had a lot of faith in the story. She was really cool. Want to hear it?"
The three nodded and Yuki launched into the version of Robin Hood that her daddy had told her 150 years previous. The younger siblings were glued to the story because Yuki told it with embellishments from all her ideas and impressions she had kept close to her heart. As Yuki spoke about Rin praying to her momma, Suzy asked if there was someone that they should be praying to.
Yuki stopped and thought about it.
"Yes, let's ask Grandpa Toga to help."
Four white heads were bowed in prayer when the nurse came up to give them an update.
"I'm so sorry to interrupt but your Dad wanted me to tell you that Rin is stable now. She has to stay here in the hospital for a couple of days but the bleeding is stopped."
"Wow! Grandpa Toga is fast!" Suzy's eyes opened wide. She was impressed. Bobby squeezed her hand as he nodded in agreement.
"When can we see her and our parents?" Yuki asked.
"We're getting her settled in her room and your parents are with her." The nurse looked sapped. The OR team had worked nonstop for hours. "I'd say 15 minutes or so. I'll be back to take you to the Ped ICU. I want to prepare you. She's bald. They had to shave her head so they could operate. She also has some wires and tubes in her arms. It may look scary but it's so we can listen to her heart and keep a better track of her health. Do you understand?"
The nurse looked carefully over the children. Inuyasha had asked her to warn them of the lack of hair, lines and tubes. He was concerned they would need someone to console them, but Sesshomaru needed him to stay with him for the transfer. So he stressed to the circulating nurse that he needed her to look out for his other "babies".
"Thank you, nurse." Bobby stood and bowed.
The nurse was impressed with the four children and returned the bow and exited the room.
Suzy turned to Yuki.
"Will you finish the story now? I like the way you tell stories. Maybe you could do it more when we get home? Please?" The preschooler's "puppy eyes" and curly locks captured Yuki's soul.
Yuki smiled. She pulled Suzy on her lap and gave her a hug. Kissing her on the crown Yuki continued.
"So Sango and Rin and her friends prayed to Rin's momma…"
Just as Yuki finished the story the nurse came to get them to take them all to the Ped ICU. As they got off the elevator Inuyasha greeted them. Unconsciously all four took a deep breath. He looked fatigued but didn't smell sad. Suzy looked up at her father and opened her arms to be picked up.
"Come with me," he lifted Suzy into his arms and shifted her to his hip as he reached for Yuki's hand. Bobby and Barbie moved close to them as the five some walked down the hallway.
"Remember, be quiet. This is the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit where a lot of sick children are resting. Rin is down there closest to the nursing station. She is sleeping. She's had a rough day for a baby."
What Inuyasha didn't say was that she had not yet awoken and they weren't sure she would. She had lost a lot of blood before they could stop it. He forced himself to be positive for the sake of his family as he led them to Rin's room.
In the room, Sesshomaru was staring at his daughter deep in thought.
'I'm so afraid. I don't know if we did enough. We stopped the bleeding. Were we too late? Did she lose too much blood? Why won't she wake up? Kami, Rin! Don't do this to us! I don't want to lose her. It'll devastate the entire family. Father PROMISED she would stay with us forever. It's not fair!'
His shoulders slumped forward. The long day, the emotions, the distress of his mate and daughter, it was all piling higher as he was losing control of his emotions.
Finally as the agony and anguish mounted his thoughts became verbalized.
"Rin! Father said you were supposed to be with us forever. You can't leave us, baby."
As Inuyasha, Yuki, Barbie, Bobby, and Suzy stood outside the room looking through the glass doors they witnessed their Father shed a tear.
Suzy flew out of her Dad's arms and rushed to her father. Looking into his eyes with the innocence of a child, she blurt out.
"Don't cry Father. We prayed to Grandpa Toga. You always said he honors his word. He has our prayers. He'll take care of Rin."
And just like that a gentle otherworldly breeze blew away Sesshomaru's accumulated tension.
Sesshomaru wiped the tear from his cheek and grabbed Suzy in a hug.
"Thank you my graceful lily. Thank you for reminding me." Then turning his face upwards he added,
"Thank you Father. Thank you for caring for Rin. And thank you for Suzy and the kind reminder." He took a deep breath and smelled his family. As he exhaled he felt a little better.
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Before 24 hours had passed all Takahashis, Shippo, Grandma Higurashi, and Uncle Jaken had arrived in B.C. Each one got to spend a moment or so with the comatose Rin. The Ped ICU wasn't small but the Takahashi family created so much chaos and noise, not to mention so many white headed individuals attracted a great deal of unnecessary attention that they were sent to the private room off the hospital cafeteria. As they all gathered in the private dining room, Grandma Higurashi asked what had happened.
Yuki took a deep breath and stood up so everyone would stop talking and they could hear her.
"Grandma, I was with her. We were playing. Rin was crawling and giggling and then she tried to stand. I was so excited I would get to see her stand and walk first. Rin pulled herself up, looked at me, giggled and turned right into the corner of coffee table at full force. She fell back. She was crying loudly and she had a cut on her forehead that was pouring out blood. I put pressure on it but it kept bleeding. I took her to Daddy as quick as possible." Yuki sighed. She hadn't slept much and she was emotionally exhausted.
Inuyasha stood up and hugged Yuki. Lifting her chin so they were looking eye to eye he smiled. "You did the right thing. You saved her life. Thank you." He tucked her under his arm. Then he turned to the waiting family.
"Rin had an arteriovenous malformation, AVM for short, in her head. When she hit her head the AVM burst and she bleed. She would have bleed to death if Yuki hadn't rushed her to us. AVMs are rare. This AVM type was the rarest and very dangerous."
Turning his back to the family Inuyasha hugged Yuki tighter. He whispered in her ear.
"I'm so proud of you."
Yuki sobbed softly, wrapped in her daddy's arms.
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Sesshomaru had stayed with Rin all night, napping for five minute segments after he was assured Rin was okay. He rested his head on Rin's bed as she slept. When she woke, she saw his hair and grabbed it and pulled. Sesshomaru startled.
Rin blew spit bubbles and tugged on the hair. She giggled like she had caught the biggest fish and was proud of herself.
"Hi Sweetheart. Kami, I'm so glad to see you awake!" Relief emanated from his being.
Then he looked to the heavens. "Thank you Father."
Soaking in his daughter's face he smiled as he whispered, "Rin, did you have a nice nap? Your Daddy wants to see you as soon as you awake." Sesshomaru's voice was soft but crackled. He hadn't drunk any water for hours. He gently touched his daughter's hand and lifted to his lips. He kissed the small hand. "Let me push the nurse button." Sesshomaru sighed heavily as the weight of the situation lifted a little.
"Yes, Dr. Takahashi?" came the nurse's voice.
"Rin has awoken. Please contact my husband."
"Right away, sir." The nurse rushed off to the private dining area.
The nurse hurried to the private dining room, but slowed at the last moment to calm herself. At the opening of the door all eyes turned to her. Her eyes roamed over the crowd searching for Dr. Takahashi. But she didn't see him so she called, "Dr. Takahashi? Is he here?"
Three seated men and the man who had his back to the door and was standing at the front of the room turned to look at the nurse. Inuyasha smiled. He could count on his boys to bring a smile.
"Yes, nurse. I believe you want me, unless you need a Professor, Veterinarian or a Psychiatrist." He eyed his sons with a twinkle in his eye.
"Thank you, sir. Your husband wants you to know that Rin is awake."
The room exploded in cheers, joy and relief. Tears flowed freely and all were hugging.
"Thank you, nurse. I'll be there right away." Inuyasha smiled as a tear ran down his cheek.
Turning to the others he grabbed Yuki's hand, "We're going first and when one of us returns you all can take turns." Then looking at Kenichi and noting that he had been in the process of standing Inuyasha added, "Kenichi, Uncle Jaken and Grandma are next."
If Rin had been old enough to understand the sentiments whispered to her she would have been amazed and touched at her importance to the family. But she had the innocence of infancy on her side so she just cooed and smiled and took all their love in stride. Kenichi offered some of his hair so she could have a wig and always have him close but Inuyasha told him her hair would grow in quickly enough and they needed to keep an eye on the wound. Kenichi looked disappointed that he couldn't help but then offered to read her stories and keep her company. Sesshomaru leaned on Inuyasha's shoulder.
"That's a really good idea. I need a nap. Thanks, son," The exhausted physician hung onto his mate for support.
After the entire family had seen a happy wide awake Rin, Sesshomaru lead the crowd home. He found his bed and fell asleep. In the middle of the night he felt the mattress move and he opened his eyes to see Suzy crawling in with him. Lifting the covers to let her join him he pulled her to his side, kissed her crown and fell back asleep.
When the sun had barely peeked over the horizon he showered, drank coffee and poured two to-go mugs and left for the hospital. Upon walking into the Ped ICU he was greeted by dozens of balloons and flowers. The nurses told him that they had started coming steadily after he left last night. Some were from Japan and others from Canada and Europe but all were for Rin Takahashi and her family. He thanked the nurses for their good care and then entered Rin's room.
Going to his husband's side he kissed Inuyasha's cheek.
Kenichi's hair was in one of Rin's fists and Inuyasha's in the other. The men were napping, sitting on either side of the infant with their heads on the bed. As soon as Rin saw Sesshomaru she squealed, arousing both men. As they rose some hair was pulled out. Rin giggled and held her fists up high in a victory pose.
Kenichi rubbed his head and looked across the bed to his Dad.
"It wouldn't have hurt so badly if you had just let me cut it for her." He grimaced and rubbed the spot.
"DA-DA," Rin cooed as she offered the hair to Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru took the strands of hair and smiled.
"So glad you are awake precious. I don't think any of us could have handled losing you. It was bad enough 500 years ago."
He reached to pull Inuyasha to his feet and pulled his mate to his chest.
"I didn't get to talk to you last night, but I want to thank you for operating with me. You were there standing by my side, my best friend and my true love. Thank you for help me save our baby and our children. Losing her would have affected all of us. Kenichi adores her. Yuki would have died inside if Rin had died while she was babysitting. All the others… I could go on but you already know how she has touched us." Sesshomaru buried his face in Inuyasha's hair. Inuyasha held his mate tightly.
After a time the parents broke apart to see Kenichi and Rin blowing spit bubbles at each other. They smiled.
"Here's your coffee. I'll take a turn watching her. You two can take some of the balloons and flowers to the house. Make a rotation schedule. We'll work from there."
Inuyasha filled Sesshomaru in on the vital signs for the night and intracranial pressures. All numbers were within normal ranges. More importantly Rin slept well and ate without any problems.
xoxox
The healing continued and within four days Rin was released to her parents' care. The Mo-Mo restaurant had heard about Rin's incident and subsequent recovery. Totosai catered the celebration meal. Family, clinic staff, and a select group of hospital employees joined the festivities.
While chatting with the clinic staff, the office manager mentioned to Sesshomaru and Inuyasha of the actions she had taken the day of Rin's incident including the woman's inappropriate comments.
"You fired the patient?" Inuyasha started.
"Why yes. She was just horribly rude and stomped out without her dog. That poor dog barked once and she returned for it."
"That dog was a girl. Her name was Fifi," Sesshomaru interjected.
"And Fifi had just told me what was wrong with her too," Inuyasha added.
"Really?" Sesshomaru turned to his mate. "What was it?"
"She eats in her sleep," Inuyasha laughed. "I was about to tell her when I smelled Rin's blood."
"Interesting." Then turning to the office manager he asked, "Have you sent the letter already?"
"No. It's on your desk awaiting your signature," noted the office manager.
"Good. I have an idea," Sesshomaru smirked diabolically and rubbed his mating mark.
Inuyasha snorted his drink and started laughing.
'You are so brilliant! And such a demon!'
'That's why you love me!' Sesshomaru wagged his eyebrows suggestively.
Sesshomaru turned back to the office manager for the rest of the report on her actions while Inuyasha socialized with other guests and family members.
The guest of honor was passed around for everyone to hold or play with. After an hour she tired and started fussing. Kenichi heard her and walked toward her. As soon as she saw him she reached out for him. Kenichi pulled her to his chest and she fisted a lock of hair and promptly fell asleep. Inuyasha walked up to them just as Kenichi was kissing a bald spot on her head. Inuyasha smiled. He would hold her later. Grandma Higurashi had seen the scene and stole up to Inuyasha.
"Come Inuyasha. Introduce me to some of your friends." She gently led him to another group of people. As they walked she spoke, "I remember Kagome being sick once when she was five."
He looked at her.
She continued her story.
"I wasn't sure what to do and every time she coughed I jumped. I held her close. I was afraid I would lose her. Even as she healed I was afraid to leave her side in case she needed me. Grandpa Higurashi gave me some advice. It's understandable to worry about your children. It's completely natural. We can do what we can do but then we have to understand there as something outside our control and then take a deep breath and relax."
"I know you and Sesshomaru have done your best. She is healing and she needs sleep. I'm so proud of you two. Relax, my son."
"Thanks Mama," Inuyasha hugged her and smiled.
Xoxox
Days later after the family had dispersed and life had returned to normal, Sesshomaru found the dismissal letter on his desk. Finding his favorite pen he signed the letter and added a post script,
"Regardless of how you feel about us, Fifi has told us that she is worried about you. For the sake of your fine dog who loves you, put your pride and prejudice aside and follow this doctor's instructions. You eat in your sleep. Put a lock on your refrigerator and you should find yourself losing weight."
S. Takahashi, M.D.
AN-Happy Thanksgiving. :)
