13. Future.
T: This is the last chapter people and though I will be putting a sequel of sorts up on my blog in the next week or so there is a natural conclusion to this! I apologise for the late update, I did have it done for Tuesday but I kept getting an error each time I tried to upload it! For those interested I'm going to be putting up a few more images on my old blog (link in my bio). Anyway…warnings remain the same and I still own only the plot and dear sweet Orito.
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She believes she shall never tire of the unique smell of her son's skin.
"Perhaps you should let him go now, pet." Her husband remarks, the smile on his lips the only indication that he is joking.
"A mother is allowed to smother her child once in a while, is she not?"
"That's true enough, sweet, but I suspect that you are aggravating his injuries."
Leasing her grip upon the child she presses a soft kiss to the bandages visible about his torso and, a tentative smile on her lips, she enquires,
"I'm not hurting you am I, love?"
"Maybe you could hug me a little less tightly, mama."
"Do you hear that, Sei-chan? My whole family is turning against me."
"I believe they may have a point, Hokuto-chan."
She is thinking of a suitable retort to this 'insult' when an orderly steps into the room and, after giving them all the once over, bends to whisper something into Seishiro's ear.
The older man nods and the orderly steps back out into the hallway.
"What was that about?"
"He wished to know if another patient might also be allowed to use this room."
"But why ask you…oh…how bad is he?"
"Better than might be expected." This last is Subaru whom has, at some point, come to stand in the doorway. "How are you, Kamui?" He enquires as he comes to stand next to her.
"I'm feeling much better than I did earlier, though my ribs are still aching a little and the plaster on my face is itching…"
"In other words he too is better than had been expected." She remarks, her words cutting her child off before he begins to list the small aliments that niggle at him still.
There is a moment of silence and then Kamui's new roommate is being wheeled towards the empty bed to the child's right.
The boy recognises the individual almost the instant he is set onto the mattress and, the very moment that he does as such, he is struggling to be free of his bed.
The gentle pressure of his brother's hand upon his wrist stops him before he can even shake off the covers and the twins spend a moment simply looking at one another before Fuuma remarks,
"You will hurt yourself if you try to move so severely so very soon."
"But Orito-san is hurt."
"There is nothing you can do to change that fact, Kamui-nii."
"Perhaps not but at least I can be with him when he wakes up…"
"Are you not with him now?"
"Yes and yet it is not the same thing."
"Perhaps not and yet I believe it will be enough."
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He is aching in every possible place when he awakes, something that is further aggravated by the solid nature of the mattress that sits beneath his spine.
He shuffles a little in an attempt to ease this ache and a tentative voice enquires,
"Are you awake, Orito-san?"
If he lifts his head just a little from his pillow he can make out the shape of Kamui's face, the stark white of a padded plaster clear upon the child's left cheek and a residue fear clear in the child's eyes.
"You have been hurt."
"As have you." There is an accusation clear in the child's tone and he barely has time to form a reply when the other enquires, "Why did you lie to me about needing to see Takumura-san?"
"Because I needed time to think, Kamui-kun…because I did not ask you about the Sakurazukamori simply out of curiosity." The child takes a hard rasping breath and, an uncertainty clear now in his voice, he enquires,
"Did you ask because you are tied to that individual?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"The Sakurazukamori is my father."
"Then you shall one day take up the role?"
"That is correct."
There is a long moment of silence and he can not but think that his greatest fear has come to pass…can not but think that the child has rejected him simply for the sake of his blood.
Then he is enveloped into a tight hug and the child's voice is remarking,
"There is no need to be scared, Orito-san; I will never leave your side."
"Even though I am destined to be your enemy?"
"Of course."
"Thank you, Kamui-kun." He remarks as he returns the child's embrace.
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The interviewer adjusts her glasses and, glancing momentarily at her notes, she enquires,
"What of your family, Kizuki-san?"
"Both my children have grown up big and strong since the 'trouble' eight years ago and are living their lives very well indeed…
"Fuuma is currently helping look after orphans in Ebusu. It's a perfect job for him and one that he loves with a passion.
"Kamui has chosen to continue his studies at the Clamp campus, a decision that I suspect was based heavily upon the fact that Orito-kun has recently gained a teaching position within the campus.
"My brother is still head of the Clan but, what with the changing social climate, he gets less work than he used to. He's upset, of course, but he's spending his free time touring Japan with Sei-chan so it's not all bad.
"Lastly my dear husband has just moved his practice into larger premises and has turned his mind to giving psychiatric care to those who can not afford it."
"A noble cause."
"I told him that myself just last week and he replied, 'I do this because I believe it a necessity not to gain glory or ignominy.' But that's Kakyo, modest to the last!"
"Well I believe that's it, Kizuki-san and I must thank you again for sparing your time to talk to me and I must say that I'm looking forward to your spring line with bated breath."
"I promise that it'll be worth the wait."
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T: Yep that's it people…as I say there is a sort of sequel being released on my blog (the reasons for which I've stated over there) so go have a look if you want! Otherwise thanks for reading and I'll see you soon!