Secrets
'...' Thinking
"..." Speaking
A/N: I felt it was only right to continue to have all supporters on this story listed until the very end. You all have a special place in my heart and motivate me to continue writing. I am sorry the last chapter update took so long. Without going into too much detail, my mother fell ill and was in the hospital for a while. She is back home and doing well! Now that I have free time again, I am hoping to update a little faster now!
Dark Little World
Danielapmatute
Kayray20
Xxxivyninjaxx
Ammeanna
Maxwell C-Dornez
Disclaimer:
This will be my first time writing in a few years, so please be patient with me. All the stories I write are my interpretation of how I would have wanted the show/game to end up. The characters and the actual series I write about are not mine as I do not own any rights. I am just a fan and love to show it by creating my stories, but any OC's I create are that of my own imagination and creativity. Please keep in mind I am not a perfect writer and I do make mistakes.
It was around five in the morning when Nnoitra felt a hand on his shoulder. It took him a few moments to remember where he was. It seemed as if yesterday never happened and it was all a bad dream, but he knew better than to believe in happy endings. "Noir…Noir…Noir wake up!"
It took him a few seconds for his eye to open and adjust to the bright light that was no longer flickering. Next to him Momo was sitting up straight and combing her long hair with a brush before fixing it up into a bun again. Both were wearing their school uniform and had yet to go home from yesterday's events. "Nn…"
"I'm sorry to wake you. The doctor has the results I thought you would like to hear them too. Nel is out of surgery finally."
He instantly perked up and tied his hair in a ponytail to keep out of his face, "I-I'm up. Sorry I didn't mean to fall asleep."
Mrs. Odelschwanck snorted and rested a hand on her hip, "sweetheart you stayed up all night waiting for those results. No one blames either of you for getting some shut-eye. Plus, I wanted both of you to get some rest we don't know what those results will reveal, but if we are all together, we can get through whatever it is."
Noir nodded and smiled slightly. She reminded him so much of his girlfriend and if she didn't look like an adult version of Nel, slightly shorter, he would have kissed her right then and there and never let her go. "Good morning." Momo stood up and put her knapsack on her back before bowing to her elder in respect and rubbing Nnoitra's arm in a comforting gesture. "Morning!"
He grabbed his black backpack and swung it over his shoulder while gesturing for Mrs. Odelschwanck to take them to the doctor's office. The hallways were so empty and bare since it was still very early in the morning and most surgeries didn't start until six or seven. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the walls while the smell of disinfectant wafted in the air.
"It's this one. Hurry in." She stepped inside first and had Nnoitra close the door behind them. They made their way to the line of brown chairs that was in front of the surgeon's desk and sat down. "She left to get the results from the lab and check on Nel. I don't think she will be much longer, but she wanted me here with my family. Since it's just me and Nel I consider you two my extended family. Of course, we don't have to tell her that!" She giggled softly and looked down at her lap. It was the first laugh Nnoitra heard from her since this whole ordeal happened. He could see the sadness in her eyes, but more than anything her worrisome aura was the most visible. "No matter what happens I want you two to continue being there for my daughter. I know it is a lot to ask and I probably don't have any right to, but-"
"You don't ever have to worry about me leaving her. She is the one I plan to spend the rest of my life with. No matter what results that come she is the only woman I could ever love. I already consider you my mother-in-law so please let me help you in this time of need. Let me help take care of your heart as well as my own heart."
He grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze before looking straight ahead as the doctor knocked and walked in. Momo stared in awe at the affection the two shared for Nel and couldn't help but smile in happiness for her friends, but a part of her felt a little jealous. She wanted to see her partner too, it just wasn't fair.
"Good morning. Thank you all for coming. My name is Retsu Unohana I am the surgeon who took over your daughter's plastic surgery. She did excellent during the procedure, I wanted you to come in so we can discuss the diagnosis and the results of the surgery. Your daughter Nelliel, was involved in a hit and run recently. According to our discoveries, the vehicle hit her from the anterior part of her body. Normally injuries of the chest and lower limbs are associated when that part of the body has been hit with blunt force trauma. However, your daughter was very lucky and made it out with just broken ribs. Unfortunately, because of her height, she was more up close with the windshield. The glass penetrated her face and made lacerations to the forehead and nose. I did what I could to repair the damaged skin, but she will have deep scars. I am afraid not even skin grafts can help." Highlighting some of the notes she flipped the page over and cleared her throat looking at them for a sign to continue, "as for her mouth-She lost a total of six front teeth, so we went ahead and gave her dental implants. They look completely natural, but you will have to make a follow-up appointment with me two or three times a year. With good maintenance and routine dental visits, there is no reason her implants cannot last a very long time, even a lifetime! This is very positive news."
"Why do I feel like you are giving us all the good news first before we get to the bad." Mrs. Odelschwanck questioned as she leaned forward in her seat with an eyebrow raised and her lips pursed.
"Well, most of her bodily injuries can be healed within two months. However, when the truck hit her it also damaged her a part of her head. She suffered extensive damage to her temporal lobes which contain what we call the hippocampus and amygdala. These parts of the brain have a lot to do with memory transition and formation. I'm not going to sugar coat it; I have had former patients who have had an injury to this area and have experienced problems creating new long-term memories and have even experienced multiple episodes of seizures and amnesia," Retsu put her highlighter and clipboard down to look Nel's mother in the eye, "We won't know for sure until Nelliel is healed and going about her everyday routines. I know this isn't the news you wanted to hear, but she is very lucky. Most victims her age don't live through a head-on collision with a truck. If it's okay with you I would like to keep her under observation for a week or two just to make sure there isn't any brain swelling and complications from post-surgery."
Mrs. Odelschwanck sunk into her chair with a look of despair on her face. She couldn't believe this was happening to her daughter, not her precious Nelliel. She did what any mother would and asked if there was anything more that could be done for her, "C-Can it be fixed…?"
"As I said before, I cannot give you a definite answer because we need to monitor her and see if she even has those aftereffects. She should be waking up within the next day or so…why don't y'all go home and freshen up. Get something to eat the moment she does I'll call you." The doctor stood up and bowed her head before making her way to the door.
"Wait-" Nnoitra stood up and held the door open for the doctor who smiled in return.
"Yes?"
"Will she…be able to remember the people who have been in her life up until recently or only since the beginning."
"I won't know for sure…I'm sorry I cannot give you the answer you want to hear."
Nnoitra sighed and turned his back on her, "no it's my fault. You clearly said it earlier, I just didn't want to think that…Nel could…forget me."
The moment Momo saw that look in his eye she ran up to him and threw her arms around his waist. Mrs. Odelschwanck looked away not being able to handle if Nnoitra broke down too. "I-I'm going to go get some air. Go home. Get some rest…I don't plan to leave so I'll call if I hear anything."
Momo tugged on the sleeve of his uniform ushering him out the door so they could head to the hospital entrance. "Sorry, Momo you're probably feeling worse off than me. You can't even see Ulquiorra."
Her eyes widened and she clasped her hands together, "Cifer-Kun and I are connected. I know he will be okay. I will wait for him. No matter how long it takes. I have faith. I may not be able to be there for him, but at least I can be there for my friends."
"You're a good person. Nel will be very happy to know you visited her a lot while she was in here." The two made their way to the entrance of the hospital, only to come face to face with father dearest. Time seemed to come to a standstill as he made his way to the front desk.
Nnoitra glared and stepped forward shielding Momo from the bastard who caused his best friend the most pain. Aizen instantly took notice since they happened to be in his path, "I was wondering why the nurse kept asking me if Ulquiorra had more visitors. Now I know it was just pests."
"You think just because Ulquiorra is under your watch for now, that you have the upper hand. Just you wait, the moment you fuck up you're out of here so enjoy that smug attitude of yours because it isn't going to last. We see right through your charade." He spat before walking past him, shoving his shoulder against his.
A smile slowly crept across his face and he turned his head slightly with his hands in his pockets, "a façade you say? I had no intention of deceiving anyone. It's just none of you could understand…my true self. You shouldn't use such strong words boy; it'll only make you look weak when they are proven wrong."
Aizen turned and began to walk away but was stopped by a shaking hand on his sleeve. "What are you doing girl?"
"P-Please…Mr. Cifer is he…ok? That's all I want to know. I won't ask for anything else…I just can't stand not knowing anymore."
Aizen was silent for a moment before turning his back on her and walking away. Her eyed widened and she stepped forward crying, "please! Please tell me he is okay! Mr. Cifer I am begging you!"
"Momo…stop that's enough. Let's go home."
"YOU DON'T EVEN CARE ABOUT HIM! I DO BECAUSE I LOVE HIM! HE'S OUR PRECIOUS FRIEND!" Her tears were flowing rapidly at this point. Nurses who were taking a break or just getting off their nightshift heard the commotion and began to make their way over.
"WHY DID YOU BOTHER TO COME!? TO RUIN HIS LIFE EVEN MORE!?"
Aizen's brows furrowed and he turned around glaring. The anger apparent in his face, "I am making him pay for what he did to my wife. He has no place in my heart and he can die for all I care. If I wasn't able to live a happy life with her so why should he get to do it in my place?"
Momo wiped away the snot running down her nose with her sleeve before looking into his cold eyes, "why? Because your wife gave her life bringing your son into the world. A son who was proof of your undying love for one another. By abusing him and making him suffer, contradicts the love you had for Mrs. Cifer!"
"Don't act like you know a thing about her little girl!" The nurses who had been listening in on the conversation immediately notified security of the heated altercation not wanting a fight to occur in their peaceful scenery.
It didn't take long for the police to arrive and take Aizen in for questioning on the allegations that eyewitnesses overheard. "I-I'm sorry Gilga-Sama…I-I should have just kept my mouth shut, but It's Cifer-Kun and I…I just wanted to see him to know he is okay."
"You have nothing to apologize for. You did the right thing, but we should get out of here before-"
"Trying to make the great escape I see." A familiar voice was heard as an officer approached them from behind. "I knew I would run into you both eventually. Did you ever find out your partner's conditions?"
"O-Officer Kuchiki!" Momo slightly bowed as she suddenly wasn't feeling good. All that interaction made her heartache and her head hurt. "W-We were just leaving. We couldn't find anything out on C-Cifer-Kun, but Nel-Chan is out of surgery and in the ICU."
Rukia jotted some notes down as Nnoitra stepped forward and gave his statement next, "damn. I'm sorry to hear that Mr. Gilga. If you get any other updates, please let me know. Anything helps us with building a case. We are still searching for whoever did this, but I came to give Mrs. Odelschwanck an update. We found the truck and were able to recover street cam footage on the date of the accident. This case has been confirmed as attempted murder following a premeditated attack. It shouldn't be much longer until we apprehend the criminal."
"Good. I want this asshole to be caught and brought to justice."
"Another thing. I couldn't help but overhear from the witnesses that one of the victims has been abused by their parent? Can you confirm who exactly?"
Nnoitra remained quiet and looked at Momo both exchanging nervous glances, "long story short. Ulquiorra's mother passed away from complications due to the afterbirth. Aizen couldn't handle it so he took his anger out on his kid."
"I see…why didn't you report it to your teachers? Your local authorities? Even other adults?"
Nnoitra snorted and backed up, holding Momo by her waist since she was feeling weak, "you must be dumb if you think I haven't tried it. Adults didn't want to get involved with that mess or go to the courts. Police said it was none of my business so I should just go about my day. And what could I do as a twelve-year-old boy when I first found out? So, the next time you try and accuse someone of not doing their civic duty to report something if you see something…ask yourself what your precinct has done to help people like me…like him in Karakura."
Rukia stared in shock at how blunt Nnoitra was being, but she knew it was justified. His friend just went through a huge trauma and he could do nothing but stand idly by, "I understand your frustrations. All I ask is you give me a day to show you that I am not like other cops. Please."
He rolled his eyes and looked down at Momo, "let's go. You need to eat something, and we need to change out of these damn uniforms."
He turned his back on the officer and walked out of the hospital with his friend. Rukia bit her lip and cursed the ground. Yet another reason she needed to hurry up and make captain, to help people like them who were dealt with injustice by the judicial system. 'I know what I have to do…I just need to find whoever oversees this hospital. I'm also going to need a warrant.'
The next morning Nnoitra stood in front of Ulquiorra's bedroom door. He figured it was more than enough time for Momo to sleep. After yesterday's encounters with Aizen, the doctors, and the cops it just drained their energy supply. He had taken her home to grab some clothes and an overnight bag then brought her to the apartment he shared with his best friend. It was the first time she had been inside Ulquiorra's house, let alone his bedroom. He didn't have many belongings due to his father giving him the absolute minimum to survive and never bothered to get him an upgrade from the standard free uniform that they received at each grade level. Nnoitra, on the other hand, got him new outfits from the mall since they had similar tastes and a brand-new school uniform to wear.
Before he could get a knock in the door swung open and Momo pushed past him with a hand over her mouth and dashed into the hallway bathroom. "G-Gah-"
"Shit…are you okay?!" He held her hair so it wouldn't get soiled with the vomit. This must have been the second time he saw her with her hair down. He still wasn't used to it, gently he flushed it for her and brought her over to the sink. "Do you think you can make it to the hospital today? If not, we can go tomorrow."
"N-No I am fine…ah…it's just the nerves. Anyways officer Kuchiki requested that we be there at eleven. We can't be late, just give me a few minutes to get ready okay?"
He nodded and helped her back to the room, "I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." She nodded and waved him off, her hands shaking. She looked super pale and he felt bad just leaving her there, but he wasn't about to go against her wishes.
After a few minutes when she felt the room had stopped spinning, she got up and began to get dressed for their meeting with the officer. When Rukia called early in the morning it seemed like she had very important news, could they have caught the criminals who did this to her boyfriend and close friend? "G-Gilga-Sama I am ready."
"Did you want some breakfast before we go?"
"To be honest I don't think I can stomach water. I am just very nervous, and I just want to get this over with."
"That I can agree with you on. Come on let's get going." He grabbed his train pass and backpack, both dressed in casual attire instead of the uncomfortable school uniform. Momo also wore one of Ulquiorra's black jackets to keep her warm since today of all days she was feeling under the weather despite what she told Nnoitra.
It took about an hour to get to the hospital, just in time for the meeting. Usually around nine in the morning traffic started and a lot of morning riders packed the station. "Ah, there you two are. Please grab a visitor pass and follow me."
Both teens did as instructed and received their admission passes from the same clerk who denied them entry to Nel before Mrs. Odelschwanck intervened. She seemed to be in a better mood as if she were in on some type of secret. 'What the hell is her deal…?'
"I promised you I would try, harder didn't I? Even though it's not the news you were probably expecting it is still good news." The officer adjusted her badge and clicked the button for the elevator to open, "press the fifth floor please."
Momo nodded and pressed the white plastic button that lit up yellow. She stepped back and braced herself against her friend as the elevator lifted them multiple floors. "W-Where are we going Kuchiki-San?"
Rukia smiled and remained silent as she guided them down the hall and into a large hospital room with a white curtain. "I am confused where are we-" Momo suddenly became quiet as the doorplate read 'Cifer'.
"Because he has no legal parent or guardian, he is considered an adult by the city due to his age. What that means is now anyone who I put down on the list can visit him. You can talk to the clerk to clear up any other issues. I got a court order to let you and Mr. Gilga be his stand-in family so all the medical decisions are to be made by you two alone, but both parties must be in agreement."
"Then you mean…he is-" She gasped and ran into the room and pushed the curtain aside. 'Ulquiorra…'
Rukia smiled slightly when Nnoitra looked down at her in shock, "I told you not to underestimate me Mr. Gilga, enjoy the rest of your day. My work here is done I will be investigating the case from the main branch precinct. She has my card so if anyone gives you trouble give me a call."
He grunted, but she knew he meant well when she saw a smirk grace his face. "This was unexpected. Thanks for this. You just made that woman very happy. Something I haven't been able to do in a while."
He quietly closed the door behind her and went over to the other chair. It was the first time in four days that they were able to see Ulquiorra. He was happy for his friends being reunited again; he was just sorry it had to be in this way.
"Oh, Cifer-Kun…I-I don't know what to say…"
"You know you can call him by his first name. I think he would prefer it, considering who he shares his last name with."
A blush crept its way into her cheeks. She seemed to think over the suggestion for a while before she looked down at his pale hand that a butterfly needle in it, "o-okay…I will try."
Her hand trailed from his knee to his bruised cheek. She cupped it gently not wanting to hurt him any more than he already was. Tears began to well up and she rested her head on the bed, "I-I'm sorry…so sorry…I wish I could take your place…I miss you…I miss you so much. My heart, it hurts when you aren't here with me Ulquiorra. I want you to come back to us. I want you to get better, please. I love you…" She gently squeezed his hand and kissed his forehead since his tubes were in the way.
Nnoitra looked away so he could give her some privacy as she declared her love for his best friend. "I guess now we can page in the doctor to explain his medical records and results now that we have access."
"O-Oh yes, please. That would help immensely I want to know what we can do to make Ulquiorra feel better and recover quickly."
"I'll be right back." He got up and left the room to see if he could flag down a nurse and while he was gone Momo couldn't help but play with Ulquiorra's hair. She took this time to see the extent of his injuries. She noticed he had two black eyes and a bruised left cheek most likely from when he hit the asphalt. Other than that, she would have to wait for x rays and lab tests to come back if she wanted to find out more.
Knock.
Knock.
"I'm coming in," Nnoitra announced several minutes later before entering with a doctor who looked like he could have been a pharaoh in a past life, this man was for sure a foreigner.
"Good evening. My name is Mayuri Kurotsuchi and I have been the doctor in charge of overseeing Mr. Cifer's operations. I thought it was only proper to introduce myself since your family member will be in my care for the remainder of his time here. I am told you will be the new point of contact. Your name is?"
Momo's eyes widened and she gently set Ulquiorra's hand down onto the white sheets before shuffling over to Mayuri and bowing in the utmost respect, "g-good evening. I am Momo Hinamori. C-Cifer-K-I mean…Ulquiorra is my boyfriend a-and I don't know if you already met G-Gilga-Sama, but he is his-"
"No worries I know about their living situation. Shall we get down to the overview? I am sorry to say I have another surgery in about thirty minutes I just wanted to come by and give you a run down as a courtesy."
Momo's eyes widened and she bowed again, "t-thank you so much!"
He gave a slight nod before pulling a clipboard from the inside of his lab coat, "eighteen-year-old male with bruised ribs and a fractured cheek. He also came in with some blunt force trauma to the head…most likely caused by the impact of the truck. He hasn't woken up since he was brought in which was four days ago. We are continuing to monitor him, but the x-ray's did show fluids in the brain. There is a high chance that these fluids are causing his brain to push down on the brain stem."
"W-What does that mean exactly and please don't sugar coat anything…" Momo gripped her lover's hand after she sat back down by his side. Mayuri paused before continuing, "Trust me, my dear. I don't sugar coat anything that would compromise my abilities to provide the best health care as a doctor."
He went over to check Ulquiorra's vitals quick before he was to take his leave, "what that means is the brain stem can be compromised which can damage the RAS. RAS stands for Reticular Activating System, it's a part of the brain that controls Mr. Cifer's arousal and awareness. To sum it up your boyfriend is in a comatose state, it is not something we did medically but of his body's own accord."
Momo's hands clasped over her chest and tears began to flow down her cheeks. She seemed a little faint as she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"I am sorry I don't have better results. The good news is his brain is active despite the state you see him in. We can't forget the main thing…he is alive." He put his hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture, "you need not worry. I will do my best for him, don't lose hope just yet. We always have miracles in this hospital." He was cut off by the beeping of his pager signaling it was time for him to go. "Apologies. I must get going. I will come to check on him later." He gave a slight bow before sliding the door open and closing it behind him.
Nnoitra remained still as if still processing what Doctor Kurotsuchi said. His good eye trailed toward his friend who was sitting in the chair disbelief written all over her face. Raising himself out of the chair he sat on the edge of Ulquiorra's bed, mindful of his feet. "Momo."
"Momo~"
"MOMO!"
She snapped back to reality and willed herself to look into his grey eye. She began to weep, but not before she felt a wave of vomit pool in her throat, causing a burning sensation. Quickly she got up with a hand over her mouth and ran into the bathroom, barely managing to get it all into the porcelain toilet bowl.
"Shit." Nnoitra sighed and went to help her again like before. He knew she was fragile, but damn this stress did take a toll on her body. "Momo…here let me help you." He grabbed a few paper towels from the dispenser and wet it with tap water and soap. Gently he dabbed at her forehead and mouth, "there, does that feel better?"
"Mmhmm…"
"You shouldn't stress yourself out like this. We both need to be in the right state of mind when they recover." He patted her bun and stood up throwing away the trash.
Was he seriously the one to lecture her right now? How could he say that with a straight face when he was feeling the same way? "Do you want to stay here for the night?"
"Y-Yes, please. I brought my overnight bag. I can stay here with him if you want to go see Nel-Chan today. You haven't been able to visit her yet, right?"
He looked her over once, debating if he should be leaving her alone, but he knew they needed their time together, even if only one of them was present. "Yeah, I think I'll go do that. Maybe stop by and check on Mrs. Odelschwanck to make sure she doesn't need anything."
"O-Okay. Text me if you need anything. I'll be here."
"Will do. Get some rest alright? I'll come to check on you later tonight since I am staying too."
He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before waving goodbye and heading out the door. Once the door shut, she stood up and leaned over Ulquiorra. "If you can hear me…please know I am here, I won't leave you and I will stay by your side until you wake up. I mean it."
For a moment it seemed as if he was going to reply, but the only response she received was from his ventilator and vital monitor beeping at a normal steady rhythm. Once she checked for herself that he was "ok" considering the state he was in, she laid her head back down on the white sheets and closed her eyes.
'I promise.'