Good morning from the West Coast everyone,
I'm back with another chapter of "It's never too late".
My wonderful beta-reader, BrownB, worked so hard to get this chapter to me today; so I thought, "the hell with work, I'm going to upload this story if it's the last thing I do!"
I hope all is well and everyone's having a great Autumn.
I don't know if you've heard, but a very strong earthquake has hit the border of Iran and Iraq last week, killing thousands, injuring hundreds and leaving a few towns destroyed in its wake.
Please pray for the victims, families who've lost loved ones and the survivors who are struggling to get back on their feet.
I'm dedicating this chapter to all my fellow countrymen and women and our neighbours in Iraq.
And if there is anyone amongst my readers who speak Farsi: "Omidvaram harja ke hastid salamat bashid."
Now to my wonderful readers who take the time to send me a review:
Serenitysweety: I'm so glad you liked the previous chapter, and I sure hope you feel the same way about this one. Let me know what you think. Cheers.
Guest (Oct 4): I'm so honoured that INTL is one of your favorite fanfics I was initially thinking of only doing 20 chapters, however, with how things are going right now, I think it's safe to say that it's going to be more than 20 chapters :D Probably around 23-24. Cheers.
Gurdians314: LOL. I'm loving how you call Mamoru "Mamoru-sempai" I'm glad you liked chapter 19. Let me know what you think of the new chapter.
Guest (Oct 4): Yes, chapter 19 was truly a stressful chapter. But look at the bright side. People said what needed to be said to one another and some of them are probably going to make amends. Hopefully Cheers.
DanykaSD: Thank you for your heartwarming words regarding the Las Vegas shooting. Truly a horrible time. I'm so glad you liked the previous chapter. And you're right, I'm trying to gradually give my readers the information they need regarding the characters and their pasts. I hope this chapter does the same Cheers.
Sailorpriestess: Here's the new chapter:D:D (evil laughter) You just have to wait and see what happens at the end:D Cheers.
Miss Mango: Wow. I loved your review Thank you so much. As soon as I received an email alert for it, I was like: "I have to be up my game for the new chapter too!" Your words made me really, really happy. I hope the new chapter also meets your expectations. Let me know what you think Thank you.
Sie: So here's the new chapter. I hope you enjoy. Cheers.
Reioki: I'm updating it now:D:D:D Cheers.
As always, a big shout out to my wonderful beta-read and editor, the great BrownB.
Enjoy.
He was lying on his bed with his arms stretched on the sides; his tired stare fixed on the ceiling. He hadn't changed since he'd been home and he didn't even think about how disgusting it was to be lying on his clean duvet while covered in a whole day's exhaustion and dirt…and stains of blood!
The image of Chiba's broken form on the ground hadn't left his mind's eye for a second. He would close his eyes and the fucking image was still there. He would try to focus on something else, anything else, but to no avail.
He remembered every little detail, every little movement; every little sound. Chiba's eyes the moment they had opened for the smallest second the world had seen, and then way they had looked at Usagi's colourless face would probably stay with Motoki for the rest of his life.
In his shock and confusion on what was happening, Motoki had forgotten about the fact that his sworn enemy had saved his life.
The impact of Chiba's violent push had thrown Motoki flying away from the path of the car and his lower back was hurting like a bitch!
But he was still alive while Chiba was fighting for his life.
"Please please please God…"
Usagi's heartbroken mumbles was still fresh in his ear when he had snapped at her after asking her repeatedly to run home and get her father. "Usagi, get a hold of yourself!" he had yelled at her. She had looked at him with frightened eyes; but had sat immobile on her spot, her arms wrapped around Chiba's shoulders and head, her tears falling on the young man's face.
Motoki had never witnessed such despair and desolation!
He shifted his eyes towards the small window facing the street. The head lights of the passer cars would cast a shimmer over his ceiling now and then; Tokyo was a restless city after all, and even well into the night, or rather, early morning, people were on the go.
He felt the exhaustion finally taking its toll on his worn-out body and mind.
Before his lids fell into an uneasy darkness he thought about going back to the hospital first thing after waking up.
He was alive and breathing.
And there was still a good chance that the man who had saved his life wouldn't be as lucky when Motoki woke up.
"You really shouldn't get up."
"Just lend me a hand, okay?"
Daiki rolled his eyes even as he moved to her bedside, "you're supposed to be resting, remember?" He reached out and looped an arm under her shoulders. "You're a real pain sometimes, you know that?"
"Shut up and help me up stupid," Hisa hissed as she pushed herself off the bed and leaned on him.
"He's not allowed any visitors right now. He's in the ICU," he said tiredly and ran an agitated hand over his face.
Hisa glared at him over her shoulder. "Just take me to the fucking ICU Daiki!" she huffed and shuffled towards the door.
Daiki rolled his eyes once more and followed her.
Both remained quite as they made their way through the corridors.
"You know that people can see your ass in that robe, right?" Daiki said with raised eyebrows as he did a once over on her back.
Hisa just glared at him once more. "I couldn't care less if some sex deprived pervert checks out my ass. Could you move any slower?" She pushed away the hair on her forehead and pushed the elevator button with force.
They slowly entered the elevator that was carrying a few more people.
Daiki moved both to the side, settling Hisa's back to his chest.
"What are you doing?" she asked with irritation.
"Consider me one of those sex deprived perverts," he answered with a tiny smirk; a gesture that didn't reach his eyes.
Hisa couldn't remember seeing that weird expression on Daiki's face ever since they started hanging out.
The cockiness that seemed forever plastered on his face was gone and for a moment, Hisa didn't know how to react to this new side of him.
She let out an exasperated sigh and turned her head to glare at the floor panel.
Daiki's hand that was holding her shoulder was suddenly gone and Hisa closed her eyes despite herself, remembering that same hand from a few hours ago and how it had clutched at her with desperation.
She had woken up by the slight shift on the bed. She had an idea who she would meet once her eyes were open and she was ready to blast him with a dirty look; she was in the middle of a very good dream!She had met his eyes then and her heart had stood frozen for a second before the rapid beating threw her off track.
"Wha…" she had leaned forward to ask him but then his arms were around her in a tight embrace.
She was never a compassionate person; and she surely wasn't the one to show feelings in public.
But there had been something in Daiki's stare right before he had buried himself in her chest.
Something shifted in her heart. Something that she had forgotten about a long time ago.
"What's going on?" she asked him in panic, her voice above a whisper proper for a room occupied by sleeping patients.
"What happened?" She tried to push him away so she could look at his face.
And when he finally let go and she could see his green eyes…
Her eyes widened with shock and a sickening fright in her gut.
He was crying.
Hisa had never seen him cry. And it wasn't like a slow flowing of tear drops on his cheeks. The tiny laugh creases around his eyes were deepened by the sorrow that was radiating from his whole being.
And his eyes…
"Damn it…what's going on?" She could feel the wild drumming of her heart; could he?
He closed his eyes and more tears fell on his cheek bones.
Suddenly, he seemed so vulnerable; so unlike the Daiki she had come to know; so unlike the boy with a never ending freakish smirk.
Hisa was never good in dealing with things she didn't know and didn't understand. And this Daiki, this version of him that had taken refuge in her arms, who was crying without a shame and with so much grief, was something that she didn't know and couldn't understand.
So, she did the only thing she could understand.
She kissed him.
And it was only when their lips met did her action register in her head.
She didn't pull back though, because Daiki kissing her back and an aching desperation registered fast enough and suddenly, her whole being was possessed by his lips.
His hands clutched her waist tightly as his mouth opened under hers.
The tears never stopped in the span of the kiss.
They parted to take a deep breath; their eyes didn't meet as they both stared at each other's kissed swollen lips before Daiki leaned in and kissed her with more urgency; but not before letting out a quite sob.
This was the saddest kiss Hisa had ever experienced and yet, she wouldn't change it for the world.
And it was only after he leaned his head on her chest, his arms still wrapped around her waist, did she notice that the dampness of her cheeks was partially because of Daiki's tears.
She couldn't remember the last time she had let silent tears wash over her face.
"Come on."
Hisa came out of her reverie when Daiki tugged on her arm and walked her out of the elevator.
His eyes searched for something, or someone, when they neared the ICU pavilion.
"Excuse me," Daiki said to a young nurse who was busy looking over a clipboard in her hands, "I was wondering if we could visit Chiba Mamoru? He was admitted to the ICU a few hours ago."
"Visiting hour is over, he's not allowed any," the nurse replied rather quickly, not letting him finish his sentence.
Hisa huffed under her breath and was about to snap at her when Daiki's voice rose once more.
"I understand, but you see, she wouldn't take no for an answer," he said as he gestured to Hisa with his thumb.
The nurse didn't even look up. "It's not possible." She then glanced up for a second and narrowed her eyes at Hisa as she did a once over on her hospital clad form. "Are you a patient here?" She didn't wait for a confirmation. "You should be in bed young lady." She put the clapboard on the desk in front of her and watched the duo with a displeased look on her face.
"Listen lady…"
Hisa's irritated tone was cut short by a gentle voice, "I thought I told you to take some rest."
All three of them turned towards the newcomer and Hisa was immediately aware of Daiki's change of attitude. He tried to stand up straight and the seductive half smile he was trying to use on the young nurse was wiped off his face.
"Nurse Enomoto," he addressed the middle-aged woman clad in a pair of black pants, a simple light blue shirt and a dark brown jacket, "I couldn't…and she really wanted to see him." He again gestured to Hisa with his eyes.
Nurse Enomot's eyes trailed to Hisa and fixed on her.
Hisa had never been good at communicating with adults. The only adult in her life was her father, and she barely talked to the guy. Other adults included her teachers; not much help there! So, when the older woman just kept on staring at her, Hisa met her eyes with defiance, much like the look she always gave her homeroom teacher.
But there was something in this woman's eyes; something unreadable and frankly, uncomfortable, that made her to push her lips together tightly and finally, look the other way.
"How's your arm?" Hisa's eyes trailed back to the older nurse and she pursed her lips once more. "It's fine…" she mumbled and then looked at Daiki who was still looking at the nurse.
"Enomoto-san, I've already told them that they can't go in," the young nurse said as she looked at the duo with boredom.
"Chiba-san can't have visitors, I've already told you," Nurse Enomoto was obviously addressing Daiki but her eyes were still set on Hisa.
"But I need to see him," Hisa hissed without meeting the nurse's eyes.
"I understand sweetheart, but he's in the ICU and right now, he's not allowed visitors."
Hisa's eyes went back to the nurse's calm stare; she'd called her "sweetheart". She couldn't remember the last time a woman had called her that.
"We're taking good care of your friend," Nurse Enomoto said as she glanced between the teenagers in front of her.
"Didn't you say blondie saw him when he came out of the surgery?" Hisa looked at Daiki with a certain level of irritation; nurse Enomoto tried hard not to laugh at her expression.
"She's the girlfriend you know," Daiki responded slowly as if trying to speak to a 5-year-old.
"Tsk, you mean she's just the girlfriend, right? She might not be in his life one month from now; but we're his friends…we're his family." Her agitation from a moment ago was now replaced by a clear undertone of desperation and nurse Enomoto's heart broke for the slim girl in front of her.
"Nurse Higashi?"
The younger nurse glanced up at the taller woman. "Please take…" she paused and looked at Hisa with raised eyebrows. Hisa met her eyes, "Toyama Hisa," she mumbled. The nurse's lips twitched in a small smile, "Please take Hisa-chan to see Chiba-san," she glanced back at Hisa, "But you can't stay for too long."
Nurse Higashi frowned, her hesitation clear in her visage; but she obeyed her superior nonetheless; Nurse Enomoto was well known for her gentle heart, for her kindness and her never-ending smile; but she was also known for her free-spirited nature; and if she wanted to allow this girl to visit her friend at the ICU, after hours, then that's what she was going to do.
"Follow me," the young nurse almost hissed and gestured with her hand.
Hisa looked up at Daiki and then nurse Enomoto. She started to walk away when Daiki's hand seized her wondering, "Hisa…?" he called out to her and stared at her face with raised eyebrows. Nurse Enomoto watched with fascination as the couple seemed to have some weird eye conversation, with the girl's face changing from annoyance to agitation, boredom and then finally, defeat. "Thank you," Hisa said under her breath to the head nurse and Daiki smiled.
"She doesn't seem easy," Nurse Enomoto whispered as Daiki stood beside her and they watched nurse Higashi guide Hisa towards the ICU; the loose straps of her hospital gown flying behind her and her cotton black panties peeking out.
"You have no idea," Daiki whispered back with a pout and desperation.
"Hush now dear. He's asleep," he heard his mother's velvety voice. "Wake him up then. I thought we were going to surprise him." His father was apparently trying to please his wife by lowering his voice, but not low enough so as not to disturb the 6-year-olds sweet dreams!
"Wel,l he was exhausted, I didn't have the heart to make him stay awake." There was a clear hint of adoration in his mother's voice; something that Mamoru had missed at that young age.
"But honey, I bought the gear and all." His father's whining was what made Mamoru finally give in and chuckle under his bed sheets. He revealed himself to his parents with twinkling eyes and his reserved chuckling turned into an excited laughter when he saw his father's robotic Gundam style costume.
He could feel the emptiness and the darkness surrounding him. Was he dreaming? Was he dead?
He was trying so hard to open his eyes, but it was as if there were weights holding them closed. It was as if he hadn't slept for thousands of years!
He was so tired!
"I love you." He saw a pair of shimmering eyes and he was trying his hardest to remember to whom those eyes belonged to. "I love you." The eyes became clearer and he could make out the tiny diamonds hiding in them. "I love you."
Usagi…
Somewhere in the distance, he heard a familiar voice calling out his name.
Ami closed the door behind her and tip towed away from the door.
"How is she?" Makoto asked hurriedly. "Is she sleeping?"
"No, she's lying down, but she's awake," Ami said as she took a seat beside Minako on the floor.
Four sets of eyes glanced around the room, each one caught up in their own world, which for the moment, was revolving around a tiny blonde.
"Did she say anything?" Rei asked as she hugged her legs to her chest.
Ami sighed and nodded her head, "Not really. I mean, I think she's still in shock...," she sighed again, "It must be horrible for her."
"I bet," Makoto said.
"What do you think we should do?" Rei asked again, her long black hair was up in a messy bun as she fingered a loose strand. "We can't just sit here, right?"
"I think we should just wait and see," Ami whispered, "I don't think she's ready to talk about it." She glanced up at Rei and pursed her lips together.
Ever since they had received that awful phone call from Shingo, her mind was on an overdrive.
"There was an accident," the youngest Tsukino had said, "I think Chiba is hurt or something, the arcade dude came to our house covered in blood and took my dad." He'd been trying so hard not to cry, Ami could tell, and she would have tried to calm him down if her own heart wasn't jackhammering against her chest.
"I think we should go back to the hospital," Minako whispered as her eyes settled Rei's closed bedroom door.
Makoto raised a skeptical brow. "Why? We can't really go in and visit him, what's the comfort in that?" She followed Minako's form as she stood up and walked towards the bedroom, "Minako!" she hissed and stood up to follow the blonde, "Let her rest, she's had one hell of a night!"
Minako whirled around and met Makoto's disapproving eyes with defiance, "Don't you get it? She won't be able to rest as long as she can't see him." She huffed and looked around the room. "I know Usagi, we all know Usagi; do you really think she'd be able to take even a nap knowing that he's struggling to stay alive and she's not with him?" She made an aggravating gesture with her hand to point out the obvious.
Ami thought back to when they had all arrived at the hospital.
After their less-than-friendly talk with Motoki, they had decided to have a sleepover at the shrine; their little haven they always took refuge in when everything was less than perfect. And Shingo was one smart young boy, knowing who to call and where to call; Ami had made sure to point that out to him, before rushing out the door as Rei yelled some incoherent explanation to grandpa Hino.
They had all rushed to Usagi's side and for some reason, Ami doubted that Usagi even noticed their presence before she had collapsed against Makoto's chest, crying with a mixture of relief and horror. "The surgery went well. But time is precious," the middle-aged surgeon had said, "we must wait and see." He had nodded towards Usagi's dad, the only real adult amongst a few teenagers.
Usagi had struggled when Rei had suggested taking her back to the Shrine. She had cried and pleaded with all of them to let her stay where she was.
It was Chiba's friend who had finally convinced her to leave with her friends; "I'll call you as soon as he wakes up," the blond guy had said. "You need rest Usagi-chan, and like I said before, I want him to wake up to a bright face; not this look you've got going on right now," he had said with such gentleness that Ami had to shake her head; was this really the same guy who had mocked her hair colour at the arcade?
He had hugged her, right in front of Kenji, and had whispered something in her ear that Ami couldn't hear. But whatever it was, it had calmed Usagi and she had finally nodded with teary eyes and had allowed Makoto to lead her outside.
Kenji had taken Usagi and Rei to the Tsukino's so Rei could help her pack a bag for the night, and probably for Ikuko-mama to see that her daughter was safe and in one piece. Ami, Makoto and Minako had walked with Motoki of all people to the shrine.
The shock of seeing Motoki at the hospital wasn't big, as Ami had been informed by Shingo that he was the one who had got a hold of Kenji in the first place.
But as they walked towards the shrine, with the three of them taking uncomfortable glances at his back, while he walked in a tired gesture, they hadn't said one word to him!
Makoto had thanked him once they had all arrived at the shrine; and as sincere as she had sounded, a certain colour was missing in her tone; even Makoto didn't know how to face Motoki anymore, Ami reflected.
Motoki had simply nodded and had turned on his heels to walk away before he had stopped and turned towards the three pairs of eyes watching him leave. "I hope he makes it," he'd said, startling them as he spoke to them for the very first time. "He saved my life," he'd whispered, again, surprising them with that piece of information and Ami could tell that Minako was restraining herself not to jump at his throat for more. "But that doesn't change the fact that you all betrayed me." He had looked at each of them with an expression akin to sadness. "I'm just saying this so you'd know why I won't acknowledge you when you come to the arcade from now on." He had whispered the words nonchalantly, but the sting was there; Ami could feel it and for the second time that night, her eyes had watered.
They watched his retrieving form before they had begun climbing the stairs of the shrine. Each of them lost in their own world and Ami knew that losing a friend was as hard for her friends as it was for her.
"Alright then," Rei suddenly announced, starting Ami out of her reverie, "let's go back." She then stood up and walked towards her bedroom, "I'll get Usagi."
"It's 3 in the morning," Makoto said, "I don't think they'll let us in," she said, even though she had also moved to grab her jacket.
"No harm in trying," Minako declared as she peeked inside Rei's room. "Usagi-chan, let's go," she then said, as the raven-haired priestess reappeared at the door with an exhausted-looking Usagi, "we're going to the hospital."
"I already told her," Rei said with a roll of her eyes.
"We can't just walk there, it's 3 in the morning," Makoto said again, as she moved to drape Usagi's jacket over her shoulder.
"I'll call a cab."
Makoto glanced at Minako with skeptic, "But it's…3 in the morning!"
"Oh, for God's sakes, first of all, Mako-chan, it's now 3:02," Ami suddenly snapped, "and besides, you go on runs, alone, right about the same time sometimes." She raised her eyebrows and gave Makoto a knowing stare.
"Thank you…" Usagi's small voice seized whatever word that was coming out of Makoto's mouth and she glanced down at the tiny blonde by her side. Usagi's bloodshed eyes were downcast and her overall appearance screamed of sorrow. Makoto sighed and wrapped an arm around the smaller girl's shoulder, "Come on Usa-chan," she said, "let's go see prince charming."
Usagi's tiny smile lit up something in Ami's heart.
Something close to happiness, and alot like hope.
Detective Wada was not known for his patience. In fact, anyone who knew him even a little knew that he'd become quite sour when people were late.
He was a punctual person. He arrived at all his appointments 10 minutes early so he'd have the time to compose himself and his friends had learned long ago to expect him as the very first guest at their gatherings.
So really, his expression as he waited in the car was not uncommon at all; with his fidgety fingers, an unlit cigarette hanging off his lips loosely and an unpleasant expression plastered on his round face.
"Where the fuck have you been?" he immediately asked when his person of interest settled on the passenger seat of his modest silver Toyota. "You're precisely 47 minutes late," he said again as he glared at the young man sitting beside him.
"I got held up," the passenger replied with a cool voice without looking at the fuming middle-aged detective.
"You say that every time," Wada hissed as he took out the cigarette and threw it on his dashboard.
"I get held up every time."
"For fuck's sake," the detective fumed, closing his eyes for a split second and taking a deep breath. "You young people are so unreliable and irresponsible… Just tell me what happened. You didn't sound like yourself when you called." He retrieved his abandoned cigarette and pushed in the cigar lighter socket. "You said something about an accident and the involvement of Subaro's…"
"They ran over Chiba…Mamoru," he rudely cut him off.
Wada turned his whole body around so he could face the young man; his light brown eyes were shining with disbelief.
The low 'click' of the cigar lighter socket went unnoticed.
"Is he…?"
"He's in the ICU…we'll have to wait and see…"
Wada stared at the young man with narrowed eyes, finally taking note of his extreme disheveled appearance. His left arm was leaning against the door handle as his right hand was clutching his leg; he seemed to be in agony.
Wada had been in the law enforcement for nearly three decades; he was called
'the mind reader' for a reason. One look at a person in front of him and Wada could tell what that person was going through; he knew a broken man when he saw one. And the young man sitting across from him was a clear definition of a broken man.
"We knew the Subaro's are dangerous; we knew they're capable of anything… you said it yourself…"
"I didn't predict that those kids would become this close to me," Daiki finally turned his head and looked at the older man; an unspoken regret reflecting in his eyes, "I overlooked the fact that by hanging out with them this much, there ought to be a friendship forming." He let out a deep sigh.
"Will he live?" Wada asked carefully as his hand went up to scratch a spot on his jawline.
Daiki's face fell even more. "I don't know…," he hissed. "I shouldn't have got him involved in the first place. I knew how dangerous this group was. Why the fuck did we have to involve a bunch of high schoolers?"
"Because they are targeting teenagers," Wada slowly explained; his voice had lost its previous venom altogether. "Don't lose sight of the bigger picture boy, the Subaro's need to go down," He paused and let his words sink in. "I know you think highly of Chiba, but let's not forget, he's far from innocent himself…"
Daiki's reaction was immediate and aggressive. "He is innocent. I pulled him into this mess; I pulled all of them into this mess…" he panted, "And now two of them are in the hospital; because we are literally sitting on our asses and haven't decided to move in yet! What the fuck are you waiting for, huh? We have enough evidence to take them down." He turned his body fully around so he was facing the detective; his green eyes shining with anger.
"We still don't have…"
"Hard evidence? They ran over Chiba tonight; they attacked Hisa…What more evidence do you want? Should someone die? Would that be enough fucking evidence?"
He threw the car door open and stepped out. He held his head in both hands, cursing under his breath.
Wada regarded him with cool eyes, pushing the cigar lighter socket in once more. He remained in the car, giving his young partner time to overcome his frustration.
Daiki was leaning against the hood of the car. He ignored the older man as he settled beside him after a while and kept his vacant stare focused on the sky. "Here," Wada offered him a lit cigarette and took a long drag of his own.
"Listen," Wada said after a few minutes of silence, "I know you've become close to these kids; I told you from the beginning that this kind of undercover work is going to have its quirks; it's never easy. Especially after spending time with a bunch of people for this long, but…" he took another deep drag, "Don't lose sight of what is important here Di." He looked at the street ahead. "Don't forget the importance of all of this. It's for the greater good…or something!"
Daiki's eyes were still glued to the sky above, his hand going to his mouth every now and then as he tried to form a coherent thought.
As he tried to remember the reasons why he was there in the first place.
Flashback:
"You seriously think that'll work?" Wada had seemed stunned and skeptical for the most part. He hadn't seemed too impressed with Daiki's involvement in the first place. "He's too young and naïve," he'd said to the captain. "He can't handle a job like this." He hadn't been ashamed to say that in front of Daiki at all.
"Didn't you say they're targeting teenagers? Going to high schools to find the "next big" stars? I mean, you said it yourself, the entertainment industry needs fresh meat!" Daiki had countered. "So wouldn't it make sense to go to the heart? Where it'll all start?"
"You're too inexperienced for this," Wada had said firmly as if to put an end to the discussion.
"That might be true. But I've graduated high school not too long ago…I know high school, I know how things work. Would you like to go back there yourself? Maybe pose as the bitter principle?" he'd challenged the detective.
Wada had still been skeptical when Daiki had finally entered the school. And for the most part of the two years he had disguised himself as a student, befriending teenagers who had been in the danger of becoming Tanaka's next targets, unconsciously forming a bond and eventually, getting involved, both physically and emotionally with them; even when a gang was formed and Chiba Mamoru had somehow become a banchō, Daiki had remained in his position. He was a newly active officer and Tanaka's didn't know about his involvement with the police. He didn't have any agenda. He was the perfect candidate.
But Wada wasn't a fool. He'd noticed the little changes in his young partner; in the way, he started talking about "those kids". In the way, he would withhold details about their course of action. The subtle defending, the smart ways he'd try to pull out those kids' names from the files, not letting their reputations be ruined by the deep mess they were stepping in.
Wada was not a fool and he could tell that Daiki was bonding with them in the ways too dangerous for all of them.
He was 'the mind reader' after all. And the last time he had tried to warn Daiki, his young comrade had looked at him with his never lasting smirk, convincing the detective that he had "everything" under control.
End of flashback.
"You're a professional Di and if you want to save these kids, you better start to act like one," the wise detective suggested, as he threw his finished cigarette on the ground.
Daiki only nodded once.
A plan already forming in his head.
A risky path, he knew, but he wasn't going to let his "friends" drown in the shit load ofmess he'd put them in in the first place.
"Miss, I'm going to ask you one more time."
"Aren't you listening to me? I saw him open his eyes!"
"Miss, could you please lower your voice; this is a hospital you know."
"For the love of… listen to me, pretty face; I'm telling you, he opened his eyes and looked right at me. It was creepy as hell, but he opened his eyes," Hisa's voice trailed off as she remembered the split second that she had look at Mamoru's open eyes.
Open and vacant eyes.
"Miss, I don't see any change in the patient's-"
"Excuse me?"
Both women swallowed what they were going to say and turned their heads towards the soft voice.
Hisa's eyebrows immediately came together as five sets of eyes settled on her.
"Hisa-chan? What are you doing here?" Usagi asked in a hurry, as she stepped away from her friends and came closer to her. "Who told you?" she asked again as she did a once over on the taller girl. "Why are you wearing a hospital gown?" Her eyes were wide as she did another once over on Hisa. "Are you okay? What happened?" She took a few more steps towards Hisa and looked up at her.
Hisa regarded her with the same bitter expression; somewhere deep down she was blaming the blonde in front of her for what had happened to Mamoru. Even though she chided herself for how unfair and how untrue that notion was; for what it was worth it, whatever had happened to Mamoru was because of him…because of them.
Putting the blame on a third person was so like her, she thought; blaming someone who was a nobody to her. It was always that much easier to hold someone she didn't care about accountable.
'Tsk…you care about this little blonde,' an annoying voice said in her head, 'you care about he because he cares about her…admit it.' She was not ready to open herself up to that kind of confession. She had had enough drama and confusing emotions for one night. She was an injured person herself for crying out loud!
"He opened his eyes," she said instead, glancing at the nurse immediately and ignoring the gasps of five shocked teenagers.
"I saw him open his eyes," she said to the nurse with clenched fists; why was this bitch not listening to her?!
"He opened his…Mamor…Mamo-chan…" Usagi's whispering didn't go unnoticed by her friends who hadn't recovered from their shock.
"Usa-chan…" Minako tried to touch her friend's trembling shoulder as she thought Usagi was crying.
It was a spit second, one that Hisa was sure her eyes hadn't even blinked.
But one moment blondie was looking at her with wide eyes, and the next, Hisa was looking at her empty spot.
"USA-CHAN!" one of her friends yelled behind the blonde who had ran towards the ICU ward as if the devil himself was chasing her.
"Usa-chan, wait!" another one yelled as the nurse tried desperately to shush them, not even having the time to chase after the blonde.
"Usa-chan….hahahahahaha!"
"MINAKO, stop laughing and do something!"
"I can't stop it, she's running like she's late for school. Hahahah!"
Hisa watched the scene in front of her unfold with disbelief. She watched Usagi disappearing from their sight, in her mad dash towards the ICU. She watched her friends' reactions, raising her brows at the other blonde's laughter.
"What is so damn funny?" The raven-haired asked, as all four of them started fast walking to where Usagi had disappeared to. "I don't know; I really don't," the blonde answered as their voices got lost in the nurse's angry scream. She had obviously abandoned her morals and hospital's codes as she kept yelling "Security!" and "Where the hell are you going?!" repeatedly.
Usagi's mad dash to the school every day was apparently paying off, Makoto thought, as she panted to get to her blonde friend and stop her madness, 'Shit…and she's got the shortest legs…' she hissed under her breath.
Usagi felt like she was flying. She couldn't see anything, hear anything-
Mamo-chan!
A fog was lifted from her eyes as she panted hard and made a direct stop in front of Mamoru's bed. He was laying there just as she had left him a few hours ago.
What if Hisa was wrong? What if he wouldn't open his eyes, ever again?
What if…
"Mamo-chan?" She whispered as she neared him and grasped his right hand. "Mamo-chan, can you hear me?" she whispered again, with a little shake of his hand. "Mamo-chan, you have to wake up…Mamo-chan…" she pleaded.
The fog had been lifted from her ears as well and she could hear some commotion from the outside.
"Mamo-chan…Mamo-chan…" she repeated like a slogan as her tiny hands touched his face. Her eyes tearing up with every crack of her heart as she called and called, and he didn't respond.
"Mamo-chan…" she kissed the side of his face an image of his bloody form on the ground penetrating her mind.
She kissed his lips with desperation, "Please please…let this work…let this work!" She kissed his lips again, hoping that her kiss could bring him back; that her love would be enough to show the path of the living to his soul.
She leaned her forehead against his, her tears falling silently.
"I love you so much…" he had said with such earnest and passion.
She opened her eyes and immediately yelped, throwing herself upwards with the sudden chill that ran through her system.
His eyes were wide open and blue.
The bluest blue that Usagi had ever seen!
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon and its fabulous characters in any way. I wish I did. But I don't. All the delightful rights of this wonderful manga/anime and its characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi.