Mercy's First Trip Home
Knocking gently on her mother's door, Mercy took in a deep breath. The two of them needed to get away for a few days, and it was Mercedes turn to visit her good friends. They had cremated her father about a month and a half ago, and they were finally finished with his funeral plans. When her mother didn't answer, Mercy pushed open the door, to see her sleeping peacefully.
Hey guys, I'm going to be late, mother is still asleep.
*Balled of Mona Lisa*
Before leaving her mother's room, Mercy sat on the beds edge, and looked at the frail woman. She had changed so much since she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Her one sparkling locks now dull and uncared for. With all the work put into her care, Mercy was unable to focus on makeup and hair. It made her feel awful to neglect something so important to her mother.
'Tis fine, as long as you come home, we have a surprise for you.
*Brendon the Fish*
No more blind dates please, and I'm still not marrying Keith's brother.
*Ballad of Mona Lisa*
Mercedes gently kissed her mother's forehead, before leaving. She still had a few things to pack. After all, she had missed Shyanne's birthday.
Home sweet home, Mercy thought as she wheeled her mother thought the airport. While they were in Ikebukuro, Mercedes was going to interview some of the cities geriatric nurses. Just for when she's in town, and needed some help. There was no way she was going to leave her mother in someone else's hands for more than a few hours. It just wasn't an option.
After grabbing their bags Mercedes reached the pickup lane. Shyanne had to work late, so her mother Kimmy volunteered to pick them up. The silver firebird pulled up quickly, before parking. Before Mercy could say "hello Kimmy," Kimmy was already hugging her tightly.
"Kurenai, it's wonderful to see you, and Mercy, never be gone this long again!" Kimmy shouted over the outgoing traffic. "Now what do you want me to do?"
"Could you put the luggage away? I'll get my mother into the car."
Kimmy happily took their two bags to the trunk, as Mercy lifted her mother from the wheelchair and helped her into the car. The young blond woman chatted about life as Mercy continued to get into the car.
"So, is there anything special I need to do for her?" Kimmy questioned, starting the trip home.
"Um, I'll take her to the bathroom when we get home, and before we leave. So I guess all you need to do is make sure she drinks and try to get her to talk a little." Mercy yawned. Thank you so much for doing this."
"Anytime darling, you're family after all." Kimmy paused to glance into her rear view mirror.
"You look exhausted; do you want me to care for her this week?"
"No thank you, I'm planning on interviewing a few nurses while I'm here."
"If you say so, whelp if you need anything we are a call away."
Mercedes smiled as Kimmy parked in front of Mercy's house. The two women struggled to get her mother to her feet and up the stairs. Once Kurenai was settled, Mercedes walked around her house, and at her now empty fish bowl. During her time away, Goldie had gotten sick and died. Both her friends were reluctant to tell her about her beloved pet, but she was able to force it from them.
"Hey Kimmy, I'm going to shower real quickly. Do you mind watching mom?"
"Not at all, go and shower, we will be here when you get out."
Her bathroom had been changed since she left. Instead of the blue walls and dark brown accessories, it has been changed to a navy blue walls and gold highlights, to fit her star obsession. Mercy smiled at the work her friends put into her small apartment, as she dried off and pulled her hair into a sloppy bun.
"So, are you going to show me around?" Kimmy asked, leaning against Mercy's door.
"Sure sure."
As Mercy showed Kimmy around her apartment, her front door quietly opened. Both Shyanne and Chandasea walked into the house and went directly to their friend's refrigerator. Instead of working late, like they told her, they were busy working on last minute details of Mercedes surprise. Shyanne was the one who thought Mercy needed a pick-me-up, which forced the two to brainstorm.
"I'm so excited." Chan squealed happily, "she's going to be so surprised."
"I know, hopefully she's almost done showing mom around." Shy yawned pushing chocolate mild into Mercy's refrigerator.
"Hi baby, hi Channy, how are you going?" Kimmy squealed seeing her daughter and friend.
"I'm good, very excited." Chan cheered.
"What did you do?" Mercy questioned cautiously, as she entered the room.
"We stocked you fridge, you ready to go?" Shyanne interjected.
"Yes, let's go." Mercy smiled tiredly. "Thank you so much Kimmy. You have my cell phone number if you need anything right?"
"Yes, don't worry love; I'll take good care of her. Have fun."
Before Mercy could say anything, her two friends dragged her away. Both Shyanne and Chandasea shook with excitement as they came closer to Russian Sushi. Which still tripped them out, what does a Russian know about Sushi? But that was beside the point. They talked quietly about life and how things have changed in Ikebukuro.
"You know every time you leave, this place changes for the epic." Chan sighed glancing at all the yellow scarves walking around.
"Whether it is for the good or the worse," Shyanne growled, flipping off one of the scarf men.
"Yeah, don't you know, I find things out, and I leave before they happen." Mercy laughed. "It's all about your sources and planning around said events."
Arriving to their destination, moments later, they took their normal seats. Simone, quietly welcomed Mercy back home, before taking down the girls normal orders. Since Shyanne didn't very much like change, the three never really strayed from their normal orders. Sure every once in a while Mercy will order something different, but that was rarely with her good friends.
Shizuo gently wrapped his arms around Mercedes shoulders, sharing his warmth. The girls had told him about Mercy's father, and what that bastard Izaya had done. A small smile kissed his lips, when the young girl's body relaxed against his, almost welcoming his affectionate touch. Chandasea glanced at Shyanne with an all knowing smile. The happy moment was interrupted by a group of teens running over, as they called for Mercy's attention. Shyanne glared at the group a bit annoyed they had ruined the moment she had been working so hard to achieve, but smiled when Mercy's eyes sparkled at their presence.
"Long time no see Mikado, Anri, and my obsessed friend." Mercy smiled, pulling away from Shizuo.
"My angel, you're back!" Masaomi cried while pressing the two bodies together. "But what's this, you were in the arms of another. Tell me my love; do you belong to Shizuo now?"
Mikado groaned at the silent stairs of disbelief that everyone gave his love sick friend. After a moment though, they all started laughing. Mercedes hugged Masaomi tightly as one of her hands played with the hair on the nap of his neck. She was grateful he hadn't changed, and the ignorance to her situation he held.
"Please tell me your joking kid. Mercedes wouldn't date Brendon, because he was a year younger than she is." Shyanne muttered rolling her eyes.
"What are you doing out so late?" Mercy questioned, already placing her mother voice on.
"Anri wanted to go to the movies." Mikado interjected. "That's where we were going when we saw you."
"Ah, well have fun."
"B-but-"Masaomi started.
Mercy gently placed a finger on his lips as she pulled him back a little, so she could look into his eyes. "Hush, I'll take you out later this week, so we can catch up."
"Fine," he sighed.
Before anyone could process what had happened, Masaomi tenderly kissed Mercy's lips. Unsure what to do, Mercy leaned back, till he had to pull away. Shyanne and Chandasea glanced at each other in complete shock, before trying to stifle their juvenile chuckles. They would have to ask her how the kiss was later.
"Better than I could ever imagine," he smiled mischievously, "Farwell my love, until next time."
Just like that the small group of three was gone. Mercy was silent as her two friend silent chuckles trickled from their lips. Another moment passed before they were on the floor laughing, no longer worried about their friend's reaction. Shizuo glanced at the two girls questioningly, before smiling at Mercy's shocked façade.
"I'm sure your father would have enjoyed that?" Shyanne muttered calming down from her laughing.
Suddenly Shizuo and the two girls froze, and glanced to Mercedes. Her reaction hadn't changed, but both Shyanne and Chandasea knew she had heard. Mercy's eyes filled up to the brim, until she caught her actions. Instantly, Mercedes took in a deep breath and forced a blank mask on. There was nothing worse than showing her emotions in public.
"Uh, Mercy, are you ok?" Shyanne questioned, unsure what to say at the moment.
Mercy flinched at the sound of her name, before clearing her throat. She was going to have to get over this, others needed her, and she was being selfish.
"Yes, I'm fine."
Their food came, and they all chatted about everything that has happened. Work as always kept the two busy, but they always managed to get themselves into trouble. Shizuo still worked from his boss, and he still of coarse hated Izaya more than anything, but Izaya was never fully mentioned. They hinted to him by saying the bastard or the flea, but never directly brought him up. All the while, Mercy seemed to have closed herself off from the others. Her mind wondering on what she needed to do.
When they were finished with their meal, the small group left Russian Sushi, and wondered around. They eventually made it to the center park of Ikebukurro, one of her father's favorite places.
"Um, Chan, Shy, could you get some ice cream or something for me please?" Mercy sighed, needing some time alone.
"Yeah, of course, we will be back." Chan muttered.
"You take good care of her Shizuo." Shyanne naturally threatened, before they left the two alone.
Before the two girls left, Mercedes strolled to the water fountain, and placed her feet in the liquid. Shizuo was about to walk over, but a movement in the shadows distracted him. When he fully glanced over his body stiffened and started to heat up, it was the flea that started all of this. Somehow he found the strength to not chase the man, and bash his stinking skull in. Izaya smirked quietly, as he danced towards the angry blond.
"Why Shizu-chan, I am pleasantly surprised." Izaya chuckled. "Why the sudden change?"
"You whiny flea bastard," Shizuo growled, curling his fingers into a tight fist.
Though shaking, Shizuo managed to chock back the rage that soared through his veins. He needed to talk to the bastard. Izaya glanced wearily at the blond, unsure if he should run or stay for a bit longer. Logic dictated that the young blond would break soon, but Izaya's curiosity nagged at him. Whatever managed to keep Shizuo from killing, or attempting to do so, must have been important.
"Why, did you break up with her?"
This question took Izaya by surprise. Despite the aching in his chest, Izaya was back to his old self after a moment passed. Shizuo sighed, as he relaxed his fingers.
"It was for the best," Izaya placed a cruel smile back onto his face, as he leaned against the park's entrance. "After all, she was getting boring-"
"Stop with the bull shit Izaya, and for once in your life, be human."
"I…it was for the best,"
Izaya's heart ached as he glanced at the silver haired girl, in the court yard. Could he be the cause of her sadness? Did he truly break her, to the point she could never be happy again? He watched as she reached into her pocket, and pulled out a small box out. The frown that dressed her face and the slouched posture she had didn't fit her. She didn't even notice the tall informant standing in the distance. Quickly Izaya glanced back to Shizuo, unsure how long he had been watching her, and whether the blond noticed. At the moment he didn't care.
"For the first time, I believe you." Shizuo breathed. "But why did you choose then to do so?"
Izaya glanced to his enemy questioningly, before hearing an angry growl.
Mercedes breathed in deeply as she placed the small cigarette into her mouth. She leaned her head back after lighting the tobacco stick, and breathed in the smoke. It had been nearly six years since her last cigarette, and at the moment, it nearly disappointed her to go back to it. Her lungs welcomed the smoke before she blew it back into the air. Relief came settling in, as it disappeared into the wind.
"WHY THE FUCK IS HE HERE?" Shyanne screamed at the top of her lungs. "SHIZUO, I TOLD YOU TO WATCH HER, AND YOU LET THE BASTARD NEAR HER!"
Chandasea sighed as she glanced around the small group of people. She didn't disapprove of how Shyanne was handling this, but she didn't approve of the time. Mercedes needed her friends now, more than ever, and now Chan had to calm down Shyanne. Her attention was pulled to a puff of smoke that suddenly appeared over Mercy's head. This can't be happening, Mercy cannot be smoking again. Chan thought before grabbing their eccentric friend.
"Shy; go see what Mercy is doing." Chan knew she was throwing her mourning friend to the wolves, but she wasn't too worried at the moment. "I'll take care of Izaya." As Shyanne stormed off, Chan glanced at the two men. "I don't know how you've managed to control that anger of yours Shizuo, but I appreciate it. Izaya, I don't ever want to see you around Mercy again. What you've done is simply unforgivable. I don't care what your reasons are, or if it was for her own good. You were in the wrong to break her heart the day she found out her father died and you should be ashamed of yourself."
There was a pause, when Shyanne's shriek echoed through the park. Chandasea flinched knowing Mercy was going to get an ear full from Shyanne, but she continued with her lecture. Though, at the moment, she decided to see if Izaya truly cared for her friend, and at the same time maybe hurt him.
"Shizuo, you're going to her father's funeral this weekend right?" Shizuo nodded, giving the young red head a questioning look. "Good, it means a lot to her that someone like you cares enough to come. Now let's go save my poor friend." Chan glanced at the blank mask Izaya had on, before dismissing him. "In case you didn't know, I was saying I'm finished with you, and I hope you enjoyed the last time you saw Mercy."
As Shyanne screamed at her silver haired friend, a low humming echoed from Mercy's back pocket. Without trying to even pretend like she was listening to Shyanne, Mercy brought the phone to her ear, and muttered a tired greeting. Shyanne paused; flabbergasted that Mercy was showing a blatant disregard for her feelings. Mercy always avoided hurting her friends, unless the situation called for it. This action truly showed Shyanne how much Mercy was hurting, she was no longer herself.
"Kimmy, who is she asking for?" Mercy paused before getting up. "It's ok; I'll be there in five minutes, just hold tight."
"What's wrong?" Shy questioned quietly.
"I need to go back home."
Without another word, Mercedes ran past the small group of friends, and to her house. It took her longer than she expected, but when she got home, she ran into Kimmy. The poor blond tried desperately to calm down, as she paced through the house. Kurenai's unexpected burst of confusion had frazzled Kimmy.
"Are you ok Kimmy?" Mercy questioned, hugging the blond tightly.
"I'm fine; she's in your bedroom."
Before leaving Mercy sent Kimmy a questioning glance, but left quickly. Sooner or later she would need to explain what had happened, and why, but at the moment she was just concerned on calming down her mother. Kurenai was sitting on the bed sobbing into her knees.
"Mom, mommy," Mercy called to her mother in a small voice. "It's ok, I'm here."
Mercies voice seemed to change, almost like she was a scared child trying to help her mother. Kurenai glanced at her daughter questioningly, before crying quietly into Mercy's shoulder. Without hesitation Mercedes wrapped her arms around her mother and sang quietly. Kimmy watched the two, rock back and forth on the bed, from the safety of the door jam. In the years that she had taken care of her children, she never once felt as helpless as she did now. When Mercy talked about what to do, Kimmy thought it would be easy because it was like taking care of a child, but it was harder, much harder.
About an hour later, Mercedes walked out of her bedroom, with a tired sigh.
"How's she doing?" Kimmy questioned.
Mercy glanced up, before answering her question. "She's fine now, are you ok?"
"I don't envy you," Kimmy sighed.
"I can understand that," when Mercy's eyes reached the kitchen, a small smile crossed her face. "Hey guys, sorry for leaving. Shizuo welcome to my humble abode."
Shizuo had to lean forwards slightly, when he left a room, so he wouldn't hit the top of the door. The tall man seemed miss placed in the small apartment, but he acted like he belonged there. He half smiled at the two women standing farthest from him.
"Kimmy, this is our friend Shizu-chan. Shizu-chan this is, Shyanne's mother, Kimmy."
The two exchanged the proper pleasantries, before both Shyanne and Chan walked into the living room.
"Is everything ok friend?" Channy asked, walking in with a glass of chocolate milk.
"Yeah, mother was having a nightmare." Mercy smiled. "So what shall we do now?"
"I demand we watch romance movies, until Mercy's brain explodes." Shyanne cheered, already hold her favorite movies. "Mommy, will you be joining us, or going home?"
"I need to go to bed, I'll catch a cab." Kimmy yawned.
"Ok, but your more that welcome to sleep in my guest room till Shy goes home."
"Thanks Mercy, but I miss my baby girl. I'll see you later, have fun."
"Bye Kimmy."
Everyone mused as she walked out of the apartment. Without anyone's permission, Shyanne played her all-time favorite movie, P.S. I Love You. Shyanne and Chandasea sat in the love seat leaving Shizuo and Mercy to the couch. As the movie played, Mercedes couldn't help but rest her head against Shizuo's shoulder, and fall into a peaceful slumber.
"Where should I put her?" Shizuo questioned, as he picked her up like a bride.
"O, she has a guestroom down the hall; I think that's where she's staying." Chan sighed. "Do you need any help?"
"No, thank you."
The two girls shrugged, and allowed the tall blond to carry their friend off to the room. Shizuo found the room easily, and placed Mercy gently onto her bed. Her brow creased momentarily before she curled into a tight ball. He took the moment to fully comprehend what Izaya told him earlier in the evening. He wasn't sure whether or not he should believe the dirty rat, but at the moment he couldn't help but think Izaya truly cared for the woman in front of him.
A knock on the door dragged his attention away from the sleeping girl. The door opened soon after, revealing both of her friends.
"Hey, were going home, do you need a ride anywhere?" Chandasea questioned, as she glanced worriedly to her friend.
"No, thank you, I'm working nearby."
Before leaving, Shizuo glanced back to Mercy. What was it that boy called her? Ah, yes, the Angel of Mercy. The name is fitting. Shizuo smirked as he left with the blond and red head. Sooner or later he'll figure out what Izaya's true motives were, but for now, he will try his best to protect the already hurting woman.