A/N: Wow, delayed chapter. I'm really getting further and further behind with EVERYTHING. I'll never ignore my writing though; it'll always be a part of my life. Thanks for sticking with me! :) Oh! And, a fun idea: Votes on how long it'll take Kagome to figure out Silverhair's real name! Haha! (Joking, but you can if you want.) His real name probably won't be revealed until Kagome figures it out... but I hope you all are a tad more smart than she is in figuring it out! :P
The Faint Hearted – III
By ancient-relic
-::-
"Kagomeeee!"
Kagome listened to the voice, trying to decide whether or not she was going to reveal herself just yet. She wanted out. And naturally, the best way to go about that was not to tell her elderly nurse, Kaede, and fill out all the appropriate paperwork; it was to hide until the old lady needed a coffee break to rest her weary bones and then book it like batman out of the bat cave.
"I'm such an evil genius--!" Kagome cackled, pushing off the wall with strength that belied her small stature, and went zooming past several flustered nurses.
"Woah-" a hand grasped her IV drip. "Kagome, what do you think you're doing?" a stern voice reprimanded.
Darn it. I've been captured.
"Doctor!" Kagome put on a demure smile, turning to face one of her several doctor-acquaintances. "And how are you doing this fine morning? I'm just taking a spin down to Ward-"
"Kagome!" another voice called, wheezing, from the other end of the hall.
Already? Fast for an old grandma.
Kagome turned to watch Kaede approach; appalled at the sight that befell her eyes. Kaede was wheeling down the hall on an IV drip, just like she was! Minus the fact that hers wasn't needled into her arm…
"Cheater!" Kagome couldn't help but cry in dismay.
"Now Kagome," came the teasing voice of her doctor-friend. "Kaede's got to keep up with you somehow,"
"But Miiiiirrrrokuuu," Kagome mumbled, wiggling on her IV, but the doctor held her still. "It's copying!"
Miroku's laughter was deep and rich, and all the nurses who had been watching the interaction blushed and glanced away, having been jolted back to reality. Miroku's face held a priestly grin, but Kagome knew the way his mind really worked.
"Now Kagome, dear," he pet her head affectionately; part of an act that she sometimes deigned to participate in, "You can't make it too hard on Kaede- where will we be if you send Kaede to a hospital bed after heart failure?"
Kagome scowled, and shook his hand away, her eyes full of the grin her acting hid. "Lecher," she mumbled, just as affectionately, allowing herself to be passed off to a flushed Kaede, who then proceeded to wheel them both back down the hallway towards Kagome's room.
"Hey, Kaede," Kagome questioned thoughtfully, allowing the old lady to fluff her pillow fondly, "You don't really mind me running around all the time, do you?"
"Well, child, there's a complicated answer to that question." The elderly lady replied.
"What do you mean?" Kagome asked, her lids sliding slowly to half mast. The running around made her sleepy much more easily than it used to. She'd probably have to have another check-up soon if she was tiring this quick.
"Exercise is important for growing children." Kaede began, "But you're not like other children. There are certain things that we need to be sensitive to when you want to do things. If you were to run around, wild, and something happened to you, someone might not be around to help you."
"But that's why I stay in the hospital," Kagome mumbled sleepily. "I could leave if I wanted to; I know all the trick ways in and out. Even on the roof," her words slowly became less understandable. Still, Kaede caught the word 'roof', and couldn't help sending a curious glance upwards.
-::-
"Now, if you'd please follow me this way," the voice droned on. He really felt like punching it out of existence. Graciously, he refrained.
"This is Ward 6. All the terminally ill are kept here; mostly children. The adults are grouped towards the back of the ward so they can have some peace and quiet. You'll be spending most of your time here, because while regular staff is not specifically needed, bedpans don't clean themselves."
He glanced to the side, pretending not to notice the glare the old secretary sent him. "Will I be spending all of my hours here?" he asked, glancing into a playroom to see several children playing with toys. They looked no older than 7.
"Unless you're needed elsewhere." The lady replied waspishly. "There will be a doctor in there; young, dark hair. Speak to him, and he'll send you somewhere for today. Remember, you are expected to complete at least 2 hours a day, given you're still in school."
"I'm on break," he replied, turning to look the lady dead on in the eyes for the first time since they'd been introduced. The lady seemed taken aback at the fierceness of his stare, but swallowed and continued.
"Then you will be expected to put in a full work day, like the day nurses until your school break is over," she replied. "I'll make sure that the proper people are alerted of this change in schedule."
Damn, he grunted, turning to the door as she walked away. I should have kept my mouth shut.
Stepping into the playroom, none of the children looked up to see who the newcomer was. Weaving around the children and their various messes, he headed towards the dark-haired doctor sitting in the corner, at a desk covered in papers. Some of which, he noted with a wry smirk, were covered in childish scribbles. Clearing his throat, he watched as the doctor looked up, startled.
"Ah, our hired help." The doctor grinned, his purple eyes welcoming. "My name is Miroku; no need for formalities."
What an easy-going guy.
"I've been told to report to you daily, Doctor Miroku. You're supposed to be overseeing my hours?"
Miroku stared at the young man for a moment, taking in his long silver hair, amber eyes, and the pale tattoos on his wrists. "You're one of those types, eh?"
He merely replied with a cocked eyebrow. "Do not misunderstand me, if you please. I am here to complete my hours. I have been told these children are all terminally ill," he paused for dramatic effect, sweeping his eyes over the ignorant children. "All I wish to do is complete my job so I can return to my life." He emphasized the last word sharply, though not rudely.
The doctor studied him a moment longer, before grinning and waving his hand in dismissal. "It's almost lunch time, so I'll tell you what. Go wander around the Ward, get your bearings. Then, get some lunch, and report back for 1:30. You can organize my warzone-" he gestured to his desk, "-and then I'll let you off early today."
Staring at the older man quizzically, he turned only when the man shooed him off again. As he was leaving, he caught a snippet of what Miroku mumbled to himself under his breath. "—at least until he meets Kagome, anyways."
The name sent off a little alert in the back of his mind; the name was familiar, but why? Exiting the room and shutting the door with a soft click, he began to stride slowly down the halls, pausing to peek into the rooms he passed. Most were empty, filled with colours and toys and other rather childish things. The children's rooms, he assumed.
After several dozen doors, he came across one that was open. Passing briefly through the threshold, his attention was captured by the wide window that overlooked the highway that was a little ways off to the north. The 6th Ward had the best view by far, he realized.
But if they're going, they may as well have a last look at something other than buildings and smog.
After the highway, there was a decent sized stretch of trees; the valley, he realized, which slightly covered the twinkling lights of the next city over, hardly seen in daylight. At night, he assumed, the area would glow.
A gentle stirring and mumble caught his attention, and he turned to see the occupant of the room shifting to an upright position. Her dark hair tumbled around her form deceivingly seductive, as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. He recognized those eyes before the familiar voice echoed from her mouth.
"Silverhair?"
tbc.
EDITED: 04/25/10