The regulars sat in the waiting area, anxiously awaiting some sort of news on Eiji and Oishi. The two had been swept away by nurses and doctors immediately upon arrival to the hospital.
Everyone sat mostly still, tired out by the days events. There was fidgeting here and there, and occasionally someone would stand for a few minutes, but then return to sitting. It had been two hours already and as more time passed, the tension in the room became more suffocating. They wished someone would come and tell them something, anything.
Eiji and Oishi's parents had been contacted not long ago. Tezuka had made the call to Oishi's parents and Fuji the call to Eiji's parents. They were the two that could most calmly explain the situation and everyone thought it might be better for the parents to hear it from someone they knew rather than an unfamiliar doctor or nurse. However, since the team had gone to a hospital that was close to the cabin and not one in their local area, it was going to take the parents a little while to get there.
So that found the seven boys still waiting together for any information on the Golden Pair. Just when it seemed that they wouldn't be able to tolerate not knowing any longer, a doctor approached them. He was an older man, in his late forties, possibly early fifties. His dark brown hair was beginning to gray and his features were worn with long years of hard work. His dull hazel eyes scanned the group.
"Any family for Kikumaru-kun or Oishi-kun?" he asked.
"Their families are not here yet, but they are on their way," Tezuka spoke, standing with the others.
"Please, how are they?" Momo asked the question on everyone's mind.
"And who might you be?" the doctor questioned, facing Momo.
"We are their friends, their teammates," Fuji answered, coming forward. "We were with them when the accident happened."
"Oh, you are the others," the doctor stated, his expression softening. "Has someone checked you boys over for injuries?" he asked them.
"Yes, thank you. None of us are injured," Fuji replied. All of them had been looked over after Eiji and Oishi had been taken away and everyone was fine. "How are Eiji and Oishi, though?"
The doctor looked through the charts he was holding a bit before answering. "We got Oishi-kun's x-rays and CT scans back and I'm happy to report that he sustained no permanent damage to his brain or spinal cord. Although he does have a minor concussion and some bruising on his back, it should heal soon. Movement will be a little difficult and painful for him for several days, but I prefer he rest as much as possible and only move as much as is necessary. I have prescribed him some medicine to help with the pain. You have nothing to worry about. He will make a full recovery."
Everyone was very relieved to hear this. They knew their fukubuchou was very strict when it came to injuries, especially with himself. He would definitely follow all of the doctor's instructions, they had
no doubt about that.
"As for Kikumaru-kun, he's out of surgery now…" Everyone instantly stiffened at the mention of surgery.
"Why did he need surgery?" Taka asked, seeming to be the only one able to voice the question at that moment.
The doctor looked up and saw the nervous expressions everyone had, save for Tezuka, who would not show it, although he felt apprehensive as well.
"Please remain calm, it was nothing major," the doctor responded. The tension in the regulars lessened, but they still looked at the doctor expectantly, wanting further explanation.
"He had minor internal bleeding and required stitches to close the wound in his left side," the doctor explained. "He was also given a blood transfusion and we'll keep him on oxygen for a few more hours. Other than that, there was no serious damage. The cuts and scrapes on his leg will heal fine on their own and his vital signs are almost back to normal. I want him moving as little as possible as well. Too much movement could tear his stitches and reopen the wound. We will be keeping both Oishi-kun and Kikumaru-kun for a few days for observation," the doctor finished.
"May we see them?" Surprisingly, it was Tezuka who asked this. It was good to hear that Eiji and Oishi were doing okay now, but he knew no one would be able to rest easy until they saw the Golden Pair for themselves.
It appeared for a moment that the doctor was going to refuse. But then a smile graced his lips and he replied, "Of course, follow me." He turned and began walking away, the regulars close behind.
As it happened, Eiji and Oishi were on the same floor and only three rooms apart. The doctor told the regulars to split themselves into two groups, one of three and one of four, and alternate on seeing Eiji and Oishi. It would be too overwhelming for seven people to visit one person at the same time and it was against hospital policy anyway.
Fuji, Momo, and Echizen were in the group that was going to see Eiji first and Tezuka, Inui, Kaidoh, and Taka were in the group to see Oishi first. With that decided, they parted and went to see each member of the Golden Pair.
Oishi stirred at the sound of his door opening. He opened his eyes, blinked a couple of times, and turned his head towards the source. He smiled when he saw the four of them. "Hey," he said in greeting. Oishi tried to sit up, but Tezuka stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder.
"The doctor said it's best you not move much," he stated. Oishi gave him an understanding nod.
"How do you feel?" Taka asked in a concerned tone.
"Sore, but otherwise fine," Oishi answered. The nurses had given him some painkillers earlier, so he didn't feel the complete pain, which he was thankful for. "How's Eiji?" he asked, meeting everyone's eyes.
"We haven't seen him yet," Inui replied. "He had to have minor surgery…" at this Oishi's eyes widened and it seemed as though he was forcing himself not to jump up and run to see Eiji right then and there, "…but he's doing fine and the doctor expects you both to make full recoveries," Inui continued, effectively returning the peace to the room. "Fuji, Momo, and Echizen are with him now."
"That's good," Oishi sighed in relief. A hint of sadness flickered in his eyes as he looked at them again. "I'm sorry, for putting you all through this," he said sincerely.
"You're okay, and that's what matters most, ne?" Taka said, turning to Kaidoh, Inui, and Tezuka. The three nodded in agreement.
"Besides, I got some good data on how everyone reacts in a crisis," Inui stated with a sadistic smirk as he adjusted his glasses. They all stared at him incredulously. "I'm only kidding," he said, still smirking as the others sweat dropped. They knew Inui was probably serious. But with his comment, a slight feeling of normalcy returned to the five of them.
Eiji remained asleep as Fuji, Momo, and Echizen entered his room. The oxygen mask was still in place, but his color looked much better. He wasn't nearly as pale as he had been the last time they'd seen him. It still unnerved the three, though, to see the hyperactive red-head immobile for so long. They were used to him jumping around, talking, and always being full of energy. Laying this still didn't suit him.
The three just stood there in silence, listening to the beeping of the heart monitor and the sounds of the oxygen machine. No one really knew quite what to say, and they didn't want to disturb the sleeping acrobat.
After a few more minutes of silence, Fuji stepped up beside the bed, eyes open and staring down at Eiji. He placed his hand lightly on Eiji's. Fuji closed his eyes and smiled softly before speaking. "Ne, Eiji. Get better soon. Everyone's worried." He gave Eiji's hand a gentle squeeze and added, "We'll be waiting."
He then turned and walked back to Momo and Echizen. "Let's see how Oishi is doing," Fuji told them and headed for the door. Momo and Echizen gave one more glance to their senpai, silently willing him to get better as well, and then followed Fuji out of the room.
The Golden Pair were out of danger. Now they just needed to recover.
A/N: I still took longer to update than I wanted to, but here it is. ^_^ I am very grateful for all of your reviews and glad that everyone likes the story. Again, I'll update as soon as I can. Thank you again everyone ^_^