We're at the end!
I know this is short, but I don't want to drag it on forever and it turn out weird.
Please enjoy!
Akari had never hesitated once during his job. He was always ready and got straight into work when a patient was on his table. Today was no different. A couple of scrapes and bruises, and a few burns, were all he was treating among technicians and common people. He was on call though; as was Karoku who was assisting him. They were waiting for it. That call that would have them racing to the emergency treatment room and fight all of nature to save Gareki.
When the call came, the two raced into the emergency room. For the first, and last, time ever Akari paused in shock from the state of his patient.
"Akari! Karoku! Please, wake Gareki up!" Nai cried, startling both into action. Yogi carried Nai out and advanced med help poured into the room. For the next hour, the group would be working on stopping the bleeding and trying to figure out how to fix the worst injury they saw.
Nai and company waited impatiently outside the med wing. After three hours, Akari came out, as did a string of nurses, and Karoku.
"He is stable. We had a slight crisis…"
"What happened?" Hirato demanded. Akari glared at the captain for the interruption.
"It appeared, after the false Karoku, who it seems is also called Roku by some,"
"How do you know?" Yogi asked. Akari glared again.
"I remembered that too." Karoku explained. Hirato gestured for Akari to continue.
"It appears this Roku injected some varuga cells into Gareki. His body is still fighting the infection. In the middle of the operation, he woke up screaming and varuga essence was being emitted. Luckily, our operation was also what saved him. Most of the Varuga infected flesh was removed with the amputation…"
"Amputation?" everyone asked. Nai looked confused.
"What is an amputation?" He asked. Akari grimaced.
"We had to remove his right leg beneath the knee and three fingers off his right hand. It appears that the essence was pumping through his body because it had been injected into his blood stream. He was in a lot of pain, but sin most affected flesh was on his right leg. The rest is being fought off by his immune system. It appears from the unusual circumstances of his birth, that Gareki can resist and fight off varuga cells in his own body without them taking control or his body becoming destroyed. It seems just like Gareki is having a really bad flu." Akari sighed. "You may visit him, but he is asleep right now. Stay quiet in there." Akari opened the door and followed everyone into the room.
Gareki was so pale, his skin matched the white of the sheets.
"Gareki. Gareki." Nai cried, crawling onto the bed and curling up against Gareki." Gareki had an oxygen mask and didn't react. His body was soaked in sweat. No one had the heart o move Nai away. A large bandage was around Gareki's right hand, making his hand like a club.
"Gareki. "Yogi whispered under his breath. Yogi placed the plushie that Nai had bought on their last shopping trip next to Gareki's head. Everyone then made themselves comfortable and listened to Gareki's struggled breathing for the night. Even the sheep didn't try to move them.
Nai shifted in his sleep, bumping Gareki. Gareki winced and opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the dark white walls. Panic raced through him, so Gareki tried to sit up rapidly. Pain exploded everywhere, so Gareki fell back onto the soft bed.
Nai jumped at the movement. He saw Gareki's pained face. Nai tightly hugged Gareki.
"Nai? Is that you Nai?" Gareki gasped. Nai let go and stared into Gareki's face.
"Thank God." Then Gareki fell unconscious. Nai, not sure what had just happened, curled up against Gareki and fell asleep again.
Akari made everyone take steps back as he examined Gareki again. Gareki's eyelids flickered as probes were being placed under his multiple bandages.
"Gareki/" Akari asked. Gareki groaned, but stayed conscious. He didn't try to move more then his neck as he looked around. He opened his mouth, but nothing came back. Gareki looked exhausted.
"It appears his ability to speak has bee temporarily lost because of the trauma and extent of his injuries." Akari said. Nai cocked his head.
"He said 'thank you' last night." Akari gave Nai a sad look.
"Nai, you were lucky. Sometimes, before people let themselves realize they have trauma, they give a last message. It might be some time before Gareki speaks again." Akari said. Gareki gave no indication he had heard or understood Akari. He just stared at Nai, then his eyes moved to Yogi and Karoku, where they stayed for a longer time.
"Do you recognize us Gareki?" Karoku asked. Gareki closed his eyes, and the rhythmic breath told the crew he had fallen asleep.
"Go about your daily lives, I'll keep you guys updated on his condition."
It was eight weeks before Gareki was able to speak again. Another two weeks for him to be able to follow a conversation. Around that time, he also realized he was missing his leg and some fingers.
Gareki was devastated. He wiggled his first finger and thumb on his right hand. Nai was watching him expectantly.
"What's up Nai?" Gareki asked, sounding tired. He still couldn't leave the med lab, mostly from worries about his exposure to so much varuga essence.
"We got you a gift!" Nai said, holding a smallish box. Yogi was sitting on the edge of the bed. Nai scrambled so he was straddling Gareki's lap.
"Open it1" Nai almost shouted. Gareki sighed in annoyance.
"Why?" Gareki questioned, not noticing, at first, Yogi get up and start setting up a camera and laptop.
"Yogi, what are you doing?" Gareki asked. Yogi smiled and winked.
"Just open your gift!" Yogi exclaimed happily. Gareki looked suspicious, but took the present from Nai's arms, awkwardly leaning it to the left so he could hold it better. Then, Gareki struggled to untie the ribbon. After that, he just lifted the lid. He stared at his gift in shock.
"What is this?" He asked, not believing what he saw.
"Your gift!" Nai insisted. Gareki swallowed, and turned away, unfortunately towards the camera, which caught the tears building in his eyes.
"Gareki? What are you crying?" Nai asked. Gareki bristled.
"I'm not crying!" Gareki insisted. He then reached into the box and pulled out the three metal fingers that were connected by intricate chain and leather work. Sliding a metal ring over his pointer finger, and then wrapping a leather strap around his palm and wrist, the fingers were secured to his hand. Their bronze glint was a beautiful compliment to his now permanently paler skin.
That wasn't even the best part. Gareki could feel a tingling as something in the fingers reacted with his hand. Gareki flexed his hand and watched as the metal fingers responded to his command.
"How?" Gareki wondered.
"That would be me?" A voice from the computer exclaimed. Gareki looked at the laptop and was shocked to see Tsubame, Shishi, Ranji, and Seseri.
"That was such a beautiful scene! I'm glad I video taped it!" Seseri exclaimed. Gareki looked at his schoolmates in wonder.
"You built this?" He asked.
"Well, designed it. The Research Center built it. I got in patented though! I'll be famous soon for my invention!" Shishi cheered.
"Looks good!" Ranji winked. "Soon you'll be back her eand showing off your hand!" Gareki actually smiled softly at Ranji, who blushed slightly. Shishi glance at Ranji and started laughing, which cause Ranji to flip him over.
"How are you feeling?" Tsubame asked. Gareki shrugged in a 'ok' way.
"Well, the good news is, A new leg will be sent over soon. You'll be able to walk about, I hope!" Tsumbame smiled. Gareki was at a total loss for words.
"You guys, I don't' know how much I should say thanks." Gareki mumbled. Everyone laughed.
"Just thank us by getting back here soon!" they all yelled, then signed off. Gareki stared at his hand. Nai touched on finger. Gareki couldn't actually feel Nai's hand, but he could imagine that he could.
"I'll probably modify to slightly…" He said, holding Nai's hand. Nai tackled Gareki down to the bed.
"Gareki's back!" He cheered. Yogi was taking pictures and throwing flowers everywhere.
"Damn you guys." Gareki mumbled from under Nai's hair as the younger boy tightened his hug. The other Circus members, who had joined the little celebration watched with mild amusement on their faces.
Roku growled with frustration. Circus was getting closer and closer to him. He couldn't' call Uro because Uro had gone off grid.
"I need assistance." He couldn't go to Elyska or the CEO because of his changed looks. Yes, Roku now had jet-black hair and pale skin. His eyes however were steel colored instead of Gareki's black.
"I need to disappear." Roku decided, flying into a dark, unnamed forest in the Peigo 5-A3 area…
Gareki walked down that hallway. After weeks of therapy, he was able to walk normally without his prosthetic leg tripping him, and he could use his hand fully.
He had of course installed some new features. His fake fingers, which were covered with matching latex skin color, had small, weak magnets that made it so Gareki could feel objects' magnetic field. It had taken a while, but Gareki could read magnetic waves now on his fingers. Gareki's leg, which was shaped like a human shin and foot, with appropriate hinges, had hidden compartments in the calf and his heel was steel so if he had to kick something, it would really hurt.
Today, Gareki was finally released from the Medical Wing for good. The scar on his face, which he had refused the doctor's offer of removing, itched slightly. Gareki didn't want to forget what had happened. He would find Roku, and make the man pay for all the hell he had caused Gareki's friends.
Gareki walked into the recreation room and was tackled by Yogi. Nai was jumping around them shouting things like, "yeah! Gareki is back!"
'Get off me!" Gareki shouted, flipping Yogi over. Yogi cried slightly. Nai grabbed Gareki's right hand, the hand with the fake fingers.
"Gareki, you're alright now? You're not leaving again/" Nai asked. Gareki didn't know how to answer. He thought he would be going back to the academy to finish the mechanics courses.
"He won't, Nai." Hirato walked in, holding a small box, which he handed to Gareki. "Second ship just got some new family members." Yogi looked up and cheered. Gareki looked up in shock.
"Hello, I'm the new mechanic for the sheep. I'm especially assigned to 2nd ship, but I'll spend most of my time in the Research Center." Shishi said proudly.
"Good Morning, I'm Circus's newest parade organizer. I hope to someday rise up to being the public control officer." Ranji smiled happily.
"I'm the newest defense organizer in training!" Seseri smile, snapping a picture.
"Hi! I'm the newest Circus fighter for 1st ship, nice to meet you!" Tsubame said. Everyone went to congratulate the graduates.
"You might want to open your gift. 'Hirato whispered into Gareki's ear. Gareki looked bewildered, but he opened the box. He saw a familiar bracelet. Nai clapped his hands.
"It is finally yours Gareki!" Nai smiled and cheered, spinning around with a sheep.
"Introduce yourself Gareki!" Tsubame said, jabbing Gareki in the ribs. He slipped the bracelet that had first allowed him to notice Nai over his wrist. It chimed and a screen glowed, showing Gareki's stats.
"With Karoku's help, we updated it and specialized it just for you." Hirato informed Gareki. Gareki's throat was dry.
"Gareki, introduce yourself!" Ypgi shouted, jumping on Gareki's back.
"Gareki! The newest 2nd ship Circus fighter!" Nai squealed, hugging Gareki from side. Gareki looked around at everyone in wonder.
"Well, welcome home and to your new family Gareki!" Ypgi shouted, throwing sparkles in the air. As arguments about Yogi's behavior broke out between Kiichi, Jiki, Tukumo, Eva, Akari and Tsukitachi, Gareki smiled to himself.
"I'm home." He whispered to himself.
End
Well? How was it?
I know the ending was a little rushed, but ending stories is not my strong point…
Please review!
Love,
Burning Bright