Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin characters are not mine. But this historie's plot is. So, not make a ball over it because I only have a lot of debts and a prehistoric computer. Thanks! And is green light, so you can continue. OH! Almost forgot that the two songs I made mention are from the Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz.
Chapter 8
Hangover... always at next morning
A broken night at the hospital and the harass that follow it are the classics consequences for crazies party nights. Of course, a man of experience as Hajime Saitô will know that too well.
On his teenager days he got himself in nights with similar endings. So, now that he had to be here and there, with out any options, hearing some stupids and boring politics, named the mayor and the Tokyo's public security commissioner, the best he could do is to remember the old nights. But while he was doing this memory recount one image made him lost his breath for a second. The face of a girl he had promised himself delete from his mind for the good will of a lot of people except for one.
That girl's face had let him in troubles before and remember her remembrance could only be a sign for a bad omen. But in a effort to be reasonable here Saitô will accuse the amount and confusing thoughts that these past weeks had throw out him. And for the time being those emotions are the responsible for the weight those thoughts had get on him. Force that can be compared to a sunken ship when out of nothing reemerge in full glory from the bottom of the sea. Fast quick, glory of hell.
Of course he can blame Alicia's arriving to Japan for a part, and for other side the circumstance behind certain romantics situations he had with certain green eyes weasel and right now he can blame for sure his work problems. After those thoughts he turn on a cigarette. Gaining with the action his bosses glares. But the fact is that he care a hell of what they think made him inhale hard at their direction. That's when they stay silence letting in the noises of a certain disorder having place in his station.
The disorder was caused by three dozens of hyperactive children with enough energy to wait for the migration personal on his station, under the care of Himura, Kamiya and Misao and not at the hospital. Now, he can add the glares of the corrupts politics, people that only care about the media opinion. The escape of slavery Traficant and the fact that the person in charge to take in say Traficant is just a girl, that in a inexplicable way, count with the support from the same corrupt people; and the fact that the say girl is now unconscious in the hospital under Shinomoroi's supervision because she made herself clumsy and gain a serious contusion on the head. And on top of all that; his feelings to certain weasel that made him crazy every time she's near him.
But all this is just to show that if he was a normal man by now he could be at the hospital with a heart attack; but for the wolf of Mibu it will not go that way. He's a brave man that had survive numbers encounters with dead, fights, blood and broken bones...but... just think that his station will end in pieces by the hand of a group of dwarfs make him shiver.
Security Commissioner clear his throat attracting Saitô's attention back to the meting. But even now he smile at the thought of the hot report he will send them as answer for this meeting.
In the nick of time and at the other side of the door a war for supremacy was taking place, ehhh mmm, sorry, taking care of some sweet little children were Kenshin, Kaoru and Misao.
"Just think they were the same little ones that five hours a go were trembling from hunger, cold and fear seems some how stupid right now."- Was the comment Kaoru shot to Misao as they both were hiding behind a bench at the station waiting room while Kaoru take off an adherent arrow from her face. Must to say that it was an idea from one of the guys that end their shift at four in the morning to give to the 'little angels' some toys to play while they wait.
"It could be worst, just look at Himura."
The girls took a peek to where the red head was being styling by a group of girls that were using permanent markers as the lack of real make up. Kaoru and Misao giggle at the saw of him.
"You're right!" Say Kaoru as she notice her friend look as look over certain office closed door. –"Don't worry 'bout him. He's a wolf after all and he will bark them up and everyone will be happy again."
"Did you think so Kaoru?"
"Of course! Jokes out Misao. The man is hard to kill and I don't think they will fired him...look even if it's hard to me to admit it... he's the best captain this station had i decades. You know how wild this precinct was after he take on it."
"Yeah, i know. The matter isn't what he will do to those bureaucrats, but how he it will affect him the Sergeant's condition."
"What you say?"
"They know each other. I even think that they are family. Didn't you notice how much a like are they, personality and attitudes while the mission was on. It was too obvious Kaoru! The way Valentino stand up and grab up her weapon and even the way she take control of the situation... in my career i haven't see a style so wild at the take of control on any situation, but Saitô. Other captains lose their stability under the same circumstances.
"You're right! But in the moment I was just worry on follow the instructions, i don't want anything happen to Kenshin or any of you. But i did notice when she start talking to me, before you arrive... she was trying to convince me to take her side. It was scary, you know? She was stand up there with the same glare Saitô gave when he was to attack. What you think can be?"
"I don't know for sure yet, but I'll know. That's for sure.-
"You will have all my support if you tell me what really you feel for Saitô."
"You're talking non senses Kaoru."
Misao's blush was enough reason for Kaoru feel the need to help her friend be more open mind, from her perspective she had never let go on Aoshi and if she can't bring her to sincere with her self, she will end broken heart; because Misao had a sweet point for grown up men and Saito was another league, he's too deep, something else. Isn't that Kaoru doubt her friend maturity because she knows to well that behind all Misao's sweets smiles, jokes, and childish attitudes was a different Misao, a very different one indeed. Life had make her grow up fast and hard and to be the optimistic and joyful person she demonstrate to be she need to act as a crazy immature girl.
"What I'm asking is: What you really feel for him?"
Misao let out a sigh as a sign of rendition.
"It's weird Kaoru. I idealize my relationship with Aoshi, we were everything I wanted, everything I dreamed of since I was a child. But all that was only an idea, a dream. Don't get it to the bad side, is not by any way that I were using Aoshi or something like that. Is just that I understood that in life exist different kinds of love. I idealized him because he took care of me, he was the only stable figure in my life. You know that too well.
But while i was making a research for a Socials class work when i found a psychology book… I'll not get on terminology. But in brief what the book said is that we women are always in an instinctive search for protection and a good DNA. Is not something we made a choice on, they're from the beginning, our animal instincts. The same way female animals select the most powerful male from their species. We're searching for someone who take care and love us; a figure that gave us stability and protection. unfortunately there's a lot of people who confuse this emotions. First reason is because on our early ages we suffer of lack of those models roles for protection. The came the change of our bodies, and the hormones inside us make us search an imitation for our infants lacks and that's why we search more for the lack than what we really need. There is the reason why is healthy to gave children that protection at home, because when they grow up they can have healthier and successful relations.
And while I read all that it was as new Window being open in front me. Men are in the same instinctive search, they look for the figure to protect but some craziest get it wrong. However the point is that they are on the search too and I tell to my self that this wasn't the kind of love to start a relationship. Aoshi and I were hurt inside because our childhood, we never had our protective figures and we were finding them on each other, but is not what we really need to be and live together for the rest of our lives.
That's why a gave Aoshi his freedom, but i keep being his friend. At first I told my self that if we were meant to be we will get back and start fresh. But after all this time I had seen that even if he's the must handsome man that I had lay eyes upon his not what I want to star a family; not a family where I will be the one to create and help to grown up. If I stay with him we were on a family where we two are going to grown up and not the grown ups. But when I felt what I felt while dancing with Hajime… that was something else. That was very different of how I felt with Aoshi, don't misunderstood I'm not making a comparison between them, I'm analyzing my feelings, what I feel inside me."
"I didn't. But, when all this start? I mean… I want to understand you."
"Remember when Sano stay home because his broken arm and doctor make him stay out for a while. Then we had the meeting for the new arrests laws…."
"The one you broke the next week."
"I'm being serous here Kaoru!"
"Whatever! But you know is true. Oh my! Don't tell me it was while he scold you!"
"Eh mm, no! But that's when i find my self having a weird feeling. Because all the while and when ever he look me with his devil wolfish smirk I feel like melting on my seat; and then I thought: 'Misao; your head has going somewhere else because you can't be having feelings for the wolf.' Then arrived sergeant and I found them to light to each other that I felt a pang of jealous. But she assure me they were only talking about cigarettes; I don't believe her. But when I follow him out the club he offer to take me home. On our walk he gave me his coat with a undecipherable look on his eyes and when we were front my apartment I didn't resist it more and turn around to him…
There weren't words between us, it was like a electric wave on the air, around us while i was thinking on how felt his lips, what they were taste…-
All the while Kaoru were assenting with her head to everything her weasel friend tell from the heart and all make her remember on how she felt with Kenshin…
"He kiss me. He kiss me and i don't know how or when but i took a grip on him as my life line. The next thing I knew was that I was with my back hitting my door and his hand were on my waist and the ring tone of his cellphone. Then we brawl and he go out."
"What? You two already fight?"
"Long story… let's go and save Himura migration people will be here soon."
Last night scenes were getting back to Aoshi one after another. From there casual party night with his co workers to the Maritime Unite unfortunately arrive. They split out the chaos, after their movement everything went fast. And to everything, he had to tell, Saitô losing his control after the officer down alert, he went all violent in a way that is hard to explain.
For the tenth time this night he look up to the girl front him.
This thoughts were interrupting his sleep. That little woman was a personality, chaos herself and now that he had the opportunity to saw her without makeup and at easy sleep, she seems at his more young.
He knew people that seems too young for their age; like Misao or Himura. But even on them you can tell they older of what they represent. In Himura you can tell for his experienced eyes and Misao on her lips.
Aoshi's thoughts were drafting out the same as his eyes when a nurse interrupt this delicious state of subconscious.
"I don't think she will wake up anytime soon officer, why you don't get home and take a rest? For what the news say it was a hard night." Say the her while checking on Alicia vitals and Iv's.
"Not at all"
"When you will tell the family?"
The question made Aoshi thing some things. Who they should notify? Her record say nothing and no one.
"My boss will get that ready."
Nurse put more medication in one of the Iv's and step out not with out tell him: "Oh! I almost forgot! One of the nurse from pediatrics tell that one of the girls you bring last night was asking for the blue eyes police man. I assume this is you. Is a seven years old and speak mandarin, one of the nurses speak it too and ask me that if a I found the blue eyes that tell him to please go up an see her. It seems the girl hasn't stop crying all night or something like that. If you need a translator the nurse will be until 3pm."
"I can handle it, thanks."
After the nurse was out, Aoshi check Alicia again and decide that the nurse was right. She will not wake up for now, so he went to the pediatric floor.
Childish designs receive me once the elevator door open. One of the characters of 'My neighbor Totoro' was smiling at me and knew I was on the right floor. But was the cries and the Chinese words that guide me to the right room. Once in I saw some children hiding under they're sheets at seeing my uniform, but the crying little girl and another girl that seems fourteen that was trying to calm out the little one were the only ones that say seeing me. The little one told me: "藍色眼睛警察"
I confirm her in mandarin that I'm indeed the blue eyes officer so they can be calm. Also ask her the reason to call me. But with out answer me she go to hide under a sheet with other girl and let me with the fourteen that perfectly ask me to bring her to Alicia and that she work in for her.
While we walk the corridors i found some details on the girl that confirm she was telling the true. But what surprise me was to find a pair of brown eyes looking at me as we get on Alicia's room.
Then the girl besides me step out to Alicia saying her how happy she was that she was live. Nothing in her make me suspect of a lie as they start speaking on why think is Cambodian. 'So what the file said was true.'
While I was in the mood of kick my self when Alicia ask me to let them alone for a while.
"I'll search for tea at the cafeteria." Say Aoshi.
They wait until hear the elevator closed Doors. And the girl broke the silence.
"Oh my friend! You can't imagine how much i worry for you when that cruel Kamatari woman shot you."
"I had been in worst situations Chantrea. It was only scrape, the bad thing is the head hit."
"There you came with your histories."
"The treat is between us. What means that if you're out and me stay with nothing, and my boyfriend is here in Japan."
"Yeah I know, he contact me at the pub. From that moment Seta start to suspect. I'll try to get him out before the crew arrive, but I made no promise about him. Smith is a bad witch…I'll had to vanish you."
Chantrea's eyes tell her is afraid and Alicia laugh at this.
"I'll not kill you Chatrea. I'll send you to a place where you can find help. They will gave you a new name and work."
"The same told me Seta"
"Can imagine it. But even if sound weird, the people i know will help you for sure. They work to avoid you to go back to hell you came from. Is a decent job as waitress or dishwasher, but the help you study something too. Isn't legal either but they pay you right and let you take the tips. A year and you're out the debt. So now move or I let Ikawa on a cell."
Elevator doors had just open when a Aoshi was attack by a hysteric nurse, she tell him the Sergeant take herself the check out and go from the hospital while signaling the serum bag she left on the floor with blood stains around it. "She took it out herself in a bad manner." Tell the woman in white.
The circumstance scream to make a call to captain Saitô who I bet was on a bad mood, but wanted or not he will had to came here and clean up the mess.
The call was all Aoshi wait from it. Some bad words and damns, and putting on the straw the barked instructions. Hells! Saitô almost bite him! It was obvious that he had to check the areas near the hospital first and notify the situation to him alter it.
Fortunately the search wasn't long. But he find Alicia sitting on the floor of a dim street smoking a big hell blunt.
"What that hell you're doing here Sergeant?" I spit out.
She gave me a drugged smile. And even like that she seems pretty. Still has her jeans and sleeveless black shirt that are now dirty on dry blood giving her an air of a vagabond and the blunt…well; whoever gave a look at her right now will tell she is a drug addict. But I knew too well what she really is: A Sergeant of the Marines, an elite soldier, a woman who has fight against drugs and traffic. But right at this moment she got me shocked because she is using the same things that she fight against it.
She barely can she stand up from her site but do it while offer me some of what she had.
"No thanks and is better that you put that away, better throw it out."
Telling no with her finger she gave a pity look and tell. "No, no, no. Shinomori… you really intimidate me. Are you always that cold and handsome at the same time?" Definitely she was high. "But you should know something…" Then she smile at me with a smirk that can win the most scariest one from Saitô. "I have inherit this thing of do whatever I want to." Say her while dragging the last part as she fall and I don't know how but when fall she made me fall with her and once on the floor she put herself comfortable laid her head on my shoulder as she let the marijuana fumes invade my nose. Then start sang a song with a beautiful voice in a Spanish that I barely understand because of her state.
I don't beg that things always
Go right for me.
It was in this moment when Saitô arrived and gave me a look that electrify made me stay in place. Are he mad or what? How in seven hells will I gave her drugs and how Saitô can think something like that?
But I'm already tired
of loosing you.
To the first person who take me
To the true, I'll gave him
My time.
I don't want to wait more.
"Hey ice boy! How long are you planning to let her making the clown here?" Interrupt Saitô. "Don't put that face that you can't fool me. You must be enjoying the show."
To contribute at my situation Alicia keep her song.
I can't understand what you tell me.
"Oi! If is Saitô person here!" Say her to keep:
What a bad luck!
Then you told me life have things
That dense.
Forgetting me Saitô reach the girl besides me: "Sayuri Takagi!"
"Damn! Fuck! Didn't you get to no call me that!"
"You and me will have a conversation on that later. Now you'll get your ass back to the hospital. And throw that garbage away!"
"Isn't garbage! Didn't you knew that Moms always knows better, Hajime?"
The confession let us at shock. Surprise was written all over Saitô's face and even I can fell my jaw hanging. But she stay calm and get back to her blunt and her song.
I can't understand what you tell me.
What a bad luck!
Then you told me life have things
That dense.
I can tell you
How felt the flame within.
I can tell you
How much weights it's fire.
The words make me tough on which is her FIRE. A question I can't avoid.
Love in solitude
Is like a no end well
Where is no god
Where true do not exist.
Everything is relative
As that we are here.
We don't know, but love!
Gave me blood to live
At least you know.
On that you she put a lot of force and with her index she hit Saitô's arm too hard. When the wolf scooped her up in his arms I was a mere observer there
"Where're you taking me? You son of a bitch!"
"Bitch your grandma. Shinomori when was her last medication."
"Not two hours a go, why?"
At least i didn't tell you that things
Weren't what they seem.
And is just that
To the first person who don't Judge me
I think on surrender my hiding caresses.
….
Whenever you see it too easy
More hard is to me.
….
I'm not telling is easy…
But right now I don't have a place to be…
"She will go on a overdoses on the next ten seconds…"
At the end of the ten seconds we were trespassing the Emergency Room doors and for the first time i saw on my boss face fear and worry on the humanly way possible. The girl's in danger because I let it happen, I felt he had all the reasons to hate me but while he leave her on a empty couch with out permission her voice was on my mind. My mind repeat her voice like a ghost.
I can tell you
How felt the flame within.
I can tell you
How much weights it's fire.
Aoshi can be thinking on his own dead at hands of his boss; but say boss had his mind worry of others things right now.
For the first time Saito felt as helpless human with trembling hands for all the things he wish to do and say. All the things he wish to change for the girl who life what in the hands of hospital personal. While he was there as a not wanted observer, hands lost in search for something to do and then knew he can be fine with only stroke her hair that is was the same as her mother and her aunt. He wish in that moment tell her a lot, to have time to fight with her and don't gave a damn on her glares because he knew they are the same as his.
The stupor state he is on was to dense to even feel Shintoist's presence. Saitô has even forgot him until the said boy put a hand over his shoulder. He knew the meaning of the action when saw he was blocking the pass for the defibrillator cart that they call for Sayuri.
After a while he decide that the agitation from the nurses and the cold instructions the doctor give them was too much for him. Their sounds were filling every space on the room and every patient has forgot why they were there as they pay attention for what was happening to the girl. It took every once of his the pride to left off walking head up to a near forgotten corridor. And even there the nurse's steps can be heard. But in that place he let memories strike him hard totally forgotten of that Shinomori presciences two chairs to his left. There he remember Sayuri's mothers voice; Kiri Takagi's voice.
'I was 15 years old the day I meet Tokio, Kiri's big sister and who was already my fiancé.
The sisters where like water and oil; totally different one from another. Where Tokio was reserved and mature; Kiri was a crazy beautiful, a lose bullet she say whatever she wanted, however she liked caring a hell for consequences. She was her parents nightmare and that's the way her father present her to me on Tokio's and I compromise dinner. "My house disgrace", told me the old man while she kiss me hard on the cheek and step out laughing at seeing her sister's blush because the scene. But of the things I get to know there was that she had a grate voice and dream to be a famous actress. Of course her parents prohibited it because of their social status.
But I still remember nights when she accompany me and Tokio and force us go to the Karaoke's. There was this song she interpret so real and in a way that made me shiver to the bone.
-Only if my father let her be a singer she can move japans hearts.-
Say Tokio once at see what was happen to me. I gave a nod to not lose my dignity front her. She was 19 and I 17, she will be my wife in a year and there I was, on her face, shaking as an idiot for her own sister. So, I grab her by the waist and leaned her over my chest while Kiri turn back for our table. –Want to know why she put all that feeling on that song? Her best friend die on an a car accident twp years a go. It was the day doctors inform of her Lupus condition. So she escape from home on dad's car, pick up her friend and go get drunk. Two minors drank and with out driving license. Kiri was driving. Imagine the rest.- Say Tokio.
Today when Sayuri sang I discover she had her mother's voice. Of course I imagine it. "Her best friend was Miayako Kinomoto." Everyone knew who she was. The pampered girl of Kinomoto's family from Kinomoto's enterprises. "Since then everything is worst. Father is in despair, he lover of course, but knows too she will died. That's why accept the offer without know you, then my parents will have time for her. And, I know is bold from my part ask you this but…Hajime, can you try be a real brother in law for her. Maybe you can her understand that she need to change."
My answer was cruel on the moment, I didn't want she knew how much she can control me with one look. But it was that day when I knew she will be very patient with me. "You train troops, you're a Shinsengumi's Sergeant. An obnoxious girl as my sister will be too easy for you, and I had see the look you gave your dumbs guys."
I say nothing after that; but give my self to help Kiri.'
A hot coffee cup was extended in front Saitô and take him out of the memories. Didn't notice when Shinomori go to the coffee machine at the end of the corridor, that now that other person was making use of it sound as an old washer machine.
Between the hateful sound he look as Shinomori suit himself on a position that he already knew; the guy will ask for something. This time Hajime knew what it will be and was preparing himself for pass unaware of it, but a timely doctor who was trying to calm him self was getting close to them.
"Captain Saitô! A pleasure again, a shame we meet again under this circumstances."
Of course he was happy to see Saitô again. It seems the bad omen is the girl herself, because the doctor is a friend of Tokio's new husband.
"Yeah…a shame." Say Saitô putting a disgusted tone on his voice.
"Well. Yes, we need to contact Valentino's family. We were waiting for the information before she escape but know is very important we contact them."
"It's a critical condition?"
"A bad one yes, no mortal but serious. That's why we need to contact the family is information we can Only share with them. You know for privacy policies and all."
"Just when we get it we'll pass it yo you. Thanks doctor.- Interrupt Shinomori at seeing the unusual ways of her boss."
Once the doctors go I take the risk to say: "There's no one to contact, right?"
Saitô made a face at this that worry me.
"The true is that I never close it just muted for the others. But you know the girl better than anyone, why you don't call her aunt? The one you know."
He close his hands so hard that his knuckles where White and her face turn dark. The pose did not afraid me but it wasn't a good place for the wolf inside him explode, but his answer was more impartial than expected. –From where you take that I know her aunt?-
"She tell Misao."
"And the weasel told you. Perfect! Well, now that you know so much of Sayuri, did you want to know something else? Her aunt is my ex wife Tokio."
The sincerity he show surprise me. He call Sergeant Sayuri and not Alicia, and confess to know her aunt and even more that she is his ex wife.
"Sayuri?- I ask. –Captain is better that you explain all this mess, at least to me. I'm not a psychologist like Himura but is better to have a back up plan before every body at the station know of this."
Against his personality the wolf resign by my argument here.
Her true name is Sayuri Takagi, she's my ex wife nice and… my daughter.-
Surprise was written all over my face in a way that i can feel the emotion run through my skin. There I have an affirmation that had let me with out words. I felt the lack of sleep start to make effect on my person, probably I'm dreaming all this. But I gave a look to Hajime Saitô the one who confess all this and he told me: -I don't have an idea from where she took the name Alicia Valentino.-
The headache that's starting trouble me will be even worst than a hangover.
Thanks for everyone who's still Redding this. All you will made me happy if you let my know you exist. If you read and not let a review, how I will know that you're out there. Let your opinion be know! Of course with respect and order everything is welcome. However that's the point of this web page.
Hurray for the free thinkers!!!