My editor threw humous at me because I kept procrastinating. This is what happens when I see her after a four month break.
I have BRUSIES!
Heh. Ah well, Hope you're enjoying it? Annnnd...I know it's probably early...but what are your thoughts on Advent '09? Would you read it? Or would I be flogging a dead horse so to speak? I'd like feedback on the idea this time around...
Advent '08
December 22nd – 3 days to go!
Ren had fallen into a restless sleep early that morning sitting in the chair and leaning his forehead on his crossed arms on the bed. He was still holding her hand.
It was because of this that he didn't see Kyoko's eyes flickering open. He did however feel her fingers twitch in his own and woke up slowly, not fully aware of where he was or why he had awoken.
He looked across to her face and saw her blinking tiredly up at the ceiling, obviously confused as to where she was.
"Kyoko-chan?" He asked in disbelief.
She glanced over to where he was sitting with his mouth hanging open. Opening her mouth to try and say something all that came out was a dry rasping sound. Ren sat up quickly and poured her a cup of water, holding it to her lips so she could take small sips.
"Wh-?"
Ren smiled at her.
"You're in the hospital. I'm so relieved that you woke up Kyoko-chan. Hang on a moment, I'll call for the doctor."
He stood and opened the door, calling through to the nurses' station to get a doctor quickly. That done he returned to Kyoko's bedside. She had dragged herself up into a sitting position, supported by her pillows and was holding the cup to her lips, eyeing him warily.
"I'll wait until the doctor gets here, and then I'll call everyone else. They're going to be so happy that you're back with us."
He took her hand and held it, unable to stop himself from tracing his thumb across her knuckles.
"I'm so glad Kyoko. I...I thought I had lost you..." he opened and closed his mouth a few times before taking in a deep breath. Kyoko cocked her head to the side in silent confusion. "I have something I want to tell you." He whispered.
She frowned at his expression and carefully retracted her hand from his, clearing her throat.
"I'm...sure you might..." she started, her voice still gravelly. "But...can I ask? Just...who are you?"
Ren froze, his expression one of disbelief.
"...What?"
She nibbled on her bottom lip nervously.
"Who...are you? I mean...I'm sure you're a nice guy and all but...do I know you?"
"You don't recognise me? At all?"
She shook her head.
"Ren! My name's Ren Tsuruga!"
She looked at him blankly and Ren found it hard to breath.
"You honestly don't recognise my name? Face? Anything?"
"I'm...sorry?"
Ren stared at her with a look of horror plastered across his face. How could this be?
He was saved from trying to talk to her again when a flustered doctor rushed into the room. Seeing that Kyoko was sitting up and conscious he grabbed her chart and started flipping through the charts, noting down the numbers that were registering on the machine.
Ren sat back as the doctor did his work. His chest hurt at the thought that Kyoko didn't know who he was and he needed time to process what this meant.
"Right."
Ren looked up as the doctor snapped the chart shut with finality.
"I'm going to order a CT scan to make sure that there aren't any fractures or bleeds that we missed."
He turned to leave but Ren shot out his hand and grabbed the man by the elbow.
"Wait doctor."
"Yes?"
"Kyoko-chan doesn't remember me...or anything..."
The doctor turned to look at Kyoko who just shrugged helplessly.
"Well. Amnesia is a typical side affect to head injuries."
"And how long will it last? Will she ever remember me again?"
"It's possible. These things are very hard to predict. It could last from a couple of hours to a few months.
"To be honest...it is possible that she might never remember who she was before the accident."
Ren's jaw dropped in horror and the doctor nodded his head sadly.
"I'm sorry Tsuruga-san. But it is a possibility.
"I'll go and arrange that CT scan."
With that he left the room. Ren stared after him and kept staring at the door after it had closed.
"Ex-excuse me...?"
Ren turned to face Kyoko.
"Yes?"
"Um...I was just...what's your name again? I'm sorry."
"Ren Tsuruga."
"Ah...um...what do I call you?"
Ren opened his mouth to reply when he paused, a thought crossing his mind. Heh. He could use this to his advantage.
"Ren-kun."
"So...um...we're close then?"
"...yes."
"Ah..."
"If you will excuse me? I will call the rest of your friends to come and visit you. They will be happy that you have woken."
He smiled softly at her and brushed his fingers down her cheek before standing abruptly and leaving the room.
Kyoko watched him go and traced her fingertips across her cheek, following his path before she rubbed her forehead.
Just how close were they?
---/---
Kanae, Lory, Yashiro, Taisho and Okami arrived all together after they had travelled over in one of the company's car.
They entered the room quietly and smiled at Kyoko when they saw that she was awake and sitting propped against her pillows.
Kanae and Yashiro shared a small look between them when they saw Ren quickly let go of Kyoko's hand.
"Ah...hello?"
They smiled at her, knowing from Ren's phone call about the situation.
Ren stood and pointed to them each one by one.
"This is President Lory Takarada. He's in charge of the L.M.E. agency where you work as an actress."
Kyoko nodded and smiled shyly.
"Hello."
"I'm glad to see that you are awake Kyoko-chan."
"This," Ren said, continuing down the line "is Yukihito Yashiro. He's my agent but you are friends."
"Hello Kyoko-chan."
"This is-"
Kanae pushed past him and hugged Kyoko.
"I'm Kanae Kotonami. We're best friends."
"Really?!"
She smiled and nodded.
Ren raised his eyebrow and moved down the line.
"This is...um..."
"We're the Okami and Taisho of the restraint where you have a room. You used to work for us before you got a job at the L.M.E."
Kyoko bowed as best she could whilst sitting down.
"Nice to meet you." She paused and looked confused for a moment. "Is that all? Isn't there one other?"
"Well no. There is one other." Lory said as he moved forward to the end of her bed. "My Granddaughter, Maria. She's overseas with her father at the moment."
Kyoko frowned for a moment and rubbed her forehead. She shrugged when nothing came to mind.
"I guess that must be it."
Ren looked apprehensive but was interrupted by a knock on the door. The doctor entered the room and smiled at the people gathered there.
"What did the CT scan reveal?"
The doctor took the chart and flipped through the pages again paying attention to the figures written on the last page.
"Well...it seems that the CT scan came out clear. There were no bleeds or fractures of the skull."
"What does this mean?" Lory asked.
"I can't say for certain...but...if these numbers stay constant. Then I see no reason for Mogami-san to stay in the hospital. She will have to stay in overnight for observation...
"But if there are no further complications than she will be able to be released tomorrow."
Lory nodded. "And the amnesia?"
"There's nothing that we can do for that, unfortunately. All we can do is give her time and see if the memories that she lost return."
Silence fell in the room. Okami-san turned back to face Kyoko and smiled warmly at her.
"If you get released tomorrow then we'll be ready for you to come home."
Kyoko smiled gratefully at her.
"I'm sorry we can't stay longer but the restaurant needs to be opened."
"Thank you for coming."
Okami-san smiled again and linked arms with her husband. She raised her hand in farewell and they both left the room.
Kyoko rubbed her forehead again.
"My forehead feels a little strange."
Kanae grinned.
"You were in a car accident and have been unconscious for over a day. Your head is bound to feel a little strange."
Kyoko still looked a little unsure but she stopped and smiled in return.
"I guess."
Kanae grabbed her hand and looked at the men in the room. Chuckling Lory patted Ren and Yashiro on the back.
"Come on boys. I think the girls would like to be alone for a moment. Let's go get something to drink."
He ushered them out of the room, ignoring their protests and closed the door behind them with a smile.
As soon as they had gone Kanae turned back to Kyoko and grinned, hugging her close.
"I'm so glad that you're alright Kyoko-chan."
"Thank you...um..."
"Kanae-chan."
Kyoko smiled sheepishly but Kanae waved off her hesitation.
"We have so much to talk about!"
"We do?"
"Yes. First off...how much do you remember about the Winter Awards?"
"Awards?"
---/---
"So...let me get this straight. Ren-kun asked me to go to the awards with him?"
"Ren-kun?
Kyoko looked nervous.
"Is there something wrong? That's what he told me I called him."
Kanae raised her eyebrow.
"Oh he did, did he?" seeing the look she was being given, Kanae smiled at Kyoko to try and relieve some of her fears. "No, no...there's no problem...I...um...just thought that I might never hear your voice again and I'm just so overcome.
"That's all."
"Oh." Kyoko smiled. "It makes me happy that I have a friend like you Kanae.
"For some reason...I don't think that I had many friends before...but I can't remember."
Kanae gripped her hand in response and smiled at her.
Kyoko smiled back before yawning widely, her eyelids drooping in tiredness. Kanae stood.
"I'm going to go see if I can find Tsuruga and everyone and let you sleep."
Kyoko nodded in response and shuffled down the bed, pulling the covers up around her neck. She heard the door click shut just as she was dropping off to sleep.
Without realising it she brought her hand up and traced her fingertips across her forehead.
Ironic though it was, she had the feeling that she was forgetting something or someone important.