Chapter 4: Decisions

The group went to watch a few of the performance shows, Takashi and Mistkuni went for every show, performance and results. Lucas had warned Takashi that revealing his relationship to Izumi, that they were practically engaged, might damage her results. The general public liked to fantasize about the contestants and the idea of them being available, regardless of how impossible it may be for them, was something they liked to day dream of. Even Kyoya, who did research into the claim, found that at least on one singing reality show, every attractive female who revealed an engagement, was voted off the very next show.

So, they cheered her from the crowd, as opposed to picking premium seats, but they found to enjoy it more. Takashi and Mistkuni were excited to see tonight's performance. He received text messages from her saying it was her most challenging piece yet.

She was definitely one of the judges' favorites as well as a crowd favorite. They sat in the audience listening to people talk about her, holding signs with her name. It was surreal.

She thinks that she needs to claim her independence, but she already has. She's so stubborn sometimes. Takashi thought to himself. She has so much open to her. I am the one that's lucky to be with her.

The music started and the crowd settled. The judges made their entrance and the host spoke. The dancers did their opening routine and the host finally came on stage. Mitskuni and Takashi exchanged looks of concern. Where is Izumi?

"Everyone, everyone… we have an announcement to make…" The crowd quieted, frighteningly so. "Two of our dancers have been injured during dress rehearsals." It moved to a clip of Izumi and her partner for the week practicing on stage. Her partner went to throw her into the air when he fell, slamming Izumi to the stage. Her body immediately went limp after the first impact, and she bounced/slid down. It was faint, but there was a streak of blood from where she slid. Her partner was screaming, in pain and sorrow. He kept calling to Izumi, who did not move. Medics rushed from the sides of the stage and the scene faded out.

Takashi was frozen. The crowd was frozen. Takashi looked at Mitskuni and ran out. Takashi had his cellphone to his ear… meanwhile (on stage and on tv, where the host club watched)

The judges and host began speaking in a well laid out script as the program's lead doctor came out.

Kyoya's phone rang, he answered, already at his computer.

"Doctor, can you tell us what happened to the two."

"As you know, we always challenge each other with dance. We push ourselves further and further, and sometimes, we don't know when enough is enough. The dance is, indeed, incredible, but day after day, week after week of practicing nonstop, no chance to recover from even the slightest injury will take its toll. Male Dancer dislocated his shoulder last week which is minor, except that it happened again, mid lift, almost tearing the ligaments in that same shoulder."

"And that is what caused the awkward fall for Izumi?"

"Yes."

"And what is her condition?" The host asked…

"Thank you Kyoya." Takashi said as he sped towards the hospital. "They're going to meet us there in a bit."

"Takashi, are you okay?"Mistkuni asked, terrified, scared for his cousin and Izumi.

Takashi didn't answer. They didn't speak until they found her room. A nurse stopped them asking for identification, when a security guard, probably from the show, said that Lucas had told everyone to expect Takashi and his friends. Takashi stared through the window to Izumi's room…watching her hooked up to an oxygen machine.

"She has a severe concussion. She hit the ground very hard. The left side of her body is bruised from the impact. She has a few stitches around her head. The bruises and stitches will heal just fine. It's just…" the nurse paused, and Takashi did not take his eyes off of Izumi, "she has two fractured ribs…" the nurse paused again. What could be worse than this? Takashi wondered. "She hit so hard, we won't know what damage was done to her brain until she's alert enough for us to run tests."

Takashi took his eyes off Izumi and looked at the nurse, "Meaning?"

"She might have some form of amnesia. She might have lost some motor skills. We won't know until she wakes up. We're keeping her here, of course, and running tests. So far, she's fine. I'm sorry," the nurse put her hand on Takashi's arm. "I have nothing else to tell you."

She stepped away and the rest of the group stepped forward. He slipped into the room, unintentionally leaving the rest of them outside.

"Kyoya," everyone turned to him, "will Izumi be okay?"

"How should I know?" he sounded hurt he didn't know the answer. "I'm not a doctor."

"She'll wake up soon, right boss?" Kaoru asked.

"I mean, she has to wake up!" Hikaru was nearly crying.

"If we feel this bad, imagine how Takashi feels." Hani said crying.

They looked up and saw Takashi looking down at Izumi, not knowing where to sit and not wanting to be tangled in her cords. He leaned down and kissed her on the slips and she lay there unresponsive.

"What should we do?" Tamaki said to himself.

Haruhi was silently crying. The image made her think of her mother. Repressed nightmares of her father standing over her mother slowly started surfacing. "We should be there for them both. Bring him a change of clothes, things to clean himself with. Books to read, blankets. I doubt he'll leave her side." Everyone looked at her, realizing she must be thinking of her own parents. "Someone should stay to keep him company."

Kyoya turned from the group, "I'm going to talk to the doctor."

Izumi opened her eyes the two days later, but slept mostly. They weren't able to do any tests to check her awareness due to the morphine from the cracked ribs, bruises and stitches. On the third day, she was alert, but slow in response. She opened her eyes to see Takashi's head on her bed, hands holding hers. She moved her hand to his head, and he woke up.

"Izumi…" she smiled softly at him as he started crying.

"l o v e" she whispered, softly.

Everyone made room for the nurses and doctor to conduct their tests. So far, everything was good. She was alert and responsive. She reflexes were a bit slow, but they had to wait for the pain killers to wear off first. All in all, she was doing well. She was able to answer all the questions she was asked. They would keep her one more day before releasing her.

Izumi was released and she had to speak to the show's lawyers about her contract. The doctors at the hospital as well as the show's doctor agreed that she should not continue participating in the current season or the after tour. There was fan mail, flowers, blogs, interviews. It was a media circus. She once again became untouchable. Takashi and Izumi had to say goodbye before she was completely enveloped by the show. They spent a quiet night together, Takashi barely touching her, afraid she would break.

The host club saw Takashi and Mitskuni off at the airport while Izumi was on stage, making the announcement that she would no longer be competing in the competition.