Updated: 8/2/2017
Forever & Always
-Chapter 2: A Drop of Pink-
A white robed medic plopped down on the plush chair, languishing. "I am at a loss, madam." He said, turning his bespectacled face in Mikoto's direction. "It is, simply speaking, a miracle."
The middle aged mother blinked. "Do tell?" She snipped.
The reason for the Uchiha matriarch's ill-humor was manifold. While Mikoto would say she was a relatively easygoing woman, she really wasn't. After a two hour wait, incompetent medical staff, and a shirt full of coffee, she was marginally upset.
The medic shifted uneasily. He pushed his glasses up his nose and hastily flipped through his charts.
"Well," he hesitated, gauging the efficacy of staying, it wasn't as though he could share every detail of his findings. "It is. She should be dead." He said.
Mikoto maintained a blank face, but her voice was rife with repugnance. "Doctor, whether she should or should not be something is of no importance. What I would like to know is what her health is now and if there is a need for treatment. Is she even receiving any?"
Kingo pursed his lips. "No, she is not."
"And why might that be?"
The medic's eyes hardened. He set his charts on his lap. "Because, madam, there is no need for it."
Mikoto quirked a brow in incredulity, temper flaring. "You cannot tell me that after two hours you have done nothing but tests."
The medic was not easily bowled over. "The tests were necessary."
"Could you possibly explain less?" Mikoto bit out.
"You will excuse me, ma'am," the medic said calmly, "but I cannot share everything. However, what I can say is that there is evidence of trauma, major trauma."
Mikoto's eye twitched. "What do you mean?"
The medic sighed. "I do not know what happened, nor do I care. What I have found though is startling. I had to run multiple tests to be sure. I am sorry that you were made to wait this long, but it was all very necessary."
"Yes," Mikoto dismissed flippantly, "I am sure, but what did you find."
"I cannot say madam, you are not the guardian." This was obviously a rote answer.
It did not please Mikoto at all. She realized though, that it was futile to pester. He wouldn't tell her.
With a heavy sigh, Mikoto stood. "I must thank you for all that you and your staff has done."
"You are most welcome, Uchiha-san." The Medic said, fairly surprised. "It was our pleasure."
"I am sure." She quipped. "I do have one further question before I go."
The medic tensed, expecting her to continue asking for more information on his patient's condition. "By all means."
"May I go and see her?"
The medic looked relieve and then entirely regretful. "I must apologize, but unfortunately not. We are not done with tests, and we have strict order to keep her under isolation."
"Excuse me?"
The medic sighed. "I am sorry, but I can say no more. If you wish for information, you will need to speak to our Department of Human Services."
"But I brought her here." Mikoto honestly didn't understand. Why would she need to do such a thing? What in the world did they find?
The medic shook his head. "While commendable, you are still not her guardian."
"Well, I—"
Before she could finish, Mikoto was interrupted by a bug-eyed intern who stared at the two adults in trepidation. "Doctor Kingo" the girl queried hesitantly from behind the attendant's desk.
"What is it Mika?" Kingo asked, slightly relieved to be pulled away.
His stern attention seemed to calm the girl. "Doctor Naoki would like to see you in the back. She says it's urgent."
"I see," said Doctor Kingo. "Excuse me, madam." Metal clip board under his arm, he bowed respectfully and left.
Mikoto was incredibly frustrated. She picked up her purse and made her way to the sliding glass doors, making sure to compose her face into something less aggravated. From the hospital, she walked down the street, heels clicking away. She had somewhere to be. She would know what had happened to that child, even if she had to use her husband. It was a price she was willing to pay.
.
.
.
"I know what I saw, Doctor," Naoki hissed to the attending medic. Her hands fisted at her side.
Doctors and nurses passed them by in the white-washed corridor, observing their tete a tete halfheartedly. She felt incredibly exposed and couldn't help breathing heavily. She was very uncomfortable.
Doctor Kingo was not so affected. It was frustrating.
"Naoki, I'm sure it was only a reflection from the lamp light." Kingo frowned at his intern, unhappy with the overly dramatic spectacle she was making.
"I know what I saw." She seethed.
The man was being so unhelpful. She knew that he didn't believe her. Hell, most of the other staffed didn't either. She knew that she wasn't crazy; she knew what she'd seen was real.
"How can a reflection be pink and only in one place?" She tried to reason. "It was bright and it pulsed; how can a reflection pulse?"
Doctor Kingo sighed, tired of Naoki's tirade. Of course, he wasn't really surprised. His intern was always dramatic.
"Naoki, enough." He said sternly. "Right now is not the time to be making wild claims."
His intern flinched at his harsh tone. "Doctor please," she begged, tears of frustration and humiliation forming in her eyes. "Please listen to me. This was like nothing I have ever seen before. You remember seeing the mark on her hip, the one the shinobi detailed as a bite mark?"
Kingo huffed. He was a busy man and had many things he could be attending to. "Yes, yes, I remember the mark." He said impatiently, "It was rather grotesque, but healing well."
Naoki nodded vigorously. "Yes! We tried a chakra therapy."
Kingo frowned. That hadn't been a part of his order. "What were you thinking? I specifically mentioned in my order not to use chakra!" He reprimanded.
Naoki tensed, unsure of how to proceed. As an intern she wasn't allowed to do procedures without an attending present. "Doctor Mina oversaw the procedure, but it didn't work."
"What do you mean?" Doctor Kingo was puzzled. Why wouldn't it work?
His intern licked her lips nervously. "It didn't heal. No matter what Doctor Mina did, it wouldn't heal. It was like the procedure was hurting her more than helping. The patient just kept screaming. It was unnatural."
"Then you all should have stopped!" Doctor Kingo was nearly yelling. "What were you thinking?"
"We were only trying to help!" Naoki reasoned.
Doctor Kingo wasn't having it. "You're lucky I don't report you all. How dare you authorize a procedure without me! You can't do that with this patient!"
"I'm sorry," Naoki stuttered, surprised by his vehemence.
"No, you know what, you're off my service." The doctor said. Angrily, he wiped at his eyes, tired and frustrate beyond measure. "I'll speak to Doctor Mina later, as for you, go home."
Naoki didn't know what to say. How could everything have gone so wrong? "Wait, Doctor!" She called as he strode away. He didn't turn to look at her.
Alone in the corridor, Naoki felt lost.
.
.
.
Ward B was the NICU.
It was Doctor Kingo's department. He strode down it's main hall toward the furthest room on the left.
Each room he passed contained a child. Some had parents beside them, others did not.
It wasn't so unusual for the time of day, but it was still depressing. For this reason, Kingo took the time to stop in and ask after each occupant.
The head medic prided himself on making his patients comfortable, especially the children. He also prided himself on knowing each and every one of their names. It wasn't much, but it was something.
He poked his head in to every room, garnering smiles and laughter along the way. It help to easy the tension he felt after a long day.
At the end of the hall was Room 232B.
It contained a very special girl.
The patient was Higure Kagome, the sole survivor of her clan's massacre.
She was a beautiful child and relatively healthy, considering. It was still surprising to him that she had survived.
At Kagome's side was another.
Uchiha Itachi had taken up residence in the room over an hour ago. He'd received direct orders from the Hokage, much to Doctor Kingo's chagrin.
"Shinobi," he greeted the adolescent Uchiha.
Itachi coolly turned his gaze upon the white clad medic, assessing but not unkind. "You are Doctor Kingo?"
"I am."
"Then you are the one who can release her." Itachi said.
Kingo nodded. "I apologize for the delay. I hadn't expected to take so long."
The young Uchiha was silent. In all honesty, he was rather annoyed by the wasted time. The Hokage had demanded that he bring her immediately, and the fact that he had been made to postpone his return only heightened his sour mood. What could have possibly held the healer back? Surely two and a half hours was enough time to heal a child?
"Do you have the results ready?" Itachi asked.
His arm was draped over the side of his Kagome's clear acrylic crib. She was sleep now, thankfully, but it had taken a lot of effort to get her that way.
Kingo watched Itachi work his magic on the baby. He was very gentle, his scarred hands carefully gripping her clenched fist.
The Doctor shook himself free from his daze. "I do." He said. He produced a manilla folder, with his signature over the seal. "Please give this directly to the Hokage."
The young man nodded, taking the document carefully, and setting it inside the large breast pocket of his uniform.
Without further delay, Itachi turned to his charge. His gaze softened the moment his eyes fell on his girl. There was just something about the child that called to him. It was hypnotizing.
It scared him a little that he felt this way, but he wasn't inclined to do anything about it. It was becoming natural, as if he was meant to be beside her.
Once more, he caressed the top of her head. Her thin black tufts of hair smoothly glided between his spindle-thin fingers. He bopped her pudgy nose, eliciting a whine and an annoyed grimace. It made him grin.
Itachi picked her up and set her against his chest. Her little hands gripped his loose fitting black shirt and thick green vest. Only briefly did she open her eyes, but recognizing his presence she fell right back asleep.
"We have a carrier for her, if you would rather…?" Kingo said, coming to stand beside the young shinobi.
Itachi frowned at the suggestion. While it might have been safer to take her in a carrier, he preferred to hold her, but to ignore the suggestion might come off as too presumptuous. In the end, he assented to Kingo, who took out his com and ordered a durable sling for Itachi's use.
"It will just be a few minutes." The medic assured.
Itachi didn't doubt it.
They waited together in strained silence. Kingo scurried around the room, rearranging the medical devices into a semblance of order before standing at the foot of the basinet. He proceeded to pursue the files he had brought, every once and awhile jotting down a note.
"She's very lucky you found her, you know." The doctor said.
Itachi nodded. He wasn't inclined to speak.
Finishing up, the Doctor set aside the charts. He said no more.
A moment later an intern flounced into the room, carrying the baby sling and a few white paper bags.
"Vitamins and an antibiotic," the intern explained, "to get her back up to code."
A nod, then a signature, and Itachi was on his way.
.
.
.
Nothing, that's all they could give her.
Mikoto was sitting in her husband's office, presenting her case in the hypothetical.
Hypothetically, was it possible to receive information about a child that was not your own but an orphan?
Hypothetically, was their a way to force doctors to tell her a child's heath issues if she was to bring them to the hospital?
Her husband, of course, was curious as to why she would ask such questions, but answered as best as possible, knowing that eventually he would get to the root of her presence there.
What Mikoto had learned was this: Under the Health and Wellness Act no person, except designated guardians, were allowed to gain medical information about a patient. To obtain, information about a patient without being a guardian, a patient must first give consent. In the case of a child, the guardian must give consent to the non-guardian.
Mikoto had many more questions after receiving these answers.
"Hypothetically," she started slowly, thinking through her next question carefully. "If the child is understand city guardianship, how might I gain permission to get her medical information?"
Her husband, Fugaku, set his hands on his desk, amused but also suspicious. "The city would not give you permission."
Mikoto was disappointed. She leaned back against her seat and chewed on her lip. "There is nothing I can do?"
"Not as you are." Her husband replied.
Mikoto caught the insinuation. "You know something."
Fugaku quirked a brow. "Hypothetically," he said teasingly, knowing well that his wife was not speaking in the abstract. "You would need to gain guardianship. Of course, this is a lengthy process and not possible for some."
Mikoto leaned forward. "What kind of guardianship?"
Her husband sighed. "What is this all about, Mikoto?"
Mikot shifted uncomfortably. "There is a child..."
"I figured as much. What is this really about?"
Mikoto sighed. "There is a girl child in the hospital," she elaborated. "She has been orphaned. I was saddened by her situation, and wanted to know what had happened and what I could do to help."
Fugaku leaned over his desk, starring his wife down sternly. "There are many orphaned children, wife. Why this one?"
Mikoto hesitated.
If she thought about it, she really didn't know. What did know was that she cared about her son, and it was apparent to her that her eldest was attached to this child. It was enough for her to feel drawn to the girl as well. Itachi was not a boy that formed attachments. If he cared about this child, well then, she would see that the baby was healthy and safe.
"She's special," she finally said.
Fugaku wasn't convinced. "It could be argued at all children are special. I'll ask again, why this one?"
"I want her," she said snootily. "Is that not enough."
Fugaku harrumphed, but dismissed his line of questioning. When his wife became stubborn, there was no getting anything out of her.
Standing up from behind his desk, Fugaku walked around and shut the door of his office. He stared at the back of his wife and crossed his arms.
"To gain guardianship," he said, "you will need to file a Potential Guardian Application with the City Council. Additionally you will need to demonstrate suitability by presenting three recommendation letters, conducting an interview with a Child Protective Agent, and paying a minimal fee. Is this something you are willing to do?"
Mikoto quirked a brow. "Is that really necessary? We are Uchiha, are we not suitable enough? Could we accelerate the process?"
Fugaku laughed. "Unlikely. I agree that the process is asinine, but do not care. They will vet us just as rigorously as some poor swines. We are more likely to gain guardianship because we are Uchiha, but we still have to file our application appropriately."
Mikoto sighed. "Very well, what must we do?"
"We?" Fugaku huffed. He came around to stand in from of her, and leaned over her chair. "I do not see why we should do this? We already have two children, we do not need another."
Mikoto looked her husband dead in the eye. She was unmovable in her decision. She would get her way. "I do not expect you to understand."
Fugaku was not pleased. "I would think you would want me to. In the end, wife, I will have the final say in this family."
Mikoto could say nothing to contradict him. Fugaku was the head of their entire family. His word was law among the Uchiha.
"Please, Fugaku," she was begging now. "I want this child."
It appeared as though her husband was unmovable, but then he leaned back with a huff. He looked away from his wife, and tapped a impatient rhythm against his thigh. "Very well."
Mikoto smiled. "Thank you, my love."
Fugaku looked at her sharply. "I think you should take some time to mull this over, wife. You do realize that once you begin the process of guardianship, you cannot easily back out." He groused.
"I don't need extra time. I know this is what I want to do."
Fugaku sighed. "But is it the right thing to do?"
Mikoto shrugged, refraining from answering. There was no point. She had won, and that's all that mattered. Her spouse could be as critical as he liked. It didn't matter.
"Very well," said her husband. "I will go and speak to the Hokage. Perhaps he can speed up the process. But I tell you now, you shouldn't expect anything."
Sitting forward in her seat. "I know. May I come with you?"
"If that is what you wish."
"It is." She said.
Her husband immediately headed to the door. He grabbed his black vest, keys, and police badge and left the office. Mikoto took a second to bath in her win before rising and following.
.
.
.
When Itachi arrived, the doors to the Hokage's office were closed. He looked to the man's secretary who waved good-naturedly, much as she had done a few hour previous. "It will be just a moment, Uchiha-san!" She chirped without prompting. A second later she picked up her phone, dialed a number, and told the person on the other side that their appointment had arrived. Without having to wait long, the office doors opened and on the other side stood the Sandaime.
"Ah, Itachi, welcome back," Sarutobi's gravelly voice intoned. "And I see you are not alone. Good. Good."
Gripping the child slung across his chest, Itachi bowed slightly. "I apologize for my tardiness, Sandaime-sama. I was held up."
Amusement flashed across the old man's eyes. "Yes, I am well aware that."
Itachi fought back a blush. Of course he would already know. Kingo had said he'd sent the test results ahead, and more likely than not had also explained the reason for the long wait.
"Come in, child." Sarutobi said kindly, gesturing the young Uchiha male forward. "There are some people I would like you to meet."
Itachi frowned, but marched into the office obediently. When he entered he noticed that unlike before the lights were not dimmed. In fact, the windows were wide open, letting in the fading daylight, and the light sconces were blazing. The ambiance of the room was warm and welcoming, a sharp contrast to the solemn almost belligerent environment of before.
Standing off to the side was the woman and man from before. Itachi remembered passing them in the hall earlier. They were gazing at him now with more friendly expressions, their countenances, like the room, having changed to be lighter.
The Uchiha heir frowned. Why would they be here?
Then it came to him, and his eyes widened. Was it possible?
"Young man, I would like you to meet Higure Kaede and Arashi Mushin." Sarutobi said. He moved to sit behind his desk, as the man and woman stepped forward.
"Hello, Itachi," Kaede greeted, offering up a hesitant smile.
She was fairly young, Itachi noticed. She couldn't have been much over twenty-five. She appeared strong and healthy, while her tanned skin denoting long hours in the sun. The only fault he could see was a black patch over her right eye, and vaguely he wondered what could have happened. He didn't dare to ask, though he remained curious.
Next to Kaede, Mushin shifted, drawing Itachi's attention. The man folded his hands behind his back and stared coolly. In opposition to his counterpart, he did not greet Itachi. He stood tall, a staff resting against his left shoulder, his posture ready for anything.
Arashi Mushin was a good-looking man; likely in his thirties with a lighter skin tone than Kaede's. He was not muscular by any means, and actually had a bit of a stomach, though Itachi recognized the threat the older male still posed. Despite his tummy, his overall bearing was confident, but Itachi could also see in the man's green eyes that he was not as willing to fight as he appeared. There was a sulleness there, which seemed to come and go like ocean tides.
"As you have probably already begun to guess," the Sandaime continued after a tense moment of silence, "Kaede-san and Mushin-sama are here because of the massacre in Frost Country."
Itachi nodded solemnly as dread grew in the pit of his stomach. He clutched his charge closer to him, seeking comfort in the little girl's warmth. He truly didn't want to know why they were there. It was obvious of course, but he still didn't want to know. Knowing would mean that he would have to let go of something that he desperately wanted to keep a hold of.
"You see Itachi…"
"Hokage-sama," Kaede called, forcing the leader of Konoha to halt in his explanation. "Perhaps it would be better if I explain."
The old man cocked his head to the side curiously, but gestured for her to do as she pleased.
Striding forward to stand in front of Itachi, Kaede reached out her calloused hand. At first he thought she was going to touch him, but then she switched paths and began to pet the top of his charge's head.
"Would you like to know her name?" She asked compassionately.
Itachi stood speechless. His mask didn't waiver, but it appeared Kaede was able to see right through him.
"Her name is Kagome," she continued, seemed to know what he wanted. "Higure Kagome."
"Kagome…" Itachi whispered in wonder.
Kaede found herself smiling, and she was not alone. Sarutobi sat at his desk, his sharp old eyes watching the exchange knowingly. A grin played upon his lips, though he desperately tried to push it away. Mushin, on the other hand, had a quirked brow though his eyes glinted madly—utterly delighted.
"Yes," the priestess sighed breathlessly. "And she is very important."
"I know."
For the first time, Mushin spoke. "Do you?" His cultured voice, a smooth baritone, queried.
Itachi nodded sharply—his only reply.
"Then we must thank you," the monk intoned, "for if not for you, Her Ladyship would not have survived."
Itachi nodded, aware of this fact. "Her Ladyship?" he finally asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
"Her title," Kaede answered, but didn't explain.
"I don't understand," He said.
Sarutobi answer for them. "She is an important figure, that's all you need to know."
"Forgive me." Itachi bowed his head, realizing he overstepped his bounds.
Kaede waved it off. "It's alright." She smiled.
Itachi understood.
There was an awkward silence that followed. Itachi realized it was because the wanted him to give his charge over.
He didn't like it, but he knew he had to.
Lethargically he reached up to unharness the sling from his body. Kaede gazed at him sympathetically. It was apparent to her that the boy had become quite attached to her ladyship.
She knew what she wanted to do; her feminine sentimentalities were quiet simply clawing at her to allow the Uchiha just a little more time with Kagome. But she also knew what she needed to do. And unfortunately for the poor boy, it outweighed all else.
"Thank you!" she said sadly as he finally unhooked every clip and noose the sling had. Silently he moved to hand the baby heiress over, hesitating only slightly when Kaede took ahold of her.
But just then, Kagome's eyes sluggishly opened and Itachi found himself staring into blue depths. As if finally realizing what was going on, Kagome jolted fully awake. Her little head turned to look at Kaede, whose eyes widened in surprise. Then, quite jarringly, Kagome began to cry. Her loud wails filled the room, and she struggled vainly against her captive's hold.
Without thinking, Itachi reached out, plucking Kagome from Kaede's hands. He drew his charge into his chest when unexpectedly a bright pink light burst forth from Kagome and moved throughout the room. It swirled and churned around the office's occupants, tickling their cheeks, before coalescing around Kagome and Itachi only.
Wide eyed, Kaede and Mushin watched as the pink light was absorbed into Itachi's chest.
Once it had all settled a small pink teardrop formed under Itachi's left eye, and then soon after Kagome went completely silent.
Falling back to stand beside Mushin, Kaede stared at the two children in front of her.
"Impossible!" She exclaimed.
Mushin stepped forward defensively, looking ready to yank Kagome from Itachi's arms. Yet he seemed to hesitate, as if unsure that such a drastic action was the right one.
Seemingly noting the tense atmosphere, Sarutobi stood, looking questioningly at Mushin then Kaede, then back to the young Uchiha heir. He walked around his desk, his face gaining shadows that denoted his bewilderment and uneasiness. "What was that?" he probed sharply.
"It can't be…" Kaede mumbled, ignoring the Hokage. "Could it?" She aimed at her monk companion.
"It shouldn't be." He said darkly.
Itachi backed up. He didn't understand what was going on. What was that pink light? What exactly had upset Kaede and Mushin? What was it that he had done?
And just as he thought things couldn't get any worse, the doors at his back opened and in stepped Uchiha Fugaku.