Chapter 64: Waiting…

Akihiko stayed awake all night as the helicopter slowly landed at Noawz Onsen. He scrambled off the helicopter before the helicopter landed properly. Hiroki and Misaki woke and called after him. Akihiko prayed something new happened after the phone call last night…he burst into the onsen and saw all the high school students in the lobby. A few girls shrieked at his appearance, but Mr. Tomoro sighed and came to him quickly.

Mr. Tomoro was chubby, old, and sweating… His fading hairline and thick glasses were academic styled on his slightly aged face as he said, "thank you for coming, Usami-san."

Akihiko could not find the words to say since he knew… He slipped to the ground and shivered. His mouth opened and closed looking for the words. Mr. Tomoro slowly joined him on the ground and said, "please be calm…the boys were not in the avalanche. The teams told us that much."

He stared at the ground as Misaki, Hiroki and Nowaki came into the lobby. Misaki quickly joined beside Akihiko as he did not say a word…he knew by Akihiko's expression.

Hiroki snarled, "why is there only three search teams? There should be dozens!"

Mr. Tomoro gently rose and said, "Our school and the staff is trying very hard to find the boys. Do not blame me for lack of time or proper staff to find them!" He clenched his fists and continued, "do you think this bodes well on me…my students…or anyone here? Give me a break!"

Hiroki's eyes enlarged as he backed away slightly.

Nowaki smiled and said, "We all need to take a deep breath and pray. That's all we can do for now."

Mr. Tomoro sighed and turned away. He mumbled, "My lover is out there…I am worried sick as well. You were lucky not to be here when Ryhiro told me about it…" He turned to Ryhiro, who was being questioned by the other teachers. Ryhiro looked confused as he kept explaining the same thing.

Akihiko heard little bits of the conversation like: "I was a group behind them…" "I saw them chattering about something then the teachers told us to look at the landscape…" "Then…they were gone."

Misaki stood and helped Akihiko up. He said, "tell me what to do…I hate that look on your face! Please Usagi…"

Akihiko turned to him and said, "nothing…just…hold my hand." He stuck out his hand as Misaki took it with both of his. He snickered lightly as they found an empty couch for them to sit on. Hiroki slowly joined them as he watched Nowaki with the other doctors.

Hiroki mumbled, "They are prepared…six doctors. Also all the medical equipment for anything…" He held his hands together and prayed, "I never believe in god that much…but for once…listen to this prayer…save them. Do not allow two teens to be swallowed up by mountains or anything dangerous…"

Akihiko watched Hiroki tremble and hold his hands tightly. He used his free hand to rub Hiroki's back. Hiroki moaned and looked at Akihiko; his hand enjoined Akihiko's as they sighed and leaned back.

The wait…the silence…the room felt cold even with a fire ablaze in the huge dragon fireplace. Everyone paced, whispered or looked at the teachers. Akihiko watched the fire as he felt his hands rubbed and held by Misaki and Hiroki. He could not look or say a word…he just thought of Mio.

Akihiko gulped as he could see Mio's face so clearly… Mio looked just like him when he was a teenager with small differences…but those differences were being eliminated with the passing months. The teen was growing since September…small inches, but it made the teen taller and leaner like Akihiko. Mio just had this fire…compared to Akihiko. Akihiko, as a teen, was small and enjoyed a small batch of friends. He too enjoyed being alone and writing… Mio was always surrounded by friends, singing, and making leaps with his revolutionary words…the teen was amazing by his intellect and kindness… Akihiko could not help but adore the kid.

He gulped as Misaki tightened his grip. Misaki shivered and said, "I'll…get some coffee. Wants some Professor Kamijo?"

Hiroki nodded as Akihiko slowly did. Misaki release Akihiko's hand as Misaki slowly disappeared among the crowd in the lobby.

Nowaki slowly came over and said, "The doctors have impressive tools to help the teens…but I will help whatever I can." He sighed and rubbed Hiroki's shoulders. Nowaki continued, "Hiro-san…please has faith, dear. I do…"

Hiroki gulped and covered Nowaki's hand with his free one. He mumbled, "So…this is how it feels to be afraid for a child…we could see the same problems with Machi and Bachi… if they get lost."

Nowaki giggled lightly and said, "maybe not the same problems but…yes. The world can be cruel…but we cannot stop them from growing up and developing on their own. All we can do…is wait, love them and hope they know…we will always be there if they need us."

Akihiko moaned and released Hiroki's hand. He leaned forward and hid his face into his hands. Akihiko shivered at both Hiroki's and Nowaki's hands on his back… He gulped and shivered again into small tears. Akihiko wanted to believe them…that Mio was alright. But…he also did not want to believe so much and see that lifeless body… He sniffed and sobbed silently.

Hiroki hugged Akihiko's back as he sniffed, "Akihiko…Akihiko…"

Misaki quickly came back as he went in front of Akihiko and hugged him. He mumbled, "I believe Akihiko…please…believe."

Akihiko embraced Misaki close and mumbled, "I am trying…but…I am so scared…damn teenager! Why can't he just behave and listen to his elders?"

Misaki cooed and said, "Mio…must had a reason…he is that type of person…to run for anyone who needs him to."

Akihiko hid his face in Misaki's neck and mumbled, "I know…that is the thing I hate and adore about him…he is a wonderful person…"

Hiroki slowly release Akihiko as he leaned back to Nowaki.

Akihiko heard Mr. Tomoro saying, "Laire? Dear god! Where are you?"

Everyone turned to Mr. Tomoro as silence engulfed the room. Mr. Tomoro was on a satellite phone as his other hand covered his other ear. He said, "Sweetheart, did you find them yet?"

Mr. Tomoro sighed as he said, "you found…." His eyes connected to Akihiko's and finished "blood."

Akihiko felt sick…someone was hurt. He gulped and shivered as Misaki held his close. Akihiko panted slightly as he watched the color drain from Tomoro's face.

Tomoro said, "You cannot find anything because of the light snow fall…" He gulped as some tears fell down. His face turned in a smirk as he said, "of course I am worried! My lover and two of my students are on that awful mountain! I love to climb but…this might be the last time…dear. For the school…they will not allow this happen again. I have told the principal…he already told me that if either family wants to sue or has problems with this…they can speak to her…"

Mrs. Jubular ran in as she looked at the silent room. She turned to Mr. Tomoro as she slowly breathed and watched Tomoro's expressions.

Mr. Tomoro shivered as he said, "can you…" He smiled weakly and said, "thank you, darling. I will…please hurry. If there is blood…it could be bad. How much?" His face turned ash color as he repeated, "Enough to be fatal if lost too much…are you sure?" Tomoro moaned and said, "call me back soon…thank you." He hung up as he turned away. Tomoro shivered and said nothing.

Akihiko watched as Mrs. Jubular storm to Tomoro as they had a heated discussion. Mrs. Jubular roared, "of course I am suing the school! You made us sign those permission forms and this happens!"

Tomoro took a few deep breaths and said, "My lover is a trained medical professional in emergencies like these…that is why he asked us to pack these provisions in each student's bag. Also…he was there with us. He was not near the students, but he did say that Mio was probably the best person to be lost with."

Jubular's hands shook as she said, "why…why is he so special?"

Tomoro said, "Allens-san had his bag filled with emergency equipment, medical tools, two bottles of water, and some candy… He also had rope, a dull knife, and a flare. Also a book…"

Jubular stalled as everyone stared at the pair. Tomoro continued, "Allens-san shot a flare a few hours ago…but that spot is where Laire found the blood. But it's snowing again…it's covering the boys' tracks. But I believe in Laire…he saved me once on that mountain."

A few students asked what happened as Tomoro smirked and said, "I fell down a cliff…and broke a few bones. So bad that I could not move…I screamed for help, but of course…no one was there…"

Everyone listened as Tomoro finished, "five hours passed when one mountain climber found my pocket watch near the spot descended down from…" He took out a small golden watch as he smirked and finished, "I hate this watch…my father gave it to me before he died. But I always have it with me due to the fact I need a watch and the batteries never died quickly like my other watches…so I left it near a rock on the top as I jumped with my rope secure around my waist. But after ten feet…my guide line got stuck. I was cocky and tried to go down without it…I slipped and landed hard twenty-five feet below the spot I originated from."

A few students commented as Tomoro snickered and said, "This is not a story I enjoy telling…laying there, wondering if I was going to die…it's not my fondest memories. But almost to the point of surrendering, I heard a voice…fearful that I was hearing things. A man approached me and looked at me. I stared back as he smirked and said 'you are a lucky bastard having me climbing today…'"

The students and a few adults giggled lightly. Akihiko sighed and listened. Tomoro looked at Akihiko and said, "Laire was more impressed with the book Mio had…a survival guide."

Akihiko blinked as Tomoro snickered lightly. Tomoro said, "When Laire saw that, of course, he asked where Mio got it… Mio said his mother gave it to him with all the supplies he had in his bag—"

Tomoro nearly jumped when his phone vibrated. He quickly put it on his ear as he said, "hello darling, yes…what? You found tracks!"

A small clapping occurred with the students as Akihiko stood and stared at Tomoro. Hiroki quickly went to Nowaki as Misaki stood beside Akihiko. Mrs. Jubular held her hands tightly as she stared at Tomoro.

Tomoro waved his hand to silence the crowd as the crowd did as told. He sighed with a smirk and said, "Dear…I have a helicopter…" Tomoro looked at Neko as Neko nodded. He continued, "Yes Laire, it's Usami-san's. Anyhow, can you find a clear spot for the helicopter to land when you find the boys? Yes…here is the driver." Tomoro waved Neko over as Neko took the phone.

Neko smirked and said, "What's up Laire? I know…crazy how we always meet in snow… Anyhow, tell me where you are." He nodded and moaned. Neko said, "I skied that way before…it will not be easy. But I will try…the helicopter staff has two harnesses and medical tools in the helicopter. No…I do not know either boy personally but…I know Mio slightly. Yes…we will be there soon. Here's Tomoro." He gave the phone back to Tomoro and said, "see you later…" Neko winked to both Mrs. Jubular and Akihiko as he ran to the helicopter outside.

Tomoro watched the helicopter slowly lift off as Tomoro said, "they just left…what? Did you find them?"

The silence filled the room was filled with clenching fists, small gasps, and held breaths. Everyone stared at Tomoro as Tomoro moaned.

Tomoro said, "You found…Mio's bag? Empty? Keep…" He stalled as he smiled. Tomoro looked at Mrs. Jubular and Akihiko while he said, "he found them."

Everyone clapped as Akihiko, Misaki, Hiroki, Nowaki and Mrs. Jubular did not. Tomoro waved his hand frantically to calm everyone down.

Tomoro said, "Tell me their status…dear god. Cassiro is hurt…" He looked at the paled face of Mrs. Jubular as he continued, "Mio? He's looks fine but…he is shivering. Hypothermia? Yes…how about Cassiro?" His eyes closed as he said, "dear god…he is unconscious and not breathing well…"

Mrs. Jubular started to sob as a teacher quickly hugged her. The teacher kept Mrs. Jubular close as Mrs. Jubular sobbed openly.

Tomoro gulped as he said, "thank you for the updates…what? Mio?" He stiffened as he smiled weakly. Tomoro said, "You should take it easy…what? You tried to rejoin the group, but Cassiro got…" He moaned and said, "how did…" Tomoro blinked and said, "You…saved him from a frozen pond? And you what?" His face grimaced as he gulped and continued, "wolves…and what? Mio…are you sure you are alright? You…" Tears slipped down Tomoro's face as he gulped and said, "damn…you are a good friend…Cassiro is lucky to have you…" He chuckled and said, "of course I am crying! My students have been missing for…" Tomoro checked his pocket watch and said, "Nearly thirteen hours! Damn…warm up and talk to me in person. Yes…I will let Akihiko know." Tomoro looked at Akihiko as he hung up.

Akihiko gulped and said, "What…did he want to tell me?"

Tomoro snickered thorough a few tears slipping down his face. He gulped and wiped his tears away. Tomoro said, "Mio asked…" He chuckled again and finished with a few more tears coming down his face, "he wants you to help him buy more emergency supplies…since he does not know where his mother bought these supplies for him…"

Akihiko snickered as some tears fell down. He gulped and nodded. His voice cracked a little when he said, "his mother…bought these supplies for him? Did he know he was going to get lost?"

Tomoro shook his head and said, "Laire asked him the same question…actually…Mio said that he had this collection for a long time. His mother asked him what he would want for each birthday, and he said to Laire…" He snickered as he wiped the tears away. Tomoro finished, "Mio said that he wanted to keep his emergency pack full and prepared for anything…"

Akihiko slowly sat down on the coffee table and whispered, "Damn…that kid is very good at this…"

Mrs. Jubular whined, "The school will not forget this day! I swear it…"

Tomoro nodded as he said, "I am pretty sure none of us will forget this day…but I need to call the principal. Excuse me." He stepped into the other room as chatter began slowly.

Hiroki moaned and turned to a worried faced Akihiko. He said, "Mio is fine! What are you…"

Akihiko slowly looked at Hiroki and said, "a frozen pond, wolves, shivering, thirteen hours in that cold, and…asking me for emergency tools? How are you calm?" He stood and finished, "I…cannot lie about my fears…" Akihiko held his shirt near his heart and moaned, "I was so scared…now the real fun begins…imagine the state they are in. This night might be their longest night ever…"

Everyone silenced to that comment.