Chapter 23

Disclaimer: see chapter 1

Developments

oOo

The crowd watched silently as Mao was loaded onto the ambulance. Somber faces looked on as the vehicle made its way across the grass towards the hospital next door. Corey moved next to Keiichi. "She's not out of trouble yet, is she?" He asked quietly.

"Why do you think that?" The therapist answered looking sideways at the young American.

"Well, any time you get a severe blow to soft tissue like that, there's going to be some swelling. They'll have to put a breathing tube in, right?"

"Not necessarily." He replied. "Intubations always have a chance of making things worse. She's breathing ok right now. They'll get her on anti-inflammatory drugs, and admit her. She should be ok once the drugs take effect. She's fortunate there's a hospital so close. If we were somewhere remote, we probably would have needed to do a tracheotomy."

"God, why did I line this damn game up?" He cursed, spinning away in grief. "I should have listened to Mr. Kido! If this had been in the summer, and she was better conditioned, she might have been able to block it!"

"Hey!" Keiichi said laying a hand on his shoulder. "It wouldn't have made any difference. It happened so fast, that she never had a chance. Baseball is a dangerous sport, and catching is the most dangerous position. Why do you think catchers wear protective gear? It's sure not to make a fashion statement. Injuries are part of the game. Even pro players get hurt."

"I know." Corey replied, placated a little. "It's just she's such a nice girl. I feel horrible that this happened to her."

"She'll be fine. She'll have a hell of a bruise tomorrow, but that will go away soon enough."

Seira walked up and silently hugged her boyfriend. He returned her embrace, appreciating her presence. "What should we do, Seira? Do you want to keep playing?"

"Not really." She replied softly. "This is the one of the worst days of my life. First Yuki gets hurt, then Amy, and now Mao. I just want to go home, go to bed, and not wake up until tomorrow."

"They'll get better, so don't let it get you too down." Corey said, trying to be upbeat. "Let's see what the others want to do."

They walked to where the rest of the team was standing with the coach. Ms. Himuro and the senior Takasugi had joined them. Kido spoke up. "Corey, I know you meant well, but we've decided to call it a day. The girls aren't going to be able to focus like they should, and I think that will just lead to someone else getting hurt."

"I think that's best too, Mr. Kido." He said dejectedly. "I'm sorry, girls. If I'd known this was going to happen, I never would have asked you to play."

"Don't blame yourself, Corey." Ms. Himuro interjected. "It was an unfortunate accident that no one could have foreseen."

"Too true." Kido said nodding. "She isn't the first catcher to get hit by a foul tip like that. It's just bad luck that it happened on the day after Azuma was injured."

"All those games last year, and the only injury she had was a sore left hand from catching Ryo's lightning balls." Hikaru said dismally. "Now, after playing only an hour, she winds up in the hospital."

"She's strong. She'll be fine, just you wait!" Ryo said, forcing herself to sound positive. Then, as tears formed, she added mournfully, her voice cracking. "She has to be. She just has to!" Wordlessly, Hiroki moved to her and gathered her into his arms. Muffled sobs could be heard from her as she buried her face in his shirt. The rest of the team looked down at the ground, sobered by her breaking down.

"Excuse me." A voice said behind them. Turning, they saw Shun standing in front of the entire Tokyo U baseball club. "We just wanted to express how sorry we are your friend got hurt. She's a talented catcher, and we hope she recovers quickly. We also want to thank you all for a good game. Miss Hayakawa sure shut our bats down. We all agree that it's better if we call the rest of the game. It wouldn't be fair to make you play when you'd be thinking about your friend."

"Thanks." Kido said extending his hand. "You've been a good opponent. Maybe we can try this again later this summer when I have a full roster."

"That would be ok with me." The young man said shaking his hand. "Say, Mr. Kido, we're going to get a couple beers. Would you like to join us?"

Shaking his head, he replied. "Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll pass. I need to stay here and check on Daidoji."

They all looked over as Peter walked up; his bag slung over his shoulder. "Everyone, I need to get going. I blew off a four thirty shoot to come here. I'm hoping I can still make it. It was nice meeting you all. Please wish Miss Daidoji a speedy recovery for me. Yoko, let me know when you're ready to shoot the book."

"Ok, Peter." She said stepping up and giving him a long hug, drawing comfort from the contact. "Thanks for coming down." She added softly.

"Anytime, beautiful." He said, giving her a quick kiss on her forehead before she let him go. "Call me if you need to talk." Then he gave a bow to the others, turned, and walked away.

"Well, let's gather up the gear and get going." Kido said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "All of you take your gloves with you. That way I won't have to worry about something happening to them."

"Hey, Mr. Kido. Could I borrow Miss Daidoji's mask?" Shun asked as his teammates began leaving. "I don't want this happening to her again, and I have an idea about a modification to her mask that will help prevent it."

"Sure!" He replied enthusiastically. "If it'll help keep her safe, I'm all for it."

Hikaru followed him as he moved to pick it up. "You know, you really surprised her when you told her she was cute. I'm glad to see you really do care about her and weren't just saying that."

"To tell you the truth, I was just as surprised to hear those words come out of my mouth as she was." He replied, his cheeks going red. "I saw her looking at me, and something clicked. I'm usually really flustered around girls. I'm such a big clumsy oaf, I've been afraid to even try."

"You sound just like Mao." She said grinning and slapping him on the back. Then imitating her friend, she added. "'I'm too big and fat to be cute…' She couldn't believe someone actually thought she was good looking."

"I can relate to that." He said, brushing the dust off Mao's mask. "I'm not so great looking. It probably scared her when she heard that."

"You're wrong." She said earnestly. "Mao told us she thought you were good looking before you said anything. That's why she was staring at you."

"Why are you telling me this?" He asked with suspicion in his eyes. "Are you setting me up for something?"

"No way! I just wanted you to know her feelings. She needs to have more confidence in herself, and I was hoping you would be willing to help build her up."

"I can try. What did you have in mind?"

Grinning even wider this time, she rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment as she said. "I was thinking, that when she's feeling better, you could take her out on a date."

"I see. So you are setting me up for something." He said, returning her grin. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll think about it… I'll work on the mask tonight, and try to get it back by tomorrow. See you later." Then he jogged off after his teammates.

"She's not going to be happy you told him that, Hikaru." Seira said walking up behind her.

"She'll get over it." The Osakan responded, her face completely serious. "You know she won't pursue him. It sounded like he needed a little nudge too."

"So what makes you think you should be the one to play matchmaker?"

"Meetings like this don't happen every day. I had to let him know before he disappeared. They can't just walk away from this without trying. I think they'd be good together."

"If she ends up getting hurt over this…" The redhead said suggestively.

Laughing nervously, Hikaru skirted around her, saying, "We should grab our stuff and get going." Then she ran off, scooping up her glove as she went.

Seira looked over as Corey walked up. "Your parents should be back home by now. Are you ready to go see them?"

"Yeah, I guess so." She said with a weak smile. "But let's go check on Mao before we leave." Then, wrapping her arm around his waist, they headed across the field.

oOo

"Are you sure Ms. Hayakawa?" Yuki inquired as she looked into the envelope. "This is a lot of money."

"I'm sure, dear." She replied with a gentle smile. "You suffered the worst injury from all of this, so I think it's only fair you should have it."

"But Amy was the one they wanted to beat up." The young woman argued. "I just got in the way. She deserves it more than I do."

"My daughter will be fine." Kimiko said warmly. "She would be the first to agree with Ms. Hayakawa. Take the money, Yuki. Use it to help pay your medical bills."

"My parents have insurance. I shouldn't need it, right?"

"They'll need to pay for some of it, dear." Shino said sitting on the edge of the bed. "Please don't fight me on this any more."

Yuki became quiet as she stared at her lap, and wiped away the single tear that formed in the corner of her eye. Taking a deep breath and looked up into the smiling faces of her visitors. "Thank you for caring about me like this. Ms Hayakawa, would you mind holding on to it until I get out of the hospital? I'm nervous to have this much money just lying around."

"I suppose." She replied a little puzzled. "Why not give it to your parents the next time they come to see you."

"I can't." She replied in anguish. "They've gone home, and they won't be coming back."

"What do you mean, Yuki?" A confused Kimiko asked. "They know you're still paralyzed, right?"

"We had an argument this morning, and they kicked me out of the house. If it wasn't for Ms. Himuro, I wouldn't have anywhere to go when I'm released."

Emma became angry when she heard this. "What kind of person would throw their daughter to the curb when she's in the hospital with a broken back? If you were my daughter, I'd be practically living here!"

"I've always been an embarrassment to them." The girl replied quietly. "They didn't like it when I stood up to them for a change. I wish things had turned out differently. I'm going in for surgery tonight at nine, and I really wish Mom was here."

"You're having surgery?" Shino asked, her eyes going wide in surprise. "Does the team know about it?"

"No. I didn't find out until after they left to go play their game. Ms. Himuro knows about it though."

"What are they going to do?" Kimiko asked pensively.

"They're going to put a metal plate around the broken vertebrae to help support it while it heals. The doctor said I wouldn't even know it's there."

"Are you thinking of Magda?" Emma asked, seeing the expression on her friend's face.

"Yes, and I don't want the same thing to happen to Yuki." She replied, meeting her gaze. "I'm going to have a talk with this doctor."

"Who's Magda?" Yuki asked worriedly. "What happened?"

"She was someone we played tennis against." Emma answered, her expression neutral. "Her back was broken in an automobile accident. The worst part wasn't the accident, but the following surgeries. They needed to cut the muscles down the length of her spine. She was in constant pain afterwards. Then three weeks after the surgery, the screws holding the hardware to her spine began backing out, and she had to have the procedure all over again to remove them. Because the muscles were damaged so badly, she can barely walk straight now."

"Was her injury more severe than Yuki's" Shino asked, dismayed.

"A little, but not that much." Kimiko responded. "She had three broken vertebrae, and they decided to repair them. Some of the doctors advised against the surgery, saying it wasn't necessary. Yuki shouldn't need it. If they cut those muscles, it'll be nearly impossible for her to play baseball at the level needed for Koshien. She would have scar tissue down the length of her back, and the muscles would be prone to spasms."

"How can you be sure?" Yuki pressed. "The doctor said this was the correct way to fix this. He said I'm taking too many pain drugs, and this will help. He promised me that if I do the therapy, I'd be able to do everything I was able to before."

Kimiko turned away from her, and undoing her belt, lowered her pants, revealing a twenty-centimeter scar on the back of her thigh. Looking over her shoulder, she said. "I'm sure, because those were the same things they told me before my surgery. I could still play tennis, but not at the level I did before. I didn't have a choice Yuki. I had torn muscle and it needed to be repaired. Your muscles are fine. Don't let them be compromised. We'll all help you find another way to deal with the pain."

"But I can feel the break shifting a little when I move. He said it would heal faster if I did this." Yuki added, confused.

"Let me see the brace they have you in, dear." Emma said gently, approaching the bed and pulling the covers back. When Yuki lifted her gown to show them, she added. "Well no wonder, this brace isn't rigid. It has elastic and straps. It's not stiff enough to truly immobilize it. The brace Magda was in after her surgery was molded plastic. It limited her movement so much, she complained that she might just as well have been in a cast. You don't need surgery, Yuki. You need a better brace."

"What's this doctor's name, dear?" Kimiko added, scowling as Emma covered the girl again. "I'm going to see him right now."

"His name is Doctor Nakamura." She replied nervously. "Mrs. Watson, I don't want you to put yourself out for me."

"Don't worry yourself Yuki." The woman said approaching the bed and gently stroking the girl's hair. "If your parents had stayed, I hope they would have questioned this as well. You girls are going to be looking out for my daughter. I'm happy to do the same for you. See you in a little bit."

They turned towards the door as Ryo entered, followed by Hikaru and Koharu. "Mom!" She cried as she ran to her mother and tightly wrapped her arms around her.

"Goodness!" Shino exclaimed as she returned her daughter's embrace. Then, recovering from her surprise, she asked quietly. "What's the matter Ryo? Why aren't you girls still playing?"

"We called the game Ms. Hayakawa." Hikaru said gloomily. "Mao got hurt, and we didn't feel like playing anymore."

"Mao too!" She said in shock. " What happened?"

"I did it Mom." Ryo replied despondently. "I hit her with a lightning ball."

"Ryo, quit blaming yourself." Koharu said stepping up and placing a hand on her friend's shoulder. "It was a fluke accident. You couldn't have known that guy was going to foul it off like that. He's the only guy besides Takasugi that's been able to even get a bat on it."

"You don't understand!" The ace pitcher replied emotionally, whirling on the smaller girl. "I lost my focus!" Then, taking a deep breath, she continued more calmly. "The coach told me to just have fun out there. But when Ms. Himuro and Chairman Takasugi showed up, I became obsessed with proving I could strike that guy out. I let my pride take over, and poor Mao paid the price."

"How badly is she hurt?" Shino pressed.

"She got hit in the throat." Hikaru said grimly. "She's down in the emergency room."

"The rest of the team is hanging out down there. We came up here to let Yuki know." Koharu added.

"Thanks, you guys." Yuki said quietly. "I wish I could go down there with you."

"I'm sure Mao knows you're all thinking of her." Shino said rising to her feet. "Is she going to be all right?"

"The guy umpiring the game thought so." Koharu answered. "He's the physical therapist for the hospital."

"Was his name Keiichi Yamato?" Yuki exclaimed.

"I think that was it." Ryo said with a nod. "Why?"

Yuki blushed as she looked down at her lap. "I met him this morning. He came in to stretch and massage my legs. He was really kind and gentle. We started talking, and somehow I ended up telling him I'd never been on a date. I guess he felt sorry for me, because he asked me out to dinner."

"Really?" Hikaru replied excitedly. "That's great Yuki!"

"I'm not so sure." Koharu said, crossing her arms. "He's a lot older than us. What if he's just some pervert that likes young girls?"

"I don't think that's it." Yuki said shaking her head. "The nurse had to find me some shorts before he'd do the therapy. He seems really nice."

"How much older is he Yuki?" Shino asked, concern tingeing her voice.

"Nine years." She replied sheepishly.

"That's not so bad." Emma interjected. "My ex was eight years older than me. In two or three years, it won't even be an issue. Tell me Yuki. Do you want to go out with him?"

"I think so, yes." The girl answered with a weak smile. "He promised it would only be for fun without any strings attached."

"I know Yuki." Hikaru said brightly. "Why don't we double date? Seishiro and I could come along to make sure he behaves."

Seeing Yuki's face brighten, Shino turned to her daughter and with a smile added. "Ryo, why don't you and Hiroki go as well? A group date could be just the thing to make Yuki feel more comfortable. If things seem to be going ok, you can leave them to finish the date alone."

Kimiko cleared her throat, and then said. "Hold on girls. Yuki hasn't even gotten the use of her legs back yet. I think it's a little premature for her to think about going on a date."

"Have you tried moving your legs lately, Yuki?" Koharu asked with an encouraging smile. "It's been over twenty hours since you were hurt."

"No. To be honest, I've been afraid to." She said quietly. "What if the doctors are wrong?"

"You'll never know until you try!" Hikaru exclaimed as she pulled the covers back exposing her friend. "Come on Yuki! Move your legs!"

Yuki looked around the room in panic. But seeing only friendly faces smiling back at her, she steeled her resolve. With a deep breath, she focused her concentration on her inert limbs, willing them to move. "Come on." She whispered. "Do something!" Minutes passed. Beads of sweat formed on her brow as her face became flush from her exertions. Her whole body was straining, but her legs refused to move. Collapsing back into her pillow, her breath came in ragged gasps, which turned into tears of frustration. The girls moved to her, and taking her hands, offered their support.

"Don't worry about it Yuki." Ryo said encouragingly. "It'll happen, so don't give up hope."

"That's right!" Hikaru exclaimed with her trademark grin. "It's still early in the game Yuki, so don't quit yet!"

"That was a good try, Yuki" Koharu added with a nod. "You'll get there. You'll see."

"She's looking pretty worn out from that." Kimiko said warmly as she stepped up and lowered the head of the bed. "We'll go now Yuki, so you can get some rest. I'll come back this evening to check on you. All right?"

"Sure." She replied quietly. "Do you think you could help roll me over before you go?"

With a gentle smile, the woman nodded, and pulled on Yuki's hip, putting her on her side. Then after bending the girl's knees, she pulled the covers back up, and gave her a light kiss on the forehead. "Don't be sad, dear. You're not alone. Your friends will be with you through all of this."

"Thank you, Mrs. Watson." She replied as her eyes closed and a single, final tear leaked out. "I'll try even harder next time." Then as her visitors filed silently out, she sighed, letting slumber gather her into its waiting arms.

oOo

The team sat despondently in the ER's waiting area, hoping to hear good news about Mao. Chairman Takasugi had left, saying he had some business to see to and needed to return to his office. Shino had joined them, taking the seat next to Kido.

While they sat quietly, concern showing on their faces, Ms. Himuro sat a little ways away with Izumi. "I met Amy's mother and grandparents earlier. They're charming people. I've invited Mrs. Watson and her mother to dinner tonight. Will you be up to helping me cook?"

"Of course, Mother," was the unenthusiastic reply. "'A good host must put aside her own issues, and see to the needs of her guests.' You taught me that, and I believe it to be true. At least the day will end on a good note."

"Some surprising pieces of information arose when I stopped in to see Amy." The chairperson added, looking across the waiting area at the other girls. "Can you guess what they were?"

"They're not taking Amy out of school, are they?" Izumi replied worriedly, turning towards her mother. "This is all over now. The bad guys are in jail, so nothing else is going to happen."

"No, no, she's still eager to come to school here." Her mother said calmly with a slight smile. "You've become fond of her, haven't you Izumi?"

"Yes, Mother. Once I found out what she was hiding, my suspicions of her went away. If she had to leave, I would miss her." The girl replied, looking at the floor, relief showing on her face.

"As would I. It pained me to see the condition those ruffians left her in. She impressed Chairman Takasugi as well. She was quite adamant about paying him back for the renovations to the shower."

"Was that one of the surprises?" She inquired, glancing back at her mother.

"It was." The woman replied simply. "Chairman Takasugi had approached me earlier about paying for the work, and I was overjoyed. Then Amy spoke up about you girls wanting to repay his generosity and it made me incredibly proud."

"It's been nearly a year. Despite all the team accomplished last summer, with practically the whole school turning out and cheering for us, off the field, most of the girls barely give them a second look. If only they'd take a chance to get to know them like I have, they'd see what wonderful people they are. The team wants to prove that they're more than dead weight consuming the schools resources." Izumi sighed, and leaning her head back, closed her eyes. "Amy brought up a good point. None of the students in this school have earned their family's money. They really have no reason to look down on the team. Koharu told me yesterday that the girls in her dorm completely ignore her. I felt ashamed, because I've done the same thing in the past. Thank you for forming the team Mother. I believe I've become a better person because of it."

"I glad you're enjoying the experience." She said, pride showing in her eyes. Then, she grew silent for a moment, and her expression sobered. "As much as that surprise elated me, I had another one that tore at my heart… Doctor Suzuki told me about you girls fighting those hoodlums, Izumi."

The girl's eyes snapped open and she quickly sat up. "I'm sorry Mother! I was going to tell you, but the right moment hadn't come up! Amy needed help, and no one else was there! It was something Seira and I had to do!"

"It's all right, Izumi. I'm not angry with you. It was just something I never expected you to be doing. Are you unhurt?"

"I'm fine." She said with a relieved sigh. "We were fortunate in that they'd been drinking while waiting for Amy. They hardly gave us any trouble at all. My head's a little sore where my hair got pulled. But compared to what they did to Amy, I'm not complaining."

Ms. Himuro sighed in turn, saying. "That poor girl, I pray she need not endure any more hardships. I knew she was going to be emotionally stressed by the attention she would garner when it became known she was going to attend school here. I never dreamed she'd have to deal with so much physical suffering."

"We're all ready to stand by her, Mother." Izumi said resolutely, sliding forward in her chair. "If anyone gives her a hard time, they'll have to deal with the team."

Looking across the room at the young women entrusted to her care, she said somberly. "I've decided to put Corey's suggestion into being. I've hired the woman who helped defeat those hooligans. You've met her already, haven't you Izumi?"

"Yes I have. Miss Aoyama is an incredible person. She's strong, yet poised and graceful. She'll make a wonderful instructor."

"Those were my impressions of her as well." She paused for a moment. "I have invited her to stay with us until she's recovered sufficiently from her injuries. I thought she could keep Yuki company."

"Why is Yuki going to be staying with us?" The younger Himuro asked.

"She didn't tell you?" Her mother replied, surprise showing on her face. "She stood up to her parents' condescension, and they evicted her. She has nowhere else to go."

"Oh no!" Izumi replied in dismay. "Poor Yuki! That must have broken her heart to be cast aside like that. Of course we need to take her in. No one should be alone in her situation."

Ms. Himuro looked at her daughter warmly and was going to praise her compassion, when the doctor entered the waiting area. Rising to their feet, they quickly move to meet him. The team parted to let the chairperson through. "How is she Doctor?

"She's shaken, but in no serious danger. We've sedated her, and have her on oxygen. She's resting, and should be fine. The impact was actually more along the side her throat, so the damage to the cartilage of her trachea was minimal. There is, however, severe bruising to the surrounding tissue, so we're admitting her as a precaution."

"Can we see her?" Ryo asked stepping forward.

"She's not awake at the moment." He replied. Then seeing her concerned expression, he relented and said with a warm smile. "I suppose it won't hurt for you to make sure she's comfortable. They should be just about done transferring her to a bed. Come with me please."

The team followed the doctor to the admittance desk and was given Mao's room number. Bowing to him as a group, they thanked him, and then made their way to the elevator. Seira and Corey brought up the rear.

"I hope this is the last thing that goes wrong today." Seira said softly leaning against her boyfriend as her put his arm around her.

"It'll be fine." Corey replied, rubbing her upper arm affectionately. "We'll pop in to check on Mao, and then we'll go see your parents."

They waited in silence. When the elevator arrived, they somberly made their way on.

oOo

Detective Kimura knocked on the door before he entered the Captain's room. The man looked up with a resigned expression. He could think of only one person who would come see him dressed in a suit. "Hello Detective. I was wondering when someone from the police was going to show up."

"Good afternoon Mr. Ozaki, my name is Kimura. As you probably know, I'm the one investigating the attack on those three girls last night."

"Yes sir. I was coming to see you when I was attacked. I wanted to turn myself in."

Pulling up the chair next to the bed, Kimura sat down. He gave the Captain an unsympathetic look. "Ms. Hayakawa relayed your intentions to me when I saw her earlier. You've set in motion a troublesome chain of events with your actions. Three policeman have been injured as well as two girls from the Kisuragi Baseball team."

"How is Miss Azuma doing?" Shige asked, guilt softening his normally gruff voice.

"She was still paralyzed the last I heard." The detective said taking out a notebook and pen. "Now, Mr. Ozaki, I want you to tell me exactly what you said to the man when you hired him to hurt that girl…"

oOo

Shinobu entered Yuki's room, and was surprised to find her friend asleep. Quietly, she made her way to the bedside, and proceeded to change the catheter bag. Yuki was having a restless dream, mumbling in her sleep. The nurse watched her with pity. "The poor thing." She said softly. "I wonder who put her on her side? They even placed her legs correctly." She watched the girl sleep a little more, and then began heading for the door, when she caught motion out of the corner of her eye. Turning back, she was surprised and elated when she saw that Yuki, reacting to something in her dream, had straightened one of her legs. "Oh my!" She said with a wide smile as she spun and hurried out of the room.

oOo

Doctor Nakamura was sitting at his desk, when a knock on his door interrupted him. "Enter." He called. The door opened to reveal a nurse followed by Kimiko and Emma.

"These women need to talk to you about the Azuma girl Doctor." The nurse said with a bow. Stepping back, she allowed them to enter. Then she left the room, closing the door behind her.

"Come in ladies. Please, have a seat." He said motioning them to chairs across the desk from him.

"Thank you." They said together. When they had been seated, Kimiko continued. "Thank you also for allowing us to see you. As Chief of Neurosurgery, you must be extremely busy."

"Nothing I can't take a few minutes from to talk to concerned parents." He said with a half smile. "What's troubling you?"

"What's the big idea telling Yuki she needs an unnecessary surgery?" Emma said abruptly.

"Emma..." Kimiko chided. "I thought we were going to be civil about this?"

"Sorry." The blonde said penitently. "I'll be quiet."

"Why do you believe this surgery is unnecessary?" The surgeon said coolly. "Are either of you medical professionals?"

Kimiko looked at him resolutely. "No, but we were elite athletes, just like the girl lying in that bed. We have a friend who sustained a similar injury, and the surgeries that the doctors talked her into nearly destroyed her. If you sever the muscles in her back to install that device, I believe you will end her competitive baseball career."

"I believe you're wrong." He replied succinctly. "If the girl completes the therapy adequately, she should be able to do everything she could before."

"You're wrong." Kimiko snapped back. "I know that from experience. I had surgery to repair a torn hamstring. They promised I would be one hundred percent if I 'completed the therapy adequately.' I did everything they told me to, spending six hours a day in the gym, trying to get back to the competition that I loved. I gave that therapy everything that I had, but it wasn't enough." She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts. Meeting the doctor's gaze with narrowed eyes, she added. "I was forced to abandon everything I'd worked for at twenty-one, Doctor. I don't want to see Yuki have to give up her dreams at sixteen."

"I see." He said, taken back a little by the woman's intensity. "However, the fact remains that her break is unstable, and if she were to be placed in a wheelchair at this time, her spinal cord would be imperiled."

"The reason her break is moving is because that brace you have her in is inadequate." Emma answered in a measured voice. "She needs a more substantial support to immobilize the area."

"I assure you, that is the latest design in vertebral bracing." He said, bristling. "It provides the perfect blend of comfort and support. The old style braces are extremely uncomfortable to wear."

"It has elastic!" Emma shouted. "How can something that stretches support a broken back?"

"The steel ribs supply the necessary support, preventing flexion in the spine." Nakamura argued.

"But not rotation, am I correct Doctor?" Kimiko asked sagely. "Yuki says she feels it shift when she moves. How about a compromise? I think you need to dig up one of you're 'old style' braces and let Yuki try it before performing this surgery."

A knock on the door interrupted them. The nurse poked her head in, saying. "Doctor, we just received a call from the ICU. It would appear that the Azuma girl moved one of her legs in her sleep. Her nurse was quite animated."

"I understand." He replied curtly. "Nurse? Contact supply and see if they still have a molded vertebral brace that would fit her. This persuasive woman has made an intriguing proposal, and I feel it's worth investigating."

"Yes Doctor. I'll call them now." She replied as she backed out and closed the door.

"Very well, ladies. You've convinced me to try this." He said rising from his chair. "If Miss Azuma feels comfortable wearing the brace, I will forego the surgery. If, however; she complains her break is still moving, or the brace is too uncomfortable, the operation will proceed as scheduled."

"Thank you, Doctor." Kimiko said as she and Emma also rose from their chairs. "We appreciate you listening to our concerns."

"It's no trouble." He said with a smile. "You have every right to question what happens to your daughter."

"She's not my daughter." Kimiko replied. "She's my daughter's teammate. Her parents have abandoned her, and I felt someone needed to look out for her."

oOo

Motoko was awakened by the sound of movement in the room. Looking over, she saw two orderlies rolling a gurney up to the next bed. The young woman was asleep and had an oxygen mask over her face. The samurai's eyebrows rose in surprise at her size.

"What a cow!" The one said after they lifted her to the bed. "She must weigh eighty kilos."

"What amazes me is how solid she is." The other said. "I thought she was just fat, but that's mostly muscle. Check out her legs."

"I'm watching you two." Motoko said coldly, making them jump. "If I see you touch her inappropriately, I'll report you to the nurse."

"W-We wouldn't dream of doing that." The one stammered. "She's not our type anyway."

The other one then spoke up. "Now that girl last night, you know Kentaro, the one with the broken back? Oh man, I could die happy after spending a night with a girl like that!"

"Degenerates. You sicken me." Motoko said glaring. "It was perverted men like you that put her in the hospital. That girl is only sixteen and will be one of my students next year. Don't plan on accosting anyone from Kisuragi Girl's High. When I'm done teaching them, they'll be able to give any sex hungry miscreants the surprise of their lives. If I have my way, those wretched men won't escape with their manhood intact."

"Yes ma'am." Kentaro said nodding, his face going pale. "Sorry if we offended you." Grabbing the gurney, they turned and swiftly headed out of the room. Rounding a corner, they nearly ran into Ms. Himuro who was leading the girls down the hallway. They pulled to the side to let the women pass. Bowing, the one said. "We're terribly sorry ma'am. Please forgive our clumsiness."

"That's all right. We're taking up more than our share of the hallway." She said with an amused look. "You seem to be in a hurry. Please proceed." She added as the team made room. With quickly uttered thanks, they nearly ran to the elevators.

"I wonder what's eating them?" Hikaru asked, looking back. "The one guy looked sick. I hope he wasn't contagious."

"Maybe he hurt himself lifting Mao." Yoko said, giggling until the team turned and scowled at her. Shrinking, she added quietly. "Sorry."

"I can't believe you Yoko!" Seira said hotly. "Mao's lying hurt in a hospital, and you're cracking dumb jokes about her!"

"I said I was sorry!" The blonde wailed in reply.

"Please keep your voices down!" A nurse said urgently in a hushed voiced as she walked up, pushing a cart with a machine on it. "People are trying to rest!"

"Yes Nurse." They said together, bowing. "Sorry, Nurse."

"You're here to see Miss Daidoji; correct?" The woman in white continued. "Follow me please."

She led them around the corner, and to a doorway all the way down on the right. Ms. Himuro smiled when she saw her turn. "I thought I recognized that room number." Then she followed her through. She nodded to the woman in the other bed. "Hello again, Instructor Aoyama."

"Chairperson Himuro." She replied, surprise showing on her face. Looking past the woman, her eyes opened wide as she exclaimed. "I know these girls! They were in the room with the girl with the broken back!" Glancing over at her roommate, she added. "I didn't recognize her because of the oxygen mask, but she was there also, wasn't she?"

"That is correct." The Himuro matriarch answered. "They are all members of the school's baseball team."

The girls gathered silently around Mao's bed, watching her sleep as the nurse connected her oxygen hose to the machine, and then poured water into a chamber on its side.

"What are you doing?" Kanako asked intrigued. "I know she was put on oxygen to help her body deal with the trauma, but what do you need the water for?"

"When a person is on oxygen for an extended period, the tissue of the airway can become desiccated. This machine adds moisture to the oxygen to prevent that."

"Hey! Miss Aoyama!" Seira exclaimed happily when she spotted the swordswoman. Approaching the bed, she continued with a smile. "You're all right! We weren't sure while we watched you get hauled away on that gurney."

"Hello Seira. Thank you for your concern, and thank you again for your intervention against that man. I owe you my life." She said bowing her head. "I will be fine in time, so put your mind at ease."

"That's great." The redhead gushed with a wide smile as Corey joined her.

"Good afternoon, Miss Aoyama." He said with a quick bow. "I'm glad you're going to be ok."

"Thank you." She replied, scrutinizing the bruise on his face. "That certainly was an unforgettable experience. You fought him as well. How are you feeling?"

"I'll be fine." He said with a wave of his hand. "I've gotten banged up worse playing football."

"Excuse me." A voice called from the doorway. "I'm looking for Motoko Aoyama. Is this her room?" The girls turned to see a tall dark haired woman dressed in a white gi and red hakama pants.

"Tsuruko!" Motoko exclaimed as she tried to sit up. "You're here!"

"What are you doing?" Corey cried angrily, placing his hands on her shoulders. "You need to be still!"

"But…" The swordswoman protested, looking anxiously at her approaching sibling. "I'm apologize, Sister, but I'm afraid I'm unable to greet you properly."

"My dear Motoko." The woman said with a smile as she stopped at the foot of the bed. "This young man is absolutely correct. Please, do not concern yourself with proper etiquette at this time. I am not offended in the least. My only concern at present is for my little sister's well being. I took the first flight to Tokyo as soon as I received word from Miss Maehara."

"Thank you for your concern, Tsuruko." She said with her head bowed down. "I regret making you worry."

"Motoko." The woman said with a slight frown. "Why must you be so anxious around me? You are no longer the insecure high school student who came to Tokyo all those years ago. You are a grown woman that has done very well in the world. Please be at ease."

"But Tsuruko, you are the greatest swordswoman in our school's history. It would be disrespectful of me not to hold you in the highest regard."

Hearing this, Seira and Corey looked at the woman wide-eyed. After seeing what Motoko was capable of, they could only imagine what her sister could do. Ms. Himuro also looked at her with appreciation.

"Are you the head of the God's Cry School?" She asked, intrigued. "This is indeed an honor. My name is Keiko Himuro, the Chairperson of Kisuragi Girl's High School."

With a gracious nod, the swordswoman smiled. "Good day. I am Tsuruko Aoyama. It is true I am currently the master instructor of the God's Cry School. However, that is only until Motoko finishes her schooling and returns to Kyoto."

"That may be a while yet." Motoko said, avoiding her sister's gaze. "Chairperson Himuro has offered me a position teaching self defense to her students."

"And you've accepted without consulting the clan?" Tsuruko said frostily. "You already have a school to teach at little sister. Or have you become so enamored with Tokyo that you can't bear to leave it?"

"No!" The younger swordswoman cried out. "I fully intend on returning someday! It is just the events of this morning have served to reinforce my belief that most men are immoral, and I am needed here. If I can help those girls be safe, I will finally be using my abilities in a worthwhile manner. There are moments in my past were I have acted dishonorably. This will be atonement. I will also gain valuable teaching experience for when I do return to the dojo."

"I apologize for not realizing the implications my offer would have." Ms. Himuro said in a placating tone as she bowed. "Your sister told us the government was in control of the school. I did not realize she was so invaluable to your clan. Please forgive me."

"Please stop, Chairperson" Tsuruko said, her warm smile returning. "This is solely on Motoko. Do not feel responsible at all. While the God's Cry School has indeed been declared a national treasure, it is still an active dojo." Then giving her sister a measured look, she continued. "I'm glad to see you are recovering. I'm going to leave you now. I need to call the Elders to see what their feelings are on this matter. I'll return this evening, when we will discuss this further. Think hard on this decision, little sister. Good day everyone." She finished with a bow, and then turned towards the door. She stopped halfway and gave Ryo an intense look. "Excuse me, if you don't mind me asking, what is your name?"

"Ryo Hayakawa." She replied nervously. "Is something the matter?"

"No child, I'm simply curious." She answered with a friendly smile. "Tell me, do you practice any form of the martial arts?"

"No Ma'am." She answered with a shake of her head. "I'm afraid I don't. Why?"

"I was just wondering. Well, I should be going. Have a pleasant evening." She said with a nod, gliding smoothly out of the room.

"Are you all right, Miss Aoyama?" Corey asked, seeing the look of dread on her face.

"I'm not sure." She said closing her eyes. "It will depend on what the Clan Elders decide. I hope they agree to this." Opening her eyes and looking earnestly at Ms. Himuro, she continued. "I want very much to instruct those girls. I feel myself being called to do this."

"Are you really going to teach us to fight?" Yoko asked excitedly. "Well Seira, I guess you won't be pushing me around anymore."

"If you weren't such an irritating pest, I wouldn't have messed with you at all. It was your lousy self-righteous attitude that pissed me off from the day I met you." The redhead argued back. Then in a calmer voice, she added with a grin. "I wouldn't get too cocky, Yoko. Remember, I'll be taking the classes too."

The blonde's tan lightened a few shades when she heard what Seira said. The thought of someone teaching the already tough girl how to fight even better, made her a little queasy. "That's not fair!" She cried. "The one chance I have to level the playing field, and she gets to learn it too?"

"Is she always such a pathetic whiner?" Motoko said irritably. "She will need some discipline training as well."

"Excuse me." Ryo said stepping next to the bed. "I hate to bother you like this, but your sister staring at me like that made me uncomfortable. Do you know what that was about?"

The samurai looked intently at the young pitcher and then nodded. "I didn't notice before, because I was so angry about your friend getting her back broken, but I can see it now. You have a strong ki signature. That's why she asked if you did martial arts. Normally one reaches that level of energy only through meditation and training. You have a rare gift."

"Ki signature? Like in Dragonball?" Hikaru asked sounding confused as she glanced at Ryo. "You can see it?"

"Not so much with my eyes as feeling it." She explained. "It's like a warmth radiating from her. My sister's ki; however, is so strong, that if she were to fully manifest it, she would illuminate a dark room. I am somewhere in between." Closing her eyes, she turned her focus inward. The girls gasped as a pale nimbus of energy, like heat rising from sun-baked pavement, shimmered around the woman's body. Opening her eyes, the aura faded.

"That was so cool!" Seira cried, her eyes round in wonder. "Will we be able to do that?"

"It's highly unlikely." Motoko replied apologetically. "While all of our students at the God's Cry School do develop a stronger ki signature. Most never gain the ability to visibly manifest it. That would seem to be an inherited trait."

"That was truly amazing!" Izumi said in awe. "To think someone like you will be living in my home!"

Koharu had listened to all this before speaking. "Guys, I think she's right about Ryo. Look at her lightning ball. There's energy still spitting off it after it hits Mao's glove. And then in that last game, during that battle with Takasugi, her sweat was rising off of her as steam. I'll bet that was her ki energy manifesting."

Hikaru put her arm around her friend as she said. "Well Ryo, we've always known that you had your father's arm. Now it looks like you've inherited something else from him."

Ryo stood dumbfounded at this news. Slowly, she turned to Motoko and said softly. "How do I get rid of it?"

"What do you mean?" The swordswoman asked, perplexed. "Every living thing has ki energy. Yours is just much more powerful than the normal person's. Why?"

Ryo's screwed her face down and clenched her fists by her side. "I'm dangerous. I've hurt my friend with this power… I want to get rid of it, because I never want to throw the lightning ball again!" She added as she spun and ran from the room in tears as her teammates watched in shock.

oOo

A/N: Well, I managed to scrape together another eight thousand words. I apologize profusely for the long delay in updating this. I would like to thank Airlady and James Axlerad for their words of encouragement. Please be patient for the next chapter. Things will start falling in place for everyone.