Disclaimer: I do not own Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple.
Recap: Afterthe Elder's narrow escape, He joins up with Sakaki and Apachai to tell them how it went. On telling them Sakaki even went as far to toast to the Old Man's bravery. After an unfortunate mishap, which left Apacha drunk, Shigure re-apears, stating that she is going to see Kenichi.
A/N: Check my page for voting on stories if you would, for what gets the most attention, and what will come first/last.
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"Have you changed the bandages on his upper torso yet?" Akisame questioned, not looking up from the poultice he was preparing, eying his untouched dinner with a look of wanting.
A muffled, "Not yet" was heard from behind a large book of the human body which was propped up in-front of Kensai. He ate as he read, having just had the time to eat his dinner from the previous night, having stayed up until early in the morning helping Akisame reset Kenichi's ribs, collar bone and shoulder, having tried as he could, he couldn't eliminate all of the pain that was caused by reseting them, causing Kenichi to move fitfully, thus hurting him more. His one praise that he was able to force Kenichi to cough enough to get almost all of the blood out of his lungs, relieving much of the pressure from his breathing, and allowing him to rest in considerably less amount of pain than before.
"It can wait a few more minutes, just wash your hands before hand" Akisame replied absentmindedly, staring at the healing mush he was preparing. Raising his free hand, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, stifling a yawn.
"Got it" Kensai shot back, apparently lost in his book, looking up briefly enough to look at Akisame and question, "What do you think is going to happen between Shigure and Kenichi?"
"Poor boy" Akisame started, Shigure is probably packing her things right now, she has never really had any experience in this type of thing, and we both know she has feelings for him".
"True" Kensai agreed sadly, shaking his head, "Poor boy is going to be heartbroken".
Upon finishing the poultice Akisame turned to the still unconscious Kenichi, wrapping one around each hand, and tying them neatly together with a neat bow. After dusting his hands off on his sides, he looked at his disciple. Shigure, interesting choice Kenichi, but not an easy one by any means, It wont be easy to establish a relationship, seeing as she has no grounds to work on in the realm of experience, but I believe that you can help her, just as you have helped all around you.
Shaking his head, as if to clear his thoughts, Akisame began loosening the bandages around Kenichi's torso.
A knock came from the door.
Akisame stopped loosening the bandages, allowing them to fall back into place neatly, turning he looked at Kensai, an eyebrow raised turned and looked at Kensai. Wondering if Kensai had ordered any food, or if he knew of any visitors that had planned on coming to visit, but seeing as it was during school hours he doubted that, upon seeing Kensai shake his head in a silent 'not for me' Akisame walked over to the door, standing there for a second while he listened for anything suspicious, he heard the familiar sound of cold steel shifting in its resting place. Dumbfounded, Akisame stared at the door for a second, disbelief written on his face, he hadn't expected Shigure to come so soon, if ever, on the contrary he expected her to be locked away in her room or in some attic. With a shrug, he went to open the door. Upon opening it, the judo master was even more dumbfounded, only this time Kensai joined him.
There in the doorway stood Shigure, with two light bags slung over one shoulder, being held in place with her right hand and several bags being held in the other hand filled with groceries, and several books tucked under left arm which appeared to be some of Kenichi's 'How to' books.
"..What..?" Shigure questioned, looking at the dumbfounded duo, wondering why they were looking at her like that.
"Nothing at all Shigure, please come in" Akisame greeter her, opening the door all the way and stepping to the side for her to pass through, "We just were not expecting you".
Kensai hid his dirty magazine in the book of the human body, placing his food beside the large book, stepped up and forward, offering to take some of the baggage which Shigure had brought with her.
Shigure handed the bags in her left hand to Kensai, noticing the question in his look she answered him,"..It's food...for you two...and Kenichi..", She said simply, walking over to where Kenichi lay, placing his books on the table beside his bed, and the bags on the ground beside it, without looking at Kenichi she looked back up at the two who had saved his life, bowing to each of them slightly she thanked each them with a mumble for taking care of Kenichi.
If Akisame's eyebrows could have gone any higher they would have been on his back, and with a quick look at Kensai he noticed that his had vanished under his hat, first she showed up, bearing food, Kenichi's books, and now she thanked them for taking care of Kenichi. This is an unexpected surprise Akisame thought to himself, wondering what had happened back at the dojo for such a drastic turn to take place within his young friend and fellow master.
"What can..I help..with-" Shigure questioned, looking at Akisame.
Kensai passed out, the shock was to much for the older man.
"..I need..some time..with him.." Shigure went on, ignoring the unconscious Kensai, looking to Akisame.
Akisame simply looked at Kensai, smiled then looked back at Shigure, "You can change his bandages if your up for it" He replied, on seeing her nod he motioned to the drawers on the right wall of the room, there in there, after changing them please place them in the hamper for washing and this poultice mix, he motioned to the rolling table, needs to be applied every other hour during the day to his hands, with only a light gauss wrap at night so it can air out".
Shigure nodded to Akisame, heading for the drawers he had mentioned to get the bandages needed.
Akisame took it that it was time to leave so, gathering Kensai and throwing him over his shoulder, headed for the door, stopping in the doorway, turning, Akisame questioned, "How long will you be here?" He asked.
"Until he..leaves.." Shigure answered quietly, a faint smile playing at her lips before she straightened her composure.
Akisame looked startled for a moment, then smiled warmly, "Ok, well in that case we will be back tomorrow, there's plenty of bed's for you, make yourself at home", Akisame finished, turning back to the door, beginning to close it and bumping Kensai's head with the door he stopped, turning to Shigure once more.
"Shigure?" Akisame spoke softly.
Shigure looked back to Akisame.
"I'm proud of you" Akisame stated softly, a faint smile playing across his face. Then he Closed the door all the way, a resounding thud marking Kensai's head being hit by the closing door. "You are full of surprises Shigure" Akisame said to himself, smiling still, he turned and left the clinic, with Kensai's limp form hanging from his shoulder, and headed for the dojo to get some much needed sleep, and dream of new training equipment to put Kenichi on when he recovered. Smiling at this thought, he left.
Hearing the door close Shigure turned back to the task at hand,making her way to the bandages from the drawers where Akisame had told her they were, she found the bandages where he said they would be. Grabbing what she needed she headed back to Kenichi.
Placing the bandages beside him, she allowed herself to look at Kenichi, and the sorry state that he was in, taking note of the bandaged on his torso and hands. Reaching towards him, she froze, noticing her hand shaking. Why am I shaking? It's Kenichi, Its not like I have never touched him before..she tried to shake her head and shake the thoughts away, But all of those times you were training, now you know what you feel, now you know that you love him, and now you are going to touch him for the first time as the man you love, a voice in the back of her head told her, which she now knew to be her heart at feeling that increasingly familiar beating in her chest. She nodded in acceptance, and reached out hand still shaking ever so slightly, only this time she did nothing to fight it, letting her instincts guide her. She reached out and touched his face, hand dragging open palmed down his cheek, remembering now the hot trails that is left on her when he did the same.
Remembering that she needed to change his bandages the moved her hand down his cheek, marveling at how his skin felt to her hand as she brought it trailing lightly down his neck and onto his chest where the bandages were. Seeing that they had already been loosened, she simply untied the bow which held the bandages in place, and began to loosen the bandages.
After having loosened them she began to take them off, pushing them over the top, and gently tugging them under his limp form as not to disturb his state of unconsciousness, it was slow progress but she got them all off of his chest, then allowed herself to look once more at him, gasping, a look of shock and concern plaid across her face as she took in the sight before her, wondering how she didn't see it as she was taking off his bandages.
Kenichi's chest was riddled with stretch marks from where powerful blows had connected, and black and blue all over. She could see where several blood vessels had exploded on the violent impact, leaving blood red marks dancing across his skin. A lone tear coursed down her cheek at the realization.
The realization of just how much pain Kenichi had been in, and just how hard it would have been to simply cry for help, let alone tell her his feelings. Just how painful had it been to simply touch her cheek, to tell her those words? She didn't know, she couldn't, yet for some reason knowing this made her all the happier that he had told her, It showed how much he really did care for her.
Sitting down on the chair beside his bed, she hugged herself tightly, closing her eyes and relishing in that fact, that fact that he cared about her, the fact that he loved her. Opening her eyes again, Shigure went about reapplying his bandages with renewed vigor, determined all the more, for some reason that was lost to her, to take care of him.
After she finished with his chest , she moved to his hands, sitting lightly on his bed beside him, she placed his hand in her lap as she slowly undid the bandages. depositing the now hardened mush of the poultice into the small garbage can beside his bed, she laid his hand on her lap, moving to the other hand and repeating the motion. On finishing she placed the hand back at his side and picked up his other hand ,which was still in her lap, and went to place it back at his side.
Shigure froze, what was that? There it was again, on looking down, she noticed Kenichi holding her hand in his, gripping it ever so lightly. Looking slightly up at him she found him to still be unconscious, but looking down it was undeniable, he was holding her hand.
With shaking hands she raised her hand, what am I doing, she wondered to herself, but continued all the same. She raised his hand up to her cheek and, surprising herself, she nuzzled it.
"Shi...gure" Kenichi mumbled in his sleep a smile coming lightly to his lips before vanishing, back into an expression of unconsciousness.
At first her face was framed with shock, then it gave way to a small smile, and a look of what could be refereed to as compassion as she continued to nuzzle his limp hand. He had recognized her, even though he was unconscious, he knew her touch. He even smiled, through the world of pain and unconsciousness which he had recently become familiar with, he still recognized her touch. He loved her, her really loved her. If she had any more doubts lurking in the back of her mind they were now banished, ans she now knew, he loved her. Placing his hand by his side, she stood, walking over to the chair beside his bed and sat down, deciding to let his hands air out for a few minutes.
With new resolve Shigure reached in her Kimono, pulling out Kenichi's 'how to' book on relationships, though flipping past the first page this time. Now she had resolve, and she decided to take this time to train her knowledge on 'relationships'. Taking a deep breath, she plunged into reading, taking in every word.
The only time she only stopped reading when it was time to change the bandages, she pushed on, having already thrown the book across the room several times, and having raised her eyebrows a few times, as well as almost blushing at other times, she cast many looks at Kenichi, some calculation, some curious, and many with confusion.
On looking at the clock she took note of the time, realizing that Miu would have gotten back to the dojo by now and would most likely be coming over to check on Kenichi along with the rest of the group, minus Akisame and Kensai of course. Shigure stood and walked over to the window, peeking through the blinds to see tow world beyond. Taking in the view while checking the surrounding vicinity for any visitors, turning quickly into a crouch, hand on her katana as she heard a knock at the door, with un-trusting eyes she cast them over the door, walking over to it quietly, listening silently to hear what or who was on the other side of the door.
"Are you sure Kenichi is here Niijima?" a casual voice questioned from beyond the door.
"Of course, it is my duty as Commander to know where the my co-founder is at any given time" another slightly higher voice replied.
"Yeah yeah" the casual voice went on, "I just hope he is ok, thats all".
On hearing this Shigure figured that the source of the voices were not hostile, and no threat, so reached out and opened the door. Taking in the sight before her. A large group of people were crowded around the door, the two standing at the front, and who had been knocking on the door she recognized as Kenichi's friends, remembering Niijima from when he attempted to enter the dojo and he catching him, and Takeda from his visits to the dojo. But it was not them which drew her attention, it was the large group of people behind them. A Blondie pretty boy wearing a green cloak, behind him standing two individuals one being enormous wearing a sleeveless shirt, while the other wearing other wearing a silly looking hat with a feather tucked into it. Smiles framing all of there faces they all waved at Shigure, there smiles turned to that of nervousness as they noticed Shigure's hand reach for her blade.
"Calm down now Shigure!" Niijima rushed, speaking fast in fear, waving his arms franticly, "We are simple here to check on Kenichi, these are all of his friends, and fellow's" he continued, pointing airily behind him at the large group that had assembled.
"Sure thing' Takeda said with a smile, waving to Shigure in greeting,"Is Kenichi here?"
Shigure, much calmer now knowing that all of these were Kenichi's comrades, dropped her hand down to her side and nodded to them, stepping aside slightly to allow them to enter, stopping short and raising a hand to bar the door she spoke, " Only five...can come.. in.." she stated quickly, waiting until Niijima nodded in compliance before removing her hand from the door.
Niijima entered first, instruction the two behind him which he addressed as Siegfried, being the one with the hat, and the large one from before, who he addressed as Chiaki, to stand guard at the door, to which they both saluted, taking places on either side of the door.
Grunts and 'oof's' were heard from the crowd as two figures emerged from the large group of people who appeared to be forcing there way through the crowd, making there way to the door, stopping when they reached the blond guy in the green cloak, continuing through the door after slightly bowing to Shigure, the blond man following in there wake, making the total of visitors now to five, Shigure quickly closed the door, and walked to the front of the group to lead them to Kenichi. Stopping a a few yards before they reached the Curtain which now hid Kenichi from view.
Upon stopping Shigure turned, motioning for Niijima to step foreword, as well as the others to stay behind, on which they nodded in comply, not completely understanding but going with it all the same. The group watched closely as Shigure lead Niijima to the curtain, opening it briefly for him to enter, then curtly doing the same. Several gasps were heard from the four who remained as they saw Kenichi thought the briefly open curtain, understanding coming to them as they had but a glimpse of his state.
On closing the curtain Shigure turned to Niijima, noting the concern which had overcome his senses before speaking, "You must be..quiet.."Shigure told him sternly before adding, "Or else", on which Niijima nodded, gulping.
"I didn't know he was in this bad of shape, what all is wrong?" Niijima questioned, looking to Shigure.
"Two broken..ribbs...broken..collar-bone..cracked shoulder.." Shigure quited from memory before taking her place standing beside Kenichi's bed in a protective manner, and allowing Niijima to look over Kenichi.
Niijima walked over to Kenichi, face looking grim and looked him over before speaking, " My plan to take over the world can't work without you Kenichi..so get better soon" He stated softly, that being about the furthest extent of his being able to say 'I hope you get better soon'.
Niijima turned back to Shigure, a question on his face, "Where are the people who are sup posted to be taking care of him?"
"I'm taking ..care..of him" Shigure replied simply.
Niijima stared at her with a look of surprise, "Why?", he questioned, to his understanding Shigure was normally quite reclusive at the dojo.
"Because..I want..to.." Shigure answered him, danger in her eyes.
"What?" Niijima went again, not understanding, "Are you his girlfriend of something?" he asked comically.
"Not..yet.." Shigure answered simply, anger growing ever so slightly at his repeated pestering.
At this Niijima's eyes bulged out of his head, jaw striking the floor with a resounding 'thud'.
Anger peaking at the sound of the loud noise produced, Shigure reached into her Kimono, seemingly on reflex, seeking her shuriken.
"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry" Niijima whispered to Shigure franticly, but to no avail, eyes growing large at the incoming projectile's.
"What's taking them so long Takeda?" Ukita questioned, looking to his friend.
"Dunno" Takeda replied, turning in question to look at his friend and fellow captain, "What about you Kisara?"
"Don't look at me lefty" Turning to cast a questioning eye on Hermit, who she still didn't understand at all.
Hermit, on seeing that all eyes were on him, simply shrugged, "Don't-"
Stopping on hearing Niijima's frantic whispering as all eyes darted to the curtain which separated them curiosity framing there faces.
Two shuriken tore through the curtain, barely missing Kisara and Ukita before being buried into the cabinets behind with a resounding thud.
All eyes were large as they looked from the cabinets and back to the curtains.
Shigure opened the curtains quickly, motioning for the remaining four to come in to see Kenichi. Holding the curtain open for the wide eyed group as they each shook there heads in turn as to wipe the shock from there faces before stepping foreword to comply.
Stopping short the group looked at each other, wondering if they were walking into a danger zone, only for Hermit to sniff in disdain at his comrades, walking foreword and through the curtains, being followed by Takeda, who was, of course, tailed by Ukita, leaving Kisara to take the rear.
On entering the group lined up, each taking there respective gazes upon Kenichi's state before eying the room around them, noticing the cowering Niijima against the far wall.
Takeda let out a small sigh before walking over to his weired alien looking friend, bending to lend him a helping hand in standing, which he happily took, on standing Niijima addressed the group in a whisper, telling them all not to make to much noise before taking to cowering behind Ukita, who was the largest one there.
Ukita eyed Niijima curiously,"Where did the throwing stars come from?" the large judoka questioned.
Niijima said nothing, but simply took to cowering lower behind the Large man.
"What is the extent of the damage?" Takeda asked in a low voice, his question being directed to no none in-particular, concern etched into his face.
Shigure said nothing, having regained her post beside Kenichi's bed, simply cast an expecting gaze at the cowering Niijima.
On seeing that he was no longer in danger, Niijima stepped foreword, and relayed the damages to the small group as Shigure had told him. On finishing he opted to stand beside Ukita, just in case.
"So are you his nurse or something? Ukita questioned, looking to Shigure.
A look of horror danced its way across Niijima's face, and began waving his arms at Ukita, who didn't notice.
Shigure shook her head.
"But your taking care of him right?" Ukita continued, face the picture of confusion.
Niijima's waves got even more frantic, catching the notice of Hermit and Kisara, but still being lost to Ukita.
Shigure nodded.
A grin donned Ukita's face as he began to question jokingly, "What, does that make you his gi-" being cut off before he could finish by Niijima, who had sprung through the air and latched his hands over his unknowing friends mouth.
"Are you his girlfriend or something?" Hermit asked, comic grin on his face.
Niijima sprung from Ukita's head, diving beneath curtain just in time, hearing four collective 'thud's, which were closely followed by whispering shrieks of 'I'm Sorry!'.
Niijima sighed in relief at his narrow escape before turning his head, noticing a smoking shuriken buried into tile floor beside his head.
Make that a very, narrow escape.
The group let shortly there after, being questioned by there friends to there rugged appearance and fast exit, at which they all yelled simultaneously, "I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!", then casting a fearfully glance behind them at the now intimidating building behind them, and opted take there leave, quickly making there way away from the clinic.
The rest of the day passed rather smoothly for Shigure, changing Kenichi's bandages and applying the poultices as directed by Akisame. Aside from that she spent most of her time reading, which proved to be increasingly interesting for the young woman. She never knew that there was so much that she did not know, having simply disregarded such things in the past as something that was just not worth knowing. She was brought out of her deep thought at the sound of the door opening.
At the sound Shigure's hand went instinctively to her sword, standing sharply and coming to a ready stance.
On seeing Akisame standing in the doorway she relaxed, dropping her hand to her side and coming out of the ready stance, looking to Akisame.
Akisame smiled at Shigure, taking note of the puncture marks in his cabinets but saying nothing, on walking in he moved to the side to reveal Kensai behind him in the doorway, bearing a tray of food.
Akisame began to talk to Shigure, asking on how Kenichi had been, if she had been changing his bandages and such as Kensai walked across the room.
Coming to a stop in-front of a puncture in the tile Kensai looked up, a question on his face as he asked, "What happened here?".
"Nothing" Shigure answered simply, before turning back to Akisame and continuing to answer his questions.
Kensai shrugged and continued to walk across the room, placing the tray of food on one of the counters near Kenichi's bed before turning and walking over to the desk, deftly slipping his magazine into his robe. Looking around the room he took note of the tears in the curtains, as well as where the cabinets had seemingly been impaled. On seeing the extent of the damage he decided it was better not to ask.
"The food is for you" Kensai stated before moving to check on Kenichi, "There is some extra on the should Kenichi wake up" he added before turning to his unconscious disciple, going through a routine check of his nerves and reflexes without disturbing the injured area's.
After finishing his questioning Akisame turned and Joined Kensai in his check, turning back to Shigure briefly to request that she go on and eat so they could take the trey back with him, before turning back to Kenichi and resuming a check-up of his own.
Shigure, remembering that she had missed the morning meal, as well as lunch, realized how hungry she was, walking over to the food and began to eat. Watching Akisame and Kensai go about there work as she ate, she observed how they checked his vitals, moving to check his bones a second time check to see if they mad missed anything, finding none as they continued to loosen the bandages to check his ribs and collar-bone.
She felt a pain in her chest as she caught a glimpse of Kenichi's chest, eying the bruises for the up-tenth time, it still hurt to see Kenichi in such a state.
On seeing the bruises she began th think back, to when had addressed her, to how he cradled her face with his hand, the hot trails that were left in its wake, the devastation of when he went limp, that wet feeling on her face as she held him to her, remembering how her instincts had taken over at seeing him in such a state, remembering the small drop of blood as if made its way from his lips, down his cheek.
She had to shake her head, the pang in her heart reminded her of the pain that she had felt, and wished to think about something else.
Her eyes began to dart around the room, searching for something to take her attention, finally coming to a rest on Kenichi's face, more importantly, Kenichi's lips. She noticed how soft they looked, wondering silently to herself how they felt, an image of the picture on the first page of the book springing to her mind. Shigure thought on it for a second, then realizing what she was thinking, shook her head again, trying to think about something else once again. A feeling how warmth spread across her cheeks. Surely she wasn't thinking bout kissing Kenichi. Right? Of course not.
At the thought of kissing Kenichi she felt the heat in her cheeks rise, and the beating of her heart to thunder once again, beating savagely in her chest.
Her hand strayed to her lips, wiping across them slowly before she realized what she was doing.
On realizing she snatched her hand away, deciding to focus on finishing her food.
Akisame finished checking Kenichi, tightening his bandages a little tug as he finished securing them, giving a satisfactory nod of approval as he looked over his work before turning back to Shigure.
"Do you want to go to the dojo for some sleep?" Akisame questioned.
Shigure shook her head before answering him, "..I want to..stay..".
Akisame nodded, slightly surprised by this but not letting it show, "That's fine, there's plenty of beds, and you know where I am if you need me" Akisame replied.
Shigure nodded.
"Well, if its ok with you, I'm going to get some sleep" Akisame stated slowly, emphasizing his exhaustion with a deep yawn.
Shigure nodded once more, watching as Akisame left, going to the door and locking it before making her way back over to her chair, pausing before sitting. She walked over to Kenichi's bed, looking down at his still uncontentious form, eyes once again locking on to his lips.
Leaning in closer she looked at his lips, eying then closely, taking in every detail before noticing how close she was to them. On realizing this she shook her head slightly, realizing that she was only inches away from him, her face hovering above his. The now familiar beating in her chest returned as she looked on his face, studying him closely. After memorizing every detail, she leaned in closer to him, closing the distance between there faces slowly.
Shigure froze as she heard the sound of shifting fabric, pulling back slightly out of fear of Kenichi seeing her hovering over him, relaxing slightly when she noticed the book, which had apparently fell from her kimono, now laying on his bed.
With a sigh she shook her head. She almost kissed Kenichi. Almost, but didn't.
She sighed her relief as she removed the book from his bed, making sure to be light in her movements, as not to disturb Kenichi, and turned back to her chair and looking up thoughtfully. She had almost kissed Kenichi. She told herself that she should be glad that she didn't, seeing as he was unconscious, but then, on thinking of kissing him while conscious, shook her head, heat rising once again to her cheeks. The idea of kissing Kenichi when he was unconscious was uncomfortable, but kissing him when he is awake? She shuddered, but not of dislike..what was that..anticipation? No. She could admit that she loved him, but kissing him...that was just to much to think about. not meaning she didn't want to of course..but then..she shook her head again, pushing it to the back of her mind to think about tomorrow.
Deciding instead to get ready to go to sleep. She stood and walked over to the far wall, reaching out to turn off the light, noticing yet another marr in the wood from where she had thrown her shuriken, thinking back.
"Girl..friend.." She said to herself, the words bringing to mind the book in which she had been reading, along with the image of the picture on the first page.
She reflected on those words while she crossed the room once again, deciding to sleep in the chain, and sat down quietly. Making herself comfortable and clearing her mind and closing her eyes, sleep overtook her soon enough, taking her away into blissful peace.
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Hope you liked it, R&R guys.
My Regards,
-Shaw, SR-
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