When I woke up, I found myself back in the hospital bed. Team Excalibur and Wang Hu Zhong were talking to my brother and friends.
"So, Aki found out about Anja, got out of bed and went out to the nurse's station. Who was the idiot that told her?" Wales asked, leaning on his crutches, clearly upset.
"I told Mama because she had the right to know that Galaxy Nexus killed Aunt Anja the night they kidnapped her. Sakyo had to go through hell at the hands of his mother's family because he is an illegitimate child, just like Mama," Yu said screaming at the older teens clearly mad at them for doing what they thought was best for me. I sighed and sat up stiff from being in one position for a long period of time.
"Yu, we understand that you feel it's important to tell your mother that Sakyo needs help, but you have to understand that by doing so, you will set Aki back by a few days," Sophie said, bending down to look him in the eye.
"No, you don't understand. Me and Mama are the only people that truly understand what Sakyo is going through. You all have families that love and care about you. My family threw me away, and Mama's grandparents treated her like trash for over ten years. So only me and Mama understand Sakyo..." Yu screamed, crying out his pain. This was the first time that Yu had ever done something like that; it was clear that he was tired of people deciding everything for him. I pulled the oxygen mask off for a second time, before starting to hum. I had to stop a few times and cough. But by the time I finished, Yu had curled up in my lap crying.
"I'm sorry mama...I'm sorry mama..." Yu kept saying over and over, and I was getting worried because with the state that he was in, it was clear that something much bigger was bothering him.
"Shh Yu, no more tears my little boy. Now can you tell Mama what really is bothering you…and I don't mean everything going on with Sakyo…" I said, stopping a few times to cough, or that was until Chao-Xin handed me the oxygen mask.
"Aki put it back on; your lungs aren't strong enough," Chao-Xin said, standing next to the hospital bed, arms crossed. I sighed before slipping the mask over my nose and mouth.
I asked, looking up at him, "Are you happy?"
"Yes; now Tsubasa asked me to make sure you do as you are told, Aki," Chao-Xin said, sitting down on the chair next to the hospital bed, one of Tsubasa's books in his hand. I winced at his underlying meaning; I was in for another one of Tsubasa's lectures.
"Great, another one of Tsubasa's endless lectures," I mumbled under my breath, mostly to myself. But clearly everyone had heard me and started laughing, except for Yu, who had been on the receiving end of those lectures.
"You wouldn't be laughing if you had to sit through one," Yu said, wiping tears from his eyes with the back of his sleeve.
Sophie looked at us, asking, "Is it really that bad?" We both began nodding our heads, while simultaneously shuddering in fear from just the memory of them.
Julian sat down at the end of the bed and said, "Tell us about them."
"As we said, they are long-winded and endless. I think the longest one would be Aki's after she jumped from a helicopter into Hades' city. He lectured her for four hours and what was it again mama?" Yu asked, trying to remember.
"Four hours, thirty-eight minutes, and forty seconds," I murmured softly.
"And you are going to get another one. Sakyo go sit on Chao-Xin's lap. Yu and Julian off of the bed. And you my lovely swan lean back and get comfortable." Tsubasa said sliding the door open as the little redhead hiding behind his legs.
"Aki Hagane, how many times do I have to tell you that if you push yourself too hard you will cause massive irreversible damage…" Tsubasa said before I tuned him out as I always did when he went into lecture mode. I thought about the fields of spring flowers that would bloom every year in the mountains surrounding my village.
"You're not even listening," Tsubasa said, crossing his arms over his chest. "What are you daydreaming about, this time?"
I said, looking out the window at the bare trees and dried grass, "The flower fields in the mountains surround my village."
"Why don't you draw it for us, based on your memories," Tsubasa suggested, handing me my sketch pad and color pencils. Mindlessly taking them, I opened to a clean page and began sketching the mountain range that surrounded my village and the field of flowers that I used to walk through with my mother every year, even after her death. However, the memory that I drew was the last time I walked the field with my mother. She let me take a few steps ahead of her, and when I turned back, she was bathed in the setting sun. Surrounded by loose flower petals gently floating in the air, which was also blowing her long curly red hair around her. Finally, I laid down the last color pencil and handed the sketch pad to Tsubasa. Too exhausted to keep my eyes open, I lay flat on my back.
"I've seen Yu's drawings, but this is even more beautiful than those," Mei-Mei said, looking over Tsubasa's shoulder at the sketchpad.
"It's a place called Koma Village. I've never been there, but Yu and the others have. But I've been hearing about this place from Aki since I was ten years old. The field was on a plateau behind the village and the bey forest. It was the place where Aki's parents first met and it was Aki's favorite place in springtime," Tsubasa explained the meaning behind the picture.
"It's also the place where my mother told my father she was pregnant with both me and Gingka," I said, sticking my hand up in the air, before rolling onto my side and coughing nonstop.
"This is why Dr. Sato said not to talk. Your lungs aren't strong enough to withstand the stress talking puts them through," Tsubasa said before I threw my swan-stuffed animal at him.
"Okay, I'm done making a point. Here, take Louie back," Tsubasa said as she held the stuffed swan out. I grabbed the bird's neck before pulling it to my chest.
"She named her stuffed animal Louie?" Dashan asked, sounding confused. "Isn't Aki nineteen now?" I could hear him raising his eyebrows as I handed Yu a scribbled note.
"Mama, says don't judge her because she is not like other people who often outgrow naming stuffed animals in their late childhood years, around the age of 8 to 10 years old. It's most likely because she was taken on her 12th birthday," Yu read what I had written down before adding his own opinion.
"Hey Mama, is this your thesis paper?" Yu asked, crawling onto the end of the hospital bed. I held up another note.
I wrote down a note and handed it to Tsubasa. "It's just a note, but I did mention it in my thesis paper. For those who don't know, I am working on a doctorate in the study of clinical psychology. I have spent a good portion of time in this hospital studying." Tsubasa read carefully, trying to decipher my handwriting. I tossed another note at Tsubasa.
"Quit trying… just read what is written on your mom's note," Tsubasa said as she handed the note to our son.
"It says: quit trying to read my handwriting, because you are horrible; and don't you dare say that it is my handwriting because I don't want to hear it. Next time you bring it up, my foot will connect with somewhere, where the sun doesn't shine. Your lovely wife to be Aki." Yu read shaking at my threat. I'm pretty sure that all the guys started shaking from it.
"Aki, you're evil," Sophie said, laughing. I held up my thumb and closed my eyes.
"That is a common threat. And I don't want to let it ever happen," Tsubasa said, taking a step back. I lifted my head and smiled at him, before laying it back down and closing my heavy eyelids. Clearly out of energy, or so I thought, until I felt Tsubasa pushing a piece of my messy hair out of my face.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
You make me happy when the skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you,
Please don't take my sunshine away.
The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping,
I dreamt I held you in my arms.
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken,
So, I hung my head, and cried.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
You make me happy when the skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you,
Please don't take my sunshine away.
I'll always love you and make you happy,
If you will only say the same.
But if you leave me to love another,
You'll regret it all one day.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
You make me happy when the skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you,
Please don't take my sunshine away.
"Please don't take my sunshine away," Tsubasa sang off-pitch and out of tune. I couldn't hear anyone else in the room so I opened my left eye and looked up at him. And smiled under the oxygen mask.
"I just heard some good news from Dr. Sato; your lungs sound better and you can breathe for the most part on your own…she might want to keep you here for at least one more night, but you'll be able to go home very soon my lovely swan," Tsubasa said smiling down at me.
"Does this mean I can talk now, or is the no-talking rule still in place?" I asked, reaching up and laying my hand on his cheek.
"Don't you dare try spoiling her Tsubasa because we both know that if you do that, she will be up on her feet by tomorrow night. The answer to your question Aki is that you can talk but if you start to feel winded or out of breath then stop. I'm not going to make you do physical therapy, unless you think you need it; but after your display of strength the other day proves to me that you are going to be just fine." Dr. Sato said, coming into the room with a packet of papers in hand; Nana not that far behind her pushing a wheelchair.
"Here you go, Aki. Your clothes. Tsubasa, if you would head out to the nurse's station, there's some medicine for your fiancée," Dr. Sato said as he disconnected me from both the oxygen and IV lines. He then laid the green dress that I had worn the day I fainted on top of my legs. I waited until Tsubasa left the room before pushing the thin hospital blankets off of my legs and stood up. Quickly getting dressed, I put on my shoes while Tsubasa returned to the room.
"So, the new medicine includes a different type of inhaler and a few steroids," Tsubasa said while going through the bag of medication. I wanted to throw my head back and groan at the fact that Dr. Sato had given me a new inhaler even though she knew how much I hated them. But seeing as she was in the room with me, I held back.
Clearly reading my mind, Dr. Sato said, "I don't want to hear a single complaint about that new inhaler, Aki Hagane." I cringed, knowing that she was right. If I didn't take my medication as prescribed, I would only end up back in the hospital with an even worse infection or something far worse.
"Fine. Can I walk out of here, or is Nana going to follow us all the way down to the entrance?" I asked, smiling at the woman in front of me, my eyebrow raised in question.
"She has to follow you because you are known as the most reckless patient to ever walk these halls. Also, Tsubasa, I heard from the pediatric unit; he's been cleared to go home," Dr. Sato said, holding out a note to my fiancé.
"Why do all doctors have to have such horrible handwriting?" Tsubasa asked, looking at the note. I rolled my eyes before taking the note and reading it over.
"The fifth-floor pediatrics unit, room 503," I said, looking at him. "All doctors have terrible handwriting, so it's harder for people to fake our signatures on prescriptions."
"While let's go get Sakyo. Knowing him, he probably gave the doctors and nurses a hard time." Tsubasa said, running his hand through his hair. It was then that I noticed how tired he looked.
"Basa," I said, putting my hand on his shoulder, "When was the last time you slept?"
"I've been struggling ever since you were taken, but I have a feeling that tonight is going to be good, because I'll finally be able to hold you in my arms," Tsubasa said, smiling down at me as he took my hand. I smiled back at him before leaning forward and placing a soft kiss on his cheek.
"While if he doesn't get any sleep in the next few days, bring him in for a checkup. And no coffee for a few days, Tsubasa," Dr. Sato said, pushing open the door with a pointed look at my fiancé. I sighed before walking off the ward towards the elevator and the fifth floor, where my youngest son was waiting for me. When we entered his room, he was curled up on the hospital bed hugging a teddy bear to his chest, tears running down his cheeks. A nurse was sitting next to his bed trying to get him to take some medicine.
"Please, Mr. Kurayami, you need to take your medicine," the nurse said as she reached out to him, only for her hand to be smacked away.
"No...I won't take it," Sakyo said, curling tighter into himself. I sighed and turned to talk with the nurses at the nursing station.
"Excuse me, my name is Aki Hagane, and I'm Sakyo's guardian. Can you please tell me what kind of medication you have Sakyo on?" I asked, as a brown-haired woman looked up at me, but when she looked at me in disbelief, I pulled out my credentials to show her along with a letter from my lawyer stating that I was Sakyo's guardian.
"Here you go ma'am. This is a list of the medications that the doctors have Mr. Kurayami on." The nurse said, handing me the list. I quickly looked it over and realized that the medication that Yu had told me made him feel like he was a mindless doll was on it.
I asked, "Why did the doctor prescribe this?" as I pointed to the medication in question. The nurse looked at the medication before turning to her computer and typing it into the system.
"The doctor prescribed it for Mr. Kurayami's nightmares. Is there a problem with this medication?" the nurse asked, looking at me again.
"My other son was on this medication for his separation anxiety, and from what he told me, it made him feel numb," I explained to the woman.
"Ah yes, while this medication is more for sleep than for anxiety, but if you would like Mr. Kurayami on a different type, then I can let the doctor know right away." The nurse said, looking at me before reaching over to pick up the phone.
"Can you have the doctor meet us in Sakyo's room? I want to hear how Sakie feels about this medication before we do anything," I said, looking towards the noise coming from the room.
"I'll have the doctor meet you in the room, Mrs. Kurayami," the nurse said, clearly not catching my name earlier. I stopped in my tracks and turned back to the nurse.
"My name isn't Kurayami; it's Hagane. Recently Sakyo came into my care after the death of his mother…she was a good friend of mine from there." I said holding up my right-hand forefinger bent down. I had noticed when the nurse had reached out to pick up the phone, the nurse was missing her right forefinger. The nurse copied my gesture before nodding her head in understanding.
"Hang on Hagane…Odette the angel with swan's wings. I'm Mei Hiryuin, I used to be Mei Ito, you probably don't remember me…I have a question for you, is it alright if me and my husband put you down as our son's guardian should anything ever happen to us?" Mei said walking with me to the room that Sakyo was in.
"I do remember you and Kei Hiryuin both, you were so kind to me during my time in the camps... As for your question, I would be honored if you named me your son's guardian." I said as we made our way towards the room. When we got into the room, I saw Tsubasa, a little blonde boy about five years of age, a blonde curly haired man, and Sakyo. Sakyo was playing with the younger boy quietly, which would have caused me to worry if not for the fact that Sakyo was smiling and talking with the boy.
"Dr. Hiryuin, I didn't know that you were here and with Shinobu too," Mei said as she reached out to take the little boy from the bed.
"While I wanted to stop by and check in on Mr. Kurayami before he goes home, I got to meet Tsubasa Otori, and while you know how much Shinobu loves to play with my patients," Dr. Hiryuin said sitting down on the foot of the bed. I looked over at Mei before holding my hands out for the little boy. Shinobu clawed his way back over to Sakyo and started playing with him again. I sat next to them and picked up five-year-old, holding him on my lap.
"That reminds me Kei, do you remember this young lady?" Mei asked, looking between me and her husband. It took him a few minutes of looking at me before the memory clicked in his head.
"How could I forget the angel with swan's wings. Lady Odette it is so good to see you again. Now I notice that this young man looks just like Anja Schneider…is this her son with that man?" Dr. Hiryuin said turning to talk with me.
"Yes, this is their son Sakyo Kurayami. I'm not sure if it has spread through the information network; but Anja is dead, she was killed on September 27th. Also, I don't think this is the end of Galaxy Nexus, I'm worried they might go after more bladers." I said looking at my fiancé and the Hiryuin couple.
"Are you sure about that, Lady Odette?" Dr. Hiryuin asked, looking at me.
"I'm positive because no matter what they would never have let me get away a second time. The Galaxy Nexus had nothing to do with Nemesis, they were controlling Nemesis, trying to take over the world." I said stopping the two children fighting over the teddy bear. It was then that Mei picked up her son from my lap while Tsubasa took Sakyo.
"Uncle Tsubasa, when can I go home with you and Auntie Odette?" Sakyo asked, looking up at my fiancé. I sighed before turning to Dr. Hiryuin.
"Kei, are you the person who put Sakyo on this medication?" I asked, holding out the list with the one I was concerned about circled.
"Yes, Sakyo was having a hard time sleeping at night so I put him on it…is there a problem?" Kei said as he looked over the list.
"My other son Yu, he was on some medication for his separation anxiety but he told me that it made him feel like he wasn't in his own body, it also made him numb." I said taking the list back from him.
"That makes sense; this medication is more for sleep than for anxiety. But it might have also reacted with a different medication that your son was taking…can I see his list of medications?" Kei said, holding his hand out for the list I carry in my bag at all times, mostly for emergencies. I handed the list to him before reaching out to take Sakyo.
"Ah, I see he was on a medication in this one drug class and when added with the one you are worried about it causes the patient to feel like they are not connected to their bodies and that they are emotionally numb. If you look at the list of Mr. Kurayami's medication list you will see that he isn't on any medications in the same drug class as the one that your son was on." Kei said showing me the two lists side by side.
"Okay that makes me feel better. Okay now that we have talked about that I think it is time for us to get going. I have an office to clean out to make a room for Sakyo." I said before Tsubasa started laughing.
"I called in help from Team Wang Hu Zhong, Team Excalibur, and our friends including your brother, to clean out the office and our female friends have already started decorating the room for Sakie," Tsubasa said, dodging my hand as I tried to hit his arm. Or at least it would've been before he fell off the bed onto his back.
"You deserve it Basa." I said standing up with Sakyo in my arms.
"You know that you are just downright evil," Tsubasa said, looking up at me.
"I'm not evil, I'm your fiancé. And once we stop Galaxy Nexus, I will be your wife until death do us part. And even after death I will be by your side every day." I said holding out my hand to help Tsubasa to his feet. He took my hand and instead of me pulling him to his feet, Tsubasa pulled me down to hold me close by. He also gave me a kiss on the lips.
"Ew... no kissing." Sakyo said, peeking her head between me and Tsubasa. We watched as she crawled out from between the two of us and sat down on the floor. I started laughing while Tsubasa rolled his eyes, then kissed my nose. I sighed before getting to my feet, holding my hand out to Tsubasa once again. This time, instead of trying to trick me, Tsubasa took my hand and pulled himself up off the floor. I pulled Tsubasa into a kiss on the lips. It was rare for the two of us to show any form of public display of affection. Sakyo jumped in between our legs, pushing us apart.
"Ewe gross," Sakyo said once Tsubasa was on his feet. I rolled my eyes before reaching down to pick the little boy up, it was then that I noticed that Sakyo was wearing the same clothing as the day he was brought in. Which was a stiff white button up, black pants, and a bow tie, I could remember wearing an outfit very similar to that when I was a little girl. It was the day after my mother's funeral, my grandfather had the maids that worked at his house dress me in this stiff white button up, black skirt.
"Tsubasa, did anyone pick up clothes for Sakyo?" I asked as Tsubasa started signing Sakyo out of the hospital. Mei had a bag of medication in hand, which Tsubasa quickly took and put in my bag, which was slung over his shoulder. As we were leaving the ward, I noticed that Nana had been sitting on a bench reading a book.
"Are you finally done, Aki and Tsubasa?" Nana asked without even looking up from her book.
"Yes Nana. We are now going home with Sakyo," I said before heading to the elevator still carrying the young red-headed boy in my arms.
"I don't see a point in following you three down to the entrance, just remember what Akari said, take your medication as prescribed. And no coffee Tsubasa, Aki if he doesn't get enough sleep for the next couple of days bring him in for a check-up." Nana said picking up her items and heading back up to her ward.
"And don't forget your inhaler, Aki Hagane," Nana called over her shoulder as I tried to downplay the tightness in my chest. I sighed and held my hand out for the medical apparatus, which I knew was in Tsubasa's pocket.
"How she knew is a mystery to me," I said, shaking the apparatus as I walked over to the elevator. I took two puffs of the medication, which helped release the pressure in my chest. It took a total of fifteen minutes to get from the fifth floor to the main floor, where Julian's butler was waiting for us again. I sighed, thinking that this day couldn't get any longer until a small body crashed full speed into my legs. I only had a second to catch Yu and to regain my balance before all three of us fell to the ground in a heap. Somehow, I managed this endeavor, even when I wasn't at 100%.
"Yu, be careful. You could've hurt both your mom and little brother." Tsubasa said pulling the pouting 13-year-old from his spot clinging to my legs. Yu quickly let go of me before turning to his father ashamed by his behavior. Klaus must have spoken with my son about trying not to cause trouble for me and Tsubasa.