Recap: You were in the hospital, with your left lung paralyzed, spreading to her heart.
Rei saved her by using her machine, connecting her to Talisa so that the cells could multiply and replace the paralyzed cells.
Without looking up at his face, you leaned into him and he held you tight.
Quiz Start: "What are we going to do sir? Everything's falling apart!" a short man in a blue suit panicked. He proceeded to pace across the blue patterned carpet in his boss's office.
"That's enough!" his boss demanded. He was a tall, slightly overweight gentleman, just starting to grow a beard. He rubbed the stubble on his chin. "Bring him in," he ordered. A third man, almost identical to the other two opened the door. A strong faced boy walked in.
"What can I do for you?" the boy asked nonchalantly.
"How many attempts have you had? And not a single one has worked to prevent this from happening?!" the tall man skipped straight to the point. He liked to get business done quickly.
"The target is just strong-willed. We need one more chance and we can finish this for you," the boy didn't look at all intimidated. He spoke in a calm, commanding voice.
"Another nuisance is camped outside here, take care of him first," the man said before the doorman escorted the boy out.
"Good work sir!" the originally panicked man grinned. He stopped his pacing as his boss motioned for him to sit. "Here's the plan for when our 'hired help' fails." He broke into a whisper.
*~*click*~*
Rei helped you to Sakura's hospital room. Keiko and Mrs. Tate checked out of the hospital earlier in the day going home to a loving boyfriend and husband.
You however, stood over your best friend who was laying in a hospital bed with severe brain damage.
"Excuse me," you got the attention of the nearest nurse. "Could you tell me all you know about Sakura's condition?"
"I'm sorry, but we only give that information to family members," she replied.
"I'm her best friend and I think I can help her, does that count?"
"I'm sorry, the hospital's strict. There's nothing I can do," she shrugged and moved away.
"She's done a lot of research on the brain, and even developed a device combing the brain with the spirit of another, I think she can help," Rei defended you.
"I'm sorry.."
Max interrupted. "I'm her serious boyfriend, does that get any information?"
"What you suggest," she nodded toward Rei, "is highly impossible, and even if it were true, I still can't tell you that information, it's classified. But because you are her boyfriend," she nodded toward Max this time, "I can tell you however, that she could die anytime this week. Or else she'll become completely helpless and unaware of her surroundings," the nurse replied gravely before tending to Sakura.
"Come on," Rei whispered to you, giving Max an assuring nod and patted him on the back. You hugged him before Rei led you out of the room.
"Rei, by any chance, could you take me home?" you asked.
"I won't go against what the hospital thinks is right, so you're staying here for a few days to fully recover." As he was walking out, he stopped and turned briefly. "Oh yeah, I got your note. I made a copy for you to remember what you did," he threw a piece of paper onto your lap and disappeared through the door.
You slowly picked up the note and read it. Staring at it horrified, you cried.
Max was there to meet him at the door to Sakura's room. "You going to be okay?" he asked. Rei nodded solemnly.
"You're a great guy, you can do better," Max consoled.
"I guess.." was his faint reply. "Listen, I'm going home, I'll talk to you later," he headed out.
Man, he's taking that really hard, but I guess it's to be expected, Max walked over to Sakura and kissed her forehead before heading out as well.
As he passed your door, he stopped when he heard your sobs. He knocked. "Can I come in?" he asked softly.
You looked up and nodded. As Max walked in, you continued to stare at the note in your hand. "Here," he handed you a piece of paper. "Sakura's parents got the information you wanted. I hope it helps."
"Thanks," you almost whispered through your tears but your voice was loud enough to carry. He gave you a quick hug before going back to Sakura.
You fought back the tears until they stopped flowing. Your best friend was dieing and you intended to do something to stop it. Your love life was less important at the moment. Bypassing the nurses, you left the hospital.
A rock slipped from beneath Seth's foot. He was almost to the top of the cliff. Scaling it was much faster than hiking up, and he wanted very much to catch his enemy by surprise.
"I can do this," he breathed hard. "For mom, dad, and Nadia..."
"Nadia!" you heard Judy's voice from around the corner. "You're out of the hospital already?" When she saw your guilt-stricken but determined face, she dismissed the matter for the time being. "What do you need?" The question was followed by a smile.
"What an amazing device!" Judy exclaimed when a mutual conclusion was reached. After four hours of research, both Judy and yourself figured out how the device implanted in Sakura's brain worked, and hopefully how to get it out of her without causing permanent damage.
"Let's go," you followed Judy out the door and back to the hospital.
You placed your hand over Max's while in the waiting room. He looked in your direction and managed a faint smile. The emergency surgery was half way through; only half an hour remained.
"Is everything ready?"
"Yes, sir. All guns ready. Traps are set."
"Nadia," Sakura forced the words to come. "This happened to me in the huge corporate building in the mountains..." she paused. "They wanted either to have you death, or to get rid of me so you and Rei could never be together...something about how he can unlock something from you..I can't remember too clearly," she tried to focus and give more information. "I think those are the people who killed your mother."
'Seth...' you rushed out of the hospital for the second, and hopefully last, time of the day.
"Nadia, listen." Rei turned into your room to find your bed empty and nurses running around frantically to try and find her. The copy of the note was left behind. Rei grabbed it and headed out.
"Rei!" Max called him from the other end of the hall. "I know where Nadia is!"
"Go!" Seth called out his bit beast as it slashed his opponent. Guns went off in a panic as guard after guard were thrown to the floor. Seth evaded all and made it to the temporary shelter of a stairway.
By the time you had made it to the edge of the mountain, you were on you knees. Your lungs hadn't fully healed and you were finding it rather difficult to breathe.
However, she started her frantic run up the mountain. Scaling it would be too dangerous in her condition.
"You're surrounded punk, put your hands up and leave your blade on the ground!" one of the guards called out.
'In your dreams.' Seth's blade launched in seconds, littering the floor with more bodies. Still alive of course, just unable to use the guns.
When you finally reached the building and got inside, you laid against the wall to regain your breath. However, you were right next to a wounded body, crying out for help. You'd have to come back and get him later. When you heard gunshots, you shot off, adrenaline running through your blood.
Four flights of stairs later, you could actually see your brother in the distance. As you approached, bodies fell to the floor, only one remaining upright. "Chris?" you called?
He fired his gun. Time seemed to creep by as you ran in front of your brother, whom you hated most of your life.
Seth launched Hareke, hitting Chris dead-on, causing the second shot to miss its mark and sending the gun clattering on the floor.
You braced for the impact but none came. Instead, you caught Rei in your arms.
A man stepped out of the shadows. "Nice work Chris. I knew you wouldn't let me down," he smirked.
"Dad?" Seth stood with Hareke ready to be launched, his father with his hand at his gun.
"Go ahead Nadia. Show us what you can do," your father taunted.
A tear slid down your cheek as you stared down at Rei's pained face. He was shot in the chest as well as the leg.
"What is he talking about?" Seth asked you without removing his gaze from his father.
"I..I don't know.." you stuttered.
"Don't play dumb with me. If you want him to live, he needs to be healed."
*~*click*~*
I hope you liked it!! One more chapter left! Chapter 21 release date= 8/25/07 Please rate, pick and message! Thanks!!
