Fan Fiction ❯ Chosen ❯ Life Goes On ( Chapter 9 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chosen....
Author: Byakko Rei


Chapter 9
Life Goes On

Yuriko's fever induced nightmares had finally begun to subside and allowed her more lucid moments. She was still in no shape to work and was relieved when Kishi granted her permission to stay home until she completely recovered physically from their ordeal. Being bedridden, of course, meant she could do little else but dream... and think. A few plans hatched and began to percolate about in her fertile mind.

When Yuriko had 'innocently' asked after Kaori's well being, Midori had informed her that no visitors other than immediate family were allowed to see her. Yuriko hoped she would be able to implement her ideas while the kunoichi was still in the hospital....

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Yuriko lounged in luxurious slothfulness in her lover's bed. Midori had already cleaned the stitched wounds on her upper arm, then medicated and bandaged them carefully. She was currently in the kitchen fixing them both breakfast. Yuriko sighed happily when Midori made her entrance at last and carried the food over. The author set the tray down on the bedside cabinet and began pouring tea into cups.

"I could get used to this... a paid vacation and a beautiful nurse who tends to my every need!" she quipped cheekily then grinned widely at her raven-haired goddess.

Midori frowned slightly. "And just who says I'm going to wait on you hand and foot all day?! I plan to write and largely ignore you," Midori responded indignantly, then smiled as Yuriko's lower lip stuck out petulantly. "Don't worry, you won't be bored... Kishi had these dropped by today." Midori plopped some scripts and envelopes onto the bed next to the blond and pressed Yuriko's bottom lip back in with a manicured pointer finger.

Yuriko moaned pathetically, "That traitor! I should have known a paid vacation meant 'work from home'." Her eyes lit up hopefully. "Wanna help me with these?"

Midori leaned forward and kissed Yuriko's warm forehead. "Nope... you two are on your own," she said indicating the stack of unwanted work. She handed her mate some pills and some water. "Take your antibiotics. We can't have you getting worse from an infection!" Midori mentioned with a wink. She gathered the finished breakfast dishes and loaded the tray up. "If you need anything, just yell." Then she swept out of the room.

"I just need you!" Yuriko uttered morosely. Her emotions were still raw from the images her recent nightmares had brought to bear.

Midori had been distant with her since their return, and when questioned about it, the author had insisted firmly that she didn't want to aggravate any injuries. Yuriko had a notion that Midori's evasiveness was more than just simple concern... her lover was plainly avoiding her.

Perhaps Midori somehow felt responsible for the injuries, she speculated... but that was utterly ridiculous! Though, her lover certainly spent an inordinate amount of care dressing the grievous wounds... in fact, it was the most intimacy Midori had afforded her. Yuriko began to wonder what reality had been imposed on her partner by Mami Tatsujin. She wished Midori would talk about it. She sighed again for the umptieth time.

When Yuriko finished going through the scripts and letters, she set her glasses on the bedside table and sank her weary head onto a soft pillow. 'I feel like a truck ran over me,' she thought sleepily as she began to doze off. Unconscious within minutes, Yuriko was never aware that Midori had come back into the room to watch her sleep.

Midori grasped Yuriko's hand with one of her own, stroking her fingers through damp blond bangs gently with the other. "I'm afraid, Yuri," she whispered, then implored, "please be patient with me..." Forcing a rising lump down, she elaborated, "I know that Mami Tatsujin set us up with a mutual conclusion in our alternate realities. I'm having a really hard time dealing with it, Yuri... it seemed so realistic! I can't look at you now without seeing myself panic and shove a switchblade into you... and the sorrow on your face will probably haunt me forever...."

Midori stifled a sob, then continued, "You seem so vulnerable right now, Yuri! These wounds... they aren't normal," she bit her lip, "Kishi and Kaori aren't bouncing right back either. I know it's silly, but I'm scared to death you won't recuperate," she confessed finally.

Midori leaned over to lightly kiss Yuriko's soft, slightly parted lips. "You have to get better Yuri... I don't want to live without you!" She stood abruptly and let go of the limp hand she held tenderly. "I'm not myself without you," she owned. Midori smiled faintly, then left the room.

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< br> Yuriko woke up feeling a little more refreshed. It seemed she had slept through the night. She rose and sauntered into the living room with her mysteriously tidied paperwork, kissing Midori's cheek as she passed her on the way to the kitchen.

"Want some tea?" the blonde asked reaching for the tea tin.

"Mmmm-hmmm... " Midori murmured absently while she typed. The cup of tea was set next to the keyboard and Midori became uncomfortably aware that Yuriko was hovering. Knowing her mate wanted attention, she sighed softly. "Did Kishi send over anything interesting?"

Yuriko perked up instantly. "Yeah, there was something of interest. Kishi secured for me a voice actress job in an up-coming anime, and, I've been invited to be a guest at an Anime convention! Something called 'Yuricon'," she enthused.

Midori rolled her chocolate brown eyes. "You're making that up just to get a rise out of me!" she retorted.

Yuriko feigned a hurt look. "It's true! See for yourself." She plopped an opened letter onto the keyboard.

Midori dutifully indulged her beaming partner and looked at it. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I don't believe it! Mmmm, they're asking for poster submissions... are you going to submit anything?"

Yuriko looked sheepish. "Well, no... but an idea *had* crossed my mind. The problem is, I don't have much time and I need help getting around for a day or two... " She smiled engagingly at the busy author and arched an eyebrow expectantly.

Uh-oh. Any resolve Midori had for getting work done began to crumble when she caught a glimpse of those pleading pools of blue. She groaned helplessly, "All right. This goes against my better judgment... but I'll help you bathe and get dressed."


To be continued....