Point of Presence
Chapter 8: In Search
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I snapped up, leaping from the bed, causing myself to tangle my legs in the blankets and sheets. I fell to the floor, both my feet bound together, and uttered a caustic swear. I viciously kicked at the sheets, freeing myself, and lunged for the phone once again, my glasses not even crossing my mind. My fumbling hands found it on the fifth ring, and I lifted it from the cradle, catching my breath.
"Moshi moshi?" I asked as politely and audibly as possible. A sob from the other end greeted me. "Mistress? Sakura, what happened?"
"Yuki... " she sniffled. "I'm at the hospital. It's Oniichan. After you left, he got out of bed. He passed out at the top of the stairs, and--" I didn't hear the rest of her sentence. The phone fell from my hands and clattered to the floor. I sank to my knees next to it, and I could hear the faint buzz of Sakura's voice. With shaking hands, I lifted it back to my ear.
"Gomen nasai, what did you say?" I heard the tremor in my voice as I prayed.
"He fell down most of the stairs before Keroberos could catch him. The doctors don't know what's wrong with him, Yuki. He's real sick." She sobbed again. "We can't find Tousan. He's out on a dig until the end of the month, and the doctors won't let me see him, and--"
"Sakura, which hospital?" One of us needed to keep his wits about him.
"Grove," she answered after a moment. I'm in the waiting room with Kero."
"I'll be there as fast as I can."
"Arigotou, Yuki. Be careful."
"Hai," I said, turning the phone off. I stayed there on the floor, on my knees. The doctors didn't know what was wrong yet. Dozens of possibilities shot through my mind, none of them comforting. I felt myself begin to shapechange, reverting to the form and mental set of Yue, like I normally did when crises occurred. No, I reasoned with myself. Sakura needed to see Yukito. Not Yue. Not right now.
I stood, somewhat shakily, going to find clothes, cursing myself for sleeping in my boxers again.
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I got to the hospital shortly after three in the morning. I'd only taken on wings in Yukito's form for the urgency of the call. I needed to be there, and quickly. I followed Yue's instincts and found Sakura with ease. She was sitting in one if the chairs, cradling Kero against her chest. When she looked up, I saw that her gorgeous green eyes had turned pink and were filled to the brim with tears.
"Yuki... "
"They still haven't let you see him?" She shook her head. I took a seat next to the crying cardcaptor, placing a hand on her back, stilling the sob's tremors. She latched onto me, crying softly into my chest. I had been right the first time. This situation was clearly handled better by Yuki. I simply let her cry, stroking her back. She soon fell asleep in my arms. That made me wonder how long she'd actually been here.
I felt a nudge on my shoulder, and I turned to see Kero hovering there, posing as a toy. He landed, speaking softly to me. "She's been here all night. I'm worried."
"About Sakura? Or To-ya? And why didn't she call me sooner?" I realized, too late, that I'd used his nickname. Kero looked at me suspiciously before answering.
"I'm worried about both of them. And she didn't call you because when she saw Touya fall down the stairs, she went into shock. I had to call the emergency services. He just stood there, looked down at me, then keeled over. I know you're attached to him and all, but I don't think there's much we can do to help them right now." I looked over at him indignantly.
"What do you mean, I'm 'attached?' We're just friends. What are you implying?" It was his turn to look indignant.
"You know exactly what I'm implying. If he was simply a friend, I don't think he would've risked as much for your ass as he has. Denial has always been one of your favorite pastimes, Yue." I looked away, stung by his words.
"That hurt, Keroberos," I said softly, my voice filling with pain.
"I know, Yue. Love is like that. And for what it's worth," he said, nuzzling against my neck. "I miss Clow, too." Kero dropped from my shoulder to the bench and curled up in Sakura's arms. Her head rested on my lap, her breathing now even and quiet. It seemed like forever before a nurse -- a man in a blue scrubs -- stepped into the waiting room. Seeing that Sakura was asleep, he spoke softly.
"Kinomoto Touya is awake. You can see him now if you'd like. Room 800." I smiled my thanks and stood, careful not to wake the restful girl, and went off in search of Touya.