Post by Seito Risa on Sept 10, 2013 17:25:54 GMT -5
Pain. Her arm was screaming like nothing she had felt before. The big lug who had ahold of it wouldn't let go, no matter how much she squirmed, wriggled and kicked. She had seen Jet take Eden out. She understood what he had done and, after making sure Eden would be able to participate in the Main Event, Risa stepped back to the ring. Somers and Pierce would be counting on her now more than ever. She had wanted to make them proud. To make Ichiro proud. Feeling the life drain from Hanneman as she held him in the Phoenix Cry gave her an odd sense of satisfaction. A minor taste of payback. With the odds evened, Chaos and Cypress against herself and Jet, Risa had set herself for what she knew would be physical and brutal. She thought of that as she exchanged blows with whichever of DMW's big two had entered the ring. She didn't even care which it was. She was fighting for her life and for her friends now. However, going toe to toe with someone who throws men his own size through pool tables for kicks proved to be the wrong move. She felt she still had a chance. Despite getting battered, she could still see, breathe and move. And then, her arm got caught and she didn't see, but felt, the impact of the fist right into her heart. The force of the blow causing an interruption in her body's flow. She collapsed. From there it was only vague memory. Pain. Her arm screaming like nothing she had ever felt before....
=====
Ichiro saw Risa crumple on the monitor and was in motion. He nearly made it to the hallway to the entry when he was stopped by Ooley, who was hanging out there with his baseball bat, Louie.
O: "And just where do you think you're going?"
I: "Out of my way."
O: "Oooo. Or what, you'll knock me out?"
I: "Out...of...my...way."
Ooley gave him a cool look.
O: "Okay. No problem."
He steps aside. But before Ichiro moves...
I: "But if you go out there, I'm cancelling both of your contracts immediately."
Ichiro froze. Indecision. That was the only moment it took for Ooley to step in front of him, smiling.
O: "See? Not such a difficult thing I ask, is it? You wait back here for her. While we see which of the remaining Devil's Most Wanted cashes in."
Ichiro's eyes narrow.
I: "What do you mean?"
Ooley shrugged.
O: "I've only heard rumors mind you, that someone has put some rather handsome cash on having your little lady friend taken out."
Ichiro's blood ran hot and cold at the same time. The sniveling weasel before him knew he had him over a barrel. Ichiro needed only a moment to make his choice, but before he could move, ring attendants came to the back, three of them. One holding Risa's left arm up before her, the other two walking her as best as they could to the back. She had little color left to her, her eyes were pale and dark. Her t-shirt and jeans were both ripped. Her right eye almost swollen shut. The attendants stopped. Ichiro moved to take Risa from them. Somehow, by instinct, Risa held her arm against her, an unnatural lump protruding from it.
O: "Oh dear, the little birdie has a broken wing. Tsk, tsk."
Ichiro turned a darkened look at Ooley, who laughed and sauntered away.
SR: "I-Ichi-kun?"
Ichiro looked at her.
I: "I'm here. Let's get you to the trainers. Can you walk?"
Risa nodded, or it looked like a nod. Ichiro shifted his grip, his arm around her shoulders.
I: "How much do you remember?"
SR: "Not much after Hanneman."
Ichiro nodded, guiding Risa gently by her shoulders. Her head jerked up.
SR: "Ichi-kun...I..."
Her eyes rolled up into her head, she pitched forward onto the floor with a dull splat. Ichiro immediately diving to her side, yelling for trainers, for help...
=====
Ichiro looked at the screen of his cell. No answer there either. He left a message.
I: "Mister Pierce, this is Ichiro. I need to talk to you. I also would like to ask how Miss Morgan is. I understand things are probably very hectic right now. I'm at the Cleveland Clinic with Risa. Looks like I will be here a while. Please text or call at your convenience."
He disconnected the call. Things had gone wrong. So terribly wrong. The family they had befriended had lost their home. A text from Jordan King had informed him of Zane Scott's victory. At this moment, Ichiro wanted nothing more than to punch a hole in something. He took a deep breath. He wanted to calm himself with mental exercises, but there weren't enough in the universe to completely calm him. He thought back to Risa collapsing, her one good hand leaving her badly broken arm to reach for him, as if she were falling from a cliff. He had tried to move to catch her, but she twisted in an almost unnatural way to the floor, leaving him only able to feel his own heart stop. He still wasn't sure, even now, that it had restarted. He sat in the waiting room of the Cleveland Clinic, waiting. The nurse had told him the Doctor would come see him when there was anything to say. That was nearly half an hour ago. With nothing breakable but a hand full of eight ounce foam cups, he sat there, tensed like a caged animal. He became aware of this, especially in his shoulders. If he could not force his mind to calm, he could certainly calm his body. This became his concentration. He had no idea how much time had passed when the Doctor gently nudged him awake.
Doctor: "Ichiro?"
Ichiro nodded, uncoiling from his seat and standing.
Doctor: "Doctor DeTona. I want to go over a couple of things with you. First, as you know, your friend's arm is not in the best of shape. We were able to reset the bone and it will heal fine with a little time. Now, as for why she fainted, it wasn't the pain. We've seen it a few times on our monitors since she was brought in. We want to keep her for 48 hours for observation. She has been having momentary irregular heartbeats. Has she suffered any trauma to that area?"
I: "Hai. Yes, she has. She got punched right over it."
The Doctor nodded.
DD: "That would explain the bruises then. There is a bruise on the heart muscle itself. It will heal and be fine, but she needs to remain calm. She is awake right now, but somewhat sedated. She will know you are there, she can talk, she just can't do much else. If all goes well after 48 hours, I think she'll be clear. If not..."
The Doctor lets that trail off.
I: "I understand, Doctor. I need to see her."
The Doctor nodded.
DD: "This way. You can't stay long, a few minutes tops. I'm sorry."
Ichiro followed him.
I: "There is no need to apologize. You have my deepest gratitude."
The Doctor stepped up to a door marked "ICU WING" and turned, smiling.
DD: "It's my job, Mister Ichiro, to save lives and help those in need. But it is good to know that it is appreciated."
Ichiro bows to him, the Doctor, not being a fool, understood and waited for Ichiro to stand erect again before opening the door. The hallway was wide, not too brightly lit and lined on either side with a half dozen wooden doors. All but two stood open. Ichiro followed the Doctor to the door on the left, and stepped back as the Doctor opened the door and entered.
DD: "Miss Seito? You have a visitor."
The Doctor stepped aside and motioned Ichiro in. Ichiro entered and stopped in the doorway, imagining himself in the same position as what he saw. Risa looked very small in the oversized bed. An IV is hooked to her, a number of monitoring machines attached to her here and there. The Doctor crossed and turned off the speaker on the heart monitor.
DD: "We can monitor that from the nurses station and from the ICU desk. I'll be back for you in fifteen minutes."
Ichiro nodded and watched the Doctor leave. He turned, fighting the urge to cry.
I must be strong. It is what she expects, it is what she needs right now.
Steeling himself with that thought he crossed to the stool on casters and sat down gently, careful it didn't roll out from under him. Risa's right arm moved, the hand extending out to him. Her left was heavily bandaged and immobilized by a sling hanging just over her upper stomach, it seemed a natural enough position. She showed no signs of discomfort from that. He gently took her hand in both of his.
SR: "Ichi-kun."
She croaked. He reached out and stroked her cheek.
SR: "How did...we do?"
Ichiro smiled, a sad but amused smile.
I: "Not so good, Risa-kun."
Risa's eyes closed. A tear ran down her cheek, leaving a wet spot on the pillowcase.
SR: "How are they?"
Ichiro shook his head.
I: "I don't know. As soon as the ambulance came I left with you. Only Miss Morgan made it to the Main Event. I have messages out to them, but they have not responded. They are probably too busy right now dealing with their own issues. When they have time, perhaps I will hear."
Risa nodded. She looked pale and very fragile. Her eyes were dull. Her hair was even dull. It hurt to see her like this. He began to understand how she must have felt, watching over him every night...
SR: "Ichi-kun. You promised."
Ichiro nodded.
I: "I did. The message I left for Mister Somers included me saying that you had asked me to help them in any way that I am able. I don't know if I will be asked to, but I will try."
She blinked.
SR: "So tired."
Ichiro nodded.
I: "You can stay here and rest. Rest is what will help you the most."
She nodded, her eyes closing.
SR: "I guess...I was...wrong."
Ichiro gave her a look of concern. Her eyes opened. Still dull but at least, from what he could tell, focused on him.
SR: "We both...made it...through."
Ichiro couldn't hold the tears back any longer at that. He ducked his head and wept softly for a moment. Until he felt Risa's hand, such as she was able, squeeze his.
SR: "I'm here. Ichi-kun."
He nodded, caught his breath. From a box of tissue left nearby he removed the top and blew in it after wiping his eyes. This he deposits in the trash can. As he stood there, looking at her, the Doctor came in. Ichiro nodded to him.
I: "Can I leave something with her?"
The Doctor nodded.
DD: "Of course."
He returned to Risa's side and took her right hand. He raised it a little and from his pocket produced the leather charm. This he slid over her hand and tied into a knot around her wrist, so that the stones rested easily in her palm. Risa's eyes teared over and she nodded in appreciation.
I: "I will see about getting the room extended. If not I'll find another hotel. I'm not going to leave until you do."
Risa attempted to smile. Ichiro turned to the Doctor.
I: "Take good care of her Doctor. Anyone who doesn't will answer to me."
The Doctor quirked an eyebrow.
DD: "Believe me, I will do my best."
Ichiro nodded.
I: "I know you will. And you'd do better dealing with me. Dealing with her? Whole other ballgame."
The Doctor smiled. Risa giggled softly.
SR: "Good night, Ichi-kun."
I: "Good night, Risa-kun."
He stepped out into the hallway. The Doctor walked him back to the front. He stepped through the double doors and out to where a trio of Taxi's stood. He had to return to the arena for Risa's gear and the rental car. As he approached the cab, his mind returned to a line of thought he had held at bay.
This will not go unanswered. Devil's Most Wanted. Ooley. Your clocks have started.
With a determined gate, he stopped at the first cab at the stand and popped the back door. He settled into the back seat, spoke to the driver and the cab pulled away...
=====
Ichiro saw Risa crumple on the monitor and was in motion. He nearly made it to the hallway to the entry when he was stopped by Ooley, who was hanging out there with his baseball bat, Louie.
O: "And just where do you think you're going?"
I: "Out of my way."
O: "Oooo. Or what, you'll knock me out?"
I: "Out...of...my...way."
Ooley gave him a cool look.
O: "Okay. No problem."
He steps aside. But before Ichiro moves...
I: "But if you go out there, I'm cancelling both of your contracts immediately."
Ichiro froze. Indecision. That was the only moment it took for Ooley to step in front of him, smiling.
O: "See? Not such a difficult thing I ask, is it? You wait back here for her. While we see which of the remaining Devil's Most Wanted cashes in."
Ichiro's eyes narrow.
I: "What do you mean?"
Ooley shrugged.
O: "I've only heard rumors mind you, that someone has put some rather handsome cash on having your little lady friend taken out."
Ichiro's blood ran hot and cold at the same time. The sniveling weasel before him knew he had him over a barrel. Ichiro needed only a moment to make his choice, but before he could move, ring attendants came to the back, three of them. One holding Risa's left arm up before her, the other two walking her as best as they could to the back. She had little color left to her, her eyes were pale and dark. Her t-shirt and jeans were both ripped. Her right eye almost swollen shut. The attendants stopped. Ichiro moved to take Risa from them. Somehow, by instinct, Risa held her arm against her, an unnatural lump protruding from it.
O: "Oh dear, the little birdie has a broken wing. Tsk, tsk."
Ichiro turned a darkened look at Ooley, who laughed and sauntered away.
SR: "I-Ichi-kun?"
Ichiro looked at her.
I: "I'm here. Let's get you to the trainers. Can you walk?"
Risa nodded, or it looked like a nod. Ichiro shifted his grip, his arm around her shoulders.
I: "How much do you remember?"
SR: "Not much after Hanneman."
Ichiro nodded, guiding Risa gently by her shoulders. Her head jerked up.
SR: "Ichi-kun...I..."
Her eyes rolled up into her head, she pitched forward onto the floor with a dull splat. Ichiro immediately diving to her side, yelling for trainers, for help...
=====
Ichiro looked at the screen of his cell. No answer there either. He left a message.
I: "Mister Pierce, this is Ichiro. I need to talk to you. I also would like to ask how Miss Morgan is. I understand things are probably very hectic right now. I'm at the Cleveland Clinic with Risa. Looks like I will be here a while. Please text or call at your convenience."
He disconnected the call. Things had gone wrong. So terribly wrong. The family they had befriended had lost their home. A text from Jordan King had informed him of Zane Scott's victory. At this moment, Ichiro wanted nothing more than to punch a hole in something. He took a deep breath. He wanted to calm himself with mental exercises, but there weren't enough in the universe to completely calm him. He thought back to Risa collapsing, her one good hand leaving her badly broken arm to reach for him, as if she were falling from a cliff. He had tried to move to catch her, but she twisted in an almost unnatural way to the floor, leaving him only able to feel his own heart stop. He still wasn't sure, even now, that it had restarted. He sat in the waiting room of the Cleveland Clinic, waiting. The nurse had told him the Doctor would come see him when there was anything to say. That was nearly half an hour ago. With nothing breakable but a hand full of eight ounce foam cups, he sat there, tensed like a caged animal. He became aware of this, especially in his shoulders. If he could not force his mind to calm, he could certainly calm his body. This became his concentration. He had no idea how much time had passed when the Doctor gently nudged him awake.
Doctor: "Ichiro?"
Ichiro nodded, uncoiling from his seat and standing.
Doctor: "Doctor DeTona. I want to go over a couple of things with you. First, as you know, your friend's arm is not in the best of shape. We were able to reset the bone and it will heal fine with a little time. Now, as for why she fainted, it wasn't the pain. We've seen it a few times on our monitors since she was brought in. We want to keep her for 48 hours for observation. She has been having momentary irregular heartbeats. Has she suffered any trauma to that area?"
I: "Hai. Yes, she has. She got punched right over it."
The Doctor nodded.
DD: "That would explain the bruises then. There is a bruise on the heart muscle itself. It will heal and be fine, but she needs to remain calm. She is awake right now, but somewhat sedated. She will know you are there, she can talk, she just can't do much else. If all goes well after 48 hours, I think she'll be clear. If not..."
The Doctor lets that trail off.
I: "I understand, Doctor. I need to see her."
The Doctor nodded.
DD: "This way. You can't stay long, a few minutes tops. I'm sorry."
Ichiro followed him.
I: "There is no need to apologize. You have my deepest gratitude."
The Doctor stepped up to a door marked "ICU WING" and turned, smiling.
DD: "It's my job, Mister Ichiro, to save lives and help those in need. But it is good to know that it is appreciated."
Ichiro bows to him, the Doctor, not being a fool, understood and waited for Ichiro to stand erect again before opening the door. The hallway was wide, not too brightly lit and lined on either side with a half dozen wooden doors. All but two stood open. Ichiro followed the Doctor to the door on the left, and stepped back as the Doctor opened the door and entered.
DD: "Miss Seito? You have a visitor."
The Doctor stepped aside and motioned Ichiro in. Ichiro entered and stopped in the doorway, imagining himself in the same position as what he saw. Risa looked very small in the oversized bed. An IV is hooked to her, a number of monitoring machines attached to her here and there. The Doctor crossed and turned off the speaker on the heart monitor.
DD: "We can monitor that from the nurses station and from the ICU desk. I'll be back for you in fifteen minutes."
Ichiro nodded and watched the Doctor leave. He turned, fighting the urge to cry.
I must be strong. It is what she expects, it is what she needs right now.
Steeling himself with that thought he crossed to the stool on casters and sat down gently, careful it didn't roll out from under him. Risa's right arm moved, the hand extending out to him. Her left was heavily bandaged and immobilized by a sling hanging just over her upper stomach, it seemed a natural enough position. She showed no signs of discomfort from that. He gently took her hand in both of his.
SR: "Ichi-kun."
She croaked. He reached out and stroked her cheek.
SR: "How did...we do?"
Ichiro smiled, a sad but amused smile.
I: "Not so good, Risa-kun."
Risa's eyes closed. A tear ran down her cheek, leaving a wet spot on the pillowcase.
SR: "How are they?"
Ichiro shook his head.
I: "I don't know. As soon as the ambulance came I left with you. Only Miss Morgan made it to the Main Event. I have messages out to them, but they have not responded. They are probably too busy right now dealing with their own issues. When they have time, perhaps I will hear."
Risa nodded. She looked pale and very fragile. Her eyes were dull. Her hair was even dull. It hurt to see her like this. He began to understand how she must have felt, watching over him every night...
SR: "Ichi-kun. You promised."
Ichiro nodded.
I: "I did. The message I left for Mister Somers included me saying that you had asked me to help them in any way that I am able. I don't know if I will be asked to, but I will try."
She blinked.
SR: "So tired."
Ichiro nodded.
I: "You can stay here and rest. Rest is what will help you the most."
She nodded, her eyes closing.
SR: "I guess...I was...wrong."
Ichiro gave her a look of concern. Her eyes opened. Still dull but at least, from what he could tell, focused on him.
SR: "We both...made it...through."
Ichiro couldn't hold the tears back any longer at that. He ducked his head and wept softly for a moment. Until he felt Risa's hand, such as she was able, squeeze his.
SR: "I'm here. Ichi-kun."
He nodded, caught his breath. From a box of tissue left nearby he removed the top and blew in it after wiping his eyes. This he deposits in the trash can. As he stood there, looking at her, the Doctor came in. Ichiro nodded to him.
I: "Can I leave something with her?"
The Doctor nodded.
DD: "Of course."
He returned to Risa's side and took her right hand. He raised it a little and from his pocket produced the leather charm. This he slid over her hand and tied into a knot around her wrist, so that the stones rested easily in her palm. Risa's eyes teared over and she nodded in appreciation.
I: "I will see about getting the room extended. If not I'll find another hotel. I'm not going to leave until you do."
Risa attempted to smile. Ichiro turned to the Doctor.
I: "Take good care of her Doctor. Anyone who doesn't will answer to me."
The Doctor quirked an eyebrow.
DD: "Believe me, I will do my best."
Ichiro nodded.
I: "I know you will. And you'd do better dealing with me. Dealing with her? Whole other ballgame."
The Doctor smiled. Risa giggled softly.
SR: "Good night, Ichi-kun."
I: "Good night, Risa-kun."
He stepped out into the hallway. The Doctor walked him back to the front. He stepped through the double doors and out to where a trio of Taxi's stood. He had to return to the arena for Risa's gear and the rental car. As he approached the cab, his mind returned to a line of thought he had held at bay.
This will not go unanswered. Devil's Most Wanted. Ooley. Your clocks have started.
With a determined gate, he stopped at the first cab at the stand and popped the back door. He settled into the back seat, spoke to the driver and the cab pulled away...
2013, '18, '23 
2013 
