Forget Me Not

(5)

Akuma has always been known as a cold and uncaring person by his colleagues and friends. They believed that if Akuma were to ever come across a child bleeding helplessly on the verge of death, he would simply turn away and leave said child to die.

That, however, seemed to be disproven as he ventured out on a Saturday night, searching for a bakery so he could buy his wife and daughter pastries to eat in themorning.

As he walked past the quiet street, he paused as he sensed someone coming up behind him and turned around, wondering if it had anything to do with the loud noise he heard seconds ago. He had spent most of his life training anyway so whatever enemy life had to throw at him, he was ready for it.

Although, it didn't seem like an enemy. His grey eyes widened in surprise as a child came limping out of the dark, completely covered in blood. Hurriedly, he rushed to the boy's side.

"Hey, can you hear me? Are you okay? Ah, shit, what kind of question was that; he's obviously not okay." Akuma rambled.

"H-help m-" the boy broke into a coughing fit, causing blood to fly from his mouth onto Akuma's clothes.

"Shit..." Akuma murmured and just carried the boy bridal style, running to the closest hospital.

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Akuma sat nervously in the waiting room before he decided to call his wife and let her know he wouldn't be home that night.

Of course, she was obviously upset but didn't worry too much especially since he decided to leave out the fact that he had brought a dying child to the hospital.

Why, you may ask?

Well, his daughter had recently fallen ill and his wife had been worrying and stressing herself out nonstop. He didn't want her to worry even more and just decided to let her know once the boy got better.

He spent over thirteen hours in the waiting room, walking back and forth, mumbling to himself as he waited for any news on the boy.

After a few minutes, the doctor came out, walking in the direction of the man. "Mr Yūji?" Akuma turned to the doctor, "Is he alive?"

"He's in a stable condition. It's a miracle he even managed to survive. He was stabbed several times in his stomach, left arm and lower back; a total of twenty four stabs were found on him. Then there was also the fact that there was damage to the part of the brain which controls emotions and memories."

"So, that means..."

"Yes, there is a chance he won't remember a lot when he wakes up."

Akuma nodded in understanding and followed the doctor into the hospital room.

Grey eyes examined the boy who lay limply on the bed, the only sign of him being alive was the beeping from the heart monitor and the slow rise and fall of his chest.

"Maybe you should call one of your family members to bring some clothes for you to change into. I doubt the boy would be willing to see a stranger covered in blood when he first wakes up." Akuma looked down and chuckled in embarrassment.

He stepped out of the room and called his wife once more, "Kimi? Good morning, sweetheart."

"Kuma? Where are you? I was so worried..."

"Sorry, sweetheart. Don't freak out but I kinda need you to help me bring a change of clothes to xxx hospital; mine's covered in blood. The blood isn't mine, so calm down. "

"That doesn't calm me down in the slightest. What even happened?"

"I'll fill you in once you get here. Is Akina feeling any better?" he asked worriedly. "Yeah, her fever's gone down and she woke up a while ago asking for you."

"Is there anyone who can babysit her until we get back? I don't want her to have to see this."

"I can ask my mother to come over. But Kuma, you're really scaring me here..."

"Please, just try to calm down. I promise the worst part is over. Just call your mother and hurry over here. And tell Akina I said I love her, hm?"

"Oh, alright. You better not be lying, Kuma or I'll put you in the hospital myself."

Akuma nearly laughed to himself as his brain provided a mental image of an angry gremlin running up to him to hurt him, "Alright. I love you, Kimi."

He hung up and sat down on the chair provided in the room, focusing his attention back on the boy.