Where the Paths Take Me [COMPLETED]

Chapter 45 ~ Megumi and Hikari ~

The streets of Tokyo was crowded. It never stops being flooded by flows of people rushing over to their destinations. A slick black car stopped right in front of the hospital and there, Mirai Asuka stepped out in a pair of jeans and a black leather jacket, closing the car door shut behind her. She waved at her colleague, who nodded and drove away to find a proper parking space.

Asuka looked up at the hospital. A chill went down her spine when she remembered the last time she was admitted there.

"Damn, you never fully heal from a gun fight, huh.." she said to herself. She zipped up her jacket to properly hide the police badge on her belt and started to walk towards the reception desk.

Not that many people were there that day. But, it was still quite busy.

"Good morning, miss.. May I help you?" the nurse on duty greeted.

"Ah, I'm here to visit Mirai Hikari."

The nurse seemed to recognize the name immediately.

"Oh, the girl tranfered from the countryside hospital." Asuka was surprised but, she nodded anyway. "Let me properly check first though."

The nurse went to the back where shelves of files were placed. Asuka shoved her hand into her jeans pockets and looked around the place. It wasn't that different from two years ago. She got five bullets on her during a case and was rushed there immediately. Even with all the bullets safely taken out of her body, it was still a lot of pain to bear while healing. The scars were still evident on her and most women wouldn't like having scars. But, she takes them as battle scars that she can be proud of. She got those bullets from saving someone after all. She's glad she did that.

"Asuka-san?"

Asuka turned and saw Hokuto walking towards her.

"Yo, Hokuto.." Asuka raised her hand at her in a boyish wave. Hokuto waved back, just as boyishly and stopped in front of the light brown haired woman. Asuka looked behind Hokuto. Megumi wasn't there.

Hokuto noticed that. "You know how she is. She's with Hikari.."

Asuka sighed. "Yeah, I know.."

A moment later, the nurse came back with a file that had Hikari's name on it.

"Mirai-san is in room 217 but, only close relatives are allowed to enter. Also, the limit is two at a time.." the nurse informed.

"Okay," Asuka gave a thumbs up at the nurse. "Lead the way then, Hokuto."

"Sure.." Hokuto walked ahead, followed by Asuka.

_______

In Hikari's hospital room, Megumi sat at the chair placed next to the bed. It felt nostalgic in a way. Kind of like deja vu. It was at this same hospital that Hikari was admitted to on the day of the incident. Plus, she sat there alone, staring at Hikari like before. She brushed a strand of hair away from her sister's face, tucking it behind her ear. It was painful to see Hikari that way. Her condition got worse and since the town hospital didn't have enough equiptments for that case, they had to transfer her to the Tokyo Hospital.

"Hmm, I think this means I have to go soon."

"Hicchan.. Why did you say that?" Megumi asked. Somehow, she hoped that she would fall asleep and talk to Hikari again. She looked so beautiful. But there on the hospital bed was a different Hikari.

She was pale white. Her lips dry and chaped. Her hair was dry and untidy. She was so thin.

"Hicchan, when will you wake up? I really miss you.." Megumi stroked Hikari's forehead, careful not to touch any of the wires and tubes that the doctors had put on her. That fact only made it hurt more. Her only sister was lying there, alive.. But, she couldn't talk to her.