Kira paced the hall furiously. Almost as soon as Kotorii had gone unconscious, the tiny room became packed with people. She was ushered out of the room, much to her protesting. She was too emotional, they said. Kira knew they were right, but that didn’t make her feel any better. She wanted to help her best friend. She had stood outside the room and watched helplessly as they worked on her best friend. The next thing she knew Kotorii was being wheeled to the OR. No one would tell her anything.
So, now she was in the OR waiting room cursing herself. She wasn’t sure why, but she continued anyway. Her shift was supposed to last until 7pm. Kotorii was brought into the emergency room just before 6pm and Kira’s supervisor had let her off early to go be with Kotorii. It was now after 8pm and Kotorii had been in surgery for about 20 minutes.
Everything seemed to be happening too fast. Yet, now that Kotorii was in surgery, everything was moving too slow. Kira thought about Kotorii’s request for her to try to find out if Hitoshi was okay. She didn’t want to leave the OR, but she knew that it would be awhile before Kotorii would be out. She walked down the hall to one of the tech stations and asked to borrow a computer with internet access. She was directed into a corner with a laptop on the desk.
The computer didn’t have aol instant messenger so she had to use the Quick Buddy. She signed on her name and entered Tidal Wave in the information box. A message blinked to tell her that the user was not signed on. A flash of anger rippled through her.
“You’d think he’d be on here to try to see if she is okay. What an...” She stopped herself. That wasn’t fair. If something had happened to him, of course he wouldn’t be on. She still couldn’t squash the feelings of blame towards him even though Kotorii insisted it was her own fault. More than anything Kira was just being a protective friend and the thought of losing Kotorii was too much to consider. She sighed and shut down the screen. She thanked the tech that let her use the computer and headed back towards the waiting room. She waited for another hour before someone came out to address her.
“Kotoriiacy Hulford?”
Kira rushed over to the man in green scrubs that had just emerged through the double doors. “How is she?!”
The man frowned. “Her kidneys shut down due to the overdose. We tried to repair them, but there was already some scar tissue.”
Kira’s eyes widened. “I remember her telling me that when she was younger she got a little bit of damage from one of the medications she was on.”
The doctor nodded. “Whenever there is a trauma to the body like with what happened with Kotoriiacy, it is common for a major organ to shut down. Since her kidneys were weaker than normal, those would be the most likely to shut down.” He explained.
“That makes sense. Were you able to repair them?” Kira asked anxiously.
“No. Between the scar tissue and what her body just went through, it was impossible. She is going to need dialysis until she can receive a transplant.” He frowned again. “Of course, she may not want a transplant. If she had no desire to live...”
Kira bristled. “She didn’t want to die. She...” She stopped, not knowing how to finish what she was wanting to say. Of course she couldn’t tell this man what had happened. Then the realization of Kotorii needing a transplant sank in. Her eyes filled with tears. “When can I see her?” She whispered.
“Someone will come get you when she is out of recovery.” He told her. With that he turned around and went through the double doors.
“Obviously he didn’t learn the importance of having a good bedside manor.”
Kira muttered under her breath. She sank back onto the hard couch and let the tears flow. A few minutes later her pager beeped at her.
She went back to the tech station and called the number. It was Laura. She worked with Kira and was also an intern.
“Kira! You’ll never believe what I found out!” Her voice sounded excited.
Kira groaned. What could there possibly be to get excited about? “What?”
“I just talked to one of the paramedics that went to pick up your friend! You won’t believe this!”
A little warning light went off in Kira’s head. “Go on.” She said uneasily.
“Okay, well he said that they found her on the floor next to a computer and the screen was flashing messages. He hit print thinking it would give a clue to what had happened. He didn’t type anything back, but took the papers with him. He told me that she was having a conversation with someone named Hitoshi and then someone named Masao got on. He said that the Hitoshi person said he was on a bus and was passing through the city! You know who I think it is?!” Laura could barely contain her excitement.
Kira groaned inwardly. “Who?”
“I think it is the X Japan. I know they are on tour right now and it was Hitoshi and Masao! Kira, the paramedic said the Hitoshi guy was going to kill himself!” She sounded upset when she said the last part.
@#%$. “Laura, come on. Why would Kotorii be talking to the X Japan? Isn’t that a little farfetched?” Kira hoped she sounded convincing.
“I bet it’s them.” Laura insisted stubbornly.
“Um, Laura, have you said this to anyone else?” Kira asked carefully.
“No, you’re the first person I have told.” She replied.
“Good. Don’t say anything to anyone else about this okay? Promise me.” Kira said urgently.
“Okay. Why not?” Laura sounded skeptical.
“Please just trust me. Oh, and do you remember the paramedic’s name?” Kira asked. She had to talk to him as soon as she could. If this got out it could be bad.
“I don’t know, but I can find out.” Laura offered.
“Thanks. I’m going to let you go, I have to make some calls.” Kira was getting anxious.
“Okay, but wait! I almost forgot to tell you. Guess what else?! About Hitoshi...he’s...”

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