Finally, eh?
I know it's late. Last week was full of things like finals and the CCS Honour Choir performance. I had no time in which to write the chapter, alas. But this counts as last week's - you'll hopefully get your Thursday update as well.
Title: Code Blue Part II (2/?)
Fandom: xxxHOLiC
Wordcount: 2,414
A/N: This one gave me the least grief of any chapter. As soon as I brainstormed it a bit, it just flowed. I'm also getting the part I've been anticipating for a while, which might have something to do with it. Also, thanks once more to
sillyangelfaery , who beta'd and brainstormed and generally made the whole endeavour possible.
Previous Chapters / First Chapter
The first thing Watanuki noticed upon waking up was the window across the room. Outside, rain lashed the glass, but the sound was muffled. Despite the weather, the light that shone through was bright in his still-sleepy eyes. It was a much more agreeable sight to wake up to than what he was accustomed to, even if he did see spots for a moment.
The second noticeable thing was the bedding he was sleeping on. It had been comfortable last night as well, but he’d been tired and hadn’t really noticed. Now, however, he could fully appreciate the luxury of real sheets and blanket, something he had not experienced for years. The only other memory he had of such things was old and foggy, full of faces that blurred and words that seemed muffled in the eye and ear of his mind. It had been too long, he decided. But it was a fond memory, and one more suited to the situation than others could have been. It was all right to remember the past if the present was also, at least for the time being, a comfortable one.
Of course, the third thing was his injuries deciding to all start hurting like hell at once, effectively negating any and all pleasant sensations and seeming much more like life as he knew it. With a sigh, Watanuki attempted to unwrap himself and stand, an effort that seemed for a time to be in vain. His hip had stiffened significantly overnight, and while it was content to stay still with not as much complaint as yesterday, it was strongly averse to being moved and retaliated with sharp pains and dull throbbing aches alike when he tried to do so. He was beginning to consider losing all remnants of his dignity and asking for assistance, assuming there was anyone around, when he was abruptly but gently pulled into a sitting position. Doumeki’s impassive face loomed in the near vicinity, blurry and even more difficult to read than usual without the aid of glasses. And it had looked like it was going to be a good day, Watanuki mourned. But at least he hadn’t had to ask.
“How are you?” Doumeki inquired, nodding toward visible bandaging to indicate that he did not mean it as a greeting only. Some people, Watanuki mused sourly, would preface that with a ‘good morning’. Although, truth be told, of all people who could have appeared in the room, Doumeki was probably the most comfortable choice. What this said about everyone else could not be good.
“I’m fine,” Watanuki said, mostly by habit. He was definitely not, and he doubted this needed to be said to be apparent. Doumeki didn’t often take the answers he received to such questions literally, and there was no reason for him to start now. He had this annoying habit of seeing the truth, or the context of the truth, at least, despite what was actually said out loud.
“Both of us are seeing a doctor,” the agent said, proving Watanuki’s suspicions once again correct. This was not such an annoyance, mainly because the latter was on his feet and halfway to panic before it registered that all doctors were not Kyle, who was probably dead anyway. Embarrassed, he looked down, trying not to wince as every injury protested the rapid movement.
At this point he realised that he had not bathed for days, and he was still covered in grime, dust, sweat, and probably blood, not to mention soot from the explosion. Disgusting, he thought. “I need a shower,” he mumbled, happy also for a legitimate escape from an embarrassing situation. “Or some form of bathing.”
“Cold for the burns,” Doumeki cautioned, but seemed willing to allow the opportunity. Most likely because there wasn’t really a way or reason for Watanuki to run off now. “Borrow clothes from the chest of drawers by the washroom door.” He gestured in the general direction, the stood up and returned to a corner of the room now occupied by a spare mattress, upon which the bow and a formless blob that could have been a polishing rag lay. So much for neglect, Watanuki thought as he headed for the washroom.
The shower was a cold, painful affair, but afterwards he was clean, which had been the main objective. Doumeki was sitting on the mattress, examining the bow as if for cracks, but looked up when the washroom door closed. “Subaru will be waiting for us,” he commented, getting to his feet in a manner that suggested he was not in the best of conditions himself, as Watanuki had been suspecting. “Also, these are for you.” He extended an object that upon fingertip inspection proved to be a pair of glasses. “Not prescription, but they should at least help.”
Watanuki tried them dubiously, and found this to be so - his vision was not perfect, but at least now he could see some detail. He nodded, uncomfortable with offering thanks on principle. Doumeki didn’t seem to mind, and with a look of satisfaction headed for the door, looking back to make sure he was being followed out and perhaps to offer assistance, which was declined with a pointed glare.
Subaru was waiting for them, looking vaguely worried and rather harried - though it was hard to tell through his cracked lenses. He smiled briefly at their approach. “It’s good to see you awake,” he told Watanuki. “How do the glasses work?”
“Decently,” Watanuki replied in honesty. “I can see your face, at least.” Subaru seemed genuinely relieved. Despite initial trepidations, it seemed, Subaru was not an unkind person. Perhaps he was merely nervous around others. He wouldn’t be the only one.
“Shizuka, you know where to go, but Watanuki is in need of an escort who isn’t injured. I’ll accompany you two.” With that, Subaru set off, letting the two younger males follow him, one at more of a hobble than anything.
“That’s considerate of him,” Watanuki commented.
Doumeki frowned. “It wasn’t his idea,” he said. “I don’t think it’s that kind of escort.” He didn’t explain further. But he ignored the glare next time Watanuki almost fell to support the escapee’s weight in an infuriatingly kind manner.
--
The doctor provided was a very bland, nondescript man. He seemed almost nonexistent, a figment of a stark white room who inspected Watanuki with the air of one who’s seen worse and barely blinked. It was the most comforting experience that had happened to Watanuki since… well, waking up this morning, but that notwithstanding, since long before Kyle. While it did not reaffirm his trust of those affiliating themselves with the world of medicine, it did help convince him that things had become better.
“Second and third degree burns,” the man listed in a bored manner. “Skin abrasions. From how he’s walking - limping - I’d surmise a hip injury. And of course the eye,” he added, glancing up at Subaru at that. “I expect you’ll be looking into that?”
“A specialist,” Subaru replied. “Continue.”
The bland doctor nodded. “All of these seem to be healing adequately. Aloe salve for the burns, and keep all wounds clean. The leg should be rested for now. A crutch may be in order.” He gave Watanuki one last look before to all appearances banishing him from his mind. “And you,” he proceeded to tell Doumeki, “are lucky. These are bullet wounds, but only grazes. Mild burns, and then the one more serious bullet wound. That one seems to have been adequately treated.” He sniffed. “Sumeragi, I don’t need to instruct you.”
Subaru shook his head. “I’m surprised the injuries were so light,” he commented, seeing the bland man out. “Shizuka, you’ve done well.”
“That’s light?!” demanded Watanuki. “Compared to what?”
“Not being alive,” offered Doumeki, attracting a frown from Subaru and indignant fury from Watanuki.
“Were you expecting to die?” the latter sputtered, feeling insulted. He’d been under the impression that Doumeki, as infuriating as he was, was the one there because he was well equipped somehow to take Kyle out, as he had done. But to be told that Kyle wasn’t important enough to warrant sending someone expected to succeed - what did that say about Watanuki’s importance? Or Doumeki’s, for that matter - not that it did matter, but even so…
Doumeki said nothing, looking vaguely perplexed of all things. “The details of the case are confidential,” Subaru spoke up. “And you, having worked for Dr. Kyle Reed in the past, are definitely not one with license to hear them. It would be a danger for all concerned.”
“We can trust him,” Doumeki replied before Watanuki could sputter a retort. Subaru made a doubtful noise but did not pursue the matter further. Unfortunately for Watanuki’s peace of mind, the subject of why was not broached again. He still felt more than a little irritated about not only his case not being important enough to warrant a proper inquiry, but also Subaru’s outright dismissal and unspoken condemnations that he had worked for Kyle willfully.
Subaru did not seem to notice, though he did seem amused by Doumeki for some reason. “You should make your report,” he told his subordinate. “I’ll watch Watanuki.”
For a moment, Watanuki was almost positive that Doumeki would refuse. But then the agent nodded briefly, glanced at the escapee with some unreadable expression, and exited the room. The door closed decisively behind him and Watanuki had the curious feeling that an important choice had been made.
Silence reigned in the room for a moment as Subaru eyed Watanuki and vice versa. Finally the former broke it. “I’m sorry if what I said was extreme,” he said. “Times are dangerous. It’s difficult to know who to trust.”
“How do I know I can trust you, then?” Watanuki felt obligated to point out.
Subaru smiled tiredly. “You don’t, I suppose.” He walked over to another door which when opened offered a glimpse of various pieces of medical equipment, and after some survey pulled out a pair of crutches as recommended by the bland doctor. “Can you get around on these?”
“Of course I can,” snapped Watanuki.
About to say something, Subaru froze as his pocket emitted a buzzing sound. He pulled out a small piece of technology and studied it before sighing unhappily. “I’ll have to leave you for a moment,” he explained. “Please stay put, and either I or Shizuka will return for you.” With that he exited through a third door.
Watanuki stared after him for a moment, inflamed by the assumption that he would simply do as asked. He stood up, leaning carefully onto his crutches and testing his mobility. The crutches, he noted, were all but silent if he was careful. It would be possible to walk around without being heard, given favourable conditions. Like a conversation. And he wanted to know something about what was going on here, if he was going to be thrown into the politics of this place as it seemed he would be. It would be a smart thing if he were to follow Subaru and find out what exactly was so urgent.
Cautiously he eased the door open and slipped through, setting crutches down gently on the poured concrete floor of this room. It seemed like some sort of storage, but another door led out. Watanuki made his way across to it and listened carefully. There were very faint voices, but they didn’t seem near, so he pulled himself through. At that moment, footsteps sounded, and he ducked into another door and waited, heart beating quickly.
“-don’t see why this is necessary…” That was Subaru’s voice, though with more uncertainty than usual and - was that a hint of pleading?
“He already knew too much,” another man - a familiar voice, for some reason - said warningly. “Now he knows even more. He mentioned Clow Reed in his report. And the Project.”
With a start, Watanuki realised that they must be talking about Doumeki. And whatever this meant, it could not be good. Whoever the man was, he seemed ruthless - and Subaru obviously worked somewhere under his command.
“He wouldn’t betray us,” Subaru began.
“Like you wouldn’t betray him?” the other man responded in apparent amusement. Now they moved into view from the crack in the door, and Watanuki saw vaguely wavy black hair and the same insignia from Subaru’s car on an arm band. The man seemed to be stroking Subaru’s cheek, and Subaru…didn’t seem to mind.
That explains so much and so little, Watanuki thought, more concerned for the fact that this man had an obvious control over Subaru than the fact that Subaru didn’t mind. As he saw it, preferences meant very little when the world was out to kill him.
“Seishirou…” Subaru tried to begin again.
“We tried the indirect method, and he survived. On the upside, Kyle did not. But obviously he has more resilience than we expected.” Seishirou, if that was the man’s name, turned and backed Subaru against the wall.
“About that Watanuki…”
“It’s doubtful that Kyle got his hands on the real thing. But the name similarity is…striking. It would be rather ironic if it happened to be the real thing.” Seishirou chuckled in an unsettlingly malicious manner. “I’ll take a look at him and make sure. Unfortunately for Shizuka, that would not be a reason to keep him - particularly if as you say, there seems to be a friendship between the two.”
There is no such thing! a very small portion of Watanuki fumed, but the rest was far more concerned about the significance of Seishirou’s words. What did he mean, ‘the real thing?’ What did they mean to do with him - and with Doumeki?
“Come back to my office, Subaru,” Seishirou continued. “This time, I will be specific, and I expect you to carry out my instructions without fail.” With that he released the smaller man and walked out of sight. Subaru looked dazed for a moment, and then followed suit, leaving the concealed Watanuki staring after them in mixed fear, horror, and overwhelming desire to get out of this place as quickly as possible. He’d thought this place was safe - apparently he’d merely been pulled into a trap.
He had to warn Doumeki. It would be repayment for one of the times the agent had saved him from various scrapes. And then they would get the hell away, before the contents of Seishirou’s specific instructions came to light.
Title: Code Blue Part II (2/?)
Fandom: xxxHOLiC
Wordcount: 2,414
A/N: This one gave me the least grief of any chapter. As soon as I brainstormed it a bit, it just flowed. I'm also getting the part I've been anticipating for a while, which might have something to do with it. Also, thanks once more to
sillyangelfaery , who beta'd and brainstormed and generally made the whole endeavour possible.
Previous Chapters / First Chapter
The first thing Watanuki noticed upon waking up was the window across the room. Outside, rain lashed the glass, but the sound was muffled. Despite the weather, the light that shone through was bright in his still-sleepy eyes. It was a much more agreeable sight to wake up to than what he was accustomed to, even if he did see spots for a moment.
The second noticeable thing was the bedding he was sleeping on. It had been comfortable last night as well, but he’d been tired and hadn’t really noticed. Now, however, he could fully appreciate the luxury of real sheets and blanket, something he had not experienced for years. The only other memory he had of such things was old and foggy, full of faces that blurred and words that seemed muffled in the eye and ear of his mind. It had been too long, he decided. But it was a fond memory, and one more suited to the situation than others could have been. It was all right to remember the past if the present was also, at least for the time being, a comfortable one.
Of course, the third thing was his injuries deciding to all start hurting like hell at once, effectively negating any and all pleasant sensations and seeming much more like life as he knew it. With a sigh, Watanuki attempted to unwrap himself and stand, an effort that seemed for a time to be in vain. His hip had stiffened significantly overnight, and while it was content to stay still with not as much complaint as yesterday, it was strongly averse to being moved and retaliated with sharp pains and dull throbbing aches alike when he tried to do so. He was beginning to consider losing all remnants of his dignity and asking for assistance, assuming there was anyone around, when he was abruptly but gently pulled into a sitting position. Doumeki’s impassive face loomed in the near vicinity, blurry and even more difficult to read than usual without the aid of glasses. And it had looked like it was going to be a good day, Watanuki mourned. But at least he hadn’t had to ask.
“How are you?” Doumeki inquired, nodding toward visible bandaging to indicate that he did not mean it as a greeting only. Some people, Watanuki mused sourly, would preface that with a ‘good morning’. Although, truth be told, of all people who could have appeared in the room, Doumeki was probably the most comfortable choice. What this said about everyone else could not be good.
“I’m fine,” Watanuki said, mostly by habit. He was definitely not, and he doubted this needed to be said to be apparent. Doumeki didn’t often take the answers he received to such questions literally, and there was no reason for him to start now. He had this annoying habit of seeing the truth, or the context of the truth, at least, despite what was actually said out loud.
“Both of us are seeing a doctor,” the agent said, proving Watanuki’s suspicions once again correct. This was not such an annoyance, mainly because the latter was on his feet and halfway to panic before it registered that all doctors were not Kyle, who was probably dead anyway. Embarrassed, he looked down, trying not to wince as every injury protested the rapid movement.
At this point he realised that he had not bathed for days, and he was still covered in grime, dust, sweat, and probably blood, not to mention soot from the explosion. Disgusting, he thought. “I need a shower,” he mumbled, happy also for a legitimate escape from an embarrassing situation. “Or some form of bathing.”
“Cold for the burns,” Doumeki cautioned, but seemed willing to allow the opportunity. Most likely because there wasn’t really a way or reason for Watanuki to run off now. “Borrow clothes from the chest of drawers by the washroom door.” He gestured in the general direction, the stood up and returned to a corner of the room now occupied by a spare mattress, upon which the bow and a formless blob that could have been a polishing rag lay. So much for neglect, Watanuki thought as he headed for the washroom.
The shower was a cold, painful affair, but afterwards he was clean, which had been the main objective. Doumeki was sitting on the mattress, examining the bow as if for cracks, but looked up when the washroom door closed. “Subaru will be waiting for us,” he commented, getting to his feet in a manner that suggested he was not in the best of conditions himself, as Watanuki had been suspecting. “Also, these are for you.” He extended an object that upon fingertip inspection proved to be a pair of glasses. “Not prescription, but they should at least help.”
Watanuki tried them dubiously, and found this to be so - his vision was not perfect, but at least now he could see some detail. He nodded, uncomfortable with offering thanks on principle. Doumeki didn’t seem to mind, and with a look of satisfaction headed for the door, looking back to make sure he was being followed out and perhaps to offer assistance, which was declined with a pointed glare.
Subaru was waiting for them, looking vaguely worried and rather harried - though it was hard to tell through his cracked lenses. He smiled briefly at their approach. “It’s good to see you awake,” he told Watanuki. “How do the glasses work?”
“Decently,” Watanuki replied in honesty. “I can see your face, at least.” Subaru seemed genuinely relieved. Despite initial trepidations, it seemed, Subaru was not an unkind person. Perhaps he was merely nervous around others. He wouldn’t be the only one.
“Shizuka, you know where to go, but Watanuki is in need of an escort who isn’t injured. I’ll accompany you two.” With that, Subaru set off, letting the two younger males follow him, one at more of a hobble than anything.
“That’s considerate of him,” Watanuki commented.
Doumeki frowned. “It wasn’t his idea,” he said. “I don’t think it’s that kind of escort.” He didn’t explain further. But he ignored the glare next time Watanuki almost fell to support the escapee’s weight in an infuriatingly kind manner.
--
The doctor provided was a very bland, nondescript man. He seemed almost nonexistent, a figment of a stark white room who inspected Watanuki with the air of one who’s seen worse and barely blinked. It was the most comforting experience that had happened to Watanuki since… well, waking up this morning, but that notwithstanding, since long before Kyle. While it did not reaffirm his trust of those affiliating themselves with the world of medicine, it did help convince him that things had become better.
“Second and third degree burns,” the man listed in a bored manner. “Skin abrasions. From how he’s walking - limping - I’d surmise a hip injury. And of course the eye,” he added, glancing up at Subaru at that. “I expect you’ll be looking into that?”
“A specialist,” Subaru replied. “Continue.”
The bland doctor nodded. “All of these seem to be healing adequately. Aloe salve for the burns, and keep all wounds clean. The leg should be rested for now. A crutch may be in order.” He gave Watanuki one last look before to all appearances banishing him from his mind. “And you,” he proceeded to tell Doumeki, “are lucky. These are bullet wounds, but only grazes. Mild burns, and then the one more serious bullet wound. That one seems to have been adequately treated.” He sniffed. “Sumeragi, I don’t need to instruct you.”
Subaru shook his head. “I’m surprised the injuries were so light,” he commented, seeing the bland man out. “Shizuka, you’ve done well.”
“That’s light?!” demanded Watanuki. “Compared to what?”
“Not being alive,” offered Doumeki, attracting a frown from Subaru and indignant fury from Watanuki.
“Were you expecting to die?” the latter sputtered, feeling insulted. He’d been under the impression that Doumeki, as infuriating as he was, was the one there because he was well equipped somehow to take Kyle out, as he had done. But to be told that Kyle wasn’t important enough to warrant sending someone expected to succeed - what did that say about Watanuki’s importance? Or Doumeki’s, for that matter - not that it did matter, but even so…
Doumeki said nothing, looking vaguely perplexed of all things. “The details of the case are confidential,” Subaru spoke up. “And you, having worked for Dr. Kyle Reed in the past, are definitely not one with license to hear them. It would be a danger for all concerned.”
“We can trust him,” Doumeki replied before Watanuki could sputter a retort. Subaru made a doubtful noise but did not pursue the matter further. Unfortunately for Watanuki’s peace of mind, the subject of why was not broached again. He still felt more than a little irritated about not only his case not being important enough to warrant a proper inquiry, but also Subaru’s outright dismissal and unspoken condemnations that he had worked for Kyle willfully.
Subaru did not seem to notice, though he did seem amused by Doumeki for some reason. “You should make your report,” he told his subordinate. “I’ll watch Watanuki.”
For a moment, Watanuki was almost positive that Doumeki would refuse. But then the agent nodded briefly, glanced at the escapee with some unreadable expression, and exited the room. The door closed decisively behind him and Watanuki had the curious feeling that an important choice had been made.
Silence reigned in the room for a moment as Subaru eyed Watanuki and vice versa. Finally the former broke it. “I’m sorry if what I said was extreme,” he said. “Times are dangerous. It’s difficult to know who to trust.”
“How do I know I can trust you, then?” Watanuki felt obligated to point out.
Subaru smiled tiredly. “You don’t, I suppose.” He walked over to another door which when opened offered a glimpse of various pieces of medical equipment, and after some survey pulled out a pair of crutches as recommended by the bland doctor. “Can you get around on these?”
“Of course I can,” snapped Watanuki.
About to say something, Subaru froze as his pocket emitted a buzzing sound. He pulled out a small piece of technology and studied it before sighing unhappily. “I’ll have to leave you for a moment,” he explained. “Please stay put, and either I or Shizuka will return for you.” With that he exited through a third door.
Watanuki stared after him for a moment, inflamed by the assumption that he would simply do as asked. He stood up, leaning carefully onto his crutches and testing his mobility. The crutches, he noted, were all but silent if he was careful. It would be possible to walk around without being heard, given favourable conditions. Like a conversation. And he wanted to know something about what was going on here, if he was going to be thrown into the politics of this place as it seemed he would be. It would be a smart thing if he were to follow Subaru and find out what exactly was so urgent.
Cautiously he eased the door open and slipped through, setting crutches down gently on the poured concrete floor of this room. It seemed like some sort of storage, but another door led out. Watanuki made his way across to it and listened carefully. There were very faint voices, but they didn’t seem near, so he pulled himself through. At that moment, footsteps sounded, and he ducked into another door and waited, heart beating quickly.
“-don’t see why this is necessary…” That was Subaru’s voice, though with more uncertainty than usual and - was that a hint of pleading?
“He already knew too much,” another man - a familiar voice, for some reason - said warningly. “Now he knows even more. He mentioned Clow Reed in his report. And the Project.”
With a start, Watanuki realised that they must be talking about Doumeki. And whatever this meant, it could not be good. Whoever the man was, he seemed ruthless - and Subaru obviously worked somewhere under his command.
“He wouldn’t betray us,” Subaru began.
“Like you wouldn’t betray him?” the other man responded in apparent amusement. Now they moved into view from the crack in the door, and Watanuki saw vaguely wavy black hair and the same insignia from Subaru’s car on an arm band. The man seemed to be stroking Subaru’s cheek, and Subaru…didn’t seem to mind.
That explains so much and so little, Watanuki thought, more concerned for the fact that this man had an obvious control over Subaru than the fact that Subaru didn’t mind. As he saw it, preferences meant very little when the world was out to kill him.
“Seishirou…” Subaru tried to begin again.
“We tried the indirect method, and he survived. On the upside, Kyle did not. But obviously he has more resilience than we expected.” Seishirou, if that was the man’s name, turned and backed Subaru against the wall.
“About that Watanuki…”
“It’s doubtful that Kyle got his hands on the real thing. But the name similarity is…striking. It would be rather ironic if it happened to be the real thing.” Seishirou chuckled in an unsettlingly malicious manner. “I’ll take a look at him and make sure. Unfortunately for Shizuka, that would not be a reason to keep him - particularly if as you say, there seems to be a friendship between the two.”
There is no such thing! a very small portion of Watanuki fumed, but the rest was far more concerned about the significance of Seishirou’s words. What did he mean, ‘the real thing?’ What did they mean to do with him - and with Doumeki?
“Come back to my office, Subaru,” Seishirou continued. “This time, I will be specific, and I expect you to carry out my instructions without fail.” With that he released the smaller man and walked out of sight. Subaru looked dazed for a moment, and then followed suit, leaving the concealed Watanuki staring after them in mixed fear, horror, and overwhelming desire to get out of this place as quickly as possible. He’d thought this place was safe - apparently he’d merely been pulled into a trap.
He had to warn Doumeki. It would be repayment for one of the times the agent had saved him from various scrapes. And then they would get the hell away, before the contents of Seishirou’s specific instructions came to light.