The Sohma Litters *a Traditions Sequel*

Chapter Twenty one: Modern Medicine and Our Only Hope


\"Yuki? Hatori is here, are you awake?\" I slowly opened the door and eased my head in. Yuki was rising from the bed with a sigh. The lines on his brow had softened but the headache was still in evidence. He walked to the door, and I pulled him into a light hug. \"Come on, we need to get this going.\"

\"Sorry for putting you through so much.\"

\"Don\'t be silly, for better or worse, Princess. I agreed to it.\" I put my arm over his shoulder and pulled him along. The boys were animatedly telling their cousin about the trip they were promised to Mcdonald\'s and what fun the playground was. We entered the room and found him seated with Tsuki on one leg, Kato on the other and Yuuhi standing on the couch behind him, arms around his neck asking for a ride. Hatori looked from one face to another as the boys took turns telling him their version of how the equipment was set up and how they would be climbing, crawling and jumping in a short time. I turned to see Yuki\'s brow soften even more as we watched our boys captivate one more person with their overzealous personalities and boyish exuberence. Then, a new thought crossed his features and the tension was evident once more.

\"Boys, Ha-san is here to see Okaasan, now go change we will go in a little while. Ha-san, you look overwhelmed.\" Hatori rose to make room on the couch for Yuki as I once more took the recliner.

\"They do take a lot out of a person. You can be proud of them though. They told me about the mean lady and her pretty friend, that came to see them today. Ansa and Saki I presume?\" I nodded. \"How did they come to the conclusion that Ansa was mean?\"

\"Her usual way. She somehow left them with the impression that she thought Tsuki was skinny and that her mother didn\'t like Yuki. But Saki did agree to undergo the proceedure and bear another Sohma child. I think she liked them, and they will eventually get to like Ansa. She is hard to hate for too long. Now, are you going to tell your doctor about those headaches or do I?\" I had turned to Yuki as I let his little secret out, I would not pretend I hadn\'t done it on purpose.

\"Headaches? Bad ones?\" Hatori asked, his concern evident.

\"Just headaches. I am not sick. I feel better after I lie down for awhile.\" Yuki defended.

\"Bad enough. You mean after you lie down for hours. He has been having them for about a month. Once or twice a week, sometimes. And they are getting worse. The first one was just before the trip, and he had one while we were there. Right, Yuki?\" I supplied the information I had, as I was fairly sure Yuki would suppress it.

\"Any headaches are important Yuki. Tell me about these, and I mean the truth.\" Hatori took out his bag and Yuki sighed as he began to detail the headaches and some nausea he had also been experiencing. Hatori went through the usual exam proceedures as Yuki did so, until he stopped suddenly after shining a laser light into my love\'s eyes and watching for the reaction. I knew this test and felt my own eyes narrow as Hatori repeated this once more. He turned to me and I stared at him. The question in my eyes. He shook his head and returned his attention to Yuki. He pulled down the skin under Yuki\'s eyes with his thumbs and had him look up. \"I want to run some tests, get a sitter for Thursday and meet me at the hospital. I will make all the arrangements, and I\'ll need both of you there. Kyo will need to drive, I don\'t want you behind the wheel until we know what it is. Clear?\" Yuki nodded as I looked on, Hatori looked my way only for a moment before gathering his equipment and turning to Yuki once more. \"So, tell me then, about the arrangements for the new horse.\"

\"Saki will bear the child. She wishes the same conditions as Yuuhi. Ansa, however, wants to remember. Will it be a problem?\" I asked. Hatori sighed and shook his head.

\"No, I will handle it. This is just too important. The elders will see the reasons behind it and it will be fine. Uncle Ito will surely aid me in convincing them, he likes Ansa after all.\" Hatori rose and I stood also. He held Yuki\'s shoulder to keep him sitting. \"I have to go, and make those arrangements, you are to get some rest, I\'m sure Kyo can be mother and father for a day or so, you need to sleep, you look beat. Do you understand? You are too important to too many people, especially now. I\'ll see myself out, take him to bed.\" and he turned and left. I reached to help Yuki rise and lifted him easily off the floor.

\"Hey, he said rest, not total invalidism.\" Yuki complained.

\"I want to, so stop arguing, You can sleep even better while I have the boys at McDonald\'s. Do you want me to bring you back anything?\" I asked as I made my way to the bedroom. Yuki shook his head, and just before arriving at out destination we were greeted by three very confused looking boys.

\"Otousan, is Okaasan okay?\" Tsuki asked.
\"Did you hurt yourself, Okaasan?\" Kato asked.
\"I bet you twisted your ankle, huh?\" was Yuuhi\'s input.

\"No, Okaasan isn\'t hurt, boys. Just tired.\" I supplied.

\"I bet his head hurts again, that\'s what.\" Tsuki turned to Kato and stated. His brothers just nodded in understanding. I looked at Tsuki a moment before turning to find the same surprised look on Yuki\'s face. How bad had he been if the boys had noticed.

Once Yuki was asleep, I hurried the boys along to the front door. Dan had agreed to help and met us there. Soon, we were sitting in the small oddly shaped chairs that were attached to the small funny shaped tables in the play place of McDonald\'s, staring down at greasy potato strips, and small breaded chicken pieces also cooked in grease.

I truly hated this place.