Once again, he found himself in the hospital.
Not as a patient, but as a bystander. Which was worse, Takabi couldn't say. Watching someone he cared for twist and turn in an unconscious pain, coughing blood madly only to be sedated for another hour.
It felt like hell, watching Garuga suffer. He was sick, and his condition only got worse.
Jade exited the room, wiping his hands with a wet nap. His expression was unreadable, and the air around him felt tense. He didn't have good news, that much was obvious. As if feeling his eyes on him, Jade faced Takabi, waiting a moment before approaching him, hands slipping into his pockets and blowing air faintly from his lips.
"What are you still doing here?"
"Is he alright," He asked, ignoring his question as the answer was obvious.
Jade bit his lip, attempting to hold back visible irritation. "He's stable. His illness has his mind shot, so the news must've taken a toll on him." Jade glanced over his shoulder through the glass, eyeing Garuga's rising and falling chest. "He should have expected the possibility though. He was gone for years."
"Seriously?"
Jade looked at Takabi.
"You seriously expect him to entertain the idea of someone close dying while he's gone? Do you even know who Garuga is?"
"No," He said bluntly. "How can I? My Father left when I was a child. The man my mother told me about is one I've only heard of in stories."
"It doesn't matter if he's who you expected him to be or not. He needs help now. As his son, you need to be there to keep him together."
"And who are you to make a claim like that," Jade spat back. His sudden venom made Takabi take a step back in surprise. "Keep in mind YOUR Father is the one we're fighting against. You stand against him with your Brother."
"Because our Father is in the wrong," He replied, as calmly as he could. Anger was seething from his tone.
"Is he really though?"
That question left him stunned. His fingers balled into a fist, flames slowly oozing from his pores. The anger he was holding back quickly swelled in his gut.
"Listen, while I detest the White Dragons, Sara spoke in truth. You're a guest here. Do not put your nose in things you don't understand." He stepped close, eyeing Takabi's belt loop, ripping the badge given to him by Gavin away. "Don't interfere in Police business. My Father will receive punishment once he is well. IF he gets better."
"Why wouldn't he," Takabi asked when Jade walked by him.
"You claim I should care, yet you don't know a thing yourself." Jade turned back, and when he spoke, his tone dropped. His words were dark, twisted by the very shadow he produced. "Garuga is dying. He's sick, but not with something you can simply cure. My people dubbed it the Scale Curse. Once you develop it, your days are numbered." He paused a moment, studying Takabi expression, before smirking and drinking it in. "He's been sick for a long while now. If I guessed, maybe a couple years or so."
Since I met him? He's kept it hidden for that long?
Takabi turned on his heel, rushing into Garuga's room, moving slowly towards his mentor. Garuga stirred at his presence, opening his eyes. With a weak hand, he reached up, attempting to stroke his beard, but became disappointed at the shaved stubbles that met his fingers again.
Pulling up a chair, Takabi sat down, looking over Garuga with wary eyes, before speaking softly and saying, "How do you feel?"
"Weak." He replied. "I'm hungry. I feel like my mana is at zero, my head is pounding, I'm hungry, my chest feels tight, I'm hungry, I'm sure God is punishing me… Did I mention I'm hungry?"
"Yeah. A lot. I'll get you a meal in a bit, but," He paused, taking a deep breath, "Garuga… Why didn't you tell me, or any of us?"
"Tell you what," He asked. As he sat up and leaned against the pillow for back support, he locked eyes with his student. He studied Takabi's expression, trying as hard as he could to hide the truth. It wasn't until the realization that Takabi already knew that he released a breath. "I wished not to worry any of you."
"That's bullshit."
"Takabi, I just found out my wife and children passed while I was gone." The tension grew thick. "My death… What happened, what will happen, to me. I don't care." He touched his chest. "Nothing destroys a man's soul more than losing his soul mate or children. I lost both."
"Jade is still alive though. You're not alone."
"Bah," He dismissed. "Jade is still young. This is the first time I've seen him in years. Jessica died last year, along with his little siblings. He's dealing with his own issues, so forgive him. He needs his own time to wrap his head around things."
The conversation ceased. They sat in a tense silence, one that made Takabi squirm in his seat. His eyes darted from the clock, to Garuga to his heart monitor. Everything seemed fine.
Seeming fine, Takabi thought, Doesn't mean he is. "Is there anything I can do?"
"About what?"
"The Scale Curse. Can I do anything about it?"
"Yes and no."
"So there is a cure," He asked suddenly.
Garuga shrugged. "There's a flower in the mountains that is said to be able to cure it. It's very rare however, and almost impossible to find." He shook his head. "Do not worry about it. Getting through the mountain is impossible for one who isn't of Dragon Blood. Syrreth was searching for me. The simple fact that she hasn't returned shows she didn't find it yet."
Takabi stood quickly. "Then I'll go find her."
"Boy, are you dense? I just said you can't without Dragon Blood."
"So what? I think it'll be a nice challenge. Besides, I'd have a guide."
Garuga raised an eyebrow, before blinking and laughing. "Porrelth wouldn't dare."
"For you, any of us would." He said. "Don't worry Garuga. You'll get better before you even know it." As he turned and began to step out of the room, Garuga willed shadows to rise between the door and him. Takabi looked back at Garuga's tired eyes, the Shadow Dragon full of wonder and curiosity. "Why are you willing to go so far for me, Takabi? I'm old. I've done plenty in my lifetime, but not once has someone aside from Porrelth, Syrreth and Jessica ever shown me such kindness and care."
"Well," He muttered, "It's because you're special to me."
Those words alone took Garuga by surprise, his heart skipping a beat. "Takabi."
But he was already out of the room as the Shadows faded away. Garuga looked at his bedsheets, a genuine smile forming on his face.