She gingerly opened the door to the infirmary, greeted by the brightness of the overhead lights. All the doors were securely closed to allow the patients their well-deserved rest. As she ventured further into the infirmary, Sakura discovered the recovery room. It was pitch black, with curtains drawn to offer privacy to the recovering werewolves.
Checking the digital clock, Sakura noted 0200 on the final day before the City of Lights funeral. Her immediate concern was Kudagitsune's well-being.
Anxiety gnawed at her, and Sakura took great care to avoid making a single noise. She worried about the consequences of being discovered in the infirmary at this hour, fully aware of the trouble she could find herself in. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears as she moved cautiously through the darkened room. She breathed a sigh of relief when she finally located the room where the Yokai was resting.
With bated breath, Sakura peered behind the curtains. The room was still dark, but she sensed the dawn's arrival as a soft, light blue glow gradually seeped through the window. She silently checked each curtain until she found the Kudagitsune asleep on the bed.
Sakura sat gently beside the Yokai's bed, leaning close to whisper softly in its ear, "I'll protect ya, lass. I know how hard it is to be alone out there, and I won't let that happen to ya too." She tenderly stroked the creature's head, her heart aching as she imagined the Yokai might never fully heal. Still, she thought, perhaps they could be friends.
The little Yokai stirred faintly but remained asleep, comforted by the warmth in Sakura's voice. She whispered, "I have to leave and check on the others, but I promise I'll see you soon. Take care of yourself, lass."
After a final, gentle pat on its head, Sakura rose and quietly left the recovery room. She wandered the hall, her footsteps paused near another door, this one without a nameplate. Faint humming reached her ears, drawing her curiosity.
"I hear something in there," she murmured to herself. "I need to know who it is."
Pushing the door carefully, she stepped inside, and her breath caught. There, lying on the bed, was Athen. She hadn't seen him in what felt like an eternity, and the sight brought her an unexpected rush of tears. Despite his injuries, he seemed to be recovering well. The bandages that wrapped his body were gone, leaving only stitches.
He was asleep, likely sedated like the others. Bracing herself, Sakura stepped closer, her voice a soft whisper filled with emotion. "Athen?"
With his eyes still closed, Athen let out a faint, gurgled sound as he fought to open them. The sedation weighed heavily on him, leaving him lightheaded and unable to move. His voice was weak but steady as he managed to ask, "Are you okay?"
"Ya were gravely hurt, Athen. Don't fight it. I'm alright now—I'm safe within these walls, I am," Sakura replied softly. She sat beside him and gently ran her fingers through his hair, her touch soothing.
"What happened?" Athen murmured, his words slurred from the medication.
Sakura sighed, her expression tinged with worry. "Aye, I'll tell ya later. Right now, ya need to rest. Michelle says she believes you'll be out soon."
"Soon," he echoed, his voice fading as the medication pulled him back into its grip. His breathing evened out as he drifted asleep, comforted by the knowledge that Sakura was safe within the mansion. He had done his part, ensuring her safety on their journey back to the island, and now he could rest.
Sakura smiled softly, leaning down to kiss his forehead gently. "Good night, Athen. I'll see ya in the mornin', I will."
Rising from the bed, she made her way to the door. Athen was stable; she had already checked on Michael, who seemed healing well. With Athen and Jack accounted for, her thoughts turned to the twins. They were the last she needed to see before she could find some peace of her own.
A few doors down, Sakura peeked into the twins' room to check on them. Two beds stood side by side, but the boys were bundled together on one, tangled like pretzels and snoring softly as if still sharing the same space they had in the womb. A small chuckle escaped her lips as she quietly closed the door, letting them rest undisturbed.
A yawn crept up, and she said, "The adrenaline wore off. It's time for bed, ya."
With heavy and barely open eyes, Sakura left the infirmary and returned to the main hall. The lights were dimmed for the night, casting long shadows, but the Beta werewolves remained vigilant at their posts, standing guard at the doorways to protect everyone inside, including her.
Paying little attention to her surroundings, Sakura trudged up the staircase, her mind set only on her bedroom at the end of the long corridor. The moment she reached it, she didn't bother with anything else—she collapsed onto the bed, letting exhaustion take over. Within moments, she was fast asleep, finally succumbing to the peace of the remaining few hours of the night.
After less than an hour of sleep, Sakura awoke to the faint creak of her bedroom door slowly opening. She blinked, her eyes crusted and dry, and lay still, listening to the soft, deliberate footsteps crossing the floor. Each step made the old floorboards groan, a sound both familiar and oddly comforting.
A small smile tugged at her lips as she assumed it was Athen or the twins coming to check on her. But her hope faded when the voice that followed wasn't what she expected.
"Apologies for startling you, Alpha Leader," Rin said softly, bowing elegantly. Her voice carried the same grace as her movements. "I've brought your dress for the funeral today."
Sakura jerked her torso up, her hair cluttered, casting a hasty glance around the room. She groaned, "The funeral isn't until tomorrow, lass."
Rin awkwardly replied, "Actually, Leader, you slept for an entire day."
"What?" Sakura's eyes widened in surprise.
"You had quite the eventful time the other day rescuing a Yokai. No wonder you were tired."
Ignoring her, Sakura continued to panic, "Shit, I have to go check on the Kudagitsune."
"Let me help you get dressed," Rin said.
In a graceful and practiced motion, Rin assisted Sakura in standing up on her feet, her nimble fingers expertly tying up Sakura's unruly hair. She pushed Sakura's arms through the elegant sleeves of the black Yukata, intricately lined with gold. Adjusting the fabric to fit Sakura's height, she tied a small white sash to keep it elegantly in place. Another strap followed, securing it further. Then, with skillful precision, she quickly fastened the substantial Obi around Sakura's waist, adjusting it to perfection. Sakura felt the pressure and huffed, feeling somewhat constricted by the sash. Additional accessories, like a white rope, were carefully tied around her Obi. After a few attempts, Sakura could hardly breathe, contemplating women's sacrifices in the name of beauty. It was a world she had long left behind before discovering who she was. For her feet, Rin gave her a pair of Geta, traditional Japanese footwear—wooden bases with two perpendicular wooden teeth underneath, delicately separated by a black leather fabric snuggled between Sakura's toes, designed for graceful walking.
Rin's eyes sparkled with delight. She said, "You look exquisite."
Although feeling somewhat out of her usual attire, Sakura concealed her uneasiness behind a mask of joy, leaving the room with a forced smile. As she descended the staircase, Jack's friendly face came into view.
Jack chuckled and said, "You look good."
Sakura clenched her teeth and whispered, "Shut it."
Her embarrassment only made Jack laugh harder. "From tomboy to a beauty queen. That is not something you see every day."
"I have to wear somethin' respectful for the funeral," Sakura replied defensively.
Jack rubbed her shoulder and replied, "Yes, but for whatever reason, you look gorgeous."
Sakura nodded, not knowing how to respond to him.
"You are not used to compliments, are you?"
"No," Sakura quietly replied.
"That's depressing," Jack said, feeling sympathy for her. To improve their moods, he changed the topic to something lighter.
"I heard you saved a Kudagitsune."
"Yeah, I came down to check on her. Taylor said she's doing well."
"I'll take you inside," Jack said.
Together, the two quietly entered the infirmary, their steps hushed on the polished tile floor. The dimmed lights in the corridor cast long shadows, and the soft hum of medical equipment filled the air.
Jack looked at Sakura, his concern evident. "Are you sure the Kudagitsune is okay?"
Sakura nodded, her face illuminated by a small smile. "Yes, Taylor and Michelle have been taking excellent care of her. I checked on it in the middle of the night, and she was sleeping peacefully on pain medication."
Jack smirked and nodded. He replied. "I won't question how you managed to enter the infirmary in the middle of the night, but that's good to hear. I was worried about the little one."
They reached the door of the recovery room and gently pushed it open. Inside, the room was softly lit, allowing them to see the curtains drawn around each patient's bed. The Kudagitsune's bed was at the far end of the room.
Taylor was there, her back turned as she examined a patient's chart. She wore her white lab coat, and her expression was focused and attentive. Nearby, Michelle was making notes on a clipboard.
Sakura and Jack quietly approached Taylor, not wanting to startle her. Sakura cleared her throat softly. "Taylor, we wanted to check in on the Kudagitsune. How is it doing?"
Taylor turned around, her face breaking into a warm smile when she saw Sakura and Jack. She put the chart down and motioned for them to come closer. "I'm glad you came. The Kudagitsune is doing remarkably well. Her wounds are healing nicely and seem to gain strength at a rapid rate."
Relief washed over Sakura as she moved closer to Kudagitsune's bed. She looked down at the tiny creature nestled under a soft blanket. Its chest rose and fell steadily, a sign of peaceful slumber.
Michelle joined the conversation, her voice gentle and reassuring. "The Kudagitsune has been responding positively to the treatment. With a bit more time and care, it should make a full recovery."
Sakura reached out and gently stroked the Kudagitsune's fur. She let out a soft, contented sigh in response to her touch. "I'm so glad to hear that. Thank you, Taylor and Michelle, for taking care of her."
Taylor nodded. "Of course, Sakura. We're here to help and couldn't have done it without your quick thinking in bringing it here."
Sakura smiled. "I'm just glad it's going to be okay. It's a special little creature."
As they stood by the Kudagitsune's bedside, bathed in the soft light of the recovery room, they knew that the little Yokai was on the path to recovery, thanks to the collective efforts of the Generations and Sakura's compassionate heart.
Lina entered the recovery room and waved to Sakura to get her attention. She said, "Hey, Sakura. They're awake and stable."
Sakura's heart raced as she pushed open the heavy doors to the hallway. The sterile antiseptic scent greeted her, causing a shiver to run down her spine. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and walked down the long corridor. The harsh fluorescent lights overhead seemed to intensify the anxiety building within her.
She reached the entrance to another spacious recovery room at the end of the corridor. Rows of neatly arranged beds filled the room, each with its own set of equipment and medical paraphernalia littered the room.
Sakura's eyes quickly found Athen, Michael, and the twins Alec and Alex seated upright on their respective beds. Athen's deep blue eyes locked onto hers, and a warm smile spread across his lips. Michael waved at her with a playful grin while the mischievous twins exchanged looks, no doubt plotting some mischief. Finally, everything was going to be just fine.