that piracy is, indeed, a wondrous thing~

finally managed to reach Shamal's apartment, with Chrome supported on his back.

fully aware of the fact that there were strange people tailing him and the girl. He's a little relieved that they dropped off as

neared Shamal's apartment. He wonders if it's because they were aware of who he was going to for assistance.

shifts his grip on Chrome and climbs the stairs to the doctor's door. "Let me know if you want me to go slower, okay?" he tells the girl.

, dimly aware of those trailing, only nods again, not wanting to burden the boy further. "... where are we going?"

To get help. Dr. Shamal's in town, I think.

eventually comes to the door, and rings the doorbell.

who could possibly be calling on him at this time of the night. Hayato's not one to ring the doorbell, and Kaoko just lets herself in...

stands up, bringing along his bowl of popcorn under one arm. He opens the door...

.............

Er. Hi. I hope we're not disturbing anything.

...You kids always disturb me. >_>

steps inside, heading for his office. "Set her down on my bed, and close the door behind you. I'll be with you in a bit."

It's a good thing I treat women and girls for free. <_<

Yeah, I know.

does as he's told, and heads for Shamal's bedroom. He arranges the sheets, and lays Chrome down carefully.

heard Shamal's first remark, and offers a soft "'m sorry" from Yamamoto's back >>

doubles back quickly to shut the apartment door before heading back to Chrome.

managed to catch that mumble from Chrome's end. ...Kids these days. -_-

sits down by the bed. "...I think we should be okay for now. Hang in there, all right?"

blinks and squints at the bright light above her as she was laid on the bed, keeping the moans of pain in check by biting her lips.

unclenches her hand from Yamamoto's shirt, seeing the bloody splotches she left behind on his back.

... umn.

offers a gentle smile and reaches out to brush the hair away from her face. She's in really bad shape. ._.

comes back, armed and ready. "Right. Out of the way, kid. I'll take it from here."

Stand guard outside. There might be heads to knock around.

...Contact Kaoko too. She's going to want to know about this.

I'll do the guarding, doc, but I think you should contact Kaoko-san. It might... be better sounding, coming from you.

that Yamamoto might just have a point. He nods, and shoos the boy out with another gesture.

obediently leaves, but not without murmuring another "Hang in there" and flashing a quick smile at Chrome.

very, very light-headed now, but hears the words "guard outside" and "Kaoko".

starts to call out to Yamamoto, but is reminded. He can very well handle himself against those men. She remembered their sparring session...

murmurs "... Dr. Shamal? Long time... no see..."

Mm, no kidding. Seems like I've always got the good fortune of patching you up~

busying himself with preparations. The injuries aren't fatal, but they're bad enough to have him hurrying just a little more than usual.

's vision is swimming, but she forces herself to focus on a single spot on Shamal's ceiling. "I'm... very lucky... then?" she grins, which-

leads into a sudden spasm of bloody coughs. "ugh... at least... insides... not exactly... a problem..."

wanted to claw at the ceiling. The pain, she wanted to numb it badly. She wanted to clutch onto something, someone. Mukuro-sama, the boss, -

Kaoko, Yamamoto, Kyouya...

gently holds the girl down. He has a syringe in his other hand.

"Take it easy, all right?" as he sinks the needle in. "And sleep now. You'll be patched up nice and fine by the time you get up."

I promise.

doesn't try to hide her labored breathing anymore, but is feeling the morphine seeping into her bloodstream (what's left of it in her veins)

finds Shamal's arm and holds onto that now. "Could you... tell Mukuro-sama... boss... Kaoko-san... sorry? Please...?" she asks, her eyes-

starting to flutter now.

Yeah, I will. Don't worry.

could definitely feel herself slipping into unconsciousness. "Thank you... Shamal... owe... you..." One last smile, and she's finally still.

breathes out a small sigh and gets to work.

that it's going to be a long night.