The walk down to the hospital was quiet, with Kaira showing Taika to the facility in question. In all honesty, the lunar vixen was grateful, as when they left the MA Office, she realized that she had no idea where Shouri was even being kept.

Less than a five-minute trip got them into the building. The glass doors slid open automatically to let the two canine girls pass through. Kaira led Taika through the lobby to the elevator and they were taken to the fourth floor.

Taika had never been in one of these places before. She read about them in her more modern novels she enjoyed, but it was always a different experience in person. The first and most noticeable thing was the smell. It smacked her like a slap to the face, causing her to wince when it hit her. It was a bitter scent, artificial. Lots of soaps and cleaner scents that she was vividly familiar with, but not in this particular mixture. Well, that wasn’t true, she had experienced a similar odor before – when her previous caretakers needed to “clean up” after a particularly messy “disagreement”. That in combination with the chilly air caused the lunar fox to hug herself and shiver.

Trying not to lose herself in memories of the past, she focused on the sights they passed by. It was bright – the overhead lights making sure the bright white hallways popped that much more. Her ears flicked as she took in the ambient noise - it was quiet but loud all at the same time. The cacophony of machinery humming away with the beeps emitted from the variety of devices would certainly be an adjustment she’d have to get used to. The people were quiet, speaking low, though not low enough to escape Taika’s hearing.

“There’s nothing we can do. The healing was administered too late and the damage was too extensive, I’m sorry.”

The fox stopped in place, her eyes locked forward as Kaira continued without her. The voice was that of a doctor talking to a patient’s family in the room to the left of Taika. The door was slightly closed, but again, her hearing was just too sensitive – it was as if they were screaming at her. Despairing sobs soon followed. A man clad in white stepped out of the room.

“Oh pardon me.” The doctor stepped around Taika.

“Wait!” The fox called out to the man.

He stopped, turning to the Resonator. “Can I help you?” He asked.

“There wasn’t anything you could do…?” She questioned.

The man mulled those words over, his eyes reaching Taika’s big, fluffy ears. “I keep telling them they need to soundproof these rooms better.” The doctor shook his head. “While I am not at liberty to discuss the patient’s specifics, healing magic is not absolute, especially when not administered immediately.” He explained.

“My Maestro always tells us that.” Taika nodded slowly.

“You have a very intelligent Maestro – not many realize that until it's too late.” The doctor nodded. “As soon as an injury occurs, order begins to take over and overwrite the chaos of the injury, even if that leads to death.” The doctor paused, lowering his voice. “Death is just as orderly as life.” Another pause. “No one likes to hear that.”

Taika remained silent for a moment. “I want to learn medicine.” She muttered.

A smile rose on the man’s lips. “A very noble goal – I wish you the best of luck.” His words were genuine, a surprise for sure. “Have a good day.”

And with that, he departed to tend to the next patient. Taika remained where she stood, a storm of thoughts raging in her mind.

“Taika?” Kaira’s voice pulled her out of the mental tornado she found herself trapped in.

The lunar shook her head, addressing the jackal. “Mi dispiace,” she muttered. “Where is Sho’s room?”

Kaira was silent for a moment before turning. “This way.” She continued leading the way.

They reached Room 409, finding Shouri and Pacifica. “Sho.” Taika raised her voice, drawing attention to her presence.

“Taika.” The other two spoke in unison.

The lunar and water Resonators' eyes met. There was a complicated series of emotions passed between the two.

Taika couldn’t help the anger she felt. How did Pacifica let Shouri get like this? They trusted her to keep him safe. She knew how their Maestro behaved; she should have been more alert. Taika wouldn’t have let this happen.

And to a socially savvy Resonator like Pacifica, Taika might as well have screamed her feelings. The otter lowered her head shamefully. They both thought she was weak – both Rebecca and Taika confirmed Pacifica’s fears.

“Leave.” Taika trembled with anger.

Pacifica’s head snapped up. “But-!”

“Leave.” Taika raised her voice. “I’m staying with Sho until he gets better,” she demanded.

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Shouri said nothing. He folded his arms across his chest but stayed out of the two Resonators' argument. Likewise, Kaira remained quiet.

“N-no!” Pacifica stood, shaking not with anger like Taika, but fear. “Let me look after him.”

“Absolutely not. You-” Taika stopped herself just short. She wanted to throw the blame directly in the otter’s face. But they were still friends. It was too cruel.

Taking in a breath, Taika pivoted her reasoning. “I still need to recover – I’m not healing as fast as Rebby did when she was sick. I need Sho’s rhythm.” She paused to take another breath. “And I’m his duet partner, he’ll recover faster if we etude.” Her blue rhythm flickered behind her eyes.

Pacifica refused her fellow Resonator’s gaze. Just seeing that sad weakened rhythm from her friend easily convinced Pacifica.

Shouri finally voiced his opinion. “I agree with Taika. You need to sleep anyway.”

Another dose of salt for the wound, making Pacifica wilt further.

“Stop that. Take care of yourself please.” Shouri replied. “They might be mad at you-” Taika jumped at the accusation. “-but I’m not. I was the one who jumped in the way, not you.”

The Maestro turned his gaze up at the bodyguard in the corner. “Kaira, please tell Rebecca that I said not to give Pacifica any shit. If I hear anything about that, she’s going to have to answer to me,” Shouri dictated to the jackal.

“I will let her know,” Kaira agreed to the request.

With that out of the way, Shouri turned his attention to the water Resonator. “Let me know if she gives you any crap.”

Pacifica grunted, averting his gaze.

“Paci, I mean it. This is a direct order to you both. You don’t deserve any more crap than you’ve already taken. I don’t want you hurting yourself over this,” Shouri said.

All this earned was another unintelligible noise from the otter as she continued to keep her eyes firmly away from her Maestro. “I’m going to check in on you, so you better be honest with me.”

“Like I could lie to you,” she grumbled.

“Good, now go get some rest.” He offered her tuner to her.

Keeping her head down, Pacifica took her tuner and sulked to the door. Kaira nodded to herself; that went smoother than she had expected. It was almost a bit jarring to see Shouri being so strict with his team, he usually was so open and let them do what they wanted. To be fair, all of this was for their good. The stoic Resonator cracked a smile – Shouri knew when to be stern and when to be gentle. A masterful display indeed.

“Let Colette know what’s up for me,” he requested of the jackal.

Kaira nodded. “Of course, Maestro Shouri.”

With their departure, Taika and Shouri were left alone, Taika closing the door behind them. She turned to her Maestro, stepping over and taking the seat Pacifica previously occupied.

The two occupants of the room remained silent for some time. “Oh, here.” Taika broke up the silence to relinquish her tuner to its owner.

“Thank you.” He accepted the device and checked on her status.

Status: Illness

“Hrm.” The Maestro set the tuner next to him and palmed around the side of the bed for a moment. Taika squeaked in surprise as the bed suddenly began to lower with a loud mechanical whirr. Reaching back, Shouri messed with the guard railing until he was able to release it and push it down. Lastly, he scooched over, resting on the extreme right edge of the bed. “Come here.” He motioned to the spot he had just opened up for the vixen.

Hesitantly she accepted his offer and crawled into bed. “Wow, this isn’t very comfy,” she noted.

The Maestro reached around pulling his precious Resonator close. “Not at all.” He chuckled. “But you’ll make it bearable,” the boy whispered.

Taika gulped, her heart racing. When did he get this smooth? Did he start reading romance novels??

He wrapped his left arm around the back of her head and linked his right hand with her left (being mindful not to rest their joined hands on his wound). “Ahhh… that’s so much better,” Shouri sighed in relief.

“Yeah…” Taika breathed out, unable to suppress her pleasured smile.

The duet laid there for some time, enjoying each other’s presence both physically and rhythmically. “Sho, I think I know what I want to do,” Taika spoke up, her voice at a whisper.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“I want to be a doctor.” She squeezed his hand, smiling warmly. “So when this happens again I can patch you up myself.” The vixen giggled. “I’m your partner, I should be the one to heal you.” She nuzzled his shoulder.

The Maestro couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re such an enabler.” He closed his eyes relishing in the moment. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”