Katie and Gloria raced to the Hospital to see how everyone was after the fight. The girls had been relaxing at Katie’s when they received a frantic phone call from Samantha. The pregnant bride to be had been horrified to discover Claudia and the Tozawa family were seriously hurt while the house was in shambles. Thinking quickly she had quickly called Merlin and the others. Trying to explain everyone’s injuries to paramedics would have been troublesome as Samantha could sense the residual magical energies in the area. Upon Merlin’s arrival though he realized the grave ness of everyone’s injuries and quickly transported them all to the hospital.
As Katie and Gloria arrived they quickly noticed Mika, Naomi, And Shiro in the waiting room. Shiro’s arm was in a sling while Naomi and Mika appeared to have numerous cuts and bruises on them. What surprised the sisters the most though was the small infant cradled in Mika’s arms.
“Mika,” Katie exclaimed, giving her friend a tight hug. “Are you Okay? Whose baby is that?”
“It’s Kari,” she responded grimly as she looked down at the sleeping child. “She, she was transformed by one of the Kitsune.”
Katie paused as she looked at Mika, the Asian woman looked close to tears as she gazed at the infant. “Mika How is everyone,” she asked.
Mika said nothing as she looked at her sleeping child, her eyes began to glaze over with tears as she slowly turned away. It was Shiro Who now approached, placing a comforting hand on his twin sister. “Katie,” he said solemnly. “Take a seat, It’s about Claudia and Jen.”
Both Gloria and Katie now sat as Shiro glumly looked down at them. “Thankfully Mika and Naomi only has scratches and bruises from the attack,” he said. “I wasn’t as lucky, dislocAted shoulder. Jen and Claudia weren’t so lucky.”
“Where are they,” Gloria asked.
“Jens in the burn unit,” Shiro sighed. “The doctors say she suffered 2nd degree burns to her back. It’s going to scar but she should be able to go home in a few weeks.”
“What about Claudia,” Katie asked fearfully.
Shiro sighed, hanging his head as he glanced over at his twin. “Claudia’s in surgery,” he said sadly. “The doctors say she suffered a couple of cracked vertebrae’s in her neck. Were waiting on a status update from Julia but, she might be paralyzed from the waist down.”
Katie gasped, her eyes dampening as she now stood. As she did Gloria gazed at her sister and her friends. How could this happen? When Lynne and the others came back the last time they had sealed several portals that were supposed to prevent anyone from being hurt. If Lynne and the others had known this would happen why didn’t she warn them.
“Katie, Gloria!”
Turning the sisters could see the rest of their friends pour into the hospital, a look of concern on their faces. As Katie and her friends now began to talk and cry quietly, Gloria beckoned her friends down the hall. “Everything okay,” Jackie asked. “We kind of got the breakdown from Merlin. He said a Kitsune attacked them?”
“Yeah that’s what it sounds like,” Gloria said quietly. “Jen And Claudia are in bad shape. The doctors think Claudia might be paralyzed.”
Gasps of shock and anger now passed between Gloria’s friends as they claymores for more information. “Guys that’s all I know,” Gloria groaned. “We’re waiting for Dr. Harris now, Shiro said she should have an update soon.”
As the girls turned back to Katie and the others they noticed Dr. Julia Harris approaching. Julia looked tired as she now approached the group. Mika now slowly stood as she anxiously gazed at Claudia’s older sister. “Julia,” she whispered, clutching Kari tightly to her chest. “Any word on Claudia?”
“Claudia just got of surgery,” Julia stated. “Her injuries were severe but, it looks like she has feeling in her legs.”
Mika sighed, tears freely flowing as she thanked Julia for the good news. “It’s not all good news though Mika,” Julia said. “Look, Claudia is probably going to be in a neck brace for awhile. Chances are she’s going to need a cane to get around and she’s probably going to have weakness and numbness in her legs for the rest of her life. It’s going to be a long recovery.”
“When can I see her,” Mika asked.
“I’ll take you to her now,” Julia smiled. “Knowing my sister, she’ll probably be grumpy but happy to see you. By the way, whose the kid?”
Mika smiled down at Kari before turning towards Julia. “She’s our daughter,” she smiled. “Well, she will be soon.”
Julia’s eyes went wide as she looked between Mika and Kari, finally she just shook her head as she began to chuckle. “Figures,” she laughed softly. “You two always got to make things difficult. Now cmon, she’s probably still sleeping but she she’ll probably want to see you two when she wakes up.”
“Hey guys,” Mika said, turning to look at her friends. “Thanks for checking in with us. Stay here for awhile okay? Tell our parents what’s going on when they get here, I’ll see if you can come visit.”
As Katie and the others now wished Mika the best Gloria looked at her friends. She was angry, not only at the Kitsune that attacked but at her little sister for not warning her. “I know that look,” Sasha said grimly. “Your thinking about going after this guy aren’t you. Well count me in.”
“You can’t be serious,” Jackie exclaimed. “Look What Just happened. Claudia was freaking crippled by this guy and he ragdolled everyone at Mika’s house. What chance do we have.”
“Well we cant just not do anything,” Diane argued. “I’m not going to just sit here after watching my girlfriend get hurt.”
“What do you think Gloria,” Felicia asked.
Gloria rubbed her chin thoughtfully as her friends gazed at her. Whatever decision she decided to make would be dangerous. The Kitsune had already gravely injured Katie’s friends, if they tried to fight would they end up in a similar situation or worse. Turning towards her friends Gloria now made a decision.