A New Beginning

The busy halls of the Yukira Medical group based in America were filled with surgeons, doctors and nurses rushing to their destinations. On the ground level of the building, Kahoru had just finished up a five-hour surgery. She walked out of the room and stretched.

It had been three years since Kahoru had left Japan.

During those years, Kahoru's hard work has payed off and she had became one of many skilled general surgeons. She was twenty-five years old and is very talented for a person of her age to become a surgeon.

She had told herself to work hard and not to worry about others, considering what had happened a few years ago. She was not interested in making any friends.

...

As Kahoru finished changing, she heard a woman's voice calling out to get her attention. "D-Dr. Yukimura, could you please check the details of the patient with the kidney stones?"

"Okay. Hand over the papers to me." Kahoru turned around and gave a cold eye to the nurse.

The nurse quickly gave the papers and immediately ran off.

Ever since incident, Kahoru had became a cold person. She never smiled, and when she entered a room, the atmosphere had became as cold as the arctic and was very tense. Her workers felt intimidated by her and only went near her to give her documents, but they would always run out the room the moment they gave them to her.

When Kahoru first came for placement, she was a bit chubby and was very cheerful but after she came back to America from her break, everyone immediately noticed she became distant and cold.

Kahoru had lost weight after coming back from Japan and was known as the unapproachable 'beauty of the hospital'. Her body was well proportioned; her legs were long and her light brown hair was tied up in a low ponytail that had surpassed her chest. She had thin bangs that just reached her cold brown eyes. She looked even more alluring with a doctor's coat on.

...

Kahoru was about to head out when she heard a voice call out to her. "Kahoru, Wait! I need to tell you something!"

Kahoru turned around and looked to see who was calling her. It was Mei. "What do you want sis?"

"Let's go to my office and talk about it."

"Okay."

When they walked into the director's office, Mei led Kahoru to a seat and they both sat down. Mei offered Kahoru tea. "Do you want tea?"

"No need."

"Okay then let's get to the point! I called you here today because I had assigned you to big bro's hospital. You'll be starting there after New Years."

"Wait, what? Japan?" Kahoru was dumbfounded at what Mei had said.

"Yes! Where else would big bro have his headquarters? I assigned you there because his hospital is understaffed and big bro needs more help. It's becoming hectic over there."

Kahoru took a moment to think. She was hesitant to go back to Japan, but her brother's hospital had patients that needed her help, and so she reluctantly agreed to Mei's request."Okay. I'll go."

"Thank you so much, little sis!" Mei gave Kahoru a quick hug.

"...It's no problem." Kahoru started to contemplate about her life choices. She was not so sure if she really wanted to go back to Japan, but what has been done, is done. There was no turning back. She left the hospital and headed towards a Japanese restaurant to have dinner with one of her roommates.

As Kahoru went inside, she spotted her roommate who was waiting for her. She walked towards the table her friend was located at and stood in front of her. "Kanna. I'm here."

"About time, come sit!"

"Okay."

Kahoru sat opposite of her friend. Her friend had the face of a porcelain doll, her black hair that was supposed to reach her hips, was tied up into a neat bun and she was a little bit shorter than Kahoru.

The lady's name was Maeda Kanna. Kanna was a nurse and was Kahoru's senior by a year. They had met during university when Kahoru's and Kanna's class had merged for a day; as they would be working together in the future since they were both studying to become doctors and nurses. Although Kanna worked in a different hospital than Kahoru they had became closer and decided to rent out an apartment along with another friend.

Kahoru had changed in the last three years, but Kanna still stuck by her side, as a good friend would do. It was evening of Christmas Eve, so the girls had a feast. "Oh, Kanna. I need to tell you something."

"Hm? What is it?"

"I'm moving back to Japan in ten days."

"That's nice!" Kanna replied without a thought. All of a sudden Kanna stopped chewing as she came to the realization and looked at Kahoru in shock. "J-Japan? That's so far away! You're moving without me?"

"Don't worry. Aren't you moving there as well?"

"In about four months, I need to finish my contract with the hospital."

"I'll see you there then." The girls had finished their dinner and headed to the arcade. They were going to celebrate Christmas together. Their other roommate Serizawa Hinata had already moved back to Japan two years after Kahoru came back but they all kept in contact until, Hinata stopped replying one day. They both thought that she was too busy as she wanted to become an actress and model or must have found something else. Hinata's last words to them were, "I'll see you guys on television."

They spent the majority of the night at the arcade and then headed to Kahoru's place to drink the night away.

After Christmas, Kahoru spent the last few days working with the patients and doctors she was assigned with, making sure they were in good hands after she left.

...

It was a cold morning on the Third of January.

Kahoru had finished packing everything that was in her apartment. The movers were preparing to move her boxes that were going to be shipped out to Japan, so they could arrive safely at her new apartment.

She contacted her father for help and he had found her a small apartment that was twenty minutes away from her brother's hospital. The apartment was owned by one of Makoto's friends.

Shen, Mei and their daughter Rachel, helped Kahoru take her luggage downstairs. They drove her to the airport. After checking herself in, they headed towards the departures gate. Mei squeezed Kahoru with all her might. "Thank you for all these years!" Mei said with teary-eyes.

"Mm."

"Good luck with brother in law's hospital!" Shen tapped Kahoru's shoulder.

Rachel also joined in on the goodbyes. "Bye-bye Aunty!"

"Bye-bye Rachel." Kahoru softly patted her head.

"Kaho! Don't forget about me!" Kahoru turned around to where the voice had come from and it was a very upset Kanna running towards her. Kanna slowed down and gave Kahoru a big hug.

"I'll see you in a few months." Kahoru hugged back.

"You better not forget me!"

"I won't."

Kahoru waved to them and walked through the departures gate.

"She's not even going to smile? I thought she'd at least give us a smile!" Kanna frowned as she crossed her arms.

"Give her some time to heal. After mother's death, something else must've happened to her. It's been three years and she hasn't smiled. I feel sorry for her." Mei hooked her arm around Kanna's shoulder and hugged her from the side.

"Let's go back. I'll drop Rachel at my parents' house and Kanna home." Shen declared.

"Okay let's go!" Mei agreed to Shen's words as it was starting to become quite late for everybody.

...

It had been fourteen hours since Kahoru flew and all she did to pass time was sleep and listen to music. She had gotten the window seat, so she watched the clouds occasionally.

The plane was about to land in Japan and Kahoru was beginning to feel a little uneasy. What was going to happen from now on?

She had been running away from everything all these years and due to her moving back to Japan, she felt the need to avoid the people she knew. She didn't want to get humiliated again.

The plane finally had landed and Kahoru was leaving the plane. She was nervous. What were her father and brothers going to do to her when she saw them again? She did leave the country without saying goodbye. She is going to have to face them again.

She went through customs and walked out of arrivals gate quite quickly. She looked around for her brothers and found them towards the back. They held a sign that said: "Welcome home big sis!"

Kahoru walked towards them. As she was about to surprise them, she heard Ryutaro say something. "Shin, did you see her walking out of the gate?"

"No. Did she tell us the wrong time?"

"I'll kill her if she had given us the wrong time!" Ryutaro was fired up.

"Who said whose going to kill who?" Behind the brothers was a cold voice. They both instinctively turned around to see a face they did not recognise. She was extremely beautiful. Her face was slender and her light brown hair complimented her skin tone. Although the clothes she wore were not extravagant; She wore an old brown oversized hoodie with black leggings that had small holes peeping through. This lady made the dreadful outfit look amazing.

"W-who are you miss?" Ryutaro was stunned. This pretty lady had approached them and she stared icicles into them. The brothers were terrified that they had goosebumps running down their back.

"M-Miss I think you mistook us for someone else." Even Shintaro could not recognise Kahoru.

Kahoru reached and grabbed both brothers by their ear lobes and pulled them in towards her." How could you not recognise your own sister?"

"Ow OW OWWWW! What are you doing miss?!" Shintaro yelped.

"K-K-Kaho-n-nee?!" Ryutaro suddenly pulled back and was flabbergasted. "It can't be! The big sis we know was chubby!" But there was no denying that her voice was the same.

"It really is her Ryu. You can't mistaken that voice." Shintaro had finally realised that it was Kahoru.

"Big sis? Is it really you? Oh my god, you lost so much weight! You've become so much prettier!" Ryutaro was so shocked that he blasted words out. Shintaro smacked the back of Ryutaro's head.

"OW! What was that for?" Ryutaro rubbed the back of his head whilst frowning at his older brother.

"We missed you, big sis. Let's go home. Father and Kenjiro-nii are waiting."

"Mm."

The siblings walked out of the airport and into the BMW that was waiting for them. Ito-san was helping Kahoru with her luggage. "Long time no see Lady Kahoru." Ito-san bowed and smiled.

"Long time so see Ito-san." Kahoru nodded back. She then joined her brothers in the back seat.

Kahoru did not talk on the way home. She was so exhausted from the flight and immediately dozed off. It took an hour and a half to get home, so she used that time to rest while her brothers chatted amongst each other.

Kahoru woke up to the car hitting a bump and she stretched. "Sis! You woke up! We're almost home! So you better not go back to sleep." Ryutaro nervously patted Kahoru's shoulder.

"I won't." Kahoru watched the familiar scenery as she leaned her head onto the window. She felt a little nostalgic.

They finally arrived home and the maids welcomed the siblings. Makoto, Kenjiro, and his family stood at the entrance way waiting for Kahoru to arrive. Instead of properly greeting her, they all had their jaws wide open. Who was that girl? Was it really Kahoru?

"K-Kahoru?" Nana exclaimed.

"Long time no see everyone. I'm really sorry for not saying anything when I left." Kahoru bowed to them.

Suddenly she lifted up her head and everyone ran in to hug her. Everyone was talking all at once and was pulling her everywhere like as if she was a ragdoll. All she heard was, "Kaho! You've changed!"

"Kaho you're so pretty now!"

"I'll kill you for disappearing!"

"Are you really Kaho?"

She couldn't stop hearing her name.

...

It was Dinner time.

The family was feasting on the food the chef made, and the atmosphere was calm. Everyone asked how she was and many other questions. "Kaho, I look forward to working with you next week." Kenjiro grinned.

"Me too." Kaho bowed. Due to the jet lag, Kahoru needed to rest for the week so she could adapt to Japanese time.

She couldn't move immediately into her apartment as her things wouldn't arrive until three weeks later, so she stayed with her family for the time being.

After dinner, Kahoru was sitting in front of the television with Nana. They were catching up and when a small child wobbled her way to Nana. "Mama!"

Nana picked up the little girl in her arms and kissed her on the cheek. "It's your bedtime soon. I'll read you a story!"

"Yay!"

"Sister in law. Who is this child?" Kahoru was stunned as the child was unfamiliar to her.

"This is Yuka, my daughter. We had her when you were away in the U.S. She is turning three this year."

"She is very cute."

"I know right? Yuka, this is your Aunty Kahoru. Please treat her well!" Nana introduced Yuka to Kahoru and Yuka nodded. She was happy that she had an Aunty. Everyone else was her uncle and grandpa.

"Nice to meet you Yuka-chan."

"Nice to meet you too Aunty." Yuka smiled happily. Kahoru blushed at the little child. She was too cute for words.

"Okay Yuka-chan, time to go to bed!" Nana stood up and started to lead the sleepy little girl towards the bedroom.

"Okay, mama!" Nana went to put Yuka to bed. The trip was very tiring so Kahoru went to take a relaxing bath. As she relaxed in the warm milky water, she hoped she would not run into anyone. She loudly sighed. Kahoru simply wanted a new beginning, where she would not have to be humiliated and shamed, just because she was being herself.

After the warm bath, Kahoru headed into her bedroom to rest. Nothing had been moved, except for the fact that it had been clean occasionally. She looked up at her ceiling and saw the glow in the dark stars which brought back memories for her. She turned off her lamp and climbed into her bed. It was dark and the only light left were the glow from the stars. Her eyes felt heavy. She reached her hand out in front of her, and spoke to herself, "I wish to find," she paused and closed her eyes. Kahoru slowly fell into a slumber, she whispered the word, "happiness".

The room became silent.