... ...
"Alright, all you have to do is make sure that he takes this drink once he wakes up, along with in the morning. His fever should go down fairly quickly, but make sure he gets plenty of rest. He should be fine within the next few days." She nodded, tearing up slightly as she accepted the canister gingerly.
"Th-thank you! Please, is there any way that we can repay you?" I looked around at the shabby hut. The floor was worn, looking like it was going to fall in in some places, and the ceiling sagged downward, like it was going to fall if the wind blew the wrong way. I shook my head. Probably not. "There must be something." I waved my hand dismissively, turning to gather my supplies. As I swung my bag over my shoulder, someone knocked at the entrance.
I didn't turn around. "You found me so quickly? You're persistent, I'll give you that." Turning my head, I could make out the armored figure leaning against the doorway. Orange hair glinted in the sunlight, and the man smiled cheerfully.
"That was kind of harsh, poisoning us so that you could make your escape. Took me ages to recover and come after you. Honestly, you didn't even give me the chance to speak!"
"I underestimated you. I expected you to be out at least for another few days." I shouldered my bag and bow, turning to face him. "What about your partner?" He shrugged.
"Still recovering. So, are you willing to listen to our offer now?" I walked past him, heading for the market place, and he followed closely behind, and back in the hut I could hear . "I'll take that as a yes. Well-"
I snorted. "Let me guess. Yet another lord is in need of aid. What is it this time, a birthing that won't occur for several months? A son who was conveniently sick just before his wedding? Oh, maybe they've mistaken me for an assassin and want me to kill someone?"
He blinked. "Someone's actually hired you for that?"
"They tried."
He shook his head as I began browsing through the market place. "No, I've noticed your skills as a healer and wish to employ you on my lord's behalf. We- my partner and I- were wondering if you would join his estate as the head-"
"I refuse."
He raised his eyebrows. "You haven't even heard the offer yet."
"I've heard enough. I don't want to join your little estate just so that your lord can have a higher social status." I lost interest in the stall in front of me, moving on to the next one, looking over the bags on display. I glanced over at my current bag. It really was falling apart...
"You aren't even interested in the lord I'm referring to?"
"Should I be?" I held up one of the bags, examining it. It was well-made, and there were plenty compartments. "How much is this?"
"Well, it'll at least catch your interest. I'm Akatsuki, under the current employ of the Lord of the Western Lands, Sesshomaru."
I paid for the bag, smiling in thanks before continuing through the market. "I already knew who your lord is." I glanced at the red moon and flower crest on his kimono and the pointed ears that were barely noticeable underneath his hair, looking up to meet surprised dark grey eyes. "I have no intention of joining him, sorry." He narrowed his eyes.
"My lord usually wouldn't allow humans to be employed at his castle. You should feel honored for even being considered." I shrugged, considering. The Lord of the Western Lands wasn't well-known for his liking of humans, but he did have an extensive supply of rare medicinal plants. I wouldn't have to search for my own youkai herbs too often, but at the same time, I likely wouldn't last long in a fully youkai community if I didn't pay attention. Still, there were perks to his offer. Along with the chance of being killed violently by demons.
"I'll.. consider your offer. Is that fair?" He nodded in satisfaction, as if I'd already agreed.
He winked, turning to walk away. "Just ask for me when you stop by! Of course, you won't be the only one applying for the position, but if you show up I doubt that you'll fail! Ja ne!" He waved over his shoulder before darting away, toward the forest. I snorted, packing my bag with herbs and heading for the road. As if I'd do something so stupid.
... ...
The wind was strong as I stepped over a fallen log, trekking through the thick vegetation. I kept my bow at the ready in case of an attack, walking past familiar landmarks. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw a shadow move, darting behind a tree. Just as it'd done every time I'd turned around for the last few hours. I looked around, turning slightly to continue in the correct direction, ignoring the presence behind me as I followed the stream, frowning slightly as I reached a breach in the trees, the stream flowing through a clearing. I stopped at the very edge of the clearing, frowning. This spot... Had not been here the times I'd gone through this region before.
I narrowed my eyes, looking over the dead grass and blackened trees, going on for several miles. I walked out of the tree line, a could of ash rising as I kneeled, and as it settled I saw something glitter amongst the dust, and I reached down, plucking an object from the ground. It was a sliver from a lightly colored jewel, glittering in the sunlight. I turned it in different directions, watching the light glint off of it, seeming to warp around the shard. I tucked the shard into my yukata with a shrug, glancing around the rest of the clearing.
A loud rumbling began, and I heard a loud roar, trees cracking as something large approached quickly. I drew back and arrow, and an oni broke through the tree line, roaring as I ducked out of the way of an airborne tree. It sniffed, eyes landing on me as it lunged and my arrows bouncing off uselessly. I took off running for the forest , digging through my bag frantically as the oni made a chase, pulling out a canister. I held it up, sniffing slightly and grinning, turning, and throwing it. It roared, jaws locking on the canister, breaking it easily. Nothing happened, and my jaw dropped as it took huge, bounding steps toward me. I muttered, running through the stream and dashing past trees as I dug further into my bag. I grabbed a small pouch, ducking behind a tree to look inside. There was still over half of the crushed herb inside, thank kami. I grabbed a canister, marked with a deep scratch, and grabbed a pinch of the powder, sprinkling it into the canister, hearing the oni sniffing nearby, trying to catch my scent. I covered my mouth as a cloud of smoke began to rise, and slammed the lid back on, hearing the oni growl as he caught my scent, bashing through the trees behind me, while I had to dodge around them.
When it got close enough to attack, I snapped the lid off, dropping the smoking canister on the ground and speeding up, knowing how quickly the effects kicked in and hoping that no one else was this far into the forest. The oni's growls cut off and it choked, falling to the side into the forest with a crash. I continued running, ducking behind a tree and breathing harshly. I sat back against the tree, listening for sounds of the oni recovering and following.
"What was that?" an interested voice asked, and I turned my head sharply to see Akatsuki standing there, a small imp behind him, scowling at me.
"Air toxin. Smells pretty strong to people with sensitive noses, especially when mixed with certain other herbs. You were the one following me?"
He plopped down, legs crossed and a disappointed frown on his face. "Someone didn't show up for the job we were so kind to offer. Naughty Naughty."
I narrowed my eyes, my breaths shorter and more even now. "That was months ago. Why track me down now?" He opened his mouth to reply, but the imp interrupted him harshly.
"Enough small talk! Ningen, you have to come with me, now." I turned my gaze to where he was still standing, raising my eyebrows. He looked little better then a walking toad, wearing a brown kimono and grasping a staff tightly. The staff portrayed two heads on the top, an old man and a young woman, her hair wrapping around the length of the staff, the staff itself nearly twice the imp's height.
"Oh? And why is that?" His scowl deepened.
"Be-because milord demands it! The brat boasted of your abilities, and Sesshomaru-sama demands that you aid with the care of his ill ward!"
"Hm. And I'm supposed to care because...?"
He squawked in anger. "Impertinent wench, how dare you! Sesshomaru-sama deserves your utmost respect, and if he calls on your skills, you are required to answer!"
"Pft, whatever. Goodbye." I rose to my feet, intending to leave. The imp narrowed his eyes in annoyance, lifting his staff and slamming it on the ground. The old man was facing me, and his mouth opened, flames streaming toward me. My eyes widened, and I leapt back, dodging behind a tree to avoid the fire. What was he doing? I thought furiously, beating my sleeve against the tree to put out the flames. The fire stopped, and I waited for a moment before looking out from behind the tree. He was on the ground, Akatsuki pinning him to the ground with the staff, an annoyed expression on his face.
"Vassal or no, did you really think that was the best way to get her to go along willingly?" The toad muttered something, his face pressed against the dirt, and Akatsuki leaned down, grabbing him and dragging him away. I watched him say something to the imp, who returned nearly immediately.
"I.. apologize, Hani-sama." He said insincerely, bowing slightly at the waist. "I would greatly appreciate it if you accompanied me to my lord's castle." Akatsuki hit him upside the head with his staff. "Please." He spat out.
Akatsuki clapped, looking cheerful. "Well, I suppose now that that's over with, we should be on our way. Sesshomaru-sama isn't known for his patience. Healer, if you don't mind?" He kneeled, hands stretched out behind him. I scoffed, jogging slightly toward the west.
"As if, youkai. We aren't far, maybe three or four days at the most."
I heard quiet whispers behind me, and someone, probably Akatsuki, sighed. "Sorry Hani, we've got a bit of a deadline." He said, and someone scooped me up, tossing me across their back as the trees blurred past. I yelled angrily, knowing better then to struggle when we were going at this speed. The imp was hanging onto the other demon's arm, and Akatsuki made no attempt to spare him from hitting passing trees, the imp's angry cries not even fazing the demon.
"Alright, what in kami's name is going on?" I yelled over the wind, and the warrior winced at my loud demand right in his ear.
"Like Jaken said, our lord's ward is sick. I told him of your abilities and, despite you being a ningen, he agreed to let you try to heal her, telling us to get you there as soon as possible. You wouldn't believe how many people he's killed because they couldn't help her." He yelled cheerily.
Great. So I had a day and a half to get away or I would wind up in a murderous demon's home. That's perfect.
We didn't slow down for several hours, Akatsuki stopping in a part of the forest that I didn't recognize and letting me stand with an apologetic smile. I glowered, dropping my bow and letting my bag and quiver lie on the ground gently before sitting with my back to a tree.
"Well," Akatsuki said, clapping his hands. "I'll be right back, Jaken will keep you company, Hani. Don't you two go anywhere-!"
He walked away, waving over his shoulder, and we sat in silence for a moment before I broke the silence. "So, I have a question."
Jaken looked up with a wary expression. "Yes, Hani-sama?" He sounded like he was choking on his words, and I felt a pang of annoyance. Honestly, was it so much to hope for them to use my actual name?
"How bad is this ward's condition? It must be pretty severe for your lord to go to such lengths to cure him."
"Pah! The bothersome girl has been complaining of severe headaches and hasn't had as much energy as usual, not eating as much. It only started a week ago, and she collapsed within days of it beginning, waking up only occasionally, with a high fever." I narrowed my eyes, sorting through the different illnesses I'd seen and heard of.
"You said that you'd had others look into her condition?" He nodded.
"Yes, every youkai doctor or healer we could find in the region. None of them could cure her, and we were forced to turn to you, a ningen of all things, to help. The boy said that you were adept in many procedures he'd never so much as heard of, that the cures you make are so full proof that ningens call them miracles. Is that correct?" I shrugged. If you could consider my teachings miracles, certainly.
The imp leaned forward, his eyes glinting slightly. "Know this, Hani-sama. If there is nothing but illusions to your 'cures', if you can't heal her... my lord will not be pleased." I rolled my eyes, leaning back.
"I've heard rumors of the herbal stock in the Palace of the Western Lands. Will I be permitted to use it, or do I need to use my own supplies?"
"Don't worry, you will be given all supplies you believe are needed. Sesshomaru-sama will make sure of that." I nodded, staring at the leaves above me.
The entire situation seemed interesting. As far as I knew, the Lord of the Western land had no heirs, and held no affections for anyone. From what little I'd been able to guess, the ward they were speaking of was a human, probably a little girl. For youkai healers to not know what to do, she would have to be human, because they had little care for learning how to cure ningens, and would only try youkai methods of healing on her, expecting the healing to occur fairly quickly. Plus, the little toad made it sound like she ran around a lot, and many of the illnesses I could think of wouldn't have shown signs that quickly, unless she was still very young. I would ordinarily just escape, but this job... it seemed like it would at least hold my interest. I was curious.
Something hit the ground in front of me, and Akatsuki stood there, grinning, over a dead boar, with a pile of wood in his arms. How he'd managed to gather wood, hunt, and bring both back was beyond me, but I smiled back and helped prepare the food. Jaken started the fire, aiming his staff at the pile of wood and enveloping it in the same flames I'd seen earlier. Speaking off... I looked down, scowling at my yukata. The hem was blackened, and an entire section of the right sleeve had been burned away before I could put out the fire. I untucked a black strand of hair, seeing that even some of that was singed, although the majority had been held up and out of the way. I sighed, turning back to the roasting boar, tossing some crushed herbs onto the meat.
"I'll fix it later I suppose." I muttered, and Akatsuki eyed me oddly while the imp looked at the herbs I'd just added suspiciously. I rolled my eyes, grabbing some of the meat and retreating to my tree, making sure that they could see me take a bite as I ate. They watched for a moment suspiciously, before the demons dug in, stuffing themselves with food. I leapt for a bit of the meat, grabbing a little more and wrapping it in a piece of cloth for later, not trusting them not to eat the entire animal.
They finished quickly, and Akatsuki smiled brightly at me. "Well, Hani, we should probably-"
I rolled my eyes. "Enough with the 'Hani' Call me Haruka."
He nodded, grinning slightly. "Alright then, Haruka-san. We should probably retire now. We're going to leave early to make it to the castle as soon as possible." He plopped down next to me, leaning against the tree. The demon seemed to fall asleep immediately, his hand on the sword at his hip. I shrugged, pulling on the comb to let my hair down and sliding off to sleep.
... ...
Translations:
Ja ne- See you
Youkai- demon
Oni- ogre
Ningen- human
Hani- healer