Chapter 2: Friend

The sound of someone approaching roused Parsee. Sitting up, Parsee massaged her temples with her forefinger and thumb. Her head hurt like hell, and her stomach wasn't too much better. Was it that drink that Tall and Pretty, Yuugi was it, gave her last night?

She winced as someone stumbled, making a loud racket. Cursing, that someone continued forward. In fact, that someone sounded very familiar.

"Parsee! Yo, Parsee!" Slowly turning her head, as to keep the migraine to a low roar, Parsee saw through bleary eyes that it was indeed Yuugi. "Heya there Parsee, how's it been?"

Parsee felt the normal emotions she got when someone crossed her bridge. Anger, jealousy, sadness… but there appeared to be another. Pondering this, and fighting the urge to vomit, she glared at the tall Oni.

"Uhhh, is somethin' wrong?" Yuugi was holding something, though Parsee couldn't necessarily see it. "Pars, you all right? Looks like ya ate some of Marisa's cooking."

Parsee didn't know who Marisa was, but figured that she probably was one of Yuugi's friends. Again, jealousy, but nice jealousy. "I'll… tell you what's wrong…" She said slowly, trying to stand up, but failing miserably. "I've been… laying here with a hu-"

That's when she couldn't hold it in any longer. Leaning over the side of her bridge, Parsee vomited. After she was done, she collapsed, out cold.

"Geez," Yuugi walked over and stared at the Youkai, "I guess you're a light weight, eh?"

Parsee slowly opened her eyes. Her headache was gone, which was great, and even her stomach felt better. She pulled the blanket around her, glad that her pillow was nice and…

Wait. She didn't own a blanket or a pillow.

Shooting up, she looked around at her surroundings. She was still on her bridge, but she had a blanket and a pillow. She stared at these items, not understanding how she came to be sleeping with them.

"Oh good, you're up."

Whirling around, Parsee saw Yuugi sitting nearby. The Oni had appeared to be sleeping as well, and she was sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck. "You kinda passed out there. I took the time to give ya some kind of medicine that Yagokoro chick whipped up for Reimu when she has a hangover."

"You… drugged me in my sleep…!?"

Yuugi laughed, "No, no, no, no. I just gave ya something for your stomach and headache. Apparently, I gave ya something a little bit too strong last night." Again, that sheepish grin. "Sorry."

Parsee felt peeved by what had just happened. She didn't need that Oni to do anything for her, yet here she was, medicating her for a 'hangover'. But then there was that undercurrent of another emotion. What exactly was it?

"You all right? Ya look like someone just drank all of your sake."

That's when Parsee's nose kicked in. She smelled something… delicious. Trying to find the source of the scent, Parsee's eyes landed on the basket next to Yuugi. Against her will, Parsee's stomach growled.

Yuugi laughed, "I'm guessin' you're hungry, right?"

Before Parsee could deny it, her stomach growled. Again. Mutinous little devil.

"Well, I have some lunch," Yuugi reached into the basket and pulled out a large, steaming pot. Parsee stared in amazement at the fact that Yuugi didn't even flinch when her hands came in contact with the hot metal. "Let's see, I got some rice, and some of Lorelei's lamprey dumplings."

She took out to bowls, filled them, and handed one to Parsee. "Well? Ya gunna eat or what?"

Not seeing any way to get the Oni to leave, she accepted the bowl and a pair of chopsticks. Yuugi began to dig in, but she poked at it. "What's the matter? If it's the lamprey, you should know that the cook is pretty damn good."

"Why are you doing this?" Yuugi looked at the girl, "What do ya mean?"

"Why are you here? Don't you have something better to do?" asked Parsee. She tried to feel angry at the Oni, but couldn't. That undercurrent of a feeling wouldn't let her.

Yuugi seemed to ponder the question. "Well, after I got my new geta," she said with a full mouth, pointing at her new footwear, "I didn't have anything else to do. Figured I'd make good on my promise to ya."

"Promise?"

"Yeah, to see ya again sometime soon." She laughed, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, "You're not good at this, are ya?"

"Good at what?"

"Talking to your new friend Pars."

Friend? That feeling was stronger now. The rest of Yuugi's visit consisted of the Oni telling her about herself. She cleaned up the dishes, packed the basket, all the while having this big smile that was almost infectious. When she got up to leave, Parsee pointed at the blanket and pillow.

"Naw," Yuugi said, "you can keep'em." She waved, "See ya around Pars!"

Friend… Parsee watched as Yuugi walked off towards the Ancient City. She couldn't label that feeling still, but figured she could sleep on it. Lying underneath the blanket, she slowly recapped the day's events. Migraine and vomiting, followed by passing out and being medicated. Then eating with her new friend.

As she nodded off, she could finally name that feeling. Happiness… at least she thought it was.

~Well, still nothing M rated, but I swear things'll change. As always, criticism is welcomed, just not blind rage. Still good?

And so we go!