Common Ground
Response to annonymous reviewers:
fei-yen: Here's a continuation! It took long because of writers block.
Part 3
He was just doing this because Mei-Toku was important for the mission. Mei-Toku was the only one who could really keep Li-Ling Po from misbehaving. Surely if Mei-Toku came back sick how did he change out of his clothes? Surely Mei-Toku wasn't able to change by himself with his inability to even move. Li-Ling Po popped into his mind. Of course he did have half a mind to kill the little thief.
For what?
Bu-Cho shook his head. All he needed to do was clean up that water mess and make sure Mei-Toku doesn't die so they could continue on their mission. They can't stay in this town for longer than a few days. They were running low on budget as always. He took the glass of water and the cloths back to the bed. He dumped the cloths on the wet puddle and handed Mei-Toku the glass of water.
"Don't take this the wrong way. I'm only doing this so we could leave soon," Bu-Cho said coolly. Mei-Toku grasped the glass tightly.
Would it kill you to say you cared? Mei-Toku thought to himself. He sensed that he was emotionally distraught at the moment. He should tell Bu-Cho what happened but he might be ridiculed for it. He barely handled that harsh statement. He didn't think he could handle even harsher criticism. He looked at the aristocrat sitting on the side of the bed. His feelings of admiration didn't change but it seemed to have turned into something else along the way. Somehow his admiration turned into love.
But he kept it hidden. He didn't want the cold shoulder he was sure to receive. No matter what he did, Bu-Cho still thought of him as a commoner.
"What?" Bu-Cho asked irritated. Mei-Toku looked down at the glass in his hands. He really felt like decking the aristocrat then and there. But he refrained himself.
"Nothing..." he responded. "Thank you." Not even a 'you're welcome'?
"Hn, are you done with that?"
Mei-Toku handed him the glass and watched as he walked out. He then sighed before laying back down. He felt so weak. He turned to his side and pulled the blanket up to his shoulders. His whole body ached. Li-Ling Po and Yako said they'd be back as fast as they could. Did they run into trouble? Mei-Toku hoped they didn't. Bu-Cho might pin it on him again for getting careless, not that he wasn't already.
He saw that Bu-Cho came back. Probably wanted answers.
"Where were you after you so childishly stormed out of here?" Bu-Cho asked. No, I can't deal with this now, Mei-Toku thought.
"Nowhere. I just walked around town," he answered. It was the truth. Damn Bu-Cho if he thought he was lying.
"You slept in the rain?" Mei-Toku thought it sounded sarcastic. He stayed silent. Surely Bu-Cho could get the answer from that. "That was careless of you. You do know the rain can cause sickness. A mistake on your part." He continued. Mei-Toku couldn't take it.
"Shut up!"
Mei-Toku lunged, hoping to make this slap count. He froze as his wrist was caught in midair. He stared in shock. Of course he knew that Bu-Cho was stronger than he was.
"Restrain yourself!" Bu-Cho commanded of him. Mei-Toku's mind seemed to wander off as he heard the word 'restrain'.
Restrain him...
"No..." Mei-Toku whispered, "NO!" Louder this time.
Bu-Cho was shocked as Mei-Toku began pulling at his arm and clawing at his hand to let go. This gave a hint that something more happened during this 'walk'.
"Let go of me! Let go of me!"
Bu-Cho grasped Mei-Toku's other wrist. He had to avoid the kicks being aimed at him.
"Clam yourself!" He commanded. This just made Mei-Toku struggle more. He didn't know how to handle this situation.
"Hey! Let him go!"
Bu-Cho let go and turned around to see Li-Ling Po, along with Yako, return from their excursion into town. He then looked at Mei-Toku who curled up under the blankets. Realization dawned on him as he figured out what these symptoms are. He just made the situation worse. He then looked at the purchases Li-Ling Po had. He hoped that it wasn't stolen.
"You didn't steal it did you?" Bu-Cho asked calculatingly. Li-Ling Po shook his head.
"Mei-Toku gave us the money to get it. We also got him some new clothing," he answered.
"What happened to the other one?"
"We burned it. I doubt he'd want to wear it ever again."
-X-
He overreacted. That was a careless mistake on his part. Mei-Toku curled up within the blankets, hoping he wouldn't be noticed. His hair color did match the sheets provided for him. He should've stayed calm. Now everyone knows. He told himself he'd keep a low profile on this. It doesn't seem to last. He needed to get better. He needed to continue. It's no use dwelling on something that already happened. He jumped as a hand touched his shoulder.
"You should take some medicine before you sleep. Doctor said you'd be better by tomorrow..." Li-Ling Po said trailing off. He'd only be better physically. But mentally... That was different.
Mei-Toku obeyed and then drifted off into sleep.
Li-Ling Po was worried. When Yako told him what had happened, he didn't think it'd be this bad. Mei-Toku would be wary of them, or anyone for that matter. When they came back and saw Bu-Cho, well the aristocrat made it worst. He was sure that he knew it too. Li-Ling Po then turned his attention to said aristocrat.
"You should know you made his mental state worse. I'd refrain from any degrading comments in the near future," Li-Ling Po said sternly. It wasn't effective as he noticed that Bu-Cho wasn't looking at him but at Mei-Toku instead.
"Where did he go?" Bu-Cho asked suddenly.
"Yako said he found him in the alley near some bar."
He saw that Bu-Cho got his sword getting ready to leave.
"Stay." Bu-Cho ordered then left. Li-Ling Po looked confused.
-X-
Bu-Cho looked repulsed at the sight of the bar before him. Too many criminals to deal with. He walked in mindful of the eyes watching him. He gave them a threatening glare that sent them back to whatever conversation and drinks they were having. He sat on one of the stools as the bartender asked for his order. He ordered something light. He couldn't get wasted because it was not an 'aristocratic' thing for him to do. He casually drank his drink while listening to what was being said.
Surely one of these commoners knew who took advantage of his Mei-Toku. He was too caught up in his images of revenge to notice that he thought of his Mei-Toku.
His attention was averted as one commoner spoke of taking advantage of a silver-haired pretty boy last night.
All Bu-Cho saw was red.
-X-
Bu-Cho glanced at his sword. It was bloody. At least he didn't get any blood on his shirt. He made a swift swipe at the air, which took off most of the dripping blood. He picked up Mei-Toku's stolen sword and walked away.
No one would miss the decaying corpses.
-X-
Li-Ling Po looked up as Bu-Cho returned. He wondered where the stern man had gone. Bu-Cho had been gone for a while. He did notice that Bu-Cho had Mei-Toku's sword. He didn't exactly leave with it. Actually, Li-Ling Po didn't really see Yako bring Mei-Toku's sword back. Bu-Cho just went to get it?
"Where did you get that?" Li-Ling Po asked with a curious tone.
"I found it around where your acquaintance found him," Bu-Cho answered.
"You didn't do anything did you?"
"We leave early tomorrow whether he's sick or not."
TBC---------------
BLK Angel of Destruction: There's part 3! Thanks for your reviews! I really appreciate them!
Review! NO Flames! C+C accepted.
