Dusk came; and only the cabin was illuminated in the blackness of the mountain. The dim lights from the inside of the cabin were seeping from the windows, making it appear as if it were a ship lost in the middle of a black ocean.
In that cabin, Yumichika was sitting with his legs under him on a zabuton placed not very far away from the man resting on his futon, staring silently at the unconscious man, lost deep in thought.
This man— he was probably the traveller Shi had spoke of that day in the market, the one who beat up the Ogiwara brothers. He has never seen or known men like this one in the village; the man was bald and had a strong, sturdy physique. And while taking a closer look, one could notice the traveller had red streak tattoos on the outer corner of each eye.
He had sharp features even while he was resting and scars scattered around his body and face. Yumichika didn't know why this man came to Jahal and started trouble; neither did he know what this man wanted or how he managed to get in the mountain.
These were all red flags that had Yumichika alert and cautious. He even wanted to head out and check-up with the guardians but he couldn't risk leaving the man alone, so he waited.
While Yumichika waited, he made himself some tea and dinner.
He was sipping on his tea waiting for the eggs to cook, when there was an audible grunt from his bedroom and Yumichika could feel his heart beating a little faster, he needed to stay calm and assess the situation smartly, after all— he couldn't risk making any false speculations about him true.
Upon entering the currently occupied room, he noticed the man was trying to sit up but was restricted by his injury, and then lying back down in defeat when he took note of his state.
Yumichika stood by the doorframe, waiting for the man to notice him.
"Ya shouldn't have stitched me up," Said the man without looking in Yumichika's direction. His voice was heavy, slightly breathless from the pain, "I aint your goddamn business."
He didn't seem too happy with Yumichika's kindness it seemed. So Yumichika simply left and came back a while later with some soup and water, placing them carefully by the futon cradling the injured man.
If Yumichika was quiet it was because he didn't expect the man to be so ungrateful, did he even know how heavy he was?
But also because he didn't know what to say to a man whose wish was to die— or, that's what Yumichika gathered anyway.
And when Yumichika went to leave the second time the man stopped him. "Fi's bar—" Yumichika stood listening, still facing away from him.
The man chuckled, running one hand over his face as if he'd just realized something, "You aint no woman." Yumichika smiled at that, out of everything else he could've said and he chose the most insignificant matter to address.
He ought to apologies for being rude and thank him for his kindness first. "What gave me away?" Yumichika finally said. Not to indicate that he was trying to fool anyone, but as if to ask 'what made you think otherwise?' "I don't know. Ya just aren't, I can tell now." The man answered, still lying on his back staring at the cabin ceiling.
The answer was sufficient enough for Yumichika who finally turned to face the man and simply said, "Eat." And nodded his head towards the tray of food, "They did a good number on you."
Only when the man was passed out again was Yumichika able to leave the cabin to get some fresh air and think what his next step should be. He wasn't able to learn anything about the man, not even his name.
From his brief time with the traveller, all he assembled was that the man was just looking for a "little bit of fun" and finding it with several village gangs that eventually lead up to them teaming up against him.
That was impressive; to think it took that much to bring him down— but non the less, dangerous.
After much thought, Yumichika made up his mind and hoped he was doing the right thing. The man lying on his futon was no different than the rest of the village men, maybe even worse.
Despite that, he was the only one able to enter the mountain, which probably counted for something and Yumichika wanted to know what it was.
This incident had the spirits disappear; hiding and refusing to show themselves in disapproval. And while Yumichika understood their point of view, he just couldn't throw a dying man off the mountain; that would be murder.
Yumichika only hoped no one else knew about this, otherwise he'd be the one murdered— trust-wise that is.
It was the chippering of the birds that woke him first— he wasn't a heavy sleeper, especially when he was sober.
He observed his surroundings momentarily and then letting out a long sigh; he was supposed to be out on the road by now, he wasn't supposed to be here but here he was, presented with another inconvenience he was better off without.
The man took a more thorough look at his refuge; the place was cramped and old, although, undeniably clean and neat. The electrical work and wires were exposed and looked quite old. Moreover, the paint was chipped and decayed— it only left the man wondering how such ugly details could result in a decent looking home.
From his position on the futon he could see the kitchenette through the wide hallway entrance. The kitchenette had skillets and other utensils hanging on the wall adjacent to the stove. He could also see the cupboards, some of them had the doors broken making whatever food placed there visible.
Just then his stomach grumbled, demanding to be fed. He attempted to sit up again but to no avail, "Damn." his voice was raspy due to his dry throat.
He faintly remembered his host telling him about fractured ribs or something, he wasn't really paying attention. Speaking of which— where was his host anyway?
After an hour of waiting, he could hear footsteps approaching from outside and when the cabin door opened and his host walked in, the man spoke, "What took ya so long?" to the traveller, this pretty boy made the choice to rescue him, he shouldn't have, but he did, so now he expected him to take responsibility.
Only his host was frowning down at him with his arms crossed against his chest. "You attacked the mountain guards!" Yumichika said accusingly, "I knew I'd regret this, I knew and yet I went against my better judgment."
Yumichika was furious; the most he'd expected was that this man was only able to enter the mountain because the spirits thought he was special like he was— and now he was left hoping the word doesn't spread that he had refuged the assaulter.
"wasn't my fault, they started it." The man said nonchalantly. Which only made Yumichika angrier, "They asked nicely first!" Yumichika said as he snatched the blanket off of the injured man; trying to project the seriousness of the situation on to him.
At that, the man let out an irritated breath, "Listen, I was beaten half way to death, how did ya expect me to react? And besides, non of that would've have happened had your village folks just finished off what they started and killed me instead of acting like a bunch of pussies."
There he goes again, that man really did have a death wish. "You want me to do it?" Yumichika offered bitterly; it was the easiest route out of this mess really.
The man chuckled, "Ya got to fight me first." The man said, placing both his hands at the back of his head. Yumichika only shook his head and pinched the bridge on his nose, "What am I going to do with you?" He knows he had made a mistake now; he just had to take responsibility until the man was well enough to leave— which could take a while.
"Feed me?" the man suggested, he really wanted to talk more with his host but he crucially needed to eat first.
The man ate in delight, happy to finally have food damping his throat and filling his stomach.
Yumichika had helped the man sit up before giving him his meal and then retreating to the kitchen to eat, not far away from his sight.
The man slowed down his eating in favor of observing his host in the other room— he looked troubled, as if he were risking something when he decided to help the injured man. "Hey," the man called out to Yumichika, getting his attention. "C'mere. ya can join me if ya want."
He wasn't one to usually feel bad for people regretting decisions they made on their own. But this one— he had possibly done him wrong when he probably only intended to help. "What makes you think I want to?" Yumichika scoffed half-heartedly, picking at his food.
The traveller expected as much, "You're looking lonely over there." He said. And when he was only met with silence he pushed on, "Madarame Ikkaku."
Only then did Yumichika turn in the man's direction, wearing a questioning look on his face, which Ikkaku answered, "You can start calling me that."
Yumichika didn't know if he should accept the peace offering or not, but as of now he was stuck with the man until an unspecified period of time, unavoidable but troublesome. So truly, Yumichika had no other options but to take it, "Ayasegawa Yumichika."
Yumichika left for his workstation, leaving Ikkaku alone with a bundle of books to entertain himself. And despite that, Ikkaku was bored out of his mind.
He wasn't much of a reader, so the books were very much useless. And he needed a drink— which Yumichika told him he didn't have. Ikkaku expected the man to be a drinker, and he was let down when he found out otherwise.
This Yumichika person— he had a heavy soul, Ikkaku could tell. He's been around longer; he knew what souls burdened with secrets looked like and Yumichika fit the description well. But it wasn't Ikkaku's place to ask questions, so he was going to make due with what he was offered and be on his way.
He picked up one of the books again, flipping through the pages with no interest.
When suppertime came, and both men already had their dinner, Yumichika stated that he had to change Ikkaku's bandages.
Ikkaku was seated with the wall supporting his back and Yumichika was kneeling in front of him, loosening and cutting away the old bandages.
"I'll do it myself, give it here." Ikkaku attempted to do it himself but Yumichika refused, "You have two fractured ribs, a wound on your back, and stiches you'll probably rip open if you twisted the wrong way. I'll do it."
Yumichika could tell Ikkaku wasn't comfortable with him handling his injuries, but he'd rather have the man uncomfortable than have him staying any longer than he has to.
"Then do it faster." Ikkaku said in a huff. Yumichika stopped abruptly to tie his hair back so he could see what he was doing better. Not replying to the man's rude demand— only stealing a glance at the man's face before saying, "That day at the bar— why were you smiling like that?" Yumichika asked without halting his working on Ikkaku's injuries, wiping away the remaining blood with a damp towel.
"Huh?" Ikkaku was confused for a second, "oh. that." And Ikkaku grinned, the same grin he wore that day at the bar, "because I won." Remembering that day's victory. Yumichika just shook his head and said, "Its not the case this time is it?" which had the man tch-ing in annoyance.
When Yumichika got to work on Ikkaku's back he decided to ask one more question, he didn't want the man to think he was interrogating him— which he was, but he needed to understand what he got himself into. "Why were you picking fights with them in the first place?" Yumichika asked, and then asked another question before stopping himself, "What were you doing in Jahal anyway?"
Ikkaku wasn't stupid, he knew Yumichika had suspicions about him, but he had nothing to hide, and after gathering his thoughts, he spoke, "I'm looking for Futsunushi. Jahal was simply on the way."
At that, Yumichika lowered his hands to his lap. That was alarming, what did Ikkaku want with the god of war? Thankfully Ikkaku provided answers. "As for the fightin'— I enjoy fightin'" Ikkaku shrugged, "And finding Futsunushi will guarantee me some quality fights for the rest of my time here."
Yumichika didn't buy that; he could fight all he want, whenever he wants. What did he need the god of war for?