"Everything will be alright." Nanami said.
Nanami heard Yukiji's voice in the distance, calling out to her. She picked Tomoe up and headed in Yukiji's direction.
"Oh, there you are! It's dark and...who is that?" Yukiji asked.
They both became quiet and still.
"This is a boy from my village and I need you to help us!" Nanami cried.
Yukiji flinched at Nanami's hyperventilating and gestured her to follow. They ran as fast as they could back to the village to find some medicine.
"Please, don't give up yet, Tomoe."
Yukiji and Nanami ran up her home steps and into the living quarters. They gently laid Tomoe down on the floor and grabbed a pillow to elevate his head.
"To-...uh, Himetarou! Don't give in!" Nanami cried.
Yukiji set down a bowl of cold water and shoved a towel into it.
"Watch him! I'll find a doctor!" Yukiji shouted, as she rushed from the room.
Nanami ringed out the cold, dripping cloth and placed it on Tomoe's head. He slightly opened his eyes and looked up at Nanami. He watched as her tears dripping down onto his cheeks; wondering why she cried for him.
"Tomoe, rest." Nanami said.
She placed her hand over the cloth on his forehead and he shut his eyes.
"I know everything will be alright." Nanami whispered.
She rose to her feet and waited on the front steps for Yukiji to return for them. As time passed, Nanami grew more and more anxious.
"Please, find someone Yukiji." Nanami whispered.
She sat down and rested her head on her knees, listening to the sound of thunder above.
. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nanami opened her eyes and stared up at the ceiling for a moment. The sun shined in threw the curtains swaying by the windows. She quickly rushed to her feet and walked to the door as Yukiji opened it.
"Ah, You're awake. You fell asleep waiting for me last night." Yukiji explained.
"How is-" Nanami inquired.
"Himetarou is fine. I gave him a remedy for his fever and the doctor stitched him up while you slept." She explained.
Nanami's shoulders sunk and she plopped back down on the bed she slept in. She wiped the tear from her cheek and smiled to Yukiji.
"I'm so grateful." Nanami said.
Yukiji smiled back and grabbed her wrist to help her up. Nanami followed her into the kitchen where she stopped.
"This is my kitchen. You may use it to make Himetarou some food." Yukiji said.
Nanami looked around at all over the prepared food and utensils.
"You knew him, so you know his favorite food right?" Yukiji asked.
Nanami smiled and nodded. She walked past her and started chopping up bamboo leaves.
"Rice wrapped in bamboo leaves." She replied.
Yukiji nodded and placed her hand on Nanami's shoulders, pulling her close.
"He will be fine in a few days. He just needs to take it easy." Yukiji said, softly.
She left the kitchen and Nanami to her preparations. Nanami let out a sigh of relief and continued to make Tomoe his food.
"Uhm, Nanami?" Futa whispered.
Nanami turned around and saw Futa hugged the door while looking back down the hall towards the living room.
"Hello Futa. What's the matter?" Nanami asked.
"He's not a normal child is he?" Futa asked.
Nanami became petrified as those words echoed through her ears. She dropped the knife and as it hit the ground, the sound of thunder crashed outside.
"He doesn't look it...He even has white hair..." Futa said.
"W-why would you think that?" She asked.
Futa frowned and looked at the ground where the knife laid.
"I'm sorry you love that demon, but I notified Yukiji and the others." He said, softly.
Nanami in an instant ran towards the living hall and looked at Tomoe sleeping soundly. She threw herself down and picked Tomoe's little body up into her arms.
"Goodbye, Futa! I'm sorry!" Nanami shouted as she ran threw the front door.
She pushed threw the coming crowd with Tomoe sleeping in her arms soundly. She looked back watching Yukiji and guards enter her home, as she ran towards the back gates of the town.
"Good, I'm on step ahead of them." Nanami said, panting.
Her feet began hurting from hitting the stone path too hard; Her breaths weakened as she ran too fast. Nanami slowed herself and hid amongst the forest trees.
"We should be safe here while I catch my breath." Nanami said, aloud.
She felt a icy drop of water hit her nose and then began to pour down rainng. She rested her head upon the tree trunk behind her and sighed.
"There's an abandoned hut near here..." Tomoe said.
Nanami quickly looked down at Tomoe, staring straight into her hazel eyes.
"I know...because I take refuge there sometimes." Tomoe said.
Nanami nodded and checked outside along the path.
"Okay." She said.
The pitter patter of the rain droplets made beautiful harmonies as she walked down the path. Lightning danced in the grey storm clouds looming overhead as she reached an old, run down hut in the trees.
"Here?" She asked.
"Yeah." Tomoe replied, heavily breathing.
Nanami stepped through the open door and walked inside. She looked around and saw one blanket and a pillow laying on the floor as rain dripped through few cracks in the ceiling.
"It'll do for now." Nanami said.
She laid Tomoe down on the pillow and covered him up with the blanket.
"Sleep well, Tomoe." She said.
The wind blew harshly outside the hut as the rain dripped room the ceiling. The thnder grew louder and more frightening as the hours passed. Nanami sat and watched as he slept beside her.
"Soon I will leave you..."
