Jack carefully folded his gi, taking mindful consideration to readjust any overlaps and smooth out any wrinkle to produce an unblemished rectangle. He sighed as he sat on his heels, rubbing his nape as he stared down at the bowl of water-added mixture the medicine woman had left him with. She had insisted on camping elsewhere while Jack administered the 'treatment' himself. This suited Jack fine as an audience was the last thing he needed. He took the bowl in his hands, tentatively bringing it to his lips. Then, he tipped his head back, allowing the lukewarm mixture to slither down his throat. It was a bitter concoction and he all but hurled the clay bowl to the rocky wall.
The sun had set, plunging his surroundings into darkness save for the fire he freshly fed. A shadow swayed in the canvas of firelight, Ashi stirring restlessly in her sleep, groaning in pain. She was suffering more and more and Jack felt the crush of guilt on his shoulders, knowing he was only prolonging her pain, but the knowledge of what must be done weighed heavily in his chest. He finally dragged himself closer to her pallet.
He set a hand on her cheek that was hot to the touch and gently patted her awake. It was several moments before Ashi slowly opened her eyes, as though her eyelids were pulling against an invisible force. He held her tired gaze, making sure she was lucid enough for what he was about to tell her.
"Ashi." He said softly. "I know what ails you."
He brushed away the errant locks plastered on her skin as Ashi stared into his eyes.
"It's one of the flowers you gathered…" He trailed off, remembering the medicine woman's explanation. His stomach flinched as it recalled the particularly strong kick she landed after he had accused her of being a fraud.
"Don't you get smart with me, sonny! It's unusual, I know. But I speak the plain truth. The flower she came in contact with, the mustela poppy, is named after ferrets. Did you know the female dies if they do not mate? That's what is happening right now unless you heed my words!"
He had grown silent in his contemplation that Ashi used little of her remaining strength to voice out what she thought he was reluctant to admit. "Jack...will I die?"
"No!" Jack instantly exclaimed, reaching for her hand. "It will never come to that, I swear!"
He could not bear the lose her. She was the truest ally he had ever known, steadfast and brave. And if such an unorthodox method was truly the only way to spare her life, then so be it.
"Ashi…" He squeezed her fingers. "There is a cure but….you will think me mad."
Her lashes began to droop, her attention fading. Jack bent closer, his breath brushing her ear.
"Ashi…" The words came out shaky. "I...I need—I must make love to you."
Jack's face heated, unable to find another way to term it as she did not deserve any of the unsavory phrases they'd encountered in their journey. But even then, it rang false and perverse to his ears, as though he were taking advantage of her.
Ashi had closed her eyes and Jack felt panic rise with his bile, his mind and heart at war. If he took her like this, he would feel nothing but shame and dishonor. But if she died by his inaction, it would be the same but to a more devastating effect.
He released his breath and her hand, pushing through his difficult decision. His hands were poised ready at his fundoshi when Ashi's weak voice startled him. Even moreso, her words.
"I trust you completely, Jack." She whispered with surprising conviction. "Do as you must."