She looked closer; to make sure her mind wasn't telling her things. It was still there… she knew what it was, a mark of Suzaku… that meant that Mayo Juan was a Suzaku Warrior. He put his hand down and proceeded to wrap it back up. He hadn't used his powers for a long time- always thinking that it was better if he kept them concealed. "Thank you" she murmured, looking him in the eye for the first time.
"Not a problem" he said, giving her a smile, "Well, I must be off now… I must find another shelter for the evening" He started to get up but she stopped him. "No, don't go yet… I already arranged for you to use this room another night!" she exclaimed. "…Miss… I… thank you, but you don't have too do this for me" he said. "Think of it as my way of thanking you" she replied, smiling at him, "And please, just call me Shoka."
She went downstairs to work, but found that she had been given the day off, just incase the men were to return. She walked up the stairs to her room, which was down the hall and to the left of Mayo Juan's room. As she passed his room, she thought she smelled herbal tea, like the kind her mother used to make for her when she had a hard day.
He looked out of his room to see Shoka standing there. "Please, won't you join me for tea?" he asked her. She nodded and entered the room. He handed her a cup and saucer and motioned for her to sit. She did so, and then looked around the table at the various herbs he had used to make the tea. The smell from the cup reached her nose, and sent her into a series of painful memories…
"Mother, will you make me some tea?" the young girl asked, looking helplessly at her mother. "Of course dear, sit down and tell mama about your day." She replied. "It was awful Mother! The other children teased me! They told me I was strange because I preferred reading instead of playing ball! They told me I could never be normal!" she exclaimed. "Oh Shoka, don't let their comments bother you. Someday you will be the one successful and they will work in hovels by the river, and I will say, 'look at Shoka, how she turned out to be even though she was different as a child'."
Tears welled up in her eyes, as she sipped the tea. She had not expected that little trip down memory lane. Most of her childhood companions were dead- killed in the flood, along with her mother, father, and siblings. Now she was the one working in the hovel serving sake to men off the street. Mitsukake looked into her eyes, which were staring off into space…
She walked into the house, face glued to the floor. Her eyes were stained with tears. As she placed her bag on the floor, she heard her father's voice. "Daughter, you have caused our family great shame." "Father, I diddnt mean to-" SMACK! The echo of his palm on her face could be heard throughout the house. She collapsed onto the floor as tears silently fell from her eyes. "Who the HELL do you think you are? GET UP!!" he yelled, walking to the fireplace. He was confused on how to punish her, and in his fury he grabbed the end of a log from the fire and used all of his strength to hurl it at her shoulder. She collapsed again, this time out cold. He stormed out of the house, and her mother ran into the room. "SHOKA!!" she yelled, "Oh Suzaku! What happened!?!" She pushed the log over and held her daughter in her arms. Although her father eventually overcame his anger, he never forgave her…
She snapped out of her memory, tears rolling down her cheeks, and looked up at the doctor. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice sounding sincere. She nodded, "Yes. I'm sorry; I was reminded of some things that happened in the past. Forgive me for being so rude." He sighed, "No, I understand completely, I too have constant memories of my family." She wiped her eyes and straightened her skirt.
"I really must be going, I am expected back in my room" she murmured, attempting to stand. Her condition got the best of her, however, and she couldn't hold her own miniscule weight. Mayo Juan quickly got to his feet and caught her softly, not wanting to open any cuts. "You should be careful not to move very quickly" he whispered, bringing her to her feet. Her eyes flickered open, and she felt two strong arms holding her up. She blushed when she realized who it was. "I… I'm sorry" she said wearily, attempting to stand on her own.
When the doctor realized that she could not, he picked her up gently and walked out into the hall. "Forgive me, but you are in no condition to walk, Miss Shoka. Allow me to get you to your room." She nodded and smiled weakly, expressing her gratitude without saying a word. He softly set her down on her bed, and gave instructions to her roommate on which herbs to give her the next morning. "Please give her this" he directed the woman, and handed her a piece of paper. With that, he was gone.
