Chapter 84

Genji was taken back to the village and rebandaged. Although the exorcism was a failure, Murasaki wasn't going to give up. She wanted to try again the next day.

Genji woke up twenty hours later, and found Yume lying by his side, keeping guard over him. He sat up and hugged Yume's neck tightly.

"Are you feeling better, Genji?"

**I'm so sorry…I don't know what happened. I woke up, and I couldn't control my own body. I heard my demon's voice. I could see what he was doing. I could feel what he wanted… Oh, Saki-chan…**

"But, you're okay now, right?"

Genji hugged Yume tighter.

**I think I broke her wrist! I hurt her! I hurt her, Yume, and I would never do that to her! I don't know what to think! I can't forgive myself.**

"She's fine." Yume insisted. "You didn't hurt her that bad."

**Everyone must be mad at me…**

"Nobody blames you. The demon made you do it."

Genji let go of Yume's neck, and lay back down.

**I don't know if this method will work…**

"Relax…" Yume nudged the sides of Genji's face with her wet nose. "She said she made a mistake she learned from, and she wouldn't do it again. She's going to continue tomorrow." She put a comforting paw on Genji's chest. "Please, try to be strong and not cry about it, Genji."

He smiled, and patted the side of her nose.

**You're right. Let's stick with the plan. I have full confidence in Saki-chan. If she won't give up, then I won't give up either.**

/|\

For another week, Murasaki began cleaning away the away the scars of Genji's body one section at a time a day. Genji spent most of his time asleep because of the potion, and Yume always stayed by his side until he awoke. The time Genji was awake was spent on exercising and training himself. He would usually climb up the cliffs by hand to the very flat top, and hover back down to the ground safely. Piccolo advised him not to practice flying until they went to a more isolated area, but he was okay with Genji hovering back down the cliffs after climbing them.

Also, during the week, Genji made some friends among the Emishi. One of the riderless elks took a liking to him, and would let Genji ride around on his back. The two of them would go into the woods and chase after squirrels and kodama. He let one of the Emishi children name him, and the elk became known as Momah, or "Fluffy" in Chinese. Genji also made friends with the village boys, who were training to be archers and swordsmen. Genji would give them some pointers, and was happy to play games with them. However, he noticed that most of the young women and girls were following him around with red cheeks. He tried to avoid them when possible. Also, some of the older men like Marcus took a liking to him quickly because he was very proper and polite. Genji, overall, found himself well liked in the community.

However, one thing made him nervous. Arangami would usually walk laps around the village as though he was looking for something to come to the village soon. That would make Genji think about the man who really wanted to see him. Arangami never talked about him, either he had nothing to tell or he wasn't allowed to talk about his master. Genji wasn't sure why this man wanted him dead either, but for whatever reason he was going to great lengths to see the boy dead.

Genji hoped this man wouldn't come to the village…

…but he secretly hoped to meet this man one day and see what all the fuss was about.

Until then, he concentrated on trying to get rid of his demon and helping Murasaki do so.