Chapter 13
Within a few moments Miroku reached the doorway. Taking a deep breath he cautiously peered inside. Shura was sitting quietly near the lord Matyeo's motionless form and stitching the last remaining wound. She said nothing, only looked up momentarily to reassure Miroku that she noticed his presence in the doorway, and then quickly resumed her work. Miroku cleared his throat lightly and stepped inside the room.
"Excuse me for interrupting but I was wondering if." Miroku shifted his glance from Shura to Matyeo. The dragon lord was sound asleep. The monk fidgeted uncomfortably. He didn't want to leave empty handed, but he felt like an idiot just standing there waiting for Matyeo to wake up.
"Go on." Shura looked up once again when the monk didn't finish. Miroku's eyes trailed to the graceful motion of Shura's thread as she sowed. The fine silver strand not only pulled Matyeo's wound closed it actually mended the tissue. The monk was awe struck. With such a power at her disposal perhaps Shura could seal his curse.
"I uh.." Miroku muttered having completely lost his train of thought. His mind was no longer concerned with jewel shards. Instead all his thoughts centered on Shura's silver thread and its potential to bind his wind tunnel.
"Miroku." Shura's voice snapped the monk back into reality. Suddenly Miroku remembered why he had come there in the first place.
"I heard from Kagome that the lord Matyeo has shards from the jewel of four souls in his possession.." Shura raised her eyes but made no other movement aside from her healing. Miroku cleared his throat and continued. "My friends and I are on a quest to gather the scattered shards.and.we were wondering." the monk didn't have to continue. Shura knew exactly what he was going to ask and she had no qualms about answering on Matyeo's behalf.
"You want these fragments of hate, you can have them." she said briskly as she picked up the pouch containing the shards and tossed it at the monk "They've caused nothing but suffering and I will not stand to have them here." Miroku bowed with gratitude and made a quick exit so as not to distract Shura any further.
When Miroku returned with prize in hand the others breathed out sights of relief and happiness. Now that they had the jewel shards and Shura was on the mend, there was no further reason for them to remain there. Everyone seemed content as they prepared to leave.everyone that is except Miroku. It was Sango who took notice of his sudden reluctance and voiced her observation.
"Miroku is everything okay? You seem upset." The monk lowered his eyes and stared at his cursed hand.
"It's nothing really.I just thought.maybe we could stay longer" Miroku grew still as all eyes fell on him.
"Why would we want to do that?" came Inuyasha's stubborn reply "The serpent demon is dead, we've got the jewel shards, and Shura's recovering fine. What reason do we have to stay?" Miroku kicked the ground lightly. It was obvious Inuyasha and the others were getting restless and impatient. He felt bad for holding them up, but at the same time.how could he pass up an opportunity that might cure his curse. Miroku froze when he felt a sturdy hand grip his shoulder. It was Mia. As always, her intuition had revealed to her what Miroku feared to tell his friends.
"You want to see if Shura can cure the rushing wind in your right hand." The monks eyes widened in amazement.
"How did you know.I mean.about my." Mia gave a tender smile.
"When you've been around as many demons as I have, you begin to pick up on things." Inuyasha and the others exchanged glances.
"Is this true Miroku?" Kagome asked gently "you want to see if Shura can cure your family curse?" Miroku nodded timidly. He felt terrible for asking such a selfish favor.
"Well." Inuyasha said at last with a hint of annoyance. "I suppose that's a good enough reason." The monk smiled and his heart filled with hope. Now the only task that remained was to confront Shura and beg shamelessly for her help.
Miroku didn't have much time ponder over how exactly he would phrase his request. Within a few minutes Shura's light footsteps sounded down the hall. She entered the doorway drained and exhausted but bearing a relieved smile.
"How is he?" Mia asked as Shura walked over to the kitchen area and dipped her blood stained fingers into a basin of water.
"Sleeping like a baby. He should be fully recovered once the numbing potion I gave him wears off." Shura paused to wipe her hands clean. "But just in case, Soma." the demon glanced over at her apprentice. Hearing her name Soma sat up at attention.
"Yes Shura."
"Please take care of Matyeo until he wakes." Soma got to her feet and gave her mentor a little bow.
"Of course." with a new set of instructions Soma dutifully left the room to look after the dozing dragon lord. Shura let out a deep sigh as she watched the child go. Soma would no doubt make a fine healer someday; her innocence and warmth could uplift even the weariest spirits.
"Um.excuse me Shura." the demon perked her ears when Miroku addressed her. She could tell by his subdued tone that something was up. Shura turned and stared Miroku in the face.
"Yes?"
"I.I was wondering.if you would do me a great favor." Shura watched as the monk fidgeted under her stare. She hushed Kagome when she tried to intervene and portray what Miroku wanted to say. Though it was true she never refused a patient, if the monk didn't even have the courage to ask for help, he wouldn't be capable of handling the painful treatment.
"Speak monk." Shura ordered abruptly "What is it you want?" to everyone's surprise Miroku fell to his knees. When he spoke again he was close to tears.
"Please.I beg you.use your skills and close the wind tunnel in my right hand!" Shura stepped forward and gently tilted Miroku's head upward.
"They'res no need for theatrics Miroku. I will gladly tend to your hand." The monk was overjoyed, and it showed in his face as he rose to his feet and recomposed himself.
"I cannot begin to express my gratitude." he began in a much more civilized tone. Shura waved him off.
"Do not thank me prematurely monk. An injury such as yours may be beyond my skill, but I'll do what I can." In the background Mia had traveled into the kitchen and was filling a large bowl full of stew. When she reemerged into the dining area the gentle innkeeper had taken on a new, demanding persona.
"Not today you wont!" she announced bluntly as she placed the bowl on the table and strode over to her daughters side. "I told you you're to sick to see anymore patients! Now get over there and eat your stew.then I want you to go strait to bed!" Speechless, Shura glanced first at her mother then at the enormous bowl waiting for her. She didn't feel at all hungry and the meal was three times what she normally ate.
"The whole thing?" Shura questioned; a big mistake when Mia was in overprotective mother mode.
"Yes every last drop!" the innkeeper commanded as she simultaneously gripped Shura's ear in her fingers and nearly dragged her to the table. "You need it to regain your energy." Having neither the strength nor the will to disobey her mother, Shura sighed lightly and lifted the bowl to her mouth. She didn't realize how starving she was until she devoured three more helpings; a feat not even Shippo could accomplish.
At the same time elsewhere in the building, Soma knelt over the dragon lord Matyeo as he tossed restlessly in his sleep. The young healer could tell from Matyeo's agitation that his mind was being plagued by a nightmare.
"Matyeo" Soma crooned as she gently shook his shoulder. Her effort to wake him worked a little to well. Matyeo sat bolt upright and would have risen entirely if Soma had not kept a tight clasp on his arm.
"Its okay lord Matyeo" she said reassuringly as the demon gradually came to his senses. "You were just dreaming." Matyeo tried to steady his breathing as wiped the sweat from his forehead. Never before had any nightmare frightened him so badly; he had seen both Shura and Soma slain before his eyes by a powerful unseen darkness.
"Where's Shura!" The sudden realization that his beautiful demon healer was no longer present sent another wave of panic through Matyeo. Much to his relief, Soma offered him a reassuring smile.
"She's with the others." The dragon lord felt himself shiver all over. The realism of the nightmare was still etched in his mind, and it filled him with worry. What if his dream was actually a vision of things to come? Matyeo tried to stand but an intense dizziness overcame him and he was forced to lie back down. Soma recognized the side effects of the numbing brew and treated Matyeo as best she could.
"Please try to relax." Soma instructed as she eased a wet compress onto the dragon lords forehead. "You haven't fully recovered yet" Matyeo closed his eyes entrusting himself in Soma's care. When the child offered bitter herbs, he swallowed them without question. Within a few minutes the nausea and dizziness disappeared. When Matyeo opened his eyes once again they rested on Soma's cheerful face.
"Feel any better lord Matyeo?" the youngster asked. Matyeo pulled himself into a sitting position, his energy completely restored.
"Yes much better." he replied. Soma's eyes lit up when she saw her patients renewed strength.
"That's great! I promised Shura I'd take good care of you." Matyeo smiled and gently rested a hand on the child's head.
"You did a fine job of it little one." the dragon lord watched Soma as she gathered up her instruments and supplies. Though he kept his expression steady a growing fear raged inside his heart. He would not see the child perish as she had in his dream! Reaching down along layers of flowing fabric, Matyeo pulled an elegant dagger from his belt and extended it to Soma.
"A gift to show my thanks young healer." Soma's eyes widened when she saw the treasure Matyeo was offering. The dagger was concealed in a beautifully colored case. Soma was so in awe she could hardly speak.
"F.for.me!" Matyeo nodded as Soma gingerly took the blade from his hands.
"Its power can only be unlocked if the bearer's heart is pure. Use it wisely, and it will never betray you." Soma carefully pulled the dagger from its holder. It was a fare sized weapon with a fine silver blade and at the base of the dagger embedded in the handle was a shimmering jewel that looked strikingly like a dragon's eye. As she stared at her new possession Soma's mind blazed with wonder.
"What kind of power?" she couldn't resist asking. Matyeo slowly got to his feet.
"That I leave that up to you to discover." The dragon lord beckoned the girl to her feet so they might address each other seriously. "Remember soma," Matyeo's tone suddenly turned stern "I'm trusting you to be responsible.this dagger is not a gift I give lightly." The child slipped the weapon back into its holder and nodded respectfully. Even at her young age, she knew when her superiors meant business, and she was certainly not going to betray her favorite demon lord's trust.
"I understand," she replied seriously then followed with a polite bow. "Thank you lord Matyeo for honoring me with such a wonderful treasure." Matyeo nodded gently to acknowledge the youngsters gratitude then he started towards the door. Now that his injuries were healed it was probably best that he leave. Even if Shura and her mother did welcome his company, the rest of the villagers were not as trusting and he didn't want to aggravate them any further.
Slowly the dragon lord traveled down the hall. Before he left there was on more person he needed to speak to.
Shura twitched her ears when she heard Matyeo's approach. Even though her senses were slightly dulled with sleep the dragon lord's grace and fluid movement was unmistakable. Sure enough moments later Matyeo's gentle voice filled the air.
"I beg your pardon miss Shura." hearing her name, Shura set her ears forward and slowly opened her eyes. As the room and the faces of her guests slowly came into focus, Shura realized she had fallen asleep right at the table.
Shura straitened herself from her sleeping position; practically hunkered over her dishes, and finally managed a groggy "ummm..hum." in response to the dragon lords bidding.
"If I may, have a word with you?" No matter how tired she was Shura could not deny a respected demon lords humble request. Gradually she rose to her feet and followed Matyeo out to the porch. Once in the privacy of the outside the dragon lord fixed the healer demon with a serious gaze.
"Is everything alright?" Shura asked with sudden concern. "Are you still in pain?" Matyeo leaned forward and rested a gentle hand on her shoulder, and action that instantly jolted Shura out of sleep.
"Its not my injuries that are bothering me." he finally replied after a long silence. "Ever since I arrived I've felt a great darkness approaching here. Then while I slept I had a vision of the future." Matyeo looked away. He could not stand to see Shura's face, not as his nightmare raced through his mind once again.
Shura saw the seriousness in the dragon demon's face and he didn't need to speak of the evils he saw in his prophecy for her to know the outcome.
"What should I do?" Matyeo looked back at the healer.
"Tread very cautiously," he warned "Do not be quick to trust anyone, and stay on your guard. I fear the darkness will be here soon." Shura nodded her understanding and let out a deep frustrated sigh. Her endurance to fight those who stood against her was becoming as weak and frail as she was.
Matyeo read the subtle distress in Shura's eyes and offered a comforting smile. Then he pulled a glittering pendent from his pocket and offered it to Shura.
"A token of my gratitude." Shura glanced first at Matyeo then at the pendent coiled in his hand. It was not the first beautiful treasure he had offered her and Shura felt obligated to at least try and refuse taking it. But as always, Matyeo was insistent and despite her polite efforts he preceded to fascine it around her neck anyway. When Shura finally relented and looked down at the charm, she was suddenly awe struck by its exquisiteness.
"Its beautiful!" she heard herself gasp. The charm was a shimmering rainbow crystal with a piercing yellow jewel embedded within. Upon closer inspection Shura realized that the small, circular jewel in the crystal's core looked much like Matyeo's insignia, a dragon's eye.
Shura was so entranced she didn't notice that Matyeo had drawn her into his arms until his gentle whisper sounded in her ear.
"Keep it close. It will help you if you ever lose sight of things." Matyeo gently tightened his grip. "Do not be afraid. You are strong.stronger then you realize, and as long as you stay true to your heart.you will not fail." Matyeo kissed Shura lightly on the cheek as he gradually released her from his embrace. Then with a graceful bow, the dragon demon bid farewell to the healer as he hovered back into the eye of his rumbling storm. The clouds parted, revealing a rich red and pink sunset, but not even the sky could compare to the color Shura's cheeks had turned.