Title: Distance-Chapter 1
Rating: R overall, PG for this chapter
Pairings: I'll let you know when I find out
Warnings: nothing at the moment, future angst, violence, language, and citrus
Disclaimers: don't own, don't sue! ;)
Author's Notes: Since I can't leave you guys hanging on just a teaser, I decided I will post the first chapter along with it. It is a short chapter, mind you, but it should keep up the interest (I hope...). As always, feedback is craved, adored, and worshipped. Ideas are always welcome, too. I'm never set on a specific storyline, so things are always up for change! Thanks ahead for reading!

Yuya looked down on the bed, smiling wanly at the young boy stranded there by sickness. His breathing was slow, finally clear from the phlegm that had clogged it to the point where it was killing the child. He was sleeping, a healing sleep brought on by some powerful herbs mixed with hot water to create a serum for his parched body. Yuya let a drop of pride run through her. It wasn't everyday she was able to help someone like this.

She wiped a sweat-soaked strand of hair out of her eyes, glaring at it as it fell back down to its original position. Her body was drenched, and she was sure that she smelled more than a little unpleasant. She couldn't even remember the last time she was able to indulge in a real bath. It was mostly a quick dip in a semi-clean stream, praying for water warmer than freezing. Most of the time her prayers remained unanswered.

"Miss Yuya?" Yuya glanced behind her, noting how the woman was shaking, probably with relief for her son. Then she noticed the woman's eyes, and Yuya felt her heart sink. She had known that look many times in the four years she had been selling medicines and herbs. "Miss Yuya, we cannot...I mean, we don't exactly have the means to pay..."

"Do not trouble yourself, Mrs. Fugiwara. I will be on my way shortly." Yuya said softly, slowly standing up. No matter how much she needed the money, she could not demand it from someone who didn't have it. Especially if that person had more important things to spend it on, like food for her family.

Yuya began to walk past the woman, who was standing in the doorway, when the woman placed a hand on her shoulder.

"We may not be able to pay you with money, but please, let me feed you a warm meal and let you clean yourself up a bit. I'm sure you must be tired, and longing for a bath."

Well, Yuya thought, at least it won't be a cold stream.

"I accept you offer, Mrs. Fugiwara." The woman's eyes were filled with tears of happiness.

"Thank you so much, Lady Yuya." The woman glanced at the bed, motherly pride glowing in her eyes as she watched her son breath freely for the first time in weeks. "Young Hiromitsu means the world to me," she whispered, the tears streaking down her face. Yuya pretended not to notice how dirty the woman was, or how the hut was in a state of ill repair. Mentioning that would only hurt the fierce pride the woman had, and Yuya couldn't do that. She, herself, suffered from the same fierce pride. The fall would be painful.

Yuya couldn't help the sigh that escaped her lips as she sunk into the tub of hot water. There wasn't a lot, the water's edge only coming to just below her breasts. But it was enough. A well-used bar of plain, home-made soap was on a dish next to the bath, and Yuya reached for it and began to lather the thin washcloth.

Dinner hadn't been much, a simple stew made from stringy vegetables and tough beef. Yuya had only eaten enough to be polite, letting the other three children eat the remainder. Mrs. Fugiwara hadn't eaten anything. Yuya made a mental note to talk to the closest neighbor about someone to help her out with hunting.

The woman was apparently widowed, Yuya thought. Four children all together, all of them under the age of eight. The oldest, Hiromitsu, was the one that Yuya had hopefully cured. The child had suffered from a bad chest infection, the mucous clogging his lungs and making it hard to breath. Yuya had given him a concoction to help him cough up most of the phlegm, and then she had given him the serum to help him rest.

Yuya hoped he would be all right...

The water was cooling, and Yuya finished washing herself, dunking her head under the water and coming back up with a gasp for air. She would wash her hair in the creek. It was easier than trying to rinse it in the tub.

She glanced around and saw the threadbare towel folded on the floor. She picked it up and dried herself off to the best of her ability, slipping into a clean kimono from her pack. She folded the towel back up and placed it in her bag, removing her own towel and placing it where the other had been. The mother wouldn't notice until she was gone, anyway.

She walked to the front room, watching Mrs. Fugiwara play with the other three children, two girls and one boy. Yuya felt a twinge of jealousy, but quickly squashed it. A family would only slow her down, and she couldn't have that. Not now.

"Are you leaving already, Miss Yuya?" The woman glanced up from her children, wiping her black hair back from her face. "Is there anything else we can do for you?"

Yuya shook her head. "Thank you, Mrs. Fugiwara, but no. I must be on my way." She smiled, a soft smile that projected her true thankfulness for the bath and dinner, however meager it might have been. "I left enough prepared serum for the rest of the night and tomorrow, and there are more herbs in some packets for you to steep when you run out. It should last about two weeks."

"Thank you, Miss Yuya. I promise, one day I'll be able to pa..."

"Don't even worry about it, Mrs. Fugiwara," Yuya said, holding up her hand. Then she flashed a grin, her eyes sparkling. "My payment is seeing everyone happy." Yuya winked before bowing, exiting the room with a quick wave.

She grabbed her pack, which she had dropped by her feet, and slung it over her back. Glancing at the sun, which had already started to dip closer to the horizon, she made her way through the small village, hoping to see someone soon who could point her in the direction of an inn. She didn't really have the money to be staying someplace, but she couldn't help it. Something about taking the sleeping place of small children just made her stomach turn.

As she continued to walk, she felt something prickle on the back of her neck. She turned around, her eyes scanning on instinct for anything out of the ordinary. She didn't see anything particular, but that didn't mean anything. It may have been four years since she was a bounty hunter, but her skills were still as sharp as they were back then.

At least, she hoped...

tbc

-So was it decent? I'm trying to get imagery right...and I'm horrible at conversations and character interactions. I hope to have the next chapter up in two weeks at the latest. thanks again!

Midnight Anonymous