In Sickness and in Health
Author: foxmagic07
Warnings: A few cusswords thrown in here and there. That's about the extent of it for now.
Rating: PG-13 probably more for later chapters, but just to be safe.
Italics: thoughts
Disclaimer: I do not now, nor ever, own the rights to Samurai Deeper Kyo.
Summary: Yuya gets sick as the threat of winter approaches. Her stubbornness this time around may cost her.
Hey hey hey, it's time for the boring prelude to the story where I babble on and on about…nothing! Hahahaha, such is the power of an author!.......I'm just kidding! sheesh. Well anyways, I'm hoping you all enjoy this modest, first attempt at SDK! NOW ON WITH THE STORY!!!!
Oh, and time frame wise…I have NO IDEA. I do know that this takes place before Kyo gets his body back (duh).
-- In Sickness and in Health --
Winter…it was winter again. The bite of the cold wind could be felt through to the bones of any man. Snow had not yet appeared, but there was the promise of some to soon come. How long though? It would be a sure and untimely surprise.
Yuya sneezed. "Damn it's cold." Her gazed immediately was lifted towards the sky as she surveyed the incoming weather. "I hope it doesn't snow just yet…I'm already feeling like I'm going to catch sick…"
She shrugged the feeling of unusual tiredness off her body and turned to head down the path back to the inn.
--
"YUYA-HAN!!!!" Benitora shouted when she opened the door. "You were taking so long, so I was about to go looking for you."
She smiled at him and forced out a laugh, though it hurt her sides to do so. "I'm just feeling a little under the weather, that's all."
Tora's expression grew concerned. "Are you okay?"
Another voice, upon hearing this bit of information, decided to add to the conversation.
"Growing weak from the cold, dog-face? I'd of thought you to be stronger than that."
The blonde girl clenched her teeth and suppressed a furious growl. Swiftly, she turned to Kyo and glared. There was absolutely NO WAY she would show weakness in front of him…she'd rather be torn apart by wolves…which was really saying a lot.
"Shut it, will ya! I'm not sick or weak or ANYTHING! I'm…simply tired."
Demon Eyes Kyo ignored her and closed his eyes in obvious boredom, but inwardly he was smirking.
That just ruffled her feathers even more, and he knew it too. Why else would he bother to mess with her head? Because it beat the hell outta listening to her rambling, that's why. If he made her mad enough, the angry girl was bound to stomp off somewhere, leaving him in peace……and it was so damn amusing besides that. That's why he continued.
"Well, if you're not sick, then there's no reason you can't go into town and get me some more sake." His raised eyebrow was meant as a challenge.
Yuya knew that it was a trap. Her proclaimed health had suddenly earned her a trip to the market. And she was FAR too stubborn to back out now.
"Grrrr…FINE!!!!" She practically spat. "I'll go…BUT YOU'RE PAYING ME BACK!"
And with that said, she stormed out of the room.
"Uh, Kyo-han…what if she really is sick?" Questioned Benitora.
Kyo didn't even bother to look up.
--
"Stupid…ignorant…uncaring…cold-hearted…jerk."
On the way to the store, Yuya made sure to murmur every single negative thing that would associate with the proclaimed Killer of One Thousand Men. Not only did he make her mad, but his obsession with sake seemed to be depleting her funds. There was no doubt about it; he would be the death of them all.
"Hmph! I bet if I died right now, he wouldn't even care. Oh sure, his sake wouldn't be brought on time…but that's as far into caring he'd get."
Her pace slowed as she thought deeply about those words.
If I died right now…he wouldn't even care…
It bothered her more than she liked to admit. But such thoughts were easily pushed to the back of her mind.
"Ah, what does it matter? I've got no time for that kind of thinking…I have…I have to…" Finding that it was suddenly hard to move, she haulted. Quickly she gave in to weariness and slid down to rest under a tree. She was sleepy for some odd reason. "I have to get…the sake…but maybe…I'll rest first…"
It only took a moment for her to pass out.
--
Benitora stretched, yawning loudly. Taking a peek out at the night sky, he was hit on a disturbing thought.
"Kyo-han…" He whispered.
Rousing from his doze, Kyo opened one eye to address the one who had disturbed him.
Tora continued. "Kyo-han, did you hear Yuya-han come in? It's late and she's not back yet. I'm worried."
"Okuni and Yukimura have not returned either, yet you do not hold the same fear for them. Perhaps they have other things to do besides sleeping." His tone was cold and without feeling.
They both sat in silence for a while. One had decided upon sleep, while the other couldn't help but lay awake.
--
A woman made her way delicately along the path back to where she was temporarily staying. Her footfalls were light, and she barely made a sound. But she did try her best to hurry. It was getting colder and she didn't want to be caught too long outside after dark.
Okuni sighed. Maybe she had taken too long at the shops? It was pretty late. But it wasn't often they were able to linger in such a profitable town. There were just so many beautiful items for sale…
She stopped short. For a second, she assumed that her eyes had been playing tricks on her. It had almost looked like a person was lying there in the shadows. She then brought it upon herself to check things out, if only to satisfy her own curiosity.
Turns out, it WAS a person. And the last person she'd expect to find snoozing under a tree in the middle of the night.
"Yuya-san…" Her voice was a barely audible whisper. "Yuya-san, are you okay?"
The bounty-huntress did not stir.
Okuni bent down to shake her. "Yuya-san!"
Her body twitched under the movement.
She's freezing. Thought Okuni. How long has she been out here in this weather?
Finally, after many attempts to wake her, Yuya's eyes fluttered open. "…Okuni….san?"
"Yuya! What are you doing out here?"
"I…uh…" The girl looked around as if in a daze. "I don't…remember…I think I was going to the store when I suddenly felt really tired…"
Okuni helped her up and slung an arm over one shoulder. Then they both started off towards the inn.
"You're sick it seems. We'll just get you some medicine when we get back and…"
"Don't tell Kyo or Benitora." Yuya cut in. "I'm fine, just please don't tell them what happened."
"Why?"
"Because…because I would NEVER EVER be able to live it down if Kyo found out…because I don't want to worry anyone. It's only a cold or something. No biggie, right?"
"But I heard rumors circulating around today. There have been deaths in town due to some strange illness. Are you sure you want to let it go like that? Kyo would probably know what to do."
Shaking her head vigorously, the blonde returned with the same answer. "No, I can handle it. Just promise not to tell. The last thing I want to do is cause us all to remain here simply because I feel a little sick. We should leave as soon as possible to continue on ahead before the snow arrives."
"…well…alright." Who am I to argue if you want to risk your health like that? I just hope you're right…
--
The pair snuck quietly into the inn's back door. Okuni went to go to their room, while Yuya stayed behind to search through her medicines. Deciding flippantly on one, not really caring for she was very tired, she took it and then went to get ready for bed herself.
Right after sliding the door open, she regretted it. They should have all been asleep, but nooooo, there they sat…staring at her as she entered. Kyo, Yukimura, Benitora, Okuni, and Sasuke. All of them.
What dumbasses.
"YUYA-HAAAN!!!!" Tora nearly knocked her over. "I was so worried! Where have you been?"
For a moment, she debated on whether or not to tell the truth. It wasn't like it was THAT big of a deal…Then Yuya stole a glance at Kyo. He was smirking his usual 'I-know-what-you've-been-up-to' smirk. And that made her blood boil. There was no way in hell she would give him the satisfaction of knowing he was right. No way in HELL.
Smart as she was, a quick lie was created. "I met some guys at the market and they invited me to a couple of drinks. Before I knew it, I had completely lost track of time. I was having so much fun."
"…gu…GUYS?!" Stuttered Tora. "You met GUYS?!" He was utterly repulsed.
Yukimura lightened the mood, as he usually did. "Well good for you, Yuya-san!" He was clearly drunk.
Sasuke only grumbled.
Okuni kept her mouth tightly closed for once.
And Benitora was still standing agape.
Seizing the moment of silence, Yuya made a dash for the door. But before leaving, she turned to say one last thing.
"Oh, and Kyo? I forgot all about buying your f--- sake! SO THERE!!!!"
The door was slammed shut with tremendous force, which had caused the others to jump in surprise.
The bounty huntress found it hard to breathe shortly after leaving the others. Her breath came out in short rasps, and chills started to run all over her body. It was likely the cold had turned into a fever.
It would be a long night.
--TO BE CONTINUED –
Okay…is it just me, or does this story seem to have no point whatsoever. Owell, I'm just biding my time till I can think up something really good. (sits till for a while) Nope, nothins coming to me. But I figured that since I just got an account on here, I'd write something little and not very complex for every first time fic on a specific series. I was going to make this fic a One-shot, but it turned out to be too long when put together. Amazing how I can babble on an on about nothing!...0.o…I'm doing that right now, aren't I? lol.
Okay with all that said, I just want to apologize for any OOC ness. I tried to keep them in character, but I honestly need another opinion on that. So please review and hopefully I'll have the courage to update soon!
-foxmagic07