CH 2 – UNWILLING HANDS
Quite an interesting young man, she thought. Very strong, if he was able to escape from the whole forest. But still, reckless behavior should be rewarded as such and he certainly got his just desserts. His stamina is amazing. Most people in his condition would be on the verge of death. He looks as though he'd like to go back and burn down what he just got out of! However, his only thought seemed to be wishing that he were somewhere else entirely. Fool of a man. They all seem to be that way though. I can take care of myself, she mocked silently, don't need any help.
In the distance a small black speck was barely visible. The two were almost at their planned destination. Well, hers anyway. "Are we almost there yet?" he muttered unappreciatively. "Open your eyes man! See that off in the distance? That's where we're headed." Fool woman, he thought as he squinted off in that direction. How does she expect me to see anything in this condition? "Just a couple more miles," she told him cheerfully. Trying to keep up a false attitude towards the man was irritating. With all his frowning, she half expected to be chewing rocks.
Within no time at all they had arrived at the entrance to the dwarfed village. An aging wooden sign hung down soberly over the entrance. Scanning the faded white letters, he read, "Ikken." What a name for a few houses here and there, he thought bitterly. "What do you think?" She asked, "I know it's not much, but it's good enough." Once again his eyes skimmed over the small scattering of houses. "Small," was his one word reply. "Oh come now, do try and cheer up. We'll have you in tiptop shape soon enough. Then you can deny ever having met us, let alone seen us." His sarcastic look was not at all what she expected. "Oh, don't worry now missy. I'll deny you all to your face soon as I'm ready to leave this forlorn place." Forlorn!? Forlorn!?!? Judging by the look on her face, he'd have said that he struck a nerve. Kazay narrowed her eyes as a tiny twitch appeared in the corner of his mouth. "The sooner you're out of here, the better," she told him with a sniff. "I couldn't be more inclined to agree with you," he answered. The perfect opportunity to change the subject presented itself. "We're here. Well, seems to me it's time to dump you off," she said cracking open the door. "Chirari?" she questioned the dark interior. "Chirari? Chirari I have a patient for you." Patient? He thought, Patient? I'll show her patient…
"Coming! Coming!" a musical voice said. "I'll be there in a minute." Just as promised the face of a young woman appeared in the doorway. Her blue hair and eyes quickly gave away what he'd been told about her on the way here. Her high cheekbones and sharp eyes caused him to start. "You!" the two said simultaneously. "Did I miss something?" Kazay interjected. "I'm not helping that man," Chirari whispered angrily. "And I refuse to be helped by her," Retsu added, snarling. "Now the two of you are being ridiculous! Retsu get in there!" Kazay hissed as she pushed him in. He nearly tumbled on top of that same woman he'd been trying to keep out of his thoughts. This was the same women who'd given him trouble earlier! She brought him here? How in the world did Kazay manage to find him? This rude, selfish, arrogant… Kazay interrupted Chirari's thought. "Chirari, you've never refused aid to anyone before, and I don't know why you are now. But whatever the reason, it's no reason to let him wander around until he grows weak from blood loss," she whirled on Retsu, " and you! You run all the way through a forest, practically get yourself killed, journey several miles all the way here for aid. And now you refuse it? The two of you are acting like children!" Chirari hung her head in shame; she supposed she was acting like a child. However, Retsu refused to give up. "I come here for aid and if I change my mind who is there to tell me no?" "I am," Kazay said facing him down. His towering height seemed to diminish as she glowered down her nose at him.
Within a few minutes she had shoved him into the sick room and had him in the bed. "And don't you think about getting up either. I'm watching you," she told him as she shut the door behind herself. How dare she waggle her finger at me! How dare she! He sat bolt right up in the bed and immediately wished he hadn't. "I'll show her," he muttered as he settled back down dejectedly. She'll see, he thought half-heartedly.
"Why did you bring him here?" Chirari questioned. "Why not?" Kazay replied pouring herself a cup of juice from Chirari's stock. "I don't see why the two of you got so riled up anyway. You acted as though I'd brought in a mad dog instead of a sick man." "He's only injured not sick," Chirari said pointedly, as though it made a difference. "What if he gets an infection though? Then he'll be sick." Chirari sighed at her friend's logic. "The man is rude," she told Kazay, " He has no consideration for others and it probably would make no difference if he did." "Why is he rude? I feel like the two of you have had a grudge since childhood and I just found out!" Kazay said agitatedly. Chirari sighed, "I met him sometime, early this morning. As you know it had been raining the day before and the ground was quite muddy. I'd gone home for a restocking of herbs and such when he comes along. As bold as day. Walked right in a mud puddle splashing some upon me. I asked for an apology and he looked as though I'd asked for the moon. I lost my temper a bit," she said abashed, "but he deserved it." "Deserved what?" Kazay said suspiciously. "Well… I sprayed him a bit….. and he sort of started a fire. Just a small one mind you! Well, I suppose you can guess what happened from there." Kazay threw her hands up and sighed. "The two of you really are childish!" "He started it," Chirari murmured as she traced her foot along the ground with her eyes downcast. Staring was all that Kazay found herself capable of. "Look, I'll promise not to be so childish if you can get him to." Sighing, Kazay poked her head into the sick room. "You'll have to wait 'til tomorrow. I think he's asleep."