Kumotta Sora

See disclaimer and warning in Part 1

Crux woke abruptly as she felt Kumo's body shift restlessly beside her; once again, she'd slept with him holding her tightly in his arms, and had been attuned to his movements through the night. His face was still covered in pink fever-flush, but there were no bright beads of perspiration for once. Carefully, she wormed her way out of his grip (although some warmth was good, sleeping in Kumo's embrace was now like napping next to an oven turned up to full blast) and looked around.

Fabula, leaning against the rock wall, gave her a small nod and a smile. "Good morning."

Crux gave her a suspicious look. "Kuriyu...?"

"I slept a little bit, which is more than enough. Kumo's health is far more important than mine--Guides don't get sick. Would you mind heading out for a little bit? He's going to need food if he's going to get any better. I need to clean his wound... and give him a bath, while I'm at it."

The sprite nodded. She'd worried a little about how to keep Kumo clean over the past few days--heavens knew she was far too shy to actually strip him down and coax him into the water. It was a good thing that Fabula was willing to take care of that.

"Try to get as much as you can... it'll be hard, but do your best. I'm counting on you."

Setting her shoulders, Crux flipped out her wings and hopped into the air, zipping towards the forest. Foraging would take time, but with someone else around to watch Kumo, she'd be able to spare it.

---

I lay helpless in the wreckage of the sheets, knowing I would be unable to move for some time yet. My hips and lower body ached; the soreness was a plague I wished would just go away. The pain had been awful while it lasted; you'd warned me beforehand that it would probably hurt, but I hadn't listened. I'd wanted you; you'd wanted me. It was simple, then, to give each other what we needed.

It took a while for me to feel anything but the pain, but when I had... oh, God, I realized how worth it all the agony had been. The pleasure, and your tenderness... all I'd been able to do was cry when I'd felt you move inside me.

Struggling, I managed to turn my head to where you lay beside me, exhausted, already asleep. With your eyes closed and your breathing slow and even, you always seemed so calm and peaceful. It was a side of you that, so far, only I had seen. And it only made me love you more.

The healers had told us that the second time shouldn't hurt as much as the first.

In the morning, when you and I were rested, I would ask you to take me again... I couldn't help but be addicted to the intimacy in the soft press of our bodies, the different ways we could fit together, your lips at my throat as you murmured, between kisses, how much you loved and needed me.

But for now... I was content to just rest in the calm, sweet silence of the night, comforted by your closeness, the promise of the future. All I ever wanted was you, and I had it. It was the happiest I'd ever been.

Niisama...

---

With Crux gone, Fabula sighed and turned to Kumo. Back to business.

Some of the trouble of his worst wound's infection should now be taken care of, but Fabula knew that couldn't be all there was contributing to the Mystarian swordsman's condition. That fever by itself should have been just debilitating, not deadly.

She would be bathing Kumo, cleaning his wound, and changing his bandages, yes. But she would also be checking for other injuries that might have escaped Crux's attention.

Carefully, she removed Kumo's swordbelt and Mistbelt; placing them with her cloak, she effortlessly lifted him into her arms and walked down to the water's edge, choosing to sit by a rocky, sharper slope downwards, so that she would actually be able to submerge him when she needed to. Still seeming calm and unconcerned, she gently pulled off Kumo's soft blouse and pants with the patient hands of a mother.

Deciding to leave the poor boy in his panties a little longer, Fabula undid his bandages first, deciding to inspect his injury. Crux hadn't done too bad a job with it; the damage to Kumo's internal organs was already starting to heal, and the cuts to his skin and muscle were scabbing over. She'd probably end up stitching it closed sooner rather than later; the blood that oozed across Kumo's skin when she gently probed the wound was bright with the oxygen it carried, and there was less discharge than before. Pus was usually a sign that something had gone seriously wrong with a wound; thanks to the sharpness of the Maken itself, no truly nasty infections had set in, just a mild one. Fabula's poultices the night before were already doing their work. If she just kept applying them, and made sure the wound was always clean, Kumo would heal--his race recovered quickly, even from things like this. As long as he was careful, she doubted he'd have much serious trouble, although she knew it might always pain him.

With that out of the way, it was time for a closer inspection. Gently pressing with the tips of her fingers, Fabula carefully checked the condition of Kumo's bones. None were broken (obviously), though she did have a feeling that the young swordsman had managed to crack two or more of his ribs recently. They were almost completely knitted, so it couldn't have been from the days surrounding Chaos' defeat. It had to have been a little further back...

Also, with some relief, Fabula noted that none of Kumo's seven spikes were damaged in any way. That was definitely a good sign. She knew as well as anybody the rumors of what would happen to a Mystarian if his or her spikes were shattered. Well, there was one less worry for her to deal with.

No, what Fabula was concerned about was the faint mark she had discovered on the side of Kumo's throat. Even though it was old and faded, against Kumo's ivory skin it was unmistakably a bruise.

Suspicious, she looked over Kumo's body again, this time inspecting his skin above everything else. She found no more bruises, but there was a faint pink scar high on the inside of his right thigh, almost in his groin. With a pensive, inscrutible expression, Fabula carefully adjusted Kumo into a sitting position with his upper body supported in the crook of her arm and slipped off his panties.

Unlike most male humans, as a Mystarian, Kumo lacked the thick, coarse mat of curls that sprung in puberty on other men's chests, in their underarms, and between their legs. He'd retained the light baby down possessed by children, leaving his body unusually soft, smooth, and open. Consequently, as Fabula cradled Kumo's limp, unconscious form in her arms, one glance was enough to confirm her fears.

There were other, more vivid scars here, stark on the most sensitive of Kumo's flesh. They formed a delicate tracery across his genitals and groin; Fabula knew where else she'd find them, if she looked.

Her grip on Kumo's bare shoulders tightened as she held him close, whispering in a saddened voice, "My dear child... what has he done to you...?"

---

As the days passed slowly at Gaudium, I spent my time daydreaming about the peaceful moments.

Surrounding myself in my memories, I thought to cut myself off from the negative emotions which Chaos was rumored to feed upon. If the Earl and his lords truly were connected with it, then it was best to be on the safe side.

The nights we'd spent together... the mornings when your mood waxed playful rather than needful, when we'd just mess around in bed rather than having any serious sex. The feel of your warm body pressed up to my back, your arms draped over me, your hands clasped before me. Your low murmur in my ear, the soft praise, the words of love...

But the sadness wouldn't go away, now that I knew you were gone...

Remembering brought back that warmth, but it also brought fresh pain...

And even the dearest of memories couldn't protect me from reality forever...

---

Crux skimmed through the trees, letting the sharp wind ruffle her hair, not even stopping to look. She knew well what meager fare she'd be able to find in the forest, and it wasn't the kind of real food Kumo would need to recover. She had to expand her search radius to include the surrounding areas.

If she could get him better food, then perhaps...

Fabula obviously knew what she was doing where Crux didn't. Between the two of them, maybe they'd be able to pull him through the fever towards true recovery.

Maybe...

For Kumo's sake, she had to keep going...

Squinting under the wind's intensity, she broke through the cover of the trees, heading into the open fields surrounding them.

---

Leaving the pile of silky blue fabric behind her, Fabula stepped forward onto the surface of the water, the delicate touch of her steps spreading ripples and nothing more.

Kumo, cradled closely in her arms, felt as though he had no more than a feather's weight. She'd positioned him so that his cheek rested on her shoulder; in his sleep, he'd weakly put his arms around her. His grip was far too frail for her liking, but it was there. He was still able to hang on... if he could hold on to her, he could hold on to life, she reasoned stubbornly.

You didn't escape Mystaria's destruction, reawaken after twelve years of death-sleep, and survive the rape of your body and soul just to succumb to a simple fever, did you? You're a survivor, Shiroi Kumo, and you are going to beat this if I have any say in the matter.

"You'd best keep that grip, dear," she said softly to him, aloud. Shifting her grip on him slightly, she reached out with her left hand, tracing a symbol in midair. "Pure. Prayer. Cleansing. Heed my call--water! Form the chain of healing!"

Barely had she finished speaking when the film she'd seemed to stand on gave, and the two of them were plunged into the center of the lake.

A soft burst of bubbles escaped Kumo's parted lips, but he gave no further resistance. Although the water's eddies gently tugged, the weak clasp of his hands over Fabula's other shoulder held.

She was very pleased.

Feeling the pads of her feet touch bottom, she pushed off and kicked strongly back towards the surface, a tiny glitter of sunlight above her.

The purified water would cleanse Kumo's wound; she had no fear for that.

This, at least, was safe. Gently immersing her swordsman patient in water, carrying him with her--this, she knew, could help him.

If only she could purge his illness so easily...

Breaking the surface, Fabula hovered over the frothing blue, trails of water tracing patterns across her skin, still cradling Kumo in her arms.

"Let's see if we can't get your bandages fixed again, dearling."

Beneath the still façade of calm, she walked back to the rocky shore, expression smooth in the appearance of unconcern.

---

When Crux returned at midday, empty-handed, she quickly took notice of two things.

Fabula, sitting calmly at the center of the little "cave", had pinned her silver hair up into a messy, inattentive bun, not caring that a few solitary strands of moonlight-colored hair trailed down across her back. It was a darker silver than before--Crux suspected that it was wet--and she'd kilted her skirt up to her thighs, knotting the extra fabric at her hip. She once again held the sparkling blue crystal in both hands, its faint light casting shadows over the planes of her face.

Kumo, curled up on Fabula's cloak, had new bandages wrapped tightly around his waist. And aside from those, he was completely naked.

Squeaking and looking away, she landed next to the Guide with an adamant protest. "Kukuriyuuuu!"

Fabula smiled. "I didn't want to have to put him back into dirty clothes right after he'd gotten clean. I haven't had the chance to wash those yet, but he'll be just fine there." At the sight of Crux's aggravated grimace and wild blush, her smile grew. "You've no need to be embarrassed. This is doing him good... at least now, he's sleeping soundly. And I doubt you're the type to take advantage of that fact."

"Kuuuu!"

"I beg your pardon... I shouldn't have teased you like that." However, Fabula was still smiling. "Now... did you have any success?"

Hanging her head, Crux sighed. "Kukuriyu..."

"That's alright. I hope you do manage something next time, though. Kumo will need food soon..."

Setting her crystal down, she stood, walking to Kumo's side and looking down at him.

"You've been the victim of Fate's cruel whims for far too long, dear... both of you..."

And, kneeling, she straightened Kumo's damp, fluffy bangs on his forehead.

---

Why are you here?

For whose sake have you come?

The words echo in my mind as I remember him.

Surely not for the sake of that woman and those children he finds himself magnetized to. No, he's not exactly the gregarious type... and not for mine, not any longer. His desire to protect me disappeared long ago, with the rest of his memories. The damage Chaos dealt to his Magun seems to have given him some kind of amnesia... whose, then? Aura's? His strange companion Moogle's? I have no idea.

So aptly named... he simply drifts through life on the wind, without purpose or intention. All he sought this entire time has been my death.

Kaze... my old friend...

Everything has been denied me in this life. Peace, love, companionship...

All that is left is pain...

---

Crux set out again with greater need than ever.

Kumo just couldn't go much longer without food. Glancing at him before she'd left, she'd been able to see the suggestion of his ribs in the shadows that played along his side with the faint light of dawn.

If he went much longer without, he'd start to starve, and then how would he be able to fight off his fever, which was still pretty bad despite the improving condition of his wound?

She had to help him.

She thought she'd seen some kind of field on the horizon when she'd checked the lands surrounding the forest...

Praying as hard as she could, she sped in that direction, refusing to allow herself any rest until she was able to bring something back.

---

With a frustrated sigh, Fabula set aside her crystal and went to give Kumo a check-over.

His temperature hadn't changed, she saw when she gently touched his forehead while trying to shove his bangs out of the way. It was an ill sign, but at least his fever hadn't gotten any worse than it had been already.

She'd need to stitch his wound closed today, to make sure it would eventually seal over. It was at the point where she could safely do so without needing to worry about infection... her poultices had done their work, purging the bacteria that'd gotten in from his system.

She doubted there would be any surprises today, although she steeled herself for unpleasant ones when she checked the condition of the scars between his legs.

She was wrong.

As she gave Kumo's hair a soft farewell stroke, he let out a weak moan, shuddering beneath her touch, his eyelids fluttering.

Fabula caught her breath. Was he actually regaining consciousness...?

"Do... doko ka...?" The words came out in a faint whisper that was more than half-sob.

"Shh... don't push yourself...!" Alarmed, she smoothed his hair again. "You're in a safe place, dear. You don't need to worry about him. But you're very sick right now, so you need to stay still and rest."

"Itai wa," Kumo whispered. He looked up at Fabula pleadingly, and a tear traced quickly down his cheek, his eyes becoming overbright in the dim light.

"I know. I know. Please, please try to bear it for a while. You were very badly injured fighting Chaos, and it's not fully healed... you'll be in pain for a while yet. Just rest now, dear. You'll feel better if you don't strain yourself."

"Gomenasai."

"Don't be sorry. You shouldn't have to deny yourself what you need anymore. Go back to sleep, dear. I'll watch over you." Kumo shuddered again beneath her touch. "Is something wrong?"

There was a pause, and then Kumo seemed to gather the strength for another whisper. "Samui desu..." He trembled again, pulling his limbs a little closer to his body and wincing with the pain of movement.

Carefully, Fabula pulled a fold of her long cloak over Kumo's body. "You have a fever, little one. You'll be feeling the cold and the ache for a while yet, but I'm doing what I can."

"Watashi wa kowaru..."

Something in her heart clenched, the way it had when she'd seen his Maken pierce his body through her crystal, when she'd heard his horrible screaming.

"I know. But, my dear Kumo... you have people here with you now. Crux and I will do all we can for you, and I won't leave your side until you're well."

There was no response. Kumo had lapsed back into unconsciousness.

Sighing, Fabula leaned down and gently kissed his cheek. She hoped that Kumo had heard and understood her, but he'd seemed almost delirious. It was definitely a bad sign that he was already trembling with cold even though his body temperature was so high. Chills, aches, and discomfort were generally signs of bad fevers... and since Kumo was feeling the signs so early...

But there was nothing much she could do, besides stay by his side and try to nurse him back to health. She still couldn't use her powers to heal him, although she knew that she was well capable of purging the illness in an instant.

She was helpless to aid him and she hated it.

As she watched, Kumo's lips formed the shape of a word, whispering softly in his sleep.

"Niisama..."

(TBC)

A/N: Kumo's Japanese in this chapter means (for all you who don't know or have no access to a JP/English dictionary)...

-"Doko ka?": Literally, "Where am I?".

-"Itai wa": "It hurts". Poor baby... (cuddles) The word "itai" is generally used in anime when a character is crying out about some kind of mild-to-moderate pain.

-"Gomenasai": Proper way to say "I'm sorry". Most people just say "gomen".

-"Watashi wa kowaru": "I'm afraid". "Kowaru" is the adjective form of "kowaii", one of the Japanese words for "fear". Once again, poor baby. (cuddles more)

You prolly could've figured that out on your own, but a direct translation is always nice.