A/N: To keep up the upload schedule, here's another one-shot scene. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own DOA or any of the characters. The only person I can claim is Yao.
Vision? Blurry. Head? Throbbing lightly.
And I could tell some of my scars have been reopened too. Just my luck. But somehow, my top is off, along with my limiters. I don't remember taking those off.
Run the clock back quickly.
I helped Ryu and the others deal with Genra after dealing with Christie, who tried to kill Irene. I was forced to stall for time to allow Ayane to kill her adopted father, so I took my wrist limiters off. I probably could've killed Genra myself if I wasn't battling to stall. But that wasn't the goal. I put my limiters back on and then faded to black.
Which means my fears were confirmed. My body isn't used to having a set of limiters off for long periods. I knew they were flawed in some way, but Oro didn't want to listen. Giving my torso a quick inspection, I noticed more than half of my scars were reopened. Oh, Buddha. Don't tell me that removing the limiters is also hurting me? I tried to sit up but immediately felt a hand push me back down on the floor, albeit softly.
"Don't move so much. You've been out for days now," Momiji's voice spoke.
"Deja vu," I responded before what she said just registered. "DAYS?" I jerked up as the pain in my chest felt like a punch from Raidou during his transformation. "Oh, my Naraka. Why did I do that?"
"Perhaps you're more fond of pain than you care to admit," Momiji joked as she helped me sit up.
"Wouldn't that be something?"
"You know, when we agreed to see each other again, this was not what I had in mind. I was expecting a visit to your store. Not a repeat of what happened with Bankotsubo. How come every time I make contact with you, you're being carried on Master Ryu's back unconscious?"
The anger in her tone made it hard to tell if Momiji's being sarcastic or not. I'm going to say that it's the latter.
"He and Hayate asked for my help in dealing with Genra, and I said yes. I knew the potential consequences of doing so and accepted them."
"You may be a Sennin, but that isn't a profession that should include life or death scenarios regularly."
"Sennin isn't a profession. It's a title or a rank, much like a Master or Black Belt. Running a medicine store is my profession."
"All the more reason you shouldn't involve yourself with matters like these. I thought the scolding I gave Master Ryu when he brought you here because of Bankotsubo would be enough to get him to leave you alone in times like these. But now that I'm addressing your reopened scars again, I guess I'll be giving him a second helping."
*Tch* "You sound like the man who helped me become a Sennin. Do not involve yourself with others' problems just because you can do so."
"Is your relationship with him healthy?"
"I acknowledge and respect him. But our relationship is contentious at best," I answered.
Momiji began disinfecting my reopened scars. I grabbed my wrist limiters and tried to put them on but realized I was still not wearing a shirt.
"What do those do anyway? And why do you constantly wear them?" Momiji inquired. "Whatever they are, they were tough to remove with you not being awake."
"They're limiters. A Sennin must find a way to handicap themselves to not accidentally kill their opponents. So the man who gave me the title of Sennin made these for me. I put them on my wrists and ankles to restrain my abilities. Wrists tone down my physical strength, ankles limit my speed. I can't use my more powerful Senjutsu techniques when they're both on. But the last two instances, I took off a set, which confirms that my body isn't used to fighting for long stretches with them off."
Momiji glanced at my limiters as I explained their use. "And how do you take them off?"
"I channel chi through my wrists or ankles, and they disconnect. I have to update my training regimen to fight without them because that's why I was carried by Ryu. But I never knew why he brings me to the Hayabusa village as opposed to my store."
"The first time was because he trusted that I can get you back on your feet faster than any doctor he knew. As I got to know you when you weren't around, I requested Master Ryu to bring you back here so I could tend to your wounds as you recovered. But I wasn't expecting to see you so soon after the last time," Momiji said as she finished treating my wounds. "There. In a few hours, your scars will be closed."
"Thanks, Momi-"
She pointed an accusatory finger at me. "But that doesn't mean you can leave the village."
That annoyed me. "Why not? You tell me not to get involved then get angry when I want to go back to Hong Kong? What's up with that, Momiji?"
"Because I want to spend time with you while you're upright as opposed to addressing your wounds while you sleep. I'm worried my efforts will be pointless," she bluntly said.
That got me to back off. I sat like I would meditate, and Momiji mirrored me, a slight blush on her face.
"What?"
"Look, Yao. I have lost a lot despite being four years younger than you. The death of my older sibling has made me more selective on who I choose to have bonds with. I want to establish one with you, but every time I reach out, Master Ryu brings your unconscious body here. All I ever wanted with you was to be more than a person I patch up because he can't say no, like he has something to prove. Whatever crime you committed in the past, you've paid for it already. Stop acting like this to become a martyr. And if I can prevent you from doing so, then I'll do it!" Momiji stressed.
"Momiji..."
"Everyone asked me about where you were and when next they were going to see you. Even Sanji asked me about your whereabouts. They... commented on how good we looked, how happy I was to be with you, and you were to be in my company. You get along with everyone here, and I look forward to seeing where our relationship goes. But I can only do this so much before I lose my mind."
"This is only the second time, Momiji."
"That's beside the point. How can I even begin to love you if I'm constantly saving your life?" she countered.
"I'm sorry, Momiji. I didn't think it would eat at you like this."
She merged our hands together. "I'm elated and grateful to know that I had a hand in preventing your injuries from getting worse. It's how we met and became so close despite only having a handful of conversations. I just want our relationship to be more than patching you up only for you to go back out there and have the cycle repeat itself," Momiji clarified.
"Thank you, Momiji. How can I ever repay you?" I requested softly and kindly since I know I'm in the wrong here.
She then gave me a kiss on the lips. "For starters, you can stop getting injured. Plus, we need to find your guardian, so he can give you an exam so we can better understand what wearing your limiters for so long did to your body."
"Fair enough. I guess you can also use that as an excuse to meet my uncle. Anything else?"
Momiji showed a bright smile. "Just to spend some quality time with you. Outside the village where I won't get flustered by my peers' comments or compliments."
"But I like it when you get flustered. It's cute," I jested.
Momiji pinched my nose, failing to hide her own laughter. "You and your snide comments." She then blushed again. This woman. "And, maybe I can see you with less clothing on?"
I have to give her credit. Momiji knows what she wants and isn't afraid to say so.
I kissed her palm lovingly and did the same with her knuckle. "Anything for you, my lady."
She started hyperventilating for a moment but quickly collected herself. "Good. Sit tight; our time together starts now. I'll get some soup that the elders are making and we can eat it together." Momiji my cheek and standing up. "I'll be back soon, okay?"
"I'll be here, Momiji."
She smiled at my earnest answer before leaving the room. I took a deep breath while leaning back to look at my limiters. Did Oro know this was going to happen? I might have to do some fighting without them, so my body can reacclimate itself to not having them on. Maybe Momiji will help me with that too. Eh, I doubt it. I might have to ask Ryu.
But something tells me she won't be happy with either of those decisions. Curse my luck.
Before I got too deep in thought, Momiji peeked around the door. "Oh, and don't worry about Christie either."
My face fell. "You didn't-"
"No, though I had every intention to eliminate her for the role she played in your injuries. Let's just say that assassin will be indisposed for a while. But she'll be back. Sit tight. I'll be back."
Momiji left again. Wow. She healed most of my injuries and took out Christie? That's a winner in my book.
A/N: How'd you like it? I'll be back soon. Later