Jin soon found out it was harder to stay then it ever would have been to leave. Everyday he had to be confronted with the consequences of his actions in some way or another.
The spot where the barracks stood had been cleared out and the wood that had built the structure had been buried away from the compound as to not cause anyone any more ill effects.
After a few days it became apparent that Nen still suffered from the paralytic herbs as he had trouble keeping his balance and his fingers were numb.
Iku had wrapped his hands in hot cloths that she had steeped in a concoction that was meant to cause a tingling sensation and stimulate feeling back in to his appendages.
It did no good. Over another day he had trouble keeping his grip on his naginata as he tried to grasp it. Tossing it to the floor he sat down quickly, too quickly, falling over.
Growling he hit the ground with one of his hands to realize the numbness had spread. Flexing his fingers he could barely make a fist anymore, he was getting worse.
Pulling himself up he sat on the floor of the hut unable to stand.
"This is pathetic." He ground out between his fangs.
"Nen?" Sana questioned. He looked up quickly not knowing how long she had been there. Embarrassed he looked away.
"Sana." He said softly. She smelled like Jiro, more so than usual, and it became obvious they had mated. Smirking a bit to himself he was happy for his brother.
"Iku instructed me how to administer your treatment if that is alright. She isn't feeling well today." Sana stated.
"Is she alright?" Glancing at her in question she took in his worried expression.
"Oh yes. It is her pup giving her some trouble today. Nothing serious." She replied quickly. Nodding he sighed.
"Did you see?"
"I did. What happened?" Sana knelt in front of him placing her basket down with the cloths Iku had given her.
"I can't feel my hands. They are numb from my fingers to my wrists." Staring at his hands he shook his head. "I can't even make a fist let alone hold my weapon."
"Maybe there's something Nagi can suggest or Jin. Sango left what she had of the root, we can try more of that see if it helps." Sana offered.
"The demon slayers can only do so much. They are exterminators not healers. I doubt they ever tried to help any others they used that on before." Nen replied. "These symptoms may affect me for a long time."
Sighing Sana took out the cloths from the basket. Unwrapping them she looked to Nen. "Don't bother. It is not doing anything to help."
"Then what have you got to lose by letting me wrap your hands?" She questioned. "Worst, it does nothing. At best it may help."
"True." Nen sighed out placing his hands on his lap. Sana gently gripped his wrist turning his palm up and began wrapping each finger individually. "I am glad you are my sister now."
Smiling softly she glanced at him to meet his gaze. "And I am happy to call you my brother."
Standing outside Jin listened to their exchange. He had shrunk away after he watched Nen fall to the floor looking utterly defeated. It was his fault. He couldn't face him.
Nagi had placed his pack of personal belongings under the side of the deck of the main house and went to the village each night. Going to the front Jin waited for him to come gather his things.
"Jin." Nagi approached taking note of the million mile stare he had.
"Does that offer still stand? To go to the village?" Jin asked weakly.
"Sure it does." Nagi replied. "But aren't you on probation?"
"I can't stay here. I can't face the others when they get back. Please Nagi, I just need to get away from here. Point me in the right direction and I will go myself." Jin pled.
"Jin, you need to at least tell Nen. Regardless of whatever it was between the two of you you have seriously hurt him. You need to tell him you're leaving and why." Jin shook his head. "He deserves that much. Go. I'll wait for you."
Crossing his arms Nagi leaned against the house. Jin swallowed hard and set his jaw. Going to the back he knocked on the panel.
"Enter." Nen said from the other side of the wall. Sana tied off the cloth and glanced back at him.
"I was wondering where you ran off to Jin." She said standing. "I'll be back to take those off." With her exit it left them alone.
"Nen, I'm leaving." Jin said. Turning to look at him was painful. Nen looked exhausted.
He knew it was hard for him to stay awake, he was always tired. He knew about his fingers and had seen his muscles constrict painfully as he tried to rest. "I can't stand it anymore. To see you in pain."
"This is what you wanted, wasn't it? To hurt me because I wounded you first?" Nen retorted. "Now you are running away from me, after you did this to me. I thought we agreed to use this as our second chance and you're going to leave?"
"I need to clear my head. That is very hard to do here." Jin said softly. Nen closed his eyes.
"Then just go. It is your choice." He said softly.
"I am sorry Nen." Jin said leaving the quarters.
"Me too." Staring at the spot where he had stood Nen felt his shoulders slump considerably. Sana poked her head back in looking confused.
"Where is Jin going? He was practically running." She asked.
"Damned if I know." Nen said easing himself to lie down with his back turned to her. Concerned she could tell he was hurt by whatever had happened.
Leaving the hut she sat outside deciding to wait for Jiro. He and Riku were on patrol for the night since Nagi and Jin took over during the daytime and Nen was laid up.
Glancing back at the open doorway she wondered if she should bring it up to Jiro. He was upset and needed, deserved, to be comforted but she didn't know how he would react if she did it herself.
Thinking about it for only a moment longer she went back inside kneeling next to him. He rested his head on his arm that was tucked underneath him with the other at his side. He had buried his face so she couldn't see him.
"Nen." She said taking his hand in hers and wrapped her fingers around his limp ones. Holding his breath when she put her hand to his arm and leaned down resting her head against his.
Releasing the air he had been holding in came out shaky, she realized he was crying. "It's alright. It will be alright. Jiro and I are here for you. We love you brother."
"How could he just leave? This was supposed to be a second chance and he left." Nen said softly.
"I do not know." Sana answered truthfully. He leaned into her some more and soon his head was in her lap as he openly wept and she tried to soothe him.