Episode 27: Walking Away

The ever familiar crimson haze clouded my vision as my once cerulean eyes turned red. I focused on the chain and forced my will on it. I could feel it fighting back against me. It was almost as if it had a life of its own. It was eager to stab at my heart. I could feel the strong intent of murder creeping out from it.

No…!

You won't have me…!

With a firm sweep of my hand, I stopped the thing in its path. I concentrated on Kurapica and immobilised him completely.

" S-Senritsu, give the herbs to him quickly, " I told the woman. " I can't hold him down for long. "

I could feel the boy struggling against my will and this put a direct strain on my mind, making it ache.

Having located the fallen herbs, Senritsu fed them to him. However, the boy was not willing to cooperate with her and spat them out, the moment she placed them into his mouth.

" Senritsu, please you have to make him eat it. "

I was gasping now as I struggled to pull in more oxygen into my lungs to keep myself from fainting.

Desperately, she tried to cram the herbs in by covering his mouth with her hand and massaging his throat with the other hand, forcing him to swallow them down.

" Kurapica, please swallow them, " Senritsu pleaded. " It'll make you feel better. "

The suffocating heaviness was pressing down on my head, making me feel giddy. I sank down to the floor and the enveloping red dissipated from my vision, making it clear once again as the colours splashed through my view.

Without any support from my will, Kurapica too dropped to the floor, looking dazed as the herbs began to take effect on his body.

" Don't worry, Senritsu. He…will be fine in a few minutes or so, " I managed through my choked coughs.

" Are you okay, Hikari? " she asked looking over at me fretfully while supporting Kurapica.

I forced a smile onto my already dehydrated lips and nodded.

" I'm fine…Senritsu. I just need to rest awhile to get my bearings right, " I assured

her. " Don't worry about me. Besides Kurapica's welfare is more important than mine is. "

Unsteadily, I crawled over to where Kurapica lay unmoving but supported upright but Senritsu's arms.

" Kurapica-san? " I called out to him softly, placing a trembling hand over his forehead.

I sighed in relief. His forehead although damp, was cool.

The fever had subsided.

" H…Hikari? " he whispered, his voice hoarse.

Then, his eyes widened when he saw the state I was in as he jolted up, his eyes never leaving mine.

" Hikari! " he cried. " What happened to you? Why are you bleeding? "

I winced inwardly when I saw the concern and worry being displayed there, on his face. I really did not want him to worry about me. He reached out and wiped at the dried blood which had crusted the side of my lips.

" No, it's nothing, " I answered quickly, trying to reassure him. " There's really nothing to worry about, Kurapica-san. "

Kurapica was not swayed by my explanation. He was not fooled at all.

" What happened to her? " the seventeen-year-old demanded, looking at Senritsu.

" You were having a fever earlier on so we brought you back here to rest, " Senritsu deflected the question with another answer.

" Senritsu, that still does not explain anything, " Kurapica snapped, getting angry.

" No! " I cut in. " Really Kurapica-san, it was nothing. I just tripped and fell in the forest while we were bringing you back here.

" Then, why are your clothes all wet? " Kurapica pressed, glaring at me.

I looked at him, hurt at the perceptible hostility being shown towards me.

" I-I…well, that was because… " I began stuttering, unable to come up with a right response.

I could not tell him that I fell into the lake while I was trying to get those herbs now, could I?

" And what about your cheek? Why is it all red and swollen? " he continued, cutting me off.

It was Senritsu who answered his insistent questions with just these words.

" You were the one who did this to her, Kurapica. "

This was soon followed by silence as the boy finally grew quiet.

" Kurapica-san, it's okay! " I told him quickly, trying to comfort him. " I'm fine! Forget about it. "

I placed my hand on his arm but he shrugged it off.

" Don't touch me, Hikari, " he spoke up quietly and got to his feet.

" K-Kurapica-san? " I called out, looking up at him, wounded.

Without warning, he walked away from me and out the door, closing it behind him without looking back at us who stared after him or even answering me.