Chapter Five – Doctor's Orders

Kichiko watched as the rude blue eyed boy walked away from her, not looking back to acknowledge her thanks. "I guess not everyone in this town is as nice as the ones I met earlier." She thought to herself. Before long she realized that standing her much longer would result in her new silk dress being just as wet and useless as her old clothes.

Hurriedly she walked in the direction the boy had, hoping that this time she would be able to find the inn.

"Well aren't you sweet, I could just eat you up!"

Kichiko peaked up at the owner of those words through the bands that had fallen in her face. A very round man stood smiling down at her, his purple coat stretched tight around his plump body.

"P-please don't." Kichiko said, she was honestly a little bit afraid that this mans words were truthful.

He let out a deep hearty chuckle that made his belly jiggle. "Not to worry, I had a… large breakfast." He looked away from a second as if there was a secret joke behind his words.

"Ah… Excuse me, I should be on my way. It was nice meeting you!" Kichiko moved past him and spotted the inn just ahead of her.

She quickly walked through the door and shut it behind her. "Yes!" She said excitedly, she hadn't gotten eaten.

A laugh sounded behind her. "You sure are happy about something."

She spun around quickly to see a tall man dressed completely in yellow with pointed ears that shown under his hat. "This must be the inn keeper" She thought. "Uh… H-hello, I'm sorry!"

He furrowed his brow. "Sorry, for what?"

"Umm… Cecilia gave me a room while you were gone, I hope that's okay."

"Ah yes, of coarse it is. I'm always glad to get business." He smiled. "She treated you well I hope?"

"Oh yes, she was very nice! Uhmm, excuse me, I'm going to go—" She pointed toward her room with out finishing her sentence and hurried inside. She fell onto the bed with exhaustion and fell asleep immediately.

--

Kichiko awoke the next morning with a throbbing headache. She sat up slowly and sneezed three times before getting out of bed.

"I hope it's stopped raining." She thought. "I have to continue on my journey."

She stepped across the room, becoming more and more lightheaded. Before she could put her hand on the door handle it opened and Cecilia peaked inside.

"Ah, you're awake." She smiled warmly. "Pardon me for intruding, I was worried about you, you've been sleeping for nearly a whole day!"

"I'm sorry to worry you." Kichiko apologized before sneezing once again.

"Oh, you don't look so good… Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm…" She sneezed. "Fine, honestly." She tried to smile.

"You should go back to bed, you must of caught a cold from being out in the rain so long."

"No, no I have to leave. Thank you for your hospitality but I don't want to be a burden anymore."

"Oh you're not! Please stay here a few more nights, at least until you're well again." Cecilia advanced forward and tried to gently move Kichiko back towards the bed.

"Well I guess one more night couldn't hurt… I am still feeling a little drowsy." She sat down, the mattress creaking under her, and watched as Cecilia's worried face slowly faded away.

When Kichiko came into consciousness again she awoke to the smell of flowers. She slowly opened her eyes to see smiling faces looking down on her. A few of whom she did not recognize.

"Hey there! Look everyone, she's alive!" Roy spoke louder than what was necessary, causing Kichiko to jump slightly.

"I was beginning to have my doubts." Kyle teased. He held out a bouquet of light pink flowers. "Are you feeling better? I brought some cherry grass for you, fresh picked from my garden."

"O-oh, yes, thank you." She took the flowers, feeling a bit overwhelmed having just woken up.

"Roy, Kyle, get back you two and give the poor girl some space for goodness sake." Natalie pushed her way up to Kichiko's bedside.

"Sorry." Kyle smiled sheepishly. "I should get back to work, I have a few more errands left to run anyways. I hope you feel better soon Kichiko." He waved and left the room dragging Roy along with him.

With only two people left Kichiko had a better view of her room, which now held this unknown doctor figure hovering over her bed. In the corner by her door was Cecilia infatuated with what appeared to be one of Kyle's flowers.

"You sure came down with some thing awful." Natalie commented, putting a warm hand on Kichiko's forehead. "I take it you haven't been eating much on your travels? You need to be well nourished to survive out in the rain with out catching a terrible cold."

"I-I'm sorry, I'll be more careful next time." Kichiko stuttered, pulling the blankets up to cover her rosy red nose.

"I sure hope so" Natalie smiled down at her warmly. "I'm Natalie, by the way, no need to hide from me, I'm here to fix you up. I think a case like this calls for a good rest. I'm afraid I can't recommend you getting out of bed and onto the road until you've fully recovered."

"Oh but I feel fine now, really." Kichiko protested.

"No arguing, follow the doctor's orders. Cecilia would you please put that flower down and bring Kichiko some hot soup?"