"Ryuu, I've got a sample of the food," cried Shirayuki, rushing through the door to Obi's room. She stopped short when she saw him lying there motionless, "How is he?"
"Worse," said Ryuu. "Here. Let me examine the food."
Shirayuki walked over to Obi's side and held his hand. His cat-like eyes barely opened. She willed him to be ok, to be well, to be—alive. For a split second, Obi squeezed her hand. Startled, she squeezed it back, but that was it. No response.
"Obi?" she whispered, fearing the worst.
"He's still breathing," said Mitsuhide, resting a hand on her shoulder, "He's fine."
"Not for long," said Ryuu. "He's dying."
Mitsuhide frowned. "What a way to crush someone's spirit, Ryuu."
"Did you identify the poison?" asked Shirayuki.
Ryuu nodded. "It's rhubarb leaves. I've never seen a reaction to it this severe. Most of the time it's just flushed from their body with laxatives. That's not going to be enough. I…I don't know what to do. I don't know of an antidote."
Shirayuki tightened her fists. "That's not good enough! What about the chief herbalist? Surely, she'll know something!"
Ryuu nodded. "Mitsuhide, can you wake her while Shirayuki and I tend to Obi?"
He nodded and raced from the room.
"What can I do?" asked Shirayuki.
"Hmm. I have an idea. Find some charcoal. We need it to keep his body from absorbing anymore of the poison still in his stomach."
"Right! I'll be right back."
Soon, the Chief Herbalist was examining the unconscious young man. "That was quick thinking with the charcoal, Ryuu."
Ryuu blushed. "It was Shirayuki who helped the most. I didn't know what to do. I froze. If it wasn't for her—"
"It's alright, Ryuu. Obi is lucky to have such friends looking out for him. However, he's not out of the woods yet. Rhubarb leaves are not the only poison we're dealing with."
"There's more than one poison?" asked Shirayuki.
"It looks like three," said the chief as she mixed some herbs with some antidotes together. "Keep treating him with the charcoal and give him this. We should know in a few days how he'll fare."
"You mean if he'll live," said Prince Zen from the door.
"Yes," said the chief. "This was no accident. Whoever did this, meant to kill you, Your Highness."
"I don't get it," said Shirayuki, "Who would want to kill Zen?"
Zen smiled. "I could think of a few who would wish me out of the way. Kiki, you and Shirayuki start an investigation. I want whoever's behind this found and arrested."
"Me?" said Shirayuki "Why me?"
Zen stepped forward and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Because you have a way of seeing past the mask and into the heart of people." He turned to Obi. "Mitsuhide and I will stay here and help with Obi. If anyone else tries to poison me, I'd rather be in a room of antidotes, wouldn't you agree."
"Excellent thought your majesty," said the chief. "As a matter of fact, no one knows that you weren't poisoned. So, if you're here—"
Zen nodded, "They may try to finish the job."
Mitsuhide instinctively placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. "I'll guard the door." Looks like it's going to be a long night.
The next morning Shirayuki stopped by to check on Obi before meeting with Kiki for the investigation.
Zen slept like a baby in a side bed while Ryuu continuously checked Obi's breathing.
"Is he any better?" asked Shirayuki.
Yawning, Mitsuhide answered, "Can't say. He's still unconscious and has difficulty breathing. Ryuu's been up all night with him. I think he's afraid to go to sleep."
"Afraid?"
"Yeah, Obi might…well, you know."
Shirayuki nodded. "We're going to find out who did this."
"I have no doubt you will," said Zen rubbing sleep from his eyes. "By the way, can't either of you whisper? You're worrying so loudly; a person can't get any beauty rest."
Shirayuki smiled, "We'll try to be quieter, Zen."
"Good. Now I'm going back to sleep." He turned and looked hard into her eyes. "Shirayuki, let anyone you talk to think it was me that was poisoned—not Obi."
"I don't understand."
"Listen to your instincts. Watch their body movements. Don't just listen to what they say to you." He took her by the shoulders with piercing eyes. "Look past the masks they wear. Your life could also depend on it."
She blushed being so close to his chest. Swallowing hard, she nodded and said, "Don't worry. I'll be safe."
A glimpse of concern crossed his brows, but it was gone in a flash.
Kiki appeared from behind like a gentle breeze, soft and barely noticeable. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," said Shirayuki taking a step away from Zen.
As the two left, Mitsuhide watched out of the corner of his eye as Zen took a blanket off the bed and wrapped it around Ryuu. He gently lifted the boy who had fallen asleep and laid him in the bed closest to Obi. The prince picked up the small jar of liquid and held it to Obi's lips.
"Obi," said Zen in a voice so low it seemed more of a thought than actual words, "You must hold on. You have to—for Ryuu's sake. I don't know what would become of him if something happened to you. Stay strong. Don't give up."
