Chapter 28: Healing Hands

"-And that wraps up our report for today. So please, if you have any interest in helping out any of the people here, we'll be posting links to organizations you can talk to on our site after the show."

"Until next time, this is Kairi Aurora, signing out." Kairi cut the mic as the camera was turned off.

With yet another long news special out of the way, she took a deep breath and wiped the humidity off her forehead.

Even deep into the fall season, the sun was beating down on these murky African lands and its people.

She turned to her crew, all geared up to handle the atmosphere, and told them, "Thanks for your help today. Go back to town and get some rest. I'll be sticking around a little longer to clean up."

As they started leaving, she saw a few of the villagers greeting them farewell in their native tongue, imparting them with trinkets for good luck.

A young boy approached her and gave her one too, a bracelet made of strung and beast fangs. It was really well put together.

"Thanks." She said with a hint of embarrassment, since she felt she hadn't done much to warrant this gift.

The children here were free to run through the village. Some had bones too brittle to do so, however.

There was a very small but steadily growing stream of clean water flowing through the area, and aid workers were diligently delivering the people food to help combat hunger.

During her research coming here, she heard that the people used to suffer from damaged lips and bloat. While there were still signs of pain on their bodies, for the most part, these lands were healing.

"Hopefully, these efforts will reach the ears of the right people and keep the aid coming."

She stretched her back to get out a kink from standing around too much and then took a walk around the village.

It was the middle of the day, so she was neither hungry nor tired enough to rush back to the hotel.

There were birds and reptiles you would only get to see coming into these remote villages…eating the bugs that she's GLAD are not elsewhere.

Some of the older members of the village were getting taught how to use electronics so they can call for help in an emergency.

But she's caught a few of them getting absorbed into playing mobile games, which in her mind is a step too far in disturbing these otherwise humble, traditional folk.

After walking around a bit she pulled up a stone next to the stream, sat down, and dipped her toes into it with a gentle sigh.

She wiggled her toes around and enjoyed the moment, until a group of kids ran through and splashed water onto her pants.

"Hey!" She blurted on instinct, but then pulled herself back.

She then walked away and twisted her pants dry.

She then stood in the middle of the village and looked around one more time.

"This is the best part of the job." She said with serenity.

For every depressing story, there was always a bit of optimism to share lurking around the corner.

But even with conditions improving for these villagers, she finds an itch at the back of her head telling her, "But couldn't we do more?"

She stopped and thought about that until her gaze wandered towards who she swore was a familiar face in the medical tent.

"Is that Riku?" She murmured to herself.

The man stood, had the beard and calmness of a sage around him she came to admire, and so she chuckled to herself, "Yep. That's him alright."

"...Should I say hi?" She tapped her foot a few times and then shook her head, "Eh, he's busy."

She then took a few steps towards him, stopped, looked the other way and wandered off.

Only to stop again, look over her shoulder, open her mouth with a long sound, wander closer to the tent, and stop…

Then she kept going to the tent with one quick burst of speed, just as Riku was letting a child patient go.

"H-Hey Riku! Fancy running into you here!" She said with some mental fatigue.

He looked surprised at first but then welcomed her with a smile, "I could say the same to you."

Kairi then realized she's now committed herself to this and laughed awkwardly, as she had no idea where to begin.

"Soooo…enjoying Africa?"

Riku nodded, "It's nice out here. And the people are very kind. Perhaps this is owed to their circumstances."

"I agree," She raised her bracelet with a smile, "Look at what a kid made for me."

Riku leaned in and smiled, "Those look like jaguar fangs."

"Huh…" Kairi looked at the bracelet in a more impressive light.

She then tucked her hand behind her back and stared at Riku, "Uuuugh, I wanted to be friendly, but I never know what to talk about with you…"

Riku took her expression the wrong way, "If you need to take care of something, that's ok."

Kairi quickly shook her head and hand, "N-No! I'm not doing anything!"

"Wow, way to sound boring, Kairi…" She thought with an internal groan.

Riku started taking off his medical gloves and gave her a passing glance, "Would you like to grab a bite to eat in town?"

And it seems she also interpreted him the wrong way, "Oh! Sure! I'll buy my own food, though."

She quickly gave her keys to the crew to take her rental vehicle back, while joining Riku in his company provided car back to town.

Along the way they had to stop and watch a healthy herd of Rhinos pass.

The instruments of Africa played over the radio. No lyrics, just simple and old time music capturing the feel of the ancient savannah.

After a solid hour of quiet driving they finally returned to the city of Lagos.

Since traffic was packed, Kairi pulled out her phone and tried to look for a place for them to eat.

"Anything you prefer?"

Riku leaned aside and wondered, "Something unique to here, perhaps?"

"I think Sherry mentioned a great place on the north side of town…" She pulled up the GPS for any name that sounded familiar.

"This might be good…" She put her phone onto the holder on the dashboard and Riku changed lanes to get them on the right path.

And after they arrived Kairi got out and stretched her arms overhead, "Ugh, couldn't they get you a car with better seats with their budget?"

Riku replied, "I tried, but my options were slim due to how short notice this trip was."

After settling her arms and rolling her shoulders, Kairi walked with him into the restaurant, her inquiring mind taking control, "Oh yeah, what are you doing in Africa, anyways?"

She quickly raised two fingers at the waiter and he guided them to a table with English menus in hand.

Riku remarked, "Business as usual. Actually, this was a favor for a doctor I've worked with multiple times in Europe."

"Oh yeah?"

"He was concerned that the new water flow introduced into the villages may have been contaminated. So I also need to head to East Africa to check the waters there."

"Sounds like a busy weekend for you," She had no envy to speak of, but as he never once uttered a complaint she respected his drive to help, "And the verdict so far?"

"The water is clean, and the villagers are healthy…As much as they can be currently," After they sat down and the waiter was out of earshot, Riku leaned in and whispered, "I did give the children a nutrient laced supplements that shall subtly help their lips heal over the next few months."

Kairi patted his hand and whispered, "Good on you."

Riku then asked, "I assume that's why you're here too?"

Kaori shook her head, awkward over how slightly less heartwarming her tale was, "Noooo, l'm just here to spread awareness and gorge on the local cuisine afterwards."

Riku reached out gently to compliment her, "That is still a good thing."

"...The first part, anyways." He said after a pause.

Kairi then quieted down, "Yeah but…I'm supposed to be the one whose powers can heal people. Yet you became the doctor."

"Sometimes I feel like I'm letting my talents go to waste."

Riku remarked, "If I may be so blunt, you lack the subtlety to let these medical miracles slip by unnoticed."

Kairi flared her nostrils, and Riku followed with this, "But that quality also makes you perfect as a newscaster."

She pulled back with a blush and sigh, "Yeah maybe you're right…"

She then faced him as the server brought them water, and they requested a moment of privacy to think of their drinks.

"You know, they call you the Saintly Hands at my studio. For the miracles you perform…and the patience you show to your patients."

Riku's eyes softened and with a tender frown he turned aside and murmured, "That feels like a bit much…"

"That's what I think too. You're just doing what any doctor should."

Riku nodded, "Though…I wonder how Mew would feel if he knew I was using my powers."

Kairi finished a drink of water and laughed, "Puh-lease, there's no way he'd get as mad at you as he does Alura…at least you're using your powers for good."

"Ha…and knowing him, he likely suspects." Riku admitted.

"He thinks he's being principled, but I've seen him do some magic out in public every now and then." Kairi said, both lambasting him but also admiring him.

Riku nodded, "It's hard to bury what we are…what we were born with."

"...Yeah." Kairi stirred her finger in the water and then felt uncomfortable.

"S-So, Riku. Outside of work, how's life treating you?"

"Frankly, work feels like my life currently." He said with a twinge of regret.

Kairi paid closer attention, "Trouble at home?"

"Lunis is doing well. The children too…but I thought…at least with Lunalei back home, it would be easier between us."

"...Well, you're both working now. Can't imagine you have much free time to bond." She said, trying to put a kind spin on his dilemma.

"That's an excuse for now, not the past," Riku said, "...Lunalei has always had a brilliant mind, and I've wanted desperately to learn from it. But our hearts are too far apart…and I can't help putting the blame on myself."

Kairi slanted her brows slightly and remarked, "Riku…you're doing that thing again."

Riku looked at her curiously, "Huh?"

"Putting too much guilt on yourself. Just because Lunis isn't around to stop you is no excuse," Kairi finished her water and the two took a moment to order tea, "I just think, you know, maybe you two aren't compatible."

She shrugged, "It's not a big deal. I'm not close to Serra, but she loves her dad a lot, in her…weird, energetic way."

Riku commented with a light chuckle, "You can't fool me, Kairi."

"Mrrr…" She frowned, then sighed, "Ok fiiiine, I wish Serra and I were closer. Well, her and…Maria, but I was just trying to make a point. God, I'm not built for handling self guilt."

Once their sweet teas arrived, Kairi gestured her hand and remarked, "Look. Xander loves you. Stella looked up to you. Zelene…well, I can't speak for her, but I bet she loves you too. If this is bothering you so much, pull Lunalei aside and talk to her. Or heck, invite her out to lunch sometime. It's a start."

Riku nodded, "I agree. I'll work up the courage to try."

Kairi smiled proudly at herself, "See? Was that so hard?"

Riku smirked back, "And you doubt that this is the right job for you?"

Kairi cupped the glass and let out a very deep sigh, biting her teeth with a hiss, "It has its perks…and downsides."

Riku leaned in with a comfortable tone, "I'll be your ears now."

"The last couple of weeks have been…rough. You get to report on the truth, but that means delivering the bad with the good."

"And…well-"

"This is about Julius." Riku guessed in one.

Kairi bit her lower lip and hung her shoulders, the guilt as clear on her face as the ice in her glass, "I-I didn't know I was getting into an obituary report! I only followed a news story a fan sent me via email."

Riku raised a brow, "Via email?"

Kairi bobbed her head left and right, "Yeah yeah, I give fans a chance to contribute. Sometimes it's major news, other times they think I report on scandals…but this email was telling me to go and investigate the bombing in Seattle and I was like 'Oh god what happened?' Since it was so close to home…"

"I arrived. Setup. Next thing I knew I stumbled across the evidence in the rubble. Somehow the police had missed it."

"...If I had known it was his I wouldn't have aired it on the news and gotten in touch with Joe and Alura personally."

Riku was deep in thought throughout, "...It sounds like someone wanted you specifically to find it."

"That's what I thought. I wish I had remembered the email, because by the time I got back the message was gone."

After a short pause Kairi said with worry, "Riku, do you think something is going on back home?"

He shook his head, "I don't know. It seems like it was just a warehouse bombing that Julius was unfortunate enough to get wrapped up in."

"Yeah, but if it was enough to take him out-"

"He was old, and had no abilities. Perhaps he just took it a step too far," Riku said, his tone providing rationality, yet wiggling in a little room for his own doubt, "I feel…you are worried more about the possibility that we may have to fight again."

Kairi shivered, "Y-e…nooo…maybe…"

She looked him dead in the eyes and pointed out, "Twenty years Riku. We've had a few scuffles here and there but damnit, we're living in peace. Can't we keep it?!"

She looked embarrassed upon remembering they weren't in private.

She sunk back into the seat and hoped to die to save herself further embarrassment.

Riku tried to calmly lift her back up with a remark, "Mew has influenced you a lot."

Kairi glared at him and said dryly, "Yeah?"

Riku chuckled, "You care enough that you don't want any harm to come to this world."

She blushed and hated how big of a streak of wrong guesses she was building up, "O-Oh, that's what you meant…"

She sat up properly and let him continue talking, "We all agreed to fight for the betterment of the world by its terms. But if the worst comes to our doorsteps, we'll be ready to fight again on OUR terms."

"So you're saying…one bombing isn't enough reason for us to fight?" Kairi said, reluctant to concede the point to him when her heart was whispering in her ear.

"Not yet. But we should keep an eye open on the area. Perhaps get in contact with Samantha and ask her to keep you up to date."

Kairi nodded, "Good call. But damn…I just want to do SOMETHING if I can."

She leaned back and had an awkward laugh at her expense, "I finally get how tough this was on Mew…"

"Like I said, we are fighting in our own way. You fight for the truth, and I fight for the health of the people."

"Meanwhile, Mew is out there fighting for first place…" Kairi thought about that while stirring her drink with a straw, "You know, when I put it that way, he really has no ground to stand on complaining about Alura."

"I'm sure he's doing good in his own way," Riku said with all the faith his bond with him could muster, with a dash of humor in his voice, "He's never been one to brag about his good deeds."

Kairi nodded, her blushing soft and relaxed, "...True. And that's part of why I love him."

They let the conversation rest for now to place an order and take in the atmosphere.

The restaurant had an enriched earthen vibe with subtle but warm lighting. There was even a hint of dry mud in the walls.

Their seats were put together with a surprisingly comfortable type of wood and paint with sunset colors.

Their tea had even been flavored with local leaves, giving it a slightly grainy texture that wasn't too bad.

She had ordered a zebra steak. It just sounded interesting, if a liiiittle over her budget.

Riku got a jollof rice and egusi soup. Simple, but definitely a "him" order.

While they waited, Riku picked up as if they had never stopped, "Back to the news though, there was something that worried me as I was in the village…"

Kairi took interest, "I didn't know you spoke the local dialect."

"It's not perfect, I mostly picked up on some from listening to Lunis read in bed," He said humbly, then with a serious focus he stated, "The village elders talked about a decline in youth in the village."

"But…You said they're healthy." Kairi remarked.

"It's not sickness. They seem to be departing early. And if I understood this right…it's only the orphaned children."

"What?" Kairi said in an offended tone, "That doesn't sound right. You don't think there's human trafficking going on around here, do you?"

"Plausible. There's rumors that due to the government buckling down on poachers, many of them have turned to hunting children to sell their parts on the black market."

"Why can't these bastards just leave life alone?" She frowned and growled, sick to her stomach.

Riku spoke softly as a means of apologizing, "I thought you should know, so maybe you can spread awareness."

"Yeah. Thanks. I wouldn't have known this without you." She said with a deep throated grumble.

"I'll try looking into some stories. Otherwise I may be liable to spread misinformation and…GOD KNOWS…those dicks on the right wing podcasts will take any chance to tear me down."

She then calmed down by gulping the rest of her tea.

She then flicked a finger out and murmured, "Anything else I ought to know?"

"...Well, I heard there's a good mud spa a few blocks down from here. Very therapeutic." Riku said, bringing the conversation back to a normal place.

"Riku, you're a lifesaver. Ha ha ha, I was struggling to come up with a conversation around you, but I'm really glad we ran into each other now."

"Our jobs intersect a lot, honestly." Riku noted.

"It's just nice to still have some taste of home on the other side of the world." Kairi admitted.

Riku closed his eyes and nodded, "The line between our humanity and a cold, uncaring godhood is drawn by the lives we cherish. Though…even I have to question-"

Kairi raised her hand, "Riku. Just shut up and enjoy the moment."

He stared blankly and then thanked her through a smile alone, "Yes. Let's. And live to tell our families about it tomorrow."

"Now that's a news report…I'll be HAPPY to submit."

This unlikely pair, drawn together by coincidence, enjoyed the rest of their meal in peace.

With lighter hearts and heavier stomachs, they went their separate ways, to continue helping the word as best as they could.

Though trouble seemed to be brewing over the horizon, they walked with eyes as sharp as swords.

If the world needed them again, they would be ready.

Because they had gained that special gift worth fighting for. And even for as strained as those bonds may be at times, they would never break…

Next Time: A Father, A Friend, A Guardian