Mystery from Another World

Part 146: Dabi, Come Down (IC)

Shine followed Dabi a long way, and, as if there was some Divine comedy in play, it started raining. Rain was common in Japan, and at least the snow seemed over...but it was still cold, stinging rain.

Shine had on a coat that was at least mostly waterproof, but she was still freezing, and Dabi wasn't that bundled up, not that he ever was.

The rain only made him feel sicker. He was already woozy.

He didn't realize it for sure, but Medea's attack had made him ill more from the memories than her actual fire.

This area wasn't too far from the coast, as it turned out, and after he'd only gone about a kilometer, the streets gave way to a small line of sand.

"Dabi!" Shine called. She knew he knew she was following him.

"Go to he--!" Dabi yelled at her.

His strength gave out not that much later, and he sat against a wall.

Shine still found him after turning the wrong corner a few times.

"Dabi..." she said sadly, "Come on, this is foolishness. The ninja will find you."

"Who cares?" Dabi wasn't really thinking at all right now.

"I care. Your League cares. You would care too if you were thinking straight... I get it." Shine knelt down. "You don't want to come with me...but come on, at least come back for them. Is it worth it to endanger everyone else?"

"I don't care," Dabi growled, "Leave. Before I set you on fire." His hand and eyes blazed up.

Shine flinched. "You don't mean that."

Dabi lashed out and grabbed her wrist, twisting it painfully. Fire curled over his hands. "Don't I?"

"Dabi...stop..." Shine almost choked. She was starting to feel searing heat...and also cold.

"You shouldn't have followed me." Dabi's tone was evil. "That was not smart. Learn to take a hint, Likstar."

"Let go!" Shine yelled at him.

Her raising her voice startled him--maybe because she almost never did. He flinched, and she yanked her hand free and held it out to let rain fall on it.

Somehow, her skin hadn't melted right off of her, but it was bright red. It would be a painful burn.

"Get out of here," Dabi said coldly.

"If I do that, they'll capture you," Shine said, somehow just as firm as before, even after that, "And we'll probably never see you again...at least in one piece. I can't let that happen, Dabi."

"Why should it matter to you? I hate you. You understand that? All of you," Dabi said.

Shine sat back, ignoring the wet sand.

"I know that." She sounded so sad... It was driving him crazy. "But don't make me go through that again, please."

"What?" Dabi coughed. "Go through what? Someone hating you? Most people hate you."

That was just cruel, but he didn't care.

"No, losing one of my people." Shine didn't even seem to notice. "Oh, God, please, not again."

Was she even talking to Dabi?

She hugged her sides and cradled her hurt hand. "I won't even talk to you, Dabi, if you wish, but I have to know you'll go back, at least. Please. Don't let this hatred and anger make you throw your life or your mind away to these ninja dogs... Come on. I can't believe I'm saying this, but where's that drive I never liked about you to get revenge?"