An Old Friend.

Chapter Ten: (Senku's View.)

"Where is she?" I shouted, watching the storm clouds roll in. A scream was heard in the distance, a bright flash of light blinding me. The bright light was coming from her old home, worrying thoughts of her horrendous brother harming her. Sprinting into the rain, my hair falling around my face. My tan outfit got soaked as I ran to her old home. Shit! The ladder wasn't down. Fear widened my eyes, a large bear running away from the scene. This was the one time, my weakness failed me. Taiju rushed up behind me, him saying that he saw the flash. Noticing that the ladder wasn't down, he scurried up the tree like nothing. The ladder blew wildly in the chilly wind, my hands barely able to grab it. My heart dropped into my stomach, Taiju holding her over his shoulder. Blood dripped down her leg through makeshift bandages. Relief washed over me when he was down the tree. He sprinted towards my lab, carried her up. Setting her down gently, I felt like weeping. Her cheeks were flushed red, her eyes fluttering open. A dazed look glazed her eyes, her mind gathering her situation.

"Get the antibiotics, you fool!" I sniffled, wiping my tears away. "And some water." It felt like hours as he gathered what I needed. Giving her a dose, her chest rose up and down. Moving her soaking wet hair, fresh bruises around her neck stood out. She whacked her head on the table when she sat up. Groaning, she pointed to her black box, and the alcohol. She couldn't drink.

"Just give me my shit!" She ordered, grabbing them both out of my hand. "I would look away if you are queasy. I have to stitch it up before it gets too infected." She shuffled through her box, pulling out an old leather strap and stitching hook. She grabbed a beaker off of the counter, dipping the hook in it. The alcohol bubbled, the hook coming out clean. Unwrapping her leg, the wound looked angry. Pouring a separate beaker of alcohol, she poured it in her wound.

"Fucking son of a bitch!" She cursed out loud, bubbles foaming in her leg. Pulling a makeshift towel next to her, she dabbed it dry. Concern washed over my face, her threading some medical grade wire. My dinner was threatening to come back up, as she bit down on the leather strap. The needle seamlessly cut through her skin, small drops of blood formed with each prick. Feeling lightheaded, she tied the final knot. Pulling out a pair of wire strippers, she snipped the wire.

"Give me a minute." I blurted out. "There is a ten billion chance that I am going to throw up." I leaned over the edge, hot bile flying over the edge. When I came back in, Taiju was gone. A tired smile waned on her face, her back pressed against the wall.

"Maybe you should relax for the rest of your pregnancy." I suggested wearily, wiping the corner of my mouth. "You have worse luck than me." Chuckling to herself, she stood on her left leg. Leaning on the counter, she rubbed the back of her head.

"Fat chance of that." She retorted playfully, running her hands through her long hair. "I still have to teach my students, and take care of the villagers. Sammy ran away after choking me, and slamming me into a rock. He will be back at some point. I need you to come with me in the morning." Growling to myself, a frown formed on my lips. My eyes gazed into hers, thankful that she was alright. Black bags were under her eyes, her face still red with a fever.

"I will, but let's get some rest." I urged, laying her down on my mat. Laying down next to her, I exhaled a semi sigh of relief. Turning back around, she was already snoring away. My mind drifted to the first day of school.

Nervous was an understatement to describe that day. She obsessed over everything, counting it twice. Her hair was tied into a long side braid, the sweater hugging her just right. Of course, I had to tie her bow for her. My mind went somewhere else looking at how high her socks went.

"Calm down." I urged her gently, grabbing her shoulder as we stood in front of the school. She shifted awkwardly, nearly dropping her bag. Her expression was numb, her eyes watching all of the students pouring into my average looking school.

"That is easy for you to say." She retorted sarcastically. "I am taller than seventy-five percent of the school." Chuckling to myself, a sad smile lit up her face. Yuzu and Taiju rushed up behind us. Yuzuriha, Yuzu for her nickname, said that she looked pretty, and introduced herself. Taiju winked at me, the foolish oaf.

"I am Brittany Rose." She stammered awkwardly, looking a little faint. "I prefer to be called Britt." Trembling, she sprinted into the school, the breeze showing me her new purple lace underwear. My face flushed red, Taiju nudging my shoulder.

"You like her, don't ya?" He teased, gauging my reaction. "You are allowed to fall in love too." Shaking my head, I pushed him off of me. My fists clenched tightly, my mind telling me to reject these feelings.

"I don't think so." I dismissed him, disappointment dimming his face. "I have to get into space first." Shrugging, he left me alone. Yuzu guided her through her first day of school, all of us meeting in the science room for the science club. She looked a little lost, but lit up at my most recent project. The stool squeaked across the floor as she sat across from me. Her teeth bit her lips, distracting me just a bit.

"I have a proposition for you." She promised warmly, looking away sheepishly. "I entered a contest to help inspire a new anime at Viz media. I asked the drama club, but they laughed me away. Point is I need a scientist who can make special effects, and say a few lines." Guffawing to myself, hurt gripped her eyes.

"Okay." I answered, disbelief in my voice. What did I just agree to?

Screams exploded from her lips, jerking me out of my trance. Hot salty tears flooded from her closed eyes. Laying down next to her, my arms wrapped around her. Her cries subsided, her head nuzzling against my chest. What was going through that head of hers?