Saikō no Chitsujo

Chapter 10: Brewing Storm

Arata touched down gently at a cottage isolated from the town, holding Esdeath carefully in his arms.
Her breathing is shallow, I need to resolve this now! Arata's thoughts raced as the doors were thrown open, his summoned gale the cause. He rushed inside, opening the window shutters as wind rushed into the room, knocking the blanket off the bed.

Putting her down on the bed, he placed both his index and middle finger on her wrist, his brows drawing together in a frown. Her pulse is dropping and her temperature also - Arata leaned over Esdeath's face, placing his right palm on her forehead- it's quite high. He turned around placing Black marlin on the desk beside the bed, taking off his coat and hanging it on the chair beside him.

Folding up the sleeves of his white shirt, Arata ran his fingers through his hair, approaching the desk and rummaging through the drawers. Pulling out a metal briefcase, upon opened it, he sighed in relief as it turned out to be the first aid kit he had being searching for. He stood by Esdeath's side, placing the kit on the chair proceeding to scan her body, noting the bruises.

Opening up the kit, he darted about, tending to each wound as swiftly and as efficiently as possible. After a few minutes of non-stop aid, Arata placed the last of the bandages in the kit tossed it on the desk, slumping on the chair with a tired sigh.

I believe I have treated every wound, now I have no choice but to wait. He placed his elbows on his thighs, interlocking his fingers under his nose as he leaned forward.

"Arata-sama! I hope I'm not late!" Roland barged into the room, a brown satchel in his hand.

"It is alright, Roland-san. I should be the one thanking you for not only offering your residence on such short notice, but also rushing to find the ingredients for the antidote I need to make." Arata rose, waving off Roland's worries with a smile.

"Here it is. Since you mentioned it was the Honō's clan medium grade poison, I got to work on the antidote."
"You have my thanks." Arata smiled, taking the satchel from Roland and carefully placing the container within it on the table.

Opening the brown wrapping paper, Arata flinched, frowning deeply as he covered his mouth with his fist.

"A-Arata-sama, what's the matter?! Did I make a mistake with the preparation?!" Roland stuttered, extremely surprised at Arata's expression, a countenance he couldn't recall the last time he had seen.

"Could it be that the poison is much worse than we thought..." He froze as Arata turned to him, his brows creasing deeply. "...my apologies, Arata..."

"The antidote...it is an orally administered drug is it not? Specifically the sublingual type?"

Ah! Roland gasped softly in realization. He rose, walking away quietly as he shut the door with a gentle click. "I'll get some water, Arata-sama."

"H-hey!" Arata sighed as he noted Roland's receding footsteps. Sitting down with a huff, he crossed his arms, letting out another sigh as he glanced at the finely ground herbs in the parcel.

Do I really have to? He massaged his temple, tiredly, another groan escaping his lips. I really should avoid delay, else the poison does more damage to her body.

Exhaling sharply, he picked up a fingerful of the antidote and placed it in his mouth. Leaning over Esdeath, Arata parted her lips and pushed his against hers, moving her tongue up slightly as the moist powder slid beneath it, dissolving. He stepped back, wiping the corner of his mouth with a frown as his cheeks took on a reddened tint.

Damn it. He sighed, flopping on the chair and covering his face with both of his palms. There was no other choice because I had to administer it swiftly.