Perfectly Balanced [BI-WEEKLY UPDATES]

Chapter Forty Three: Tag Team

43. Tag Team

11-25-2023

A/N: This chapter is a bit dialogue-heavy, but thank you for being patient! I've also edited previous chapters because I realized that Hyoga always uses the -kun honorific when talking to others.

Q: How was your November?

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"You walking a little better after resting for a few hours?"

"I can. I'm just using my sheath as a temporary cane. I'm pretty much out of commission for now, huh?"

You and Senku were resting and sitting together on top of the mountain after Tsukasa had reunited with his younger sister, Mirai. Hyoga was beginning to lead them to a river so that the newly revived girl could wash the leftover stone fragments off of herself. Everybody else was cleaning up the supplies and talking amongst themselves as a break from the hard work they had done the day before.

"Unfortunately. I can't do too much with the primitive stuff we have. If I had things like anesthesia or sanitized surgical tools, I would've been more careful about it," Senku told you. His gentle gaze watched as you gave him a grateful smile. Then he trailed them down towards your leg injured, where he removed the wood and cauterized your wound. A hint of guilt had bled through those crimson eyes of his, and he lightly traced his hand on your makeshift cast. "I'm sorry."

You slightly widened your eyes. You softly asked him, "Why are you apologizing, Senku?"

"I know I said that your life is in my hands and that I'd protect you, but not enough to keep you from body-altering injuries or traumatic events. Letting our guards down for even just a second almost cost us," he said as he averted his gaze from you, placing his hands together as he recalled the battle from days before.

You leaned your head on his shoulder, and you grabbed his hand, intertwining your fingers into his. In a delicate tone, you told him, "It wasn't your fault that I got shot in the leg. How could you have possibly known they'd come so soon? Even if I didn't get shot, I'd still have to fight in order for you to create gunpowder. I did what I had to do so we could win. So I could protect you. Remember: as my life in yours."

Despite not responding back, he slowly leaned his head onto yours as well. A small smile formed on his face as his peace was with him now. "Well, the worst that could happen is that it'll scar."

"I'll have a pretty sick scar then," you snickered. "Not as cool as the stone scars, but you know what I mean."

He let out a hint of a chuckle before he decided to slowly stand up. "I know. But anyway, I'm gonna go help clean up the supplies with Chrome. You can do whatever, just don't get yourself into any more danger, got it?"

"Got it. I'm just gonna head over to the river where Tsukasa and the others are. Tsukasa and I have some business to talk about," you told him with a small smile that wasn't reaching your eyes. You held out a hand for him to grab.

The boy raised an eyebrow as he steadily pulled you up. "'Business?'"

"He almost killed us a year ago. I think a few apologies are owed from him. I also want to confirm whether or not he knows of my history..." you mentioned with a sigh. "I may not have associated with them often, but I can't deny that I used the assets given to me back then."

"Alright. Once you've got that down, we'll head back to make a crutch for you and start some physical exercises for your leg," he told you.

You nodded with a thumbs up. "You got it."

You turned around and started hobbling over to Tsukasa and the others using your sheath. You took your time to make sure you wouldn't put a load of pressure on your leg. It was a struggle, but it was all part of the healing process.