An Heir for the Dragon

Chapter 7: Calling in a Favor

She woke up slowly in her bed. And in Kiryu's arms. She vaguely remembered that she helped with dinner, but they were too entwined with each other to see the rest of the footage or even have dessert. Her back was pulled against his chest, and his chin was lightly pressed against the top of her head. They were both on their sides facing the left, and she blinked awake a bit more to spot something on the bedside table. Then she paused.

"Hmm...?" she frowned and reached over to pull up a small wrapper that was unopened. Then she paused with recollection. "Well...shit..."

"Huh?" Kiryu yawned and looked at what she was holding. "Oh. The item Nanba gave us. I, eh...didn't use that. Did I?"

"Definitely didn't..." she sighed and tossed it back on the small side table. "Oh, well. I honestly have no clue if anything will come of it or not."

"If it does...I will not complain," he chuckled and tilted her face to his to kiss passionately. "We can have dessert for breakfast."

"Really?" she chuckled and turned her body to snuggle into him. "Did you want to check your phone?"

"No..." he muttered and sighed with complete contentment. "What time is it, anyways? No sunlight here, so we need to figure that out."

"The lights are automatic to come on when the sun rises. It helps with daylight needs. The lights are still dim, so we woke up very early. This is usually when I prefer to train, too. It's a habit. I also tended to mark the days off on a calendar," she smiled. Then she gasped sharply when he pulled her closer to him. He was about to continue it, but she suddenly bolted out of the bed when a ringtone sounding like the soft chime of bells was heard in another room. Kiryu only heard a phone ringing and didn't make out the tone that was used.

"I turned off my phone!" he said and sat up with dismay.

"My phone!" she said.

"Your phone?! Who would call you at this time?" he frowned.

"Hello?!" she said on answering it.

"Mercy Giver! I'm so sorry that I didn't answer your call right away! I was on the mission field helping others," a wise tone said on the other side of the call.

"Thank you for answering," she said.

"Thank you?! I...this must be serious..." the voice said.

"It is. I'm...calling in my favor. Do you have any cures or remedies for a cancer that infiltrates all parts of the body?" she asked seriously. Now Kiryu paused at who she was talking to. He was right at her side to listen in.

"A cure?! Hmm. No. But...there may be something that can slow the spread. Intensely slow it down. How far along are we talking?" the voice asked.

"Possibly...three months to live..." she said softly.

"You?" the voice asked.

"No. My...boyfriend. He is the Dragon of Dojima," she explained gently.

"Truly?! Hmm. What is his condition like?" he asked carefully.

"Dizziness, vomiting blood, weakness and all forms of hell. And it hits if I overexert myself," Kiryu said now. "I'm here with her. It's...very serious."

"Oh! You are with her! Okay. I'll need to see what I can do. How is the mental powder?" the voice asked while the sound of rustling papers was heard.

"I have ten years left. So two doses," she said.

"I'll bring more of that, too. I cannot just send it to you in a parcel. I must bring everything to you carefully to ensure nothing goes wrong. I can see this as another mission trip. Everyone in my temple is grateful that you spared me. They always spoke fondly of you. They will assist me in this," the voice chuckled.