Soul of the Dynasty: Rebirth

AFTERMATH

Kenzo's eyes met Shizui's. "Can you walk?" he asked.

Shizui nodded, feeling the sting in his shoulder intensify with the movement as he stood. The wound was deep, and although he tried to hide it, a wince escaped him. 'That was too close,' he reflected inwardly.

"Come with me," Kenzo instructed, gesturing dismissively at the other disciples. "Master Oden will supervise the other duels" He then led Shizui out of the training grounds, through the expansive gardens, and stopped in front of a secluded cabin.

Kenzo pushed open the door to the cabin, his expression a stormy mix of annoyance and impatience. He tossed a curt glance over his shoulder, expecting Shizui to follow, but the doorway remained empty. He sighed, a low rumble in his chest, and barked, "Are you coming in or not?"

Shizui shuffled hesitantly at the entrance, his brow furrowed in confusion. He hadn't been invited in, exactly. Kenzo hadn't exactly used welcoming words either. Should I go in? He chewed his lip, his gaze darting between the open doorway and Kenzo's broad back.

Kenzo's voice cut through the silence, laced with a biting sarcasm that made Shizui flinch. "Well? Do you want me to create a flower path for you to enter?" he drawled, the words laced with annoyance. Shizui winced at the coldness in Kenzo's tone, a stark contrast to the warmth he'd been imagining moments ago.

"I, uh..." Shizui stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "You didn't exactly invite me in."

Kenzo whirled around, his eyes flashing with irritation. The annoyance that had been simmering beneath the surface boiled over. "Well, consider this your invitation," he snapped, gesturing towards the doorway with a flick of his wrist. "Get inside."

Shizui gulped, his confidence shrinking under Kenzo's icy stare. With a small nod, he mumbled a meek, "Alright," and stepped cautiously into the cabin, pulling the door shut behind him with a soft click.

The air inside was thick with a tense silence. Shizui's eyes darted around the room, landing on Kenzo who was already rummaging through a medical kit already tending to his wounds. Kenzo didn't spare him a glance, his jaw clenched tight in concentration.

"Take off your top robe," Kenzo ordered curtly, not looking up from his task.

Shizui froze, his brows knitting together in confusion. "I- Uh..." he stammered, unsure what to do. Did he just ask me to undress?  Shizui felt a blush creep up his neck. The situation felt strange, and a flicker of apprehension danced in his stomach.

Kenzo slammed a vial down on the table, the clatter echoing in the sudden silence. He finally looked up, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "Can you do it yourself, or do you need me to lend a hand?" he asked, his voice devoid of any warmth. The impatience in his tone was clear, leaving no room for argument.

Shizui was taken aback. 'Why is he asking me to undress?' he wondered silently. But then, understanding dawned. "The wound is quite deep; it needs stitching," Kenzo remarked, focusing on preparing the necessary supplies.

Shizui undid the strings near his neck and slid the robe off his wounded shoulder...

As Kenzo approached to treat the wound, his hands moved with a precision that belied his stern appearance. "This may hurt," he warned, his voice betraying a hint of concern as he cleaned the wound with a gentle yet firm touch.

Shizui braced himself, feeling the sting of the antiseptic on his raw skin. The pain was sharp, a burning sensation that spread from his shoulder throughout his body. He clenched his jaw, determined not to show any signs of weakness.

Kenzo noticed the way Shizui's shoulders were bunched tight, his entire posture radiating tension. With a sigh, a hint of something that might have been sympathy flickering in his eyes, Kenzo paused. A curt nod, almost imperceptible, was offered to Shizui before he continued. "Steady now," he instructed, his voice low and gruff, yet somehow grounding.