Vanitas x Female! Reader ☆ Pure Shores ☆

2. Time & Tide

The water was swelling, gurgling and tugging at the tattered remains of (Y/N)'s skirt.
She yanked at the knot once more, hoping the flimsy fabric would hold, at least until they were further up the beach.
She grabbed each strap of material tucked under the strangers arms firmly, dragging the deadweight of his body towards the impeding waters.
The sea was ice cold as it slapped at her legs, making (Y/N) gasp, breath hitching.
"Don't worry, we'll be out of here in no time!" She yelled over the roaring tide.
His eyes remained closed, oblivious to the dangers facing him.
Her arms ached as she tugged and pulled, the eventual buoyancy of the water giving her some respite.
Slowly, they edged their way out of the cove.
A fresh wave crashed fowards, hurling
(Y/N) from her feet. She was momentarily stunned, bursting from the waters gasping for breath, coughing and spluttering from the acrid taste of the salt water.
Still, she clung to the injured young man.
Completely drenched and shivering violently, (Y/N) made a slow retreat up the beach, for what seemed like an eternity. Collapsing in an exhausted heap once they reached a safe distance from the water, (Y/N brushed the soaking hair from her face. She lay against the cool sand gasping for air, her hair and clothes gritty and dusty. Her arms and legs throbbed painfully, and her throat was parched.
She lay there for a few moments, gazing up at the sky listlessly, her mind blank.
The sun was setting and the evening was drawing in. She had to hurry.
Pushing herself to her knees, she quickly checked over her charge, his breathing still painful sounding, but unchanged.
She huffed out a small laugh despite herself.
"Nearly there, just a bit further. You've already waited this long."
She didn't expect an answer, his face still contorted in pain.
She stood on shaking legs, once again grasping the soaking rig across his back.
"You can give me a bit more time can't you?"
With another deep breath, she continued the journey home.

☆

"This is going to hurt."
(Y/N) yanked hard on the lethal bone arrow sticking from the now purple-looking wound on the mermans' side.
He gave a growl of pain, his muscles contracting hard.
She tossed the arrow to the side, holding a wad of bandages to stem the fresh stream of blood. From the stove, the kettle began to shriek. Crossing to it, she poured the steaming water into a bowl, before placing it beside the identical bowl of ice water on the low dressing table.
"This should help cool that head of yours."
She whispered kindly, placing a freezing cloth against his burning forehead.
She stroked his cheek sadly, wondering just how much pain he was in.
Stooping, (Y/N) sprinkled wild Esuna Berries and Aloe Vera into the other bowl, before submerging a clean bundle of gauze into the scalding water, gently dabbing at where the arrow had been.
"I hope this helps." She mused aloud, worry spiking through her as he hissed quietly in pain.
She glanced up at the clock as she worked, mindful that Namine would arrive soon for the poultice.
When the wound looked cleaner, she packed it as best she could, before covering his shivering body with numerous blankets.
"Rest for a moment, won't you? I have to take care of something."
There was no reply, not that she expected one.
She gathered up the blooded cotton and sharp bone, stopping at the door to glance back at the form in her bed, before pulling the door closed behind her.

☆

(Y/N) leant against the long bar running against the rear wall of the shop, turning the arrow over in her hands.
The residual poison had darkened in colour since removal, now a vile moss-green.
What kind of poison could it be?
It had a distinctive sour smell, one that made her want to gag.
She picked up a tiny vial and a pair of small shears, carefully working to slice through the very tip. The blade squeaked against the brittle bone, which snapped with a sickening crack, as it landed with a small chink into the empty vial.
It would take some work, but she hoped she'd be able to identify it in time.
She was broken from her reverie by a soft tinkle behind her.
Turning, she saw Namine standing in the doorway, a small smile on her angelic face.
"Hello, Ms. (Y/N). I hope I'm not interrupting?" She asked softly.
(Y/N) shook her head, stuffing the vial into her pocket with a broad smile.
"Not at all, I've been expecting you."
She bent to open a small cupboard behind her, a waft of icy air pouring from inside.
"Lets see....Ah!"
She plucked a chilled bottle from a bed of ice, turning to place it on the mahogany counter behind her, in front of Namine.
"Thank you so much, Kairi will be so pleased!" The flaxen haired girl exclaimed, eyes shining.
(Y/N) felt a twinge of pride.
"No problem at all. Just be sure to apply it right before bed, it works best during sleeping hours."
Namine nodded firmly, beginning to rummage in her skirt pockets.
"Yes, of course."
She produced a small silken purse, pulling out numerous coins, before pausing, looking puzzled.
"Ms. (Y/N), what happened to your dress?"
(Y/N) blinked. "My dress?"
She looked down, noticing the caked on sand, mud stains and the extensive tearing. With all that had happened, she hadn't yet found time to change. 
"Oh! Demyx was out of seaweed, so I collected it from the beach."
Namine suddenly looked doubtful, eyes flickering to the bottle set before her.
(Y/N) felt a flush of embarrassment.
"Dont worry, it'll be just as effective. I've seen to it." She replied encouragingly.
Namine smiled in relief, handing over a stack of Munny.
"Of course. I trust you, (Y/N)."
The two girls smiled thinly at one another, the hesitation had not gone unnoticed.
Namine made to leave.
"Please, let me know how Kairi takes to it, we can always try something else if it proves ineffective." (Y/N) called after her.
Namine nodded, sapphire eyes warm.
"Thanks again." 
The door snapped shut behind her.
(Y/N) waited a few moments, before hurrying across the room to lock it firmly, leaning her back against it with a sigh.
Checking the time, she saw it had been an hour since she had last attended to her impromptu patient.
She raced down the adjoining hall, hope spiking within her.
Entering the tiny bedroom however, her heart sank.
His skin was still a sickly pallor, his breathing laboured.
She slowly knelt beside the bed, her eyes filling with frustrated tears.
"Why isn't it helping? Esuna berry helps in 99% of poisonings..."
She ran a hand through her gritty hair.
"What else can I do? Please tell me. If you were human then maybe..."
She stopped, her mind turning.
"If you were human...."
She stood abruptly, racing from the room.
"Hold on for me!"

☆

Groping under the counter, she found the small metal lockbox belonging to her grandmother.
The lock was deep set and peculiar shaped, around the size of a baby's pinkie finger.
(Y/N) remembered one dismal night, only a few days before Elmyra passed.
She'd clutched her hand, pulling her granddaughter in close, her voice a hoarse whisper.

"My dear, there is something you should know, something very important."
(Y/N) kissed her hand softly. "Anything Granny."
The old lady smiled weakly.
"I'm not long for this world. Since you will take my place, you'll need all of my tools at your disposal." 
(Y/N) nodded silently.
"There is a lockbox under the counter. It will only open with this." She reached a shaking hand under the soft collar of her shirt, revealing the gleaming amber pendant.
"Inside it, you will find a collection of vials, and a number of recipes. Be warned, these are powerful and forbidden potions, you must tell no-one."
(Y/N) baulked. "Forbidden? Grandma, you know that-"
Her grandmother coughed, scowling.
"I know." She waved a hand. "Our King is a fool. My duty was to my people, as his should be. Sometimes, normal means are not enough."
She looked her granddaughter square in the eyes, her own sharp and gleaming.
"Do you understand what I'm saying, my love?"
(Y/N) nodded slowly, her mouth suddenly dry.
"Yes...yes I do."

She pulled the pendant from her pocket now, pressing it slowly into the relief.
"These are definitely not normal means." She spoke aloud, hands shaking.
The lock gave a soft click, and flipping open the lid, she felt an odd mix of fear and awe at the numerous glowing bottles inside, electric greens, midnight blues and fiery reds.
With caution, she began to pick through them, her spirit sinking with each non starter.
"Please....please."
Finally, a sparkling violet bottle came next. Reading the tiny label, her heart began to thump with excitement.
Hurriedly stuffing paper and bottles back inside the tin and slapping it shut, she raced back to the bedroom.
The wound was still bleeding steadily, seeping through the gauze at his hip.
"I cant treat you like this, this is the only way." She told him quietly, grabbing a nearby serving cup.
She poured the dangerous looking liquid into it, before gently grasping his chin.
The stranger gagged slightly, a few drops escaping down his cheeks, as he swallowed the alien mixture with difficulty.
(Y/N) massaged his throat firmly, ensuring it all had gone.
The stranger lay still, his breathing evening out slightly, as (Y/N) wiped his mouth clean.
She silently replaced his cold compress and bandages, pausing to gaze down at his ethereal face.
"Please don't hate me. It won't be forever." She said guiltily, squeezing his hand.
It was now a simple matter of waiting.
Only time would tell.
In the meantime, she was in serious need of a bath and a change of clothes.