Not Quite a Falling Star

Chapter 9

If blood had a sound, it would be the whirring that it makes as is it rushes past the ears of a fragile-hearted being. Was this tingling sensation in the tengu's head and ears part of the intoxication from the poison, or was it entirely something else? Ryūsei failed to force his body to face his unrequited love, much less lift his eyes off the ground. The last time his body became so rigid was when Saya first spoke to him. That occasion was magical, this time was dreadful.

"Ryūsei, please turn to me," Saya requested.

A thousand thoughts assaulted his mind, most were various flavors of self-derision, some were more constructive and he was able to remind himself to harness his anger. He had no reason to be furious with her. Sick and dizzy, but gaining control of his emotions, he was able to turn towards his former friend. His eyes retained their downward gaze.

Saya spoke again, "Ryu, I doubt I could say comforting words now. I guess I just wanted to see you."

"Why?" Ryūsei's voice was quiet and weak, "Did you just want to pity me?"

The fox demon took small steps to close the distance between her and the tengu. Her approach was unwelcome, but he did not flinch. He was too exhausted, too sorrowful. 

"That's not my intention, at all. I'm worried about you. I don't know the extent of the harm that poison will cause. I want to see that you find sanctuary and I want you to know I did all I could to dissuade them from doing this horrible thing to you in the first place!" Saya pleaded with him.

The tengu's shoulders unwound some tension as Saya spoke. It was comforting to know at least she did not want this fate for him. Still, he was at a loss of what else to say to her. As far as he knew, she was unable to ameliorate his condition. And the hope for them to sustain a friendship was shattered. The thought of even trying to associate with her after she knew how pathetic he was in the face of rejection, not to mention the subsequent fallout, made his stomach churn. He raised his arm to hold his stomach and found it knotting from more than just uneasy thoughts. His clenched jaw betrayed the pain he was experiencing.

"Tell me what's wrong, Ryu?" She raised her tone and fixed her eyes on his.

The tengu gritted his teeth and snarled. The pain offered a rush of energy and fury. "What's wrong!? How can you be asking that? Isn't it evident!? What is wrong is that your lover, and someone who I considered a friend, poisoned me! What's wrong is that I don't even know the damage that will be done to my body and all I can do is accept help from people who think nothing of me! I am so weak and pathetic I can't do anything to help myself! What can you even think of me now!? How can you even look at m-"

Before he could complete his rage-filled diatribe, a deep cough made him choke on his words. Dark, maroon blood spattered out with the heave. Saya's eye's widened and her lips parted at the sight. Ryūsei's vision blurred further than it had before and the periphery grew black. 

"This is horrible," Saya whispered to herself as she raised a shivering arm to cover her mouth. 

Though she had no role in his poisoning, she could not abandon the thought that she was inexorably culpable. She could have found a gentler way to share her feelings with him. There was ever the notion that she could have worked more diligently to stop her mother and Retsu. Nowhere in her heart existed any desire to hurt Ryūsei. 

"S-s-see how weak I am, Saya?" He forced a lopsided smile as viscous, red dripped from the corner, "What can I do?"

His words were slurred and he struggled to keep himself upright. His wings worked as a counterbalance to his unsteady body.

"I am so sorry, Ryu. I hope this all can someday be mended and we can be friends, once again. For now, I suggest you rely on the human girl for help. My mother told me about her. See if she can take you with her."

Was she suggesting that he leave his life as yokai and live among humans? Was that sincerely her solution to his predicament? And what simplistic world did she inhabit to think they could be friends again? Sharper pain struck his abdomen. Black, flickering spots clouded his sight. 

"You...are...suggesting such...strange...things...I cannot believe...you would think...that we can be friends...I...I don't know...how to be your friend anymore..." His speech had grown as spotty as his vision; his will to stand and reason slipped with the next breath.

As the tengu fell unconsciously to the floor, numerous black feathers scattered about. Saya gasped and dashed to him. She was too late to catch him, but she was swift to apply some of her healing magic. It would not undo the injury and poison, but it could temporarily stop progression. If he were clinging to life, it could keep him there for a few hours.