Not Quite a Falling Star

Chapter 11

Jade's sneakers skidded in the dirt as she rushed to Ryūsei 's side. Fear clouded her concentration to everything but the tengu's well-being. Her eyes rushed over his body for signs of physical trauma, but other than some blood around his mouth, there were no new injuries. She placed a hand on his back. It was clammy to the touch. He had seemed to be doing better when she left him before. Why was he unconscious now? She could feel tepid tears accumulate at her lower eyelids. Her mouth tightened and she restrained her muscles to forbid herself from sobbing. 

"Don't cry, darling. He's not going to die just yet," Saya paused her healing magic and placed her hand on top of Jade's, "but we have to do more for him." 

Saya returned to tending to the tengu. She was in disbelief at this statement she heard moments ago, what have I done to him. Retsu acted as though he was taken aback by the whole situation. As though he were surprised by the outcome of his own actions, which he had argued fervently were necessary. He knew he was poisoning his friend. As Saya recalled, nothing she could say, could dissuade him from doing so. Why the shock now? 

"Isn't this what you wanted, Retsu?" Saya's voice was close to growl.

"I...I...only wanted to...Saya, he needed to learn a lesson!" Retsu's voice went from hesitant to decisive in just a sentence.

"But..." he began again, much quieter this time and with ears pulled back, "But...I...I don't want him to die..."

"Yes, you've said that before. In fact, it's the reason why you chose poisoning him over killing him. Well, Retsu, this is the result. Is this what you wanted?" Saya pinned him with her speech.

"I...I...don't know..Saya, I wanted to protect you!" Retsu pleaded.

"I'm through with hearing that line! You know I would never want anyone to harm Ryu! Now, If you don't want to see him like this, or worse, you don't want to become his murderer, then help me."

Retsu frowned but nodded. He kneeled near the tengu and motioned for Jade and Saya to step aside. He dulled the warring thoughts of guilt and justification in his head by focusing on the task he decided to fulfill: make Ryūsei better. Retsu pushed the backside of his hand into Ryūsei's cheek. It was warm and oily. He tapped his cheek a few times and called his name. No response came. He braced himself and started to pull him onto his back. The tengu's body was light but limp. His wings folded neatly even in his unconscious state. Retsu avoided aggravating the injury he had inflicted. He tried not to touch it, or think about it, at all. The fox took some solace in feeling the regular breaths from the tengu as his head rested on his shoulder. 

"Thank you, Retsu," Jade wiped her tears as she spoke, "What do we do now? Is there an antidote?"

Saya, also interested in the answer to this question, turned to Retsu. His face returned to its usual tranquil and stoic expression.

"Yes, there is one," he paused and adjusted his grip on Ryūsei, "But it won't be so easy to get. Lady Hanume made this poison. It is sort of a poison and a curse. I need some of her blood to conjure an antidote. As you could imagine, that won't be easy to acquire. In the meantime, he needs better treatment and a safe place to stay. Jade, I am sorry to request this of you, as I know it will be a heavy burden. Can you look after him? He will be safer among humans, for the time being."

Saya approached Jade and placed her claw lightly on her shoulder. Jade had been unable to appreciate the kitsune's ethereal beauty before this moment. Her eyes were dark lashed with lavender irises, her mouth was small and pink, and her face was comprised of a pure symmetry. It was easy to comprehend why Ryūsei had been so struck by her. 

"Jade, if you cannot do it, we will find an alternative. He is a stranger to you, you have no obli-"

"No, I'll do it." Jade interrupted firmly, "I'll find a way."

~~~

It had been a regrettably long time since Ryūsei had woken up in soft, warm, and comfortable environment. Glimpses of injury, sickness, fear, and despair, flashed before his eyes, but even as he recalled these undesirable feelings and emotions, he felt calm. Suspiciously, much of the pain he had been experiencing, was greatly diminished. He wondered what amount time had passed since he fell unconscious. He struggled to make sense of what had transpired. He had been talking to Saya in the forest...but where was he now? His vision was still blurred, but the lack of a breeze and the presence of unfamiliar lighting, indicated that he was indoors. The tengu pulled himself into a seated position. Much to his surprise his maneuvering was free from soreness.

"Ryu! You're awake!" 

It was Jade. Since when did she call him Ryu? Only Saya did that. He could hear her rush over to him and he could see her bright, blonde hair. As she sat before him, her kind features became clearer.

"Please forgive me for what I'm about to do." She said as she reached out and pulled him in for a tender hug.

Her embrace was soothing, even though he did not know how to respond. How unexpected. The embrace from a human woman, was something he could find comfort in. It was so little time ago that he feared, even despised, humans. She might have been the only one he would accept a hug from, but his heart had been softened to humanity.  As she released him from her arms, she took a good look at his face. His lips were turned into a small, but perceptible smile.

"Jade, I am not in pain now, and I feel strangely calm. My head almost feels...I am not sure how to put this. My mind feels clouded...I don't know where I am or how I got here, but yet I do not feel alarmed. What happened? Am I OK?" He spoke as he described; he was calm, but bewildered. 

"Well, you're safe in my house. Saya and Retsu helped bring you here. As for how you are feeling, well, a friend of mine brought some pain medication and a mild sedative. We have been treating you slowly and carefully with human medicine for two days."