Of Her Nature II

Angst Alert!

Part Five : Fractures, splinters and Oh, yeah, Jorja’s injured.


Sweat was dripping from Scaret’s nose as she yelled, “Mikia get Cassie!”

Mikia’s chest was heaving, sweat running down the her face as she took off running.

Hakkai ran up to the women. Scarlet pointed at him, “You! Get away! I still have some fight in me!”

Hakkai stopped and held his hands up, fingers softly curved, palms out. He looked at Jorja, she was incredibly pale, her breath was shallow and he’d bet anything her her skin waol. ol. Bright red blood was still leaving her leg. The folds of the fabric prevented him from fully assessing the extent of her injury.

Sanzo walked up to Hakkai and Gojyo walked up to Sacarlet.

Gojyo looked at Scarlet, “Now, is that anyway to treat the ones that pulled your ass out of the fire?”

She looked at Jorja’s leg, “Looks to me that you threw the grease on it. We didn’t need your help.” She lowered her voice gritted her teeth, “And don’t talk to me about fire, ya water sprite.”

Gojyo had been used to having the words half-breed, taboo and mongrel spat at him. But, never had anyone used the words ‘water sprite’ as a real insult. He knitted his brow and backed off.

Scarlet looked down at Jorja, she clutched Jorja’s head to her body and very softly the tears began rolling down her cheek.

Gojyo looked at her, his knees felt weak, his stomach bounced. “Oh god, here we go, “ he breathlessly spoke, “Please not that, anything but that.” *Damn it tears! I can’t stand to see a woman cry!* He curved his hands up in front of his face and chest and pleaded with Scarlet.

Scarlet turned her face away from him, buried her face in Jorja’s hair and continued her soft sobs.

Gojyo was on his knees trying to get in her line of sight. “Please, please no. Have mercy on me, ya killin” me over here.” Scarlet began to bawl. *Shit! Poor choice of words. STUPID!*

Gojyo slowly walked on his knees and scooted toward her, he wrapped his arms around her. Scarelt was too upset to protest. Gojyo reached a hand up and placed it on the side of Scarlet’s face. He pressed her head into his chest. “If you keep crying, I’ll be forced to kiss you.”

Between her sobs, Scarlet muttered, “You’ll regret it.”

Hakkai was using Scarlet’s distraction as a means to get closer to Jorja’s leg.

Goku looked at the blood coming from Jorja and stiffled a sniffle.

Sanzo saw the woman in white running back. She had a woman in green with her. The woman in green was carrying a brown cloth bag.

The woman in green ran o tho the two red-haired figures. “Back away, give her air!”. The curls on her head bounced as she ran. She pointed her finger at Hakkai, “You there! Hands off!” Hakkai backed his hands slowly away, he’d been just a few inches away from assessing the situation. The slit in her cloth only revealed red.

Gojyo leaned back and Scarlet sat upright.

The blonde walked over to Sanzo, “Who are you?”

Sanzo looked at her, “Travelers.”

“How did you get past my sentries?”

“We know Jorja.” Sanzo looked at her. Her crystal blue eyes looked back at him, he saw the worry and concern in her face. “We’re foe foes.”

She eyed him, “And yet, not friends either.”

Sanzo broke her gaze and looked at the woman in green.

Cassandra looked at Scarlet, “Advert your eyes, Scarlet, I have to assess her leg, you might not want to see it.”

Scarlet buried her face in Gojyo’s chest. Gojyo thought, *Scarlet? Scarlet? She has taken her birth and turned it into a source of pride.* Gojyo looked at the brilliant red hair as it passed through his fingers, he felt her tears soak through his shirt.

Hakkai looked at the woman in green, “I’m a healer as well as a fighter. I might be able to help.”

Cassandra looked at him, “We take care of our own.” She closed her eyes and sighed, “Sorry, that was rude. I will appreciate any help you can offer, but I don‘t expect I‘ll need it.”

Casandra reached into her pack and pulled out a shiny pair of scissors and began to cut the fabric open. She peeled the fabric back, her leg was solid red --- bright red. Fresh oxygenated blood coated her leg like paint, except for one off-white piece on the inside of her leg. All the onlookers winced. Cassie whispered, “A compound fracture, damn.”

Scarlet pushed her head into Gojyo and wept loudly. Gojyo curled a hand around her head.

Sanzo looked at the bloody deformed leg and thought, *A compound fracture and she continued to fight? Losing that much blood and she continued to fight?* Sanzo quietly stated, “I think I like her again.”

Goku looked up him an smiled.

Hakkai looked up at the woman in green, “Can you handle this?”

Cassandra looked at him, looked at Scarlet ---face buried -- and looked back at Hakkai. She shook her head no as she said flatly, “I can fix it.” She silently mouthed, “Not alone”.

Hakkai nodded. He understood.

Cassandra sighed, “Before we move her befobefore her heal rate gets too far ahead of us, we have to set this. Mikia! Come over here and hold one of her arms down. Priest! Hold her other arm.”

Mikia looked at Sanzo when Cassandra called him priest. I thought so….a Sanzo.

Cassandra looked at Goku, “Young one, are you strong enough to hold her good leg down?”

Goku quietly said, ”Yeah” as he walked over and positioned himself.

Cassandra looked at Hakkai. “Can you hold her thigh?”

Hakkai nodded, “Yes.
Ca
Cassandra looked at Scarlet, “I need you to hold her head tight and keep her mouth closed.”

Scarlet silently adjusted her arms, not moving her head away from Gojyo’s chest.

Cassandra positioned herself below Jorja’s leg and gripped her ankle. She placed one hand on the inside of Jorja’s shin. Simultaneously, she pulled the ankle and pushed on the shin. Cassandra could feel the pieces of bone scrape together and heard the squish of flesh.

Jorja was in a soft, dull gray world of muted sounds. She felt a scraping sensation, sharp pain and her world went black.

Hakkai winced. He could feel the vibration of the bones through her thigh and a sudden shake when the bones were aligned. Casandra reached into her bag and began to pull out bandages, her hands streaked with blood.

Hakkai conjured some chi and a glowing green orb formed around her shin. He thought, *This feels familiar*. He looked down at her limp, pale body and couldn’t muster his anger.

Scarlet finally pulled her head from Gojyo’s chest. Tears blurred her vision, but she could still see the sparkle of Jorja’s headdress. She slowly brought a shaking hand toward it and touched it. She looked over at Mikia, “I guess this is yours now,” She wailed and her shoulders shook. Her tears landing in Jorja’s hair.

Mikia looked at her, “No, I don’t want it. Not yet, it isn’t time.”

Cassandra watched Hakkai as his chi orb dimmed. Hakkai slumped forward a little bit. Cassandra spoke, “We need to move her, and let the others know it is over.” She looked over at Mikia.

Mikia felt the weight of command on her shoulders, she knew she couldn’t do it. She also knew she had to do it. She used a sigh to draw in courage, “Back to base.”

Sanzo stepped up to Jorja, “I’ll carry her.”

Hakkai, Goku and Gojyo were stunned as they watched him gently place one arm under her neck and the other under her knees. He smoothly lifted her. Her arm fell limp down in front of him. The wet blood on her clothing soiled his robes. Her head tilted back and her hair waved freely in the breeze.

Gojyo draped one arm around Scarlet and walked with her. She was still weeping and trembling.

Mikia looked stoic as she saw her lover lie limp in the arms of the blonde man. They had an open relationship, she wasn’t jealous. She was worried and fretted over her own ability to lead the group. A lump formed in her throat as she thought about the possibility that she might be the leader permanently.

As Cassandra walked, she made a mental checklist. Cassandra dealt with stress proactively. She HAD to do something, or she, too, would be a ball of tears.
Hakkai and Goku walked together following the rest into the woods.

The shadowed figured turned sharply, the cape billowed in the wind and in a blur the figure was gone.

The group arrived at the cave entrance. Sanzo recognized it immediately, as did the others. He paused briefly remembering the tension and passion. He looked down at her now, she looked so pitiful….so helpless. He swallowed hard and stepped into the cave.

Mikia, who was holding her staff and Jorja’s staff, looked up, ”Torch.” The staves hummed with light. She didn’t think her voice sounded nearly as commanding as Jorja’s.

Hakkai stepped into the cave and parts of the scene played in his mind. He felt himself getting angry. Then he remembered Gojyo’s words, *Was there nothing redeemable?*

He saw her hand swaying limply moved by Sanzo’s walking. He saw the love her companions had for her. *Redeemable?* he thought. He looked at his group, not everything everyone had done was always admirable. Sometimes they lied or cheated. Sometimes they lost their temper and …..Hakkai took a deep breath, *Sometimes people just do what they have to do and to hell with the consequences.* Regardless of her intentions, everything turned out alright. Time would heal most of the wounds. Goku didn’t seem to be bothered by his change. Sanzo had even softened. Gojyo being the perpetual playboy didn’t seem to have any lasting effects. *Maybe, just maybe, it was a coincidence.*

Gojyo and Goku had stopped and allowed him his time to gather his thoughts. He looked upthemthem. Sighed, swallowed and walked up to them. They followed the glows of the staves. Scarlet’s whimpers echoed in the cave.

The shadowed figure saw them go into the cave. He tilted his head down, the chains around his wrists rattled as he walked off, away from the cave.

The group slowly made it to the entrance to the Moon Order. The typically stoic sentries couldn’t hide their reaction when they saw their beloved High Priestess limp in Sanzo’s arms. They stood their ground, but their eyes latched on to her, and their mouths curved down. One pushed her lips together trying to stop it quivering.

Mikia walked up to the door and paused as she looked at the sentry to her right.

The sentry suddenly remembering her duty, looked at Mikia and in a soft wavering voice, “Silver shining wheel of radiance.”

Mikia weakly replied, “Mother come to us.”

The sentry looked at her, “Priestess Mikia, is it over?”

Mikia straightened her shoulders and back. With a strong jaw, she said, “The battle is over. We were victorious.”

The sentry looked at Jorja and back at Mikia.

Mikia looked at her, “Still fighting. Now mind your duty.”

The sentry put on the best mock-up of a stoic face she could muster. Mikia opened the door and walked in. Sanzo stepped to follow and the staves came down to block him. He glared at the sentries.

Gojyo spoke up, “Hey what’s the big idea?”

Mikia turned and looked at the sentry. She nodded.

The sentry looked forward at no one in particular. “Men are not allowed.”

Sanzo rolled his eyes, “This is so stupid.”

Gojyo added, “What kind of sanctimonious bullshit is this?”

Mikia softly spoke, “Today we make an exception.”

The staves parted and the whpartparty walked into the empty, vacant walls of the Moon Order.

Mikia looked at Cassandra, “Infirmary or her chambers?”

“Chambers” Cassie replied. *Let her die in comfort*. Cassie diddaredare voice her concerns. The group needed hope and she wasn’t going to steal it from them. She, however, had all but given up.

Mikia looked at Scarlet, she was in no condition to be messenger. “Cassie, can you let the others know?”

“Yes.” Cassie walked off.

Mikia looked at the group. Scarlet still weeping into Gojyo. Gojyo bounced back and forth between sympathy and amazement at the hallowed hall. Goku was wide eyed with wonder. Hakkai was trying to as the the surroundings. Hakuryuu peeped with wonder. Sanzo looked stoic, Mikia noticed his arms beginning to quiver.

Mikia led them through the halls to Jorja‘s chamber, careful to avoid the closed off ritual room. As she opened the door to Jorja’s chamber, she debated whether or not to allow the men in the room. The look on Sanzo’s face let her know it wasn’t her decision.

Sanzo placed her gently on top of her thick mattress. The white of her clothing made a stark contrast to the black silk coverlet. Sanzo looked for a chair and sat down in silence.

Goku walked up to Sanzo and looked at him. Confused, poor Goku spoke up, “I thought you thought she was a bad guy.” Goku braced for the fan that never came.

Sanzo lit a cigarette, daring anyone to say anything to him about smoking, and looked at Goku’s questioning eyes. “She was misguided and misinformed.”

Mikia stepped to Sanzo, offering him an ashtray. She looked at his robes. “Do you want us to wash those?” Sanzo look at the blood. His robes were no stranger to blood, but he still didn’t like the way it looked.

“Yes,” He said as he rolled up the scripture and stripped down to his silk black two-piece body suit.

Mikia respectfully draped his robes over her arm and walked out of the room, “Please forgive me, but I have many things to do.” They heard her sniffle as she walked down the hall.

Sanzo walked over to her night stand and placed his gun, scripture, Jorja’s note, and his various other personal effects on it. He stood up and watched her breathing. At least she is breathing. He sat back down in his chair.

Scarlet walked slowly over to Jorja’s bed and knelt, she grabbed Jorja’s hand and held it to her face. She positioned Jorja’s hand on Jorja’s stomach and slowly turned and walked out of the room.

She leaned against the wall outside of Jorja’s room. Hakkai looked down at Goku and draped an arm across his shoulders. “I think Sanzo needs some alone time right now.”

Goku looked at Sanzo. Sanzo sat cross-legged in chair, most of his body shrouded in shadow.

As the three of them closed the door, Hakkai could hear a sniff.

Sanzo sat in the dark questioning himself, *Why have I allowed myself to care so much for this practical stranger? I swore to never allow myself to get so close to someone I couldn’t bear losing them. I broke that promise to myself a long time ago after we began this journey. I couldn’t bear to lose any of them. Time and exposure can explain that. But why her? I barely know her.* He stood up from the chair, looked at her lying nearly lifelessly and sat back down. *And yet for some strange reason, I care.* Sanzo realized that her unique abilities must be affecting him, or he wasn’t as hard as he wanted to be. Attributing his feelings to her abilities was easier for him to accept. *I could really give a shit if she lives.* He tried to convince himself. *She tried to do us wrong.* He stood up again intent on gathering his band and heading west. *And yet, her tenacity intrigues me.* He sat back down. *She fights heaven and fights the change. She offers her assistance to those that need, even if it is misguided. We’ve all done things we aren’t proud of, right? Sometimes the right have to be wrong considering how the world is today. We never fully understand the motivations behind our friends and foes. What are her motivations? What are my motivations? Do I fight this hard because some Buddha-babe told me to? Do I take orders from her? No, I take orders from myself ….shit, who am I kidding? Damn, I’m pitiful, I can’t even lie to myself. *

Here in the dark he didn’t have to be strong for anyone. He didn’t have to be hard. He could take a break from his divine mission. He didn’t have to be Sanzo. He could drop his shell and be Kouryuu. He could let that hopeful, caring little boy out. She had touched him in a way no other could. Through his turmoil he saw Master Koumyou Sanzo appear and smile at him. He heard his Master speak to him in his soft knowing voice, “That’s right Kouryuu, feel.” He could feel. And, feel he did. He dropped his head and silently cried.

The Merciful Goddess looked down from heaven and smiled. “That’s right nephew, trust with the eyes of your heart. You are learning after all.”

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Scarlet looked up at the ceiling, trying desperately to stop her tears and squash her fears.

Gojyo couldn’t take it anymore. He walked up to her, straddling her between his arms, palms on the wall beside her chest, “You just don’t know what you are doing to me do you?” Gojyo could feel his heart sinking.

She looked at him with her red eyes, “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to.” She put her arms around his waist.

“You are going to make me kiss you.”

“You’ll regret it.” She sniffled and spoke softly, “Water Sprite.”

He tilted his head and knitted his brow, “Still hard after all this?”

She looked deeply into his eyes, her eyes flickered.

Gojyo’s mouth dropped open and he backed away from her quickly. *FIRE! *“That’s how you knew. You’re a fire sprite!”

She looked down at the floor, “And that’s why you’ll regret it.”

Gojyo knew that water sprites and fire sprites had been warring for eons. Each could kill the other. Water destroys fire and fire evaporates water. Perpetual opposites. After he recovered from the initial shock, he looked at her. Hdn’tdn’t feel any inherent anger toward her. He didn’t feel much weaker after holding her, he walked up to her. He put one arm around her waist and one hand behind her neck.

She whispered, “Gojyo, no,“ as she drew her face closer to his.

He pushed his hips to her and kissed her. No sooner did their lips touch, did he feel his breath leave him. His eyes popped open and he saw her red eyes fading. His body felt weak. Both of them grabbed on to their human halves and pushed themselves apart.

Gojyo bent at the waist, gasping for breath.

She dropped to her knees, one arm out on the floor, wheezing.

Goku stared at them and Hakkai ran to Gojyo’s side.

Scarlet coughed, “I told you.”

Gojyo looked at her groggily, “The sweetness was worth it,” wheeze, ”You’ve stopped crying.”

Scarlet regaining enough strength to stand, looked at Gojyo and smiled.

Guko looked around at the faces, “I know this isn’t the time, but ---”

Gojyo interrupted him, “We know monkey boy, you’re hungry.”

Hakkai looked at Gojyo, “Are you going to be alright?”

He looked up at Scarlet and nodded his head, but he wasn’t sure.

Scarlet began to walk slowly down the hall, “Follow me, we’ll get something to eat. “

Guko smiled and jogged up to her, “Alright!”

“I should warn you, monkey boy eats a lot.”

Goku looked back at him, “Stop calling me monkey! One of these days I’m gonna eat you.”

“You don’t have the nerve!”

Hakkai thought it was nice to have them jabbing at each other. Now, if Sanzo would just hit someone, things could be normal.

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The four of them were sitting in the mess hall, Gojyo was enjoying an after dinner smoke. Hakkai was enjoying some after dinner sake.

He looked over at Scarlet. Her hair framed her delicate face. Her muscles looked chisled and beautifully flexed and shifted with her movements. She laughed as they told stories, often at Goku’s expense. Her laughter was melodious. It was like sweet music. *Damn.* She had become his forbidden fruit. The more he thought about how he couldn’t have her the more he wanted her.

Gojyo had unconsciously slumped down in his chair, his head resting on the back of the chair and his hair hanging freely. He felt little tiny hands on his head. His eyes flew open wide as he froze. He looked at Scarlet, she was giggling.

He jerked himself forward and turned around to see a little red-haired, red-eyed six year old girl. Gojyo smiled. “Hi, what can I do for you?”

The little girl stared at his eyes, almost mesmerized. She ranScarScarlet and hid behind her chair, poking a single eye out at him. She whispered to Scarlet. Scarlet giggled.

Scarlet smiled, glanced at the girl, and then looked at Gojyo. “She wants to know where your dish is.”

Gojyo dropped his head as he chuckled. He stood up and ran after the little girl, “Right here on top of my head!” he joked. He smiled as he snatched her up and tickled her. The no longer shy girl squealed and giggled under his fingers.

Hakkai laughed.

Scarlet laughed.

Goku looked over at Gojyo, “Ya know, that just doesn’t look right, when you do it.”

Gojyo sat the girl down gently on her feet and looked at Goku. “I’ll show you not right!”

Goku got up to run and his eyes caught something he had never seen before. A purple clad woman with white hair and pink eyes walked up to Scarlet. Goku just stared at her. Hakkai gently elbowed him. “It’s not nice to stare.”

Goku blinked, but try as he might he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Scarlet looked up at Tasha. Tasha looked down at Goku, “I see I’m a new sight to someone.” She bent down to him, her pink eyes fixed on his golden orbs, “Shocking! Isn’t it?” She straightend up and laughed, “At least the first time, after that the novelty wears off.”

Goku reached out to touch her. Hakkai grabbed his arm and gently shook his head.

Goku looked at Tasha and softly said, “Your skin, it looks like fine porcelain. Your hair looks like fresh snow.”

Tasha smiled at him, “Thank you, a kinder compliment has never been paid.” She tilted her head.

“Umm, errr, “ Goku stammered, “What are you?”

Hakkai wanted to disappear, he was insulted for her. He was utterly embarrassed, “Goku! Don’t ask such things.”

Tasha looked at Hakkai, “I appreciate what you are trying to do, but how can we expect them to learn if we don’t allow them to question?”

Hakkai looked at her and remembered his oh-so-distant teaching days, he couldn’t believe he had tried to squash intellectual curiosity and questioning.

Tasha looked at Goku, “I am an albino. Now you’re next question should be, ’What is an albino?’ Right?”

Goku nodded.

“In simple terms --- no insult intended--- an albino is a creature born with a genetic structure that doesn’t allow any pigmentation, skin or otherwise. Some almost-albinos will have blue eyes, I do not.” She smiled at Goku.

Goku looked at her face and ears, “Are you human?”

“Yes, I am.”

Hakkai looked at her, “Are you a teacher?”

“Among other things.” Tasha looked at Scarlet, “How’s Jorja?”

Scarlet looked at her and felt the tears well up, she blinked them away, “Stable as far as I can tell.”

Goku heard the laughter and giggles of girls. He looked over his shoulder and saw a group staring in the amazement of a boy in their midst. Goku smiled and walked over to them. Gojyo watched Goku walk over to them shook his head and thought, *Men spend the first nine months of their life trying to get out and the rest of it trying to get back in. What have I done to that boy? *

“Tasha, did you have any problems?” Scarlet inquired.

“No, not a one. All accounted for. How’s Mikia holding up?”

“I don’t know.” Scarlet looked off in to the hallway toward Mikia’s chamber.

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Sanzo stepped from the shadows and sat down on the bed beside Jorja. He brushed her hair away from her face. He looked around the room and noticed that the shadows were as much decoration as they were a natural phenomenon---- *light and dark, two halves of a whole.* He noticed a small wash basin with two cloths draped over the side. *Why am I doing this? Why do I care? *

He picked up the wash basin and left the room looking for a water source. He left the Maten Scripture in the room with Jorja.

There were twotrietries posted outside Jorja’s room. Sanzo looked at them “Water.”
It was a question, but he didn’t make it sound like it.

One of the sentries looked at him, “Three doors down on the left. Knock first.”

Sanzo walked down the hallway, tucked the bowl under one arm and knocked on the door. He listened and didn’t hear anything. He opened the door. He was in the washroom. He saw the marble sinks, bathtubs and toilets. It was pretty, he just wasn’t in much of ad tod to enjoy aesthetics. He turned the warm water on and looked at himself in the mirror. He spoke to the reflection, “You look like hell, you small, pitiful freak.” His eyes were puffy and red. His nose irritated from the wiping. He looked tired and worn out. This journey was getting to him physically and emotionally. “How can you call yourself a priest?” The reflection seemed to condemn him. He felt the warm steam rise from the faucet. The mirror was beginning to be obscured by the steam. Sanzo wanted to hide in that steam. He couldn’t keep this up, all the fighting and traveling. His Master’s voice rang in his head, *Perhaps true freedom is having a home to return to*. That’s what it was, he had no home. He only had one home and most of the monks there didn’t want him. His own parents cast him away like driftwood. He put his hands on the edge of the sink for support. His head sunk into his shoulders. A kind gentle force nudged his face up, he looked at the steamed mirror and saw the image of the Merciful Goddess.

She smiled sweetly, “Be strong, Genjyo Sanzo. Believe in yourself, the others do.”

“The others are mistaken and misguided.”

“I believe in you.” Sanzo fixed his violet gaze on her, “Take some time to be human. It‘s ok, you‘ll always be my favorite priest --- no matter what.”

Her image faded. He shook his head and filled towl owl with steaming water. He carefully carried the water back to Jorja’s room.

He sat the bowl down on her nightstand nudging his personal effects out of the way. He looked at her. He wanted so badly not to care, he wanted to be angry, he wanted to strike out at her. He reached down within himself and tried to find his angst. All he found was a scared little boy. He found a little boy who had been rejected by nearly everyone, a little boy thrown to the river, a little boy that was now too scared to feel ---too scared to allow anyone close, he found the man that had failed to protect that little boy that never belonged, never felt love --- except from one warm face. That face was now blood stained and vacant. The fracture in his mind was nearly audible.

His body convulsed, he grabbed at her clothing, dropped his head and wept. He cried for the love he never had, the love that he lost, and the love that he pushed away. He jerked off her. He cried because he didn’t care and because he did care. He pounded on his chest and he jabbed his fists into his stomach. He cried for being so pitiful, he cried because he was crying. He pulled on his hair. He cried for Goku. He cried for Hakkai and Kanan. He cried for Gojyo, his mother and his brother. Finally, he cried for his Master. He collapsed on to her, burying his head in her stomach trying to hide from the pain.

The near corpse was the only one that could console him now, and she did. She did in the only way she could, by being so close to death that she couldn’t react and wouldn’t remember his moment of humanity.

Hours passed before Sanzo could control his breathing. His face was hot and wet. His silk drenched with tears and sweat. He staggered to his feet and grabbed one of the cloths. He dipped it in the now cool water and rung it out. He patted it on his face. He looked at her, she was wet with his tear
H
He unclasped her cape, unbuckled her belt and ankle cuffs, moved her arms and slid her out of her uniform. He looked at her lying there, half dead. He dipped a cloth into the cool water and wiped the sweat, tears, and dirt off her. He worked his way down her body and carefully wiped the blood off her leg. Aside from some bruising, it didn’t even look like she had been injured. He lifted her in phases and slid the coverlet out from under her. He covered her. The creamy skin on her face set off the black silk coverlet. He walked around the bed and laid down on top of the coverlet, draped an arm across her, kissed her cheek and closed his eyes. *Damn you for making me feel.*

His tired body seemed to melt into the bed, he painfully fell asleep.
NextNext! Part Six: Redeemable