Màu nền Màu tối Mặc định Xám nhạt Xanh nhạt Xanh đậm Vàng nhạt Màu sepia Vàng đậm Vàng ố

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As much as he hated it, the inept physician kept coming back to give him the same disgusting medicine, as per Hidesato's request. He did not know what the hell that man put inside the concoction, but the damn thing tasted downright awful.

But still, he kept drinking each and every single one of them.

After drinking even one medicine, the taste would remain on his tongue for hours. And now, with him drinking it multiple times every single day, that taste of bitterness had made itself at home at the roof of his mouth, permanently lingering inside his body.

Usually after giving him the medicine, the physician would encourage him to eat more food, to no such success, of course.

Any kind of food served on his plate has remained barely touched these past few days.

What he noticed, most of all was the bland taste. No matter what type of spices the servants served it with, there would always be an inexplicable sense of nausea before he had even finished chewing it.

To be honest, he has pondered day and night the meaning behind these strange events. He was never one to deny good food. Besides, he should be famished by now with how little he had been eating, but his stomach did not growl nor did it have the desire to eat.

Perhaps the physician was poisoning him?

He quickly washed away such a thought, for what reason would Hidesato bring an untrustworthy person right to his doorstep?

Nonetheless, the healing process so far has been ineffective.

Instead of the medicine restoring his vitality, there was a degree of queasiness in his body that lingered. that would not let itself be washed away. When the sun had risen to paint the skies in its hues of pink and orange, he felt like retching instead.

All this for what? Restlessness gnaws at his very being.

His brother's promise had sparked hope within him before, but it's quickly fading with the state his body is currently still in. He'd rather this ceaseless treatment stop and have the physician heal someone else instead.

Nothing has changed. Nothing will change. His fate was sealed the moment he took that hit for his brother.

"Oi," [Y/n] began to speak to the physician after drinking his medicine for the day. The man smiled meekly in answer. His smile while gentle brings a sense of wariness to the [h/c] male. From what his brother told him, the man had a record of helping the weak and frail, trying his best to give medicine to those who had suffered unjustly.

"You can stop coming here."

His eyes widened. "May I ask why, my lord? I am here under your brother's request to heal you. Have no fear, I guarantee that you will heal in due time."

Sure.

[Y/n]'s gaze shifted downwards, his heart heavy, weighted down by his aching body.

"This—," he pointed at his legs, "—is a lost cause. You're better off healing someone more dire. At the very least, I'm still alive. I'm already grateful for that fact." The physician gave a rueful smile, still trying to convince him.

"I am sure that with my help—" [Y/n] raised his hand, signaling him to stop.

"You've helped enough. Now, go help someone else."

"I see," he replied after a long silence. Bowing deeply to the [h/c] haired man before finally leaving. [Y/n] gave a long sigh, gazing at the sinking sun from his window.

As the night slowly takes over and the pale moon finally becomes visible, he looks down at the sword sitting on the tatami. It was delivered today by one of the servants, finally cleaned from the blood that had stained it after the last battle. Reaching out, he took it and carefully opened it from its scabbard.

"How unfortunate."

The sword—while shining beautifully—had a deep fracture running along its length, threatening to break apart at the slightest bit of tension. A small wave of despair washed over [Y/n]. His sword has been a constant companion ever since his younger days, a symbol of his ever-growing skills. Its previous mighty edge seemed dull and compromised.

Another long sigh was released from [Y/n]'s mouth as his face scrunched in irritation. He should ask his brother to find a talented swordsmith to fix such damages. He probably wouldn't be able to use it anymore, in the state he's in. But he finds that reforging it would probably give him peace of mind.

An hour has passed of [Y/n] pondering over his sword before a sound came from behind the doors of his room.

"Little brother, I'm coming in."

Hidesato, in his yukata, came into the room with an exasperated look. He gazes straight at [Y/n], a frown on his face.

"Why did you send him away?" He immediately asked [Y/n].

The younger gazes upwards, thinking of an appropriate answer for his brother. After a period of silence, he answered.

"...I don't like him."

"...what?" Hidesato asked again.

"His medicines all tasted awful too."

His brother brought up a hand across his face. When he lowered it, he immediately went on a rant about accepting medicine. [Y/n] immediately tuned out most of what he's saying, catching the word idiot and disgusting taste here and there. Seeing as his brother didn't look like he was leaving anytime soon, [Y/n] cut him off with a request, "Can you carry me to the porch?"

Hidesato stops, raising his eyebrows at the younger one. "Right now? Sure, but why?"

[Y/n] looked away, "Wanted to see the moon clearer, it feels suffocating just being in this room."

"Alright then, I'll carry you there."

Hidesato carefully picks [Y/n] up, carrying him outside to the porch. While waiting to arrive at their destination, [Y/n] looked down at his nails.

They're awfully longer and sharper.

Arriving at the porch, Hidesato places him gently on the floor. The cool night air brushed against his skin, giving him relief and safety. The moon, full and radiant, seemed to beckon [Y/n] closer. Gently waiting for him to finally take a step forward.

Hidesato stood behind [Y/n] quietly, gazing at [Y/n] as he gazed up at the beautiful moon.

"Have you had dinner yet?" [Y/n] asked.

"No, why? You trying to chase me away?"

"You look beyond tired. Get some food and rest, brother."

Hidesato scoffed, "Don't do anything stupid, [Y/n]." [Y/n] smirked.

When Hidesato finally left, he clutched his abdomen, face contorted and mouth clenched tightly. He had been holding back the pain ever since his brother carried him here. [Y/n] had hoped it would pass quickly ever since he got here, but the pain persisted, intensifying itself with each passing second. Nausea and a lingering taste of bile could also be felt in the back of his throat. After seconds turned into minutes, it abruptly stopped. For just one lingering second, [Y/n] thought he had died.

[Y/n] had a knot of worry formed in his chest over what just happened. The sudden onset of pain confused him, but what confused him more was the unforeseen changes it had just brought.

A surge of energy could be felt, encasing his body. A tingling sensation in his legs, something he hadn't felt in quite a while. He could feel the cells inside his legs knitting together, restoring them with renewed vigor and vitality. [Y/n]'s eyes widened, moving his legs as if they were brand new. The scars that previously littered them also disappeared, old wounds closing and leaving no trace of any previous injuries.

Did the medicines actually work?

Slowly, he stood up. Walking forward like a baby deer, fear of falling down flat on his face. [Y/n] smiled brightly when he had walked more than a meter, finally sure that he could walk again.

I can actually go back to being a samurai.

Another thought embedded itself into his mind, one he can't get rid of.

What's the catch here?

[Y/n] flexes his arms, their muscles strong with newfound power. Stronger than what he had previously. A sweet scent suddenly revealed itself from afar. The [h/c] haired male glances at the woods beyond the estate. A small cry could be heard inside those dark places. It draws him closer, driving him to pluck it away.

Checking to see if anyone's keeping watch on him, [Y/n] quickly runs into the depths of the woods.

With each step he took, [Y/n] felt the earth beneath his feet, connecting him closer to the pulse of the night. Senses heightened by the sounds of the wilderness around him, he comes closer to the source of the cry.

A gentle breeze whispered through the trees, carrying with it an eerie undertone. A sense of unease washed over him and [Y/n]'s pace slowed to observe the cause. His sharp and keen eyes caught a glimpse of movement—a pack of wolves.

Their forms were sleek while circling their prey, a deer caught between the hinges of their fangs. Its antlers pierced the air, a testament to its former grace. The scent of decay has started surrounding it, a poignant reminder of the cycle of life and death.

Hearing a growl, [Y/n] glanced back at the pack of wolves. He stayed still as they slowly circled him, their fangs bared to threaten the [h/c] male. A calmness washed over [Y/n], instinctually guiding him from the very cells in his body to—

—

"So, you were here," Hidesato sighed in relief.

[Y/n] chuckled, "Yeah, I told one of the attendants to carry me back. I thought you already went to bed, brother."

"Well, I'm about to now. Get some rest, [Y/n]." He closed the door softly, footsteps could be heard walking slowly away from his room. [Y/n] fixed his eyes down at his hands, dried blood had caked under his nails, difficult to get rid of even with the help of the rushing water from the river.

With a heavy sigh, [Y/n] closed his eyes and released a trembling breath.

This is bad.