Forgiveness and Affection

The trick was traveling upstream.

The Ryusui River was long and powerful, serving as the main freshwater resource for most of the Yamato Isles. Too narrow for a large vessel, and too long to swim or row against the current, there weren't many options for completing their journey this way.

“It's true,” Nezu leaned back in her chair, balancing the light pen on her upper lip. “Humans are wildly incapable when it comes to this stuff. The only creature that could make this journey would probably be a Yokai.”

Sumire was about to weigh in on the brainstorming when a sudden, violent gasp interrupted her. It came from the bed behind Nezu, where the Wani man had apparently woken up. He was sitting upright, eyes wide and breathing heavily as if he'd forgotten how to.

“Well, look who finally decided to join us,” Nezu turned and pulled her chair up to the man's bed. “In and out through your lungs, buddy. You're breathing air now.”

After a moment, the man’s breathing fell to normal. Seeing that, Nezu smiled warmly, and when her hazel gaze met his black sclera a soft pink overtook his cheeks.

“Ah… I…” he made noises as if trying to say something, but the words struggled to come out. Just as Nezu began to worry over his staring and apparent mutism, the words suddenly all burst forth at once.

“I’m so sorry for my transgressions—!”

The man tried to bow so quickly that his forehead crashed into Nezu’s. She was knocked back by the blow, toppling off her chair, and the man’s pink cheeks quickly deepened to an embarrassed red. He rushed to apologize, and Sumire rushed to help her up, but all Nezu could do was laugh.

“Glad to see you've got some energy,” she teased, rubbing her head with a smile. “Bowing while in bed isn't a great idea, though. I get the feeling you're not very used to being in a human body, huh?”

“Heh, not really,” he answered coyly. “Human bodies are a bit more…to the point, it seems.”

“Yeah, they're not so curly,” Sumire chimed, attempting a grin. Her comment drew the man's attention to her, his gaze then hovering over Senren in the bed beside her. A look of revelation overtook the man's fair face and he attempted a bow again. Luckily, this time he was stopped by Nezu’s hand on his shoulder.

“Careful, there, or you'll open that nasty wound she gave you.”

His cheeks dusted pink again as he nodded in acknowledgment. Watching him closely, Sumire couldn't help but think his body was still less human than the average person. After all, he still had fangs, sharp fingernails that resembled claws, and his long and inky black hair shimmered iridescently when he moved.

“You are the woman who attacked me,” he addressed the pair with a hint of waryness in his voice. “And the man I sent flying. Please forgive me for any harm I've caused you; I was not of right mind and didn't mean to get anyone else involved.”

Senren was the first to accept the olive branch, much to Sumire's surprise. He nodded and offered a reassuring smile.
“Everything turned out fine, so don't burden yourself with guilt.”

“Yeah, I'd say we're even now,” Sumire concurred, motioning to his bandaged chest. Seeing her and Senren forgive him so easily, the Wani looked relieved.

“Speaking of, I noticed some other small wounds while I was fixing you up,” Nezu interjected. “What exactly happened to you?”

The man looked away and began drumming his claws on his arm. It took him a moment before he finally answered.

“My name is Jimmu, and I am a resident of the Wani Kingdom,” he began with a slightly shaky voice. “Or, I used to be. But I did something… embarrassing… and because of it, I was exiled.”

“Exiled?” Senren remarked amidst Sumire's dramatic whistle. “I'm terribly sorry…”

“I see,” said Nezu. “So that's why you were banged up and angry. They chased you out of the kingdom with acts of violence.”

Jimmu nodded, still incapable of meeting her gaze.
“It’s shameful just thinking about it. I was so angry and hurt that I wanted to lash out — until Miss Lightning Woman attacked me, I didn't even realize there was a boat above me. Honestly, I'm just happy to see that the passengers were unharmed, and that the kind warrior here was not lost.”

The three friends looked between each other, each confirming the others’ feelings on the matter. They all silently agreed that Jimmu didn't mean any harm with his actions, however reckless they were. It was then Nezu who voiced these feelings to the Wani, addressing him with a soft, reassuring touch on his arm.

“I’m sorry you went through that,” she said gently. “We forgive you, but it was still really dangerous to throw a tantrum like that. Things would have ended a lot differently if a healer like me wasn't here to help. You really put everyone through a lot of trouble…”

Looking even more remorseful, Jimmu clasped Nezu’s hand in both of his own hands.
“Thank you, Miss Healer! Please, if there's anything I can do to repay you and make up for my actions, I'll do it in a heartbeat.”

“Actually, I think I already have an idea for how you can do just that.”

“You…do?” Jimmu blinked in confusion at Nezu's smile. Even Sumire and Senren exchanged a look of curiosity.

“Yep,” Nezu nodded happily. “My friends here are looking for a way to travel up the Ryusui River to the top of Mount Takiyan.”

“You mean… like the Koi Dragon..?”

“That's right! There's no way two humans could make that kind of journey on their own. But a strong Yokai like yourself should be able to swim them up there, no problem, right?”

Jimmu looked absolutely powerless beneath Nezu's bright gaze. Sumire was certain now that the rising color in his cheeks was a smitten blush, and she couldn't help but chuckle quietly. Seeing what was once a terrifying beast practically melt at the hands of such a delicate woman was like something out of a storybook.

“I… Of course I'll help,” he finally answered, unsurprisingly. “If it is the wish of Miss Healer, I'll happily oblige.”

The next few moments were spent rejoicing among the group about their newfound friendships. They introduced themselves properly to Jimmu, and briefly discussed the details of their quest for the Koi Tears. However, before long a crewmate announced that the ferry was docking, so Nezu paid for the kimono that Jimmu had received from the ferrymen and they made their way above deck.

Sumire felt a twinge of sadness as they all began disembarking from the ferry. She was enjoying her reconnection with Nezu and the friendship they were all building together. But, she also knew that Nezu was an important and busy medicine woman. Of course they would have to part ways on their journey, no matter how badly Sumire wished they could stick together. Prepared for this inevitability, as soon as her boots met the soil of the mainland, she steeled herself to say goodbye.

“Well, Nezu, it totally sucks, but I guess this is where we— huh?!”

Sumire was certain that Nezu had been standing right beside her, but in the blink of an eye the medicine woman had vanished. Before she or anyone else could react, however, a voice suddenly called out to them.

“Come on, guys! Over here!”

Looking past the crowd, they spotted Nezu. She was waving energetically at them, standing in front of a large horse-drawn caravan.

“Everyone pile in,” she beckoned them. “You can come home to the Tsubame Clan with me. From there, we'll start your adventure up the river!”