Doctor's Orders

A young tengu tosses and turns as she lies on a futon. Applying a cloth to her forehead and forcing a spoonful of ground herbs into her mouth is a human girl who looks to be only a few years older. Looming over both of them with her arms crossed is the hornless demon of the Six-Finger: Iori. Sighting her enforcing the gang's will around the Canal District isn't rare, but this gathering has nothing to do with business or bitter rivalries. No, this is a more personal matter.

"How is she?"

"She'd be fine with some rest even if I didn't treat her. She'd be even better without a criminal caretaker. This time, it's little more than a fever, but what of the next? You've no lack of adversaries willing to prey on that little 'family' of yours."

"And who else would take them in? You? The good people of Youdu don't care for what can be ignored and swept away. Not even the merciful Iku would lift a finger without a criminal intervening."

Of course, it's unreasonable to expect a single woman to tend to all the city's ailments, but there's nothing to be gained from pointing that out. They'd had this conversation too many times already, and that some were always bound to slip between the cracks was never a satisfying response. Once the tengu girl has calmed down, Iku's eyes shift to the corner where her other guest stands within the tiny abode. Her blood-soaked aura has flared up while watching the exorcist, ready to strike at any moment should she provide a reason. Someone so prepared to direct her blade toward a healer is no doubt wicked. Yet, there's still something there worth trying to reason with.

"I'm not telling you to entrust them with another, but continuing as you are only puts them in danger."

"Save your concern. Even were I so fickle, there's nothing for me to return to."

"Then don't go back — move forward. The excuses you provide to continue down the path of ruin are nothing but. You drag a noble legacy through the muck because you're too afraid to live up to it."

With a quick wave of her finger, a thin line of red appeared on Iku's neck. Just as blood begins to trickle out, it's stopped by the wound suddenly clotting. The two stare each other down, a finely dressed ghost manifesting beside Iku and Iori flexing her fingers. Such harsh words were bound to elicit a negative response, but Iori was no more receptive to spoonfuls of sugar than Iku was eager to offer them.

"Nnnhg...S-sis?"

The flame is extinguished, and the darkness suffocating her heart disperses somewhat as Iori rushes to kneel beside the tengu. Her grimace gives way to a smile, and she takes one of the girl's hands in her own while petting her gently with the other.

"Where are we?"

"We're at Miss Iku's. Yumiko, why didn't you tell anyone you were sick?"

Still dazed and now embarrassed, Yumiko's eyes dart around for something else to focus on as she stumbles over her words, but when her gaze lands on the exorcist, her nervousness only grows. Iori squeezes her hand and sighs.

"It's okay. I'm not mad."

"I-I didn't want to bother anyone, but I ended up causing a lot of trouble anyway..."

"There's nothing more important than your health. If something's wrong and there's no one else around, go directly to Miss Iku's. If he's not home, then go to the shrine."

Iori shoots a look in Iku's direction, silently urging her to say something. The exorcist rolls her eyes as she forces a smile.

"Yes, yes, my companions and I are always happy to help."

"See? You aren't a bother to anyone, so there's no reason to hide things from us."

"I...okay."

"Good. Now, if you're feeling well enough, you can pick out whatever you like on the way home. Lady Yor should have some fresh buns ready around now..."

"Y-Yes, please!"

Yumiko sits up a little too fast, already mentally mapping out the best route to pick her favorite treats. A girlish giggle escaped from Iori as she helped the girl steady herself before offering her shoulders as a seat. Yumiko cranes her neck and waves goodbye as the pair makes their exit, making Iku's barren home seem even emptier. Alone with her thoughts, the exorcist shakes her head in disappointment, not in the understanding that the same woman who was doting on her sister would be butchering people by tomorrow, if not within hours, but in the selfishness of it all.

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Pub: 09 Mar 2025 20:00 UTC

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