The Hot Springs Cloaked In Stone

For three days, Hoshiyo had time to reflect on the battle. She knew that trying to recall the exact moment of her stabbing was pointless and only gave her a headache. Her wounds were not fully healed, but she could speak to her neighbors in the beds beside her.

Seiko lay to her left, her delicate, shimmering, long, light purple hair spread across her pillow. She had taken a couple of arrows to the leg before falling off the roof of the stone walls. Her weapon was nowhere in sight, and she appeared to be crying silently, tears born from a trauma she would have to live with for a long time.

Hoshiyo turned her head toward Seiko and asked, "Are you alright?"

"No," Seiko replied, her voice trembling. "What I did out there was stupid and reckless. I had no cover on the wall, yet I climbed to get a good shot."

"Now you must live with those consequences," Hoshiyo said, looking down at her wound and imagining the scar it might leave.

"I wish it could have gone differently," Seiko whimpered. "It will take me months to recover my strength after those arrows hit me."

"I know how you feel, but that doesn't mean we should give up hope. A few months is nothing compared to a year or a lifetime. It could be so much worse; don't forget that."

Seiko sniffled and replied, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

At that moment, Rei entered through the makeshift tent's entrance, her bright smile lightening the mood in the room. She carried a medication tray and said, "How is everyone doing today? I have some medicine for the pain, but your best option is to stay here and rest for a bit longer."

Hoshiyo sat up and crossed her arms, replying defensively, "I'll stay if you tell me what's happening out there. What will you do with all the bodies?"

Rei placed the tray of medication beside the beds and sighed. "We've taken care of everything. The Kami will return shortly. Mother mentioned rewarding us for protecting the island, but I do not know what she means."

"Where is she? I need to talk to her," Hoshiyo demanded.

Seiko covered her face with her hands and chuckled. "You never give up, do you?"

"Of course not; it's my job to be on the front lines. Besides, my body feels better now," Hoshiyo insisted.

Rei glared at her and used her index and middle fingers to push Hoshiyo's forehead, provoking her to fall back into bed. "You feel better now, but once those drugs wear off, you won't be so active. You've only been here for three days."

"I'm not lying here for two weeks just because you told me to," Hoshiyo argued.

Kuzunoha entered the room humanly, gently tapping Rei's shoulder as she passed to speak with the wounded. Fearless and composed, Kuzunoha said, "The day Nue brought you to our triage station, your sisters were wounded and exhausted from battle. Throughout the night, everyone visited for treatment and to check on you until dawn. Over the past three days, we've buried the bodies of those who died beneath the rock garden in front of the house."

"Why not burn them?" Hoshiyo asked.

Rei nodded, adding, "Burning them would have drawn too much attention to us."

Kuzunoha smiled at Hoshiyo, who struggled to sit still in her bed. She sighed and glanced towards the hot springs near the house. As a healer, her duty was to provide the best care possible, so she relented to a potential solution. "For now, you must stay on the house grounds, but I might know how to help you heal much faster."

Rei frowned and shook her head vigorously. "No, that's not a good idea. I know what you're suggesting, but she must leave here to do that."

Kuzunoha gently grasped Rei's hand, pulled her aside, and whispered, "It's not about what we want for her anymore. She must be strong enough for the ritual the Kami will perform a week from now. The Kami won't wait for her; she could die from the transformation."

"I don't understand. How will the Kami transform us? In what way?" Rei asked.

"You'll find out when the time comes, but for now, you must let her go," Kuzunoha replied.

From her bed, Hoshiyo glared at the two whispering about her. She waved and yelled, "Hey, what's the big deal? I'll do anything to get back on my feet sooner. Just tell me what I need to do."

Rei turned around, waving her fist at Hoshiyo. "Why are you so impatient? Give us a minute to discuss our plan."

Kuzunoha calmly held Rei's shoulder. "Go inform the others so they can help with the arrangements. I'll stay and explain everything to her."

Without a word, Rei left the room to find the others, who were still working on burying the remaining corpses. She happily left Kuzunoha to finish the discussion. Rei began to administer the first batch of medication to Seiko, who was starting to pass out from the pain.

Hoshiyo frowned at her injured leg, disappointed in herself for allowing this to happen. She was supposed to lead them, but instead, the Samurai had separated and attempted to pick them off individually. Her heart was heavy with guilt, but the physical pain forced her emotions to rage out of control.

Kuzunoha turned to Hoshiyo and whispered, "We found a nearby hot spring with incredible healing properties. It could cut your healing process in half, but there's one condition."

"Fine, what is it?" Hoshiyo asked, sighing heavily and crossing her arms, hoping for a favorable response.

"You must go to the hot springs on Nue's back. I won't allow you to walk there, even with assistance. If you walk, it will take much longer for your leg to heal," Kuzunoha explained.

"As in, I might never walk again if I try," Hoshiyo said, glancing outside the tent at the signs of life bustling around.

Kuzunoha nodded as she started to prepare Seiko for transport to another tent. Lifting Seiko carefully, she said, "Exactly. Please take care of yourself. In the meantime, I need to take Seiko for a procedure to remove the damaged tissue from her leg. Keep an eye on Kenzo for me until I return."

"Kenzo?" Hoshiyo asked, watching Kuzunoha leave with Seiko. She then noticed a silhouette in the room—a figure beside Seiko's previous spot.

Kenzo was lying down, staring at the ceiling, lost in deep thought, likely reflecting on the battle's events. He had remained silent the entire time, not uttering a word to anyone.

Hoshiyo scoffed and sat up, noticing his gentle purple eyes filled with regret. Though he seemed to have a story to tell, she was uninterested. She snapped, "What happened out there? You could have gotten Seiko killed."

Kenzo turned away, refusing to respond. He kept his opinions about the recent battle to himself, displeased with Hoshiyo's perceived lack of leadership.

"Don't make me come over there, Kenzo," Hoshiyo warned.

Moments later, Rei entered the tent to administer Kenzo's medication before moving to Hoshiyo. The three exchanged silent glances, contemplating whether to break the silence. When Rei reached Hoshiyo's tatami bed, she handed her a cup of green fluid.

"What is this?" Hoshiyo asked, eyeing the cup.

"An antihistamine with a sleep aid. If you drink it now, you'll start feeling it by the time you leave. You're leaving now, and Seiko won't be far behind. Nue will carry you first to meet the others, then return for Seiko. Are you ready?"

Hoshiyo nodded silently, glancing at Kenzo lying there, still silent and unmoving. She frowned and asked, "What about him?"

"His wounds will heal fine without the hot springs. I'll take care of Kenzo. Now, get going," Rei replied.

Nue crawled into the triage tent, settling beside Hoshiyo's bed. Seeing him healthy despite all they had endured brought her a sense of relief. She petted Nue's soft head, feeling the comforting vibrations of his purr. His radiated warmth was more soothing than the old tatami mattress on the uncomfortable straw. Hoshiyo climbed onto Nue's back and said, "I'm ready, Nue. Take me to the hot springs."

"Take good care of her, Nue," Rei whispered.

Nue groaned softly and carefully crawled out of the triage tent, mindful not to disturb the painstakingly created haven for the wounded. The beast climbed to the top of the house, offering Hoshiyo a view of her mother's home in the distance. She squinted, trying to spot the hot springs, but a dense fog shrouded the area. It was as if something was intentionally obscuring her vision.

"Nue, do you know where you're going?" Hoshiyo whispered.

Nue groaned in response to her question, nodding its head as if to reassure her. Hoshiyo chuckled, realizing how futile it was to ask a question to a Yokai who couldn't speak. She had momentarily forgotten that the beast couldn't communicate in words. Instead of continuing the conversation, she closed her eyes, trying to enjoy the rest of the ride. The sight of the green trees above and the medication in her system made her feel drowsy.

For Hoshiyo, riding Nue was like riding a horse, except she could hear the beast's heavy breathing with each leap across the grass fields and as it weaved through the trees. She soon fell into a deep slumber, dreaming once more of her mother's childhood home. Her mind wandered through the house from her memories, recalling its appearance the last time she saw it. The warm sun on her skin from the open window brought her pure happiness, a brief respite from the fears of the unknown future.

In her dream, Hoshiyo whispered, "I wonder what transformation awaits us soon. What will happen to me? Will I cease to exist in the real world anymore? I'm so scared."

Soon, the rooms around her darkened, and the open window filled with black smoke. Hoshiyo's eyes widened as she rushed outside, where she saw eight people attached to tall wooden stakes, reminiscent of the nearby village's fate. Despite the burnt faces, she recognized specific features that reminded her of the sisters she loved and cared for dearly. Hoshiyo gasped, falling back in shock. Tears and soot streaked her face as she noticed that the stake in the middle of the group was meant for her. She was meant to be the last one standing, forced to watch everyone she loved die around her before meeting the same fate.

Rei's body twitched on the stake, and then it began to climb down, pulling itself off the wood and crashing to the ground like a smashed tomato, fluids splattering everywhere. Yet somehow, it crawled towards her, clawing at the dirt to inch closer. Her organs trailed behind her loose legs, scarcely attached by ligaments. 

Rei groaned, "I told you not to do it... We're dead because of you."

Hoshiyo covered her eyes with her palms, screaming, "No, stop it!"

"Hoshiyo, wake up! You're scaring us!" Takeko yelled, shaking her shoulder.

Hoshiyo uncovered her eyes and saw Takeko kneeling beside her, undressed from head to toe, with her hand on Hoshiyo's shoulder. Her eyes were as wide as her gaping mouth after hearing such a horrific scream. Hoshiyo glanced at the steaming hot springs and noticed her other sisters sharing similar expressions. Ceres frowned, her concern evident as she wondered if Hoshiyo had developed post-traumatic stress so soon after the battle. Yoko stood in the water, hiding behind Motoko, who was equally frightened by the situation. The masters stood on the rocks, observing the scene like a play. The only ones not present were Lina, Seiko, and their masters.

Hoshiyo whispered, "I'm sorry, I was asleep. I must have had a nightmare."

"That must have been some nightmare for you to scream like that," Ceres said, her concern evident.

Takeko turned her head toward the boulders surrounding the hot springs and called out, "Senpai, she hasn't eaten in a while. We should probably get her something to eat before she enters the hot springs."

A woman with dark espresso skin and long, straight green hair appeared in Hoshiyo's view. Her bright orange eyes were striking. She knelt and handed Hoshiyo a small skewer of rice balls made with regular and glutinous rice flour dipped in dark sugar icing. "Have some Dango. It's not much, but you shouldn't eat too much before entering the hot springs anyway."

"Thank you," Hoshiyo said, gently grasping the skewer. "Who are you?"

"My name is Moriko, your sister Takeko's Senpai. I've been teaching her to cook to ensure the nine of you have enough food in your bellies to survive missions."

"I appreciate that," Hoshiyo replied. "I apologize for not being very enthusiastic right now. Rei gave me some medication, and now I'm a bit tired."

Moriko giggled and said, "Don't worry about it. Let's get you inside the hot springs so you can heal before the ceremony."

"I'd appreciate that," Hoshiyo whispered.

Moriko and Takeko carefully helped Hoshiyo into the water, propping her against the rocks so she could soak while sitting up. Her sisters stayed close, ensuring she didn't slip under the water.

The white, soothing steam of the hot springs filled Hoshiyo's lungs. The intense heat of the natural boiling water dulled her pain. Her headache faded almost instantly, and she felt much better after entering the water.

Ceres whispered, "Should we let her fall asleep again? What if she screams and scares the birds away?"

Motoko chuckled and replied, "I don't think we need to worry. Look closely, she seems more peaceful now than when she arrived. Don't you think so, Takeko?"

Takeko smiled and leaned over Hoshiyo's shoulder to comfort her. The hot springs eased everyone's mind, body, and soul, a respite they all desperately needed.