Saved Me; Ryeji FF

forty five.

The doctor carefully finished wrapping the bandages around Ryujin's torso and leg, ensuring they were snug but not too tight. The pain from her wounds was evident in her clenched jaw and furrowed brows, she glanced over at Yeji, who was still unconscious, hoping she'd wake up.

Once the bandages were securely in place, Lia got up from the dining table and placed her hand on the hitman's shoulder, "You should rest, Ryujin." She advised, her voice gentle yet firm. "You've been through a lot today."

"How is Yeji?" Ryujin asked monotonously, her eyes never leaving Yeji.

"Her pulse is steady, no major injuries other than the constructions on her wrist and ankles... She going to be fin-"

She immediately stood up, her eyes were filled with desperation. "Don't keep anything from me anymore, Lia. I saw the blood on her lips."

"Ryujin..."

Ryujin's voice trembled with anxiety. "Please, Lia," she implored, "You have to tell me what's wrong with Yeji. I can't be left in the dark anymore."

Lia met Ryujin's gaze with compassion, recognizing the fear and concern in her friend's eyes. She took a deep breath, preparing to deliver difficult news. "Yeji has a severe respiratory condition," she explained gently. "It's been causing her coughing fits and shortness of breath. We ran some tests, and it appears to be lung cancer."

Her heart sank at Lia's words. The news was devastating, and she felt a wave of guilt wash over her, how could she have been so blind?

"Lung cancer," she repeated, her voice barely a whisper. "Was it from smoking?"

"Smoking definitely contributed to it, but it's mainly genetic." The doctor's lips formed a straight line as she looked into the bedroom at Yeji. "Her mother and brother were diagnosed too, and then..."

"How... how advanced is it?"

Lia hesitated before responding, choosing her words carefully. "It's progressed to a late stage," she admitted. "But we're going to do everything we can to treat it. Yeji's strong, Ryujin and she has a fighting chance."

Ryujin couldn't help but press further, her voice filled with worry. "But Lia, how much time does Yeji have?"

"Don't think about that. She's going to have the rest of her life to live."

The doctor held her hand, giving it a small squeeze. "She's already undergoing treatment for the cancer, all you can do now is be there with her."

She nodded, understanding the complexity of the situation. She knew that Lia was right; what mattered most was being there for Yeji and helping her fight this battle. She couldn't help but feel a sense of powerlessness. Her life had been marked by battles, with violence, but this was a fight she couldn't confront with knives and guns. She understood that this was Yeji's battle, one that would test her in ways Ryujin couldn't even imagine.

In her heart, Ryujin knew that all she could do was support Yeji through this difficult journey. She couldn't fight this battle for her, but she could be her pillar of strength, her unwavering source of love and comfort.

As she watched Yeji, lying unconscious, she made a silent promise to herself. She would be there every step of the way, holding Yeji's hand through the pain, uncertainty, and fear that lay ahead.

-

-

-

Yeji's sudden coughing fit startled Ryujin awake the next morning. In an instant, she was at her side, holding a glass of water.