𝙻𝚘𝚌𝚔 𝙻𝚞𝚌𝚔 || Hyakkimaru

•|| senses ||•

Not alot would agree, that starting off a piece with "as we all know" is a wise way to get your writing approved. In that case, as we all know, temperature that is either too hot or too cold is one huge pain in the ass. Of course, that was just a way for yours truly to complain about the harsh climates of our country and possibly get sympathy as well.

Moving on, before your narrator here could start ranting for two hundred words or so, let us proceed to the story proper. After all, this boring story is superfluous enough, especially with its introductions for each chapter.

"Oh," Blinking her round coffee orbs twice, Dororo's petite palm gently hovered over your forehead. "Without a doubt, you're running a fever."

Grumbling lowly, you stubbornly slapped the onyx-haired child's hand away from your burning forehead, huffing as you denied her claim. "I am not. In fact, I'm perfectly fine."

As if to prove your point, you got up from your crouching position, taking small, steady steps – which immediately turned to staggering ones in a matter of seconds. Dororo heaves out a sigh as she glanced at your profile failing at doing such a simple task. Without a doubt, you are indeed under the weather.

"Please don't act so stubborn." She approached your form calmly, watching with eyes laced with concern as cold puffs of air escape your chapped lips.

"I'm telling you, I'm fit as a fiddle." You insisted, your spinning vision that you were too prideful to admit completely contradicting your words. As if fate had decided to go against your will, not that it never has after forcibly transporting you inside the Dororo world, the ringing migraine seemed to have increased. In result, it led you to crouching down and rubbing your temples in a feeble attempt to soothe the pain.

"It's clear that you aren't, Onee-san." Dororo mumbled, going by your side as she placed an arm behind your back, assisting you to get up to your feet. "I suppose we would have to postpone our travel for the day."

Hearing so, it sent heavy guilt running down your throat, the feeling leaving an uncomfortable bubble welling up inside your stomach. It made you feel bad to have caused yet another inconvenience for the two, especially with the knowledge of how hard-hitting their life style has always been.

"You don't have to, Dororo." You claimed, inwardly cursing for how hot at the same time frigid the temperature was for your body due to the flu. "A fever is nothing." It's nothing compared to their harsh living.

"Listen here, Onee-san." As if proving authority, the black-haired girl folded her arms across her chest, narrowing her dark-russet orbs into a small glare as deep scowl settled on her face. "Aniki and I are without a doubt used to this kind of environment, but it's clear that you aren't. So, please, don't force your body to keep up with our pace."

It felt quite embarrassing to be lectured by a child, the fact hurting your pride relatively. Pausing and pondering, perhaps it would be better to follow Dororo's advice and rest for a while instead of dragging your fever out longer. Surely, the former would be a much better choice for the both of you.

Before you could even let your response leave your lips, Dororo had already beaten you into taking the matter with her own hands – something she had seemed to have gotten used to despite her young age. Honestly, her level of maturity is something to be adored.

"I'm having Aniki carry you for the time being, until we find shelter." Dororo explained, gesturing Hyakkimaru to move towards your direction, urging him to have you carried on his back – like every piggyback scenes there is. You know, the overrated, unoriginal ones.

"Get on." Crouching down in front of you with his back facing your form, Hyakkimaru muttered the words out quietly as he tilted his face just enough to have you glance at his side profile.