Within the Aura [Discontinued]

Chapter 16 The Fated Meeting

Warnings: Hints of Abuse, PTSD episode and Self-hate 

Yushiro laid coughing in a filthy alleyway alone. His father's death was on repeat in mind his which soured his mood. Footsteps were heard coming towards him. Not that he cared. Many people came and went without sparing him a glance. Yet these footsteps stopped right in front of him. A pair of gentle arms reached out and helped him sit up. A woman in a flowery kimono examined his sickly features. Yushiro smacked her hand away as she cleaned the grime off his face.

"Leave me alone." He snarled. The woman looked at him with sympathy at the loss in his eyes.

"I'm not going leave you." She replied softly. She grasped his hand with her free one and cleaned him. "Come on." She threw his arm around her shoulder and slowly stood him up. He resisted until his energy was spent. "I'll help you out. I happen to be a doctor. My name is Tamayo. What's yours?" Yushiro didn't answer nor did she pressure him.

From that day forward, Tamayo nursed Yushiro as best she could. She tried out different treatments, made sure he was comfortable, helped him to the restroom and stayed with him 24/7. She had laid a futon beside his to keep him company. Yushiro couldn't help but stare at her sleeping form. She had a pained, lonely expression even as she slept. Yushiro was aware that Tamayo was a demon. She had informed him when they first met. His mind ran through all the possible things that could have happened to her in her 200-year lifespan.

"Do you need something?" She asked. He shook his head 'no', so Tamayo went back to sleep and he went back to staring.

Heat crept up in his pale face marveling at Tamayo's beauty. He scooted closer to her and began thinking about was how rude he had been to her. Yet she kept caring to him despite his resistance. A coughing fit broke him from his trance. Expect this fit was unlike any other. The coughs were hoarse with bloody phlegm. His chest tightened with each violent cough that shook him down to his very core. The air itself seemed to constrict him. Tamayo gave him medicine to loosen his chest. Hearing his weak lungs with her stethoscope confirmed her worst fear. What started out as bronchitis had become pneumonia. Tamayo left to get equipment for intense treatment.

While alone Yushiro recalled her question. When she returned, he answered without hesitation. "My name's Yamamoto Yushiro."

Tamayo smiled softly at him causing him to blush red. "It's nice to meet you, Yamamoto-san."

"Call me Yushiro." Tamayo nodded. "Why are you helping me? I have been so rude to you and I'm sure you're aware I have no money to pay you."

Tamayo quickly answered. "First, I'm a doctor. Second, you were alone, and I know what it's like to be alone. Money is of no concern to me. If someone is sick, I will help as best I could. If they are destined to die, I can at least make their last moments comfortable and  be there for them, so they won't die alone."

Yushiro's eyes sparkled with admiration. He found the strength to sit up and leaned into her. "I'm sorry for being so rude." He cried. "Thank you, Tamayo-sama." Tamayo smiled and wiped away his tears.

From then on, Yushiro accepted Tamayo's treatment. He couldn't help but blush at her kind actions or when she smiled at him. Her voice was melodic. During harsh coughing fits where he could fell the world close in on him as death's embrace welcomed him, Tamayo's voice always called him back. Sometimes he'd ask her for a hug which she gladly gave to him. Yushiro talked to her every hour of the day until he fell asleep. Even when Tamayo advised him against it, he was adamant in conversing though Tamayo listened more than talk.

As Yushiro deteriorated, it became clear he wasn't going to survive. Tamayo moved him to the basement to keep watch over him while she worked on something that will cure him according to her. Three weeks later, his condition was at its worst. All of his energy went to breathing. He required tube feeding which hurt like hell. His world was slowly darkening around him with every strained breath. He looked to Tamayo who was preparing some sort of vaccines beside him.