「Cursed」I7 (DISCONTINUED)

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Anxiety crept through Iori as he sat at the table, taking frequent glimpses at his brother who lay unconscious in bed. Mitsuki's breath was steady and he didn't seem to be in any pain. That relieved Iori a bit. But not fully. These days, there never seemed to be any chances to taste peace. Not until the mysteries have been solved. Or at least, out of their concern.

He recalled the moment a couple of hours ago when Riku had burst into the house with Mitsuki in his arms. He had felt the unusual surge of relief and fear at the same time, and it certainly didn't mix well. Right then, they laid him on the bed and tied his bandages, making sure they weren't too tight but still did the job of applying pressure onto the wound.

While the heavy seconds passed by, Riku had explained to Iori what had happened - That he found Mitsuki at the edge of the village in a daze then had suddenly passed out. He also made sure to include that he had caught Mitsuki right at the start of the fall so he hadn't acquired any more injuries.

There was no explanation yet. They would have to wait for Mitsuki to wake up until they could ask him what had happened, what he was doing. Eventually it had hit afternoon so Riku left to collect more Aconitum before the day hit night. There was no time to waste.

So now, Iori sat in the quiet house, with only the tapping of his fingers sounding, with absolutely nothing to do but wait. To wait for Mitsuki's wake and Riku's return. And this was perhaps one of the most soul crushing moments he's ever had to experience. He wished he could do something, he wished he could help.

The negative thoughts crept through his mind. That he hadn't helped at all since the terrorizing incidents had happened. That he wasn't there to protect his brother when he had gotten hurt. That he hadn't been the one to meet Riku and find the value in him. He thought back to the time he had first saw the red-haired mercenary - they had found him in the street alone at night collecting coins.

Iori buried his face in his hands in distress. Back then, he wasn't the one who had opened up to help the mercenary. It was Mitsuki. And it was Mitsuki who brought him back, keeping him from leaving the village to perish without his fate.

'I had left him out on the street, exposed. I only cared for Mitsuki.'

It wasn't him who had found the use of Aconitum, the key to defeating the wolf. It was Riku. And while Iori was aware he had helped Riku extract the poison, he still couldn't shake the thought. That the wolf was still out there, possibly ready to target its next victim tonight.

'What am I doing wrong?'

A light groan interrupted his thoughts. He shot his glance towards the bed where he saw Mitsuki rubbing his eyes as if he had just woken up from a deep sleep.

"Mitsuki!" Iori hustled over and kneeled beside the bed. His eyes searched Mitsuki's as they opened, making sure that there was no sign of 'lifeless'ness as Riku had described it.

Mitsuki turned his head, his lips were still parted a bit. His consciousness seemed to be recollecting itself as his eyes searched the single room of the small house and then met Iori's. "Iori. . ." He said, his voice light.

"You're awake!" Iori gasped, reaching out for his brother's hand instinctively in comfort.

But Mitsuki's hand retracted away, slipping underneath the covers. Iori looked at him in question. It sort of felt like rejection. Without saying anything, Mitsuki sat up, keeping the blanket over the hand and his waist. Iori doesn't question it since it might seem petty.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

Mitsuki smiled at him, "I'm fine. I guess I just lost it for a moment." He then let out a light laugh. It felt nervous.