Ugh… my head… My head was pounding, and it was full of fog… I couldn't open my eyes, my body was completely exhausted. We made.. it out?
Memories of the past few days came across the fog; I can only remember falling last, and I know I'm not dead. Otherwise, I wouldn't be feeling like this.
"Kid, you're awake, huh?" I heard Shen's voice somewhere. It was to my left, and it sounded different than usual. Is she relieved? "You really did a number on your body…"
"Yeah… I'm sorry for worrying you." I responded, but my throat was super weak, but I knew she could hear it. The weights holding my eyes closed loosened. There was nothing but darkness when I opened my eyes, even when my eyesight was really good.
Aside from y'know…
Shen answered my curiosity not much longer. "My tent blocks all light, that's why it's this dark." A few moments later, a small light illuminated around us.
Shen was wearing the suit she wore when we first met. There was a frown on her face, and she was sitting cross legged next to… a bed I'm in. It wasn't really a bed, more like a stretcher? Not as comfortable as a futon that's for sure.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like… shit, I don't think my body wants to get up." I replied with a slight huff. It took everything I had to move my hand. And it didn't get past an inch off the bed.
"Yeah. I healed your wounds, but I can't heal your exhaustion." Shen explained whilst crossing her arms, leaning back… then tilted her head. "And don't worry, your family is safe, and Allisa has already recovered."
"What about Sage and her kids?"
"They're safe, but it'll be a while before I can heal Sage's arms."
"Thank god…"
"Honestly, for a fourteen year old… you did great, Kid." Shen said with a smile.
…
"Is… is Shaun… okay?"
"No. I passed on those trinkets you made to him. He's catatonic…"
…
"Can… you help me up?"
Why couldn't I just be faster…? I felt my heart ache upon hearing about Shaun. From someone… who was so happy, now he's… He didn't deserve it.
"No standing, you're only allowed to sit." Shen claimed, she set her arm under my back, in a slow motion she propped me up. "If you feel anything, you're going to be laying down for a few days."
Her hands were cold… I could feel like they were touching my bare skin. Am I naked? The last time I could remember I was wearing my shredded clothes— was she actually into little-
"I can tell just by that look, you're thinking of something untrue." Shen proclaimed finally going back to her original sitting position. Her eyebrows were twitching, alongside her tail. "I had to strip you, you were bleeding in multiple places."
"Ye- Yes…" I somehow pulled the strength to hide my body from her. The bed sheet wrapped my breasts and entire front end. "but- but did you have to strip me…?"
Shen didn't say anything for a moment, only shrugging and commenting. "Only way to see the extent of your recklessness. You overdid it."
"I had to…"
"Yet you could've relied on Allisa more."
"She's…"
She's too young to deal with it… I kept my mouth closed, my heart was racing and my face was extremely hot. I'm so fucking embarrassed…
"We'll talk about… what happened in frosted peaks later." Shen said with a sigh. "I have a few… curiosities about your bod-"
She had a smug look on her face and her chin rested on her fingers.
"I KNEW IT! You a-"
Shen snapped her fingers and pointed at me. "Fuck those rumors, they were just lies! I'm not interested in little girls, nor boys!"
"Then why are you curious about my-"
Shen rolled her eyes and pointed out something I was very well aware of. It was something I ignored at first— I mean… who would expect getting memories of a once dead girl, who was covered in rags…?
My current body.. well is heavily scarred. Every inch has a scar, ranging from scratches— similar to the ones on my neck. Parts where it looked like I was beaten.
"Those bruises on your stomach, they're old."
Yet… I don't know where they came from. They were blackish, yellow and green. And… They were really large blotches. Alongside the memories, these bruises confirmed the old Yukina was a slave. I get it, pointing out the obvious.
There were so many marks, even more so on my ribs, below my breasts and… lower. I don't know anywhere else, I don't want to check. Every time I did look, my body started to freak out- E-Eh?
I didn't realize it, but I felt a small, firm hand on top of my head. Wh-
"It's okay, you're not a slave anymore." Shen said as she firmly rubbed my head. "I was curious, that's all." She said her voice sounded regretful—
"I-I don't remember being one… I- I don't-" I tried to explain but my throat was caught on something. "I don't remember…"
"..." Shen's sorrowful look slowly changed. Her eyebrows furrowed— her ruby eyes swiveled to look away.
"I- I don't know why I'm freaking out— I can't- I don't remember anyth-"
"You'll be fine." Her voice resounded in my mind. In a weird instant, my heart was calming down— my breathing was becoming normal. Wh- "get some rest, we'll talk later."
"Where-"
"I need to talk with everyone else, we'll be in Ard in less than a week."
"W-"
"Rest, Kid."
"I- please, I want to get up-"
"..." Before Shen could leave the building, she turned to look at me. "I don't have clothes that would fit you."
"What about mine?" I tilted my head, my body's strength was recovering abnormally quick. My arms didn't feel heavy anymore. I leaned forward, covering every inch of my body with the bedding that was on me.
"... I threw it away."
Why the hell?! It could've been sewn! I did that on our journey?!
"I'll be back with clothes…" Shen shook her head whilst saying. She turned around once again, and I felt my head go blank after her next few words. "Just don't go out… I don't know if you know about your back— and I don't think you want others to see."
…
I froze even after she left. Why… did she have to say that…Of fucking course I won't go out, I'm butt naked… and why did she seem in a hurry?!
Were these… yes yes they're bad… fuck! I held my head, just from these memories foretold that! I'm an idiot… god… damn it…