Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ Redemption is not kind ❯ The memory punishes ( Chapter 7 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

It took only a few moments for the sedatives to take effect. Sendril held Shuten’s hand until his body went limp. The nightmares were only beginning, she knew he’d probably scream himself horse before it was over. Yukito set down the syringe and looked at her, shaking his head.
“...The sedatives won’t take away the nightmares...” He said. “...And we’ve given him enough to knock out two people in the span of hours.”
She knew by the terror she’d seen in Shuten’s eyes that this last had been more than a nightmare.
“He’s remembering...” She said. “All that was taken from him, all that he destroyed...all the blood on his hands.” She watched Shuten breathing. “Some of those memories he most likely wanted to forget...” She looked at Yukito. “...Any word on what happened, or why we have the Oni Masho as our guest...”
“He left Argo’s service a short time ago...the battle that followed...and his possession of the staff...”
She looked at him nodding. “...Now he is plagued by demons of his own making...”
“I asked around, he’s believed dead, sacrificed to free lady Kayura...”
She shook her head, she’d been hearing little bits and pieces of the story for some time. Now she knew why Kaos had brought him here, to let him heal and become whole again. Perhaps to find some promise of redemption in the darkness of his own hell. Considering the alternative, it was better that his fellows believed him dead or else he’d be drawn back into the darkness he’d tried so hard to free himself from.
“Let them believe him dead, for now...” She said, stroking away a few strands of vermilion hair from Shuten’s face.
Yukito saw something more in the gesture than simple kindness, something beyond a healer’s concern.
“Sendril...” He warned. “Don’t...”
She paused in repeating the gesture and drew her hand away.
“I do not need a lecture...” She said. “I know the rules well enough...” She put her hand back over Shuten’s. “...You remember what is was like to be lost in the dark...”
He sighed, he knew how lonely Sendril was. Being unable to get close because of her gifts was weighing on her.
“I was going to ask is it wise to tend him with “modern” medicines if he keeps waking up as he has been. Too much could hurt him further.” Yukito came and put a hand on her shoulder. “...He was one of Argo’s Masho for over four hundred years, he has a long road to travel to find his way.” He took his hand away. “I do remember, and I don’t envy him his journey. Do you remember the lesson you taught me upon my journey?”
She sighed, it was a lesson all learned in time.
“...There is no greater punishment than ones own memory.”
He nodded, it was a lesson she’d taught him well enough.
She rose, since the Ex-Masho was currently their only patient, it would be easy enough to keep him watched.
“...Summon me if he wakes up again ,though with that much sedative in him its going to be a while...”
Yukito nodded and took her place beside the bed.