Wolf's Rain Fan Fiction ❯ Broken Claw ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

Broken Claw

Chapter 6

 

Nadeko looked on at her patient as he still struggled to free himself from her bondage. To no avail he did no such thing, but refused to stop trying. Just who was she to tie him down? Tsume just waited to leave to find Kiba and the others. Even if their plan for Paradise was bullshit, he still longed to be with them again. Nadeko's straps would not have been as bad if they were all with him through it. The doctor still would not budge.

 

For all his resistance, Tsume's thirst even more immense. His dry wheezing echoed throughout the empty room. Nadeko then ran to a nearby sink and filled a bowl with water. Not a cup, a bowl. What, she wants me to lap my damn water too? Tsume thought sarcastically. Again, she raised the bed the to make him sit upright. He expected her to at last untie him so that he could drink it himself. When she kept the bowl in her hand, he was confused.

 

“Open your mouth please,” Nadeko said.

 

She was going to do it for him.

 

Tsume locked his jaws. It was one thing to be totally at the mercy of a human, but to be even as helpless as to needing assistance taking a drink. So what if she saved him? No way was someone else going to do it, not a human nonetheless.

 

“Come on, Tsume,” Nadeko sighed. He didn't need to be so cold. If it were a different time, she would have put the bowl away and sat and watched how long it would take for him to give in. It wasn't in her nature to be cruel, though, even if her patient was as well. Her oath also got in the way. Nadeko tried again, this time prying his lips apart and poured the water inside. Tsume let the water pass through his teeth, but caught most of it in his throat and spat it right back at her. Nadeko, frustrated and undefeated, did again and rubbed at his throat to force him to swallow. Finally, the water was gone.

 

Nadeko fell backwards into a chair to catch her breath. Tsume thirst was quenched but was undoubtedly angry. She sensed his mood.

 

“I don't know why you're so mad,” she panted. “You're not the one who was just spat on!”

 

“I don't need anything from you…” Tsume replied. “And take off these damn straps!”

 

“And what, let you walk out of here? You almost died last night, Tsume! Some rest and my help is not gong to kill you! It's my job!”

 

“Being here might!”

 

“What is your problem? What's wrong, I'm only trying to help—“

 

“I never asked to be saved, damn it!”

 

“Well, you didn't asked to be attacked, but here you are!”

 

Tsume stopped and regained his calm. “Get me out of here!”

 

“No.” was all she said. “I will not do it! You…you need rest…perhaps you will be better after a nap.”

 

Before she could say any more, the phone rang in the other room.

 

“I'll be right back.” She then ran off to answer it. Even though she was in another room, Tsume could hear all going on. Whoever was on the other end was frantic and screaming as soon as Nadeko picked up the receiver.

 

“Mrs. Asaka--?” he heard her say. “Mrs. Asaka—please—you have to slow down! I can't understand—“ Nadeko paused for a second while Mrs. Asaka went on. Nadeko at last spoke again, sounding dejected. “When…when did this happened? I—Yes—No—Yes….yes…I'll be right over…--Call the police—I'm…I'm on my way.”

 

Click went the phone and she returned less than upbeat. Without a word, she produced a black bag and began to search the cabinets to fill it. Once she had enough, Nadeko snapped it shut and went on her way, leaving Tsume to ponder what had just happened.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

“Search high and low,” Kiba said. “Tsume is bound to be here somewhere.”

 

It was later that afternoon when the rest of the pack began their search for their fallen comrade, wherever he may be. At first, Kiba and Hige did not want to look for Tsume. Both had figured that he had gone off and abandoned their quest or had merely stepped out and got lost. Toboe knew better. He pestered them until they finally went to look. Even when Tsume's scent went cold Toboe wanted him to be found. Hige was doubtful.

 

“I think Tsume just left,” he simply said.

 

“Come on,” Toboe replied. “He said he would be back! What if he's hurt or something?!”

 

“I agree,” Kiba said.

 

“You too?” Hige yelled in disbelief.

 

“It's just not like him.”

 

“Are you serious? This is the same one that has been shitting on our search for Paradise all through this journey! And now look at us! We should be going on but we've been searching for two hours and nothing! Two hours we've been at it looking in to these damn buildings and digging through fucking trashcans!”

 

“Hige,” Kiba then calmly said. “Either way, we can't stop. All we have is each other. When one of the pack falls, the others pick them up. We rely on each other. We're all that important.”

 

Hige sighed. “I just don't' think he wants to be found…”