Hida Ranma had proved he was a true crab. Only great and powerful warriors had ever been able to kill an Oni single-handedly. Some crab bushis were even comparing him to Osano-Wo. However, one should never let his guard down when facing the shadowlands. Ranma was painfully learning this lesson since the Oni's blood had contaminated him with a strange disease, a disease he could have avoided if he had taken his armor and his jade talisman. This kind of ailment brought by the Taint was always fatal and cures were few and hazardous at best. Most lasted a few days, Ranma had been resisting for nearly three weeks now, thanks to his huge ki and willpower.
Hida Kisada had frantically searched for a cure. Kuni Yori hadn't been able to do anything besides easing Ranma's torment with rare herbal remedies. Shugenjas of various clans, monks of the brotherhood of Shinsei and even a nezumi shaman had tried to heal Ranma, to no avail. But the Great Bear and his children would not give up on Ranma. When a samurai suggested to "end Ranma-sama's pain definitively", he had been struck by O-Hushi's warhammer and Yakamo expressed his displeasure at such talk in a VERY forceful manner (the poor fellow would be up and about in a few weeks only to discover he had been reaffected to the worst part of the Kaiu wall in the crab way of thinking, the one that was rarely attacked if at all).
The youngest Hida's last hope was coming. A phoenix emissary had told Kisada that he knew someone of his clan that could maybe do something. Her name was Asako Kimuri, a healer of great repute, on par with the Asahinas. Having nothing to lose, Kisada asked officially for her help.
Then one morning, a phoenix delegation arrived at Kyuden Hida. Asako Kimuri had finally come, along with an Isawa shugenja named Kiima and their escort. Kimori had instantly gone to her patient's room, ceremonies could wait until Ranma was out of danger. She was surprised when seeing him for the first time. When she was told she was going to heal a Hida, she thought he was an uncouth, hulking brute like they tended to be described in the other parts of Rokugan. What she found instead was a well-built handsome young man. Clearing her head of such mundane thoughts, Kimori went to work.
Two days later, Ranma's body had been purified and he could start to heal normally. Ranma felt a wet cloth being pressed on his forehead and opened his eyes.
"Kasumi ? What are you doing there ?" Kimori smiled. Her patient was finally awake.
"You must be mistaken, my lord. I am Asako Kimuri of the Phoenix clan. I came here to heal you."
"Oh... I guess you're right. Well, thanks..." She was a perfect look-alike except for her hair, black as all rokugani's, where Tendo Kasumi's was chestnut brown. But their voices were identical !
"It was my duty as a healer and a pleasure, Hida-sama. Now, rest. Your body must recuperate after such a long fever"
"Yes, I feel... a... little... tired..." Ranma went to sleep a smile on his face. A familiar face on this epic quest wasn't a bad thing.
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See other episodes by Jamil Nate
(Posted Sun, 20 Oct 2002 16:48)
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