Chapter Text
The beam collapses, blocking the entrance to the hidden passage, but at least Hyakkimaru is safely out of here, his body, for better or worse, complete, his entire life ahead of him. Jukai stares at the burning debris, feeling like he has finally accomplished something in his life. If this is the end for him, he feels, it is a better end than he deserves.
‘Excuse me, kind sir?’ A feminine voice interrupts his train of thought ‘You still haven’t told me who you are... ’
He ought to tell her, once again, that his identity really doesn’t matter anymore, but he is reminded of another conversation, several months ago. He cannot resist.
‘I’m afraid I might be the true cause of your misfortune, My Lady,’ he says ‘Hyakkimaru calls me Mama.’
He can’t help smiling as he says this, like a man simply telling his friend about a cute and funny thing his child did. As though people hadn’t died, as though these were not their last moments, as though everything around them wasn’t on fire. Oddly enough, Lady Nui smiles too.
‘You gave him that body, didn’t you?’ she says ‘You raised him. You gave him life, like a mother does.’ Her delicate chuckle seems out of place amidst the roar of the flames and soon it dies down, replaced by uncontrollable sobbing. ‘Like I never could!’
Jukai takes a step closer to the woman. He wants to say something, but everything that comes to mind seems trivial and meaningless. He wants to put a comforting arm around her shoulders, but, even in these dire circumstances, it seems inappropriate for someone like him to touch a high-born lady so casually. Instead, he just hovers next to the lady, trying to somehow be there for her without intruding.
The boy, Tahomaru, Hyakkimaru’s brother (Up close Jukai can see just the slightest hint of a resemblance), stirs feebly in his mother’s lap. He is wounded, bleeding and exhausted from the fight. If he is lucky, he might completely lose consciousness before the flames engulf him.
‘I could not be there for either of them.’ The mother still weeps. Jukai reaches out, almost, but not quite, placing a hand on her trembling shoulder. She turns to him.
‘I cannot let it end like this.’ Her eyes are shining with something more than tears.
‘Mother...’ Tahomaru mumbles. She looks down at him again.
‘I will not let you die, my child,’ she whispers ‘I will give you a chance at life, like a mother should.’
She lifts the boy's head up to her chest, cradling it in her arms like a baby. Then she carefully lays him back down on the floor and stands up.
‘Come, sir.’ She turns to Jukai again. ‘I think I can still find a way out, but I cannot carry him on my own without making his injuries worse.’ Her stubborn determination seems so familiar right now. ‘And, of course, he is going to need your help once he is out of here.’
‘My Lady,’ the doctor protests ‘How do you even know that I can help him?’
‘You kept Hyakkimaru alive,’ she says ‘The best I could have done was let him die in my arms. Clearly you are some kind of miracle-worker.’
Jukai shakes his head, but he can feel a smile creeping onto his face. There is a warm feeling inside him that has nothing to do with the heat of the fire.
‘Come,’ the lady says ‘My child needs you.’
A few seconds pass in silence before Jukai finally bends down and very gently picks up Tahomaru. What else is there to do? Another injured child needs his help and, once again, he is ready to see it through. The boys’ mother begins to walk. She treads cautiosly, searching for a safe path through the burning ruins of her home. He follows. There is still work to do.