Bait

[red_branch]

Cu Chulainn wasn't a patrolman, nor did he ever aspire to be one. He was the guardian of his country in the sense that he would respond immediately to dire threats but he had never been the man to watch every village one by one and butt his head into every squabble he saw. Despite that, he had a keen eye for trouble and countless thoughts about what justice was supposed to be--so, he tended to intervene in problems when they presented themselves if only because of the fickle nature of what justice looked like to him.

Two farmers were arguing over a fairy mound, claiming ownership over a magic bow that sprung out of it. It had been hovering in the air, moving around on occasion from their perspective. Cu Chulainn, puzzled, wondered if the two men were fools--as there was clearly a man in white attire holding the damned thing. He stepped down from his horse to approach the two in the middle of their quarrel, watching the bowman, who was ignoring them as he read from a thin piece of paper held up in front of him. The two men didn't notice the bowman at all.

The bowman met eyes with Cu Chulainn, perplexed.

"You can see me?"

"Yeah. You can call me Cu Chulainn and... I'm curious. Never seen an archer carry that kind of bow, before."

Their exchange of words was brief, if not polite on Cu Chulainn's end. The farmers backed off immediately when they saw Cu Chulainn speaking to what they presumed was a demented ghost clutching the bow and ran when the bow lifted and fired, trying to take off Cu Chulainn's head from the neck. The young man let out a terse sigh, unstrapping his spear from his back after avoiding the volley before making a bit more effort to close the gap and stride towards him. The dark-haired archer was stunned that his shot hadn't landed and even more so when the following dozen bolts were parried and redirected just as easily. He jumped up and kicked the bowman square in the chest, dropping him to the ground before there had been a few popping sounds.

Strange. It didn't sound like the sound of bones breaking--he didn't think he kicked hard enough to do that. The bowman stumbled back, coughing and wheezing, his eyes bulging open as he buried his hand in his clothing to pull out a vial. The thing had broken in the center and little white tablets fell to the ground, dissolving. The shocked expression he wore spoke more about what happened than whatever he could pull out with his strange accent.

"I--I can't stay here!"

He threw a capsule to the ground, blinding light shining and catching Cu Chulainn off guard. He stepped back, vanishing into a tear in thin air, just as a few more of the tablets landed on the ground where he had been standing. Cu Chulainn rubbed under his eyes before stepping over to the remaining tablets, picking them up with a scowl.

"What a pain--fairy mounds are just troubling these days. Nothing good comes out of the damned things anymore--"

As if proving him right, a dozen or so howling voices rose up in the woods, the town, and the mountains all at once. Screaming farmers and milling people came shortly after, clearly bothered by the owners of those inhuman howls. His irritated scowl deepened and he ran off, away from the mound and towards the sound of trouble, "Speak of the devil... and he'll come crawling right away, huh?"

Comments

[goneonenight]

[Yoruichi extracts the next arrow, rinsing the wound to make sure there's no debris left behind. Satisfied, she nods at Cu Chulainn.]

Okay, next one.

[Doggedly, Yoruichi removes every last arrow; some come out more easily than others, and one is wedged in so badly that she's surprised they don't both collapse when it's out. That one had grass and dirt inside the wound, and she has to take extra care to clean it out properly.

But Cu Chulainn withstands the pain, with only an occasional grunt or grimace to betray how agonizing it must be. As she works, she keeps checking in with him, pausing whenever he needs a few moments to gather himself. She can't imagine having to stay awake through all of this--the idea of him trying to do this himself is horrifying.

Finally, the last one comes out and Yoruichi almost sobs in relief. That had almost been worse than the battle. As she rinses the last wound clean, she looks up at him, a tired grin flashing over her face.]

Still with me? I'll heal you in a minute, then we can start binding these up.

[red_branch]

Huh? [Whether or not he could actually handle the pain didn't matter much when every arrow took more blood with it. Eventually, he'd succumb, but he was fortunate enough to have allies and resources to work with. Instead, he'd suffer a little longer and recover.

Knowing the next day had the potential to be worse, Setanta reached over to give Yoruichi a comforting grip on her shoulder. It was a little shakier than he'd like to admit but for some reason, he felt more sorry for her than himself. The pain he was in was one thing but he knew exactly how painful it was to hurt someone he didn't want to hurt.

Still, he grinned from ear to ear. He had to try to lighten things up.]

Yeah. You should have an easy time casting on me without any interference, now. I'd ask if you wanted a drink but I'm sure we're both a bit too sick to our stomachs for that.

[goneonenight]

[Her smile grows a little stronger at the warmth of his hand on her shoulder. Despite how much pain he must be in, he's still worried about her.]

It's just be a waste of good booze at this point. [Focusing, her hands glow blue with kidou as she lays them on his chest. The healing should help close up the wounds as well as replenish some of his energy. But she can't risk draining herself, so his own stamina will have to take care of the rest. If they'll be fighting again tomorrow, she needs to be able to defend herself as well.] All I'm going to manage after this is a bath and straight to bed.

[Not that she knows where she's sleeping, but she's sure someone can direct her. She doesn't want to bother Cu Chulainn with one more thing after all he's done today.]

I can close up the wounds but they'll still be tender. You'll need to be careful tomorrow.

[red_branch]

Yup. Course, there's always the morning. [Getting rowdy and drunk before a big fight was normal enough in his household but when he stopped to think about it, any drinking he did in the morning would be fairly light and quiet. Most of the warriors he'd start the day with were, quite literally, cursed.

He hoped Yoruichi would be early to rise, at least.

He shut his eyes when he felt Yoruichi focus her kidou on him, jolting just a little at the sensation. It was, quite literally, a transfer of power and it startled him just a little. When he relaxed, he felt his wounds begin to close up, likely faster than Yoruichi expected. Cu Chulainn would think it was normal--demigods tended to maintain the same 'shape' when their energy was replenished. As he healed, his body remembered what it was supposed to look like and worked to bring it back.]

Oh. [When Yoruichi talked about the rest of the night, it answered another question he had.]

So... spirits sleep. If that's the case, my room in this castle goes unused, so feel free to use it. I'm much more comfortable in the barracks.

[It wasn't that he preferred the barracks--just that he liked the view out of that particular window.]

[goneonenight]

[To Yoruichi's surprise, Cu Chulainn's wounds start closing up much faster than usual. At this rate, she won't need to work on him nearly as long as his injuries would normally need. That's a relief, as she'll need to conserve what energy she can for what's coming.

Amused, she raises an eyebrow.]

You've seen me eat. We pretty much do all the same stuff you guys do. But if you don't mind, I appreciate it.

[As welcoming as everyone in the castle has been, there's no way she'd be able to relax enough to sleep in an open environment. A private room that she can seal off behind a barrier will ensure that she can actually get some rest. She'll just have to wake up early enough to dispel it before anyone comes for her; she doesn't want to insult her hosts.]

This is going a lot faster than I thought it would. I'll be done soon.

[red_branch]

Oh. [Somehow, that seemed a little less exciting than what he imagined. Somehow, Cu Chulainn expected Yoruichi would rest by settling into a shadow and disappearing for some time or maybe she needed an offering to keep being bound but, after having known her for only a day, Cu Chulainn realized she was essentially just like a human.

Though, it was also a relief. If she were incredible just by merit of being a spirit and not because she trained hard, it would have been disappointing.]

Is it? [It was strange enough that he figured he couldn't memorize it at a glance but, even after trying to watch Yoruichi carefully, he decided it would be rude to try and pilfer what might have been a secret art just because he was curious.]

If that's the case, then I may be fit enough to get some work done before I go rest!

[goneonenight]

[Yoruichi gives him a disgruntled look.]

Don't go undoing all my work. If you do, I may not help next time. [It's not completely a serious threat; she wouldn't let him bleed out in front of her, but she won't be happy if he gets hurt again just by being careless.

She focuses another few moments, closing up some of the damage to his feet before sitting back with a sigh. The glow fades from her hands, and she exhales as she rolls her shoulders.]

How's that? I should have gotten most of it.

[red_branch]

Huh? [Her face scrunched up in irritation really fast. It prompted a half-nervous smile from Cu Chulainn, who raised his hands defensively.]

Wait, do you think I mean heading into combat? I just need to reset runes and re-purpose those arrows. If she attacks at night, I won't need to lift a finger to repel her.

[Setanta slowly began to stand up once Yoruichi was done, stretching out his arms and legs, feeling his joints loosen with each shuddering movement. When he was done, he offered her a tight nod. For all the good work she did, he contemplated digging through his work satchel.]

Am I supposed to feel this energetic after getting healed by a spirit? After good work like that, I ought to find you the better bath aromatics.

[goneonenight]

Oh. That's fine, then.

[And it's reassuring, as well. Everyone in the castle could do with a night of rest behind secure defenses. Who knows what Medb will throw at them tomorrow?

She blinks as Cu Chulainn stands up, his movements becoming smoother as he stretches. He's in much better shape than she would have thought. Maybe Unohana could have brought him back to this state after such a short healing, but as gifted as Yoruichi is, she knows she's nowhere near that level of skill.]

Not after all the damage you had. Are you normally such a fast healer?

[red_branch]

[When Cu Chulainn noticed Yoruichi's surprise, he began to slow down just a little. He looked over his injuries, noticing how much his skin had matched over without looking particularly worn or light from scarring.

He assumed she was just being modest, earlier.]

Not much faster than anyone else, no. Maybe you're better than you expected?

[Not that he'd question it too much. If Yoruichi had an easier time healing him, it meant she wouldn't need to burn herself out just to repay him.]

[goneonenight]

I mean...maybe. [She doesn't sound convinced, but it's also not worth dwelling on any more. Now that she's no longer focused on healing Cu Chulainn, the dirt and blood on her skin is starting to itch again. She's trying not to think too hard about what else she might have carried back from the battlefield.

She plucks at her uniform, grimacing at the dirty fabric. She'll definitely need something else until it's cleaned.]

Do you think I can borrow something to wear for a while? [She's not familiar with the clothes the women wear here, but she can manage.

[red_branch]

In situations like these, people tend to operate with heightened senses. Wouldn't surprise me if that were it.

[Cu Chulainn's blase approach to it may have sounded dismissive but his world was ever-changing and maddeningly random. Fortunately, he was paying attention to the one thing that he really felt was important for the moment--loosening and crushing herbs over the bath. When Yoruichi brought it up, he looked at her and blinked slowly. He may have nearly recovered but there were plenty of things that tended to fly over his head.]

Oh--Wait, yeah, I can find you something, easily. Any preferences on colors? [He sprinkled the last of the herbs, leaving an aroma of an open, grassy meadow. It was genuinely comforting for him to smell but once he cast a spell on it, he felt his muscles relax and the residual pain left over began to completely deplete. It wasn't particularly good when it came to healing but he liked using it before sleeping.

Druids may have been infamous for being crazed cultists that practiced human sacrifice but most of them were just 'handymen'. Cu Chulainn took a little pride in his own studies with it since no one had taught it to him--not even his grandfather.]

This should help you relax, too. Just try not to doze off in the bath with it.

[goneonenight]

[She looks on in curiosity as Cu Chulainn prepares the bath. She doesn't recognize the herbs, but they smell fresh and green, nothing like the bath salts she's seen used for muscle aches back home.

Even from here she can feel the effects of the herbs in the steam coming off the water; tension starts to seep out of her muscles, and she suddenly can't wait to get in. Grabbing a bucket, she fills it with hot water.]

Oh, as long as it's comfortable and not too fussy. [She sets the bucket by the bath, and straightens up to look at Cu Chulainn.] I do like bright colors, though.

[She sits down on a nearby bench, and begins to take off her boots. It takes a few moments to work them down, revealing surprisingly muscular legs for her small frame. Dropping them on the ground, she stretches, wiggling her toes with a long sigh. It doesn't occur to her that basically starting to undress in front of a boy her age(ish) might be seen as inappropriate. But standing on formality seems less important than usual after digging more than a half dozen arrows out of Cu Chulainn, so it just doesn't register today.]

[red_branch]

[Stretching his arms over his head, Cu Chulainn let out a pleasant sigh. He didn't feel he'd gotten back to a hundred percent but he was closer than he thought he'd be an hour prior. As Yoruichi gathered water, he washed his hands with the remaining water in the basin and reached out the window to pour the remnants into the drain just outside. At that, he set aside another barrel to gather hot water for his own bath before bed.]

We've got plenty of nice robes after the last dye merchant passed through. I should be able to find something for you to sleep in and something else to use tomorrow.

[It'd be a little difficult changing it into something a spirit could wear but Cu Chulainn was confident his grandfather could give him tips on adjusting what he needed to if he couldn't figure it out.]

Hm? [As Yorucihi dipped into the water, Cu Chulainn peered aside at her and he let out a triumphant 'humph'.]

I knew it. Runners' legs.

[goneonenight]

Thanks. [Putting her filthy uniform back on after a relaxing bath would have been miserable. But she'd figured a big castle like this would have clothes for guests somewhere.

She looks over at him, one eyebrow raised.]

I can't believe after everything that's happened today, that's what you focus on.

[But she's amused rather than irritated, unlike earlier when he'd first started flirting with her. Over the course of the day, they've been through enough for her to trust him, and she's just figures that he flirts with any pretty girl he sees. She can deal with that. She'd already turned down his marriage proposal, and she knows he's not the type to force himself on a woman, so she's not worried.]

But I'm a scout, so I do a lot of running, yeah. I'm one of the fastest people in all the squads.

[red_branch]

[She'd learn to regret giving Cu Chulainn the power of choice when it came to matching colors.

He snorted at her comment, shrugging his shoulders. He shifted the barrel aside and began pumping water from the well attached to the wall.]

I'm interested in finding love. When you're in that mindset, you tend to focus on things... Though, this time, it was just a little bit academic, too.

[Still, he could tell a mildly tame boast from simple modesty. Being a 'scout' wasn't even remotely disqualifying among warriors. It required stamina and strength. Plus, strong legs made for punches that could floor the toughest folks around. He knew firsthand what it was like to get a straight punch to the sternum from someone who just 'looked' a little fit. ]

You gotta learn from experience, so meeting new people and seeing how they do things can only make you smarter and more flexible, right?

[goneonenight]

Ah, so that's why you ask everyone to marry you. [It'd been clear from the villagers' reaction that marriage proposals were just par for the course with Cu Chulainn.] You might want to be a little less up front about it.

[Although if he keeps popping proposals after just a few minutes' acquaintance, it's no wonder he's still single. She grins.]

I mean, that's just my take as a new person who does things differently.

[She looks longingly at the steaming, fragrant water in the bath, but she still needs to use the bucket to wash before she gets in the water. It would never occur to her to get in a bath while still dirty. She'll jump in as soon as he's done pumping his water.]

[red_branch]

You wouldn't be the first to tell me that. [Yoruichi's perspective wasn't entirely abnormal, either. Cu Chulainn finished with the pump and moved the barrel aside, fixing a lid on it and giving it a tap to make sure it was tightly set before hoisting it up onto his shoulder. He nodded his head to Yoruichi with a smile, noting she looked very eager to get the sweat, dirt and blood off as quickly as possible. He'd learn to hurry the next time around. He stopped at the door, letting loose with a heavy sigh, even if he looked unperturbed by his own pending sense of mortality.]

I've had some luck with women who like me. Great warriors with power and wits who challenged me turned me down even after we spent cozy time together. I just have to keep gambling and hope I meet the right one before the end.

[Given Medb's challenge, he supposed things had gotten more complicated.]

But, given current events, I don't think I'll make it in time. This is probably the war that's fated to end me, so I'll have to settle by appreciating the good times I already had!

[goneonenight]

[Yoruichi almost asks if he should be hauling that huge barrel around like that after his injuries, but she's taken aback by his words. They unexpectedly echo his grandfather's from earlier; neither of them seem to expect him to survive this battle.

But his grandfather thinks Yoruichi can change that.

Before she can say anything, Cu Chulainn is gone, cheerfully heading out for his own bath and presumably, to get her some more clothes.

Frowning in thought, Yoruichi finishes undressing and uses the bucket to thoroughly scrub the battle out of her skin and hair before slipping into the bath with a sigh. The water is still hot, and the steeping herbs relax her even further with direct contact. But it's still not enough to distract her from Cu Chulainn's matter of fact acceptance of his impending death.

She can't imagine being so cheerful about it--Yoruichi has plans and ambitions, outside of what her family expects of her. There's so much out there to see and do, she'd feel robbed by dying so young. But it's not like he's given up--she's sure he'd give his all in any fight. It's more like his dying so young is a given.

It doesn't sit well with her. They've only known each other a day, but it's been a hell of a day, and she already likes him more than she probably should. She doesn't know how she's supposed to fulfill his grandfather's prophecy, but she figures she'll give it a shot.

Belatedly, she realizes that she's sunk down to her chin and her eyes are starting to dropp. If the herbs are relaxing her that much, it's time to get out before she half drowns herself. With a groan, she pushes herself to her feet, hoping she gets the chance to try the bath again before she leaves.

Her uniform is filthy, but thankfully there are large towels tucked onto a shelf. She briskly dries herself, then wraps one around herself. Rather than wander the castle, she decides to sit back at the edge of the bath, letting her feet and calves dangle in the soothing water.

At least if she does fall asleep this way, she's in no danger of drowning.]

[red_branch]

[The trip was quick enough. Cu Chulainn scrubbed himself a basin beside his room with cold water and dumped it out the window before dressing himself lightly. He only bothered putting on threaded slacks and leggings, finding Yoruichi a bright orange and green robe with leggings and a purple sash. It was an absolute nightmare to look on, though he thought nothing but the highest praise for his sense of color coordination. One of the maids in the hall watched him with a bleak expression before drying out the remaining water he left on the floor, shooing him when complained said he'd do it himself and she didn't need to.

He tied his hair up again and laid out the clothes for Yoruichi on a stone bench before he got to work. Walking through the courtyard, he reset dozens of seals while he walked over patches of dirt, grass, and cobblestones where walkways had been torn apart earlier in the evening. It was unnervingly quiet when he finished his work.

He hated those moments. When he was left alone with his thoughts, he remembered every little beat vividly. He hadn't thought much about Yoruichi's silence earlier until that moment. He remembered his grandfather's pained expression. Even Ferdia seemed morose. Cu Chulainn kicked the dirt at his feet, knowing it would have been easier if he were as stupid as everyone else thought he was. It wasn't as if he hadn't noticed that all--no one was more aware of his vow than he was.

The raven had been perched along the outer wall, silhouetted by the full moon. Speaking to it, Cu Chulainn's voice came out soft and pleading, even if he still felt himself smiling.]

I know I'm still not accomplished. When that time comes, when they say my name, they'll sing and dance because I showed them what a real hero can be. Maybe then-- [He watched the raven flap its wings and rise up, coasting out of sight behind the castle walls.]

Well, maybe you'll visit my grave.

[When Cu Chulainn saw the raven disappeared, he barked out laughter that had heads poking out of their windows to watch him. Who was he kidding? That old man wouldn't so much as look at him for nearly two decades. There was no reason to start now. When he gathered up the clothing again, Setanta headed back in the direction of the bathhouse. He thought about maybe asking for face paint but then reasoned it would look meaningless if he ended up muddy by the end, anyway. In a minor skirmish, maybe.

He thought about the look he caught on Yoruichi's face before he left, stopping at the door to hang the clothes he got her on a bench by the door leading into the bath-house. In a short time, he felt more gratitude for her than he'd felt for most people he'd met in his lifetime. Without asking for a thing other than politeness and respect, she committed to complete strangers her concern and protection. He imagined, had she wanted to, she could have become a hero without effort.

It made him feel the slightest twist in his stomach that he promised to return her home as soon as possible. Still, he knew better. Nothing good could ever last. That lesson set itself in him without fail.]

Hey-- [He tapped his knuckles on a wooden portion of the door frame, speaking up.] I've got your clothes if you're all finished. You haven't fallen asleep, right?

[goneonenight]

[Lost in thought, Yoruichi jumps a little at the knock. These herbs are potent and she can't decide whether she should avoid them altogether or ask for some seeds to bring home.]

No, but it was close. [There's a laugh in her voice as she answers.] Hang on.

[Standing up, she pads over to the door. She doesn't think anything of opening it; the towel is huge, and it covers more than her uniform does. Cu Chulainn is also bathed and changed. Something about his expression strikes her as faintly melancholy, and she wonders if something happened while he was gone.]

I'll probably go straight to sleep after this, to be honest. It's been a long day.

[She doesn't notice the clothes at first, but she's in for a shock when she does.]

[red_branch]

Oh? Well, you certainly look ready for it. Glad my home-keeping skills haven't dulled since the Isle. Ah, anyway, this is it--

[It wasn't that Scathach didn't like them doing chores--she just rarely gave them a chance to do it. A near-constant barrage of arrows and spears, whenever she wasn't directly teaching them, left most of the halls full of dust from shattered stones and the baths were always leaking since she never gave them a moment to bathe without coming at them at full force.

Even if he would have loved to have sat down and joined Yoruichi, Cu Chulainn was certain it wouldn't put him at ease. He liked to think that paranoia would help him in the next few days.

Cu Chulainn tapped a finger on the bench he laid out the clothes on. His eyes followed Yoruichi's and, for a moment, he read silence in the room. He wasn't even sure what to make of the look on her face when she glanced down at what he had set out for her.]

...Somethin' the matter? It doesn't look dirty, does it?

[goneonenight]

...uh, no.

[Is he serious? The last time she'd seen colors that clashed like that--ah, right. It was earlier today when Cu Chulainn came down to dinner.

She gives him a look of mingled amusement and disbelief.]

I said I like bright colors, but I didn't mean all at once.

[As it happens, she likes the green, the orange and the purple...she would just never ever put them all together. First thing in the morning, she'll ask Daire to give her something a little less garish because clearly his taste can't be trusted.

But she's tired, and there's really no harm in wearing it to sleep. With one hand keeping her towel secure, she reaches for the clothes with the other.]

Just hand them to me? I'll wear them for tonight.

[red_branch]

[Cu Chulainn realized a little too late that Yoruichi might have had objections. Not entirely oblivious to his family's ability to notice he had bad taste, he ended up getting the slightest inclination that Yoruichi seemed to like it a little if only because she didn't immediately recoil--

Oh. Nevermind. He deflated the moment he perceived it as her stabbing him in the back, though she was unerring in being polite enough to accept them, so he told himself to take what he could get and decided to not look as heartbroken anymore.

Not that he'd given up. Maybe he'd do better with the morning outfit.]

Mmm. Here-- [Cu Chulainn folded them over his arm and reached up for Yoruichi take it, careful not to wrinkle it. Maybe a little vanity snuck in his expression there, as he reassured himself that it looked great and maybe Yoruichi didn't see the bright, near fluorescent colors in the shadow of the doorway. It was a shame she somehow managed to show any amount of being impressed.

All that aside, he watched Yoruichi again with a little smile, almost excited to show off every good manner he'd ever been taught all at once.]

Need anything else? [He was sounding a whole lot like someone not even remotely ready to go to sleep, yet. The freezing cold bath didn't exactly help.]

[goneonenight]

[Too late she realizes that she's hurt Cu Chulainn's feelings. He must have really been proud of the clothes he picked out, but even though she hadn't meant to offend him, she can't quite bring herself to lie and say she likes them.

She takes the clothes, holding them to her chest.]

Just...let me get dressed and you can show me where I'm sleeping.

[She closes the door in his face and pulls on the clothes, shaking her head once more. It occurs to her that it's almost a relief to be worried about something so mundane as fashion rather than the battle they're sure to wake up to tomorrow.

Still doesn't mean she's wearing this out and around, though.

Yoruichi ties the sash over her robes, grabs her dirty clothes and opens the door to Cu Chulainn once more.]

Ready.