Tenshi drove through the dark hills beyond the city, finding out everything she needed to know from her Michiru-mama on her communicator watch. She would drive to the ends of the earth for Neko, but the place she needed to go was over an hour away, and even that could prove too long. From what Jasper had told her, Neko didn't have much time. He had said that Neko's disease was different from Ami's and Mi-chan's because it was her body and soul that had been affected, whereas for anyone who caught the disease from her, it had mutated to affect the body only. But while neither Jasper nor Tenshi would be able to save her, Tenshi remembered her mom telling her about a priestess she knew who made potions to cure the soul's ills. Michiru had mentioned it a long time ago when one of Haruka and Michiru's contacts had had the misfortune to be cursed a couple of years ago. Michiru suggested that he go to this sage and see if she had a cure. Sure enough, it seemed that the priestess had lifted the curse one way or another, for about a month later, Tenshi had had to sign for a couple dozen roses he had sent Michiru to thank her for the good advice. Tenshi hoped this sage would be able to help Neko just as effectively. And in time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tenshi entered the temple quietly, not wishing to disrespect anyone or any spirits.
"Excuse me?" she asked the first person she found. "I was looking for Senken Shinrei. Do you know where I might find her?"
"I do." The raven-haired priestess Tenshi had found looked to be about thirty or so. She indicated that Tenshi should follow her as she turned a corner and led Tenshi into a room.
"Why do you seek Senken-sama?" She knelt at the edge of a mat in front of the fire at the center of the room.
Tenshi mimicked her motion, kneeling beside her. "My� friend is sick. I was hoping Senken-sama could cure her."
"Oh?" The priestess seemed curious, "Don't you want her to see a doctor? Why not take her to a hospital?"
Tenshi was beginning to get impatient. Every minute brought Neko closer to death. "It's not something a hospital can cure. Please, I don't mean any disrespect, but it's kind of urgent! Do you think I could just explain it to Senken-sama?"
"Relax, Tenoh-san. Contrary to your past experiences, the true healing process is not something that you can rush."
"Oh!" Tenshi scrambled to her feet, realizing that there was only one way that the priestess could know her name already. "You're Senken-sama!" She bowed to her. "I'm so sorry. I thought you'd be- I mean, I expected a sage to look� older," she finished weakly.
"Well, thank you. I am older than I look, thanks to a little sage secret. But flattery is a good way to start off your request," she said with an almost playful smile, before turning to business. "What exactly ails your friend?"
Tenshi returned to the floor, kneeling once again by Senken, though this time facing her. "She's very sick. Her soul has been poisoned by a past enemy. It's not something I could heal."
"Hmmm." Senken took a deep look into Tenshi's eyes. "Her body dies because the soul is infected. This is a serious matter. You wish to cleanse her soul then?"
Tenshi nodded, and Senken gazed back into the fire. "This 'friend' of yours, how much are you willing to give up for her?"
"Everything!" Tenshi exclaimed with such force she managed to surprise the sage. "My life, my soul, anything you require! Just please, save her!"
"Good." Senken stood up. Tenshi waited until she had indicated to do so, before doing likewise. She followed her over to a table that was against the wall. Senken picked up a ceremonial knife and showed it to Tenshi. The flames reflected off of the knife, making it look more dangerous than spiritual. "Your cure requires a bit of a sacrifice, I am afraid.
Senken was holding the knife over Tenshi wrist. Tenshi pulled up her denim jacket's sleeve, exposing the pale skin at her wrist, ready for the cut of the knife. She closed her eyes and pictured Neko, knowing that it was all worth it for her.
"It is not as dire as all that," Senken informed her, sounding somewhat amused as she sliced her across the palm instead. She turned Tenshi's hand over, so that a few drops of blood fell into a medicine bowl on the table. "Though, it is encouraging that you were so willing to give so much for her," she stated, as if she even somehow knew Tenshi's thoughts as she had prepared herself. "It will make the remedy that much more potent." She handed Tenshi a cloth to clasp onto to stop the bleeding, while she finished mixing a potion. A few herbs here and a few herbs there, and finally she added some water - "blessed," she told Tenshi.
Finally, the mixture was done. Senken poured it into a flask and directed Tenshi, "Have her drink the full potion. It will begin to work immediately, if at all, but it will not take full effect for about four hours."
Tenshi eagerly took the flask from her. "Arigatou gozaimasu." She bowed again, and turned to go.
"Tenoh-san." Senken's serious tone of voice was enough to stop Tenshi in her tracks. She turned cautiously, awaiting the bad news she was sure Senken was about to share with her. Indeed, Senken had a warning for her. "This potion is meant to be given fresh. As such, it may not work, and if it does, there may be side effects. Even I cannot predict what it may do to your friend. Also for the best results, I suggest you give it to her. The remedy works best when it is administered by someone who would do anything for the inflicted. That may lessen the side effects, but know that they exist and may prove worse even than the illness. Think carefully before you administer this potion. Do you understand?"
"Hai. Thank you for all your help," Tenshi said quietly, bowing once more before rushing out of the temple and back to Neko.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
