Princess Mononoke Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Silent Prince, Perfect Collection 1 ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4

Aoi came back with San Miaka and a doctor called San Shichi. Miaka examined the ashes of the scroll, and frowned.

"I've seen this before, but it's uncommon. The spirit is stronger than the scroll…Genji, are you alright?"

Genji nodded.

"Okay, let's stand you up." She helped Genji to his feet, letting the ashes fall off his shirt to the ground. He brushed any last remaining ash specks off before being guided to the couch where he took a seat. Miaka stood while San Shichi sat next to Genji.

"Please tell me what happened, Genji."

He signed out what he could describe with his hands while Miaka translated. Shichi looked surprised.

"Impossible…" she breathed. "A…but it can't be…you're so young and healthy…"

"What happened?!" Aoi demanded. "Tell us what happened to Genji!"

"He…had a heart attack…" Shichi answered. "But I don't understand…"

"I do." Miaka nodded. "A demon has taken possession of Genji's body, and it refuses to go away." Genji froze in shock. A real demon? He heard stories about demons, but he had never seen one before. He didn't want to either; demons were deadly, especially if you touched one.

"Well, there's only one way I can think of to be sure of that." Shichi suggested, getting up. "Come into my office, Genji, and I'll give you an X-ray."

/|\

Aoi, Miaka, and Genji sat in front of the observation light as Shichi lined up the X-ray pictures over the light. The doctor looked at the pictures of Genji's heart closely while muttering to herself.

"Hmmm…mm-hmm…very interesting…"

"Well?!" Aoi demanded. "What's wrong with him?!"

"There are burn marks on his heart." Shichi reported. "They look like demon burns…but I can't explain how they got there. Nothing like this has happened before. Demon burns usually occur on the skin before seeping into the body…"

"Demon burns occur where a demon touches." Miaka nodded. "So, this demon, somehow, touched his heart and gave him that heart attack."

"But how?" Aoi asked. "I was at home all day today. I didn't see any demons."

"The only thing I can think of," Miaka mused, "is that the demon is inside Genji's body."

The whole room fell silent. Genji put a concerned hand over his heart in surprise.

"Outrageous!" Shichi outbursted. "How could an entire demon be able to…"

"It is possible." Miaka nodded. "So, is there anything that can be done, San?"

/|\

Genji spent a whole month in the hospital getting treatment. Everything from drinking sacred water to open heart surgery was done, but Genji's condition remained the same. There have been several occasions where Genji suffered another heart attack, and the burns would grow. Also, Genji could no longer contact his guardian spirit. He didn't know what happened to the one who kept him safe in conditions like this, and was worried. Did the demon inside him kill the spirit?

By the end of the month, Shichi decided to remove the burned skin from Genji's heart. However, when she began the surgery, Genji had yet another heart attack and almost died. The ordeal didn't end until Shichi sewed him back up and gave him stitches.

Aoi stayed faithfully by Genji's side as he slept at night, watching over him. Also, wishes of "get-well-soon" were sent to him from his friends and priestesses. He even received a present from Yamcha. It was a handsome red, silk kimono shirt. Red was Genji's favorite color, so of course he loved it. Although, since Yamcha was always broke, Genji wasn't sure how his stepfather paid for the handsome thing.

However, Genji didn't like the attention he was getting, not that he didn't appreciate it. For some reason, he didn't like hearing concerns from others. He didn't like the pity and sympathy. He wanted to insist that he was okay…even though he knew he wasn't okay. He just didn't want people feeling sorry for him…it made him feel weak.

He appreciated Aoi's company. She was some one to talk to, and she kept him company. They would talk, share jokes, study, or play board games. Aoi went as far as to bring a TV into his room to keep him entertained during the day.

Although so many people on the mountain cared about him and loved him like a son…

…he felt so alone…

/|\

<Genji?>

Guardian! You're here!

<I'm so sorry, Genji.>

???

<It's my fault you have a demon in you. I couldn't stop it, and now it's in your very soul. I'm so sorry.>

Is that why I couldn't talk to you?

<Yes. The demon and I are connected together in spirit. I can keep it under control, but just barely.>

Is there a way to purify this demon?

<It's too strong for the methods practiced here. You'll have to see a stronger priestess.>

Like who?

<I dunno. I wish I could do more for you, Genji. The most I can do is slow down the manifestation.>

Thank you, Guardian.

<You're a good kid, Genji. Too good to simply hand you to death. I'm not letting you die without a fight.>