Bansai sends my weapon skidding across the deck before he leaps in closer to land a kick. Gratefully, his leg stops a breath in time before it can catch me off balance. And I thank it for that. Dizziness has been my ill-companion since I woke before dawn and I thought maybe some exercises might wear it off. It's just a maybe it seems.

Bansai steps back and meets my eyes. "Shall we call it for today?" he asks, sheathing his sword before drawing out a big refreshed breath.

I nod, in spite of my ragged breathing. Bansai is a great sparring partner, but even he doesn't know how to show mercy during fights that are thought of as morning exercises. I watch his back as he disappears into the ship. I can bet my dizziness snaps the minute we clash swords, but now it's taking revenge back on me.

I release a breath almost like a sigh, hoping to somehow lessen the ache and move to where my weapon is lying. When I sheathe the blade, it reflects the first glint of the rising sun. I walk to the railing and lean against it, enjoying the cold fingers of morning air dancing across my skin.

We're traveling rapidly lately. After since our encounter with The Crows at Yamanashi, we have been taking extra precaution in choosing our route to return to Kyoto. Why? Because, the captain is too stubborn to cast away his initial plans he has for the government. With some delays and the temporary stay in Yamanashi for my...recovery, that incident feels like months and years away.

A pang of vacancy and sorrow begin to swell up in my chest whenever my thoughts slip to Senya's ruined face and ruined body. Ruined life. Tears still spring to flood my eyes and threaten to fall, emotions still all too raw, and I wonder if time can really heal them anyhow.

I focus on the breeze whispering about me. As the ship continuously glides forward, I reach out my hand beyond the railing and it vanishes behind a thick lump of clouds. I shiver at the coldness but find it somehow pleasant.

"Water?"

I turn around and see Bansai handing me a small bottle of water. He has his in his other hand, half drank.

I smile and take his offer. "Thank you." I feel his gaze on me when I start gulping down the drink.

"Easy," he says when he thinks I'll definitely choke. "Are you alright? You look beat."

I swallow and look at squarely at him. "Of course." Then I run my fingers along my neck, feeling slick all over. I've been sweating profoundly despite being at the cold open space at the deck. "I'm fine," I say, less certain.

Bansai chuckles when I keep wiping my neck. He comes closer to stand beside me and continues, "Are you sure?" He quirks an eyebrow. "We've barely trained compared to yesterday. And look at you now." I whip my face to him, showing my surprise, but it makes him chuckle again. Here I thought we've been practicing for hours.

We spend the little while within the icicle touch of the wind, finding solace as we gaze at the brilliant sun ahead. For a moment, I can almost imagine that I'm actually here on a vacation. I smile at the thought just as Bansai decides to break the silence.

"Speaking of which, where's Shinsuke?" he asks. "Is he awake?"

I resist an urge to groan. "Of course, he is," I mumble, placing my arms on the railing. "He woke before I did, caged up in the room." I make a face as I remember the expression he gave me earlier when I suggested him to spend the early morning outside. I continue to grunt. "After all the intensive fights and all, why can't he just relax for awhile?" At the corner of my eyes, I can see Bansai is trying to suppress his amusement. The way his lips quirk betrays his intention though.

I sigh and turn around to let my back press against the railing instead and face the other side of the ship. Coldness of the metal seeps through despite the thick fabric of my clothes.

"I guess I'll go and get our extremely introverted captain a drink," I say, earning a full amused look from Bansai. He nods, smiling openly as if he enjoys my rumblings better than the pleasant breeze and view.

I can't help but smile in turn and notice that my water bottle has little content left. I remove the lid, intending to swallow the remaining in one big gulp. And so, instead of gliding down into the right pipe, the water enters my trachea. I choke.

The extended peaceful moment gets disrupted by my constant cough. Any immediate attempts to stop it fail. Bansai is next to me in a second.

"Y/N, are you okay?" His voice is hinted with concern.

Incapable of speaking, I half nod, half struggling to form words. Coughing seems to help getting the water from the wrong pipe, but the coughing itself won't stop.

"Yes. Sorry," I manage over a breath before another cough takes over. "Drank it too quickly."

When I hear a sigh erupts from him, I giggle. And that certainly doesn't help the cough to stop. Between coughing and giggling, I struggle to find my breath. Bansai helps as he gently pats my back. As one second stretches to the next, it actually becomes painful.

I cough harder, my hand around my mouth clamping tighter. I sink to my knees, feeling as if lava is churning within my organs. And in another second, the cough abruptly cuts off. I gulp down oxygen, but feel like my lungs no longer want it. I suffocate for awhile before removing my hand from my mouth and the sight sends terror lurking upside down.

Bansai alerts and drops himself to my level before holding my quivering arm to see my palm. "What on earth..." Even with the dark shade of his glasses, exposed worry clouds clear in his eyes and brows.

I tear my terrified gaze from his shocked expression and stare with demise at the layer of crimson that covers what once my palm. The cold eats away the tip of my fingers and leaves tingling icicle sensation crawling over my body. I shakily, and reluctantly, raise my other hand to my mouth. Bansai follows my movement and whatever he sees strikes him speechless.

Blood. On my palm. Blood again, when I lift my hand back down to see. If the sight proves hallucination, then the taste in my mouth betrays it all.

I shakily enclosed my hands, can't bear the sight longer. "What is happening to me?"