Redemption
By Yume Arashi
So many people I can't help... I walk through the hallways of the hidden compound, stopping occasionally to change a bandage or administer medicine. Without my powers, though, there's little I can do. A sheet-covered body is hurried past me, and I wonder if my gift would have made a difference. One more I couldn't save...
Despite being a divine blessing, healing has been as much a curse to me as a gift. Always when I need it most, I fail. I couldn't save my family, I couldn't save Shouka, and I couldn't save Nuriko or Chiriko. Sometimes it seems that whoever I'm close to dies. For a healer, how ironic...
Maybe I'm wrong in thinking myself unique; maybe every healer is haunted by the ghosts of those he couldn't save. But everyone I've ever cared for is dead, when I should have been able to prevent it. Surely no other has ever been so cursed.
A young couple rushes into the compound, crying out a name. Shouka? The parents of the dying child fall to their knees at my feet, begging for help I can't give. I close my eyes in pain. Please, Suzaku, not one more failure...
A sudden calm comes to me, and I know what I have to do. Chichiri is worriedly telling me not to do anything foolish. He can't understand, though. It's better this way; I don't want my curse to take my only friend as well. I raise my eyes to heaven, asking for help, for forgiveness. Chichiri is crying, and some faraway part of me is surprised at such a show of emotion from him.
Gommenasai, my friend. Too many have died already -- I can't be a failure anymore.