The black in the blood, black in the crimson

[Randomman]

Ginko made his way along the path. The path looked nearly black in the twilight. Orange trees stretched out their shedding limbs tiredly in front of him. A cold wind passed by him and Kourou. "It's cold."

*Kourou knees shiver* Kourou: I need to get some warmer clothes. Stupid shorts *Kourou rants on only to jump and hang on a tree branch out of fear of a spooky sound.*

"Kourou....." Ginko sighed.
"That was just a fox." He walked on a bit, not waiting for him to climb back down. "Maybe we can find you some decent clothes at the next town."

Kourou: oh yah a fox. I knew that! Oy! Ginko! Don’t leave me here by myself! TT *Kourou runs after Ginko.*

"Ah..." Ginko spotted a house up ahead and quickened. He stopped when he got to it though and stared. "What's with this?" The house was nailed shut and had several talismans hanging on its fence.

*Kourou looks at the odd house and turns completely white.* Kourou: Hehe spooky house. Do you really think the aichi mushi are here Ginko?

"Beats me." He shrugged and walked passed it, looking for more houses. They walked for about fifteen more minutes before another house came in sight. He walked over to it and knocked.
"Stay away!!"
"That's friendly." Ginko gave Kourou a look, then the door opened and a frazzled looking woman glanced at them tiredly. "Oh... I thought you were those people. Come inside! Quickly!" Ginko shrugged and sat down to untie his shoes.
"Do it inside, hurry!" Ginko looked surprised but walked into the house with his shoes on.

*Kourou rushed inside. The inside of the house had to be less creepy then outside right? Wrong. No sooner did he steep inside a spider feel on his head.* Kourou: KYAAAAA! *He put spazed a bit. But put the spider safely in a corner in the of the small room. Kourou calms down a bit.* Kourou: What’s wrong miss? Is there something troubling you?


Ginko slid off his shoes and sat near the fire greatfully.
The tired woman looked at them.
"You two shouldn't be traveling through here unarmed. Especially during the evening." She pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear and picked up her baby when it started crying and rocked it gently with one hand while she served them some soup with the other.


"Is there a particular reason that we shouldn't be traveling right now?" Ginko asked, eyeing the soup.
"Won't you eat something?"
"I am a mushishi, perhaps if there is something troubling this town I can be some help." The woman handed Kourou his bowl of soba and then the other to Ginko.

But she didnt' say anything.

*Kourou already having his bowel empty by the time it was set down lets out a sigh of relief.* Kourou: Thanks for the meal miss! *He pulls out a pick to clean his teeth.* Kourou: But really miss. There’s no real need to fret. Ginko and I are world class travelers that handle are own. *He smiles.* Kourou: Just let us know your little mushi problem and Ginko and I will help yah out the best we can.

The woman didn't look like she entirely believed Kourou, but turned to Ginko, taking in his silver hair and his mushishi box. "There is a couple..." She looked around and lowered her voice so that she wouldn't wake her family. "There is a couple that lives on the far edge of town. " She said in almost a whisper. "The man was a respected member of our town and had a lot of authority, but one day he went traveling with a band of sailors to the land across the sea (China). When he returned he started behaving strangely..."

"His skin turned white and he would scream if the sunlight hit his skin... we ignored it but..... later, his wife took on the same illness. Locking herself away from the light." She swallowed. "One night, my husband found the man.... " The woman looked about ready to vomit. "He was holding the corpse of a child...he had drained him of all his blood...he drank it."

*Kourou skin turns just as white.* Kourou: Aichi? *He turns to face Ginko with his fearfully face.*

Ginko nods. "This could be it."
The woman looks at them questioningly. "I'm looking for a mushi by the name of aichi. It infects the hosts's blood stream and causes them to feed on the blood of other humans. It's also reported to cause an allergic reaction to the sun. This might be the mushi I'm looking for."
"Please, don't go to them they'll-"
"Tell me, what became of the men who traveled with him?"
"He said that none survived the journey home."
Ginko

swirled his soup in it's bowl thoughtfully.

*Kourou brushes a tear away from his eye.* Kourou: Such a sad story TT *Kourou tightens his fist.* Kourou: You have my word miss! That I Kourou defender of love! Will settle this case with post haste! *Kourou eyes seem to light on fire.*

The woman forces a smile but the baby starts crying and she has to rock it again. "Forgive my rudeness, my name is Megumi."

*Kourou makes attempt to bow but it looks more like he’s trying to stretch.* Kourou: Nice to meet cha Megumi chan! Say! Once this problem is solved how about you and I go on a date! *He strikes a smile of rainbowness.*

Megumi laughs this time.
"I'm flattered but I'm afraid my husband would disapprove."
Ginko is reading through his notes.

* Kourou laughs and looks at closes his eyes.* Kourou: No worries. You know what they say. "If you never speak up ans say your mind you’re just a mouthless foul!" *Kourou cries inside. awww and she was so cute to! TT.*

Megumi smiles and laughs. "You're right."
She strokes the baby's hair.
"I hope you and your friend will be able to do something, I'm so worried about my family with those monsters on the loose."

*Kourou recovers.* Kourou: More of victims if you pardon me Megumi chan. *Kourou stares at the boarded up window.* Kourou: Sometimes when mushi touch into our lives the result is not always bright and shiny sakura's. *He starts playing with a lone spider thread.* Kourou: But I’m sure we can sort things out peacefully. * He smiles.*

About half an hour passed by in silence before Ginko slipped his notes away and ate his cold soup.
"Thank you for your hospitality."
"You're most welcome; please stay here for the night. I couldn't live with myself if I let you two back out there this late when I know what danger there is."
"Thank you again." Ginko bowed.
Megumi bowed back and set to laying out some futons for them.


*Ginko and Kourou lay on their futons staring up at the roof. Megumi and the baby had retried for the night. Kourou chuckles.* Kourou: Sleeping outdoors is the best! But sleeping on a futon not to bad eh Ginko?

"Yeah." Ginko temporarily forgot his broodings about the Aichi and his mind wandered to Tanyu. He wondered if her leg was doing any better since he'd left. He hadn't even said goodbye properly because of that Tokoyami. He did his best not to be angry at the mushi.

Kourou: hmmm? *He looks at Ginko all funny face like.* Kourou: Is it a love issue huhhhhh? *He starts poking at Ginko.*

"Huh?" Ginko forced innocence. "Me?? Nah, I'm much too old and grumpy for love. I'm a mushishi."

*Kourou looks at Ginko.* Kourou: Oh. Is that so? *He looks at the roof again.* Kourou mutters: That's a shame.

"Heh..." Ginko smiled a little at the roof. He'd told Kourou before that she said yes, but he sort of hoped he'd forgotten when he got to see his rainbow. It was easier to focus on what he was doing then and there. Suddenly there was an ear splitting scream.

*Kourou jumps to his feet screaming.* Kourou: Kyaaaa! *He picks up his barrel to defend himself.* Kourou: That had better be a fox! TT

Ginko jumped to his feet. "I doubt it's a fox this time Kourou." He scrambled out to the main room. "Megumi was holding her blanket around her looking terrified. "Where was that coming fro-" It went again. He ran outside. The scream seemed to be coming from the end of the street. He stopped panting, there was a man holding a girl who looked as though she'd fainted, blood was running from her neck and from the man's mouth.

*Kourou takes one look at the blood and starts to fee sick.* Kourou: yeahhhh I think we found our aichi victims Ginko. *Kourou struggles to regain his composure.*

"You! Please, put the girl down. I'm the mushishi Ginko, I want to help you."
The man drops the girl then runs inhumanly quickly to the broken down hut that Ginko and Kourou had passed on their way in. Ginko rushed over to the girl. She was alive, he hoped she'd be alright when she woke up.

Kourou: No worries Ginko. *He picks up the girl.* Kourou: I will take her into a near by house where she can rest. * He staggers off still recovering by the sight of blood.* Kourou: I will catch up with yah later. *He gives Ginko the good guy pose.*

Ginko gave him an awkward smile and nod. yeah leave me to face this guy on my own. . Oh well, he was the one after the Aichi, not Kourou. He rolled up his sleeves and followed the trail of blood the man had left to the house at the edge of town.

Megumi opened the door for Kourou and helped him take the girl inside.

*Kourou runs out the door convinced that the girl is safe.* Kourou muttering: I hate blood! I hate blood! I hate blood!

"Gah, Kourou! I think you just about gave me a heart attack." Ginko smiled nervously. He adjusted his box on his back and cleared his throat. "Time to go in then." He ripped the talismans from the gate and opened it. It creeked far too horror story creepily and he stepped through. "Hello! I've come to help you!"

*Kourou peeks over Ginko to take a look.* Kourou: It's even more scarier then the outside! TT *a spider falls on his head.* Kourou: Kyaaaaa! *he jumps into the room in fright and sets the spider next to some curtains.*

"You...who are you?" Ginko jumped, squinting to see in the dark. A woman with long brown hair and white skin looked at them through the darkness.
"I..I'm the mushishi Ginko, I've come to cure you and your husband." He said, trying not to shake, everyone is just trying to live. "I just want to help you."

*Kourou recovers.* Kourou: Just tell us what you know and we could discuss this over some tea even. *He starts setting his bag down and starts rummaging through his random crap.*


"I can smell your blood." Her red eyes glittered. The shadow of her husband can be seen in the corner of the room now.
"That's nice, your blood is what I'm curious about." Ginko opened his box and took out a needle and a strange looking glass.

*Kourou shivered at the mere mention of the word blood.* Kourou: Oh! There you are! *Kourou pulls out some woddden cups, some kind of tea he picked up from their last stop, and some other tea making stuffz.* Kourou: Do you have hot water by any chance Mr. and Miss.?

The woman just stared at him blankly. Ginko cleared his throat and crossed over to her. "Would you be so kind as to provide me with a blood sample?" The woman gave him a look, but held out her hand curiously. "Are you really...going to try to help us?" Ginko made the smallest slice in her hand and caught her blood in a shallow cup, then crossed back over to his looking glass and turned the many lenses and stared at her blood. "It's so dark..." He thought about lighting a candle but then he remembered their reaction to light would probably be effected by teh mushi so he just did his best. "Ah.. here it is. " He could see clusters of black vein-like mushi floating in her blood. Now..how to remove them. The woman had stood up and was now boiling water for the stranger, feeling somewhat hopeful. Her husband eyed them from the corner.


*Kourou looks behind Ginkos shoulder curiously looking at the mushi.* Kourou: huh they have a nice shape. *Kourou starts trying to remember what kind of tea he baught back at the last town.* Kourou: hmm what was it?


The woman handed the pot of hot water to Kourou then watched Ginko with out blinking. "This is a mushi named Aichi. It causes it's hosts to suddenly need to feed on blood..human blood. It also causes their skin to lose its color and become extremely painful when exposed to sunlight. " The woman's eyes widened. "That's..." Ginko nodded, mixing something together.

*Kourou starts making the tea while listening on the conversation.*

"How can we trust the villagers didn't send you to kill us like the others?" The man asked from the corner.
"I'm a mushishi, besides I'm sure I would be the one in danger if I tried anything funny." He laughed nervously.
Kourou: Joy! The teas done! *He pours the tea into the tea cups and sets them on the table.* Kourou: Enjoy. *Kourou smiles.*

The woman forces a smile and picks up the cup of tea, but doesn't drink it.
Ginko lit a candle and the couple drew back. "Sorry, I just want to test something." He held it next to the blood sample, slowly, the black mushi started to climb from the blood out of the bowl and into the shade. "This could be the key..."

*Kourou takes a sip of his tea.* Kourou: hmm that’s good to hear gah! *Kourou starts to gag on the tea.* Kourou: This tea tastes like blood! Wait...did I buy blood! TT *Kourou starts to feel even more ill.*

*Kourou face changes into absolute panic.* Kourou: I'm not drinking any blood! *Kourou pauses but soon starts licking at the cup for any small blood droops.* Kourou: TT

Kourou face starts steaming as if it caught on fire.* Kourou: gah that hurts!

( woot for ep 1!!! brought to you by smokes and rainbows.)

[Captain Dusk Rose]

*Kourou backs away from the candlelight.* Kourou: Gah! Ginko heal me dont burn me to death! *Kourou eyes start overfull with tears.* Kourou: I dont wont to drink blood Ginko! *He starts licking at the glass Again for the slightest drop of blood.* Kourou: Its nasty! TT
   
"It's alright Kourou...just calm down! I'll get you some medicine. We'll figure out a cure.”

*Kourou clean his face but still looks a little shakey.* Kourou: ..Yeah of course. hehe sorry I guess I overreacted a little bit haha. *Kourou puts up a fake smile.*

Ginko smiled sadly. "It'll be alright my friend. This is my fault for taking you here." Ginko opened his box and started opening each little drawer. He mixed many drinks and powders, having Kourou try each one. Finally, he sat back tiredly. All of the drawers in the box were open, nothing had worked. Only the candle had had any effect, and it seemed to hurt Kourou

kourou: Thats enougth Ginko. *He stands up still smileing.* Kourou: You tried your best. I will just have learn from my blunder thats all right? *Kourou bumps itno the table behind him causeing the hot tea to spalsh over him.* Kourou: HOT! HOT! HOT!

Ginko shook his head at his friend's clumsiness...but then... "Kourou! What's that?" There were black mushi seeping from Kourou's skin where the tea had touched. Ginko rushed over and caught some inside a cup he'd had out. "These are...the Aichi..."

*Kourou nearly jumps off the floor with exciment.* Kourou: Is that all of them Ginko? *He smiles but to his horror he feels something pokeing his lip.* Kourou: What the... *Kourou prods the pointy object.* Kourou: A fang! Kourou to himself: Aw hell there goes my good looks! TT

"Er... I don't think so." Ginko grabs the tea and splashes the rest onto Kourou's face to see what happens.

*Kourou howels in agony.* Kourou: Ginko have you gone ill? Stop with the tea already! eh? *He touches his lip.* Kourou: The pains gone..oh! and the fang to! *Kourou jumps to his feet.* Kourou: Praise the rainbow! Kourou to himself: I thought i was going to die TT


"Uh huh..."
Ginko stares at him, scrutinizing. "One more thing..."

The infected couple watched silently, were these two completely mad or on to something? Or just on something in general really.

Ginko picked up the candle he'd been using and held it up to Kourou to see his reaction.

*Kourou retreats from the light.* Kourou: Would you quit with the candle crap already Ginko! uh cough cough *Kourou coughts out blood coverd in a black like subsistence.* Kourou: Kyaaa! theres black stuff in my blood! TT

"Oi, Kourou...it's just the mushi." He held out the cup he was collecting them in for Kourou.

Kourou grumbles: It's still gross though. *He starts collecting his black blood.*

Ginko lit a new cigarette and sat down on the floor, drawing out some parchment. "Hey, you two, is it alright if I light another candle?"
The woman looked at him blankly.
"I need to go over some notes, and write down what I've found out. I think I've got a cure for you guys."
The woman nodded and Ginko lit another candle. He looked up from his writing once and a while to check on Kourou.

*Kourou still shakey from this blood covered adventure had the jar sliped from his hands at a toel of ten times. luckly for Kourou caught the jar every time and saved the couple a bloody mess. Kourou looks at Ginko with a pitifully ill face.* Kourou: Ginko are you almost done. this is to gross to look at - -III *The jar slips out of his hands.* Kourou: gah! oh noe you dont! *He catches the jar and turns away from it in disgust.* Kourou to himself: Soooo gross! TT

"Yeah, I'm almost done. Will you make some more of that tea you brought with you?" Ginko began to put away the unnecessary medicines and roll up his scrolls.

Kourou: Sure. As long as you dont throw any of it at me. *Kourou starts makeing the tea and comes back with a steaming tray of it.He sets the jar of black blood on the floor.* Kourou mumbling: I'm not going to make the same mistake twice. *He sets the tea trey down on the table and hits his head.* Kourou to himself: This isn't my day at all! TT

"Don't worry." Ginko took one of the glasses and set it down. He grabbed an empty cup and poured a little of the infected blood inside. Then, he dropped a bit of the tea into it. The mushi and the blood seperated. "Aha."
"It -was- the tea. Now..." He held the candle near the cup and the mushi that remained turned into smoke.

*Kourou stares at the scene.* Kourou: cool. now we heal the anki couple and head out of here right?

"Mhm." Ginko stood, holding the tea. "Miss...are you willing to try the cure we've found?"
The woman nodded, not fully believing this rediculous technique would have any effect on her. She held out her arm, rolling back her sleeve. Ginko poured the hot tea over it and she twitched a little with the heat. Suddenly black squirms emerged from her white skin and began running down, turning into a liquid. The woman resisted pulling back. "Just wait for it to slow down."
              She nodded, and when the flow slowed Ginko came over cautiously with the candles. The woman screamed and the mushi all began to turn into smoke.
"Th-they're..." She reached to her mouth, and her teeth were smoothing down. After more tea, her face began to take on a more human complexion.

Kourou: huh? *He blushes.* Kourou: You dirty old man whats naughty thoughts are going through your head huh? *He starts messing with ginkos hair.* Kourou: Oh! write Ginko a note if you run out of that tea. I think I remember where i got it from. *He steeps out the door beside Ginko.* Kourou: Bye for now yah?

The couple nodded and waved.

Ginko set off into the morning with Kourou trailing behind. "Megumi!! The couple is cured."
Megumi came out of the nearest house.
"That's wonderful!" She smiled.
"Is it really...is it really safe now?"
"Yep, and you can thank clumsy here." He jerked a thumb in Kourou's direction.
Megumi blushed. "Thank you! You should at least allow me to treat you to breakfast!"
"I thank you, but we must get going."

*Kourou smacks Ginko across the back while smileing.* Kourou: Haha You will have to forgive Ginko. We would love to have breakfast with yah Megumi chan! *Kourou gives Ginko the "Don't pass a womens kind gesture kinda look." Kourou: Right Ginko? *Kourou eyes light up as if they were made of fire.* Kourou to himself: Don't you dare say no.
((* scary TT (hides in the cake.*))


"Kourou?? I need to-" Ok, his face was way too scary.
"Alright, I suppose it would be a good start to traveling again..."

*Ginko and Kourou have a nice breakfest with Megumi and her family.* Kourou: Thanks for the meal for Megumi chan! Ginko and I will come back later someday to say hi! bye for now! *He runs off the catch up with Ginko.* Kourou to himself: Hm I wonder where off to now? Kourou: Wait up you old fart!