Little Sweet Poison

“Why are you feeling so sad about it? At least you’re doing something right. In Gensokyo, boys are pretty much just a waste of space, with their only use is to get a baby. But with current drugs, even that is stripped from them, huh?”

After all, with all the heroines and major figures in Gensokyo being women, what good is the men? Run a silly shop? Labor, perhaps?

“What? You’re trying to delay or something? I don’t know much, but-”

It was then the violet haired kasha realized something was amiss. She didn’t know what, but she could feel her own powers somehow… draining?

“… Lilian. We have to go. Now. Something’s nullifying our powers.”

“What are you talking about? My flames are just f-…”

It was just then the blonde finally noticed.

Even when they actually tried to ignite their flames at full force, it was nothing but a small ember in their fingertips. Make sense, after all, with all the carbon dioxide replacing the oxygen in the area.

“That’s a silly question, but if I have to answer, I guess the biggest poison would be your stupid face right now. But me and my partner will take my leave, and we’ll forget this ever happened if you walk away now, hm?”

They may not know what was the cause, but they ARE planning to flee the area.

“Smell that? The lovely scent of grass, emboldened by the Carbon Dioxide... But wait, how is it that the scent has reached you if there’s no air to carry it to you. Simple, really, that’s not grass you’re smelling.”

Medicine has replaced much of the oxygen in the air bubble with something else. She closes in the bubble, pushing it all together, condensing it. It smells a bit like rotten hay...

“You wanted me to feel pain... then you, poisonous yourselves, should feel pain too.”

The gas has already seeped into their lungs and clothes, and yet... the two of them will feel no pain. Despite the overwhelming smell of grass and hay, they will feel no symptoms.

Medicine visibly relaxes, and a corridor would open in the CO2, leaving the pair an escape route.

“There you go, you’re free to go. Have fun~! May your lungs be forever dyed as black as your hearts.”

As the other two flee, Medicine strolls towards the mouth of old hell, humming a marching tune.

“Well, of course you would smell those. Over here at the entrance is where Yamame lives. Y’know, sickness and stuff?“

“I doubt she’s smart enough to even know who she is. Unlike Yamame, this one doesn’t seem to know how to control her own powers. But… if you’re really so stubborn to not heed our advice, then so be it. Lilian?”

“Here you go, freak. Your final warning.”

And with another snap of her finger, there was a small little blaze at the hemline of her skirt. And… if she didn’t do anything, it might start to spread…-

And in an instant, the flames extinguish... mysterious.

“I don’t know how to control my power, you say?”

Medicine takes another step towards the entrance. Strange, despite Medicine being poisonous, the trees nearby seem to be quite... lively.

Animal girls. A sensitive sense of smell. But there are somethings that even animals would never pick up. Like Carbon Dioxide, a colorless, odorless gas that, despite being very important for plantlife...

...is toxic to beasts.

“You call me freak. You mock my body. You mock my power. But you forget yourselves. You should have run away when you realized what I was.”

The CO2 floods the area, flowing in from all directions, including from within the cave. All scents within the area would be smothered by the gas, save for the convenient pocket of air Medicine left for the other two. She, herself, being a doll... doesn’t need to breathe.

“I came here to lock myself away in a dark corner of hell, to punish myself for what I did to that boy. But I don’t care anymore.”

The bubble of air would expand as the CO2 pushed away from the pair, but it wasn’t letting new oxygen in, making the air thinner and thinner, making both breathing and flight more difficult.

“… Smart mouth, huh? Yes, the underground is for the exiled. From oni, to the different kinds of youkai running around. However, that smell… it’s poison, isn’t it? You know very well what happens if we let you in, you freak.”

That was actually a nice comeback. However, the both of them are battle veterans to not fly into anger at a small jab. But if Medicine’s plan is to make them confident, it’s working.

“Besides, we’re doing a great service for keeping walking bombs like you out. Part of the job description, you see.”

A snap of a finger by the blonde, and a faint spark appeared right in front of Medicine’s eyes, in attempt to intimidate her. If this keeps up, they’ll actually start setting her on fire.

Fire... Medicine may be a youkai, but her body is but cloth and wood. She’d taken very good care of it, to keep it from getting damaged, but fire... she doesn’t want to imagine what that could do.

All the poison recedes at once, the very air being siphoned of every little particle. Even Medicine’s exterior the cleaned of the toxins, so that there was nothing left to smell.

Medicine is afraid of fire, but... Medicine isn’t in her right mind right now. She’s still rattled from her incident in the forest, still torn apart by her inability to love or be loved. Fire is scary... but fear means little to those who feel they have nothing to lose.

And then she’d smell it.

“Sulphur... almonds...”

“The entrance to hell... reeks of poison. Arsenic, cyanide, alcohol... I’d be little more than a drop in the bucket, don’t you think? Flower poison is nothing compared to that. Just leave me be, and I won’t bother you.”

“Oh c’mon, is that how you treat people who just wants to ask you? You-…”

“Lilian. Get back. She smells foul. And it’s not just body odor.”

With the blonde stepping back a bit, the other glared at her intensely.

“… If you want to be left alone, go sulk somewhere else, girl. You’re not wanted here. Go back to your forest friends and die in a hole, or we’ll bury one for you.”

Anna, the purple kasha, was quite confident that she could easily burn Medicine into a crisp. However, combining her flames with gas will do nothing but set the underground’s entrance on fire.

… And the Underground will not like that.

“The underground is the place for those who are unwanted, is it not? Where those deemed unfit for Gensokyo were buried in an abandoned hell.”

The poisons shift a little, the flower toxins recede, Medicine is actively reeling in the poison. She doesn’t know why, but... she wants these two to taunt her right now.

“Aw, look at the poor thing, lost all alone with no one to care for. I mean, besides that horrid smell, I can’t think any of anything where she could be friends towards.”

“Yeah, she’s a lost cause. At least she has her parents to support her…”

“Woops! Sorry, forgot you don’t even have any. Whoever breaths the same air as you must have such a poisonous relationship!”

“Who... are you? And why are you saying such things?”

Medicine was hoping she could get some peace and quiet if she made her way towards the underground, when these two had started heckling her.

She’s still shaken after what happened in the forest, and she was nearly calmed down, but now...

...well, the passive flower poisons on Medicine would certainly be in the air. But beyond that, nothing that could threaten a youkai. She wasn’t nearly excited or agitated enough for that.

“I…“

Medicine’s voice echoed in his head as he heard her words. It’s not like he could concentrate on them, and be more worried about his own health.

With the plants shivering up, there really was no one in sight, other than a few fairies, realizing something was amiss. Flying in a group, the fairies were hovering above them to prevent the poison from affecting them, but it was when one of the fairies recognized him…!

“Wait… isn’t that… Boss?!”

The blond fairy, Crescent, quickly diving down into the Mist, took a quick look as she started coughing as well.

This… was worse than she thought.

“… Looks like it’s your doing, although unwilling. Get that fixed, or you’re gonna get exorcised by someone soon.”

Not even waiting for Medicine’s reply before she too gets seriously infected, the blonde fairy quickly scooped in and flew towards Eientei, hoping Eri’s still alive, and not a corpse.

Meaning, Medicine’s all alone, with the unfinished dates in front of her, along with the wilted flowers caused by her own poison.

Mustard Gas has painful effects on the body, and Eri would be experiencing a new world of pain. A youkai’s resilience is something of a blessing and a curse here. On one hand, he is more likely to survive, on the other hand, it means he’s less likely to lose consciousness, and thus will experience the full scope of the pain.

Medicine just sits there in the slowly growing gas cloud, staring ahead of her. As the fairies buzz off into the distance with Eri in tow, she doesn’t try to say anything. She just stares straight ahead. Until...

“That’s right... I’m just going to get exterminated. Exorcised and tossed away like trash, all over again.”

All that bitterness and resentment that had given birth to Medicine is starting to well up, the childlike curiosity and wonder being overpowered. All the innocence and desire to be loved is push down by a youkai’s instinct, and a hatred for those who would cast her away. A useless tool, a broken puppet that can’t even put on a good show. Now a monster that can’t love or be loved.

“What was I ever thinking? Me? Make friends?! What a joke! They’d only cast me aside as soon as I wasn’t useful anymore! Like casting away a broken tool! I can’t be used! I can’t be loved! I can only ruin those around me!”

“Miss, what are you talking about? That’s a very strange req-…”

Ah… It was then the ‘poisoned’ dates with Medicine finally took effect, before his stomach started to hurt, and the poison he smelt started to become more apparent.

“I… W-What’s happening? Are you… o-okay?”

His vision was starting to blur, and he’s going to collapse onto the floor, ready to throw up any moment. He’s covering his nose, but who knows how much good that will do-…

“No... no...”

Medicine looks about frantically for any source of help, but there’s no one there. She needs the doctor, but it’s a long way to the forest, and if she tried to carry Eri it’d just--

“I can’t... I’m sorry, this wasn’t...”

Medicine backs away, realizing just what she’d put into the air. The plants around them were dying, and the air was starting to take on an uncomfortable yellow hue.

Eri would start to feel burning on his skin and in his lungs, blisters starting to form inside and out. Through Eri’s foggy vision, he’d see Medicine backing away, her hands up to her face in a panic.

“The poison... is outside of my control... this is why... I can never love or be loved... I’m so sorry... I’m so sorry... I can’t... I can’t save you... I can only kill things...”

Well, if she didn’t want a hug, then he’ll withdraw from it. He doesn’t know Medicine well enough to even confront her with one, as not only they just met, but he doesn’t even know her name!

“I’m sure there’s someone out there who will love you… Besides, I don’t mind being your friend, if you like! My name is Eri! Eri Ph-“

… Ah, it was then the acute nose of a kitsune picked up on the poison, before he started coughing. It was still a bit minor so far since he inhaled a small amount, but still, what… exactly was that?

“… Miss, a-are you okay? There’s a… peculiar smell coming out from you…”

“I really would like to believe that, but...”

Eri Phi? What a strange name. Peculiar smell though? He couldn’t possibly--

“You need to run! Now! Never look back! Get away from me as fast as you can!”

“O-Oh no! Not like that, I meant like… romantic love. Those kind of people where you’re going to spend a relationship for a very long time? If you’re talking about friends, I do love them alot, and… I hope they feel the same way back to me.”

But… was she crying? Eri’s just going to walk closer to her, spreading his arms a bit to see if she wants a hug.

“Well, let’s see… The biggest thing people say is that I really don’t think of other people’s privacy when shapeshifting for one, not to mention I’m not as strong to protect others like them too… If you like, do you want us to be friends?”

“Being friends, that would be nice, wouldn’t it?"

She won’t go for the hug. If Eri wants to do it, it’s on him to bring that about.

“But... being friends isn’t easy for me. I can’t be loved, and being friends with me isn’t good either.”

With the negative feelings welling up, Medicine’s poison begins to flow. A fine mist oozing from her joints, seeping through the fine fabric that serves as her skin.

“Well, I guess you could see it that way, but there’s two words for dates! One for romantic dates, the other for food! But I don’t think anyone would love me, so I thought I would just give fruit…”

And he’s just going to eat alongside Medicine, just as he said he would!

“But do feel free to take more if you’re hungry, it’s not good to go to bed on an empty stomach, after all…”

He’s… sharing it without knowing what Medicine is-

“You don’t think anyone would love you?”

Oh boy, that hits close to home. Too close.

“Why would you say such a thing? You seem pretty nice, and your cooking is good.”

She eats another, but tears are starting to well up in her eyes.

“Wow, that’s alot of money! Okay, we get to share lots of these, then!”

“Here you go, since you asked for so many! I threw a few bonus ones here too!”

STUFFED DATES, YUM YUM

“This is what dating is? I was always told it was super romantic or something. What’s so romantic about fruit?”

She tries one, possibly contaminating the others on the plate with her presence.

“Well, if ya don’t mind some o’ my fellas feastin’ on ‘em, cuz I don’t eat ‘em.”

“I jus’, er… jus’ got one favor t’ ask ya?…” Aw heck, keep it together firefly. Deep breath, in and out. “Y-ya dun force any o’ it’s poison in me o’ my fellas. Unless we make ya really mad, then surely I deserve it den. ‘Sides that, yer free t’ make a garden o’ ‘em here.”

“Then that’s... a no, huh?”

Medicine’s shoulders sag, and she starts to walk away.

“It’s only natural, just you being there can make them or any other youkai sick before potentially dying.” She may even deforest the place if she had a more potent poison within.

“Anyway, lets go there… I’m going to need some medication from the doctor there as well as making a request. But first, I’ll be needing something first so stay there for a bit.” With that, he leaves, though it really wouldn’t take long. Actually, she’d clearly see what he seemed to need, those being a pair of pink thick rubber gloves.

“Lets go?” With this, he’d reach out his hand, waiting for the other to hold onto it before they’d make there way.

Medicine has never held someone’s hand before. Medicine has never had her hand held before.

She stares in surprise, disbelief even, before she reaches out and takes the offered hand. Even through the gloves Rinnosuke would probably be able to tell that Medicine’s fingers are not made of flesh, but rather some kind of wood wrapped in cloth. Her hand is tiny compared to his, and practically disappears within the folds of the rubber.

All at once Medicine forgets all her carefully laid plans, her prank falls apart. She doesn’t want to let go, and she’s suddenly overwhelmed with all kind of emotion.

She’s overjoyed, amazed, but also terrified. If she follows through on her prank, this has to end, no more hand-holding.

She’s making him look like the bad guy here! This scheme of hers was just unfair! He’ll admit, it’s a pretty good one, but still-

“That’s because it’s still ticking up! Soon enough, I’m going to end up died if it comes to this.” But perhaps he may have a solution for this. One that may benefit another as well, not just him. “Have you even thought of going to Eientei and having that doctor examine the poison in you?”

“The doctor is very kind, and praises me for my poison. But I am not allowed to live there, because the rabbits are in danger near me.”

“Having a resistance doesn’t mean immunity sadly enough. I can still get inflicted with the poison stored inside of you from the build up.” That’s no good! Sure, he kinda pitied her, but still! 

“Have you considered, oh I don’t know… not collecting poisonous substances so that I don’t get sick by the end or die?”

“...most of the poison comes from me. I don’t really have any control over that. And anyone with more immunity to poison... wouldn’t have allowed me to be around to speak this long.”

“You’re kidding, right..?” That teacher agreed to this?! He’s shocked! Also, he may not admit it, but that was pretty cleaver of her. “Why even choose me as your father?”

Oh, thanks whatever deity that he actually likes! For a moment there, he thought that she was talking about Marisa or some lovechild he wasn’t aware of. It was truly a sigh of relief.

“Wait! Since when did I adopted you?!”