nightlight

      “ ALL RIGHT, ” Kubo tugs on the strap of his shamisen readily, and nods. “ I’ll speak to our priest as soon as possible in the meantime. You get some rest, okay? Hopefully I can figure out what I can do before you leave. ” If it was a demon plaguing his grandfather, then that meant he may have to leave again. As much as it pained him to do so, Kubo was willing to, and he knows he will need KATSU’S help.

    “I should hope it won’t take that long, at least,” he chuckles. “Otherwise I would say your priest isn’t great at his job.”

    The worst-case scenario was that he would have to send a letter back and let Hiroko know he’d be a few more days; after coming this far with Kubo, it was hard not to want to see this through to the end.

       KUBO SQUINTS AT HIM THOUGHTFULLY, almost passing a judging look as if he couldn’t believe what KATSU was suggesting. But very very quickly, the idea made perfect sense in his head. “ OH, it’s very possible … ” Demons did not sound like they’d be interested in plaguing an elder not to wake, but half of his family were CELESTIAL beings. His grandfather especially, in another life, was the moon itself.

        “ I’ll consult our priest in that case. What are you going to do? ”

    “I was planning on staying around here for another day or two. Just to get some rest,” he shrugs. Traveling for two weeks without much of a break in between grew taxing; He knew he still had places to be, of course--getting back to his friend was the most pressing thing on his mind, but both he and his horse needed the rest.

    SINCE THEY WERE BOTH IN PUBLIC, Kubo made an effort not to make his distress visible. Even if he was deep down a very young and emotional child, it’d be wrong and unnecessary to draw attention to himself. So he put up a front, offering small waves and smiles to familiar faces that passed him by, and makes his way to KATSUROU.

       Once they are together again and their conversation could be kept between them, Kubo’s fake smile finally falls. A grim frown replaces it as the severity of his situation finally begins to sink in. “ … Not any better. He hasn’t woken up. ” He admits, stifling a wince. “ KAMEYO is going to be looking after him. So is the village doctor. We got the medicine we need in case anything else or anyone else gets sick … but I don’t know what’s wrong with him. ”

    Oh. The change in expression tells him everything he needs to know. He’s seen that look one too many times in the past year, worn by children and adults alike. Silence hangs in the air between them for a moment while Katsurou struggles over what to say, wondering if he can’t console the boy, only to settle on, “I’m sorry.”

    At least they had what they needed now--there was some good in that--but it did raise the question as to what exactly was ailing his grandfather if the medicine the doctor needed hadn’t done a thing.

    ...Plus, he was getting exhausted from dragging himself back and forth. At least the weather seemed to be in his favor this time, warming up enough that he could reasonably sit outside without freezing. So he burns a few coins at a local shop, buys himself some food, and finds himself somewhere to relax (that isn’t too damp from melting snow). 

     “ I … didn’t think there’d be another way in? ” KATSU must have found another entrance. Kubo may have been rash in his efforts to find a way inside the ruins they’d found but his intentions were good. Now he feels both embarrassed and stupid.