Arc 1, Chapter 9: Crabby Situation

'Is this it?' The waves crashing into the rocks, her thoughts almost in slow motion. 'Can't even survive in a fictional world…' Her head spun to face what lied beneath her, ready to accept anyth-

"THUMP!"

"HUAGH!" Jotou spat out. her torso fell onto one of the wooden beams that held the dock up; all the wind was blown out of her lungs. She hung off of it—hands and legs limp whilst she wailed.

The cracking only continued, the wood splintering, from above? Wincing with blurry vision, she peered to the beam she was hanging on; it was completely intact. 'If that's not cracking…'

"CRASH!!!" No longer holding the weight of the dark creature's form, the red eyes and too many legs of the velatos passed by Jotou's sight.

The bug-like chattering of the creature only went down, further and further, not quick enough to catch onto any of the beams before—"CRACK! SPLOOSH!"—the velatos hit the rocks and took a dive.

Jotou stared down and inhaled. 'Huh. Look at that. I guess I can survive.' Chunks of wood splashed after the velatos, leaving a gaping hole for the stars to peer down.

"Jotou!?" Hotaru spotted the yellow thing hanging on by its stomach. Her spiked ears folded and her shoulders relaxed. Hotaru leaned forward and reached a hand down, "Nice work, come on," she exhaled.

Jotou grunted, twisting and turning her body onto the beam—enduring it for now. That blow to her ribs and stomach were going to suck in the morning.

She crawled up, moaning at every move of her arm. Eventually, she put her arms out to walk on the beam and reach Hotaru's assistance.

"Geh!" Hotaru sat, falling back onto the path with a Jotou to her side. "Looks like your armour did save you."

"Still hurts though…" a rasp in the blonde's voice.

"Cry me a river…" Fumeko panted. A blood trail followed to where Fumeko was placed leaning against the wall. The gash had been stabilized by magic and at least it wasn't bleeding out presently.

"Sorry!" Hotaru rushed over. "Jotou come here, I can heal you too."

Jotou groaned, holding her right side against the corset. "Yup, just get up and walk over; simple enough," Jotou muttered under her breath.

Each step heavy against the wood, circling around the hole as she moved towards the two, limping even though her legs were next to perfect in condition.

Fumeko's right leg was placed out. Droplets of water formed, turning into small waves that glowed blue in Hotaru's palm.

Hotaru looked at Fumeko then looked back, searching around for something. She grabbed a fish that had seven fins and six eyes, before handing it to Fumeko, "Hold this; Heal," she casted.

The water circled the gash. Fumeko grabbed onto the fish with both hands. Her head tilted—what was the woman trying to convey? "How does this- HALPPP!P!!!!" red webs and white flesh began to mend together over the exposed bone.

"YOU COULD'VE WARNED ME!!!" tears went down Fumeko's cheeks. The gash healed over within seconds. The poor fish squished in between the brunette's palms.

Hotaru let out a little giggle. "Older the wound, slower to heal. Also, fresher the wound, deeper the pain." Hotaru smiled, "You'll get used to it." Fumeko glared back till her vision was no longer so blurry.

Jotou slumped down next to Fumeko. "Give it a few more seconds to settle and I'll heal the scar," Hotaru instructed before going over to Jotou.

Hotaru crouched down next to the blonde and began to take off her corset. Jotou had her eyes half closed, barely realizing the absence of the wind in front of her; replaced by a sweet scent that mixed with the smell of saltwater.

Hotaru slowly untied the knots on the corset and took it off. She lifted the hem of her dress- "Hold on!" Jotou's cheeks flushed red.

Hotaru stared at Jotou's expression. "I can't heal you if I can't see your problem," she moved the drifting red strands of her hair away from her eyes.

"Fairly sure it's just bruised. Can't you heal with just a hand there? That's… much easier."

Hotaru rolled her eyes, "Fine," she reached her hand from under to reach Jotou's side.

"GUH!" Jotou winced as Hotaru probed and prodded her skin.

"Easier huh?" Hotaru gave a sly smirk. Jotou sighed, feeling water cooling over her bruised side. "You're lucky none of your ribs are broken," Hotaru prodded a little more. "Some internal bleeding… Heal," she whispered.

Jotou didn't realize something holding her hand till she tensed her fingers. Hotaru held Jotou's hand tighter in response, "And… you're good," Hotaru got up and let her hand go.

"Thanks-" Jotou's eyes widened. 'What the?' Jotou felt a little tingle in her blonde hair; like tiny shocks. 'The hell is that?' She reached for her blonde hair which only half was even captured in the hair tie.

"Now, let's see that scar," before Hotaru could finish, the sound of legs against wood and chattering got louder. Climbing up the side of the docks for round two—the velatos; it's chattering in clear irritation towards the three.