Not looking your best

Ikigai remained still for the tedious process of getting cleaned up.  Right next to her he could hear that heart pounding away.  The larger wolf could have thought about how he should feel but he fought off his emotions in the early stages, it was as he got closer to her neck that his own heart picked up the pace.  Maybe it was from the way she let him gently clean her, the smell of her coat under the smell of the ooze, hearing her own heartbeat or just the closeness.  Something about it all had him far more aware of her every motion and expression that passed over her once he could see his face.

His eyes met into hers.  His tail lowered but the end of it swayed rhythmically back and forth.  Her touch was gentle but he was more aware of the feel of her paw than some of the bashing that came in spars.  Kotori lay down in the stream, his side pressed up against hers, “Of course.  Well, princess, you look beautiful once more.  I’d say you're going to live.  Feel better?”  Admittedly crystals still attached was disconcerting but it was a serious improvement.

Had she heard him?  Kotori’s brow crinkled as for a moment she seemed to have spaced out.  Was the sickness messing with her?  “Ikigai? Are you alright?”

"Kotori Fatalis"