Reluctant Healer

The Healer's Oni Mask

"What the hell is that?"

I look at Mikael her brows crossed together in defense as she stood in front of a still sleeping Katya, hours after I healed her. 

"What?" I asked because there are so many things where her question could come from and I frankly don't want to waste my breath answering when she meant another. If you were wondering why I didn't leave the moment I've healed Katya, Its cause I felt guilty, I didn't know if she has more wounds I needed to heal for my powers only work to wounds I can see or sense. 

"That!" she said, pointing with her lips, I look back towards my dirt-covered nails to the part of the land I began to dig and towards the body on the side, waiting to be buried, the Fae that tried to kill me but instead almost cut Katya in half.

"come on, you have to be more specific than just lips pointing"

"in your face, that mask?! what the hell is that?"

"REALLY? Out of all the things I'm doing, the mask is all you notice? REALLY?"

"I notice many things Healer, I'm just more curious about that mask you wear"

Before I answer, I touch the mask and felt its smooth texture before it curves into the horns just above the side of my head.

"It's a protection mask, where I came from, magic is something that isn't natural especially when it comes to a human who supposedly cannot possess a single magic in its bones." 

I remove the mask and look at its design, it was an Oni Mask or a Demon Mask, made from the surface of a bamboo smooth to perfection, I remember how my Mother carves it herself since being a social pariah had all the merchants refuse to take in our coins. She did the best she could and to top it off she put a protection spell so that whenever I put on the mask it conceals my ability to be sensed by others.

"it also acts as a barrier for those that travel from afar, to get as far away from us as possible"

"You're from that island on the south aren't you?"

"Not anymore"

Not really feeling to explain, I start to dig again using it as an excuse to end our conversation. It seems Mikael got the hint and sat down, her back facing me.

By the time I finished digging deep enough for the dead Fae's body, it was already nighttime. The crackle of the fire had my face looking back to the couple, Katya is still asleep and Mikael turning the fishes in the fire she made.

My stomach growls loudly at the sight of the fish being grilled bitterly remembering my lack of fishing skills. The irony that I was from an island yet couldn't learn how to catch a fish isn't lost on me.

"Want some?"

I didn't hesitate to say yes and run towards the fire, though stopping to use lighter footsteps when I made it to Katya's side. I readily devour the finish almost choking when I swallow some fish bone.

"Argh. Slow down human, you eat like my brother"

"Your brother?"

"Yeah. He eats like there's tomorrow but that was before... after that..."

She seems to have a hard time speaking so I raised my hand to stop her

"Thank you for the fish but I don't need to hear your story, Mikael. I don't do well with sob stories. This is enough payment for saving your Mate's life" I said raising the grilled fish in my hand.

Mikael only smile bitterly "Here I thought I'm the cold-hearted b*tch. Yet here is a human who could run me for my money"

I didn't bother answering her, I stood up, wash my hands from the stream, test the trees to find one sturdy enough to hold my weight and climb.