Chapter 4
AN: Kanna is owned by my friend, Star. Lupine and Riki are owned by my friend Leaf and I.
It was midnight. Lupine was fast asleep, curled up on the cave floor. Riki woke up, feeling groggy. His face still stung him. Whimpering a bit, he held his hands in front of him. He could only see from one eye. Glancing at the slumbering Lupine, Riki wanted to wake her up. Giving off a small sigh, he sat next to her, his face still in pain as he closed his good eye.
"I know she said in the morning we will be heading in town for things…" he said to himself. "I just… don't want to go…"
Fear was still nipping at him as he rested his hands in his lap. Biting his lower lip, he gritted his fangs in frustration. Nothing like this has happened before. Not an injury like this. He had other wounds in his past, but mainly from sparring with his best friend. He would not mess with the bandages on his face; Lupine would scold him for it if he did. He laid back down next to Lupine and closed his eye. However, something seemed to be preventing him from going back to sleep. The pain and that attack. It was forever burned into his memory. He moved closer to Lupine and stayed next to her,, nuzzling under her arm.
"Must sleep…" he sighed.
The wound was still on his mind. However, with him nuzzled under Lupine's arm, he felt a sense of safety. Everything hurt on him. From the constant stinging pain of his scar to the pit of his stomach, it felt like a flame igniting within his body.
Morning rose once again. Riki was fast asleep. Seemed like he just fell asleep not too long ago. Lupine was already awake and packing things up. Walking over to the Shinobi, she lightly tapped his shoulder.
"Riki, time to rise and shine!"
Riki grunted a bit as he covered his good eye. Slowly sitting up, he looked down at his lap. He knew Lupine was near him, but he did not want to say anything, being tired still and refusing to move a muscle to go outside. Lupine knelt down to his level and lifted his chin up with her hand.
"Riki?" the Empress asked. "Did you not sleep well?"
He shook his head and didn't make any eye contact.
"It hurts. The pain kept me up… Then I kept havin' nightmares..."
"Do you want to tell me those nightmares?" Lupine's voice was really concerning. Riki's only response was a simple head shake. Looking up a bit, he watched Lupine pull out some fresh bandages and herbs.
"It's okay, Riki. Here. Let's change your bandages and clean your face. Maybe we can head to town later again. I'm low on herbs anyway."
His face was a bit dirty from his tears and what blood Lupine could clean off.
Unwrapping the bandages off the side of his face, Lupine carefully cleaned the boy's face and wound. Riki winced a bit again and slowly pulled himself back. A few whimpers came out from his mouth. That pain made his face feel as though it was on fire. That scar on his face. A deep cut that permanently impaired his vision. He could not see a thing out of that eye. The only thing he could see was darkness. Inky, black darkness. Riki only wished he could see how he looked now. How did his scar look to him? What would he do if he saw it? This moment faded when he felt Lupine press a cloth gently on his face.
"Scars can tell a story. Like the one I have. Maybe if it's okay, I could tell you how I earned mine." She wanted to strike up a conversation to take his mind off of his own scar.
The boy remained silent as he felt his face being wrapped up once again. Lupine helped him to his feet and let him lean on her for support. He was being drowsy and having a sense of self doubt, not wanting to step foot out of the cave.
"Lupine, I wanna stay here… It's dangerous..." He said in a weak tone. His voice was a mix of being tired and him on the verge of tears. His body felt like jelly and cold. He grasped onto the Empress' Dragon Arm to keep him standing up. "I'm just too scared!"
She looked over at the Shinobi boy. His face pale white and his body shaking. She held him close, keeping his body supported. Letting one of his ninja bandaged arms go over her shoulder, she held him gently.
"I'll keep you close. If any monsters come near, I will fry them."
"I'm not going near those plants!"
She did not want to fuss with him over this. She only patted his head with the Dragon Arm. Handing him a honey cookie from her pouch, she gave a reassuring smile.
"Eat this, please. I want you to take your mind off things."
Riki slowly munched on his cookie as he clung onto Lupine. He was reluctant to go outside. There would be monsters out at this hour anyway, mainly Fruit Flies, Demonpillars and Goblins. Lupine knew her way around the area and would try to avoid any small conflict. Even if she was not holding the boy close, she could still easily dispose of the monsters.
It was warm outside as the sun shined through the weaving trees of the forest. Those trees acted like large protectors. Various smells wafted in the air, from sweet smells of honey and sap on the trees to the pungent, rotting fruit stench emanating from Demonpillars. Lupine carefully walked in the forest, with her holding Riki close. That was when two Demonpillars emerged from the bushes. One was coloured purple and the other an emerald green. One crawled in front of the two and the other snuck from behind, surrounding them. Riki whimpered a bit. He had his kunais, but he was frightened to draw them out.
"Lupine… Look!"
"I have it handled. Riki, stay close."
The two Demonpillars, both as big as Ogre bellies, surrounded them, inching closer and closer every second. Their scuttling noises grew louder and louder, to the point where Riki could hear the green one about to hawk a wad of silk at them. Their rancid stench overtook his sense of smell. He could never look at monster meat the same way again.
He saw the green Demonpillar's huge, dark eyes staring right at him. The low gurgling noises coming from it was all he could hear. Some sort of spit dripped from the beast's mouth. He could almost feel his one good eye sting and well up from the impact that was to come.
"Help… me..."
The other one that Lupine was facing overheard the kunai falling to the ground. It gave off the same screech as it stood up on its back limbs, towering over the two. Lupine, hearing Riki's whimpering and the two beasts ready to pounce on them, was getting concerned herself. They were surrounded like a mouse with a tom cat. She could attack one and then the other, but that would leave Riki out in the open. She could ask Riki to hide and take cover, but both beasts would follow him. What could they do? There was nothing for her Dragon Arm to latch onto where she could swing Riki and herself to safety. Instead, she scooped up Riki and placed her on her back where he could ride piggy-back style.
"Hang on, Riki," she commanded. "We are going to get out of this!"
Holding onto the handle of her sword, she impaled the green Demonpillar first. Tearing into its flesh, it screeched in pain,as red oozy liquid seeped out. While it was in pain, it tried to attack the two. With another sword strike, this time striking it in the neck, the large insect collapsed onto the ground. Its blood oozed onto the grass and rock-covered ground.
Riki uncovered his face with his hand as he saw the one Demonpillar perish. However, seeing its blood seeping out made him feel uneasy, not to mention the stench. It reeked of rotting fruit. The Shinobi felt his stomach churn from the smell. However, neither of them were home free, just yet.
The purple Demonpillar that Riki was against before eyed the boy. It snarled in a rather chattery way, similar how some birds would make. That was when Lupine gave that one a light kick to the head. Riki however lost his grasp on Lupine and fell onto his rear on the ground, next to the Demonpillar carcass.
"Haah…" Riki was terrified now and a bit queasy. The smell emitting from it and its bleeding made him feel uneasy. His tummy gurgled a bit. He was too frightened to move. He covered his eye once again.
Lupine impaled the other Demonpillar, with this one screeching in pain. Blood oozed out from its body. Like its partner, it collapsed on the ground in a heap. Both bodies laid there. Nature would consume them later. The forest animals and smaller monsters, they'll eat them up later. The purple ones were poisonous, but some monsters have built an immunity in their systems. Riki sat on the ground, still horrified. That was when Lupine walked over to him. She picked up his kunai and placed it in his belt. She scooped him up and looked over at him.
"Riki..." she said softly. "I know this is hard… but..."
She cut herself off. She knew the other went through a lot. Losing his eye and then sitting next to a dead Demonpillar. She was not a fan of the stench herself. That smell made her nose feel as if she inhaled curry powder, burning and making her eyes water. Putting Riki back on her back again, she carried him away from the area.
"Let's try to get out of here, Riki," she said.
Taking a short path and back to that busy town once more, Lupine wondered if Riki would want to walk alongside her. Setting him down, the young boy held onto her skirt. He held onto his stomach too, still queasy from dead Demonpillar. The crowds of people surrounded him, like the two Demonpillars except there were hundreds of them, all chattering nonstop.
"My tummy hurts. My face hurts… I'm scared… Lupine, I couldn't do it..!"
All she could do was pat his head with her hand. They had to find something. She was low on herbs and she used most on Riki. Maybe get something to cover his bad eye. Riki did not like being in this crowded town. He wanted to go back to their temporary home. It was safer for him. MUCH safer. However, the boy felt something nudge his backside. Looking behind him with his good eye was a rather friendly horse-like creature. Riki did not see this as friendly. Instead, he darted out with a flash and hid himself in a barrel. The horse like creature flicked its ears and tilted its curious head.
Lupine sighed and walked over to the barrel. She scooped up Riki and set him back on his feet.
"Oi Riki." She was not angry, but concerned for him. He was in pain from his wound and his fears were eating away at him. Every creature, monster, and common animal seemed to jump at him when he turned his back. It didn't matter if it were as small and harmless as a rabbit. That rabbit would turn into a dark, rotten fruit-smelling beast in the boy's good eye. He followed behind Lupine as she stopped at a shop. Purchasing some more herbs and a little something for Riki, she turned back to the boy.
"Let's go back, okay? Would you like to hunt with me later? Or would you rather stay in the cave?"
Riki said no word. He just wanted to head back to their cave home. So they headed back to the cave. Riki sat on the cold, cave floor while Lupine grabbed her sword. Looking over at the boy, she gave a small smile.
"If you do tag along, stay close and in the clearing. Don't wander off. If you do get scared, call me. Monsters tend to go after ones who are afraid."
Maybe he should follow her. However, he was a bit frightened still. His one violet-coloured eye looked up at Lupine. Grabbing his leather bag, he pulled out a few honey cookies and slowly ate them. Lupine's comfort made him feel a bit better.
Both reached a clearing area with a few bushes. Riki stayed near while Lupine went on a hunt. They would have to have some food for the night.
Riki sighed softly as he watched Lupine vanish into the bushes. Her footsteps grew softer and softer, until sound succumbed to a deafening silence. All the boy heard was his own breathing.
Inhale, exhale.
He imagined Lupine coming back with the monster meat.
Inhale, exhale.
He imagined Lupine coming back with the monster meat and a Demonpillar.
Inhale, exhale.
He imagined Lupine-
That was when he heard the bushes rustle. He just sat there, shaking and biting his lower lip.
That was when something sprang out from the bushes. Riki froze. Whatever rose from the bushes gave Riki a smack on the back of his head. Not with a paw, claw or a tail, but with a broom.
"Ahhh!" the boy cried. He scrambled up a tree and clung onto the branch. He opened his good eye as he looked down from where he was. Out from the bushes was a young girl that wore a rather strange-looking hat. Another one that had the Dragon Scar? She was about his age or a year younger at least.
Riki remained in the tree, wondering if she was dangerous or a threat. She was confused where she was. Curious, Riki flipped out from the tree and landed next to her. He kept a good distance from her. The young female glanced at Riki. Her hat-like Dragon was curious of the boy, too. That was when the young girl's stomach growled. Seemed like she was hungry. Instead, Riki pulled out his leather pouch and offered her a honey cookie. He looked the other way, hoping she did not notice his bandaged eye.
"Y-you're hungry… Don't hurt me..."
She took the cookie and ate it. She then walked over to the boy, her expression remaining neutral. She held her hand out, reaching towards Riki's face. Seeing that was not something he wanted, so Riki quickly pulled himself back. Would he call for Lupine or would he try to talk to the girl?
He sat down on the grass, away from the strange girl. He would rather wait for Lupine than try to talk to her. He kept his back turned from her. Maybe ignoring her would make her go away.
Lupine soon returned, dragging a boar next to her. She saw Riki and the strange girl. Walking up to Riki, she helped him up.
"Are you okay, Riki? I heard something. I figured you'd head back to the cave." Looking at the other, she noticed the strange, pink hat-wearing girl and that she was around Riki's age. Holding Riki near her, she walked over to the young girl.
"Are you lost?" she asked.
"No..." The girl softly said. "I'm Kanna… I thought he was a monster..."
Lupine looked over at Riki and back at the Witch girl. Maybe she could help out. This girl was a stranger, however. It never hurts to ask, right?
"I'm Lupine and this is Riki. As you can see, we kind of have a problem..."
She unwrapped Riki's bandages off his face, showing his wound to the other. The young Witch was curious. She wanted to touch it. However, Lupine motioned her finger, discouraging her. Riki's scarred face had a rash around the wound. He made a few whimpering noises from the burning pain.
"I wonder, I do not want to be a bother, but do you think you can help? Maybe sooth his pain or at least help clean it?"
Riki covered his bad eye with his hand. He did not want anyone touching his face. He chewed a bit on his lip and looked away, burying his head in Lupine's chest.
"I can try… but… he has to hold still. I can try a small, healing spell that may ease his pain. However, I don't think he is able to see from it any more."
Lupine looked at the Witch and gave a nod. She held onto Riki and looked down at him. A calm smile came across her face as she patted his head.
"See? Riki, she won't hurt you. Just hold still."
Kanna walked over to Riki and held her finger out. He wondered what she was going to do. Would she take out his other eye or hurt him? He closed his good eye and held still. The small Witch lightly poked Riki in the nose, which caused him to move back a bit. A small pink spark emitted from her finger, causing Riki to slowly back away.
Kanna pulled her finger away and instead handed Lupine something from her leather pouch. She slowly backed away as she picked up her broom.
"I have to head back… If you want to visit, I am staying at an inn with a friend. What I gave you is some ointment. It helps with pain. I use it on my friend whenever we get hurt on adventures..."
She gave a shy wave and then looked at Riki.
"T-thank you for the cookie..."
Heading back to the cave, Riki sat on the cold cave floor. Lupine was busy lighting up a small fire so they could have a feast. She took a short break and sat in front of him.
"She was a nice girl, Riki. Looks like she was about your age. Maybe we will meet her again someday. C'mon. Let's try what she gave us."
The jar was a greenish, earth tone colour, complete with a cork on top. Upon opening it, they saw a gel-like substance inside. It was a sickly yellow colour and smelled of fresh lemons that were finely chopped. Lupine dipped her index and middle finger into the jar and motioned for Riki to come near her.
"What's that?" he asked. Before he could say anything else, he felt the substance being slathered around his wound. From that burning sensation came a chilly one. It felt like going from a burning forest to a cold, snowy one. Riki yelped from the touch.
"Ouuaa.. it's cold… Hurts..."
He held back his tears as he stared down at his lap, looking at the dragon heads that were on his knees. "Lupine… it hurts… I couldn't fight earlier…!" He looked up at her, his good eye streaming with tears. "I can't do this..."
Lupine brushed away the boy's tears and sat next to him. She lifted his chin up and smiled at him.
"Try to be strong, Riki. Be strong for me. Be strong for the Dragonbloods!"
He looked the other way, not saying a word. He went silent until Lupine pulled something out of the leather pouch. Holding it out towards him, she parted his bangs. It was a leather eye patch. Riki saw some adults wear them, mainly sailors or hardened old fighters. This one was a brown, earthly colour with a strong strap on it.
"I figured I'd get you an eyepatch. It'd be better than wearing those bandages all the time."
She strapped it around Riki's head and give him a smile. And Riki? He just sat there, pouting a bit. She knew he was still scared, hurting and upset. She wanted him to feel better and try to see what was best for him and his well being. Parting his bangs over his bad eye, she tapped the end of his nose. Riki looked up at her, sad eyes and all. He then struggled a small smile, showing his fangs.
"T-thank you Lupine..." he sobbed. "I'm still too scared, though…"
She ruffled his messy hair and started to cook some meat. Maybe something in his stomach would help him feel a bit better. That night, Riki ate what he could. He flopped onto his side, staring at the cave's wall. What if monsters came in? What if Lupine was not around when he was alone? What could he do? All he could do was ponder. He soon drifted off to sleep, next to the fire.
TBC
