He Took The Time
Disclaimer: The characters and world are based on the AU world, Linked Universe, created by jojo56830 on Tumblr. Which is in turn based on the characters and world created by Nintendo.
Dedication: To my annoying little sister who wouldn't stop bugging me until I wrote this. Love ya Kid!
Chapter 1 Twilight
The oldest of the group was growing worried. He'd sent the youngest three of their party to town. The party was growing stir crazy, with no new monsters to fight lately. Tempers began to flare as boredom led to increased teasing and practical jokes. He'd sent the wolf along to keep them out of trouble. But as the sun began to set he'd worried that he'd made a wrong choice sending them alone.
He had just strapped on his weapons and was heading down the trail leading to town when he came upon the protector he'd sent. He was alone and no longer in wolf form. Worse case scenarios flashed through his mind as he stumbled toward the young man.
"Pup!"
"I'm fine, Old Man."
"What happened?"
"Moblins."
"Are the others alright?"
"Yeah, they're good." Not all the members knew of his secret transformation. "I left them on the trail so I could transform before they made it back to camp."
Everything seemed to have an explanation except why the younger hero was bracing an arm against his side. If he was injured in their skirmish, they needed to attend the wound. There was no point in hiding an injury. There was no room for pride, stubbornness, or independence when it came to the health of each member of the group. Because an unhealed wound could mean the difference between victory or loss; life, or death.
"Then what's wrong with your ribs?"
"Nothing," He seemed a little too defensive. Pulling away as the older man reached to examine for possible hidden injuries.
Growing suspicious the leader gave an order, "Let me examine your wound."
"I don't have a wound," He could almost see the wolf in the growled words.
He glared with his good eye as the other squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze. They waited in silence neither wanting to give an inch. The same stubborn blood flowing through their veins. Before finally the younger huffed a sigh of annoyance at losing to his ancestor.
"I'm fine, but she's not," He pulled out a wounded creature from under the protection of his tunic. "I heard her cries in the woods after we defeated the Moblins."
"The Moblins did this?"
He nodded, quieting her whimpers.
"Well, we best give this one some healing potion."
"But the Captain said we were running low and we couldn't waste them on trivial wounds."
"This seems more than a simple burn or bruise."
"But..."
"Helping those in need is what we are meant to do."
"Thank you."
"Come, let's get her back to camp."
They began walking back side by side. The older hero gave his descendent a knowing look out the corner of his good eye.
"And Pup, don't think I don't know about those cracked ribs. We will be taking care of those when we get back to camp as well."