It had been two long days since Rinku had made his way back to the temple, and he still hadn't regained conciousness. Chu sat by his bedside day and night not moving, on the evening of the second day Rinku finally woke up.

Rinku sat up gingerly looking around wondering where he was and who the big man sitting beside him beside her was.

"RINKU!" Chu's yell rang through the temple. Sobbing Chu hugged his small friend tightly before remembering Rinku was injured. "Opps, sorry lil' buddy." Gently resettling him intio the blankets Chu blinked away tears from his eyes as the rest of the group came running.

Jin was the first one through the door, followed closely by Touya, Suzuki, then Shishiwakamura, and finally Genkai made it in the door of the over crowded bedroom.

"What 'appended to ya?" Jin floated almost directly above Rinku's bed.

Rinku stared around him at his friends, "I remember falling out of a tree and not much else." he twisted his hands in the sheets before him. He didn't want to tell Chu everything it wouldn't be right, would it?

"Yer safe now Rinku." Chu patted him on the shoulder gingerly with one big hand.

"Your injuries were life-threatening Rinku, you're lucky to be alive." Genkai stared hard at the small boy.

"We thought Chu was going ta wear out the carpet he was pacin' so much laddy." Jin chuckled then turned serious, "Are ye sure ya don't remember nothin? Aye, ye say ye canna remember but aye think ye can."

"I... I'm sorry, I was so frustrated because I felt left out so much lately. I didn't notice the storm until it was on me." Rinku was crying into his blanket now, "I just want my big brother back, I'm sorry!" Crying even harder than before Rinku felt miserable for causing his friend to worry.

Tears were streaming down Chu's face as he realized that he was the reason Rinku was so badly hurt.

"No, I'm sorry Rinku-" Chu's voice cracked as he knelt by his young friend he realized that Rinku viewed him as an older, respected sibling, not just a friend.

"Come on boys, let's give them some space." Genkai's voice was quiet but firm as she herded the rest of the group out the door giving Chu and Rinku some time alone.

Sorry for the extreme delay, I got busy with other things. I hope everyone enjoyed this final chapter of Alone. Please leave me a review to let me know what you think.

^_^ KB

"I don't have to be faster than the dragon, I just have to be faster than you."