Chapter Three: Wanting to Protect You

(Kowalski's POV)

"Rune...? Rune!!" I shouted as soon as I saw her lying on the ground, bleeding. I turned to the human and attacked him with the team one last time, making him retreat with his friends. I then quickly ran to my fallen comrade's side. "...R-Rune?" I lifted her up gently. She wasn't breathing! Just as i began to panic, Rune's eyes shot open and she sucked in a bunch of air.

"N-Nng...K-Kowalski...?" she muttered before passing out again.

"Skippa...Will she be alright?" I heard Private ask.

"S-Sure she will! Let's take her back to HQ. She'll stay there until she's better," Skipper said with a bit of a shaky voice.

"Is there anything I can do?" Julien offered.

All of our jaws opened wide. Julien? Being non-selfish?! It was illogical as well as unbelievable!

"Why do you want to help?" Skipper asked in shock.

"...She...she saved my life. I'll do all in my kingly powers to help Runey!" He declared.

"Let him help, Skipper," I said, not taking my eyes off of Rune, "We'll need all the help we can get if we want Rune to be on the fast track to recovery."

Skipper sighed. "Alright, Ringtail, you can help... but one false move and you're out!"

---

We had put Rune in my bed and bandaged her up as she slept in my bunk. It was hours before she woke up again.

Rune yawned and stretched, wearing a smile. "Hey, guys. What's going on?"

"Rune! You're okay!" Private shouted, hugging his friend.

I noticed that Rune looked confused, then her face turned into horror. "I-I remeber now! A crazy human threw me!" She looked at her body. She had bandages around her left thigh, right arm and around her head. "Man, I'm messed up pretty bad, huh?"

"Don't worry, Red," Skipper told her, "You'll be healed soon."

"If you say so, Skip," Rune sighed.

I noticed Skipper flinched. "W-What did you call me?"

"Skip. What? You think you're the only one who can give out nick name?"

"Is there anything I can get you, Runey?" Julien asked suddenly.

"Er...sure? Can you get me some food and something to drink?" Rune waited until Julien agreed and ran off before asking; "What's up with him?"

"He thinks he owes you something since you saved his life," Skipper explained.

"Oh...well, it's freakin' freaky," she replied, pushing herself up from the bunk, "So, when do I begin training again?"

"Kowalksi, when will Rune's wounds be healed?" Skipper asked me.

I got out my notepad and scribbled down some numbers. "According to the data, she should be healed fully in three days."

"Three days?!?" Rune gasped, "What the hell do I do for three days?!"

Skipper rubbed his flipper under his beak. "Hmm... You could-"

"We'll take care of you!" Julien shouted as he returned with some Lichi nuts and a juice box, "Won't we Maurice?"

"Ah, sure we will," Maurice agreed.

Mort only growled and crossed his tiny arms.

I could tell Rune got nervous. "Er, no, no, guys! Really! I can-"

"Shushy-shush! I am the King and you do as your king tells you and I am telling you to let us take care of you!" Julien shouted, handing Rune her food and drink.

Rune nibbled the Lichi nut, then made a disgusted face and quickly drank her juice. She looked up to Julien and sighed. "Alright, Julien, but only until I feel better, then I'm off to- aaah!" Julien had grabbed her hand and took her back to the habitat with Maurice and Mort close behind.

It wasn't until Rune was gone when I started to feel bad that I sent her to her doom. My heart sank and a strange feeling consumed me. I didn't want Rune to get hurt again. I'd do what I could to protect her...

---

(Rune's POV)

Back at home, Julien was bugging the heck outta me. It was quite annoying how he'd ask me if I need help doing everything!

"Julien, I'm fine," I snapped for the hundredth. I hated being rude, but I could only put up with so much. Julien, of course, didn't listen and he still bugged me.

I was trying to adjust the spike collars I found in a small box in the zooveiner shop along with gold bracelets as well. I put a spiked collar around my wrists and neck, then put the gold bracelet on each on my arm. I turned to Julien. "How do I look?"

"You look like you need some help."

I growled under my breath. "Stop! I don't need help! Just leave me alone, okay?!" Maybe I shouldn't have snapped like that, but it was too late to take it back for I had already stormed off.

Later that night, I started to feel bad. Looking ahead, I saw Julien mopping on his bouncy. I had to talk to him...but...I had no idea what to say. "H-Hey, Julien...You okay?"

"No. I am NOT okay...," he muttered.

I sighed and sat down next to him. "Listen...I'm sorry I snapped at you, okay? I just like being independent."

Julien gave me a weird look. "You like being in the pedant?"

"What? No! Independent! It means I like doing things on my own, rather than having someone's help...also, I don't really like getting too much attention..."

Julien said he understood, but he looked away. I thought he was still mad. "You look nice," Julien mumbled, "The collars and bracelets make you stick out like in the good way, not in the sore thumb way..."

I blinked, then smiled as I snuggled up to his side. "Thanks, Julien...I'm so glad you're my friend."

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A/N: Mehehehe. Chapter three(just so ya all know, i don't count the author's note as a chapter...)! To review, Kowalski is feeling guilty for sending Rune back alone and there's a hint that Julien might like Rune! DUM DUM DUM!! Too bad for Julien that Rune has a crush on Kowalski and only thinks of Julien as a friend.

Also, i had someone say that i should put less cursing in here, so i did. Just curious; how many people think i shouldn't put any curse words in here?(Oh! And go to my profile and take my polls for my story, please ^^)

I just wanted to thank everyone who reviewed meh story! It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside ^//^

Keep on Reviewing everyone! ^,~