Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: I do seem to be doing this a lot and I apologize. I ended up getting pneumonia right after Christmas and I'm just now feeling better. I hope to go back to how I used to be when I would update. I will try my hardest. Thank you for those who are still reading and being patient with me.

One Fight Ends, Another Begins

The cat swiped its paw at Sky who dodged it and then turned around thrusting his sword into its' arm. It yowled in pain and swiped again. This time Sky held his sword up and blocked the claws.

This continued for a while but then when Sky was blocking the cats' claws the cat drew its other paw back and swiped at Sky. His sword lowered and the cat withdrew its' claws and glared at him. Sky looked at his arm that was searing in pain, the blood falling from his arm and knew that he wouldn't last for much longer.

As its paw started coming towards him he realized that even if he were to die, at least he wouldn't have to worry about marrying that girl. But the cat stopped and the sound emanating from its mouth was piercing, much worse than from earlier. It fell on all fours and Sky unsteadily moved towards it. For whatever reason this cat was dying, he took his sword and stabbed it into its front and hopefully its' heart and as he pulled it out he saw a fire slowly consuming the thing.

Stepping back he leaned against one of the trees and watched as the cat slowly turned to ash revealing the brunette he had just rescued on the other side holding a torch and looking just as surprised as he felt.

"I thought I told you to leave the woods."

The girl narrowed her eyes at him, "And?"

"Can't you listen?"

"Look, if I hadn't come back, you would have been dead. So I suggest you thank me and get over yourself."

"The cat got a lucky shot in, that's not a crime."

The girl moved over to him, "He got you good."

He glared at her and then moved to step towards her, as he did he almost fell. Looking down he saw that the claw had gotten not only his arm but his leg as well. He tried to step again but found movement hard. The girl moved over to his injured side, "Come on, I'll help you."

"I'm fine."

"Oh you sure look fine."

Realizing that he couldn't walk by himself and he needed to get out of this woods before something happened he gritted his teeth and let the brunette help him. He let her put her arm around him and then leaned on her. He made sure that he didn't lean so much on her, but enough that the two were able to move through the rest of the woods.

Once outside he saw the blonde girl's face change from worried to relief to scared. Thinking there was another animal that had followed them he stopped and turned around, "What are you doing?" The girl at his side asked.

"She's scared."

The blonde spoke up, "Of course I am, you're hurt really bad."

"I'm fine."

"Look we're going to have to get somewhere. Is—"

"The cottage isn't that far away." The girl glared at him, "What?" He raised an eyebrow, daring her to say something.

She nodded and then pointed to his horse, "You better ride."

"I couldn't—"

This time she cut him off, "Yes you can. You're the injured one here, it'll go faster if get on the horse and we walk next to it. You said it's not fair, so we have to take your word on it."

Sky knew she was right, though with her attitude, and he had only known her for a short time, he wanted to say she was wrong. But they needed to get away from the woods and the fastest was if he was on the horse. He nodded.

"First you need to get something on your arm and leg."

The blonde tied up his horse and then moved over to him and the other girl, "We can use my dress."

The brunette nodded and they used strips from the dress that she was wearing. They were both wearing rather nice dresses, more than just commoners would wear, taking away the wear and tear. They took strips of the dress from underneath so they weren't dirty and carefully wrapped them around his arm and leg.

The blond brought his horse to him and after getting him to sit down Sky got on the horse not once crying out from the pain. The three quietly and slowly made it back to the cabin, it being dark when they got there. Sky slowly and carefully got off his horse and proceeded to head to the stable before the brunette stopped him.

"I can take care of your horse."

"I'm fine." He winced at the pain in his arm and leg.

"Please," the dark haired girl rolled her eyes, "you're not fine, just deal with that fact. Go inside and I'll be in there in a minute."

"Will you be okay?" The blond asked.

"Yes, don't worry." She smiled at the girl and then took the reins from his hand and went with his horse to the stable.

"Come on." She was moving towards the door but Sky still had his eyes on his horse. "Don't worry, she knows what she's doing. We've both been taught."

He frowned and then moved toward the house again knowing that he didn't want to fall. Once inside he headed towards the library area and sat on one of the chairs, the blond girl stood looking at him, "What should I do?"

"Move that chair over here so I can put my leg on it." He couldn't believe she had to ask. After she brought the chair over and he moved his injured leg on it he looked at the blond, "Do I need to do the rest?"

"No, I just…I…" At that point the door opened and she smiled, "Z!" She called out causing Sky to raise an eyebrow. What an odd expression.

The pushy girl walked over to the two of them, "Don't worry your horse is fine."

"She better be."

"She is."

"Good."

The girl rolled her eyes and went off into the kitchen area and began looking around in the cupboards and drawers, "Where are some rags?"

"The cabinet on the end."

After she got them she got a bowl that she had found on her hunt for the rags and handed it to the other girl who had joined her, "Go get some water."

She left the cottage quickly and the remaining girl began getting light into the other areas so it wasn't in the dim light from the left over fire before Sky had left earlier that day. By the time she was done the other was back with water. They both headed back over to Sky and the brunette sat down on his injured side and took off the bandages and began cleaning them, "They don't look too deep."

"I think I'll need a doctor."

She looked up at him, "Where exactly is there a doctor?"

"It's half a days ride east. He lives on the outskirts of the town over there."

Looking out the window she pursed her lips and thought for a moment before looking back at him, "Will you make it through the night?"

"Yes. It's not life threatening."

"Good." She turned and began cleaning the wounds again.

"I'm Syd," the blonde said smiling, "and this is my sister Z."

He raised an eyebrow, "Zee? Your name is Zee?"

"No, no, it's the letter."

"Your name is a letter?"

"So, what's your name?" Z asked.

He paused momentarily before he continued, "Sky."

"Nice to meet you Sky. Thank you so much for saving us."

He shrugged, "You shouldn't have been wandering in those woods."

"We got lo—"

"Syd!" Z looked at her sister.

"You got lost?"

Z took a breathe and finished wrapping his arm, "So, shouldn't you also be thanking me?"

He gritted his teeth, he knew she was right, but still…"Thank you."

"You're welcome." She smirked at him and then moved onto his leg.

"Are you hungry?" Syd asked.

"I'm fine."

"Syd, try and get some bread or something for all of us to have alright?"

"Sure, no problem."

Sky watched as she went towards the kitchen and then turned back to Z, "You shouldn't have been in the Dying Woods."

"We didn't plan it, it just happened."

"Alright."

By the time Syd got back over there Z was finished with both Sky's arms and legs so they ate some bread and then helped Sky up to one of the bedrooms. After getting him onto the bed with some covers over him, he looked at the girls, "There are two other bedrooms, use them."

"Thanks." Syd replied.

"And I'll leave tomorrow to get the doctor."

"Are you sure—"

"Get some rest Sky. Z said and then turned and left the room with Syd following. Sky finally allowed himself to give in and closed his eyes quickly falling asleep.