Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, just using them.
Chapter three
Kenshin's POV
I caught Saito as he fell sideways and eased him down into a laying position. Idiot wolf, he should have said something before. I removed the bandage that I had put on earlier and probed the wound gently. The edges were ragged and swelling rapidly. I sighed and tore another piece of fabric from his shirt and placed it on the wound. The fabric was cold and it made Saito shiver slightly. Looking around I saw a wood pile and went to start the fire. Though the cave offered more protection than the stand of trees had, it was also colder.
The fire warmed the cave gradually and I pulled Saito away from the wall near the entrance. I looked around the rest of the cave slowly, not wanting to disturb any animals that were hiding farther back. I found a medicine box and some supplies as well. Saito was semiconscious and sitting up by the time I had dragged the medicine box back to the fire. The bandage was on the floor.
"Lay down you idiot." I snapped limping over to him. "You'll bleed to death if you keep moving around."
Saito didn't respond he just sat there staring at me. I went to him and shoved him back down roughly, getting a hiss of pain from the wolf. I opened the box and found a needle and thread in a smaller box. There was also a small pan for boiling water. I took the pan and got some snow from outside the cave. I set it in the coals and sat on Saito's left side. He reached out and grabbed my right hand and brought it to his mouth. He bit my arm hard and I jerked backwards. He smirked and closed his eyes.
"That was for hitting me." Saito said before passing out. I rubbed the sore spot and made sure that he didn't draw blood. There was a bruise in the shape of his teeth but nothing more.
Soon the water was boiling and I used some clean rags to wash Saito's wound. Then I worked on stitching the skin back together. It was rough work, but at least Saito would stop bleeding if he laid still for a day or so. I cleaned up the mess that I made and piled more wood on the fire before closing my eyes to sleep.
Saito's POV
I opened my eyes and regretted it almost immediately. I was dizzy and my side ached almost unbearably. I turned my head to see the Battousai sleeping not far away and remembered that he had punched me. Then I remembered the bite I had given him. I chuckled weakly and that woke the Battousai. He moved toward me and I smirked at him.
"What is so funny?" He asked glaring. I laughed harder and my side began to throb. The Battousai stared. "Stop laughing because if you tear those stitches I'll slit your throat."
I stopped laughing gradually and sighed. I hadn't laughed like that in a long time. The Battousai rolled his eyes and reached towards me. His fingers touched my forehead and remained there for a moment. I let out a pathetic growl and it was the Battousai's turn to laugh.
"Poor wolf pup. All bark and no bite today." He taunted before walking away from me. I felt my temper rising and the strength that came from it gave me just enough power to sit up on my own. The Battousai turned around. "LAY DOWN!"
I felt my strength drain away as fast as it had come and I lay back down on the cold floor. I glared at the Battousai as he checked the stitches and I grabbed onto his pants leg as he turned to walk away again.
"Why did you save me again Battousai?" I asked holding his gaze for a minute. He easily pulled away and didn't answer my question for a second time. He had found the supplies and he pulled out some hard tack to chew gnaw on. He tossed some to me and stared into the fire. "Answer me Battousai."
"Eat and rest wolf. Then I'll answer you."He said quietly turning to look at me. His eyes were purple again and for some odd reason they put me at ease. I ate and then went to sleep.
Kenshin's POV
I watched the wolf sleep and began to think about his question again. Why had I saved him? I knew I had an answer for him, but it eluded me yet again. So I finished my meal and bandaged my own wounds before falling asleep as well.
TBC…