Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Restoration ❯ Battle ( Chapter 8 )

The animal sharply clubbed Lee across the head as Ryo attacked with his sword. The animal's dark brown pelt grew dark with blood at the source of the wound and it turned sharply in pain. Ryo bared his fangs, his mind dark with rage. He was the only one that could abuse Lee. He swung his sword again, wincing as blood spurted out from the fresh wound. The creature pawed at him, cutting deep into Ryo's upper arm. Ryo's eyes darkened in pain as he grabbed his injured appendage.

"I'm here to help you my lord," D said as he appeared behind Ryo. Ryo winced in pain as he glanced behind him.

"Get Lee out of here," Ryo hissed and D nodded his head.

"Shall I come back?"

"Just take him and go. I know what I'm doing."

D picked up the bleeding figure of Lee and quickly left the area while the creature was still focused on Ryo. Ikara stood up and stared at Lee, who was bleeding heavily. D laid Lee on the ground and ripped his shirt. He gazed at Ikara who stood watching him and growled in annoyance. Humans.

"Why don't you help instead of just standing around? Take that bucket and get some water. I need to clean his wounds," D said as he ripped Lee's shirt. He gazed in the direction that he had come from and hoped that Ryo knew what he was doing. He had just recently recovered from the effects of the poison and now he was getting injured again. Would it ever end?

"Here's the water," Ikara said as he set the bucket next to D.

"Thanks. Get into Lee's bag and start stripping some of his shirts. We're going to need a lot of makeshift bandages. Ryo hasn't come back yet," D said as he cleaned Lee's wounds.

"Is he still alive?"

"Ryo? Yeah, but there's a lot of blood in the air. He may come back half dead but he'll be alive. Keep cleaning him up. Ryo's coming back with some fresh meat."

"Fresh meat again? Couldn't we go hunting for berries or something?"

"Just get used to the smell Ikara. Fix it up will you D? I've got to wash up," Ryo said as he pulled the animal's carcass into camp. He laid the body near the fire and Ikara's face paled. Ryo wiped the blood off of his hands as he walked over to D.

"God that smells," Ikara said as he tried not to become ill. Ryo ignored him as he gazed at Lee.

"How is he?"

"He's got a head injury," D said as he took out his blade. Ryo's eyes flashed in anger for a moment but he said nothing.

"Wonderful. How bad is it?" Ryo asked.

"I don't know. I haven't checked the severity of his injury. How are you?"

"Take care of him. I'll take care of myself."

"You're in pain, aren't you?"

"It's not that bad. Just take care of him."

D watched Ryo walk off and sighed. He was definitely hurting but he was more concerned about Lee's safety. He could care less about what happened to him. He wanted Lee to be taken care of first. He needed attention but D was hesitant to give it to him. He was fully aware of Ryo's temper and he didn't want to deal with it.

"That smell is really making me sick," Ikara said as Lee stirred. D glanced up from his work and sighed. He set his knife down and walked over to where Lee lay.

"Are you all right?" D?" D asked as Lee opened his eyes. He squinted as he tried to focus. He winced in pain as Ikara raised another damp cloth to his face.

"I hurt like hell. Where's Ryo? Is he all right?" Lee asked as he gritted his teeth in pain.

"He's alive. I don't know how bad his injuries are. He wouldn't let me see him. He instructed me to take care of you."

"My legs are still attached, aren't they?"

"You can't feel them. Damn. We have a problem. I'll be right back," D said and walked off. He walked to the stream where Ryo knelt and splashed water onto his face with his left hand. He bared his fangs in extreme pain as his tail twitched restlessly. He glanced at D who sat beside him and growled when D tried to touch his injured arm.

"Would you just let me see it? Lee's paralyzed," D said as he leaned closer to Ryo. He stopped when Ryo's tail wrapped around his leg and tightly squeezed it. D winced in pain and drew back. He watched Ryo's eyes which were dark and cloudy and sighed. He had reverted to a more primal state as a result of his injuries. Sometimes he wondered if there was any truth in the myths about Shorel's bloodlust. Ryo could certainly get barbaric at times. Perhaps it was in his blood.

"Did year hear what I said about Lee?" D asked as Ryo stood up, tightly clutching his right arm. D squinted and noticed a shard of bone sticking clearly out through the torn muscle and bloodied skin. Ryo definitely needed medical attention but how was he going to administer it to him?

"Stay with him," Ryo hissed as he turned away from D. He began walking into camp with D close behind him. He was wondering what Ryo was up to and he had a sinking feeling that he knew what the prince was doing. When Ryo walked up to Nightwing, D's thoughts were confirmed.

"Where the hell are you going?" D asked as he followed Ryo. He watched Ryo painfully mount his horse and made a move to stop him. Ryo bared his fangs, which seemed to be much longer, and D drew back.

"You are not to leave him no matter what happens."

"Where are you going? Ryoshan…"

"I'm getting help."

"Let Ikara go. You're only making it worse for yourself."

"No. I'm going. I don't trust anyone else with this task."

D watched Ryo ride off and sighed. He hoped the prince knew what he was doing. Stubbornness seemed to be common in the royal demon blood. Perhaps it was just one of those things that happened when two people were deeply in love with each other. D turned and walked back to where Lee lay. All he could do was make sure Lee was all right. Ryo had taken things into his own hands.

Nightwing rode into the demon village late that evening. He whinnied loudly as he waited for someone to come to his aide. Ryo had fallen unconscious about halfway to the village and it had taken the horse a long time to make it there. Thankfully, the horse was loyal and he knew where Ryo had planned to go so he had taken it upon himself to make the rest of the trip with no guidance. He stamped impatiently, awaiting someone that would care for his master. Ord stepped out of his house and squinted in the darkness. Was there something out there? He saw the reflection of the dim light off of what appeared to be an eye and he slowly walked off the porch and lit a lantern. He held it up to the sky and stared at Nightwing who stared silently at him. He walked up to the horse and gently patted its nose.

"What's the commotion out here?" Raling asked as he stepped out of his house.

"It's the prince's horse," Ord replied as the horse neighed impatiently.

"My god is that…? Hold your light to the side Ord."

Ord did as he was told and cried out in shock as his light illuminated the almost corpse-like figure of Ryo. Nightwing glared at them in impatience. Would they hurry up and take care of his master? He had done all that he could and now it was up to them.

"Quickly. We must get his highness inside," Raling said as Ord set his lantern on the ground. Together, they relieved Nightwing of his charge and carried Ryo into the house. They set him on the couch and Raling walked into the bathroom for fresh towels and water. Ord followed him and Raling glanced at him.

"Go fetch the doctor," he said and Ord nodded his head.

Ryo stirred and sharply drew back in pain. He gazed at his surroundings and sighed, pleased that he had made it to his final destination. Raling placed a towel on his injured arm and Ryo growled softly. The frustration over not being able to protect Lee properly still burned brightly within his soul. He should have been able to protect Lee. He had to have made a mistake somewhere.

"What happened my lord?"

"Lee got attacked in the woods. He's paralyzed. You've got to get him some help," Ryo said as he shut his eyes tightly in pain.

"I'll send the doctor as soon as he's finished examining you," Raling said and Ryo growled loudly.

"No. Send him now. I learned how to take care of myself when I lived alone. I can fix this. Take my horse and escort the doctor to Lee. He got hit in the head. I can't lose him."

"As you wish my lord."

Ryo watched Raling walk out of the house and sighed. He felt tired, extremely tired but he had to fix his arm before he could rest. He bared his fangs in pain as he picked up a roll of bandages. He hoped that Lee would be okay as he slowly wrapped his arm. He shouldn't have left him like he did but he had no other choice. He hoped that the doctor would be able to heal him. He did not want to lose Lee. He did not want Lee to die before he did.

"Allow me to help you may lord," Ord said as he walked into the room.

"Careful. It's broken," Ryo growled as Ord took his hand.

"My apologies if I hurt you."

"Has the doctor left?"

"Yes my lord."

"Good. I hope he'll be okay,"


"So what exactly happened?"

"Damn it hurts. We had stopped for the night and Lee and I went out hunting. He shot an animal with his arrow. Unfortunately, the arrow didn't stop the creature. It attacked Lee and I came to his aide. D got him out of the way so that nothing else would happen to him and I was left with the task of killing the beast. My god it hurts. Funny that I'm crying out for something that doesn't exist. I've been with humans for too long."

"We have some pain killer if you would like it my lord."

"The only thing I need now is rest and Lee. Unfortunately, I can't have Lee right now."

He leaned back and closed his eyes. He hoped that Lee was okay as his ears twitched slightly. He knew that his sleep would not be restful but he had to force himself to get at least a little rest. With Lee severely injured, that was all he could think of. He shifted his wings slightly and laid his good arm underneath his head. Ord watched him for a few moments then quietly walked out of the room.