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Bella whined eagerly and then took off in the direction of the forest. Arien laughed, missing the passing woman's stare and catching Red's look of irritation.

"Something wrong, Red?" He asked, looking where she did to see the back of a lady walking past. His gaze didn't linger, though and he turned back to her. "We should get going." He hefted his pack onto his shoulders.

Nex took off after her, letting her draw a couple paces ahead.

Red strapped her rucksack on and nodded in agreement.
"Yea i agree," she said quickly.
She started off towards the woods.

Arien followed her, before casting a glance back over his shoulder. Had something happened? Did Red know that person? It wasn't Ash, at least. He shrugged and followed after her.

Bella crashed through the bushes, pausing every once in a while to see if Nex was keeping up. When she saw he was, she ran a circle around him, and then took off in a different direction.

Nex purred in amusement then took off after her. He caught up to her then pulled ahead, looking back and smirking.

Red slowed her pace to where she was walking next to Arien and smiled at him.
"Bella and Nex seem to be getting along," she observed.

Arien nodded, amused. "Looks like it; Bella's been on her own ever since we adopted her from her pack. I think it's good that she's finally getting along with another four-footed creature."

Bella chased after Nex, snapping playfully at his tail--though careful not to actually catch it between her teeth.

Nex whisked his tail away from her jaws and suddenly came to a halt. Making Bella run into him and knock him over, they tumbled head over heels.

Red laughed softly and looked away.
"Thats not quite what i meant. It seems as though Nex likes her," Red said, still looking around.
Then she stopped and looked at Arien. A grin plastered on her face, and her eyes shining.

Arien shook his head, as Bella flopped on top of Nex, tongue lolling out happily.

He glanced back at Red. "Tigers and Aurean wolves, oh my. The world would hate the crossbreed that resulted." He shuddered, imagining a tiger-sized Aurean wolf.

But he grinned when he saw Red's happiness. "I'm glad you're having a good time," he said, giving her shoulder a squeeze.

Nex purred and licked her cheek gently. Neo trailed slowly behind them with Patch swinging from his jaws.

Red stood on her toes and kissed Arien.
"Im very happy," she whispered when they were a breath away.

Bella gave Nex a quick lick back and then clambered off to frisk around Neo and Patch, nipping here and there with excitement.

Arien grinned and kissed her back. "As am I."

Taking Arien's hand, she continued to walk. "We have to make it to the docks today. It takes three days to get-" Red was cut off as she started coughing.
Quickly she let go of Arien's hand and took a couple steps away from him. Red stopped coughing thirty or so seconds later. Breathing heavily, she sat down and quickly looked at her arm. The black veins were almost to her elbow.

Nex flicked his tail in happiness then trotted over to Bella. Watching with amusement in his eyes.

Arien was at her side, kneeling and offering her a canteen of water. "What is it?" But his gaze flickered to her arm and he frowned. "Are they getting worse? Didn't Ash say she wouldn't let them get worse if we stayed away from her...?"

A worrisome thought crossed his mind. "Don't tell me she's where the, ah, cure is."

Bella flopped onto the ground with a sigh; before glancing over at Arien and Red. Her ears pricked forward at the coughing.

Red took a quick sip of water then handed it back.
"No..Ash said she would give me a week to strengthen up before she let the poison run its course," she replied in a whisper.
Red felt cold but she was clearly running a fever. Beads of sweat had already started forming on her forehead. Red started to stand up.
"We have to get to the dock. Three day trip to the other side of the world," Red said breathlessly.

Nex looked at Red worried, pinning his ears to his head.

"You need to rest," Arien countered, putting a warm hand against her even warmer forehead. "You're running a fever even. If you keep walking, you're going to pass out." He stood up when she did, putting out a hand to steady her.

Bella went over to Nex and nuzzled his shoulder reassuringly.

Nex looked at Bella thankfully and brushed his tail along her flank.

Red held onto Arien already feeling dizzy.
"But..fine. Just promise me that we will get to the dock tommorow," she murmured reluctantly.
Red sat down again with relief and leaned against a tree. Shivering when a chill breeze swept through, she put her arms around herself.

Arien settled her down next to him, glancing at the animals. "There is one way, Red. You stay here, rest, and I'll go get what you need. If Nex or Neo go with me, we can cover a lot more ground quicker. The marks on your arm are only going to get worse."

He found a blanket and wrapped it around her. "We're not going anywhere tonight. Not until your fever breaks."

Bella moved to stand closer to Nex, tail down, ears quiet. She was worried, too.

Red's eyes widened and she shook her head quickly.
"I wont let you go by yourself!" she said, worry heavy in her voice.
As soon as Red had said that, she broke out into another fit of coughing.

Nex bristled with worry, getting close to Bella for comfort.

"Why not?" Arien asked. "You're in no condition to walk. We should head back to the inn where they can take care of you properly." He rubbed her back, trying to soothe the coughing.

"I can take care of myself, and if I have one of the tigers with me, there's nothing that won't hinder me."

Bella nudged Nex with her nose and licked his fur in reassurance.

Red looked at Arien concerned. "No. What if you get hurt..." Red whispered, her eyes clouded worry.

Nex nuzzled Bella's cheek then stood and walked over to Arien.
Arien. I can get us to the docks over night. We should go while she is sleeping. Nex thought to Arien.

"Of the two of us, Red; I'm the only one unhurt," he said softly. He gave her a soft kiss on her forehead, and then let his hand linger for a moment on hers.

He looked at Nex and nodded.

Bella watched them, but remained sitting where she was, ears back unhappily.

Red closed her eyes when Arien kissed her head. When he pulled away, she looked up at him. Linking her fingers with his hand that lingered, she held his hand. Sadness and worry reflected in her eyes then she turned her head away when another coughing fit racketed through her body.

Nex walked over to Bella and licked her cheek.
Dont worry Bella. I'll keep Arien safe, i promise. he thought to her.