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Arien waited until Red was finished coughing, tightening his grip around her hand. "Please, Red, don't make this harder than it has to be."

He withdrew his hand from hers and drew the blanket around her more warmly. "I'll set up a fire if you get really cold. And the tent."

He did so within a few minutes, breaking his top speed at pitching camp. When he finished, he walked over to Nex. Bella wagged tentatively, and then went to curl up beside Red.

Red didnt look at Arien as he did any of that. She wasnt mad, just very concerned. She had no idea if Ash would be there. Ash would kill him as soon as she got a chance. Red couldnt bear the thought of loosing Arien.

When Bella came over and curled up next to her, she glanced at Arien.

Nex flicked his tail. We need to get going. Arien. Dont worry about Red. She isnt mad. Just concerned. And with Neo and Bella here, she will be fine. Nex tried to reassure Arien.

Arien nodded. "Alright, then. I'll be back, Red. Don't worry about me." He offered her his usual, cocky smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. And then he swung his leg over Nex and clung tightly to the tiger's scruff, in preparation for the long journey ahead.

Bella watched, ears forward, tail unmoving. She was resigned to the fact that she would stay behind. She wasn't happy about it, but she wouldn't leave Red's side either.

Red tried to offer a smile but another coughing fit racketed through her body.

Nex for a moment didnt move then when Red started coughing, he took off at full speed. He was already worried enough without having to hear her coughing.

Red watched them go once the coughing had gone and felt a deep sadness as she watched Arien leave. Standing up shakily, she walked to the tent and crawled in.

Arien clung to Nex, burying his face into his fur. At least he didn't have his pack to throw him off balance. "Good boy, Nex," he murmured to the tiger. "Red'll be fine. She's strong."

Bella followed Red into the tent, curling up next to her and providing warmth.

Another coughing fit racked through her body. The day passed by like this, barely getting sleep and coughing fits.

The day passed by as Nex kept running. Soon they were at the docks and on the boat, moving across the ocean towards Transyvania. Nex kept worrying about Red, even though Arien had tried to reassure him.
Every day that passes by it wi get worse.. he thought to Arien.

"Then let's make each day count," Arien told the tiger; watching the countryside change. "The sooner we get the cure, the sooner we can return."

But he was just as worried about Red as Nex was. And he hoped she would be okay.

Bella kept Red company, occasionally nudging her leg with her nose as though to tell her she wasn't alone.

Red was very thankful for Bella's company. Three days passed quickly and each day Red grew more and more distant as the veins got higher. By the third day, the veins had reached Red's shoulder.
"B-Bella... Bring..Neo.." Red stammered so quietly she almost couldnt be heard.

They had finally reach Transylvania. Nex was breathing heavily as he ran through the forest. Sniffing out the trail that would lead to a shed. In the shed was a blue vile and it was extremely cold.
Nex finally came across it and motioned to Arien that he had to get in.

Bella whined and went to get Neo. She pawed at him and then led him back to the tent. She waited, and then began to lick at Red's shoulder where the black veins met.

Arien practically fell off Nex when they came to a shed. "Hello? Anyone home? I'm sorry to barge in, but there's something of grave importance here--"

He tried the door to see if it was open. If it was, he'd enter and grab the blue vial. If it wasn't, he'd break it in.

"N-Neo..tell Nex..w-where the veins are.." Red whispered then passed out.
Her fever had risen considerably and the coughing was worse than ever before. Neo quickly sent the message.

Nex pinned his ears to his head then barreled past Arien and broke the door down.
Get the damn vile. We have to leave now! Nex growled.

"Alright, I'm going! How bad is Red?" He searched the shed and found the vial. "Is she in that much trouble?" He tried to recall where they had made camp. "Can she last the return trip?"

His mouth went dry at the prospect. He could get the vial to her no problem--but depending on how long she could hold out, it might be at the cost of his life. Teleportation came with a price. And this would be a double edged sword pointed at his heart.

Nex growled and glared daggers at Arien.
"She'll last. Dont do anything stupid like teleporting," Nex growled out loud.
The two tigers had always been able to talk but they preferred keepin it secret.
Nex ran under Arien's legs, making him fall onto Nex's back. Nex picked up the speed and made it to the boat in an hour or so.

Red wasnt sure how much longer she could hold out. She was trying to fight it, but she wouldnt be able to hold for much longer.

"If we don't make it in time, it's not gonna matter, anyway," Arien ground out, grabbing hold of Nex's scruff. "And I'll wait until we're not deathly far before doing it."

Bella curled up beside Red, her tongue washing her arm in a vain attempt to stall the black markings. She whined to herself, wondering when Arien was going to return.

It took two days to travel back and as soon as they got back, Nex took off with Arien riding on his back. By the second day, Red was completely unresponsive and the black markings were inches from her heart. Neo kept watch and hoped that they got back in time.

"How is she?" Arien demanded as they finally reached dry land again and Neo surged forward. "What is her condition?" Judging by Neo's frantic pace, she wasn't in pristine condition.

Bella pawed at Red, whining and then finally barking once. It was a desperate call for help.

Nex charged forward and an hour later they skidded to a halt in the camp. Neo practically dragged Arien to the tent.
"She isnt responding. She hasnt been for a day. I dont know how close the veins are..but she's almsot gone," Neo said helplessly.

Red stayed unresponsive and the veins were centimeters away from her heart now.

"Dammit, if you had told me sooner, I would have teleported!" But Arien was on his knees as he uncorked the vial and poured it into Red's mouth. "Come on, Red, drink for me. You're gonna be fine."

Bella whined anxiously, waiting. Arien was holding his breath, hoping that it worked. The black veins up Red's arm were disconcerting. And he had no idea how close they were to her heart.

After a few minutes, Red started coughing and she tried to sit up, but to no avail. The veins had drained her, the fever didnt break but it would by morning.
Red blinked open her eyes, she had dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. The veins slowly disappeared completely.
When Red focused on Arien, she started to tear up.
"Arien..your safe.." she murmured, her voice cracking.

"Shush, I'm fine; I told you I would be." His voice trembled slightly; he'd been afraid he nearly had lost Red. He gently wiped the tears from her eyes. "Sleep, Red. I'll wake you in the morning."

He sprawled out beside her, draping his arm over her stomach. "Let me know if you need anything," he said. "I won't leave your side."

Red looked at Arien and smiled a little. Relief and happiness showed clearly in her eyes. Closing her eyes, she fell instantly into sleep.

Dawn broke and the birds trilled their songs. Red's fever broke and she was looking a whole lot better after last nights sleep. But even when dawn broke, she stayed asleep.