Hunting for a way home - Shalnark x Reader

Chapter 49 - We are, Destined to fall apart.

It seemingly took hours to get out of the cave system. There was a backdoor but between supporting an unconscious Shalnark and the lack of light despite the fire you attempted to send ahead with your aura it took much longer to find then you'd have liked to find the small opening that led out.

It was just becoming dusk by the time you made it out of the cramped tunnel, dragging Shalnark out behind you. Briefly you tried rousing him to no avail. When a heaviness took over your limbs the realization of everything that happened really hit home.

Illumi was still out there somewhere potentially hunting for you. For both of you.

You couldn't say for sure if Illumi found out where you guys were staying but it was likely he did and you definitely weren't sure if Illumi and his companion had made it out of the cave system yet but there was no time to waste. You had to get back to the house, grab your things, and leave.

Bending down you grabbed Shalnarks arms, slowly restanding with him now situated on your back. Doing a little jump you worked to get his body higher up on your back.

Shalnark had some really.. really long legs.. Like damn. He was obviously taller but moments like this really put it in perspective.

As much as you'd have loved to carry him off princess style.. It simply wasn't going to work. Not this time. Your arms virtually felt like noodles, carrying him on your back was already a struggle.

You couldn't help but be thankful for all your training as you secured his legs firmly either side of your waist with your elbows locking into place.

Taking off back towards the place you'd called home with him the past weeks you made it there in almost record time despite carrying his weight. Aster was alert by the time you made it to the door and kicked it open unwilling to use your arms.

Aster's eyes looked to Shalnark on your back and you noted the way her head lifted to scent the air, she padded forward to nudge his leg with her nose sniffing all the while, eventually she brought her nose to his back.

It hit you that Aster could scent the person that planned on killing Shalnark. Even if you hadn't been able to uncover the features of the person. They wouldn't be able to hide their scent.

Looking down to Aster her head cocked. "Do you smell the other person?" She blinked and her tail wagged. "Remember it.. We are to go hunting soon." Looking towards the open door and nodding towards it you commanded.

"Aster guard, if you scent anyone other than us attack and bring them to me."

Aster turned from sniffing Shalnark to go lay at the front door head high and alert. You watched the dark space outside the door before turning to walk through the house towards the bathroom.

Pushing the bathroom open, you stepped towards and into the shower slowly lowering yourself to the ground and propping Shal against the tiled wall. Exhaustion was already eating away at your strength and for a few long moments you closed your eyes to relish the feeling of doing absolutely nothing but faster than you'd have liked reality swept in.

Turning you began to undress Shalnark quickly at some points you just took hold of your dagger slicing through clothes. They were ruined anyways and he had extra's to boot.

Angling the sprayer to the wall you turned on the faucets and waited for the perfect temperature before turning the sprayer on Shalnark. Grabbing a washcloth you set to removing the blood covering his body.

The hardest part was when you leaned him forward to scrub the thicker dried blood from his back. The water turned mostly red at first before slowly becoming a more pink hue as the ratio of blood to water changed.