(merry christmas)

shadow licked his chest wounds.

Catori ran to get another bucket of warm water and immeadiately set to work cleaning out Nathan's wounds. The amount of damage done to the boy's skin didn't even shock her. She had cared for Kitchi's injuries whenever he got caught up in a fight and if they weren't as bad, they were worse. She pulled out a few small jars from a grey bag she kept slung up over her head, keeping it resting against her side so it wouldn't affect her movements. She started applying different pastes and salves to Nathan's smaller injuries. On the bigger wounds she put a on a thin layer of paste that numbed the skin. She took out a thin needle and then a thread made of an odd plant fiber. She looked up from her work to meet Nathan's eyes, trying to warn him of the pain with her own. She dropped her gaze back to her task and started stiching up his bigger injuries, moving quickly before the numbness wore off.

shadow licked one of the smaller inguries but jerked his head away as soon as his tonge touched it he shook his head tounge swinging. he looked confused, he looked up at catori and tilted his head. he started licking a cut on his side ,not even nudgeing catori for help he knew he could help himself.

Nathan closed his eyes when she began stitching, thankful for the numbing salve. Stitches weren't too bad normally, but the feeling of the thread pulling through skin wasn't a pleasant one. He thought to himself how he must thank Catori later, but the thought quietly slipped away with his consciousness, as he fell into soft darkness.

Catori finished the last stich and tied the plant fiber into a knot on the end. She put everything back into her bag and left to find another blanket. She brought several back and laid most of them over Nathan's unconscious body, making sure he wouldn't get cold and then laid one over Cheveyo. She took the blanket that had Nathan's blood on it and took it outside of the barn. She would take it to the river to wash it in the morning. She walked back to see Onyx standing in the doorway to the stall. She squeezed around the worried mare and sat down a few feet from Nathan. She didn't want to be to far away just in case something happened. She leaned against one of the walls in the stall and slowly drifted into a light sleep.

-and so we fast forward to morning-

The sun began to rise over the old farm, the birds flitting out of their overnight perches, Nathan's eyes slowly flickered open. He felt terrible, aching everywhere, his wounds numbly stinging, and a hollowness in every muscle. He groaned softly, shifting slightly under the blankets. In the dim light of the stall, he could make out Catori, Cheveyo, Onyx, and the strange wolf. He sat he watched a pair of songbirds flit into the stall, fly in a circle and zip out again, golden light cascading through the door after them.

((@_@ Homework. My worst enemy.))

A small yowl was heard outside. Sinter was jumping at pawing at the small birds, hunting for her morning meal. She had followed Catori and the mare when they had headed to the barn. Hissing, she jumped again, but only ended up swiping the air. Shakeing her head in annoyance, she sat back down, and turned her stare to inside the barn, watching them curiously.

Onyx woke up at the sound of Nathan moving. She had slept standing in the stall's doorway. She snorted softly and her ears flickered when she heard a small yowl. She glanced worriedly at the two humans, the stallion, and the wolf in the stall before backing up and walking to the barn door. She watched the cat from the woods sit down after it had tried to catch the birds.

Catori woke up with a start when she heard Onyx's retreating hoof steps. She looked around and saw that Nathan was awake. She stood up and brushed off her dress. She moved over to crouch down beside of Nathan. "Uh...Pain?" she asked, her expression concerned.

Cheveyo heard movement around him and woke up. He was disoriented for a moment when the only thing he could see was black, nickering nervously. Then he remembered what had happened the day before. His ears went back and he snorted softly as his head drooped so that his muzzle was resting on the ground of the stall.

shadow got up easily came over and laid beside th horse he licked the side of his muzzle

Nathan shrugged, and then winced at the pain from it. "Ill be fine." he said breezily, andmade his way to Cheveyo, stroking his neck reassuringly.

(Sorry ive been off for ages, my poor phone suffered a fall from my horse. It didnt survive...)

(...poor phone...)

Catori stood up and watched Nathan, concerned. She knew he would be in pain for a while, but she hated seeing anyone or anything in pain.

Cheveyo barely even moved when Nathan stroked his neck. He snorted softly and his ears flickered.

"Come on boy." Nathan said softly, brow furrowed. He was concerned for his friend.

Cheveyo snorted and stretched his neck out so that his head rested on the ground. He sighed and his ears barely even flickered in Nathan's direction.

Nathan stomped. "Cheveyo. Are you going to just give up because you were brave enough to jump into a fight to help your friends, and got hurt? Not being able to see is something youre strong enough and smart enough to learn to cope with. You cant just give up now." he put his hand on Cheveyos forehead. "I'll be your eyes. Just dont give up."

Cheveyo jerked his head up in surprise at Nathan's words. He shook his head in response to the boy's question, but he couldn't help the thought that he wouldn't be able to jump anymore. He felt guilty for trying to give up. He was lucky to still be alive. He snorted and suddenly struggled to stand up. He stumbled and fell back onto his side, but tried to stand again.

Nathan kept his hand on Cheveyos neck. "Concentrate. Think about where your feet are, what angle your laying at. There arent any walls close enough to knock yourself on. This is natural."

Cheveyo let out a frustrated snort as he listened to Nathan. He tried what the boy said and after a few more tries he managed to stand.

Nathan Hugged Cheveyos neck. "Theres a boy! I knew you could do it. Itll take some time, but we'll get there." Nathan worked his fingers through Cheveyo's mane, leading him into the sun, the rays of warmth on their skin.

Cheveyo nickered softly and nuzzled the boy. He followed him as he was lead out of the barn. He felt the sun on his back and sighed softly. It felt good to be outside.

Nathan stroked his neck. "Be careful when you walk around. Ill help you most of the time, but when i cant you have t be wary of where youre walking."

Cheveyo flicked his ears in response to Nathan's words. He snorted when he heard hooves behind him and felt Onyx walk up on the opposite side of him to Nathan. The black mare pressed her side against his and nipped Cheveyo's shoulder lightly before walking forward, giving the human an odd look. The stallion grunted in slight irritation, but followed her. Onyx led him around the barn once before leading him along the broken fence to a grassy spot so that he knew where some of the things were. She nuzzled his neck before moving a few feet away to start grazing. Cheveyo snorted and whinnied in the direction of where he thought the boy was before he lowered his head and started grazing.

Catori watched the two horses from the main door to the barn before looking over at Nathan. She was worried about his injuries. She would have to make a few pastes to help with pain for both Nathan and the stallion.

Nathan watched the two, and knowing Cheveyo was in safe er- hooves, he turned to start the daily work. He dipped his head at Catori, and retreated back into the stables, starting by taking the stuff out of the stall that they had stayed in that night. He grimaced as he carried the bucket of water outside, pouring it in the gravel in the washing area. He put the empty bucket down for a second, closing his eyes as the pain on his chest and shoulders dulled down a bit. He sighed, left the bucket where it was, and walked over to the rubble of the old, broken farmhouse, and began sorting through all the broken materials, until he found what he was looking for. He lifted the old bathtub, clenching his teeth as pain bloomed through his chest and shoulders, and leaned the claw foot tub on his right shoulder, taking deep breaths. He carried it across the yard to a spot between the wash area and the stable door, and set it beside the wall. He sat on the edge, panting slightly, as he let the pain subside again. "Stupid cat." he muttered.

Catori watched Nathan for a few moments before she couldn't stand it anymore. She walked up to him and pointed a finger right at him only inches from his face. "No move." she told him sternly before walking towards the woods. She quickly collected what she needed and pulled out a small mixing bowl from the bag slung over her shoulders. She mixed the various herbs into a thick paste until she knew she would have enough before returning to stand a few feet from Nathan. She pointed at his shirt. "Off." she told him, holding up the paste. She hated not knowing all of the words she knew she should, but it had been many, many years since she had spoke to another person.

The two horses stood in the tall grass. Onyx had lifted her head and watched as Catori left and then returned before continuing to her grazing. Cheveyo had kept his head down low, but his ears had followed the girl's movements the entire time.

He sighed, and pulled off his shirt. The gashes were like little ridges, creating criss-crossing mountain ranges across his torso. "You know, i could help you with learning more words if you wanted. And maybe you could teach me the plants in the woods?" He watched her, and then noticed Cheveyo listening to where Catori was. He smiled slightly, he knew Cheveyo could pull through.

Catori winced when she saw the wounds, but moved closer. She was about to start applying the paste when she heard him speak. She didn't understand everything, but she understood enough. She nodded and offered him a small smile before she started to put the cold paste on the gashes.