I Don't Need Your Pity, But I Do Need Your Help

Kotori waited, silent and somber as the woman looked around and got her bearings.  She was most definitely injured but it didn’t look like she was dying.  Kotori looked about again, noticing more stray wooden timbers farther down the beach.  The guess of some sort of ship definitely made the most sense.  Had she been the only wolf on it and if so were the others dead or had they just left her there?  None of the thoughts got to much of his focus at the moment, little details crossed his mind as he watched the woman attempting to move.

She moved, a little and then she was once more asleep.  Even though the wounds might not kill a wolf who had a pack with them, it would be another matter for a loner.  She needed to get the wounds cleaned and bandaged.  The nearest source of fresh water would be the falls in his pack's territory.  Even if he wanted to consider letting her into the Valta land it wouldn’t work.  Dragging her that far wouldn’t do her injuries any good.

Kotori lowered his head, getting his teeth around her scruff.  She smelled of the ocean and blood and tasted of salt.  He could warn her she was about to be moved but the moment he moved her she’d certainly know it.  Kotori waited a moment, then stepped back several strides, pulling the injured wolf farther back from the water before releasing his hold on her.  

“Listen, I need to get some supplies to help you.  Try to stay awake if you can, I don’t know if it's dangerous for you to keep falling asleep.  I’ll make you a fire then leave but I’ll hurry back.”  Kotori would certainly not label himself as a wolf that wanted to help out every poor soul in need but there was something about helping a damsel in distress apparently.  What was a guy to do?  Let her slowly die from a treatable injury?

Kotori jogged higher up the beach, finding drier wood that he was fairly certain could be forced to start a fire. Howling for Splash, the cat was given orders to get supplies ready and to start towards the bay. After some time of running about and grabbing supplies, followed by having to debate with the wood and weeds to light he eventually got a flame going.  More wood was added and after a while, the small fire was eating away at its kindling.  Kotori imagined that would have to do for the time being and with a look at the woman he ran off.  Hopefully, she didn’t try to leave prematurely.

Luckily for the unknown womn, she was near his borders and Kotori found Splash had already gathered up what he had asked for.  Two pelts were wrapped around bandages and some small pieces of tanned hides.  Splash was tying the items together to make them easy to travel and Kotori grabbed a bucket of water to fill up with fresh water at the falls.  Soon enough the snow leopard and Kotori were running back to the beach with what Kotori hoped was enough to get her in better shape.

“I’m back,” he spoke softly as Splash rolled the bundle of supplies off his back.  Kotori cut open the rope that tied them together and plucked out the scraps of hides, dipping them into the water and then moving to her head.  Kotori didn’t bother with pleasantries or asking permission before he started washing the gash over her head.  A memory came to his mind, most unwanted and yet unable to avoid of the last time he had saved another damsel in distress and given her a bath.  His heart rolled over itself at the memory in a way he hadn’t expected.  Kotori’s touch would be gentle, and cautious as he tried to hurt her as little as possible.  The matter-of-fact haughty wolf’s eyes were soft and concerned right now.  

"Kotori Fatalis"