They had to stop. The boy couldn't keep running any longer, and Ruri's rush was wearing off quickly. They came to a halt and collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. "What is... your... name?" Ruri asked the small boy between breaths.

"Yuto," he mumbled in reply.

"Yuto. That's a... nice name. Mine is... Ruri!" Her face lit up with a smile. Yuto managed a small smile in return.

Ruri heard a whisper. No, she felt a whisper--a soft sound that caressed her heart. Without hesitation the small girl turned about, facing what seemed to be any other direction in the forest. Pulling herself to her feet, Ruri stumbled through the brush with Yuto following behind her. With each step she took, her stride became more confident as the feeling waxed stronger. Yuto called after her, but Ruri didn't stop until the river came into view--and the dragon collapsed on its bank.

"NO!" Ruri cried upon seeing her. She dashed to the dragon's side and started looking all over its body. "You're hurt," she stated with a pained voice--not because she thought the dragon hadn't noticed, but as a declaration to the world that such a thing was wrong. Claw marks covered the creature's forelegs and blood was spreading out from underneath its chest. Tears filled Ruri's eyes just looking at the injuries the dragon had sustained on their behalf, made worse by carrying them from the village. "Just hang on! I can do something! Um," Ruri looked around desperately until her eyes fell on the river.

She plunged her hands in, gloves and all, and grasped at the bottom. Both eyebrows shot up and she yelled at Yuto over her shoulder. "Get some vines! Quickly!" Kneeling beside the dragon, Ruri spoke softly, comfortingly. "I can help the wound, even if only a little." Her hands emerged with long, thin strands of green bursting from between her clenched fingers. Ruri didn't expect the dragon to know, but the algae she held was Tankaer--Green Balm, as the humans had it. It was commonly used in minor potions and tonics for its restorative effects. Because it was raw it could not completely heal, but it would at least help the wounds mend faster. And act as a bandage, hopefully.