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03:58 PM

Now that Ana was back to her usual self, Ryker could breathe a sigh of relief. She really knew how to worry him. Burying his cold nose in the nape of her neck, he could feel the lass squirm away from the touch. It, of course, had everything to do with his nose being cold. However, before he could tickle dear Ana to death, his actions were immobilized due to the shock of Masuyo leaving. His heart instantly sank and he wondered if it was his fault. Assuming the worse, his shoulders slouched and the smile that was once worn on his face faded.

Disheartened eyes looked around the cave. As they looked, he noticed it was really just the two of them. Nine and Cion had wandered off into the back of the cave, probably exploring it for new paths and corners. He didn't even notice them slip by as he was concerned with helping Chumana. In his mind, they were definitely exploring. It was a fairly large cave and, truth be told, neither he nor Ana really explored it much. They didn't have time to with the daily chores and hunts preoccupying the majority of their time.

Alone in the dimly lit cave, his emerald orbs locked with her pair. "Did I offend her?" he asked meekly. Ryker's hand trailed up to his heart and stopped their to feel his slow, numbed beat. It felt wrong. He had to do something. He couldn't live with himself if he didn't.

Ryker took to his feet, which put him towering above Ana. Looking toward the cave's entrance, he noticed the rain had finally stopped. At least Masuyo was walking in decent conditions. Still, the ground was damp and her leg was injured. The odds of her making it… well, they weren't in her favor. With a frown, he turned to Chumana. "Stay here, darling," he instructed her. He missed anything she might have said as he was focused on helping Masuyo at this point.

His intensions and motives were plastered across his face and she knew all too well that he would lend a helping hand when one was needed. It was just who he was. Ryker had been a guardian angel ever since he became an experiment. He rushed to those in need and helped those who were in pain. He would pick up people and dash them to a clinic, or he would dive into the frigid water to rescue those who were drowning. He just couldn't sit back and watch a life be taken away, especially in accidents.

Flicking his head toward the outside, his body rushed forward. A strong gust followed in his absence. He needed to be quick if he wanted to grab her and take her back. For him, this was simple though. Within mere seconds, he was at the foot of the mountain and just a few paces behind Masuyo. Still focused on her, Ryker still didn't notice that Nine had come to her aid.

"In good conscience, I cannot let you wander the wasteland alone. I will escort you, no ifs, ands, or buts." Now in-sync with her stride, he went to wrap her arm around his shoulder. He wanted to pull her waist close to him and latch his free hand around her hip. His plan was to serve as her crutch to prevent her from tripping. After all, if she took a fall her leg might be forever wounded.

None of that happened though, as he realized Nine was now a part of the picture. He wasn't really sure how to feel. Even though she left them and broke his heart, he would still reach out to her and help her. And now, with Nine here, he couldn't help but feel that the kid also needed assistance. That was Ryker. Not a single bad bone was in his body.

It was pretty dark out. The sun had just fallen beyond the horizon. Traveling at night was risky business but, if push came to shove, he could always run from the danger. Right now, though, he didn't sense any real threats. Still, he felt bad for leaving poor Ana alone. Before leaving, he did tell her, "If I'm not back by sunset, don't come looking for me." He felt even worse now knowing that Nine was with him. Ryker was in a pickle. Should he assist these two? Or go back to Ana?