A Friendly Shadow

"I can't. This world isn't ready for me. It would be best if I remained a shadow."

With an injured Fluttershy in tow, James carried her to Zecora's hut. He knocked on the door. No answer.
He knocked again. Still no answer.

"How strange." He said.
"D-do you think she's out?" Fluttershy asked. James shrugged.
"It's possible. Zecora is always out looking for ingredients for potions."

He opened the door and peeked in. Not a soul in sight, though the massive pot that dominated the room was still on a full roil, which indicated she might have stepped out. James brought Fluttershy in and laid her down on Zecora's bed. Fluttershy looked around, taking in the sights and smells that was of Zecora's home.

James went to the counter that kept all of the ingredients for potions and ointments. Looking around, he took down some petals, some sort of green powder, and something that looked like leaves. He then put it all into a mortar and ground them all up. James then added the newly made powder into the boiling water and stirred it with a massive spoon. Once the color of the water had turned a blue-ish green color, and smelled of mint, he poured the mixture into a few vials and set them into Fluttershy's saddlebags, along with the ointment she needed.

James took a spoonful of the mix to Fluttershy. She tried to back away.
"It's ok. This will help with the pain."
He gave her a reassuring smile. Fluttershy returned the smile and drank from the spoon. She smacked her lips after swallowing. It tasted of mint and had a syrup-like consistency to it.

"Not as bad as some medicines I have taken."
She admitted with a small laugh. He laughed as well.
"Well, I tried to make it as tasty as I could. Most medicines are nasty." He smiled at the yellow mare. She responded in kind.
"Now," he said. "The syrup will help with the pain. Take one vial a day for a week. This will also assist in the healing."
James pulled a vial out of her bags to indicate what it was meant to do. "Your wing should heal in that time."

Fluttershy nodded as she stood.
"I-I can feel it. There's almost no pain." She hopped off of the bed and trotted up to James and hugged him. She only stood at his chest, but her hug was tight, as well as soft, James noted. He returned the hug. After a few moments, James let go of Fluttershy.

"I should get you back to the entrance of the forest. You have had a long day, I think." He smirked at her. Fluttershy nodded and walked out of the hut. They made their way back to the edge of the forest, as James kept a watchful eye out for anymore attacks. Soon after, they made it to the edge. Fluttershy looked out at the open meadow. It was nearly sundown, she had to get home.

Fluttershy turned to James and looked at his shoulder. She gasped.

"You're hurt!" James looked down at the wound. She grabbed James' hand and pulled him to her cottage.

"F-Fluttershy! W-wai-" She stopped and gave him her stare.
"You're hurt. I can help you since you helped me. You're coming back with me. Is that clear?"

James stared back and blinked in surprise. He simply nodded as Fluttershy took him back to her home. Once inside, she sat him oh her couch as she grabbed some supplies. He sat up straight, never setting a foot out of the forest. He looked around, as if looking for an exit. Fluttershy came back, supplies on the table. She looked at him.

"Let's get started." He nodded and removed his white shirt. Blood, which had already began to brown from exposure, traced down the shirt. Fluttershy set the shirt aside, noting the holes it had. She turned back to James and gasped once again, staring at James. James blinked.

"What is it?" He asked.

She wasn't able to form words at what she saw. Every inch of James' body was covered in scars from battles past. He looked at where she was staring and followed her gaze. He then chuckled.

"Don't worry about those. They're old."
"B-but... so many..."

She was still aghast at what she saw. But she shook it off and focused on the puncture wounds in James' shoulder and tended to them. She applied the ointment and began wrapping his shoulder. He watched her work. He then looked at Fluttershy's body, taking in everything about her. Her hair, eyes, coat, even her cutie mark. Everything about her was lovely, even the way she fluttered her wings as she worked.

"There, all better." James looked down at the patch work and whistled.
"Not bad." He looked back at Fluttershy and smiled. "Thank you."

She blushed a bit and smiled back.
"You should stay here for the night. It's dangerous now."
James looked out the window and nodded.
"I suppose. Are you sure you're OK with this?"

Fluttershy nodded and went upstairs. He stood and tested the bandages. It felt as if a nurse had worked on his shoulder. He looked around at the space around him. Her home was adorned with bird houses and a catwalk. None of the animals were present. He sat back down as Fluttershy came back down with a blanket and a pillow. She gave them to James.

"I do appreciate this Fluttershy. You didn't have to though." She simply smiled at him and beckoned him to the kitchen. He shrugged and walked to the kitchen where two bowls were on the island of the kitchen.

"Soup." She said as she settled down to eat. He sat on the stool, and takes up the spoon and eats.

"So, what are you?" Fluttershy asked. James looked at her.
"I am a human." Fluttershy's eyes widened a bit.
"I thought humans were a myth." He looks away with a puzzled look.
"Funny, I keep getting that."

He explained to her how he was found. James wasn't too sure of how he got here, but he knew it was Zecora who found him and gave him refuge in her home. He said he has been here for almost two years, learning all he could from making potions and defending himself. From the scars, most of those victories were hard fought. Fluttershy stared and listened to him.
"That's it, really."
He ended. Fluttershy's jaw was to the floor. He chuckled.
"Yoo-hoo, Fluttershy." He waved a hand in front of her face. She shook her head and looked at James.

"So, you really have been through a lot. But why not show yourself?" He looked away.
"I already have, almost got killed."
"But, ponies can't be that afraid."
He looked back at Fluttershy with sad eyes.
"I can't. This world isn't ready for me. It would be best if I remained a shadow."
Fluttershy looked a bit shocked, but returned to her meal. They sat in silence.

Some time passed as James laid on the couch. He looked up at the ceiling and thought of everything he did that day. It wasn't long before he fell to sleep. Morning came as Fluttershy came down the steps. She was greeted by a fully ready James, standing by the door. He gave her a smile. Fluttershy looked at the couch. The blanket was neatly folded and the pillow rested on top.
"Y-you're leaving?" She asked. He nodded.
"I have to get back before I'm spotted."
She walked up to him, eyes brimming with tears.
"I-I was hoping you could stay." She whispered.
James knelt down and took her face in his hands.
"Fluttershy, I would love to. But me staying here will put you at risk. I cannot do that to you. You've done a lot for me, and for that I'm grateful. But it would be best if I stayed in the Everfree."

Fluttershy was sullen. Tears cascaded down her face. James wiped them away.
"But, you can always visit me." She looked back at him with a small smile.
"I-I'd like that." She said. He smiled, kissed her cheek and headed out. She watched as he walked toward the forest.
"James!" She shouted. He stopped and turned back.
"How can I find you?!"
"Follow the main path, avoid the poison joke patch, and I'll always find you." He shouted back. He turned and continued walking as Fluttershy watched. She touched her cheek where he kissed her.

-To Be Continued-