A/N: Hi all!!

The final chapter to this story will be posted tomorrow. I just wanted to get this posted tonight. The second chapter will be a lot shorter than this first one. I hope you will enjoy this; reviews, suggestions, thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated! Also, thoughts on the characters in this story would be great as well! Thank you to everyone that leaves a review, they're awesome and very very extremely much appreciated!!!

Flames will be used to light firewood and candles.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters in Pocahontas, nor anything to do with it. It belongs to the Disney Company and to History. The characters that you don't recognize from the movie are mine. I also do not own the name of the Powhatan village which is in this fanfic. Can you spot it? Lol…!

Please RR on your way out..Thank you and I hope you will enjoy this!

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Chapter 1:

"I can not believe I have to go to this," Pocahontas griped as her best friend Nakoma pulled her hair back and started to braid it, "It is going to be so boring. Every year the same kinds of things happen. I mean, I know I'm the chief's daughter and everything…"

Nakoma gave a sigh behind her friend, "Pocahontas, can you not even try and find some enjoyment out of this? I mean, I find this really exciting! Every Summer your father chooses a promising warrior who's-"

"Full potential has yet to be seen," Pocahontas finished in a bored tone, "I know, I know you are right. It's just it takes so long to do with everyone cheering and clapping…"

"How do you think the men feel? Kavo, Kocoum, Machino, Maweya and not to mention my own brother. All of them have worked really hard for this honor that may or may not come to any of them."

"I know."

"Plus, they will keep us safe and-"

"Nakoma," Pocahontas sharply cut her friend's ramblings off, "I realize that- ow!"

"Sorry," Nakoma said as she tightly pulled on the single braid that now went down Pocahontas's back, "Now, turn around and do my hair next."

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"The tests went from when the evening shadows fell, through the rising of the sun and finished when the shadows came upon them once again. After this ceremony, these boys will now become men amongst our tribe. They will be given rights to coincide with the right of passage they have just completed."

Pocahontas, Nakoma, Malania, and Chiana watched closely as Powhatan briefly took aside each new warrior and spoke with them one on one.

"I wonder what he says to them?" Chiana spoke as Pocahontas glanced at her friend.

"I don't know," she replied as she shrugged. Her and her friends looked on as Powhatan came towards Kocoum's side in order to speak with him. Gasps went up from the crowd as Kocoum bowed his head and followed the chief towards the platform.

"Way to go Ko!!-"

All four girls turned simultaneously to see Kocoum's mother place a firm hand over his younger sister's mouth.

"Silence!" Kocoum's mother hissed as the woman shot a glare over towards the older girls. Nakoma, Chiana and Malania quickly turned there attention back onto the platform, as Pocahontas rolled her eyes before turning back towards the front.

"Hush," Nakoma whispered in an excitement filled voice," Chief Powhatan is about to speak!"

It was almost like the crowd had heard Nakoma's command for at that moment a quiet came over the assembly. All watched as Powhatan presented Kocoum with a necklace made from a strong chain of beads held together by a bear claw in the front.

"My people," Powhatan spoke as silence was his only reply, "It was during these tests of a right of passage that Kocoum had recurrently showed his strength, bravery, honesty, loyalty, willingness to fight and a moral heart that he deserves this honor."

A cheer went up in the mass of people as Kocoum smiled down at his family and at a few of the young women that excitedly applauded him. Nakoma and Chiana got a nod of his head which sent Chiana in to a fit of girlish giggles.

"He noticed me!" she beamed as she cheered for him once more. Powhatan raised his hand for silence as the praise of the gathering calmed down.

"The Gods have looked upon us kindly for several seasons. However, if war should be required of our men with this man named Kocoum we truly have been blessed by the Spirits. For in him I and our elders can see he will do exceptionally well."

The ceremony was complete as in a flourish Kekata firmly placed the necklace around Kocoum's neck. Pocahontas and the rest of the Powhatan village applauded and cheered as Kocoum stepped down from the platform. The native princess grinned as many of the other young warriors congratulated him and a group of young women were currently pushing through the crowd trying to get the young man's attention.

"Thank you," Pocahontas heard her friend say to the people, "Thank you, I am truly honored by this, yes I never expected; yes I know it is a huge responsibility, I can not believe it, I hope to not fail you, we all men deserve this, yes truly…"

It was then Pocahontas drew away from the throng of people as she unnoticed slipped in to the back of the large group. From a distance she was able to observe the older boy. It was hard to believe that Kocoum was only a year older than herself and that when the next warm season came around her along with others would go through the woman's ceremony.

Leaning her back against a tree Pocahontas gazed on in amusement as Chiana grabbed Kocoum in a fierce embrace. Although she was far away, she swore she saw a blush followed by a look of uncertainty cross Kocoum's face before Chiana took a step back. Even from this distance Pocahontas noted how the enthusiastic girl's lips never stopped moving. The native chuckled to herself as she watched Nakoma give Kocoum a hug followed by many other men, women, older men that were no doubt giving advice along with the young boys and girls of the tribe.

"Tonight," Powhatan's voice rang out above the noise of the people, "We will feast in Kocoum's honor, and welcome him along with our new warriors, each one of them fit and deserving of being a warrior and guardian of the village of Werowocomoco!"

Everyone applauded as the drums began a celebratory beat while people started to dance. Pocahontas watched as more and more wood was added to the large fire in the center of the village and the revelry got louder as the dancing begun. Fixing the long braid in her hair she didn't notice when someone had come up to her.

"Wingapo," Pocahontas startled slightly as she noticed Kocoum standing not to far off. He was looking at her, although what he wanted she truly could not tell.

"Hey," Pocahontas answered as she walked over to him, "Congratulations, I'm really happy for you."

"Thanks," was his quiet reply as he cleared his throat.

"Try not to look to happy," Pocahontas giggled as several young women through glances in the direction where Pocahontas and Kocoum were chatting.

"So."

"So?" Pocahontas inquired as she arched an eyebrow.

"Well, the warriors have the first dance and I was just curious if you'd like to join the dance?"

Pocahontas gave a smile, "I'll always dance among the new warriors, all the girls do."

"NO," Kocoum quickly replied, "I mean, yeah they do but I meant when the warriors dance with a girl from the village I was wondering if you would like to dance with me?"

"Really? But, there are so many girls. I know Chiana-"

"She doesn't stop talking," Kocoum interrupted the native princess, "Kocoum, how's my hair? Do you like it? I made this bracelet; the necklace looks wonderful on you-"

"I think perhaps she likes you," Pocahontas laughed however it ceased when she saw Kocoum's expression, "Ok, I'll dance with you."

'After all, it is only a simple dance with a friend. It isn't like the dance is going to change your life.' Pocahontas thought as Kocoum nodded and disappeared in the mass of dancers.

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"Pocahontas!" It was Chiana that was running up to her while the native princess ate food out of her bowl.

"Hmmm?" she answered with her mouth full of the bean stew Malania's mother had prepared for this evening's activities.

"I'm going to ask Kocoum if he'll dance with me for the warrior's first dance," she said as she fluttered around Pocahontas, "This could be the most exciting night of my life! I mean, he is so handsome and strong and our Great chief said he had a noble heart… Oh, I can only picture what his arms would feel like around me… Oh, Pocahontas is this not the most amazing night?"

"Yeah," Pocahontas replied as she placed her bowl on her knee, "It is pretty."

"Pocahontas!" Chiana nudged her friend's shoulder, "Aren't you excited? This is going to be-"

"My people," Chiana's voice was cut off as Powhatan stood in front of the drum players and the music had abruptly stopped, "It is time for our new warriors to pick the young lady that they would like to have a first dance with as young men fully intergraded in to the tribe."

The chief's face broke in to a friendly smile as he continued, "Will all the single young women please come forward?"

Chiana let out a squeal of happiness as she ran up towards the group of young women. Placing her bowl onto the log she had been sitting on Pocahontas followed her friends at a slower pace. Inwardly, she feeling bad for Chiana however she was scolding herself for not having told Chiana that Kocoum had already asked her to dance with him.

'It's not like you got a chance to.' A voice said in her head as Pocahontas sighed. Since Kocoum was the man that had been honored for the evening the native princess watched as he sauntered up to her.

An unsure smile crossed his face as he held out his hand towards Pocahontas, "Will you dance with me?"

Pocahontas nodded, "Yes, I will dance the first dance with you."

The young woman shifted as she could feel all the eyes of her friends on her back as Kocoum walked her out in to the area reserved for the dancing couples. The music had not started as of yet, and Pocahontas could hear the whispers of the girls as Kavo chose Nakoma from amongst the group of girls. Nakoma gave Pocahontas an envious glance as she followed the young man and they took a spot in the dancing area. The couples in the dancing circle had to stand quietly until all the men had chosen a young lady.

"Chiana was going to ask you to dance with her," Pocahontas whispered as Kocoum nodded.

"I thought as much," he whispered back.

"I know but she was really looking-"

"My daughter," Powhatan walked over giving his child a warning look before the two of them got out of hand.

"Talk to you later," Pocahontas mouthed as the last new warrior walked up to the smaller group of girls. He seemed to be taking his time choosing a young woman and as Pocahontas raised her eyes to look she breathed a sigh of relief as he chose Chiana. It was as she walked by that Pocahontas could not avoid the scathing look the girl had sent her way.

After all the couples were situated Powhatan raised his hands in the air signaling that the music could start. Pocahontas gasped in surprise as Kocoum's arm looped behind her back and pulled her close to his body. Pocahontas looked up and felt a wave of uneasiness wash over her.

She couldn't read her friend's expression and this slightly worried her. Had she gotten the steps wrong? Did she have food in her teeth? Was it the music? Pocahontas couldn't tell as the song played and the chanting of her people drowned out any questions she may have asked. It was then she let herself lean in to him, smiling as he dipped her and then brought her up onto her feet once more. It didn't take long for the beat to get faster and Pocahontas found herself holding onto Kocoum as he spun her through the crowd of clapping and cheering people.

"This is great!" Pocahontas yelled as her and Kocoum laughed while they danced to the music.

"Definitely!" Kocoum replied as he dipped her again. Although, before he brought her up he leaned down and half whispered, half yelled in her ear, "Everything I went through to get to this moment was so worth it."

He clutched her to him then, Pocahontas thankful for his strong embrace for it wasn't just her feet that were whirling on the ground.

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The dance was over as quickly as it had begun; however the native girl barely took any notice of it. The claps, cheers, chatting and general noise of the people all sounded like a cacophony of voices mixed in with the smells of different foods and of the fire burning in the center of the village. In no way was the party ending any time soon and the evening shadows had fallen hours ago.

However, it was not these things that were on the princess's mind. What was going on with Kocoum? The strange look, the comment he had made, it was all making her feel very strange. It was like she had many birds like Flit flying around inside of her and she couldn't figure out exactly why.

'Perhaps I should ask someone?' Pocahontas mused to herself as she sighed. A part of her knew what it was, however she did not want to think of it. Could Kocoum have feelings for her? Could she for him?

'No, he's just a friend.' She thought as she stretched her arms above her head.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" Pocahontas jumped as Kocoum's voice brought her out of the daze she had fallen in to as she nodded.

"Sure," she replied, "I'll just tell my father-"

"Oh," Kocoum cut her off, "I already asked him if I could talk to you."

"OH," Pocahontas replied as she began to head towards the cornfields that separated the village from the forest beyond. The two friends strolled in silence as the sounds of the party got farther and farther away.

"Ummm," Kocoum started as Pocahontas nodded for him to continue, "I think you dance really well."

Pocahontas chuckled, "Yeah well, I guess it comes from running and swimming. You know, having to keep my balance and such."

"Right," Kocoum said as he motioned for them to sit on a log. Pocahontas sat, leaning her elbows on her knees as Kocoum sat down beside her. An awkward quiet followed, punctuated by the muffled sounds of the party coming through the trees.

"Pocahontas," Kocoum began, "Well, I'm glad that you agreed to dance with me. I knew I'd have a nice time dancing with you."

"Thank you," she replied as Kocoum shifted closer towards her while the moonlight filtered down through the green leaves above them.

"The truth is, even if Chiana hadn't come up to me I still would have asked you to dance."

"Really?"

"Yes," the new warrior replied as he touched her shoulder, "Look, I know we are young. Well, I mean your mother was around your age when she married Powhatan, and I know you have to go through the woman's ceremony but would you perhaps consent to…"

"Kocoum," Pocahontas spoke after his voice trailed off, "We are young. I'm not ready for such a commitment and if you really think about it neither are you."

"But," Kocoum persisted, "I mean, it doesn't I mean, it is not that big of a deal-"

"Not a big deal?!" Pocahontas gasped, "Kocoum, I don't know about you but marriage is a huge deal! I mean, that is why the majority of parents arrange them!"

"What?" The new warrior wore a confused look upon his face, "I know marriages are arranged but I thought with your father honoring me that perhaps-"

"Kocoum, you are my friend. I don't want to ruin that by us getting married. What if it wouldn't work out? Our friendship would…. Why are you laughing?"

Pocahontas looked on as her friend turned away from her leaning over in laughter his shoulders shaking, "N-no, m-marriage? I mean, I mean maybe in a few warm seasons b-but I …"

He cleared his throat as he turned back towards Pocahontas. He studied her perplexed expression before placing a hand on her shoulder once more, "Pocahontas, I was going to ask you if you would consent to courting me. That is what I was going to ask you. I know you are not ready for marriage, the truth is neither am I ready for it."

A moment of silence followed his confession, "Really?"

"Honestly," he replied as Pocahontas turned away.

"But," Kocoum cleared his throat again, "You well, answered my question already."

"I answered your question?" Pocahontas inquired when she turned to face him.

"Yes, when you said about how we are to young-"

"To young to get married," Pocahontas replied, "I guess, I mean I can't say that it wasn't fun dancing with you."

Kocoum grinned, "So, are we a couple then?"

"Maybe we could try it for a season or so," Pocahontas replied, knowing that this wouldn't be a bad thing. None of the other boys in the village treated her the way Kocoum did, and the two of them did grow up together. She also smiled at the memory of when she had been nine years of age and she had made Kocoum promise never to make fun of Nakoma again or he would have to marry her.

Pocahontas chuckled after coming to her decision, "Yes, I will agree to court you. Although, I really don't feel right about it."

Kocoum's smile faded, "How come?"

"Because," she replied, "My friend Chiana likes you and I don't feel right us courting when I know she has feelings for you."

"I'll talk to her," Kocoum replied, "I promise."

Pocahontas nodded, "I will talk to her as well. I just don't want her to be upset."

"Yeah," Kocoum replied as he stood up and reached down to help Pocahontas to her feet, "I think we should do it now. The sooner we do I think the better."

Pocahontas nodded as hand in hand they began a slow walk towards the party. Each knowing that after this night things may never be the same again.

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