Chapter 1 Meeting Kocoum

John's PoV:

John returned to the same pool the next day, and the woman was there. She approached him cautiously, curiosity obvious in those dark eyes. He shied away a little, wary also, when she reached out a hand to touch the shining golden strands of his hair. But her obvious fascination amused him, and so he allowed it, assuming she had never seen hair the color of his.

He was surprised when her hand then touched his chest over his heart, then moved to her own as she spoke for the first time in a form of Algic known to non-natives as Virginia Algonquian. "Pocahontas."

"Is that your name?" She stared at him, obviously unable to comprehend his words. And so he touched his hand to her chest in the same manner, inquiring, "Pocahontas?"

She nodded, smiling in reply, and so he placed his hand on his own chest now. "John Smith."

"John Smith?"

Now it was his turn to nod, jumping slightly and his eyes going wide when she took his hand, uncertain what her intentions were. Pocahontas tugged on John's hand lightly, and he realized she wished him to follow her. She led him over the rock bridge and across the river, into the trees and along a clearly worn trail. He could feel her eyes on him when she glanced back every once and a while, but he was busy studying the numerous and unfamiliar plants and animals with an eager, clearly pleased expression.

It was so beautiful here.

He wanted to stay forever.

After a couple hours, he estimated by the position of the sun, Pocahontas led him into her village, guiding him by the hand to the center as men, women and children surrounded them both, obviously wondering about him. He could only imagine that he appeared strange to them, with his pale skin and golden hair, his different clothing.

Still, John shrank back visibly, feeling nervous and crowded, so he was unprepared when his hand was suddenly and cruelly yanked from hers, gasping softly as he was spun around to face a tall and imposing male warrior.

His dark skinned face was beautiful, though angry, and John flinched when the man's fingers tightened around his left wrist hurtfully. He was grateful when Pocahontas quickly placed herself between them, but he was unable to understand their speech, though they obviously began to argue.

Pocahontas's PoV:

"Kocoum, no!" Pocahontas snapped, gesturing for him to release John, clearly angry about his reaction. "You hurt him!"

"He has no right to touch you!" Kocoum growled in reply. "You are mine! Remember my promise."

"He did not touch me! I touched him to lead him here. He- John cannot even understand us! He does not know our language. I remember your promise. I know that I am yours. I will always be yours, Kocoum."

"Is this true?"

"Yes. Please, let go of him."

John sighed in relief as he was suddenly released, rubbing his bruised wrist and gazing at the still-bristling warrior with a wounded expression. He hissed and pulled away from her touch when Pocahontas reached out to touch his injured skin, his blue gaze even more wary now then it had been.

"Now look what you have done. He will not allow me to help him."

Kocoum's PoV:

Kocoum watched as another woman from the tribe tried to approach the stranger to help, stopping when he backed away from her as well. He was surprised when this John's sky blue eyes focused on his face, seeming to silently request his help even though he had been the one to harm him. So Kocoum gestured with his chin for the man to enter his dwelling, pulling the flap of the nearby teepee back so that he could do so. He released the flap once he was inside as well, noticing that the strange pale skinned man visibly relaxed as soon as they were alone together. Though he still gave off the aura of a confused child that did not understand why it had been hurt.

"John, sit," Kocoum instructed, pointing to one of his wood chairs so that he would understand.

John sat and he took the chair across from him, reaching out to take hold of his wrist. This caused him to hiss and flinch again, a soft noise of pain unconsciously escaping his lips as Kocoum studied his injury.

"Pocahontas," he called, deciding that since she had brought him here, John could tolerate her touch for a few minutes at least.

She entered their home at his call, her dark eyes concerned for John as she came closer after locating a strip of soft cloth and began to wrap John's wrist while Kocoum held it still for her. Both of them felt his tension increase as she tightened the cloth carefully, but he did not protest, and Kocoum gently sent her away after she had finished tending to him.

"You do not like women touching you?" Kocoum asked, gesturing with his hand after his wife, then to John and shaking his head slightly. John blinked, clearly struggling to understand his inquiry through the language barrier, shaking his head quickly when he comprehended him. "No," he replied firmly, pointing to where Pocahontas had disappeared and shaking his head again.

John smiled then, gesturing toward Kocoum before wrapping his arms around himself to try and explain how he felt without words. Clearly he must have got his point across, because Kocoum nodded and a brief smile utterly transformed his stern expression. This caused John to stare at him with suddenly wide eyes, his heart beginning to race slightly in immediate reaction.

John stood when he did and they both left the teepee, Kocoum nodding to Pocahontas where she stood just outside. They spoke quietly for a few minutes, and then she smiled at her husband and took John's hand once more, leading him back along the trail and across the river. They parted ways there after she had made it clear she expected him to meet her here again bright and early the next day.

John's PoV:

"Where have you been, John?" Thomas asked him with wide eyes that night when all of the men sat gathered around a large fire having dinner before bed. "Have any adventures yet?"

"Yes," he replied with a smile. "I have met the natives."

"You- What?" Thomas gasped, his eyes shining eagerly now. "Tell me everything."

"Well, the first day here I saw this very beautiful woman. But she ran from me. I do not think they have ever seen people like us before. They are all dark skinned, like rich chocolate. Beautiful coloring. And dark hair. Mine seems to be quite fascinating to them."

"And?" Thomas prompted as some of the others drew closer to listen to John speak as well.

"Today she took me to her village. They live in small houses and round tent like structures made of animal skins. The people are pretty normal. They do not dress like us, but they are still people. Men, women and children. Pocahontas is kind, as is her husband."

"That is really good," Thomas said with a bright smile. "What happened to your wrist, though?"

"Oh, it is nothing," John answered with a shrug. "Just bruised. Kocoum went all territorial on me at first. He thought that I was interested in Pocahontas."

"Are you?"

"No. Not as anything more then a good friend."

"Are you going back tomorrow as well?"

"Yes. If we are going to survive here, then we need to learn from these people. I can do that for all of us."