If Sakura thought that daily life was complicated beforehand she's proven wrong when she steps back in time & finds herself amongst a violent war that engulfs the entire country. But why? And who is the wolf that has taken the job of being her companion?
On the surface it just seems that one man's greed knows no boundaries, but as Sakura travels she discovers information that leads to an underlying web of plots that transcend time and space.
But things are not so simple as she is thrown up against incredible odds and must struggle to survive all the while escaping the Rebellion, a society dedicated to eradicating the evil that has taken hold of the land, but at what cost will they go to to secure their future?
Here's chapter 2. Hope you like.
Sakura I Don't Think You're in Kansas Any More . . . .
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Time & Again - The Queen of Darkness
'Curiosity can bring on
great acts of courage'
The sound of water dripping finally woke her.
Head groggy, eyes bleary and stomach churning, Sakura blinked in the semi darkness and laid still listening to the sound of water dripping. Where was she? She sat up and cringed feeling the bump on the back of her head. She looked around her and a flood of memories came rushing back and she gasped.
She crawled to her knees and looked around the ruin and frowned. Either the bump was bigger than she thought or something looked different. She looked behind her and up at the ceiling.
" . .It can't be . . " she whispered.
There was no hole in the roof with sunlight shining through, no fallen pillars, no nothing. It was in immaculate condition. It was like she had stepped through time. That thought brought her upright and tensing with fear. No, it couldn't be, there was no such thing as time travel. They had been trying to do it for centuries, since the age when man had started dreaming of such things, but it wasn't possible - was it?
"Oh dear .. " she whispered standing up.
She took a step and tripped on something. Blinking in the semi darkness, she reached down and grabbed her bag. At least she had that.
Clutching it to her chest as she looked around, Sakura walked toward the entrance and was pleased to see that it was at least still day light. She stepped outside and looked around her. It still looked the same as before, but she knew that it wasn't. Something told her to look harder.
The grass was longer and she was sure those trees hadn't been there before. She looked around her and blinked in complete stunned amazement. She let the breeze play with her hair and then she threw her head back and laughed. It was the only thing that one could do when they had been transported to another time, another place with no way home.
The sound of horses suddenly stopped her laughter and as she sobered up instantly. She listened as they came closer. Men's voices could be heard as they urged their mounts on faster. Could it be a search party? She wondered. Had she been out that long? Shaking her head, not sure if she had a concussion or not, Sakura left the temple.
Swinging her back pack onto her shoulder she ran for the trees and ducked down low into the bushes as eight men rounded the hill came hurtled down at top speed. Sakura caught a glimpse of dark faces and dark clothing before they were passed her and were already getting out of sight.
Knowing she needed help, she stood up and made up her mind. She would follow them.
She started running keeping an eye on the tracks in the dirt. She ran until she couldn't draw a decent breath and then only out of exhaustion, she collapsed on the ground and sucked in huge lung full's of air. She leant back against the rough bark of a tree and almost wished she had stayed near the temple.
She didn't have much in the name of the back pack; it was only a small one that she carried some stuff from time to time in. It could hardly hold anything useful, but she hadn't parted with it for years and she wasn't going to start now. She had some sandwiches, some munchies and a small can of pepper spray and that was about it. She had no MP3 player, no cd's, nothing to point to the fact that she belonged in any other time than this one (apart from the pepper spray).
The only thing she did have that could be traced back to her own time was a small wallet that she kept small change in for when she was busy on a dig. She hadn't liked to carry large amounts of money on her after one time that she had come back to her bag to find that it had been looted.
She pulled it out now and looked at the photos that she had in there. There were pics of her father, of her and the team, her and Alex and other people that she had made friends with over the years. That was partly why she carried it on her too. She liked to remember the people that she loved.
Sighing and feeling totally miserable, Sakura leant back against the tree and stared up at the blue sky high above her through the foliage of the trees around her. When she had had enough of sitting, she got to feet and started walking in the direction that the horses went. If she was lucky they might lead her to a village or something.
Hours later, hot, tired and exhausted, Sakura stumbled out of the trees and stopped short. Ahead of her was a remarkable sight. A small village stood no more than ten meters away. She watched fascinated as people went about their daily lives dressed as if they had stepped right out of the pages of one of her father's texts. If she wasn't smelling the smells and seeing it with her own eyes, she might have considered that she was dreaming. But it wasn't possible, it was so real and nothing about it seemed dream like.
She ducked back into the cover of the trees and continued to watch them. She would kill for a camera! Oh she wished her father could see this! He would go nuts! She smiled at that thought and imagined how these people would react if her father cornered them and started conducting an interview.
She was contemplating what was going to be her next course of action when she heard screams and frowned when she saw the people in the village scatter. She stood up and tried to see what all the fuss was about and then her eyes widened in curiosity as she watched the eight riders she had been following, halt in the middle of the dusty street.
A little girl no younger than thirteen wasn't quick enough to hide herself. She was running towards her mother's arms when one of the burly men grabbed her and lifted her off her feet to be held in front of the man like some prize at a trade fair by the scruff of her tunic.
" Well look what we have here. " Sakura's heard him call out to his friends. " I think we will be having some fun tonight. "
Sakura, the girl and the people who were still watching gasped in horror at the same time.
" Please no. " the girl begged, her gray eyes opened in fright. She looked to where her mother who watched her in fear. " Mama! " she cried reaching out towards her.
A surrounding crack followed after the man's palm had connected with her cheek. " Silence bitch! " the man seethed. " Otherwise we'll take yer mama too. "
" Oh God. . . " the girl whimpered as she was placed in front of him on the horse.
In the bushes not too far away, two glistening amber eyes watched on silently.
Sakura saw the tears on the young girls face and her cheeks went red with rage. Before she knew what she was doing, she rushed into the street, planted her feet apart, put her hands on hips and glared up at the big brute with fury flashing in her emerald eyes.
" Who the hell do you think you are, you pedophile! " she yelled in fury. " Put that girl down this instant! "
Amber eyes widened a little in interest and then disappeared into the bushes.
" Well what do we have here? " the man she was glaring at said as he looked he up and down.
" Put her down this instant! " Sakura seethed and reached up and tugged the girl down and pushed her behind her. " Run as soon as you can. " Sakura whispered to the girl behind her.
" Well look at this. " the man said sneering. " She thinks she can take what is rightfully mine. " he laughed.
" I have every right to take what lawfully doesn't belong to you! " Sakura snapped angrily. " You can't just go around and take whatever you like. It's illegal. "
" Well you see, there's your problem. " he sneered at her as his friends started to close in on her. " I can and there is no law that says I can't have what I want. "
" You will not hurt her or anyone else here while I stand! " Sakura said passionately flinging her arms out. " Go get your digs doing something legal for once. Who knows, being the prig that you are, you might just like doing good, hard earned work for once! "
" Silence! " he yelled and Sakura flinched. " I will not let some gutter beggar tell me what to
do! "
" Well someone has to! " Sakura yelled back. " Your mother obviously never did! "
The man's face stared at her in disbelief for a moment before his face clouded with fury. Sakura eyes were wide with fright. What was she doing?!! Why was she standing up to a bully that easily outweighed her small frame and had every ounce of strength to crush her? Sakura wasn't known for her temper, but here she was furious and disgusted with these men for wanting to take a small girl and do horrible things with her.
" You dare call my mother a gutter beggar?!! " he shouted.
Sakura blinked in surprise. " No - I didn't mean that - "
" Silence tramp! " he snarled and reached out for her but she ducked, having the good sense to do so.
" Come here! " he snarled.
It suddenly dawned on Sakura that she was surrounded. Now that she had the good sense to look around her, she noticed that all eight of them where moving around to close her off from escape. She couldn't afford to get captured on her first day here.
She acted on instinct and brought her hand up and slapped the rump of the closest horse which made it rear in fright and set three of the others off. The others danced in anxiety and Sakura ducked, rolled, and leapt to her feet and bolted, but not before she managed to push one of them off the back of the horse, where he landed in the dirt swearing and cursing as he tried to roll away from his horses hooves.
" Hey!" the man yelled as he tried to keep his mount steady. " Get back here you little - " he cursed as his horse reared.
Sakura ran, picking up her bag as she went. She ran as fast as she could and then hiding behind a tree, she tried to listen above the pounding of her heart. Her victory was short lived as she heard them giving chase. She swallowed and looked around her. What had possessed her?!! She noticed the pine tree and ran for it. It stood in a cluster of other trees and she hoped that they wouldn't be able to find her as she shouldered her bag and started climbing.
She sat on the highest branch that she could get to before they appeared in the small cluster of trees. They looked around them and Sakura swallowed hoping they couldn't hear the pounding of her heart. But it seemed that her luck was running out as one of them, the one that she had knocked to the ground, looked straight up at her and sneered. They gathered around the bottom of the tree and she gulped.
" Come down here and we'll go easier on you than if we have to come up and get you. " the man called.
" No way! How derranged do you think I am buster? " she yelled back and watched them frown over her words.
" You can't stay up there all night! " the man laughed with his friends at the joke.
" Oh no? " she called crossing her arms stubbornly. " Just watch me! "
They all lost their smiles and looked more furious than before.
" Come down here now! "
" No! " Sakura yelled back.
" Arrggh, now! "
" Go away! "
" That's it! Luthur get up there! "
" Eeep. " Sakura squeaked as she watched the bandit clutch his knife between his teeth and start climbing.
She looked around her and spotted it. She picked a pine cone from the branch above her and smiled sweetly down at the bandit coming towards her. He paused as he watched her. She pegged it with all might and watched it go 'bonk' right off the bandit's head. He swore as best he could with his knife between his teeth, but Sakura was already pegging more as fast as she could pick them.
Luthor slid to the ground and raised his hands above his head and glared up at her when she stopped. The leader snarled and yelled furiously at the man Luthor. Sakura watched in amusement and couldn't help the giggle that escaped her. Upon hearing it, the man looked up at her and snarled and started yelling curses at her while he waved his hand in fury.
" Bite me baka! " Sakura yelled back and threw another pine cone. " I've been mugged before and I know how to deal with the likes of you! " The man looked up at her.
" You've been accosted before? " he asked surprised.
" Oh yeah, for sure. " Sakura yelled back and threw another pine cone for the sake of it. " By bigger, meaner and scarier looking people than you, oh, and by little weasels too! "
" And you've defeated them? " he asked warily.
" Are you kidding?" Sakura asked. " The last one I put in hospital for a week! " she smirked at the thought of kicking the jerk in the balls with her well aimed knee. She wasn't that shy.
They all looked at each other warily.
" Into the healers lodge?" he questioned.
" Yep. He wasn't going anywhere in a hurry. " she replied smirking.
" Argh, I've had enough of this banter. Get up there and get her Snake. "
" I wouldn't if I were you. " Sakura called down tossing a pine cone up and down in her hand.
" Sorry boss. " Snake replied. " But I'd like to keep my eyes. "
" Yellow belly snake! " the leader yelled.
" Hey, " Sakura yelled. " Give the man a break bully. Just because you're too lazy to come up here yourself. "
" If you're going to keep calling out to me at least know my name is Fang! " he growled.
" Yeah?" Sakura arched her brow. " Well I'm not afraid of you. "
" Ah but that's only because you're up there and I am down here. " he smirked and started climbing.
He swore as he was 'donked' on the head by several pine cones.
" Wrench cut that out! " he snarled and continued climbing.
" Not until you leave me alone! " Sakura yelled and jumped up further into the tree.
" You made a fool out of me and my gang! The fact that you continue to do so is what keeps us coming lass. Our pride is on the line. "
" What pride? " Sakura snapped and threw another pine cone. " You have no sense of honor! For a bully like you to pick on innocent young girls is what makes you animals! You should be ashamed! There will be no glory for you! So help me, but I can only hope you all end up with what's coming to you! Don't you know that what goes around comes around? Believe me, one day you will find yourself in this same situation and there will be no escape for you!"
The men looked at each other warily as Fang climbed higher. They were all unaware of the silent eyes that watched them from the dark.
Sakura pegged the last pine cone and gulped. She would have to climb higher, but that branch wouldn't hold her weight. She screamed when Fang grabbed her leg and tugged. She screamed again as the branch snapped and she clawed at the branch below her as it rushed up to her.
Fang cursed and tugged harder keeping his hold on the trunk. Sakura grabbed hold of him as she slipped and they both toppled and slammed into the ground, Sakura luckily landing on Fang.
Pine needles and bark showered down on them like snow and neither moved. The birds had taken flight at the screams and now the forest was deadly quiet.
Sakura moaned and felt the pain slice through her knee where she had jarred it. Fang groaned and she scrambled back against the tree behind her as they all loomed above her smirking happily. Fang got unsteadily to his feet and snarled.
" Now you will pay for all the misery you have caused us! " he reached out toward her and she screamed.
But her scream didn't disguise the mighty snarl that came from the coverage of the bushes. Sakura cowered as she heard the screams as whatever that had been in the bushes attacked those around her. Her eyes flew open just in time to see the wolf rip out Snake's throat, blood splattering the tree near her.
Innocent emerald eyes wide with fear, watched fascinated as the wolf attacked three more and snarled, barring his razor sharp teeth to Fang, blood dripping from his maw. Fang shook with fear and stared at the wolf paralyzed. Someone came up behind the wolf while another one moved towards her. The wolf snarled and continued to fight.
Sakura fumbled within her bag and clutched her hands around the small bottle as the man wrapped his hand around her throat and dragged her to her feet. Sakura closed her eyes as she heard Fang's last scream - cut off half way through it. She was starting to go black at the edges of her vision and she knew she had to do it now.
She stiffened when something slammed into the man that held her and she rolled away and watched as two advanced on the wolf. He backed away watching them both with his piercing eyes. Sakura got to her feet shakily and called out to the nearest guy. He turned and she held up the pepper spray and sprayed it with a fierce delight as she listened to the guy scream and clutch his eyes.
It was enough.
The wolf leapt into action and finished them off quickly, licking his maw and then throwing his head back and howling when they fell down dead. Sakura was frozen on the spot listening to that primal call.
When he had finished with his claim he turned intelligent eyes on hers and Sakura sank to the ground never taking her eyes away from his. He lowered his head threatening, refusing to break the stare. Sakura barely dared to breathe. Would she be next?
To her amazement, the wolf, losing interest in the staring contest, went over to the one that she had sprayed and sniffed. Smelling the strong, potent smell, he scrunched his nose up and shook his head, backing away at the same time. Sakura couldn't help it, reaction set in and she started laughing. She grew in volume as she saw the startled look on the wolf's face.
" I have no idea why I'm laughing . ." she wiped at tears in her eyes. " I'm about to be wolf food and all I can do is laugh. "
He continued to watch her silently and when she was able to return to a small amount of sanity she looked back at him. She watched the sunlight glint off his chestnut coat mixed with white on his front. She tilted her head to the side and looked thoughtful.
" Why aren't you eating me already? " she asked quietly. Why shouldn't she talk to the wolf? She was hysterical after all and she was about to die. Why not go out with a bang?" If you don't mind I don't want you to play with your food before you eat me. Just make sure I don't feel any pain. That's all I ask okami. "
When he simply continued to stare at her she grew angry.
" Why the hell don't you eat me already?!! " she snapped and watched him start.
He licked his chops and she was vividly aware of the blood that graced that maw.
" Oh I get it. " she said standing up and brushing her clothes off. " You like to play mind games with your prey before you land the killing blow. I understand. " she said and picked up her bag. " You're sick! Sick you hear?!! " she yelled hysterically.
The wolf was tense and by the look on his face she could see that he was surprised as well. It almost seemed as if he had never been accused of such a thing before.
" Oh great now I talking to animals as if they can understand me. . " she muttered and limped off.
" No offense wolfie, but I am not going to hang around and wait for you to eat me or for people to come along and find this mess you made. At least you could have cleaned up a little. Didn't you mother ever teach you to clean up after yourself? "
It had been too long a day.
He turned his head to the side and regarded her with comical disbelief. She stared back at him in the small cluster of trees and shook her head and started walking off trying to ignore the picture he made, standing tall and proud, maw graced with blood and the sunlight filtering through the leaves and sending his chestnut coat aflame. He was letting her go and she wasn't going to tempt fate. She felt a prickle between her shoulder blades and she stopped again and turned to look at him one more time. He was still there looking at her with a look that suggested she was just like the rest. Ungrateful.
How she could be putting human emotions to that of an animal? She had no idea. But she felt her conscience prick and she sighed. He had saved her regardless of what he was. She was acting ungrateful and rude. Her bag dropped to the ground in a heap and she sighed again. She met the wolf's gaze evenly from her distance and shook her head.
" I've never done this before, but - " she clasped her hands together and bowed low as she had been taught when she was small.
" Arigato Wolf-san. " she bowed lower and then looked up. " Thank you okami for saving my life. I am in your debt. "
He straightened and tensed. She had surprised him greatly and something else - she couldn't quite explain. She picked up her bag and walked off in the direction furthest from the town and the massacre that had happened there.
Keen amber eyes watched her go and then, without looking at the carnage around him, he slipped back into the darkness of the forest.
Sakura woke to the sounds of life around her and cringed when her back screamed when she moved. She was never staying in this hotel ever again and she would talk Miazaki into never coming here again either. She rolled over and groaned. Even the bed was impossible! Who in there right mind would want to sleep in a bed like this?
The sound of wildlife aroused her and it took a few minutes before she realized where she was. She groaned when it dawned on her and she flung her arm over her eyes in some vain attempt to disbelieve what she knew to be true.
She'd camped near a stream the night before not coming across another village before she had collapsed of exhaustion. She had camped out numerous times during her college years so she was used to roughing it, but sleeping on the hard ground with nothing to soften the hardness was inhuman.
Struggling to sit up and glance around her, Sakura took in the tall grass, the scattered stones, the stream and the trees around her. Her mind went back over what she had planned the night before as she knelt down and washed her face in the stream. She would find someone who she could befriend and then she would go in search of help. Surely someone would be able to help her and explain why she was here.
It was sometime later after another few hours of walking that Sakura's stomach grumbled for the millionth time. Still walking, Sakura placed her hand over her stomach and wished with all her might that she could stop thinking about food. She tripped and then with a sigh of resignation, she sat down on the grass and looked up at the sky. There were clouds today. The wind blew passed and she closed her eyes loving the feel of the soft caress. How long had it been since she had enjoyed such a simple thing?
She didn't hear it at first, but her eyes snapped open when she heard it again. Jumping to her feet she ran towards the first signs of life. Learning from her last encounter, she crouched in the grass and parted it just enough for her to see the small farm in the distance. A smile adorned her mouth as she thought of all the possibilities. A warm bed, something to eat - the smile slid off her face. Food meant money and money she had not.
So she would have to be cunning. She straightened and mulled it over. So if she could be quick, she could steal a chicken or two. Steal some hay for a warm bed and maybe some milk.
She crept forward and watched as two small girls ran around a young man around her own age and watched as he yelled at them to get out of his way. It wasn't said cruelly, just like a big brother would say exasperated with his two little sisters. A smile crept onto her face once again as they ducked out of his way and watched as the young man and his bucket went crashing to the ground. The two little girls gasped and then sharing the same look, they ran with their brother's curses following them.
Sakura laughed and then clamped her hand to her mouth when she realized what she had done. She looked up and saw that the young man was looking her way. She hid lower and hoped it was something else that had his attention. He got up and walked forward, the bucket forgotten on the ground. Sakura blinked and backed away a little at a time. He was no more than a couple of feet away when someone called out to him and he was forced to obey. He shot Sakura's hiding spot a look and then he was gone.
Sakura ran as soon as he was gone and she didn't stop until she knew she was safe. She found a nice little shelter made out of two boulders. She crawled inside and hid her bag. She was starving and the only way she could stop herself from thinking about her stomach was to think of something else, so she started to plan. She would wait until dark and then she would creep up to the farm and see what she could find. She had studied the skills needed to survive.
Keno lifted the bucket and prayed for the patience he wished he had where these two little monsters were concerned, but it didn't come. Meridan ducked through his legs and giggled followed by Lydian. Yelling in frustration he commanded them away, and when threats didn't work he threatened to peg them up by their ears to be left to swing in the breeze. He was about to yell again when he tripped and landed on the hard ground.
There was dead silence and he saw the glances the two monsters shared before they escaped. He yelled after them but they didn't listen. He heard another laughing and he stiffened. He looked to the trees expecting to see one of the Fay but there was nothing there. He knew that he had heard it. It was like a sweet melody.
He went to investigate. He knew the stories of the Fay. Mischievous folk who liked to play tricks on the mortals. Knowing that his two sisters would give anything to be taken by the Fay for all the fun they would have, Keno knew that he could not let anything take them. He would miss them too much.
He could feel something watching him but he felt no danger. It was like a curious presence. Suddenly his father called for him and he sighed. Nothing had made itself known and he would just have to keep an eye out. He would warn the two brats not to go into the trees today. They would argue but with the threat of a being put over his lap for disobedience, he knew they would obey. He never punished them unless it was called for. Other than that, he loved his two sisters and would die to protect them.
So shooting the trees one more look, he walked inside wondering if maybe he had heard wrong.
The next morning . . .
Keno came outside the next morning and let out the chickens into the main yard and brushed his long brown bangs out of his eyes. He walked into the barn and patted the cow on the rump affectionately as he passed. He bent down to get the bucket for the milk to be collected and he paused looking down at the hay near the loft. It looked like the sisters had been nicking off with some of the hay again. A small chunk was missing, not really noticeable at first, but for a young man who knew every nook and cranny of his home, he noticed these things.
He collected the milk and was carrying it to the house for his mother when he noticed one of the smaller knives was missing. He frowned thinking where it could be. He hadn't used it yesterday and far as he knew, his father hadn't either. He hoped Meridan and Lydian hadn't got their little hands on it. They were prone to trouble. He'd have to mention it to his mother so she could ask them.
He came back to the house after helping his father in the field with the crops, pulling on his shirt after his quick bath with the water collected in the rain barrel, when he heard and saw his mother cursing as she walked away from the chicken pen. Her dark eyes flashed with anger as she stalked towards him.
" I thought we'd got rid of the little weasels, " she ground out angrily. " but obviously we missed a few. "
" Missed what? " Keno asked watching his mother head for the house.
" Foxes! " she shot over her shoulder. " One of the chickens is missing. Do you have any idea how much it's going to cost to replace it with the new taxes thanks to that pompous, pilfering little snake?!! "
Keno looked around him cautiously.
" Mother please, we don't want you to be hacked off for speaking like that. " he spoke quietly.
" You know that they hear almost everything. "
" Oh yes I know Keno! " she shot back. " I know how that snake has ears that extend all over the land! Well I don't care! What else does he expect when he bleeds us dry until he cannot bleed us anymore! If he expects respect for stealing food from our mouths and taking the milk from our babes, then a pox on the phony king! "
" Mother! " Keno choked shocked.
" Keno my love, " his mother traced his face with her hand. " You are no longer a boy, you are a man, if we do not stand tall and take pride in what we have, then what can we consider ours? We fought long and hard for this land, it is our food, our life, if we let that man walk all over us, then we will have nothing for our future. "
Keno sighed and his mother kissed him on the forehead before she stepped back. She shot a furious look at the chicken pen before she started back for the house.
" I'll fetch you the traps Keno. Please put them up again. "
" Yes mother. " he replied worriedly.
It was late in the afternoon the next day when Keno walked around to check the traps. So far he had two rabbits which would serve well for dinner, but there was no sign of the fox that had apparently stolen the chicken. Thinking on this as he headed for home, Keno wondered what else could have gotten in? A thief? Perhaps, there certainly had been an uprising in thievery since the king had started taking everything that people owned. The fact that there was no feathers suggested that it was no animal, but the dogs would have alerted them if someone had trespassed.
Arriving home he gave the rabbits to his mother and she gave him a warm smile before she set about preparing them for dinner. He went out and collected the firewood for the fire, patting his sisters on their heads when he was finished, receiving smiles in return. His father returned shortly after, a bear of a man who dominated the room and called attention to his presence. His father, long ago, if only for a while, had been in the royal army. He had served well and that was supposedly where he had met his mother. It had been shortly after his father's leaving, that disaster had struck the royals. But that was all in the past now. Keno smiled welcome to his father and they set down to eat.
" Mother, I've been thinking. " Keno said seriously as he finished off his bread.
" I do not think that it was a fox that stole that chicken. "
" Oh? " he had his mother's attention now.
" No. There were no tracks, no feathers. I do not think an animal stole it. "
" A thief? " his father asked watching him. Keno nodded.
" It's a possibility. But the fact remains that the dogs didn't stir. That I can't understand. "
" Maybe the Fay took the chicken. " Meridan spoke up looking at Lydian.
" Oh do you think so papa? " Lydian asked her eyes bright with excitement.
" Girls, you know we do not encourage the Fay. " Keno's father replied. " Just leave it to Keno and I and we will see what we can find. "
" Lets go make something for the Fay! " Meridan cried and leapt up from the table.
" Ok! " Lydian smiled and they both ran off before anyone could say another word.
" Do you think I should talk to them? " Keno asked looking at the two with their heads put together.
" No leave them. " his mother replied. " Let them be girls while they still can. Soon enough they will be forced to look upon the reality of the world instead of that of dreams. "
Keno looked at his sisters and sighed. He didn't look forward to the day that they both lost the stars from their innocent eyes.
Sakura was walking back towards her little hide out when she heard a noise and frowned. She pushed aside the branches and gasped. She had only been here at this spot for two days and she had never come across any danger, but a she looked at the animal in front of her, she felt fear creep up her spine, but as the animal snarled and looked at her with familiar amber eyes she gasped at the pain in those intelligent eyes.
" Oh you poor thing. " Sakura cried as she saw the bloodied paw caught in the trap. He snarled and bared his teeth at her and her eyes widened.
" I have to get you out of there. " she whispered and stepped forward. He snarled again and backed away and yelped when it pulled tighter.
" Please don't do that. " she said softly as she crept nearer. " You'll only make it worse. "
But nothing she did settled him. He continued to snarl and bite at her, missing her by inches as she jumped back. She had only one option. She didn't have a tranquilizer, but she had to knock him out some way. She eyed the branch and broke it off and looked at the wolf. He watched her and if it were possible she read the message clear in those eyes.
Don't even think about it.
Sakura gulped and clutched the branch tighter. Her wide emerald eyes pleaded for forgiveness as she approached him again. She swung the branch with all her might, hoping to stun him. He shifted and she adjusted her aim and he yelped when she got him on the back of the head. He went down like a ton of bricks and Sakura dropped the branch in horror. She landed in the dirt at his feet and lifted his head and patted his maw trying to get a response from him. He whined softly and she felt tears come to her eyes.
She struggled to pull the trap away with all her might, but every time she got it open a little, it closed even more. When she finally managed to get it open, she shoved a stick in it and lifted his paw out and jumped when the stick broke and the trap snapped in the quiet.
She looked around wildly and then making up her mind, she dragged the wolf to her camp. She had collected some water that morning, so she used what was left to clean the wound and she tore strips from her shirt to bandage the damaged paw when she was done.
She trickled the remaining water into the wolf's mouth and was pleased when he swallowed. She stroked his fur and was amazed at how soft it was. Being a wild creature of the forest, she always thought that it would be coarse.
She grew worried when he still didn't come to later that night. Using the moon, she stole back to the farm and gathered more hay and collected more water. The dogs stirred but she put her hands to her mouth and urged them to be quiet. They had nearly scarred her half to death when she had first come across them, but she had held out her hands and let them smell her and she had patted them and made friends easily.
Now she stumbled back to the forest and laid the hay down and spread it out and laid him down on it gently, careful not to hurt his paw. She fed him water and talked to him as the night went on. She must have fallen asleep because when she woke she looked down at her patient and found him awake and watching her.
Tears welled into her eyes and throwing all caution to the wind, hugged his head to her as she cried. He struggle and whined, but she wouldn't let go. She held him softly and stroked his fur and told him how happy she was for not killing him. She gave him water and gave him the last of her chicken and smiled when he swallowed it in one gulp.
That night she left him and went back to the farm. She felt guilty for taking so much and not giving anything back. She decided that she would go back to camp and see what she could find that she could leave for them. She stole into the chicken pen and took some eggs. She was about to leave when she spotted something in the faint moonlight.
On the ground, spread out on a cloth was bread, drink, oat cakes and fruit. Looking around her for a sign of a trap, she crept forward. There was a flower next to the food and she realized that it must have come from the two girls. Could they have seen her? Or did they think that she was some spirit come to haunt them? She scooped it up and then turning, she headed back to the wolf.
She took care of him, falling asleep for a time in between. When she woke, she set to making flower chains and crowns for the young girls as well as little dolls made out of hay, long grass and used flowers as dresses. She used charcoal from the small fire that she had made to put faces on the dolls. The wolf watched her the whole time and catching him watching her, she would blush and smile and go back to work, determined to get them finished. She had stashed the oat cakes and bread into her bag. She was determined to save what she could. The fruit she had eaten hungrily earlier but she had a patient and he needed more than she. So she waited until that night before she placed them on the front step of the farm before she went and stole another chicken.
" Oh I don't believe it! " Keno's mother cried in despair when she discovered another chicken missing. " First the eggs and now this! "
Keno stood by and watched on silently. There was no doubt about it now. Someone was stealing their only source of food. Keno placed his hand on his mother's shoulder and she turned to him.
" You and your father are going to have to go and search for whoever it is that is stealing our animals Keno. "
" I know. I'll go and get father. " he said and turned and nearly was bowled over by his sisters as they shrieked and cried out happily around their mother's skirts.
" Mother! Mother! " they cried, " Look what the Fay have left us! "
" What's that you say? The Fay? " their mother asked as she looked at the perfectly made crowns and chains and dolls.
" What are you two talking about? " Keno asked as he looked at the doll Meridan had shared with him.
" We left food out for the Fay and in the morning it was gone. We thought that they didn't like us, but we found these just now! Aren't they pretty mama? "
" Oh my darlings. " she shot Keno a look. " They're lovely. Why don't you go and fetch your father hmm? " she said the last part to Keno.
Keno nodded and made his way down to the fields to where his father would be working with some of the neighboring villagers.
The trees were quiet tonight. Usually the leaves would whisper in the wind, but not tonight. Tonight the world was quiet. Sakura had left her patient to go to the little stream that was nearby so she could collect more water. She was going to bathe later as well.
She looked up at the crescent moon in the sky, the one that reminded her of the Cheshire cat's smile and wondered if her family was looking at the same moon somewhere in the future.
The wolf was recovering as best as one could expect with a wound like that. She had done First Aid when she had been at college as a precaution in case someone got injured on the dig and no one else was able to help at the time. She didn't have any of the things she would have liked to have had, but he was strong and he was healing thankfully.
She smiled as she thought of her patient. He had a will as strong as iron. It was funny how he reminded her of a strong-willed, stubborn male typical of her time. She almost liked to think that Alex and the wolf would make close friends.
She listened as the water rushed over the polished stones in the creek bed. She crouched down and placed the bucket she had taken from the farm into the water and waited as the water started to fill the bucket. A sound made her jump up holding the bucket to her chest in fright. She watched as light flared and two figures came out of the trees opposite her and looked directly at her. Not liking the look on their faces illuminated by the torches, she dropped the bucket and ran.
The bucket crashed to the ground spilling its contents as she ran. Two voices called for her to stop, but she wasn't going to. She ducked and dodged branches and made her way back towards her camp. When that thought struck, she skidded to a stop and headed into another direction. She couldn't let them get their hands on the wolf who ever they were.
She heard them coming and grabbed the lowest branch she could find and swung up into the branches of the tree. She scrambled up as fast as she dared and listened over the pounding of her own heart. They were going the wrong way! She could hear them heading towards her camp. Maybe they could see her fire.
She had to do something!
So she cupped her hands to her mouth and let go a howl that would have done any wolf proud. Silence greeted her call and then there were sounds as feet ran towards where she lay in hiding. The young man and the older man stood beneath her tree and looked around them cautiously. Sakura held her breath while they talked to each other quietly.
It seemed like an eternity before they moved off and she could take a deep breath of air. Knowing that it could be a trap and that they could still be waiting for her, Sakura climbed down slowly and as quietly as she could. She reached the last branch as was about to jump down when the young man stepped out and looked up at her as she froze - the torch revealing both her and his face.
She gulped and went to climb back up again but he stopped her with a quietly spoken word.
" No. "
She stopped and wondered what would happen to her now. She turned a little and looked over her shoulder at him as he regarded her with a look of both curiosity and suspicion. He motioned for her to come down and she let go the branch above her and then gently lowered herself to the ground.
The other man came out of the bushes and looked at them both. Sakura turned around and met their gazes. Being submitted to firelight, her dark emerald eyes glowed with inner fire. They gasped and she frowned and wondered what was wrong with them. The young man looked to the forest behind her and she wondered if he was expecting an ambush of some kind. She looked behind her and saw nothing, but in doing so, made the two in front of her more uneasy.
" If there are more of you then it be best if you tell us now. " the older man said calmly.
" Huh? " Sakura blinked. " More? "
"
Yes. " the young man said nodding. " If they are more of you then you better tell us. "
" There's only me. . " Sakura replied slowly a little confused.
The two seemed to relax a little more at that, but then the young man stood straighter and met her gaze. " Are you the one that has been stealing from our farm? " he demanded.
She was thankful that the darkness and the flickering torch light disguised her blush. " If I was, do you think that I would tell you? " she asked calmly.
" Only one guilty would say something like that. " the young man said.
" True, but then I could be just saying that so you think I'm guilty. Maybe I am protecting someone else. "
" There is another? " the older man demanded.
" Possibly, but then I could just be trying to get the blame off me by insinuating that there is another. "
The young man's eyes narrowed and he looked angry. " Either you are or you aren't! Now are you the thief or are you not?!! "
Sakura sighed and closed her eyes momentarily before she opened them again and met his eyes.
" Yes. It was me that stole from your farm. " she replied quietly. " I was hungry and have no money. "
" Well then - " the older man stepped forward and grabbed her wrist in a tight squeeze that had her gasping.
" Hey! Let me go! Didn't you hear me? I have no money! I couldn't pay! I'm sorry! "
" Ah, you say you are sorry now when you have been caught. But if we had not found you, then you would have continued to steal from us until we had nothing left I merit. "
" No! " she gasped as she was dragged along by the strong man. " I was leaving tomorrow! You have to believe me! "
" Why should we believe a thief? " Keno asked angrily.
" What are you going to do with me? " Sakura gasped.
" Since there isn't a worthy judge around these parts since the new king, we'll deal with you ourselves. "
Sakura didn't like the sound of that and tried to pull free, but the hold on her wrist became tighter if it were possible. She dug her heels in and screamed. The older man flinched at the volume and Keno winced. Keno's father wrapped his free hand around her mouth and lifted her off her feet and carried her along like she weighed nothing at all.
Amber eyes had looked to the stars when the howl had awakened the night. He knew no other with that howl. It was one that he had not heard before and he knew most that had lived in this area for well over ten years. He had sensed the others walking around in the forest and knew that if he remained he would be found. So he slipped off into the darkness and limped away.
That girl had looked after him and tried her best although she talked about things that he did not know of. It was strange to listen to her talk to herself and then to watch her look up shyly at him as if expecting him to respond. He'd watch as the red would tinge her cheeks and then she would chide herself for talking to him as if expecting him to understand her.
But it was time to leave while she was gone.
He froze when he heard her scream. He knew her enough now to recognize her cry for help. He sniffed the wind as it teased his fur and snarled. Two men. He crouched and then sprang forward, teeth barred and ignoring the pain in his paw.
" Please, look I'll work off what I owe you! " Sakura cried desperately as they came out of the forest.
" Do you think that I will let you near anything that you can get your hands on? " he growled.
" What about the dolls? " Sakura cried. " I made then for your little girls hoping you would forgive me! "
" That was you? " Keno asked surprised.
" Of course it was me! How else would I know about it? " she demanded.
A tall woman came out of the farm house and her eyes widened when she saw who they had. Before she could say anything, Sakura was unceremoniously dumped on the ground and the bear of a man snarled.
" Here is our thief. "
" Her? " the woman asked surprised. Her husband grunted and crossed his arms.
" What are we going to do with her? " she demanded. " That no-for-good sheriff will only come out here preaching and knowing his personality, we'll all end locked up. "
" Perhaps we should cut off her hands so she can never steal again. "
" You can't do that! " Sakura said. " I only stole a chicken! Ok, maybe two, but you'd think I'd robbed Wall Street for all the fuss you're making. "
" Aren't you a sassy one? " the woman said angrily. " I don't know Wall Street, but I wouldn't put it past you. "
" Innocent until proven guilty. " Sakura stated angrily. " Ever heard it? "
" Don't talk back to me missy. " she replied slapping Sakura hard. " You stole our only source of food and now you'll pay for what you did. "
" How hard can it be to buy a few chickens? " Sakura asked incredulously holding her cheek. This was turning into a nightmare.
" How hard -? " the woman started incredulously, but then a snarling came from the forest and a dark shadow ran from the forest and leapt at the three near Sakura.
Keno jumped the side while his father grabbed his mother and jumped sideways, slamming into the side of the house as the wolf landed in front of Sakura snarling and barring his teeth. Sakura watched shocked at what had just happened. The wolf's hackles were up and he was clearly agitated. Why did he always come back? To save her?
Slowly as to not start him into attacking, Sakura started talking to him, getting to her knees. He looked at her and then snarled at the three who kept watching in fear. She edged closer talking words of comfort trying to ease him. She held her hand out and waited.
The wolf let his hackles down and backed towards her. She sighed when he allowed her to stroke him once before stepping away from her outstretched hands. Ok, she thought, he's still a little edgy I'll go easy. She looked up and met Keno's gaze. He was staring at her in shock.
" You're, " he stammered. " You're one of them aren't you? "
" One what? " she asked.
" The Fay. That's why you can talk to him isn't it? "
" I can't ta - " she paused thinking.
The Fay in ancient texts was otherwise known as Folk of the Forest, Fairies, and tricksters of the wood. They obviously believed in such things here. This young man believed she could talk and understand the wolf. Could she use it to turn a disastrous turn of events into a situation that work out better for herself and the wolf? Her conscience prickled and she swore she'd choke on her lies one day, but for today, she needed to save herself and the wolf.
" Well are you? " Keno demanded. " And is he your guardian? " The wolf snarled in warning and Keno backed away a little.
Sakura gathered all her courage and mentally went over all the fairytales that she had heard and prayed someone would forgive her for this one day. She straightened and raised her chin proudly and met his gaze head on.
" And who do you think you are to ask me such a question? Why should I answer anything you ask of me after the way you have treated him and I? " she glanced at the wolf. " Why do you expect me to answer? "
She turned and looked at the wolf. " Are you alright my love? " her eyes begged him to understand. She knew he was intelligent and this was to test just how smart he was. " Thank you for saving me again. " she murmured lovingly.
Keno's eyes had widened as well as his parents'. " You are. " he choked and looked at his parents. " What have we done? We've offended the Fay! "
" Why would one of the Fay steal from mortals? " his father demanded looking at Sakura. His training in the army hadn't been for naught.
" I'll tell you why. " she got up and looked down at them. " Because we are being punished that is why. We dared to love and they have gone against us and we now live in exile away from everything we have ever known, but together at least. " she was really getting into this she thought vaguely.
The wolf's head whipped around to look at her in stunned disbelief. What was she doing?!! She turned to look down at him.
" They turned him into a wolf so we could never truly be together. But we are stronger than that. I love him no matter what form he takes. " She knelt down and smiled at him. " As each day goes by, we lose more and more of the Fay. " she whispered. " Each day we become more and more like you mortals that we must eat and drink your food and water to live.
" We have nothing that we can use to buy things of our own, for we use the water and the earth, the trees and the food from mother nature to trade than you mortals. We believe in the goodness of the things around us instead of trading with cold metal.
" My love was injured in a trap that was set up in the forest, " she glanced at them accusingly.
" And I have been trying to save him, but without the help of the Fay, I could only hope that his determined will would help fight off infection. I stole what I did from you to give him back his strength. "
" Is it true? " came an excited voice and they all looked up at the two faces at the door. " Are you in love with a wolf and that you are both Fay? "
Sakura smiled and knelt down next to the wolf again. " Hai, did you like the dolls and the flower chains I made for you? "
" We knew it! " they shrieked excited. " We knew the Fay were stealing the food! "
Sakura felt a pang for lying, but it had to be done. She only hoped that the stars in their eyes were good fortune instead of bad luck.
" Alright girls, back inside to bed. " the woman said, slowly getting to her feet.
" But mama, " they complained looking at Sakura and the wolf.
" Not buts. Inside to bed. " she pointed her finger and they sulked back inside to bed.
The woman then turned to Sakura and the wolf. " You may stay here in the loft above the barn. Fay or not, you stole from me, my husband and my children. You will stay here until the debt is paid. " she looked at the wolf. " I'll leave some herbs that will help him heal. You should know what to do with them. "
Sakura nodded although she cringed inside. Her know herbology? What a joke. " Thank you. " Sakura bowed her head and walked off towards the barn.
The wolf looked back at the three of them and his eyes narrowed warily. He would have to be on alert if he was going to get out of this. He turned and slowly walked after Sakura trying not to limp.
It would seem that they were to be partnered with each other for a while longer . . .
Sakura climbed up the ladder and knelt down in the hay that lay scattered around her. Well it was warm and soft. Better than the hard ground. She started when the wolf landed beside her. How did he manage to get up? She looked around but couldn't find the answer. She looked at him suspiciously.
" I am starting to think that you are smarter than you look Mr Wolf. " she said softly as she gazed into his amber eyes." But at what cost I wonder? " she looked down at the bandage on his foot.
He grunted and then walked over to the far wall and curled up to sleep. It was clear he didn't have anything to say on the matter and wanted to be left alone. Sakura sighed and found a comfy spot for her to curl up in and then closed her eyes. She wished she could see her father and the others just for a moment. Her hands reached out for her bag and then she started and her eyes flew wide when she realized that she had left her bag back in the clearing where they had been camping.
" Oh no. " she breathed and didn't see the wolf's head come up to watch her. " I left everything behind. I'll have to go back in the morning and get my bag. I can't believe I left without it, although I wasn't really given a choice was I? " she sighed again and laid down and looked up at the stars that she could see through the loft window.
" Whoever's out there, please forgive me for lying. It was the only thing I could think of. Oh, and thank you for blessing me with the wolf. He's a good friend. " she finished tiredly and then fell asleep.
Two amber eyes that glowed in the darkness continued to watch her as she slept.
Sakura groaned and the rolled over trying to go back to sleep, but the sunlight remained strong on her face and she blinked and the rolled over again and sighed. She stared up at the roof and sighed. So she was still here. Would she ever get home? She yawned and stretched and then sat up and stared.
Her bag was sitting in the hay in front of her. How had that gotten there?
Sliding down the ladder, she stepped outside the barn and looked around. Keno was walking past carrying two buckets. At the sight of her he stopped and met her gaze.
" Good morning. " she said, coming closer. " How are you this morning? "
" Just fine. " he replied after a while, reluctantly.
Frowning, Sakura looked around her. " Why did you all let me sleep in so late? Wasn't I supposed to be helping out? "
" Yeah you were, but he wouldn't let anyone disturb you. " he shot a look behind her and she turned and saw the wolf laying down in the shade under a tree watching her.
" Oh. " she said and smiled sheepishly. " Well I'm up now and if you give me a minute, I'll go wash up and then we can get started. "
" Water barrel's that way. " he pointed and then lifted the buckets and moved off.
" Well so much for first impressions. " she said aloud. " Why'd you let me sleep? " she said to the wolf.
He merely yawned showing razor sharp teeth and the got up and walked off. She stuck her tongue out at him and then turned and went to water barrel and splashed water on her face and tying her long hair back in a bun, she set out to find the young man.
She found him digging up a dirt bed and she watched him as he did it. He looked up and saw her watching him and he paused, before continuing on with what he was doing. She walked over a little closer and picked up the other hoe and started digging up the other side that he hadn't done yet. She paused when she felt someone watching her and she turned to find him watching her in a sort of stunned surprise.
" What? " she asked.
" You do a man's work so easily? "
" You find that hard to believe? " she asked frowning.
" That comes as a surprise? " he asked.
" Listen - " she paused and then blinked. " Ah, what's your name? We didn't exactly get around to that. "
" Keno. "
" Mines Sakura. "
" Sak- Sak-oo-ra?" he tried the unusual name on his tongue.
Sakura smiled and leant against the stick. " Just call me Sake. Sar-Key. It's easier. " she smiled warmly. " So why do you find it hard that I can do whatever you can do? "
" Tell me Sake, do the Fay always do their own work? " he watched her look up at him slowly.
" I do whatever I want. No one can tell me what I can and cannot do. If I want to help you dig up this bed, then so be it. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't question me so. " she replied frowning slightly.
" And the wolf? What will he be doing today? "
" He will be resting. " Sakura said starting to dig again. Geez lying was hard.
" Now please let me get on with this. "
Keno watched her for a moment before he picked up his stick and started working once more.
They worked in companionable silence and within no time the bed was dug up and Keno started planting the seeds that his mother wanted him to plant. Sakura watched him fascinated. Here was the life of centuries past. How she wished she had a camera.
They continued to work until the sun went down. Keno's mother called them in for dinner and Keno walked over the water barrel to wash up before he went in. He looked back at Sakura as she splashed water on her face. She looked up as Keno went inside, before she went over to the barn and climbed the ladder to see if the wolf was there. She hadn't seen him all day and she was worried.
She yawned as she scanned the loft and before she knew it, she laid down in the soft hay and was fast asleep and didn't hear Keno climb the ladder to check on her to see where she had gotten to.
A few weeks later . . .
Sakura stretched as she came out of the barn from milking the cows. She scratched her hand and noticed for the first time the roughness from the calluses on her hands. Working as she had been for the last 2 weeks she wasn't surprised that this had happened. She was tougher in mind, body and in spirit.
She walked around in her pants and boots that she had arrived in, but her top had been replaced by a tunic. It would seem that she was meant to fit in. She guessed she didn't look so outlandish as she had when she had arrived here.
She glanced over at the tree that had become a popular spot for the wolf to lay and watch her. He was there watching her now. His paw had healed thanks to the herbs that she had been given and the bandage had come of days ago when he had gnawed it off out of annoyance. Why he didn't leave she wasn't sure. She was fully prepared to concoct a story if he was to disappear, but he hadn't. What was he waiting for? He had kept his distance from her and she tried not to ponder over it for too long. She only ended up with a headache. He was wary and touchy when she was around, so she stayed away.
She looked up at the sky and smiled in delight. It was so blue and clear. It was a perfect day for swimming. Smiling at that thought, she turned and went looking for Keno.
The two had become good friends since she had been here. The wariness had slowly disappeared and now they enjoyed each other's company. She would look up and find him watching her sometimes like the wolf. It didn't disturb as much as she thought that it might have. She guessed she was just too used to the wolf watching her not to be bothered by it. He would turn shy and then look away making her smile.
She helped him whenever she could and he had stopped asking questions and let her do it. She had learned many things and she had started making notes on the back of the pages of her sketch book that she had found in her bag. If she ever did get back home, she didn't want to go back empty handed.
She found him finishing up with his father in the fields. She waited until he walked past her before she grabbed his arm and dragged him back behind the side of the barn where they wouldn't be seen. She held up her finger to silence him as his father and some other farmers walked passed them and went up to the house. She smiled up at him and hauled him after her towards the forest.
He protested but she only laughed and hurried on. She called for the wolf and he came trotting after her a few minutes later. They emerged from the forest to a small swimming hole that Keno's sisters had shown her only a week ago. This was the only time she had to come suss it out.
" What are we doing here? " Keno asked confused. " I have more work to do. "
" Work, work, work. " Sakura tsked as she looked at him. " Don't you ever have any fun? "
" Fun? But the farm - " he looked behind him.
" It will not fall apart without you Keno. " she said rolling her eyes.
She turned from him and found the wolf watching her warily on the rock nearby. She flashed him a sunny smile. She then walked down to the edge of the grassy bank and sat down and started taking off her boots. She then reached for the hem of her tunic and heard the startled gasp from Keno behind her as she threw the tunic on the ground beside her boots revealing her singlet top underneath. She looked behind her at his startled expression and flashed him a smile as she ran and leapt into the freezing cold water.
She came up gasping and shook the water from her eyes. Keno was looking at her surprised and she laughed. " Come on Keno! The water is wonderful! "
" I can't. " he replied kneeling down near the water. " I don't know how to swim. "
" You don't know - " she cut herself off in time. She'd forgotten that they didn't know how to swim in this time. How easily it was to forget such things.
" Well hey that's ok! " she called back. " Just dangle your feet in the water. It's wonderful! "
Keno still looked unsure, but did as she had suggested. She swam about for a while and then came and sat on the grass beside Keno smiling. She looked about and found the wolf asleep on the rock he had been on before.
" Lazy puss! " she called and watched one of his eyes open to regard her sleepily.
The birds sang and with the crickets chirping and the soothing sound of the water flowing, it made the perfect spot for such a day as this. Sakura leant back on her hands and sighed.
" This is the life Keno. Just perfect. " she purred dreamingly.
" Sake, tell me about your home. " he said quietly and she opened her eyes to stare at him seriously.
" My home? " she watched him nod.
" Ah, well - let's see. . " she racked her brain. " Ok well it's very different from this place. "
"I figured that much. " he said dryly and she blushed.
" Ok well - where to begin. " how much could she tell him? " Our homes are very different from yours. For instance, some of our homes are as tall as trees and twice as big as your houses here. We ah, " she looked around her. " We have huge places where we can all go to swim on hot days like this. From where I come from, we are all equal and free. There is no such thing as men's work or woman's work. Both are entitled to do either or both if they so chose."
" It doesn't sound like anything I've ever heard of before. " Keno replied.
" No, I imagine that it's not. " she replied softly.
" I wish I could be Fay. " he said smiling at her.
" No Keno. " she said looking into the water. " Don't ever wish to be anything other than what you are. So many lose their happiness when they want to lose what they are. "
" Personal experience? " he asked.
" No. But I've seen it happen a lot. It saddens me to think that they couldn't be happy with what they are given instead of being greedy and wanting more and more. "
" Hmmmm. " he replied thoughtfully and leaned back to look at the sky.
It was getting hot again and her clothes were dry again. She got to her feet and then shot the wolf a calculating look. She wondered if her intelligent wolf had ever had any fun in his life. She crept around the rock he was on and snuck up behind him. He flicked an ear as an insect annoyed him but didn't move. Sakura took a deep breath and the wolf's eyes snapped open as she made a huge roar.
He jump ten feet, tail bushy and with a yelp landed with a mighty splash in the water below. Sakura burst into laughter and collapsed on the rock as he came up spluttering and making irritated noises in the back of his throat as he doggy paddled. Sakura leaned out over the edge of the rock, still laughing.
" Got you Mr. Wolf. " she laughed. " Nice isn't it? " He shot her an angry glare and then leapt out of the water, snared his teeth into her shirt and ignoring her shriek of surprise, dragged her into the water with him.
Keno had leapt up in fear, and watched as she came to the surface coughing and spluttering. She shot the wolf a glare and then before she could stop herself, burst into laughter. Who'd have guessed? She splashed him and then swam away from him as he came after her.
She let him catch her and giggled when he grabbed her shirt and tried to pull her playfully, under the water. She broke free and swam around some more before she got tired and then waited for the wolf to come back towards her. Together they emerged from the water dripping water everywhere.
Sakura shrieked when he shook himself, spraying her with water. He shot her a wolfish smirk of pure male satisfaction and she glared.
" Well at least I don't look like a fuzz ball. " she threw back and watched him stalk off back to his rock and lay down.
" Men. " she muttered and started when Keno laughed. He smiled when Sakura shot him a heated look.
Their names being called got their attention. Meridan and Lydian came running towards them and told them that dinner was ready and that their parents wanted to know where they had gotten to. Sakura shot Keno a mischievous grin and they all headed back to the house.
That night she watched them all together and she felt a pang in her heart. They were a really happy family.
A week later . .
Sakura sat on the rock that only a week earlier she had pushed a startled okami off. Her sketch pad was in front of her and a proud image of the wolf leaped off the page. His head lifted proudly as he stood and watched something Sakura could only imagine, the wind playing with his shaggy coat. It was one of the best things she had done.
But today, it couldn't make her happy. Today she was home sick and she only wanted to go home. She had even abandoned her chores just to come here and daydream. She wondered what he father was up to. Did he know she was gone? What about the others? Would they be able to console her father?
She sighed and rested her chin in her hand. She had to get away from here and find a way back to her family. She listened to the stream and then flipped another page of her sketch book over and started drawing the stream in front of her. She was so engrossed in what she did that she didn't hear Keno's father come up until his shadow startled her and she looked over her shoulder up at him unaware of the charcoal smudges on her face.
" What are you doing down here lass? " his deep rumbling voice asked softly. He truly was a bear of a man.
" Drawing sir. " she replied and turned back to what she was doing. She was nearly done. He looked over her shoulder and saw the sketch. His eyebrows went up when he saw it.
" Well lass you certainly have a talent there. "
" Arigato. " she replied and then sighed when it was finished.
" Is something wrong lass? " he asked sitting down near her. She turned sad emerald eyes on him and he felt bad for her.
" Nothing is wrong sir. I just miss my family. I wish I could return to them. "
" And the only way to do that is to give up the wolf right? " he asked. Sakura laughed but not kindly.
" If that were the only thing. " her shoulders sagged and she stared down into the water.
" Ah, I remember when I was young. " he said catching her attention. " I was full of dreams of adventure and excitement. I wanted to see the world and be rich and famous, but then I met Salome and she planted my feet firmly back on the ground and I've been here ever since. "
" Did you see all the things that you wanted? " Sakura asked.
" I did see a great deal yes, " he replied " But then when Salome came into the scheme of things, I didn't really see anything but her for a long, long time. "
" You're both very lucky. " she said.
" Thank you lass, but that's not all I'm trying to say. I've been watching you and that wolf of yours and I see what I knew was in my own eyes when I was younger. You want adventure, excitement. You have a mission and you're raring to go and the last thing that you want is to be stuck on a farm for the rest of your lives. If it hadn't been for the circumstances that brought you to our farm, " Sakura blushed. " Then you would be out getting yourselves into all sorts of trouble. "
" I'm afraid I'm not following what you are trying to say. " Sakura say slowly frowning.
" You and your wolf can stay here for as long as you need, long enough to get the things you'll need together, and then you can be on your way. There's a journey waiting for you and you need to take the chance while you have it. "
" But sir - "
" No buts lass. We'll miss you, know that. You're a hard worker though you insist on doing the men's' share of things. I never could understand that. "
" You'll never understand it. " Sakura chided and smiled.
He smiled and held out a hand for her to help her up. They walked back inside where Keno and his mother shot them both worried looks thinking that something was wrong for the young girl to have disappeared all day. Sakura took her dinner and sat in the corner, balancing her sketch book on her knees as she sketched away furiously. She didn't have a camera, but she was damned if she was going to forget these people. There were never going to be just a faded memory.
The wolf was busy eating his own dinner, but he'd pause once and again to lick his maw and then he would watch her as she sketched away, before lowering his head again and eating.
" What are you doing? " Meridan asked creeping forward.
" Something special. " she said and then held the paper sketch book away from her and studied her work critically.
" May I see? "
" Meridan, stop being a bother and leave Sake to her work. " Salome chided as she cleaned.
" She's right. " Sakura smiled and then held the picture out for the little girl to see.
" Ooh! " she cried and her eyes lit up when she saw herself and her family on the paper. " That's amazing. "
" May I see? " Salome asked coming up to them.
" Sure. " Sakura showed her and watched the older woman's face reveal surprise.
" Is that we look like? " she asked.
" Yep. " Sakura smiled and then noticed the wolf coming a little closer. She could see he was curious.
Laughing she held the picture down at his level and watched as he crept closer and sniffed at the paper before stepping back to look at the picture.
" Does it meet your approval? " she chuckled as he sniffed and tilted his head to the side.
" I think he likes it. " Meridan smiled.
" You know I think he does. " Sakura smiled.
She yawned and then started to put her things away. She wished Keno and his family goodnight and walked out to the hayloft smiling. She climbed the ladder and tucked her sketch pad and charcoal back into her bag. She heard the wolf below her and she leaned over just in time to see him jump up on a stall, leap up onto an overhanging beam and then land gracefully in the hay near her.
She gaped at him as he settled down and lowered his head onto his front paws and closed his eyes. Her jaw swayed in the breeze for a few more minutes and then she shook her head with a muttered: " That's how you manage it, " before she laid down and looked up at the stars.
They shone and she traced the patterns in the sky with her eyes. There was the rabbit her father had shown her when she was little, the bear and Orion's belt. She sighed and then started thinking. Working on the farm was great, it opened a whole new experience for her, but it wasn't what she desired. Oh she could see herself settling down on the farm, having children; Keno had asked her many a time to consider it, and as tempting as the thought was, it was only a dream. It wasn't something that wasn't meant for her. She knew it deep in her heart.
She stretched her head back and watched the wolf as he continued to sleep. It was strange to consider herself dependant on him. She knew that he didn't really like her, and he went out of his way to avoid her, but he still hung around and she smiled warmly.
She could see them both walking along the dusty roads, having adventures, getting into trouble. She looked back up at the stars and she knew deep within that this was what the Fates had decreed. She would travel. She sighed and the wolf opened one eye to look at her.
" I just hope I have the courage for it. . . " she whispered before her eyes closed and she fell asleep.
TBC
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