Another day, another chapter. I am glad that those who reviewed are intrigued thus far. Kocoum will make his debut, and to warn you, he is OOC, but that is only because they barely gave him any depth at all in the movie! A fact that ticked me off, even at a young age.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pocahontas (Disney or Real-Life). Don't you dare sue me, because I need money for the trip.

The branches rustled with the wind, drawing them back slightly to reveal someone walking back and forth on the small island near the edge of the trees. Pocahontas peeked through the hanging curtain of leaves, her heart beating quickly. Grandmother had said part of her dream would be revealed with the one who was pacing.

A tall, dark figure strode with long steps across the edge of the water, his obsidian eyes on the ground below him, deep in thought. Pocahontas nearly laughed.

It was Kocoum.

She shook her head at her own foolishness, believing that somehow all her questions would be answered. But Kocoum was definitely not any kind of answer she could see. Though a very welcome sight.

She burst from the leaves, running towards him full tilt. He looked up a moment too late, before she tackled him to the forest floor. He could have withstood the 'attack' had he been paying attention, but he had not been prepared for an armful of Pocahontas.

Down they went until the wily woman sat on his hips with a playful smirk and said somberly, "You know, Kocoum, I think your warrior instincts have been failing you too often lately. That is the second time I have caught you unawares!"

Kocoum, who's mouth seemed to not want to cooperate, opened and closed several times like a fish, before the alarm in his eyes faded and mirth replaced it. "But this is only because you are a far superior warrior to me. You stalk like a nanóse'hame, with no regard for the underbrush, for you barely tread on it," he replied teasingly. "How is that fair?"

Pocahontas smiled at her friend. She was so glad to call him that now.

She walked towards the sick house, quickly leading the white healer—they called him a doctor—towards where Kocoum lay dying from Thomas's bullet wound. She found said man waiting outside, a fearful look in his eye and his cap in his hands. Pocahontas felt for him; she knew this was the first time he had nearly killed a man, and he had only been protecting John.

They shared a hopeful look as they passed, before she went to Kocoum's side, pressing her cool hand against his burning forehead. Looking towards the doctor, she said, "We have no skill against your fire magic. He is fading every minute, and we are powerless to stop it. Can you heal him?"

The doctor came forward, but Kocoum opened his eyes blearily and tried to ward him off. "Keep…the white demon...away from me!" he tried to rally himself to fight, but Pocahontas pushed him back down when he gritted his teeth against the pain.

"Kocoum, I promise it's okay. I will explain what has happened the last few days, and all will be clear. For now, this white man is here to help you. He knows what will cure your wound. Please, Kocoum, let him help," she soothed, but he would have none of it.

She put her palms on both sides of his face and said softly, "For me, Kocoum? Will you let him through for my sake?"

After searching her eyes for a long moment, the warrior sighed and sank back onto the cot, closing his eyes again. "Very well," was all he said.

Pocahontas was shooed from the sick house, but feeling as though she needed to be there. No sooner had she walked out, when a scream pierced the air, and she rushed back in. She found Kocoum breathing hard and struggling against the pain. Never had she heard the fierce man cry out in pain, regardless of his wounds. It frightened her deeply, and she rushed to his side, demanding answers.

"I just took out the bullet. It is the piece of metal that caused the wound. The skin is infected, and it was trying to close around the bullet. I had to cut open the wound again, and now I must clean it so it will not stay infected," explained the doctor, who was tipping a drink into Kocoum's mouth.

"Will it heal?" she asked desperately, kneeling by Kocoum again and wiping the sweat from his brow.

"It should, if he is strong."

She looked at the dark man, and with something like affection in her voice, she replied, "There is none stronger."

It had been nearly a week until he was able to walk again, but the doctor had promised a full recovery, and it was true. Soon he was able to run and hunt again with no problems. Eventually, he had approached Pocahontas requesting information regarding the white healer, the war, and the newfound peace in the land.

She had answered all his questions, and he had sat for a long time simply staring at the ground in silent contemplation. Finally he looked at her.

"Thank you," he said quietly.

She was startled. "For what?" she asked curiously.

"For bringing the white healer. Without you aid, I would have joined the mâhta'sóoma," he said. Looking uncomfortable, he continued, "And…I am sorry for acting rashly with the white men. I cannot really see us living in true peace, but you have done much more for our safety with words than anything I could have done with weapons."

It was with those words that their friendship started.

It had been a tentative relationship at first, but when Kocoum walked up to Thomas and forgave him for any grievances there may be between them, Pocahontas knew she had found a dear friend. He was very different than what she had expected when she had thought she was going to be forced to marry him.

And she liked the differences.

He coughed and shifted a little under her, bringing her back to the present, and gave a small smile when her wide eyes looked back to his, confused as to where she was. He sat up slowly, with her nearly in his lap and asked, "Where did you go, Pocahontas?"

She shook herself and clambered off of him saying, "Nowhere I haven't been before." A full smile was her reward, and he chuckled deeply before standing and brushing himself off.

"I was worried when Nakoma said you were going off by yourself. You have a tendency for trouble, so I thought I'd make sure you were alright."

She sighed, "Ah, Nakoma, always telling on me. And the valiant Kocoum, keeping me out of harm's way. Really, what would I do without you both? You would think you two were married with the way you conspire against me!"

Kocoum looked decidedly uncomfortable at that joke. "Well, Thomas would have some words for me, and possibly another bullet should I try anything. Besides, I do not love Nakoma." His face had an indecipherable look on it, but his eyes seemed to pierce her with their intensity. Suddenly, Pocahontas found it a little harder to think.

"Yes, I suppose that match would not be the wisest," she breathed out unsteadily. Their eyes continued to try and communicate…something…until she broke their gaze and grinned cheekily.

"Kocoum, have you ever jumped off the waterfall by the lake?"

The warrior raised a brow at the change in topics. "No," he drew out the word questioningly. "I haven't. Have…you?" he was almost scared of the answer.

"Oh yes, hundreds of times! I think you need to have some fun today! You're going hunting tomorrow right? So for today, we are going to fly!" she grabbed his hand and started pulling the reluctant warrior along behind her.

She chattered all the way there, with Kocoum staying rather quiet until they reached the falls. She looked over the edge and beckoned the dark man to look too. Kocoum looked down and smiled, seeing why she liked to be this high up. It was exhilarating and dangerous and he couldn't help but laugh at what he was about to do. The stupidity of it all had nothing to do with the heights, the fall, or the water. It had everything to do with the woman next to him. The woman he loved. Was he that brave? He wasn't sure until a moment later.

"I think I will jump first, to show you how to do it properly and—" she yelped when he suddenly scooped her into his arms and took a running leap over the edge. His war cries echoed off the trees and rocks as they fell. Pocahontas looked for a moment at his face, a carefree and joyful expression that she had never seen on him before. Though she only saw it for a moment before the icy water rushed to greet them, she felt her heart stutter and the only thought in her head was…

He's so beautiful.

Read and Review my friends! I definitely want to know what you think.

Things to Know:

nanóse'hame- Mountain lion, or big cat.