Nakoda turned carefully and slowly to face one of the trees. Resting in the shade of the tree was a large animal. It looked to be about the size of a horse, and its neck and shaggy mane were that of a horse. The rest of it was extremely lion-like. Its fur was a tawny gold, with a dark brown mane. Its eyes were closed. But it wasn't sleeping. It proved that by running its tongue over its long sharp looking teeth.
Nakoda started to back away slowly. If she made it back into the forest without it seeing her, she might be safe. She never took her eyes off the beast. Unfortunately, that was what caused her the most problems. She stepped on a twig, which snapped with a terrifyingly loud crack. Instantly, the creature's eyes shot open. It swung its head around and fixed its large eyes of Nakoma. Never taking its eyes off her, it stood up and stretched. Then it started towards Nakoda.
This is it! I'm done for! Nakoda thought. There was no way she could fight the animal, and she knew she couldn't outrun those long legs. Nakoda squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the end. But it never came. She cautiously opened one eye, and then the other. The animal had vanished. Glancing around, Nakoda turned to head back to the forest. She could hide there until she knew for certain it left.
As she turned around, Nakoda came face to muzzle with the creature. It was bigger than she was, forcing Nakoda to look up at it. What could be considered its forelock covered up one of its eyes, but the other one was a beautiful blue-green color. It breathed in and opened its mouth, giving Nakoda an up close view of its fangs. Nakoda did the only thing she had enough brainpower at that moment to do.
She screamed.
The creature's eye went wide, and it screamed, "AAHHHHH!" It stumbled backwards, tripping over its own long tail. It rolled and, much to Nakoda's surprise, cowered. "If you're going to eat me, just do it fast! I have very low tolerance for pain," it said.
Nakoda stared for a second. When she found her voice, she said, "W-wait, you th-think I'm going to eat you?"
The animal looked up. "Well, aren't you?" It sounded very puzzled.
"No. I thought you'd eat me. You have the teeth for it," Nakoda answered.
The creature uncurled itself. "Me? No, I wouldn't eat you. I mean, sure I'm a carnivore, butI like the occasional salad, too. Plus, mother told me never to eat anything that either you don't recognize or it talks," it said, sitting with its tail wrapped aroundits legs.
"Oh."
There was a long pause before it spoke again. "So, uh, what are you, anyway?"
"I'm a human. My name's Nakoda," the girl said. "And you?"
"I'm Kiana, a Yuukou."
Nakoda leapt backwards. "Don't come any closer!" she cried.
"What! What did I do!" Kiana said, springing to her paws and backing up as well, her head low.
"You're a Yuukou! The turtle-thing told me you would attack me!" Nakoma said.
"No, I wouldn't do that! We Yuukou don't attack those that we know the names of without good reason!" she said, laying back her ears, trying to look cute and unthreatening. "Besides, I've already eaten."
"Really?" Nakoda asked, relaxing slightly.
"Really." Kiana straightened up again, and approached Nakoda. She stopped a few feet away and stretched out her muzzle. Nakoda tentatively reached up and placed her hand on Kiana's nose. Nakoda gently rubbed the soft fur, and the Yuukou purred deeply.
Nakoda smiled. "You're just a big kitty, aren't' you?"
"I have no idea what a 'kitty' is, but if it makes you feel comfortable to be around me, then yes," replied Kiana, eyes closed, thoroughly enjoying the attention.
At that moment, Nakoda's stomach rumbled. Kiana opened her eyes and looked at the human. "So you're the hungry one…" Nakoda nodded, her face reddening slightly. "Well, why didn't you eat something in the forest?"
"Because I don't know what is safe and what isn't."
"Ah. Come on then. I'll show you what's good and what isn't." Kiana started towards the forest. Nakoda followed. She had to walk a little faster then she usually did, because the Yuukou's stride was much longer than she had ever expected.
Trying to keep up distracted her mind from watching where she was going, and she tripped over an exposed tree root. She yelped as she went down. Almost instantly, Kiana was at her side. "Are you okay?" she asked, looking down at Nakoda with big eyes.
"I think so, but my ankle hurts."
"Here." Kiana bent down. "Hang onto my mane." Nakoda did as she was told, and Kiana straightened up, taking Nakoda up onto her feet. She didn't put too much weight on the injured leg, but she was able to put a little bit on it. "Okay, lean against me. I'll take you to my den, and then I'll go find something for you to eat." Kiana started moving, this time much slower, allowing Nakoda to set the pace.
As they traveled, Nakoda saw some of her trail markers. Kiana was struggling to keep such a slow pace. Finally she knelt down. "Get on if you can."
Nakoda obliged the Yuukou's request. Kiana stood up slowly and gently. "Hang on and keep your head down. There are all sorts of low branches and vines in here." As soon as she felt Nakoda get situated, Kiana started off at a brisk trot. Her long legs ate up an incredible amount of space.
Soon they had reached the clearing Nakoda had first been. Kiana knelt down again for the girl to get off and helped her down the tunnel underneath the boulder. The tunnel was long, dark, and narrow, but both were easily able to get down it. The tunnel suddenly opened up into a large warm den, easily big enough for three animals the same size as Kiana. It was lined with soft grasses, and the walls were dotted here and there with strange crystals. Some glowed a gentle purple color and some that looked dark blue didn't.
"What are those?" Nakoda asked as she settled herself into the grass. Oddly, it seemed to be still alive even though it was underground.
"Well, the grass is a special type that likes underground environments. It doesn't need real sunlight, and the little water that does get this far down into the earth is just enough for it to survive. The crystals are very special to me, and extremely useful. Besides giving me light, they know what time of day it is, even under the ground. The purple ones glow at night, and the blue ones during the day."
"Very interesting," Nakoda said, nodding slightly. "Kind of like a clock."
"I'll be right back with something to eat," Kiana said. "Will you be alright on your own?"
"I think so."
"Okay. I'll see you in a few." Kiana climbed into the tunnel and disappeared up it.
Nakoda sat alone. She half dragged herself over to one of the crystals. She touched the glowing one. It was slightly warm. The dark one was cold as ice. Both were smoothas glass, and the unlit one reflected her face like a mirror. It was covered with dirt and scratches. She tried to wipe away as much dirt as she could. She only looked slightly better than before. She sighed and touched the beads in her hair. She already missed her family. And what about Jack? She was pretty sure he wasn't in this world. He must be really worried, she thought.
She was so preoccupied she didn't notice that Kiana had returned.
She put down the large folded leaf she had been carrying, and gently nudged Nakoda's shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Nakoda looked up, slightly startled. "Oh, hi. Yeah, I'm okay."
"You don't look it. And I'm pretty sure it doesn't have anything to do with your leg."
"I…I just miss my home," Nakoda said quietly.
"Oh, if that's all I'll just take you home tomorrow."
"I don't think it's that simple. Tell me, what where are we? I mean, what world is this?" Nakoda asked.
"This is Mahou. Everyone knows that," Kiana said matter-of-factly, looking at Nakoda with puzzlement. "Why?"
Nakoma sighed. "I'm from a world called Earth."
"…Oh." Kiana paused for a moment. "I may not be able to help you get there, but I think I know who can. I'll explain more tomorrow. You look exhausted. Here, eat this."
Kiana pulled the leaf to her and unfolded it with her paw. Inside were some small red berries, some larger blue ones, and a green apple-like fruit.
Nakoda tried the red berries. The skin was a little sour, but the inside was very sweet, the green fruit tasted more like a plum then an apple, and the blue berries were filed entirely by juice.
"Thanks," Nakoda said as she finished. She started to feel drowsy. Just before she fell asleep, she felt Kiana curl up around her. Nakoda had just enough time to cuddle into the soft fur before falling asleep.
How do you like it so far? I have a couple of pictures of Kiana up on DevianArt. Go check them out (look for the link on my page).