Jiru, after a moment of taking in the sights of the village as they entered it, turned to his companion. Salem looked up at Jiru, waiting for him to speak. Jiru handed him an animal skin bag with gold in it along with a slip of paper that was a list, "here. These are the things I need you to get and be careful," Salem nodded and walked past him to browse some of the wares that were being sold to find what he needed. Overall, the place seemed like a normal village. One without the shadow of a threat hanging over it, no shadow of impending doom to the lives of the ones who lived there. Jiru was envious that the people there had little to worry about, but he shrugged off the thought and went on to purchase the other half of the things they needed.
He had given Salem an easier job, one where there would be little to no trouble in acquiring the things listed. At most, his partner might have trouble seeking out the right weaponry and other wares, but it should go smoothly otherwise. For himself, he had chosen the more difficult things to take on. Mainly animals and the seeds he sought, he'd acquire a wagon to take it all back if he could as well to make it easier on himself and the animals he wanted to take back with him.
As Jiru went to one of the stalls to find some seeds, he felt the eyes of someone watching him. The intent of it, he sensed, wasn't malicious but curious though he didn't turn around to acknowledge who was watching him. The feeling remained as he went around, gathering the items on his list. The hardest part was bargaining for the animals and a wagon to take it back on, he had managed it after an hour or so. Once the price was settled on, he paid for his purchases and took on leading seven horses, two mares and five stallions, three cows, and a group of five canines.
Jiru hitched the wagon to two of the horses, tying the other five to the wagon so they wouldn't stray off then loaded up the wagon with his purchases. The cattle he'd bought were tied to the back of the wagon, all that was left was to wait on Salem.
In the time he waited for Salem, that sense of being watched grew stronger. He had started to look around to try and find where it was coming from though he had little luck. That was, until it approached him head on. A face that he'd nearly forgotten revealed itself from under a hooded, dark green cloak made of velvet.
A girl from his village had approached him, he had believed everyone from there to be dead besides himself and his companions. "M-Marianne!" Jiru was surprised, after all the time that had passed, he didn't think he'd ever see anyone's face from his home again. Least of all her's. "Hello, Jiru." Marianne's voice sent a jolt through Jiru, reminding him of all the times they had spent doing something together. Sometimes alone and sometimes with their friends. Jiru could only look on as she stood their before him, taking in her angelic features. Never, he had thought, would be able to look upon such a breath-taking sight as her face.
Hesitantly, Jiru lifted his hand to brush his thumb across her smooth skin. "How..." he murmured under his breath, looking down so that his silver hair shaded his face and covered his eyes, blocking them from view. Marianne didn't reply, merely wrapping her arms around him and drew him close. "Jiru.." she whispered softly, petting the steel colored hair that had grown longer than the last time she had seen this boy. Jiru closed his eyes, his hands gripping at her shirt almost desperately. "How..how did you survive that.." he couldn't say it, the pain was still too raw for him to think about. He'd lost track of how long ago it really was, locking away the painful memories in the back of his mind and forgetting about them for the time being.
In reality, it had only been just over two weeks ago that the incident occurred but Jiru couldn't remember. Didn't want to remember, he had to remain strong. For himself and for his companions. His resolve was strong but just seeing her shattered every second he had spent of bracing himself with that truth, only to have it crumble in mere moments of seeing a familiar face. The face of the one he cared for most, more than anyone else. His friends had always come first but that incident made him realize. Made him see that what he had grown used to, after having it wrenched away once, that she had always come first in his heart. Even if his mind didn't register it before, it did now after losing her once. He didn't want to go through that pain a second time.
"Marianne.." he uttered against her shoulder, hugging her tightly against himself. As much as he tried, he couldn't really wrap his mind around that she was here and she was in his arms. To Jiru, it was almost impossible to believe. After all that he had witnessed, after looking at all that blood and those mangled bodies of his loved ones. Hers hadn't been there but he didn't dare believe that she was alive, afraid of the brutal truth crushing him in all of it's possibilities.