A/N:
Death of a Warrior, Rise of a Wolf
Chapter 4
Lost and Found
"Man, I love it here!"
"Lyokan! Calm down and breathe!"
"But, I'm so excited…I can't wait for you to see what the hell a horse is… as you put it."
"Oh shut up!"
The smell of straw filled Suki's nose as she and Lyokan stepped through the doorway of the barn. Lyokan motioned to Suki to follow her to one of the stalls.
"This, my very confused acquaintance, is a horse," Lyokan proudly proclaimed.
Suki peered into the stall to see the large animal. It stepped towards her and blew a warm breath in her face.
"This horse is a warhorse named Starlight."
Suki glanced back at the animal. She saw how it got its name. It was as black as night with white speckles covering its entire body. Down its face, ran a thin white stripe.
Mesmerized by the beauty of the animal, Suki failed to notice another person approach from behind them.
"I guess you can tell how he got his name," the person boomed.
Both girls jumped at the sound of the voice. Lyokan spun around angrily, "KAIEN! You jackass! You scared us!"
Suki turned around to see Lyokan glaring at a young man, which she assumed was this Kaien guy. He was about Sokka's height and wore a black sleeveless robe and black pants. His hair was jet black with metallic violet streaks in it. On his right arm there was a deep blue tattoo of a dragon running up his arm.
"Heh! I can't help that you're afraid of your own shadow," he teased," Hey, You're that chick that pissed that pissed off Renton."
"ARGH! Does everybody know about that!"
"Pretty," he replied," It's not that often he gets angry like that, so when he does it's pretty much the talk of the town."
"Don't you men have anything better to do than stand around and gossip like old ladies," Lyokan scoffed.
"Whatever." Kaien murmured as he walked over to Starlight's stall. He stopped and called over his shoulder," You must be one helluva bitch to piss him off like that."
Suki leapt towards him like a mad cat, but was stopped by Lyokan.
"Let it go."
"But--"
"Let it go damn it!"
Suki growled in annoyance," Who does he think he is calling me a bitch!?!?!"
"Well, some people might see it like that. I mean Renton would, since you pissed him off…..and Aiko-sensei might think of you as a bitch since you sucker punched her and knocked her out," Lyokan responded sheepishly.
"Ok! You know what, I have reason to act like a bitch. I have been imprisoned and beaten daily for two months, then I was nearly burned to a crisp by Miss I'm-so-evil-and-awesome-Azula. Then I wake up three weeks later in some magical place, where everything I thought was fantasy is reality!"
"So, why are you two here?" Kaien said, interrupting Suki's rant.
"Well let's see Kaien…We came all the way here from the infirmary to a horse barn…What the fuck do you think we're gonna do, discover the wonders of explosives--WAIT! That is an awesome idea, we need to do that later Suki!" Lyokan exclaimed.
Kaien sighed and turned to face the two girls," I knew that. I meant why are you going for a ride, shouldn't she be resting," he said pointing at Suki.
Lyokan paused," Kaien…you do have a heart," she continued while proceeding to squeezing the air out of him.
"Okay! AHH! I NEED OXYGEN WOMAN!"
"Sorry!"
"Damn woman! You just don't know when to let my occasional kindness go, do you?"
"Well, maybe if you were nicer more often, I wouldn't have to squeeze the life out of you."
Suki sighed and looked back at Starlight. The horse pricked his ears towards her and nibbled at her hand. "Life is so crazy sometimes, ain't it boy?" Suki questioned.
Starlight nickered, almost in response. "Heh, you sure are a beautiful animal," Suki spoke to herself.
She glanced over her shoulder at the pair still arguing over who knows what. Once more she sighed and returned her attention to the animal.
"I sure wish you could talk," she started," Maybe you could tell me how to get them to stop.
They're so caught up in that fight, I bet they wouldn't even notice if I walked out of here with you."
Peeking behind her, Suki saw the two, now halfway down the barn aisle, continually fighting. She glanced around and found something similar to the bridles they used on the ostrich horses back on Kyoshi Island. Quietly she slid the latch on the door and walked into Starlight's stall.
She slid her hand behind Starlight's ears and pulled the bridle over his head. Her nimble fingers dashed around to fasten the buckles.
Before leading out Starlight, Suki poked her head out one last time to see Lyokan and Kaien still in fierce argument. Turning back to Starlight, she murmured softly to him, calling him over.
Suki blinked as her eyes adjusted to the blinding sun. Behind her she could hear the steady rhythm of Starlight's hooves on the cobblestone path. She was currently searching for a good place to mount up. A smile lit her face the moment she found it. It was a two foot wall built up on both sides of the path.
She led Starlight over and climbed up on the wall. Grabbing his mane, she lifted herself onto his back. As Starlight danced around, Suki quickly grabbed the reins and turned him back up the path they came.
"Come on boy, I saw a field awhile back that leads out of this place."
"How did we get into this fight anyway!"
"I complimented you on being sensitive and caring and gave you a hug. Then you went all, 'get off woman your touch burns my skin!'"
"What the--I never said that last part!"
"Can we just let it go already!"
"Fine!"
"Come on Suki let's find a horse you can ride," Lyokan huffed.
"Umm…Lyokan?"
"Yeah…?"
"Where'd she go?"
"Shit. OH SHIT! Damn it! Aiko's gonna fucking kill me!!"
"Lyokan…"
"She's gonna rip out my heart and then tear my face off and feed me to the birds!"
"LYOKAN!!!" Kaien screamed. He paused for a second and relaxed. "Calm down," He reassured her as he walked over to Starlight's now empty stall, "I don't think we'll have too much of an issue finding her."
"Oh man! I hope she's all right. You know Starlight!"
"Of course I know about that, genius, you forget he's one of my horses," Kaien retorted," Let's just go find them before one of them gets hurt."
The tall grass of the meadow brushed against Starlight's belly, as he carried Suki across the plain. He turned back one of his ears when she let out a content sigh," Man, it's been ages since I've had time to do something like this. Besides it's great to get away from the two 'wonderful tour guides' I've had."
He let out a soft nicker in a response. Starlight enjoyed the company of this girl. She was different from the others who came and attempted to ride him, even Kaien was different. All the others demanded the courage and speed he once possessed, but not her. She demanded something different, something both Starlight and the girl on his back longed for, companionship.
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"C'mon boy!" Suki encouraged Starlight," Let's go for a…..whatever you horses do."
Gently, Suki nudged Starlight in the ribs moving him into a trot, and then a canter.
Suki laughed, letting it echo off the walls of the cliffs high above. The valley in which she rode was so peaceful and serene. Suki let her mind slip away as she enjoyed the beauty of the nature and her new friend."
"Damn it! Where is that girl!?!?!"
"Gee, I don't know Kaien….I thought you said,' It shouldn't be that hard to find her.'" Lyokan jeered.
"Shut up! You--….ARGH! C'mon, Kenaku," Kaien urged his flame-colored mount.
"You can't handle the truth! Just admit you can't find her!"
"Why don't you just track her scent? You are a wolf demon. Wolves have a great sense of smell, don't they?" Kaien questioned.
"I don't know her scent well enough to track it from out of nowhere!"
"Well, it was just an idea, you don't have to--"
"SHHH!" Lyokan cut him off.
"What the--"
"Shut up! I heard something in the valley!"
Lyokan sat tall in the saddle while her eyes twitched forward. A faint rhythm could be heard on the wind. It grew faster and louder as the moments ticked by. Lyokan tilted her nose to the air and inhaled.
"I think it's her! Let's go!"
Lyokan kicked her grullo-colored horse, urging him into a full gallop. Stones flew from the horses' hooves as they clamored down the hill. The third set of hoof beats grew louder as they rounded a turn.
Around the turn, the path ended directly at a low cliff about seven feet above the ground. Kaien reined in Kenaku quickly as the cliffs came into their view," The Hell!?!? You said she was in this direction!"
"She is! I just don't know where exactly…Maybe she's up in the cliffs riding."
"How the fuck would she get up there, I mean it's impo--"
Kaien was interrupted as a flash of black and red flew down from the cliffs above. Seeing the pair, Suki spun Starlight back in their direction, halting him right in front of their mounts.
"Hey guys!" Suki greeted them, while grinning ear to ear.
"How…What…Why?"
"Wow, aren't you articulate?" Lyokan teased.
Kaien growled, "Keh…forget it! What's with the sudden mood change? And how the hell are you still on Starlight!?!?!"
"I just feel really at ease now for some reason…and what do you mean 'how are you still on Starlight?' He's a total sweetheart."
"Suki," Lyokan began," Starlight has been next to un-rideable since his first owner was slaughtered in a battle."
"Who was that?" Suki questioned.
"My mother," Kaien answered grimly.
A/N: Dun Dun Duh!!! yes I know I'm evil! Anyway, PLEASE REVIEW! Even if you don't have a fanfiction account, i accept anonymous reivews!!! Tell me what you think, even if you think it sucked, let me know how I can make it better.
Disclaimer: I don't own avatar, hyrule, or the character design of Marth or Kaien(He's from Bleach)
I do own Lyokan, Aiko, Kaien and Marth's backstories, Renton, and the horses
