Hide and Smurf –

Three weeks into his healing, and finally Sam could walk on his own. He'd gotten to know Smurfette well, she would come to him and vent when she felt frustrated, and in return he would tell her bits and pieces about his past. Things that usually were meant to help calm her down, even though that wasn't always the case. Some times when she didn't feel like going out, he would teach her things from his village, sayings or recipes that he thought she could cook or improvise on. So far he was only right twice, though he never actually thought her cooking was bad, he just thought the original was better. Night had fallen early that day, and it gave him a chance to check out the village he now resided in. The houses were made from some type of material, probably the same material that the people in his village made shingles from. Every house was shaped like a large mushroom, 'Probably for camouflage purposes', he thought. Almost everyone was either in bed or getting ready for it, including Smurfette and what he saw were four little Smurfs.

The first was dressed in a Smurf like way except for the yellow shirt with a cloud and lightning bolt on it. The second had his hat on crooked like it was slouching or something and had a plain red shirt. The third wore a type of brown overalls and a straw farmer's hat in the same shape as a Smurf's hat plus a brim, he also wore no shoes. The fourth was definitely a girl, she wore pink overalls and the Smurf's white hat, and she also had two braided pigtails of red hair. "Aw can't we stay up just a little longer?" the young one with the yellow shirt asked, his raspy voice begging for a specific answer. "Sorry Snappy, but its bed time for you Smurflings." Smurfette said. "Even me?" the little girl asked, her cute little girl's voice melting even his heart from where he stood. Smurfette chuckled before saying, "Yes Sassette, even you."

"Would you like to introduce me?" she heard from behind her. Turning around she found Sam standing there still holding his side. "Oh Sam, It's nice to see you smurfing…I mean walking by yourself. How's your side?" she asked. "It's… Smurfy." he said a little awkward. "That's good," she said understanding what he meant, "I'd like to introduce you to the Smurflings." Pointing to the yellow shirt she said, "This is Snappy Smurfling,"

"How ya doing?" the Smurfling asked. "This is Slouchy Smurfling." she said pointing to the red shirted young one. "Hi there." he said in a kind of happy/board tone. "This is Nat Smurfling." she told him gesturing to the little boy in brown overalls. He simply smiled at Sam, his high pitched nasally voice laughing despite his grinning teeth. "And this is Sassette." she said moving to the girl. "Hi ya." the Smurfling said. Turning to the Smurflings and pointing to him, Smurfette introduced him, "This is Sam, he's a Smurfed human."

"A human, really?" Sassette asked. "Yup." Sam said. "Jeepers, that's smurfy." Sassette said. "Yah, so what do humans do at night?" Snappy asked, hoping desperately for a different answer than Smurfette's. "We sleep." Sam told them with a stoic look. "Aw." the four Smurflings said at the same time. "Then it's settled, all Smurflings to bed." Smurfette said ushering the four little ones to their home.

As soon as their door shut, she turned to Sam, "Thanks for the help. They were smurfed…I mean determined to stay up." she said. "No problem I guess." he said rubbing the back of his neck. "So what brings you way out here?" she asked until she heard Snappy sing from his window, "Smurfette and Samy smurfing in a tree…"

"Oh, smurf it up your nose Snappy, and go to sleep." she retorted, and the boy ducked back into the house. "You have a way with kids." Sam said. Smurfette blushed a little at that. "Would you mind showing me my house? I haven't been there yet and everything looks the same." he asked blushing with embarrassment. Smurfette looked around a little before spotting what she was looking for, "It's over there, the one in front of the tree with the blue roof." she said. Looking to where she pointed he found the house he was assigned to, despite the darkness. "Well, I'd better be going, I've smurfed my flowers today and they'll need lots of water tomorrow." she said as she began the short walk to her own house. Sam walked beside her before holding out his elbow towards her, "May I walk you home? It's the least I can do for your help." he asked. Smurfette blushed a little, this seemed to happen more often than not. Not just when he was around though, it was like she was a whole different Smurf when he was brought up in conversation as well. "Thank you." she said, and slipped her arm into his.

The walk to her house seemed peaceful, even as the night grew darker it only seemed to get better. The feeling of being close to brought peace of mind to Smurfette, so she didn't notice when a giant blue hoof steeped right in front of them. Sam looked up at the owner of the foot, a Minotaur. The bull like legs and head with the torso of a man, it brought a rage to him that no other beast could bring. "YOU!" Sam shouted. "I really admire your ability to stay alive small one." the Minotaur said, his deep hollow voice echoing through the night. "I finally found you." was all Sam said to the creature. Patting his side, he noticed that his swords were gone. The Minotaur laughed at such convenience, "And look, no weapons to defend either himself or his friends with." Sam turned to the giant beast with anger, "Leave the Smurfs alone. They have done nothing to you." he shouted. The Minotaur quickly reached down and snatched Smurfette from the ground, "AHHHH!" she screamed. "SMURFETTE!" Sam called after her, feeling completely helpless. The Minotaur brought her up to his eye level and sneered at her with a vicious glee. It wasn't until he felt a tiny thump on his head did he realize that he was even under attack. Looking to where the small rock came from, he noticed four small Smurfs standing there with defiant glares and throwing just about anything they could get their hands on at him, "You big meany, leave Smurfette alone." Sassette yelled as she threw another stone. Soon more stones came flying at him from the other side. Turning around, the Minotaur saw just about all of the Smurfs standing around him with angry faces. "Yah just put her down." Hefty called out and threw a rock about as big as he was. Every Smurf began throwing rocks at the towering behemoth, trying desperately to get Smurfette to safety. Slowly thanks to the distraction, Sam made his way to Smurfette's house close by. Entering the front door he found his swords sitting there, right next to coat rack near the door.

"You little twerps, I'll make you all pay for interfering." the Minotaur said as he lifted his other hand, the one holding a large black battle ax, and aimed it at the red clad Smurf. "Papa Smurf, look out!" Smurfette shouted, as the Minotaur swung the ax towards Papa Smurf. Papa closed his eyes waiting for the blade to strike. The sound of metal against metal was heard and Papa Smurf opened his eye to find out what had saved him. Sam stood there in front of him, no armor, but his two swords held above his head, blades crossed and shaking, holding the black ax at bay. Sam turned his head and eyes to look at the old Smurf, "You ok Papa Smurf?" pain and struggle both in his voice and on his face. "Just…Smurfy." he whispered. Sam turned to face the Minotaur, "I don't like it when you threaten my friends." he said darkly, his fatigue nearly vanishing from his face. The minotaur's fear grew in his veins, and he pressed harder on the ax, trying with everything he had to crush his opponent. Pushing back, Sam matched the Minotaur's strength easily, "Let Smurfette go." he ordered. Sam pushed so hard against the enemy blade that the Minotaur literally tumbled backwards and landed on his rear.

The Minotaur looked up at his opponent, the pint sized human that just bested him, with hate in his heart. Sam stalked up to the large beast and said, "I won't repeat myself, let her go before I sever you hand, or you will find yourself in bite sized pieces for the wolves to snack on." With that, Sam's swords burst into a violent white light surrounding the blades. The Minotaur moved Smurfette in front of him, holding her like he would crush her, only to smile and drop her without a word. Sam gasped and ran towards her as fast as he could, quickly placing his swords in their scabbards and catching the falling girl with ease. Looking back at his enemy, he found the Minotaur gone.

End of Chapter.