A/N: I'm terribly sorry for the long wait but I had to take care of a few things. I'll try to update more often and again i'm so sorry!

In the early mornings,the sun always shone bright this time of year. People seemed to be quite busy but not in a monotonous way, oh no.

In the midst of summer everything worked differently. Every task that needed to be done was done with excitement and almost never individually. Families found just a little bit more time to spend together and children were always occupied and active. All in all,summer always was a refreshing change from the harsh winter conditions that forced a lot of people to stay inside.

Seated on the higher branch of a tall tree,young Mariah looked around as if trying to memorize the sight. After all,who knew when she'd ever see her home again.

A groan of frustration escaped her lips as she swung her legs back and forth.

''I have repeatedly told you not to do that.'' Mariah heard a deep voice call from below.

Pursing her lips in annoyance she shifted around to face the person speaking.

''And if I recall correctly I have repeatedly told you to leave me alone.''

Mariah heard a low grunt and suddenly the tree shook violently. She quickly grabbed on to the branch she was sitting on,digging her nails into the hard wood.

''Are you suffering from some sort of brain damage? What do you think you are doing!''

She yelled angrily before swiftly making her way down the tree. Ignoring the small cuts she got along the way,Mariah jumped down and came face to face with a pair of blue eyes.

''Just what exactly are you trying to do Christopher?'' She questioned the boy standing before her through gritted teeth.

''I am trying to keep you safe. The last time you climbed that tree you fell and almost broke your damn neck.'' He almost hissed.

The boy standing before her was Christopher Roberts,someone Mariah had known ever since she was a toddler. Since he was four years older than her,he took it upon himself to act as an overprotective brother.

It was actually quite nice having someone by your side to keep you company but there were times when he seemed to forget that youth did not affect her crucial judgment anymore.

Tall and quite muscular,he towered over her.

Now that might have been intimidating but his messy blonde hair,crystal clear blue eyes and fairly young-looking features made him seem like a child trying to frighten his parents.

''Does it matter? I'm leaving today Chris. Breaking my neck sounds better than living with them. I have never even met them before. How can my mother send me there?'' Mariah choked out and immediately regretted it when she remembered who she was talking to.

Christopher was a boy that did not do well dealing with feelings. His own and others ,often covering it up with a joke or a mocking remark.

She stared straight into his eyes waiting for him to laugh at her for being such a whiner but instead he placed his hand on her head and stroked her hair.

''Your mother is dying Bennett. She only wants the best for you and I have to agree that living here with your grandmother is not going to do you any good. You obviously have no intention of looking after yourself so at least let your mother do it for you.''

Scoffing,she pushed away from him.

She felt like she was being scolded. Gosh she had reached the age of fifteen and he was still talking to her like a child,calling her by her surname like he did when they were young just so he could annoy her.

''Stop calling me Bennett.'' Mariah answered flatly before turning her back to him and slowly walking away.

Christopher rolled his eyes and followed behind her.

''Well your name is Mariah Bennett and you ought to remember that. Where you are going they are not like us. Life there is different and you will need to adapt but remember that you are not them and they are not you. Do not try to change yourself but do not try to change them either. Promise me you will stay out of trouble.''

''I promise.'' The words were spoken far too quickly and Mariah was not so sure she could keep that promise.

''Mariah…'' He let his voice trail off warningly at her nonchalant response.

Mariah's movements came into an abrupt halt and out of the corner of her eye she took a quick look behind her,past Christopher and past all the people gathered together.

Scanning the area,her eyes finally landed on a small cabin in the far back.

She really was going to miss home.

Over the past couple of days Alice had felt like she was losing herself.

She had witnessed so much horror and blood that had her wondering what exactly man-kind was capable of. Praying was all she had been doing ever since the war started and now maybe,just maybe,some of her prayers had been heard.

Cora had stayed up all night caring for Uncas and her efforts had not been in vain. Eventually his fever dropped and he was brought out of unconsciousness,a clear sign that he was going to live.

Alice was glad.

The young Mohican had risked his life just like many others had done. At least he was lucky enough to live another day.

''Are you feeling alright?''

Brought back to the real world,Alice looked up to find her cousin kneeling down next to her. Mariah reached out for her hands and traced the rope burns with her fingers.

''I cannot even feel them. Do not worry yourself.'' Alice answered coldly and tried to pull her hand back but her cousin tighten her grip.

Shamefully hanging her head,Mariah did not dare look Alice in the eyes.

''I truly am sorry Alice. I am sorry for hiding the truth from you. Neither me nor Cora wanted to hurt your feelings,we just wanted to protect you.''

Alice felt anger boil inside of her but she kept herself as calm and collected as she could.

''Well,did it ever cross your mind that I am no longer a child?''

A soft chuckle escaped Mariah's lips and she finally looked at her.

''Cora has been a mother and a sister to you ever since you were born,do you think it is easy for her to simply accept that you can now stand on your own two feet?''

Alice narrowed her eyes and slowly withdrawn her hand.

''What about you then? What reason did you have to conceal the truth from me?''

Mariah seemed to stop moving and thinking for a minute before a melancholic smile made its way on her face.

''I had to hide it from you because you are…you. You are cheerful and carefree and young. You give life everywhere you go Alice. I did not want to take that away but now I see my mistake and I really am sorry. I guess somewhere along the way I forgot that you had grown up.''

Alice fidgeted with her fingers and avoided her cousin's eyes. Her words had struck a nerve.

She was no longer a naïve child in need of protection and even though that made her chest swell with pride,she had to admit that Mariah's statement was true. She was a joyful person by nature and in all honesty she was not ready to give that up yet. She couldn't. After all, it was the part of her that her father adored the most.

''I wish I could take it all back. I wish we had never come here, I wish he had returned to England. I miss Duncan and I miss Papa and I do not know what to do anymore.''

Mariah brought her arms around her cousin and embraced her without a second thought.

''You need time to grieve Alice. You lost people. We all did and trust me when I say this…No one will ever be the same anymore. We will all carry this burden but at least we will carry it together. You are not alone and you will never be. Do you hear me? You will always have your sister and me.''

Tears prickled Alice's blue eyes and all the pain she had kept inside came rushing out in broken sobs and salty tears.

When Mariah returned,Alice did not come with her. Cora noticed right away and urgently questioned about her sister's whereabouts.

''Let her be Cora,she wanted to spend some time by herself. She promised to be back before nightfall.''

Cora nodded hesitantly and ran a hand through her wild curls.

She looked exhausted.

''So be it…In any case I need to speak with you.''

Mariah's brown eyes flashed with worry and turned her gaze towards Uncas. He was lying on the ground with his father and brother by his side. They appeared to be having a quite serious discussion.

''Is everyone alright? Is Uncas doing well?''

Cora shook her hand dismissively and sighed.

''No,no he is doing fine. His fever is gone,the only reason I keep him from moving around is the knife wound.''

Giving a brief nod,Mariah moved closer and examined her cousin's tired and skeptical expression.

''Then what is the matter?''

For a moment there was nothing but silence.

''Chingachgook told us about you and Uncas. I cannot say that I fully agree with your choice but the man risked his life for you. He would not have done so if he held no feelings for you and at times like this,we all need a little joy in our lives. If you think you can be happy with him I will not stand in your way but we need to decide what to do. We cannot stay here much longer.''

Mariah chose her next words carefully.

''Before all this,they planned to go to Kentucky to the Delaware camp so Uncas could find a wife. I am not so sure that it is an option anymore.''

Cora quickly shook her head and grinned in amusement. Mariah chuckled and soon the two women were trying to suppress their laughter.

''Yes I am quite sure it is not an option for now but I think you will need to go there eventually. At least so Uncas can clarify his position.''

Mariah nodded and her laughter died down as a sudden idea came to her mind.

''What if we go back to my home?''

Cora fluttered for a moment.

''Your home..?''

Mariah shook her head eagerly before explaining.

''Yes,my home. If we go back where Magua and his warriors attacked us I can find the way and lead us there. It is like a settlement,a small community to be exact, with no more than a few families. I am familiar with everyone so I am sure they will be glad to help us.''

Cora rose her eyebrows in surprise before muttering to herself. She placed a hand on her forehead and laughed dryly.

''How did we not think about that?''

Mariah gave Cora a little nudge and grinned in delight. Grabbing her by the shoulders she gave them a firm squeeze,making her cousin face her.

''We'll be fine.'' She said to her and Mariah could honestly say that she believed every word.

Cora smiled but it soon faded when she saw Mariah's face. She had been so determined to keep Uncas alive that she completely forgot that others had been injured as well. Alice had showed her the rope burns she had acquired but there was nothing that could be done or needed to. In time,they would fade away.

In Mariah's case,the wound Magua had made was deeper. He had sliced her cheek open and Cora could see that the healing had not even begun yet.

Mariah saw her looking and cupped her cheek with her hand. Biting her lip in embarrassment she lowered her gaze.

''Do you think it will leave a scar?''

Cora removed her hand and took a quick look at the cut. Relieved,she sighed and shook her head negatively.

''No I do not think it will but even if it does it will not be easily noticed. And anyway,you were always one to carry your scars with pride. They make you who you are and you should always remember that.''

With one final reassuring smile,Cora took hold of her cousin's hand and started walking.

''Come along then,we need to tell everyone about your plan.''

Mariah followed quietly as her mind started filling with thoughts.

Was she really going back home?