Disclaimer: All characters are rights of Disney and Square Soft…or Square Enix…whatever.
To my reviewers (and readers): THANKIES! (hugs) Wow, this is a fast update!
Leon and Yuffie walked in stride with the Chief. The other villagers were still wary of the newcomers so they followed a few steps behind. While Leon remained silent, Yuffie did all the talking. "Your home is really beautiful!"
"Thank you. We live in harmony with our Mother Earth so that she can show us how beautiful the world truly is." Chief Wahunsenacawh answered calmly.
"I wish I could see this much nature back where I live!"
"Are you too from the Land Across the Waters?" The Chief turned, looking at her.
Before she could say anything, Leon lied for her. "Yes. We are."
He nodded. "Our last visitors had come from the Land Across the Waters...But you two dress differently than they did. And your mode of transportation varies greatly. Never have I seen anything but birds fly..."
Yuffie smiled. "It's a wonder what technology can do!"
The Chief regarded her strangely and Leon gave her a glare from behind him. Before she could explain, the Chief shrugged. "Whatever you may have in your home matters not. You are here now, and we will share the gifts that the Mother has given us until you decide to leave."
"Thank you!" She smiled again, really grateful that she didn't have to explain what their technology was. That would have been impossible! "You're too kind!"
Chief Wahunsenacawh looked over to the taller white man. "You said you have come for medicine. Why?"
Keeping himself calm and professional, Leon responded with another lie. "There has been a sickness taking over our land. We have come to make sure it hasn't traveled here." With all the lies in his life, he reasoned, what could one more do?
—You're so good at lies, aren't you, Commander Squall Leonhart? You lie to Zell, to Quistis, to yourself...you're so good at this, aren't you?
The Chief frowned and stopped walking. "Are you infected with this illness?" He asked angrily, turning to face the two.
"N—No!" Yuffie stammered, waving her hands in front of her face, trying to keep the lie. "We're just here to help!"
The frown never left the Chief's face, and it slowly became the facial expression of the other villagers who were with them. "If you have come here with the purpose of trickery, to decimate our population, I will warn you that we do not accept such foreigners."
Leon stepped in front of Chief Wahunsenacawh, looking him right in the eye and frowning right back. "I can assure you that neither me, or my companion, carry the infectious agent. We bring only medicine from our land."
There was a tone in Leon's voice that Yuffie recognized. It was hard and cold, strict and unwavering. ...That's his business voice...His poker face... She dimly wondered how he could switch so quickly between this voice and the one no one ever heard. ...Squall...
The two men let a silence pass between their stand off. The Chief, after looking at Leon right in the eye, let his suspicion drop. Yuffie let out a huge mental sigh of relief. There would have been a major problem if he didn't believe us! How else would we be able to search the grounds? "...My apologies, again."
"Apology accepted, Chief Wahunsenacawh." Leon nodded. Yuffie had to smile at him then. Jeeze, how was he able to remember that name? And how to pronounce it?! Man, if it wasn't for that poker face, the Chief would have never let us through!
There was silence again as the pace resumed. Branches were pushed back and they both stepped lightly on the ground, not wanting to hurt the Mother the tribe relied on. The Chief's deep voice came to them after another branch was moved. "What are the symptoms of this illness of which you speak?"
Leon spoke smoothly, with his story already formed in his mind. He was already prepared; he had been trained to think quickly on his feet. "Those infected fall into a sleep...where they can't wake up." It was the best way he could describe the fatal attack of the Heatless without explaining the background story.
—Keep lying, Squall...and see how far it gets you this time...
"I see."
Yuffie looked at Squall quizzically, not liking his response. But...we don't have any medicine that can cure that kind of attack from a Heartless... She just hoped that there were no cases of that here. Please, please, please! That's a giant loophole in our story that we can't afford! Our medicine only helps mild scratches from the Heartless, not a full-on stealing of the heart!
"The sleep is the final stage of the sickness." Leon continued, elegantly removing the loophole. He had seen Yuffie's stare but was already prepared for it. "At that point, it is too late. Our medicine will prevent that stage from happening, when given early enough."
Yuffie let out another huge mental sigh of relief.
"Understood." The Chief nodded, although he didn't really understand. What...what type of wound can cause this...? There were only a few more steps until they came upon a clearing. There were huts and tipis and wigwams, made from trees bark, leaves and animal hide, scattered amongst the clearing with cackling fires at almost every one. Women, children and the elderly looked up and stopped what they were doing when the Chief came into view. One pair of dark eyes stared intently at the two, heart fluttering, curiousity growing.
He addressed the crowd after a moment of pause. "My people, we have visitors. Ones that will tend to our sick with medicine from the Land Across the Water. Treat them as your own; they are friends, not foe." At his declaration, the people nodded, trusting Chief Wahunsenacawh's judgement of the newcomers.
Turning to the foreigners, the Chief nodded to them. "Allow me to show you your temporary living quarters."
The warriors behind Leon and Yuffie quickly disassembled, returning to their mothers or wives or homes to leave them with the Chief. Being quiet for so long, Yuffie had to interject, pointing at the houses she had only read about. This place keeps getting better and better! "Oh! I've never lived in one of those before!"
Chief Wahunsenacawh could only smile at her sweet, naïve nature. "Then what an experience this will be for you. Please, follow me."
Yuffie skipped over to the Chief, walking right beside him, to leave Leon standing at the edge of the clearing. He stood there for some time, just watching, not thinking. It was strange to have this kind of peace in his head. With the past couple of days, it was a wonder how just standing in this world could make his mind go silent. He cherished it though, grateful for whatever powers this new world had over him. ...even if...it's only for a few seconds...to forget...to make everything just fade...away...
The people of the tribe scurried around, preparing for them, some with suspicious faces, and others with smiles. But there was one that could not stop looking; not until her arm was jostled. "Pocahontas! Stop staring!" Her best friend, Nakoma, whispered firmly. "Come on, we have to set up their beds!"
In their movements, they were so orderly, setting up a new tipi for them with practiced ease. His mind was so blank as he watched them but it confused him because he didn't know why he could stare and not think. And for some reason, he was so mesmerized by all the green and yellow and pink and purple, but this wasn't about that so he shouldn't have been thinking about it, but then again, he wasn't thinking now, was he?
There was more commotion as the tipi's main support structure was being hammered into place. He could see them, but he wasn't really looking. Everything was just so quiet and orderly in this world that it made everything in his head just stop. He could hear nothing, no voices, no talking, no breathing and no pressure. It was surreal. He couldn't explain it and that confused him.
Leon blinked finally, the bright light of the sun making staring difficult, and he saw that someone was walking towards him. She had dropped the wood she was carrying, and much to another's protest, she left the working group. The image flashed and buzzed out, but with a hard blink, he could see the scene clearly. A tall, dark-skinned woman with a turquoise necklace, long dark hair and an orange tattoo on her upper arm had come to see him.
"Kwey kwey." She smiled at him, but after seeing nothing in his eyes, she explained. "It means hello, in our language."
He nodded at her and realized that he should have been following the Chief and Yuffie because he couldn't see them anymore. Great... In his lapse, his distraction, he had forgotten why he was there in the first place. Horrible things happen when people get distracted because they can't focus. Split second decisions have to be made at every point in time. He had to stay focused to go in and get the job done. He couldn't waste time. ...I should know better...Where are they?
The woman picked up on his searching eyes immediately. It took Leon a second to realize that she hadn't moved from her position in front of him. "Come. I will show you were my father is."
Long, slender fingers encircled his wrist as she pulled him along. He felt a tingle there, but ignored it. "...Your father?" Leon found himself asking, sounding millions of miles away. It wasn't his business and he really didn't care, but the words were out of his mouth before he could stop it. He supposed that he could let it slide; this world affected him strangely. You need to focus. Breathe. Stay calm.
The woman nodded, smiling again. "Yes. Chief Wahunsenacawh is my father."
As they weaved through the people of the tribe, Leon could have sworn he heard the flutes and the clarinets again...but he shook his head because this wasn't about that. It took him a second to find his focus, his ingrained sense of duty, and when it came to him, his world came back. He was surprised at how quickly he was able to shut it off now. It was comforting.
...Squall...
The two of them arrived at a rather large tipi and the woman held open the flap of animal hide for him. He heard the Chief's voice before he saw him inside. "—and it is made to withstand wind and rain..."
Yuffie was so amazed. She always got like this when they found new worlds because every world was different. Although this world was very primitive compared to Hollow Bastion, it didn't take away from its magnificence. This...is...so...cool! She could barely contain her excitement; lucky for her, the Chief was very amused by her behaviour. Most of the time, the new people would just look at her funny. The people...the place...the way they do things...So cool!
There was a breeze on her back and she spun around to see Squall. "Oh! There you are! Look! This is going to be like our hut! It's going to be made of animal hide! You know, like their skin and stuff! And we're even going to have our own fireplace-thing on the outside!" She had thought he was behind them the entire time, but when the Chief and her entered the tipi, she realized he wasn't. It didn't worry her though; this was Leon they were talking about. Besides, the Chief is so interesting!
Yuffie noticed the woman a few seconds later, after her ramble. "...Oh! Hiya! ...Who's your friend, Squall?"
Leon frowned at her choice of name, but realized that she had asked him a question that he did not know the answer to. He turned to the woman who had dragged him here and blinked. "I..."
The woman smiled lightly but it was the Chief instead who answered. "She is my daughter, Pocahontas."
Yuffie waved at the woman, all smiles, before the Chief's voice made her turn around again. "My apologies again, my sister, but what is your given name?"
Grinning, she pointed a finger to her chest. "I'm Yuffie! And that statue over there is Sq—"
"—Leon." His voice finished coldly. There was a roll of Yuffie's eyes that both the Chief and Pocahontas caught. Neither decided to voice their opinion of the name change, however, as the man-who-called-himself-Leon looked quite determined to keep that name final. He can call himself whatever he wishes...it does not matter here... The Chief thought to himself, eyeing the scarred man curiously.
"Well, now that we've all been introduced, what else can you show me?" Yuffie's excitement returned; not even Squall's sour mood could change it. She just wanted to know everything and see everything in this place. Zell's Block is sweet! I can't wait to tell everyone back home about this place!
The woman smiled. "Father, if it is alright with you, I would like to show them around." At his nod, Pocahontas eagerly took Yuffie's hand and led her out of the tipi. She turned before fully exiting the structure. They...are so different...and strange... "...Leon? Would you like to come to?"
He never did acknowledge the question, but simply walked out of the tent and followed them. On the tour, perhaps, they would encounter the Heartless and be able to stop them before they approached the peaceful village. Maybe...and then, our work will be done here. And we can go home.
—And then, you can go home, and talk to Zell and Quistis and not lie to them anymore. They aren't going anywhere, you know.
The three of them passed by the villagers who were still constructing the tipi but were stopped when Pocahontas grabbed another woman. "Nakoma! Come on! We have to show them around!"
"What? Wait, Pocahontas! We have work to—!" Before she could protest, the second woman was being pulled along, having Pocahontas' hand around her wrist.
"Don't worry! Father has given me permission!"
"Yes, but your father didn't give me any! I have to stay and set up." The lumber she had been carrying nearly dropped on someone's foot, but Nakoma had no time to apologize, as her friend kept walking.
Being held by Pocahontas' other hand, Yuffie looked over at the friend. "Hi! I'm Yuffie! What's your name?"
Nakoma blinked, not sure if she should trust the two new white people. She remembered all too well what nearly happened last time. Ugh, Pocahontas...what are you doing? Again? At her pause, Pocahontas smiled. "Her name is Nakoma. She is my wichkewan, my friend."
"Your wich-a-what?" Yuffie just shook her head. Oh man...they are so interesting! This is so cool! But I doubt I'll be able to talk in their language at all! "Never mind. I'll just call her Nakoma."
"It's wichkewan." Nakoma repeated to the petite woman, finally breaking free of Pocahontas' grip to walk alongside her. "And who is your wichkewan?" She made a motion to the man behind them. The white woman did not rouse her suspicions...but the man did. He does not look like a medicine man...he looks more like a warrior... Although the last group of white men had left on good terms, she felt that there was just something strange about these two. Hmm...maybe that's why Pocahontas likes them so much...
Yuffie made a face. "That's Leon."
Pocahontas smiled at Yuffie's facial expression. "Why the face?"
She knew that Squall wouldn't be pleased with her if she said anything about that and even though she didn't want to lie to Pocahontas, she shrugged. "Sometimes," She leaned in, as if it was a big secret, "he's mean to me."
Both of the native women turned to look at him. All he could do was roll his eyes. "She tends to over-exaggerate a lot." ...What is she doing? He had walked behind them with the purpose of not being brought into conversation. He didn't want to talk, unless it had something to do with their work. Their duty. Their service to protect them. There's no point of any of this...
"Oh! I do not! You're mean to me and you know it!"
"Yuffie. Please. Stop. You're giving me a headache." He lied again.
"See? I told you!"
At Yuffie's whine, Nakoma and Pocahontas exchanged quiet laughter. Pocahontas continued to pull the petite woman along, through the trees, her mind working. Are these the people from my dream? The ones with great sadness...who will show us the healer? With Yuffie's childish personality, the petite woman did not strike her as the one who would be carrying the sadness.
The other man, the one who called himself Leon, was another story. Stone blue eyes... When she had gone up to him to say hello, his eyes were distant but hard. He was concentrating on something, something she did not understand, because she couldn't see it in his eyes. The window to his soul is blocked...locked away because he wills it to be so...
The trees around them rustled, as their animal friends walked with them. "Pocahontas! What's that called?" Yuffie eagerly pointed to the object in the tree that hopped from branch to branch, following them. I just can't get over this place! It's so awesome! Both native women smiled at Yuffie's quick change in topics and emotion.
It took Pocahontas a second, but she recognized the dark blob and whistled to it. "Meeko!"
The racoon immediately came, stopping right in front of Pocahontas, stopping their walk. Yuffie nearly squeaked in surprise, not expecting anything to come from the racoon. It looked up expectantly at the woman who had called him. "What does it want?" Yuffie whispered. She hid slightly behind Pocahontas, not knowing how to deal with wild animals. Well, it's only a racoon...but still!
"Food, of course." Nakoma rolled her eyes. "You feed that animal once, and it never leaves you alone! Its stomach is a bottomless pit!"
Pocahontas reached over to a nearby bush and swiped some berries. "Here you go." Meeko happily grabbed the berries in his furry paws and shoved them in his mouth all at once. "Easy, Meeko..." Pocahontas giggled.
"How do you say 'racoon'?" Yuffie asked, amazed at the furry little creature that came when called over. All Leon could do was pinch the bridge of his nose. ...really, Yuffie...what are you doing?
"Esiban." Pocahontas answered, petting Meeko.
"Is he your pet?"
"Yes...You can say that."
"Do you have any others? Oh! And how did you teach him that trick?"
Before Pocahontas could answer her again, Leon interrupted sternly. That isn't how we do checks...You are not supposed to ask personal questions like that..."Yuffie. Those questions aren't relevant." Just like a child caught red-handed, Yuffie stopped herself from asking another one and looked at the ground. The native woman turned to the white man.
"...Leon, it is alright. I don't mind answering...."
"Oh, don't worry! It's okay, Pocahontas! Come on! You got a tour to give us!" In a flash, Yuffie was back, all smiles and it was her now, who pulled the native woman forward slightly, trying to convince Pocahontas that it was okay. Show me around! I got people to meet! "So, how far does your village extend to?"
"There are no real boundaries here, Yuffie." Pocahontas began, not forgetting Leon's tone of voice and strict personality. "We share the Earth with our brothers and sisters from other tribes."
"Have you heard of any disturbances coming from their villages?" Leon asked, content that the topic of conversation was back to where it should be. They couldn't afford to get distracted with such trivial things; they had a job to do. This walk was all for their work. That's it. And that's all it will be. Because there is nothing else here to find.
—And you can keep telling yourself that if it will make you feel better.
"...Disturbances?" Nakoma repeated, not letting her suspicions show. ...I thought they were healers...
"No." Pocahontas answered, eying Leon. "There have been no wars or visitors since the last white man came on our shores."
Then the Heartless haven't found this world yet...Either that, or they are in hiding... The thought didn't calm him. Maybe they had come early enough. Maybe they could organize an attack plan and surprise the dark creatures before they had a chance to attack. Leon's mind worked quickly, but he knew that for any of his thoughts to work, he would have to bring in the Heartless somehow... Maybe they will be the ones who carry the illness I talked about to Chief Wahunsenacawh...that would get them into battle...
"...Leon?" Pocahontas cocked her head to the left slightly as her voice got him out of his thoughts. She could see his mind working in his eyes. It saddened her, somewhat, to be only able to see that and nothing else. A sharp...calculating mind...
"Yes?"
She smiled, holding back a giggle. "You and your companion are very different. How do you two get along?"
Yuffie had to laugh. She had to. This is going to be great! "It's very hard. But we manage!"
Okay, firstly, SORRY FOR THE FILLER CHAPTER, but I had to get this introduction part out of the way. I was thinking of having some sort of major conflict happen (a Heartless attack or something) but it didn't happen....so, yeah.
Anyway, just a light, happy chapter to soothe over the seriousness of the previous...what? ten angst-ridden ones? lol OH! And because I'm a loser, I looked up some Algonquian words on the internet...I know that Pocahontas' people spoke Pohawtan, but there isn't a dictionary online that I can use...SO, I'll be substituting. (I just hope these internet sites are accurate...)
Next chapter, expect some Hollow Bastion, some crazy dreams and maybe a Heartless attack?
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