Marksman

A war has left a nation torn and its remaining heirs escaping with their lives. Little did the Admiral know that by taking them in, it would alter the life of his daughter drastically, especially when her curiosity draws her closer to the budding marksman. One night, after receiving news of her abduction, the ranger departed on an arduous journey, vowing to bring her home safely.

Previously:

Had her eyes roamed further ahead, she would have noticed the fallen corpses of a small Arixian patrol squad. If she'd examined the arrows from in the quiver, she would have noticed that the sharp tips were now laced with blood. She would also been able to notice that her sister's arm now sported a crude new tourniquet.

Perhaps, ignorance is bliss.

Chapter 2

Italics – Thoughts

The hunter watched as the two legged animal come into view and she stood up stealthily, bow at the ready. She inhaled, pulling the bow string taut. The Striped Deeroo raised its head, checking the air for the scent of predators. Content, it walked out of hiding and bent down to graze. These agile herbivorous mammals were native to the Kagen lands, easily bounding through the forested obstacles with great ease on their powerful hind legs. The opportune moment came when the wind died. The hunter released the arrow as she expelled a soft breath.

The Deeroo picked up the sharp whistle as the arrowhead cut through air, raising its head to ascertain the directionality of the sound, but it was too late. It didn't have the chance to register the short spurt of pain, before it collapsed on the soft grass.

The hunter peeped out from the hiding spot and jogged over to the carcass when the coast was clear. She quickly checked for vital signs to make sure the animal was dead. A sizeable kill like this would last them for the next few days as they would have to journey across the arid mountains before even reaching the borders of Vitilus. They hadn't encountered any more Arixians; it was probably too deep into the mazelike woods for the outsiders. She pulled out a small hunting knife from her sash – it would be better to dress the animal here. Her little sister had seen enough blood for the time being.

After a week of trudging and trekking through the mountains, the pair finally arrived at the first Vitilus small town. They glanced back at the familiar thicket of green they were about to leave behind and faced the vastly different architecture of sandstone bricks a few miles ahead.

The younger girl looked up at her sister, who was staring back at her homeland with a distant look in her eyes. She unconsciously tightened the grip on her sister's hand. Feeling the tensed grip, the elder sibling looked down, realizing that she was worrying her sister and offering a small smile in reassurance, "Let's go."

XXX

The tall man studied the letter handed to him intently, his brow creasing as he scanned through the document. Beside him, a woman smiled warmly at the two ragged children before her.

"So, young'uns, how did the both of you get here?" he asked, folding the letter and keeping it in his breast pocket. He walked toward the older of the two, gently lifting the injured arm and examined it. He was seasoned enough to know a battle wound when he saw one. He sighed inwardly; guessing that the circumstances had caused the poor child to take her first life at the tender age of twelve.

"Across Craggy Crevice.." the older sister replied, halfheartedly. She had felt a curious gaze on her since they set foot into the manor. She had tried to ignore it, thinking it was just her hallucination, but she couldn't shake off the feeling. She took every available opportunity to scan the area for the source of the gaze. She hit the jackpot when her eyes finally met a pair of curious eyes peeking out from the slightly ajar doorway. The eyes widened when they realized they were spotted, disappearing from sight at once.

The Admiral stroked his beard, "I see.. Why, that ol' mountain path is virtually impassable. After crossing the mountains, it's still a week's travel to reach our capital. I'm impressed."

"Thank you, Sir," she bowed slightly, not wanting to show disrespect. She spotted the gleaming pairs of eyes again through the crack in the door. This time, they did not disappear upon eye contact. Instead, they blinked rapidly at her. The girl tilted her head in confusion. Her attention diverted, she jumped slightly when the Admiral patted her on the shoulder softly, "Your father was an exceptional archer. I trust that you have been training under him?"

The girl gave a single nod, quickly refocusing her attention back on the tall Admiral.

He smiled, eying the bow that was slung across her shoulder, "Take care of that. Your father had great hopes for you." He bent down to address the younger girl, "Hey, how're you little one?"

The six year old shyly hid behind her sister's back, burying her face slightly into her sister's hip. Both Admiral and his wife laughed heartily, gently coaxing the little girl to come out of hiding. The elder sibling didn't really hear what the Admiral and his wife was saying to her sister, she was distracted again when she spotted the pair of eyes appearing again, this time, winking at her. She shifted uncomfortable on the spot, swallowing slightly.

She was so intrigued in trying to make out the owner of those eyes, that she didn't notice that the Admiral was calling her name. He chuckled to his wife when there was still no response at the third call. "She's really spacing out. She must be more exhausted than we thought, eh? Hon, could you please get them rested and ready for dinner tonight?"

"Of course, darling! Come now children, follow me," she beckoned, "Let's get you a nice hot bubble bath first!" she turned around when she realized that the girl was still spaced out. "What are you looking at?" she asked, her curiosity piqued by the odd behavior from the older Kagen heir. Her gaze followed the child's and landed right upon a pair of eyes peeking out from the heavy doors.

Both husband and wife cast knowing glances at one another and the Admiral chuckled, "Ah, I see. There's a tiny troublemaker in our midst, all ready to meet our new members of the family! Come on out here and say hello!"

There was a soft shuffle of feet through the doorway and the two siblings peered curiously through the widening crack.

A young girl, dressed in a simple summer frock stepped slowly out of the doorway, more bashful than before, now that all the attention was on her. She shuffled across the room and softly greeted her, "Hello, pleased to meet you. I am Shizuru Viola." She curtsied.

The young Natsuki eyed her warily. This shy girl, who even curtsies like a princess; was the one who was sending her cheeky winks? She frowned, but remembered her manners, "Hi.. I'm Natsuki Kruger." She swallowed, noticing her voice came out harsher than she expected it, "This is my sister, Alyssa Kruger."

"I've an idea, Fio!" the Admiral beamed, "Since Shizuru is here, why not let her show them to their rooms and stuff instead? It'll be good to let the children bond. Shizuru can be their tour guide around town."

The lady clapped her hands in agreement, "What a fantastic idea. Shizuru, would you be fine with that?"

The girl nodded, pleased with the decision. It would be fun! This stern Natsuki intrigued her! I wonder if she knows she has the funniest facial expressions.

"Go on Shizuru, bring Natuski and Alyssa to their rooms first. I will send word for the baths to be prepared. Let them rest for the afternoon before you bring them out, though."

Shizuru nodded and was about to lead the two newcomers out the door when Natsuki interrupted, "Wait.. Uhm. I can't go with her."

Puzzled, all three Violas turned. Shizuru was a little hurt, thinking that Natsuki was unwilling to become friends. Was it because I was playing around with her? I didn't mean any harm!

"I mean, it's not that. I just have something.." she produced the small cloth bag she was carrying all the way from Kagen. "Here.."

Alyssa automatically stepped forward to assist her sister in unraveling the little bundle. A small gray snout pushed itself out of the bundle, sniffing the air curiously. Next to it, its smaller and younger companion cracked open an eye and made a half-hearted attempt to stand up but staggered and fell on its rear, inciting laughter from around the room.

"A Snow Wolcon? I mean, baby Snow Wolcon? That's even better!" the Admiral exclaimed, extremely excited. "I haven't seen one since your father and I were boys! I was one of the rare few who managed to even touch one!"

"Ah. These are Duran and Artemis.. my father gave them to us before.. before. He left," she pursed her lips, controlling her emotions. It felt as though someone just rubbed salt on a searing wound. She cleared her throat, quickly changing the topic, "Are we allowed to..?"

Fio patted her hand gently, interrupting her, "Oh, I see. Not to worry, young Natsuki. Shizuru sleeps with Kiyohime in her own bedroom too; till she grows big enough, anyway. I believe our rooms are big enough to house them till they are of age. How big do they grow to, anyway?"

"Uhm, about this big.." Natsuki tiptoed, stretching her arm above her head.

The Admiral cocked his head in surprise, "Why, I don't quite recall them being so big. Are they bred differently?"

Alyssa nodded, "Royal Wolcons, from mum and dad."

"Not a problem at all, do not worry, young ones," Fio assured them, "I'm sure they'll be comfortable as long as the two of you are with them."

Natsuki gave a small smile, "Thank you for your kindness and hospitality."

XXX

"So, our rooms are just down the hall. Our rooms are just next to each other," Shizuru pointed ahead of her. They had just dropped little Alyssa and Artemis off in her new room with an attendant. The exhausted child had dozed off in Natsuki's arms.

Natsuki nodded, "Thank you, Shizuru."

Shizuru tilted her head at the girl in acknowledgement, "Hey.. Natsuki, would you like to see Kiyohime?"

"Your Talon Raptor?" Natsuki queried, interested. "I read that Talon Raptors can be very protective of their masters. Would it be alright?"

"Natsuki is very well read," Shizuru hummed, leading her down the hallway. "Perhaps, you can find out now." Shizuru swung her door open, pulling Natsuki in. "Not to worry, I will be around to call for the medics if Kiyohime sprays a mouthful of acid on Natsuki."

Natsuki widened her eyes at her comment, but she was dragged into the room nonetheless, stumbling slightly from the tug. She had seen a Ranger who had unwittingly crossed the path of a Talon Raptor before. He wasn't a very pretty sight. Her mother had told her that he got away lucky because he was fast enough. Her eyes fell onto a bump on Shizuru's bed. Natsuki couldn't really tell how big it was as it was hidden under fluffy pillows. Two beady yellow eyes were peeking out from underneath the sheets. The eyes blinked once and Natsuki gulped. "Uhhhh, hello."

There was a soft snort and the pair of golden eyes disappeared, followed by movement on the bed. "Shi.. Shizuru?" Natsuki turned around to look for the girl, only to find that her companion had her hands crossed behind her back, an unreadable look on her face.

"..!" she jumped slightly when she felt something hot at her hands and quickly pulled her hand back. She frowned when she realized that the Raptor she thought was a towering giant was merely as large as her bundle that Duran was tucked into.

Shizuru giggled when she saw the perturbed expression on Natsuki's face. "Natsuki, I'm only fourteen years old. Surely you did not think that my parents would let me keep a full grown Raptor in my room that sprays acid at people she did not like?"

Natsuki blinked slowly, realizing that she had been tricked. She opened her mouth to retort, but Shizuru didn't give her the chance. She picked up Natsuki's hand towards Kiyohime. The little reptile inquisitively inched forward, its tail swaying.

"Look, I think she likes you," Shizuru whispered into Natsuki's ear, still holding onto the smaller girl's hand.

It wasn't long before the reptile started to circle the pair, brushing against both Shizuru and Natsuki happily.

"Hey Shizuru, do you think it'd be alright if I let Duran out to meet Kiyohime?"

Crimson eyes sparkled with interest, "Sure! I think Kiyohime would love to meet a new friend. Would you, girl?" She cooed at the reptile that was rolled on its back.

Natsuki eagerly set down the cloth bundle, unwrapping it slowly.

Kiyohime instinctively sat up, regarding the gray Wolcon. Without warning, she hopped back up onto Shizuru's bed, tucking herself beneath the sheets. A few seconds later, two golden eyes peered out from underneath. Duran stood up, a paw raised as he tilted his head at Kiyohime. His tail wagged furiously, intrigued by the new scent of a new species.

"Hey Shizuru, Kiyohime behaves like you. Both of you like to hide behind things and stare at people."

Before Shizuru could retort, Duran scampered toward the edge of the bed, propping himself up with his front paws and sniffed at the semi-hidden reptile. Kiyohime suddenly dashed out from under the sheets and knocked right into Duran. Startled, his wings flapped open and both animals tumbled into a ball across the bedroom. They rolled right onto rug, before settling down, in a picture perfect position. Duran had a paw wrapped around Kiyohime's waist as he lay down on his side; and Kiyohime and curled herself snugly against his warm body.

Natsuki frowned at the pair of animals that were snoozing contentedly, "Well, that was strange. I'm not sure what I should say." She turned to Shizuru when there was no response, only to find the fair-haired girl smirking mischievously at her. "…W..what're you staring at me for?"

"Ara, if Kiyohime behaves like me, then Natsuki must behave like Duran. It seems like I need to pounce on Natsuki so that we could be friends."

XXX

A/N: Sorry for the delay in update. Been quite caught up recently.

Thank you for your interest in this story and the support in your reviews. Should be moving on with the plot/expanding on the relationship with the next chapter or so. Let me know what you think!