"Anna." Liza said, her voice held a warning tone.
"I know, I know." Anna said, shoulders drooping as she accepted defeat. "I know, I just can't stop thinking about it. What if my brother and the others find us? What if we are forced to go back?"
Liza reached out in a comforting gesture. Placing her hand on Anna's shoulder and squeezing lightly. She knew the feelings that Anna was having all too well. Both of them had come to understand that the reason Liza hadn't seen any of the women in her vision was because they were not in the village at the time. Neither of them knew why; however, both were very worried. The implications that none of the women would be in the village at the same time, especially when for the most part they were being kept apart, left very few reasons for their absence. The most troubling one was the topic of discussion today. Being forced to go back to the fort, and back to their old lives, was not something that either woman truly wanted.
"Anna, worrying about it is not going to change anything. I know you don't want to leave Tokalah any more than I want to leave Cetan. I know that Sara would dance for joy and praise heaven, earth, and everything else if she got to go back. I also know that no matter what is to happen we can't change it by worrying. What we can do is make the most of the time we have together with them." Hugging Anna close Liza whispered. "Even if they find us and we have to go back then there will be a reason for it. We just have to go along with the universe's plans sometimes. Enjoy to the fullest the time we have, and maybe we never have to leave."
"I fear that will not be the case. We both know that my brother is stubborn, and I don't believe that Daniel will give up easily either, he is a very intense person when he chooses to be." Anna said, almost sighing at the last bit.
"What will be, will be." Liza said. Seeing Tokalah coming toward them over Anna's shoulder "Now, go see your man. He at least is not worried about anything right now and seeing you crying will likely make him mad at me as he will think I did something." Pulling away from the hug, but still keeping Anna in her arms, Liza met Anna's eyes and gave her an encouraging smile. Dropping her arms and turning to walk away as Tokalah came within arms reach of Anna, Liza hoped that Anna would take her advice and live this time in her life to the absolute fullest.
"Life is short, enjoy yourselves." Liza called over her shoulder knowing her comment would make Anna blush.
Anna blushed and looked at the ground as Liza walked away. A warm hand encircling her own made her look up at the man she had so irrevocably fallen in love with. I hope he can't tell I've been crying, she thought as she met his eyes. Luck, however, seemed to have abandoned her today. He definitely knows, she thought to herself as he started to drag her back to their tepee. I won't tell him about Liza's vision, but I do want to tell him my worries. I hope he won't be mad at me. Or, worse think I am stupid for worrying. It's a good thing it is already after dinner so we won't be missed. Was her last thought as Tokalah pulled her into their tepee.
"What is wrong?" Tokalah asked, his English having greatly improved since that first day they tried speaking to each other.
"I am fine, I was just worried about something and expressed my concerns to Liza." Anna said, leaning into Tokalah's shoulder, subconsciously seeking his support.
"Why are you worried?" Tokalah asked, easily giving Anna the comfort she desired. Having only, just, gained his soul mate he was willing to do just about anything to keep her by his side.
"I fear my brother and Daniel will find us and force me, Liza and Sara to go back to the fort. Liza and I don't want to leave, but Sara would be overjoyed to go back to what she considers her home." Anna said, not daring to look him in the eye fearing his reaction to her words.
"They will not take you back, I will not let them." Tokalah assured her. Reaching out, he gently lifted her chin and forced her to look him in the eye. "In this life, you are mine, and mine only. I will let no other man have you ever again." With that statement he took her into his arms and proceeded to remind her just how right being possessed by him felt.
Liza had walked away from the couple tossing a glance over her shoulder to see Tokalah dragging Anna away. I hope whatever happens ends on a good note, and not with him mad at me for making her cry, she thought to herself as she wandered off in search of something to do. There wasn't all that much to do except go back to her Tepee which she didn't really want to do. A confined space was not what she wanted right now. Going for a run was tempting, but it risked some of the more ill tempered warriors believing she was running away again. Sighing she paced around not wanting to cause trouble, but not willing to go to her tepee. If she had been a little less observant she might not have noticed Cetan walking up beside the tepee she was pacing beside.
I hope he doesn't notice that I'm still slightly limping. Liza thought to herself continuing to pace in an attempt to get rid of the excess energy coursing through her body. I wonder if I could convince Cetan to go for a run with me, he doesn't look tired right now so maybe if I ask he will. Liza turned again, pacing back toward where Cetan stood, looking mildly amused at the situation. Liza walked towards Cetan intent on asking him if he would go for a run with her. What she wasn't ready for was for Cetan's hand to reach out and hold her still.
What, why is he touching me? He only ever hugged me once and hasn't touched me, or really talked to me since do I do now. I like that he is touching me. I don't want him to stop, if I speak will he stop? Her mind raced a million miles a minute in response to the unexpected touch. Not daring to move lest the touch end, Liza opened her mouth, only to close it again quickly seeing the intense look Cetan was giving her.
"Will you go for a run with me?" Liza asked, getting her courage up after a few moments of silence. " I need to get some energy out, but I didn't want the other warriors to think I was running away." Still fidgeting from side to side she looked down as she waited for Cetan to answer her.
"Ok, I will go with you." Cetan answered.
Turning quickly Liza turned toward the edge of camp and speed walked towards the beckoning space beyond the camp. At reaching the edge Liza took off at full speed, not checking to see if Cetan was behind her; the need to run overtaking her thoughts completely. She ran, not going anywhere in particular, just running. As darkness closed in around them, she started to slow, finally remembering to make sure she hadn't lost Cetan in her mad dash for freedom. He was only slightly behind her and didn't seem to be having any trouble keeping up, so she kept going. When night settled around her, and the moon came up she stopped, the urge to run dulled now that the safety of night had surrounded her. Standing where she stopped Liza allowed herself to get swept into her darker thoughts and worries.
Oh God, please please don't ever make me go back to that fort. I never want to see the mocking faces, hear the snide comments and remarks. Just please, please, please don't ever let me fall back into that trap. I don't want to lose the friends I've made here. Friends, I have friends here. Real friends, who don't care that I am half white half Indian. They see me for who I am. I'm allowed to be strong here, I'm encouraged to be strong here. I have Cetan and Anna and Luta. Please, please, please, if you have any mercy left for me, then please don't send me back to Hayes.
She hugged herself and looked at the moon. A comforting hand placed on her shoulder caused her to look over at Cetan. Without thinking she turned and hugged him, burying her face in his chest. Cetan allowed it, circling his arms around her in a protective embrace. They stood that way for several moments before Cetan broke the silence.
"Liza, what is wrong?" He asked her, not releasing her from his warm embrace.
"I'm scared." she answered after a moment of contemplation. "In my vision I didn't see any of us, Anna, Sara or me. Anna and I are worried about what would cause us to be away for any amount of time during something like that. Neither Anna nor I wish to go back to the fort; however, Anna's brother and husband are stubborn. We're worried they will find us and force us to go back with them. I don't want to go back, not now, not ever."
Liza didn't know when she started crying, she only knew that she was by the end of it. I hope he doesn't think less of me after seeing me be this weak and vulnerable. Or worse he thinks I'm just being paranoid, that would be just about my luck right now. Her brain spiraled quickly into depressive thoughts which only made her cry harder. Cetan just stood there holding her for several minutes, giving her time to calm herself down.
"It will be ok. I know you do not wish to leave. If you and Anna are forced to leave, then you can always find your way back. I know you are stubborn and strong, Liza. If you wish to come home, then I am certain that you shall."
Liza said nothing in reply. Choosing instead to snuggle closer into the comfort of Cetan's arms. Allowing her own arms to reach around and return the hug.
"Thank you for believing in me. I think I know what to do if we have to go home. I will come back, and I am sure that Anna will too. I know you have grown to care for her Cetan. We will come back, so no matter what happens you have to live. No matter what happens, you have to live so we can see you when we come back." Liza pulled back slightly to look him in the eye while she spoke.
"I will do my utmost to live to see you both again." Cetan answered, not breaking eye contact.
Despite the semi heavy air Liza couldn't help but get lost in his chocolate brown eyes. They are truly beautiful. She thought, as she allowed herself to get lost in their depths. Feeling as if drawn into an abyss, Liza leaned forward answering a call that sounded within her very soul. She did not realize how close they were until she could almost feel their noses touching. Higher thought processes still focussed on how beautiful his eyes were; Liza, reacted on instinct and closed her eyes. Freezing for a moment when she felt his lips connect with hers, before she melted into the kiss.
The kiss was strong, and comforting, while also seemingly staking an irrefutable claim on her. Liza pushed up against Cetan's lips, staking her own claim on him. Breaking apart she rested her head on Cetan's chest, not releasing her arms from around him. This, she thought, is how I want to spend the rest of my life. I will come back to this no matter what I have to do, and come hell, high water, or annoying older siblings. I am dragging Anna back here as well. Both of us have endured enough, more than enough. I will make sure she gets the happiness that she deserves, and if I get my happiness along the way then that is nothing more than a very happy coincidence.
Eventually they returned to the camp and their prospective tepees. Both thinking about what they wanted out of the future, and one vowing to himself that he would do whatever it took to make sure that Liza was his in the future. Closing their eyes both allowed themselves to sink into sleep plagued with dreams of each other.