High-Fantasy in a modern AU.

Calypso
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4. Recluse

Sasuke's recovery progressed, and he spent less time abovestairs, and more time with Hinata. While his kind preferred the night, he suffered no ill-effects of sunlight, and she had insisted that fresh air and sunshine would hasten his recovery. So, Sasuke joined Hinata in her garden, sometimes sitting in the shade of a manchineel tree (and lazily chewing one of the apples), or meditating while the wind spun the perfume of the garden around him.

The garden closer to the front gates – the one the mortals could see – contained more traditional herbs and plants and trees. The main garden, however, contained plants with life forces too great for mortals. They burned their skin and stopped their hearts and brought death, where to Sasuke's kind, it coaxed health and encouraged recovery.

Hinata cared for all of the plants with equal care, and dutifully harvested and dried and pressed specimens, turning some into pastes and tinctures, and others into meals or teas.

One morning Sasuke found her in the small work building in the garden, carefully wrapping up several parcels while she hummed to herself. She added them to the handled basket and gave a satisfied nod before informing him that she would return shortly, and Hex would be able to help him if he needed anything.

"Return?" he watched as she put the basket on her arm. "From where?"

"The village," was all she offered before taking the path through the garden.

Sasuke remained agitated until his sharp hearing picked up the sound of well-oiled hinges announcing her return. He nodded to Hex, who soon returned with Hinata in tow, her basket empty of her parcels, and filled with new ones. He poured her a cup of tea as she sat down.

"Shopping?" he nodded to the basket.

"Just a few essentials," she shrugged.

"And what do you think of the mortal market in this village… what is it called?"

"Greenleaf," she accepted the tea gratefully. "It is small and quaint."

"And do the mortals know they have an immortal neighbor?"

"I am no more immortal than you."

"But you are not mortal," he pointed out. "How have your neighbors not accused you of witchcraft?"

He thought she would wave off his question, but she did not laugh as he thought she might. Instead she studied her tea, choosing her words with care.

"Illusions are tricky magic," she said slowly. "The best ones are rooted in truth, and it is a universal truth that all villages have a spinster. She is woven into the fabric of the village as just one more detail as mundane as the creak of the library steps, and as steady as the chimes of the town clock. After a while, it is so consistent, the villagers fail to realize I am the only thing not changing about the village – that the woman with the garden their grandparents knew as children is the one their own children know."

"So why go out at all?" he asked, his eyes searching her face. "You have not spoken of friendships within the village – why be a part of it at all?"

"There are always those in need," she shrugged before meeting his eyes. "This Garden is tied to the mortal plane as well as ours – I cannot ignore those whom I could help."

"So I've learned," the corner of his mouth twitched upward. "But it appears they are not manifesting in your garden with death close on their heels."

"No," she allowed. "Their needs are simple and few. A remedy here and there, a good luck charm, a sympathetic ear…" she shrugged. "Simple magics."

He studied the Little Rabbit and something struck him.

"You may only go to the village when beckoned."

Her frown was small between her brows. "I can go if I have need."

"But not without reason," he pressed. "You cannot go and make friends… you may only observe."

She winced but covered it quickly.

"I have all that I need here," she put her empty tea cup down and stood. "I had better begin dinner." With a polite nod, she left, leaving Sasuke to wonder more about her.

He had thought the enchantment surrounding the house to be for her protection…but it was as much a prison as it was a refuge.

"Banished," the word fell from his lips, heavy and final in his astonishment. "She is in exile."

And suddenly Sasuke knew that the Little Rabbit needed his help more than he could have ever guessed.

I switched this from a mini-series to a story, because I realized I had more to write. Hope you enjoy this one! - GL