Chapter 12: New Faces

Despite the calm winds and the buzzing insects around the forest, the village mourned in silence. The open agora had no chatting kinsmen, sparring warriors, cooks and weavers, or playing children. They were all at home or visiting the burial site outside the village to pay respects. Only the brief glance of someone moving from point to point stood out. Other than that, just the presence of warriors graced the village, but even they seemed to match the still scene of a painting.

Shizuru saw a stronger presence of the neighboring felines in the absence of many injured warriors or those that took time off to grieve. The manpower the village had before seemed to increase overnight. The felines possessed a certain discipline and poise that the wolves did not have as much of. At the moment, it's what they needed.

Although she was glad no one she knew was hurt, the knight's heart still ached for the lost lives of the villagers. She even wondered how many losses the felines and others around the affected areas faced. Likely, the heavy air would loom over like a storm for a few more days. She got to thinking. The residents of the Kagean Forest face enough trouble with the Orphans. Would it be worth it to open the forest to humans?

Peace was possible, but how long would that last? Whatever peace was had between the two races sixty years ago ended somehow; so badly that the area was isolated and records of the event erased. If it happened again, any trust the people had would be gone. The knight wished for the internal peace and easygoing way of life in the forest to continue without interference. But…

She stopped in her tracks and stared at the ground. Ara, what I want doesn't really matter. I was sent here for a reason. She sighed, remembering again that her time here was quite limited. Months or years could pass until the tribunal gave their verdict on the peace offer, but in the end Shizuru would have to leave eventually. Maybe this was their way of drawing her in and making her forget about her job. Who knows? The charm of the people and place was certainly working.

In front of her, Natsuki slowed her already sluggish pace once she realized Shizuru stopped walking. Confused, the young woman tilted her head, "Is something wrong?"

Shizuru snapped back to reality, "Hm? Oh yes," she responded, "I was just thinking about what happened here."

Natsuki looked around the abandoned agora and her eyes lowered somewhat, "Sad, isn't it?"

"It is," the knight nodded, "And this happens often?"

"It's not a regular occurrence," Natsuki answered as they began walking once more, "More common for a lone orphan to wreck more havoc. Not something as big a scale as this…"

"Like the one you were hunting the night you found me?"

"Yeah, but even then, it didn't kill as much as the horde last night," Natsuki mumbled. She looked to the worn spots in the ground, the places where villagers hitched their huts and cooked, weaved, and crafted tools and equipment for their daily living, "I don't know if it's my imagination, but it almost felt organized."

Shizuru took in her theory, but couldn't quite buy it. She rubbed the back of her head, "Ara, I'm not sure… From what I understand, Orphans are usually loners. They're not smart enough to band together and conduct attacks,"

"I know…" Natsuki averted her gaze, but she couldn't shake the feeling. It was all wrong. They didn't behave like that. It wasn't normal.

"Maybe something strange agitated them?"

"Maybe… Like a spooked herd," the wolf sighed, "Either way, we'll bounce back up from every attack. We have no choice. It's survival."

"That's something I admire about Natsuki and her people," Shizuru smiled.

Natsuki blushed and scratched the side of her face, "We all deal with Orphans. You can't tell me you don't get attacked every now and then?"

"We do, but not the larger cities. They're quite safe. I don't even think many people there know what an Orphan looks like," Shizuru explained, "Outside the cities it's different. When I'm not training new soldiers, it's part of my job to make sure those places are safe."

"Hm…"

"Ara, what is it?"

"It sounds tough, protecting so many people," Natsuki said, "Especially when most can't defend themselves." Even the children in the village could fend for themselves if they were driven to great lengths. She had to remind herself that her people were naturally equipped to fight Orphans. Weapons made it easier, but weapons were all the humans could rely on.

The knight smiled sadly and agreed, "Quite so… There were many times I've heard or experienced myself that not everyone can be saved," she said, "But we also make do with every man and woman who can fight. And I know I've done well if I can save at least one life."

"And that's something I admire about you," Natsuki complimented absentmindedly, "You work hard Shizuru. Thank you."

Shizuru couldn't help but playfully push her friend, "Ara, stop. Natsuki's embarrassing me," she chuckled with a hand over her mouth, "Shapeshifter, human; a life is a life. I'm happy to have done what I could last night, no matter how little it was,"

Natsuki laughed, holding onto her crutch to avoid falling over. She didn't mind the playful little shove from the knight. It was rather refreshing. Joking without thinking, she said, "Maybe we could fight the Orphans if humans and shapeshifters worked together. Your numbers, our muscle," she snickered and pointed a thumb to herself.

"That… doesn't sound like a bad idea," Shizuru agreed. Maybe if she succeeded, they could all benefit from this. Not many people would have to die.

"I'm a genius, huh?" Natsuki lifted her chin rather proudly.

They neared the base of the great tree and Natsuki felt for the entrance inside. The other night she was delirious. It's been quite some time since she used that entrance, but eventually her hand felt the edge of the slab. Pushing it open, she called out, "We're here!"

Gouu's chuckle could be heard from the room, "Looks like they made it after all. Come on in you two,"

"Ah, Natsuki, Shizuru!" Saeko exclaimed as she stood from her seat on the ground. She came to embrace her only child and asked like any worried mother, "How are you feeling?"

"Better, mother," Natsuki smiled and glanced over at the knight beside her, "Shizuru changed the bandages just earlier, so hopefully tomorrow I'm good as new, right?"

A sigh of relief, "What about you, Shizuru? You must be tired,"

"A little sore, but I'm quite fine, thank you," Shizuru lowered her head. She then looked up to see two unfamiliar faces past Saeko's shoulder, "Ara, who are our other guests?"

Saeko looked over and appeared as though she forgot about Gouu and the two young women sitting on the floor, "Ah, how careless of me. Let me introduce you all!" she motioned for them to take their seats. Natsuki took care as she lowered herself beside her mother and father, Shizuru just the opposite of her, "Would you two like some tea? I've made it to help with the pains of yesterday's battle."

"I could use some," Natsuki grabbed an empty cup and held it out in front of her, feeling the warm liquid warm her hands.

"I'll have some as well, thank you," Shizuru smiled.

Once Saeko quickly filled their drinks, she spoke, "This is Nao of the Yuuki family," Saeko held out a hand towards the young woman sitting at the opposite side of the kettle. Her hair was as red as blood and eyes a much lighter shade of green compared to the forest of Natsuki's eyes, "As well as Mikoto of the Yuuki family." Saeko finished by gesturing towards the smaller girl who looked no older than a teenager. Although they shared the same family name, Shizuru noticed this Mikoto looked much different from the redhead with her wild midnight black hair. The hair was worn loose in a similar wild fashion, eyes a piercing gold.

Both Nao and Mikoto wore distinguishing robes in stark contrast to the wolves' lax clothing, or lack thereof in the case of others. They appeared important. At least Nao did. Mikoto… she just seemed to help herself to the tea and snacks present at their small gathering. If anything the redhead looked like a sister forced to take her younger sibling everywhere with her.

"The Yuuki family are the leaders of the collective feline clans," Gouu added, "They came all the way from their home to help fight on the frontlines last night."

Shizuru lowered her head, faintly remembering Aoi and Kazuya's conversation the other night about the structure of the felines, "Ara, pleasure to meet you both. I'm—"

"I'm aware of who you are. Shizuru Fujino, right?" Nao cut in. Her voice was cool, not the calm and collected quality Natsuki's voice had, but rather an ice cold cool. The young woman showed a bit of a sly smile, "Everyone's been talking about you. Hard not to know."

"Ara, is that so?" The knight didn't know the gossip about her spread that far.

"News never escapes my family's ears," Nao grinned, seeming quite sure of herself, "I'm interested in the things you may or may not accomplish here."

"From how you speak, I assume you aren't the one who leads your family?" Shizuru asked.

Nao snickered, "No, far from it. My parents already had their hands tied at home during the attack, so Mikoto and I were sent here to help," She then peered over at Natsuki absentmindedly sipping at her tea beside Shizuru, "In addition, it's been a while since I've seen you Natsuki. Last night sounded like a close call."

"Hello to you too, Nao," Natsuki smirked as she set her tea down, "Sadly my time's quite far away."

Saeko pinched her daughter's ear briefly, "Don't talk like that, Natsuki. You're acting like the fact you're alive is an inconvenience."

"Sorry," the young woman chuckled, assuring her mother, "Isn't it time for a healing session?"

"It is around that time isn't it? Could you all excuse us for a few minutes?" Saeko lowered her head.

"Go ahead, dear. We'll be fine here." Gouu smiled to his partner.

"We'll keep ourselves occupied!" Mikoto exclaimed.

Once Natsuki and Saeko left the structure, Nao sucked her teeth and looked about, "So…" she started, "What is it like out there?"

The question caught Shizuru off guard, but she leaned back and thought about her answer, "Well… it's nothing like here. My country is big, with wide and open fields," Shizuru extended her arms, "Houses made from wood and stone are spread out, some big, some small."

"Hm," they heard Mikoto hum, "Sounds trashy, doesn't seem like there's any trees to climb…."

"Hey, watch your mouth, Mikoto," Nao chastised. She liked to talk trash herself, but currently she was a diplomat in her parents' place. Offending the human in front of them was not on her list of things to do.

"Sorry, sis," Mikoto took another sip.

"Don't apologize to me, apologize to her,"

"Sorry, Shizuru," Mikoto lowered her head.

Shizuru chuckled at the child's behavior, "It's quite alright. I like it here myself, so I understand," out of curiosity she asked, "Gouu, have you been outside at all? I know you've been around for a while."

"Yes, a few times back in the day," Gouu nodded, "It wasn't bad, but nothing quite beats home,"

Nothing quite beats home. Shizuru wondered if that was true since she was comfortable where she was currently. Her 'home' was never more than a place to sleep and eat, her adoptive mother always gone to fulfill her duties as a knight. Some days as a child, she wondered why her mother bothered to take her in if she was going to be gone all the time. As Shizuru grew, she figured she was luckier than most orphans. She had a wonderful home, a wonderful mother whenever she saw her, as well as an education and quality training that carried her on the path she walked today.

All the talk about the outside world and her realization that morning that her attachment to wolves was beginning to distract her, drew her away from the conversation that started between Gouu and Nao. The shapeshifters seemed to run out of things to say to the knight, anyway. That or Nao still found it odd to talk to her at the moment.

Shizuru sat there quietly on the sidelines. Her mind drifted between the conversation and her thoughts towards the job she had to accomplish in the forest.

As time passed, Natsuki and Saeko returned. The young woman seemed to be freed from the clutches of her splint, but the bandages were still wrapped around her leg. Regardless, she was looking better and limping less. Soon, they all readied to part ways once Natsuki began to tire, her body calling for her to sleep off the last of her injuries. Nao and Mikoto, as well, had to return to their temporary home within the village.

"Ara, how long will you be staying here?" Shizuru had to ask.

"Maybe a week," Nao shrugged, "It's just until everyone's recovered from the attack,"

"Then we may meet each other again," Shizuru smiled and kindly lowered her head, "It was a pleasure to meet you, Yuuki-san,"

The kind gesture caught the cat off guard, but Nao cleared her throat and tried her best to pull the diplomat inside her out her ass, "It's been a pleasure. We'll meet again, I'm sure." She said and took her leave.

"Oi, Shizuru!" Natsuki called out from the doorway, holding up a large sack in her hand, "Why are you taking so long? Mother gave us some food so you don't have to hunt tonight, let's go!"

"Yes, yes, I'm coming!" Shizuru called back, "Just give me one moment, I'll be outside soon." She turned to Gouu and Saeko, surprising them.

"Is something the matter?" Gouu asked.

The knight opened her mouth to speak, but then debated briefly before coming out and saying it, "I've been thinking about it a lot today," she began, "I would like permission to visit the town of Rein."

The answer came as a surprise to her, "Of course feel free to," Gouu clasped his hands together, "Is there a particular reason? I just want to know."

"I need to send out a letter to my friends back at the castle to tell them how I'm doing," Shizuru smiled, feeling somewhat like a kid asking for permission to leave home for the afternoon, "I don't know how to put it either, but… I just want to be around some humans for a time to answer a question that's been on my mind."

A silence followed until Gouu laughed, "You need not say more. I understand," he said, "Go be with your people and find your answers."

"When do you plan on leaving?" Saeko asked.

"In three days, I suppose. I'd like some rest and time to prepare."

"Very well. We'll tell you the way to Rein from here before you go," Saeko nodded, "But can I… we ask one thing of you?"

"Yes, anything." Shizuru raised a brow, listening attentively.

"We beg you to not include anything about our power or the warriors we have. Nothing that can be used against us,"

The woman's tone was oddly firm; the first Shizuru had heard her like this. A chill formed down her spine, but she nodded, "Of course. I'll even bring the letter I plan to send for you to read if you'd like."

"We'd very much like that. Thank you, Shizuru." Saeko clasped her hands over the knight's.

"It's the least I can do," Shizuru smiled. She said her farewells. Natsuki had been waiting a while so she headed for the exit and stepped outside. She expected her to be leaning right by the entrance, but she wasn't there.

Shizuru scanned left and right, concerned for a moment. Then she spotted her standing quite a ways in front of the tree with Nao, the subject of their conversation inaudible. Relieved, she approached them.

"So how have you been, Natsuki?" Nao's voice could be heard softly to her now, coming as a warm purr.

The knight stopped, frozen. Her body forced her to look and listen. The scene before her, Natsuki's mouth was a flat line and her cheeks were flushed red, "I've been fine…"

"You do seem a lot more cheerful since last time," the cat held out a hand, brushing a lock of hair behind the wolf's ear, "I'm sorry I haven't really been around lately to visit. It's been busy. It's good that woman's been keeping you entertained."

"O—Oi, don't talk about Shizuru like she's some toy to me," Natsuki stuttered, "She's saved my life several times now. She's a friend."

"And I appreciate her doing that. We couldn't have anything happening to you, could we…" Nao trailed off as she reached out. Shizuru's eyes widened as she took Natsuki's hands and planted a kiss on it, holding it up to her cheek with a smile afterwards. At first she wanted to think it was just a formal gesture, but Nao's following words convinced her otherwise, "My Natsuki."

"Cut that out, that's embarrassing…" Natsuki muttered under her breath and yanked away her hand. She averted her gaze from Nao and incidentally Shizuru as well, not noticing the knight finally stepped out. Kicking the dirt and rubbing the back of her head, Natsuki seemed very little concerned about leaving Nao's side.

Shizuru sighed and turned the other way. I should leave them to that and meet her at the cave later… she thought and placed her hands in the pockets of her garments. Her feet carried her on the path towards 'home' at a quick pace, "I am such a fool," she painfully whispered.

3/17/2018 Update:

Hey guys, just a little footnote here to say that I apologize for the slow update. I've been working a LOT of mandatory overtime lately so I'm trying to work on the next chapter during what free time I have. There's also a semi-serious conversation for next chapter so I want to make sure I write it well.

Also a small edit, Nao's line referring to her "mother and father" was changed to "my parents". Writing this chapter I forgot I wanted to make her parents both women lol It's what I get for not writing this fic a while and forgetting some of the plans I've had set for it.

Anyway expect an update maybe tomorrow and if not sometime this week. If you want to see how progress is going you can always check out my Twitter listed on my bio.