~*~
Hey, lookit, Sana Jisushi, another chapter! As for those who wish to be my English teacher, my flowery language and my unbroken paragraphs are staying *sticks out tongue* so there. My English teacher is crazy enough as it is, I don't need a second one! *ducks as Mrs. Anti hacks up papers with the Red Pen of Doom* Now, for chapter three…
Terriermon and I had been walking for two weeks straight, and truthfully, we were no closer to the Wellspring of Flames than when we began. The forest had thinned a while back, and now we were ambling down a well-worn path partially hidden by the ever-present coat of fallen leaves. The rations Gennai had provided us were reduced to one scrap of stale cracker bread to share between the two of us. Terriermon had tried foraging for something to quell the dull ache in our stomachs, but the forest was so picked over not a single berry or nut or leafy shoot was visible for miles.
"Are you mad?" he asked when returning empty-handed. I shook my head and smiled almost sympathetically.
We'll find something soon, I know we will.
I was immersed in thought as we continued our trek. Of the fourteen days of almost continual walking, it had rained seven of those days. Two times out of those seven I was able to whip the warm, hooded cloak out of my satchel and sink deep into waterproof comfort. Those other five times the rain came upon so quickly, and in such drenching sheets, there was no time to grab the cloak, only enough time to run for shelter and emerge hours later thoroughly soaked and coated in mud, leaves, and brambles. I hadn't even bathed properly in days, and if Gennai thought I was disheveled before, he would be absolutely appalled at my condition now.
"Um, Lia?"
I glanced down at the formerly white and green bunny, now about as muddy brown as his twin, my expression quizzical.
"I do believe," he said slowly, "that today is the first day of spring. Isn't that-"
The Vernal Equinox! They'll be coming back tonight!
I glanced up at the sun, it was just past its zenith and starting to arc towards the horizon. We only had time enough to prepare something, anything to eat for fifteen ravenous children and a hungry bunny-like being.
"You want to cook up something for everyone, is that what you're thinking?" Terriermon asked, judging by a look I must have had on my face. I nodded curtly, pointing to some fallen branches littering the pathway, and then made a sweeping gesture at the forest surrounding us.
"Oh, I get it. Start a fire and then we can go scour the forest for salad stuff, right?"
Again I nodded, being in a better mood than I had been in days. Terriermon arranged a misshapen pile of twigs and pine needles, slamming it with his attack. We didn't dare waste a precious match.
Maybe there's water nearby. We could try and catch a fish.
"With what? Gennai didn't give us fishing equipment and that Survivor man isn't going to show up with a reward challenge."
When this is over I'm going to tell Willis you've been watching too much television.
~*~
We had found a pond, calm, still and serene, but it was as bare as the woods. Not a single plant growing at the water's edge, at least, nothing Terriermon could recognize as being edible. My rabbit companion vehemently stated that he would not chase down a fish, not even for Willis's sake. Dejected and discontented, we trudged back towards the meager attempts of our campfire which, when we had left it, was giving off about as much light and heat as a birthday candle.
"Wow! Lia, look at all of that!"
Our fire had doubled in size, and still hungry for dry kindling sitting in a thick pile nearby. A metal skillet and a small pot rested next to a wooden cutting board, where lay a fish that had to be as long as my arm and as wide around as Willis's little guardian. Terriermon examined the contents of the pot and cried triumphantly, "It's rice! There's rice in here!"
Who could have left all of this for us?
"Do you care? Hurry up and cook it, I'm starving!"
I admit I'm no culinary artist, but I somehow managed to cook the fish, the rice already steamed and perfectly moist. There would be plenty of food for all of us, and as I glanced up at the sky, now turning crimson, violet, tangerine with the fading sun, I realized that there was little time left before the rest of our number reappeared. I pointed to the fish, cooling in the skillet, in a gesture that clearly said "guard that food with your life." Then, picking the soap out of the satchel, I headed off for the pond.
~*~
It took me a good fifteen minutes to actually find the pond again, and by then the sun was dropping lower and lower over the horizon. I sprinted the last few feet, shedding clothes as I ran, leaving a trail of myself. A pair of Reeboks once navy blue and white, now mud and darker mud, the laces frayed. Socks with holes in the toes, damp with water and sweat. Jeans stained with goodness-knows-what, the seams tattered and small holes the size of a nickel at their frayed beginnings at the knees. A wine-colored shirt sticky with pine pitch, the ripping sleeves dotted with blood from the scabbing scrapes on my arms. Belladonna, the woman who caused all this trouble in the first place, could easily find me merely by following my clothes. Her cold words stung in my mind as the cool water of the pond washed the thick layer of grime from my hair and body.
I will throw her to the burning faggots and watch her be
reduced to ash and bone.
Belladonna intimidated me little. True, it was her fault I was mute, footsore, on a ridiculous quest of fidelity, and sorely missing everyone I cared about deeply. But the woman would not rob me of the faith and inner strength that kept me going. She would not win out.
So help me God, I thought to no one in particular.
~*~
I arrived back at our little camp just as the sun made its final dip below the horizon, a few last golden rays spilling over the land before it washed into the blue of twilight. I was once again dressed in my filthy clothes, dark hair dripping wet onto my back, shivering despite the fact that I was standing barefoot next to the fire. My socks and shoes were nearby, drying out. Terriermon had divvied up the fish and rice, and now all we had to do was wait.
"When do you think Willis will come?"
I shrugged, poking at the flames absentmindedly with a long branch.
Suddenly there was a snap of twigs coming from the woods in front of us, and there came a nearby howl. Another echoed, followed by a chorus of mournful wails. Terriermon was evidently terrified, ducking behind me. I dropped the thin stick I was playing with and grabbed a stout one from the pile, thrusting it into the heart of the flames until the end was blazing with tongues of fire. Holding my makeshift torch in one hand, I ventured a few steps away from the fire. A pack of wolves stood in the inky darkness, I could just make out their hazy silhouettes. There were seven large wolves, obviously older, stronger members. Just behind them were six smaller wolves, and then a puppy. Their eyes glittered ominously in the faint firelight, and I stood within striking distance. But before I could even blink the wolves vanished, to be replaced with the shadows of more familiar forms. Someone whispered my name, and hastily I dropped my burning bough into the fire with the others, running as quickly as my unshod feet could carry me, spreading my arms wide and flying into the tight embrace of my lover.
"Lia, my God, Lia!" he murmured, tears catching in his eyes, in his voice.
"Are you all right?" Sora inquired.
"You're soaked and covered in dirt! What happened?" Joe gasped.
"What are you doing way out here, anyway?" Tai asked, his tone of voice a little harsh. They all started talking at once, and I could merely cling to Matt, silent tears running down my cheeks.
"Why won't you answer us?" Yolei questioned.
"What's happened to you?" Kari added.
"Was it…was it her?" Ken asked fearfully. I shook my head, making wild gestures at my throat and lips.
"Lia, please tell me what's wrong," Matt begged, holding me close.
I can't! I can't!
"That's right. We can't say what we're doing, but everything will be all right in the end," Terriermon chimed, venturing over to our group. Willis yelped in joyous surprise and hugged his companion fiercely.
~*~
It was well past midnight, and we were all still up talking. Well, the others were talking, I was silent. Apparently Belladonna had changed the lot of them into a pack of wolves, and they were none too pleased about their experiences so far. The smell of cooked food nearly made the younger ones retch.
"You're on some kind of journey to break our curse, aren't you?" Cody said quietly.
"And you can't talk at all?" Willis asked in disbelief.
"It isn't worth it. I'd rather be a wolf all my life than to make you suffer," Matt argued bitterly, never straying from my side for an instant.
"You weren't thinking that when you had to kill that squirrel," Mimi pointed out.
"That squirrel deserved to die. It was mocking us," Nicki mentioned.
"I can't believe this is the last time we'll be human again for months. It's quite disheartening," Izzy mumbled.
Keep your hope and faith alive, as I have. We will not let that woman destroy us.
"Lia's right. We can't give up when we've barely started. And we all have each other," T.K. agreed.
"We'll never give up the fight!" Davis exclaimed, raising a fist enthusiastically.
~*~
Dawn was approaching. The hours had passed by far too quickly. I had barely any time to be with them, and Terriermon was in tears.
"I don't want you to go, Willis!" he cried, hugging his partner.
"I know, but you'll see me again soon. Besides, you have to protect Lia. She needs you now more than anything. All right?"
Terriermon nodded sullenly, trudging off to dredge up breakfast. I stood with the others, saying what goodbyes I could.
"Stay safe," was the farewell speech that was on almost everyone's lips.
"We'll see ya in a couple months. Try not to get into too much trouble while we're gone," was another. Matt was as silent as I. As the sun started climbing towards the sky, warming leaden clouds to a rosy hue and brightening the heavens to their proper blue he took my hands in his own.
"I love you, never forget that," he whispered, grazing his lips over mine.
I love you too. You'll always be in my heart, all of you will. Remember what Gatomon once said, "Their paths may be different, but the place they end up in is the same."
And with those mindspoken words I walked away, the sight of them changing back to wild forms too painful for my eyes, already welling with tears.
Terriermon had packed the satchel and doused the fire, anticipating another day's walk.
"Get your socks and shoes on, get the canteen, and let's hit the open road!" he commanded impatiently. "The sooner we go the sooner we can find all that stuff we have to find and the sooner Willis, Lopmon, and I can go back home and be a family again!"
I hurriedly stuffed my feet into my socks, jammed my shoes on, and slung satchel and canteen across my shoulders, pointing to the path that lay ahead of us.
Then let us go. The Wellspring of Flames can wait no longer.
~*~
And with that, I
leave ye faithful readers to review. Um…the next chapter may take some time
getting out, I broke our printer and as punishment my computer time is being
strictly limited. Hopefully Dad will forget all about this castigation. At
least my TV privileges still stand! ~Lia