Disclaimer: found in part 1
"Excuse me, Vin, you're White Coyote?" Chris questioned, surprised to say the least. Though, he supposed, he shouldn't really have been surprised that Vin had an Indian name. After all, he had lived with the Indians for some time. Really what surprised him was that Star's mother would send her little girl, alone, to Vin. There had to be more to the story, more that either Vin wasn't telling them or, more, that Vin himself didn't know. Chris could remember how protective Sarah always was of Adam. It would have had to be a life and death situation for her to send him away, especially by himself. And the person she sent him to would have to be somebody she trusted immensely. Throughout his life Chris had learned that all mothers were like that with their children, fiercely protective. So why did Star's mother send her to Vin, of all people?
"Yeah, I'm White Coyote, that's the name the Kiowas gave me when I was living with them," he spoke a little distractedly.
"Why would her mother send her to you?" Mary questioned, as curious about this as everyone else.
"I don't know, I don't know this little girl but maybe if she told me her mother's name-"
"You are White Coyote?" a little voice interrupted from the stairway, big beautiful eyes wide.
"Yeah," Vin said gently, turning, surprised that he hadn't heard her. Then again, as he remembered his time with the Kiowas, maybe he shouldn't have been surprised.
"You are who my mama told me to find," she commented to him.
"Why did yore mama send you to me?" Vin asked her quietly, hoping that her mother had told her because he certainly had no idea why this woman sent her baby to him.
"You do not know?" Star questioned with an edge of panic to her voice, she had never before considered that this man would not know her.
"No, you don't know either?"
"No," She said sadly. "You not going to take care of me?" she asked, tears welling in her big brown eyes.
"Of course we are," Mary piped in without thinking because she couldn't allow that precious little girl to think for a moment longer that she would be turned out.
"It has to be White Coyote," she said quietly but insistently. "Mama told me to stay with no one but White Coyote," She said shaking her head up down as if trying to remember every word her mother had told her.
"Don't worry, darlin'. I'll take care of ya," Vin said reassuringly. "Now, why don't you tell me yore ma's name, maybe I know her?"
"Mama's name is Dancing Wind but people always call her Kaiyana, when I ask her why she says it means dancing wind in Kiowa, and that she always thought it sounds prettier then Dancing Wind," Star said for the benefit of those who didn't know Kiowa.
Vin sat down with a shocked look on his face. When Star said her mother's name his jaw actually dropped. Then a very upsetting thought crossed his mind. When he lived with the Kiowas they had accepted him; for the most part however there was one line that the chief always warned him not to cross, for his safety and the young ladies. The chief had warned to never become involved with any of the women there. As much as the Kiowas liked and even accepted Vin, it was NOT acceptable for a white man to be with any of the Kiowa women. Vin could still remember the struggle he was having internally when the Chief had said that to him because he was already in love with one of the Kiowa women, the chief's daughter. Matters were even more complicated though, the Kiowas believed her to be the answer to an old prophecy. The prophecy spoke of a powerful warrior princess coming to rescue the tribe in a time of danger and a time when the tribe's very existence was in jeopardy. The tribe believed the chief's daughter, Kaiyana or Dancing Wind (as she was called in English), was the answer to their prayers and the old prophecy. They had come to believe that she was powerful and mighty. She was treated in great reverence and everyone in the tribe obeyed her every word, even her father. A big part of the reason Vin had been accepted into the tribe in the first place was because he and Kaiyana had met in the woods and had gotten to talk. He, for a reason he was never able to determine, opened up to her and expressed his need to belong. Of his need to have a home. She offered to take him to her tribe without hesitation. He immediately thought that they wouldn't accept him, especially so quickly. However she told him about the legend they had given her and how they practically worshipped her. So he went with her. They fell in love relatively quickly. They would go off into the woods together at night, under the guise that she was teaching Vin the finer points of tracking (which he already knew from previous learning), and spend the night together in secret. However, their time together was short-lived. After only six months of having an intimate relationship Kaiyana was forced to go on the run. Some of the white settlers had heard of the prophecy that the people believed that Kaiyana was meant to fulfill. The short time that Vin had with her had been the year when the Kiowa people had escaped the reservations, that ended though and local whites wanted Kaiyana more then anything. The prophecy the settlers learned about said that she was a great warrior, and in reality she was an excellent fighter, however they mocked her and the tribe. Everything about her was graceful and her fighting style was no exception, many of the moves she made while fighting seemed to defy gravity. However what the men really wanted (beyond Kaiyana herself, who they wanted because of her looks and beauty but also because the hope of many of the Kiowas rested entirely with her, capturing and using her would crush them for sure, they thought) was the one thing that Kaiyana would never give up. It was a special necklace that Kaiyana had told Vin about, one that she never took off. It was a magnificent red gemstone that glowed on and off red and was always warm regardless of its exposure to harsh or cold weather. However if Kaiyana took the gem off it would turn blue and get ice cold. Kaiyana never took it off though. Her mother had been the first to say that she was the answer to the old prophecy and shortly after Kaiyana had been born her mother had received a vision that told her to go to a special waterfall in the mountains and retrieve the gem. It then told her to give it to her daughter, that it would protect the little girl always, even if she couldn't. Her mother had gone to the waterfall. She'd dived in and swam underneath the falls. That's when she saw the stone, deep blue, resting on the rocks behind the falls, just waiting for her. She had gone home with the magnificent gem and put on her baby. To her amazement she watched the gem go from a deep sapphire blue to a bright ruby red that glowed to the pace of the baby's heart. Kaiyana's mother had died when she was only five; it was one of the biggest ways she and Vin had been able to relate to one another. Although her mother truly believed that her daughter was the answer to the ancient prophecy she had also made sure that Kaiyana was allowed to be a person and not just a legend. She had protected her little girl and had allowed her a short period where she could make mistakes and not be infallible without threat of ridicule, and the pain that would go with it. After her mother had died that luxury died with her. She had become lonely. As a child, once her mother was gone, she was taught to hunt, fight, and track. She had natural talent and was a very quick study. She was also incredibly intelligent. It wasn't long at all before the entire tribe was really convinced that she was the answer to the ancient prophecy. Also, though, from that time on people treated her as if she were super human, incapable of making mistakes, beautiful (inside and out), and the answer to their most profound and urgent prayers. So much was expected of her, more then most would be able to handle, she did though. However, hers was an intensely lonely existence. She was held in such high regard that people were hesitant to have an actual conversation with her. She had no friends even her father treated her as if she was too incredible to get near. She always felt shunned and after her mother died, she had no childhood. When she grew into a young woman, the men of the tribe never even considered her. She was a magnificent beauty and a man would have had to be dead not to notice her however none ever considered approaching her with the idea of marriage. Not only was she too good for them, they believed, but according to the prophecy she was a warrior princess and it also spoke nothing of her marrying or having any kind of life except living for the freedom and mere existence of the tribe. However Vin had no such beliefs ingrained into him. They could relate, for both were lonely and friendless. But their relationship was far more then lust. They were best friends, soul mates. When she had left Vin had found her and begged her to allow him to go with her, however she declined, saying that he deserved better then a life on the run and in constant danger. He had known from the look in her deep brown, gentle eyes that her mind was made up. She was the most incredible woman he would ever know. Also, she was probably the most self-sufficient, independent, proud, intelligent, beautiful and hardheaded stubborn woman (or man for that matter) he'd ever know. He knew he was losing her. Oh, he knew that they would never catch her and even if they did, she would escape, for she was also the best fighter he would ever know. But he never thought she'd hold on to him. She would probably be on the run for the rest of her life and she wanted him to have more from life then that.
"You know mama?" The little voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Yes," Vin stammered, "How old are you?" He asked suddenly, getting a sinking feeling, his voice sounding urgent and nervous.
"Five," She said triumphantly as she held up five fingers to show him visually the number of years old she was, not understanding the tone of voice and completely oblivious to Vin's current thoughts.
Still seated Vin rested his head in his hands as he immediately did the math and realized the implications of the little girl's words, his little girl's words.
"Vin, what is it?" Chris questioned although he already had a pretty good idea what was so obviously wrong with his friend, if the look on his face was anything to go by.
Vin seemed not to hear him, he was too caught up in his thoughts, and the fact that he was suddenly sure he was this wonderful little girl's father. "Come here and talk to me, Star," He spoke in his soft, lazy drawl, ignoring Chris, with a look in his eyes that his friends, even Chris, had never before seen.
"You are White Coyote, for really?" She asked suddenly fearing that he wasn't speaking the truth about his identity, and fearing that she may not be obeying her beloved mother, who had warned her sternly to be weary of the people that she met.
"Yes," Vin spoke gently and quietly, looking the little girl directly in the eyes. Realizing at that moment that she was far more then just a little girl. He mother had indeed trained her carefully. For she was studying him closely, in a way only a well-trained Kiowa warrior would or could. He had no doubts that she wouldn't hesitate in testing him, in asking something that would prove his identity to her.
Star walked cautiously and gracefully toward Vin, looking nothing like a five years old. She stopped when she was right in front of him and looked directly into his cobalt eyes as she spoke decisively in the Kiowa language and asked him a personal question about he and her mother. It was something only he could now and it involved something that always happened during their intimacies. He was shocked that Kaiyana would tell Star this before realizing that the question would mean nothing to anyone except Vin and Kaiyana, it had no meaning to even someone old enough to understand what had happened between Vin and Kaiyana. So he quietly answered back in Kiowa the answer to her question.
"You are really him," she said happily. It was not a question but statement that ensured her safety and that meant she had fulfilled her beloved mother's request.
"Yes, I am," Vin said, thrilled that she believed him but unsure of what was to come.
Star continued to smile happily, knowing now that she was safe and no one could hurt her now that she was in this man's care. It was then that she remembered the letter. The letter her mother had pinned to the inside of one of her layers of clothing. The letter her mother had told her to make sure to give to White Coyote as soon as she was certain that who she had found was indeed White Coyote. "I give something to you," she spoke a little absently as she struggled to get under her top layer to reach the letter her mother had secured there before she left.
"What?" Vin asked when he snapped out of his silent musings.
"A letter from mama," she commented still not paying much attention to him as she struggled with her clothes.
Not exactly understanding what the look on Vin's face meant Mary moved to help the tiny girl with the particular article of clothing that was giving her so much trouble. "Here Darling, let me help you?" Mary asked.
The little girl nodded and proceeded to stop struggling and allow Mary to pull of the offending object.
"You're ma wrote me a letter?" Vin asked, extremely eager for an explanation yet a little unsure of what to expect from Kaiyana after so many years and so much time and so many struggles separated from one another.
"Yes," Star answered dutifully as she took the letter in her small hand and prepared to give the letter over to her temporary guardian, "She said to make sure that I give it to you." With that she handed Vin her mother's letter.
Vin took the letter a little hesitantly. He felt confident that he could read it-his lessons with Mary made it possible to read just about anything with minimal difficulty. However what made him unsure of his capability of reading the letter was how unsure of what its contents would reveal. The more he thought about it the more courage he gained so as his mounted he finally tore open the letter and began to read:
Dear Vin,
If you're reading this letter it means Star has reached you, and I thank the heavens for that. Also I'm sure you've already figured it out but if you haven't-You're her father. I'm sorry that I never found you to tell you about her. I didn't want you to force yourself into a life on the run because I fear I will always be hunted to some extent for who I am. I knew that as soon as you found out there would be nothing I or anyone else could do to keep you away. So for these reasons and perhaps others I didn't tell you about her. I know that you will watch over her in my absence- I only hope that all of this is not to hard on her. I will come to you both as soon as possible, but I will make no promises. I will not tell you exactly what I am doing or the whereabouts in which I do them-except to say that there is danger and I may not make it back. For all of this uncertainty I apologize. Oh, Vin, what has happened? I only hope I make it back to explain all of this to you better. And in the event that I cannot come to you-I can rest easy with the knowledge that Star is with you because being with you means that she's safe. Star doesn't know that you are her father-as you have more then likely already figured out. It is entirely your choice if and when you tell her. Rest assured that if you do tell her, she will believe what you say. With this I say goodbye with the hope of hello in the near future.
Love Always,
Kaiyana
The letter was short and to the point. Vin couldn't help but smile a somewhat bittersweet smile. Kaiyana was her same old self. He had always marveled at how good her english was-so much better then his. She even wrote like that. Her letter had left no question in his mind about his being Star's father. However in every other aspect it left a hundred questions that he ached to have answers to. However more then anything he found himself hoping beyond hope that she made it to him and Star. He hoped that they may have some future together. He also wondered what he should tell Star-and his friends. They were all looking at him expecting some type of reaction in response to the letter. His mind wandered through the possible outcomes of all of the things he chose to or not chose to tell them.
"Star," he heard himself say as he stalled for more time, "Are you tired?"
"Not really," She said not giving him the response he was looking for.
"Oh, well I gotta talk to these people and…"
"I can't listen too?" She asked innocently.
"Well, darlin…um…I reckon you kin…a…wait…maybe…uh…how' bout you 'an me we have a little talk just the two of us upstairs where you were sleeping?"
Star looked at him quizically for a moment before answering him, "Okay, we go upstairs to talk," giving him a big smile, still happy that she had found him all by herself, like a big girl, her mother had said. Star continued smiling, knowing that mama would be proud of her.
~*~
They had reached the Billy's room more quickly then Vin would have liked. He tried to shuffle through his thoughts and figure out what he wanted to say to the little girl that was his daughter. Daughter, my daughter, I have a daughter. It was daunting to learn such a thing and have to deal with it so quickly.
"What you want to talk about?" Star asked smiling.
"Well…um…darlin'," He spoke suddenly that honesty was the best way to go. He was an honest man and didn't figure on changing his ways now, especially now. "I have somethin' real important to tell ya."
"What?" Star asked listening closely to his every word as her mother had instructed her to.
"Do you know why you mother sent you to me?"
"No, do you?"
"Yes."
"You going to tell me?" She asked expectantly.
"Yes."
"Okay," She said finally sensing his nervousness and in turn looking sheepishly down at her feet.
"Okay," Vin spoke getting more self-conscious with each passing second. "Sit down," He gestured toward the bed. Once the were seated, side-by-side, he continued, "You're mama sent you to me because I am your daddy."
"Daddy?" Star's tiny voice sounding half surprised, half as if she had no idea what the word meant.
"Yeah, do you know what that is?" Vin said cursing himself for his stupidity. With the way Star had grown up, away from everyone and everything, and just with her mother, it wasn't unreasonable to think that she might not know what a father was.
"Not really," She said her angelic face looking a little ashamed, as if she thought he would be mad at her for not knowing. "I am sorry."
"No, no, there ain't no reason for you to be sorry. Ya ain't done a thing wrong." Vin gave her a big smile to assure her how serious he was about his not being mad.
"I not let you down?"
"No, you haven't done a thing wrong," Vin reiterated.
"So, what is a daddy?"
"Well, that's kind of a tough question," Vin thought about how to describe what a father was when he realized how difficult it was to describe what a father is especially when he never had one himself. Also he didn't exactly know how much to say, or what to say and what not to say. He really needed a woman. Well, what he really needed was Kaiyana, but since she wasn't available at the moment he figured Mary would have to do. "Well, there, Star, I'll tell ya what, I think I'm gonna ask Mis' Travis to explain that to you, alright?"
"Okay," Star nodded definitively, happy that she would be learning and even more happy that someone was going to explain to her what this mysterious daddy thing was.
"Good, now I'll be back in a little while. I've got to go talk the Miz Travis."
~*~
I think right now the one thing that would make me happy would be killing Vin. How could he do this to me? 'Oh, Mary, could you do me one little favor?' That's what he says. How do I know what to tell this little girl? What she needs is her mother. I suppose though if I don't know what to say I certainly couldn't expect Vin to. It's funny, when Vin told me he was Star's father, I was surprised, but only to a certain extent. Vin is the kind of man who naturally would make a good father.
"Well, Dear," Mary spoke, ending her revere when she noticed Star starring at her, expecting her to start talking. Mary began trying to find a way to adequately describe a father. "A daddy is someone who helps the mommy raise the children." She said knowing that that was terribly inadequate but seeing it as, as good a start as anywhere else.
"Why?"
"Why, what?"
"Why does he help?"
"Oh, because he loves them."
"Why?
"Why does he love them?"
"Yes."
"Because he loves the mommy and he helped her make the children," Mary said hoping that the answer was adequate because she really didn't want to go into this any further.
"Mama didn't make me by herself?"
"No, someone helped her, you're daddy," Mary asked, pleased that Star was beginning to get the point.
"White Coyote helped make me?"
"Yeah," Vin answered, just a little sheepishly, while his cheeks blushed bright red. He spoke from where he stood waiting for this moment, outside the door.
"You love mama?"
Her question caught him a little off guard at first. "Yes, I love your mama."
"Do you love me?"
"Yes, I do."
Mary took the moment of silence that ensued to leave the father and daughter alone.
"Really?" Star asked in her endearing little voice.
"Really," Vin smiled.
"Will we be a family when mama comes back?"
"I hope so, but that's something we're all gonna have to talk about."
"Okay," she accepted happily.
"Now," Vin said. "I think that it's time for somebody to go to bed."
"It is past your bedtime?" She answered with a big smile.
"No, it's past your bedtime," he said with a laugh.
"Okay," Star conceded, "I get ready."
"Good."
Well, that's it for right now, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!!!!!!!!