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Unknown Identity
Chapter Thirteen: Ill News
"The chief wants to see you," Ashkari said quietly to Strange-Eyes one day. "I do not think it will be good."
"When do I go?" They were conversing in the native tongue, but Strange-Eyes was sorely tempted to switch to Japanese so that the prying ears of the tribespeople would not be able to listen. The glances sent his way recently had been icy, or fearful, or full of hate, or sometimes all three, and he was growing uncomfortable.
"Tomorrow morning," Ashkari said. "Just after the sun rises." Strange-Eyes nodded.
"I should leave," he said after a moment's silence.
"What?"
"I should leave the village," he repeated. "You have said it yourself – I am strange in more than the eyes. I am frightening the tribespeople."
"You can't go!" Ashkari protested. The villagers nearby turned to look at her, and she wisely switched into Japanese. "You can't leave now, Strange-Eyes. Besides, your illness will be coming next month. If you are alone, what will you do afterward? You could be caught by a predator, and be too weak to run away!"
"That is a risk I will have to take," Strange-Eyes said flatly. "The old woman could be right, Ashkari," he continued. "I am fearful of the powers I bear. My Millen – I mean, my necklace has been growing more powerful. Without Yami to help me control its power, I am afraid it may summon the Shadow Realm when I am unprepared." He leaned close to her so that the other tribespeople would not overhear. "It began to happen yesterday, Ashkari, just as I came back to the village. That swarm of bugs I complained of was no swarm of bugs – that was the Shadow Realm. I want to go there, to find Yami, and my desire can activate the necklace without my knowing. Ashkari, I must leave. Do you understand?"
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes, but nodded nonetheless. "I understand."
"Then goodbye, One of Many Tongues."
"Goodbye, Strange-Eyes."
Yugi rose early the next morning and went to see the chief.
"Strange-Eyes," the chief said after a moment of silence. "You know I love you like a son."
"I must leave, chief," Strange-Eyes said, raising his head to look the chief directly in the eyes. "I frighten our – your – people. I must leave today."
"Ah, Strange-Eyes," the chief said sadly. "Ever have you been perceptive. I was going to ask you to leave today."
"I know," Strange-Eyes said quietly. "But I do not want the tribespeople to think you are weak and that you had to ask me to leave. Better that they believe I am ill early, and that I am killed in the forest."
"Strange-Eyes is smart, as well!" the chief roared. "Very well, you will go today, as if you are sick." He peered carefully at the young man. "Are you?"
"No, I am in health for now."
"Then go well, Strange-Eyes."
"Stay well, One who Cares for the Weak," for so Strange-Eyes had taken to calling this man, this chief who took in so many who were rejected by other tribes. Turning, Yugi disappeared into the forest, leaving the name of Strange-Eyes behind him forever.
A/N: ^is too lazy to think of a name for the chief^ But it works…kind of… On we go!