Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. They really inspire me to write. Here is Chapter 9, at long last. It's been a week, I know. I'm REALLY sorry. But, this delay also has a reason. (Drum roll please) I have a beta!!!!!! Her name is Sara McGregor. (I'm her new beta, too.) So, it takes longer for me to write it down, type it, e-mail it to her, have her edit it, then have her send it to me, and me to get it back on Microsoft Publisher so it can upload correctly, than if it were just me writing it, typing it, and uploading it. With this new system, however, everything runs smoothly except the last part. I have finally resorted to just writing it down on paper from Sara's e-mail, then typing it all over again. You will be happy to know that this is the 4th draft of this chapter. Yay me! I can't figure out how to move words from one program to another!

Note: On a more serious note, these next few chapters will not be good days for Mirian. (In the effort of preventing flames on this, I have included this note. ) I thought long and hard before deciding to put this up. Many of you say that Mirian's innocence is what most appeals to you. One review left last chapter said something like, "Mirian's innocence is refreshing in a world where innocence is in short supply." I almost changed the plot direction when I read that! That was before I realized that childhood is not always perfect, which these next few chapters will help to convey. I also realized that although the world is not always such a good place, children still tend to retain their innocence. While the title of this chapter is "Loss of Innocence," it is really only gone temporarily.

Age: 4 (5 or 6)

Koari's Age: 5 (6 or 7)

9- Loss of Innocence

I am going to meet Koari's parents!

Mirian thought excitedly on the way

to her friend's home

Koari, however, wished

she had never asked to see his home

but he led her anyway

into the valley

up the hill

to his family's scoop

built into the side of the

sharply inclining hill

the scoop was a perfect oval

and was bare and clean

for his parents' philosophy

was that order,

was the essence

of perfection

and near-perfection

was required of all

as the familiar sight

greeted Koari

he felt awash with fear

opposing to the flow of

Mirian's anticipation

he knew he would be scolded

for being late from "grazing"

and bringing home a friend

Koari was fairly sure

he could make up

a story on his own

but he could only hope

Mirian would play along

inside the scoop

Koari's mother

looked up at them

from her delicate art

of flower arranging

Koari!

she said

I was beginning to

wonder where you were

her tone changed as

she noticed Mirian

standing at his side

Who is this?

she asked, suspiciously,

eyes narrowing

sharp and almost cold

I am Mirian

Koari watched

his mother study her

long, gawky legs

matted fur

dirty hooves

bright eyes

I am Kambar-Kirili-Naparaken

his mother said,

considering whether to be

polite or to be direct

she at last settled for the polite way

Come in for a moment

she said, tentatively

then, hardening her tone, added

but only for a minute

then Koari must get back to his studies

Thank you,

Mirian said, unsure

she did not think she liked

this woman much

and even now

she could feel

her disdainful, disapproving gaze

Koari's mother led the children inside

and offered Mirian a bit of Napal root

she shuddered as its bitter taste

and slimy texture

slid its way up to her stomach

Koari accepted his without words

although the black poison

of unexplained dread

was coursing through his stomach

So

his mother said abruptly

you are the girl

that has such a hold over my son?

Are you also not the girl

whose idiotic parents

let her run around

when she should be studying for school?

You know,

she continued with distaste,

it is not easy when you are thrust

into school at age six!

Koari studies now

so he will be smart enough

when school-time comes

Mirian was struggling

to control her rage

idiots!

this vile woman dared to

insult her parents!

she felt angrier than she had ever been

but swallowed it to say coolly

My parents are not idiots

and with all due respect,

I think Koari is happier playing with me

thunder crashed

in the distance

as a shadowed void of silence

came over them

the mother snapped first

and summoned Koari to her side

the two went into a tidy corner

of the scoop

a kilrah away

Koari was sick with fear

as his mother shouted at him

in private thought-speak

This is what you have been

neglecting your studies for?

Mother, please

Koari begged

although he couldn't tell why

Look at her!

She is stale grass!

I have forbidden you to play with her

you have ignored my instruction!

We are friends, Mother!

The

friendship

ends

now,

Koari-Naful-Naparaken

his mother knew she had won

but she was surprised when

Koari let Mirian into the conversation

and took the first great stand of his life

NO!

he shouted

Excuse me?!

No! I will not do it!

I am tired of following

your stupid rules! Mirian is

my

best

friend

and neither you, nor Father

can take her from me!

his mother was shocked

by his open defiance

she hit him

with the flat of her tail blade

in his back

and he cried out

and so did Mirian

Koari!

How dare you speak to me like that!

his mother cried

but at the same time

she was horrified

by the look of betrayal

in her son's eyes

Leave, girl

she snapped

at Mirian

You have caused enough trouble

in this home

Mirian sobbed in her heart

for her dear friend

took one last look

and ran out of the scoop

as lightning flashed dangerously

and the heavens

opened their tears

to the earth

A/N: Next chapter up Thursday.