~*The Hunt and the Hunted*~
Chick-a-tee-in-ur-face
Disclaimer: You know the drill…SM is not mine.
Chapter One
She stood absolutely still blending her tall statuesque figure against a tree. The sun had gone down a little while ago and in the forest without light it was pitch black. The only light she had was coming from the moon and the stars. Straining her ears she listened for some noise, any noise, a sign of movement.
SNAP!
There…silently following the noise she stealthily snuck up using her sense of hearing what she believed was the rear of the thing she was following. A flicker of movement caught at the corner of her eye made her turn around quick just in time to see a large shadow charge at her. Falling to the ground and quickly rolling over, she managed to avoid the blow. The creature turned around and started charging at her again. In one swift movement bringing up her tranquilliser gun she took aim and shot the thing just as it reached her. The creature froze in front of her fallen body, its face inches from her own. Snarling showing its sharp teeth the creature fell landing at her feet breathing in heavily as the tranquillizer took effect.
"That was close." She muttered under her breath "Too close." Picking up the creature she swung it over her shoulder effortlessly and trudged through the forest to a clearing. Dumping the body using the moonlight she studied the creatures face only to be disappointed.
"Nothing." She stared angrily at the shadows deep within the forest. "One day I'll find you beast, and when I do…you're going to wish you we never crossed paths."
To her reply she heard a snarl which brought a smirk to her lips. She knew the creature was out there watching her and she knew the creature understood her threat.
"Until we meet then." Getting up the girl quickly left her threat hanging in the atmosphere.
~ * ~
The animal stirred, slowly getting up. Its eyelids flickered open and it gasped.
Another pair of golden eyes was staring at him. "Your highness."
"You disappoint me Rubeus." The magnificent creature purred without moving.
"She has trained well…"
"And yet she is only a child."
"Forgive me." Rubeus hung his head nervously.
The creature stood up on its hind legs transforming into a woman. Her golden eyes returned to its normal color of crimson red. Her burgundy hair fell loose around her shoulders. Pacing around Rubeus, "I will not tolerate failure…" she scolded "but as you are my child, I forgive you."
"Thank you."
"Disappoint me again and you shall suffer the fate many others have."
Rubeus nodded in understanding. The woman unconsciously brought a hand to her right cheek, her finger tracing the scar that had been put there so many years ago.
Snarling "You have been warned Rubeus."
He watched as his mother walked with the air of authority she held, disappearing through the shadows of the night.
~ * ~
"Where is that girl?" A concerned man murmured pacing up and down the room, his silver hair falling in a mess around his shoulders.
"I'm right here." Came a reply from the doorway. The tall slender girl at her remarkable height of 6'1" gracefully walked in the room.
"Lita." The man said relief showing in his silver eyes. "Where have you been?"
Lita stared at the wooden floor trying to avoid the question biting her bottom lip thinking of a good enough excuse to get herself out of the trouble she knew she was in.
A sudden realization hit the man as he realized what she had been up to. In an angry but controlled voice he said sternly, "I warned you not to go out to the woods this late at night. You know how dangerous it is out there?"
"Artemis please, try to understand, I was just…"
"Just what Lita? Just trying to get yourself killed?"
"No, I…"
"No more. You can't change the past no matter how much you wish you can."
"But maybe I can help another little child from having to grow up without a mother or a father." Lita said harshly.
This remark stunned Artemis, quieting him a little bit. "I'm sorry about your mother Lita. But you do know I'm only doing this to protect you?"
"Yes. And I appreciate it. I'm grateful for everything you've done for me this past ten years. But, but I have to do this. I need to do this."
The room was silent as both Artemis and Lita just stared at each other, wondering what the other is thinking. Searching Lita's pleading eyes he found not the little child he saved a decade ago but a grown remarkable girl, not yet a woman, with potential and most important determination. Finally with a sigh he knew he would regret Artemis broke the silence.
"You better get cleaned up. Your dinner is getting cold."
Lita nodded heading towards her room when she heard Artemis clearing his throat. Turning to face him he added, "We begin training at dawn."
A huge grin broke out on Lita's dirt smeared face. Embracing Artemis she thanked him. Artemis smiled in silent regret. 'I hope I don't regret this later'.