I woke with a yawn, finding Roshani with one arm still drapped around my middle. "Roshani, you awake?" I whispered, rubbing my eyes. He snorted and I giggled, leaning over to kiss the top of his head.
He didn't stir and I grinned, climbing to my feet. When I stretched I realized I was still very much naked and I shook my head, heading towards the pile of animal skins. I dressed quickly in the semi-warmth of the cave, the campfire having burned itself out while we slept.
As I finished dressing I heard Roshani yawn and I turned as he sat up, rubbing at his eyes. "Good morning, Roshani." I said as I knelt beside him and he grinned sleepily at me.
"You awake before me? That is a first." Roshani said and I playfully shoved him, knocking him on his back. "Funny, Valery." He chuckled, grabbing my arms before I could move. Pulling me onto his lap he grinned as I blushed, suddenly very aware he was still naked.
"Wow." I whispered, leaning in close enough to kiss him. His lips met mine instantly, one of his hands slipping up the back of my top. As he rubbed my back with open palm, Roshani nibbled my lips. That brought a grin to my face and Roshani grinned back, cupping my face with his free hand. The kiss left me gasping though that could have been due to sitting on Roshani's lap. Apparently not caring he was naked, Roshani's hand moved down towards my skirt. "No, too soon after...ahhh." I groaned, head tilting back as he ran his palm against the skin of my backside.
"You are tired but your body still reacts. You are enjoying this. " Roshani whispered, rubbing my skin and I arched my back.
I had to agree, especially when Roshani's fingers slipped between the cheeks of my backside gently stroking the skin. It wasn't too long ago we made love but despite that I could feel my body respond to Roshani's touch. I let out a pant and Roshani grinned, increasing his finger strokes.
I leant down, my mouth inches from his just as a distinct gurgle interrupted us. For a moment Roshani just stared then he tilted his head back, laughing as my face turned a bright shade of pink. "Valery...funny!" He chuckled as I crossed my arms.
"Hey I haven't eaten since..well ages." I pointed out, a little annoyed at the teasing. Then we both heard another, slightly louder gurgle and I giggled as Roshani's laughter cut out. "Guess someone else is hungry, huh?" I teased and he nodded, giving me a grin.
Climbing off his lap I watched as Roshani rose, stepping towards his discarded clothes. When he knelt to retrieve them I whistled and he chuckled, grabbing his pants first. Pulling them on, Roshani picked up his shirt next. Dressing he turned around with a grin. "We should go now." He suggested and I nodded, heading for the cave entrance before he blocked my path. "You should not be walking." He told me, picking me up before I could protest.
"Hey!" I yelped, going red in the face but he just laughed. "So not funny." I grumbled, not wanting him to know I kind of liked being cared for. At least in front of Roshani anyway.
Making his way carefully outside, Roshani scanned the forest before he started in the general direction of the Wenja village. The trip went slow but that was because Roshani took his time, making his way carefully with me held in his arms.
To tell you the truth I was kind of shocked he could carry me as the guy wasn't muscular like Takkar or Karoosh, built more like a runner. Though he still managed to carry me most of the way, only taking a break when we neared a stream.
"Thanks for taking care of me." I said as Roshani knelt beside the stream, cupping the water before he took a drink.
"You are welcome, Valery. When we get back we should eat." Roshani replied, taking another drink. I knelt beside him, drinking the cool water. We spent a few minutes just resting until I heard footsteps and I froze, eyes widening as Roshani straightened. With no weapons handy I grabbed a thick tree branch and Roshani stared at me.
"Better than nothing." I told him and he shrugged, following my lead. I looked towards a nearby hill as the footsteps grew louder, Roshani moving to my side.
"Valery! Roshani!" Takkar's voice called out and I sighed, relaxing as he and Karoosh appeared.
"Geeze thanks for the fright, Takkar." I grumbled, dropping the branch as Karoosh laughed. "Can we go home now because I'm hungry and my leg stings."
"Going back to the Wenja village is a good idea." Roshani agreed and Takkar nodded. The Wenja leader started for the village with Karoosh not far behind him. I went to follow but Roshani took my hand in his, giving me a smile. "You are tired." He said and I tried to protest right until my injured leg buckled. Thankfully, Roshani reacted in time catching me before I fell. Giving me a nod he knelt, pointing to his back and I sighed.
It wasn't very dignified but neither was falling on my face so I let Roshani piggyback me the rest of the way to the village. Once we arrived safely there, Roshani insisted on carrying me to my hut. My arguments fell on deaf ears as he tightened his grip, keeping me on his back until we reached my hut.
He knelt and I climbed from his back, watching as he straightened. "Wait here. I will be back soon." He told me, not even letting me get a word in. Rolling my eyes I headed inside my hut to wait for him.
While I waited I decided to give my burnt leg a rest but no matter where I lay my leg on the rug I just couldn't get comfortable. Roshani soon returned, a bowl in one hand and the other under his arm, finding me lying on my back. "Are you okay?" He asked and I sighed, sitting as he moved over to me.
"My leg kind of hurts. I've been trying to get comfy since you left but it's not working." I told him as he handed me a bowl. "Thanks for carrying me back." I added, grabbing a piece of cooked meat.
"You need to rest your leg or it will not heal, Valery. I will keep carrying you until it heals." Roshani answered, chuckling when my eyes widened. "I was not being serious."
"That's wasn't funny. It was embarrasing enough when you carried me back to the village. If you did it again I would die of embarrassment." I complained and Roshani raised an eyebrow. "It's a joke."
With a shrug, Roshani began to eat his own meal. I spent a few moments wondering why I kept getting shot then I shrugged, focusing instead on my own meal. Before I knew it the meat was gone and I set the bowl down, a contented sigh escaping. Roshani set his own bowl down a few minutes after, his lips curling into a smile when I lay on my back.
"Valery, do you need to rest?" Roshani asked, getting silence as his answer. "Valery?" He repeated, leaning down. After he shook her shoulder he finally noticed her eyes were closed, her breathing even and quiet. "You worried me." He sighed, yawning without warning. Choosing to return to his own hut to rest, Roshani found that all the strength had left his legs. Pretty soon he lay on the rug behind Valery, drapping an arm loosely over her stomach before he closed his eyes.
Roshani woke first this time finding Valery resting her face in his chest, her hand clutching his. That brought a sleepy grin to his face as he rubbed her back, getting a contented sigh in return.
When I felt lips brush the nape of my neck I stirred, opening my eyes to find Roshani leaning over me.
"Morning, Roshani." I mumbled, barely awake as he nuzzled my neck. "You're being pretty affectionate." I whispered, turning over so I was facing him. With a smile he stroked my forehead, his eyes on mine.
"Do you want to fight me?" Roshani asked and I blinked, a little confused by that question. Seeing the stare he grinned. "To train like you do with Karoosh." He explained and I nodded.
"Yeah but are you sure you can beat me?" I teased and he laughed, giving my cheek a kiss.
"I can beat you at anything." Roshani replied, climbing to his feet. "We will train near the village."
With a sigh I stood, stretching my legs and arms before I followed him outside the hut. We walked to his hut before Roshani stopped. Standing behind him I waited as he removed the belt that held his pouch. "So we're fighting with just our bare hands?" I asked, letting out a yelp when Roshani grabbed me around my waist. Seconds later I landed on my back and Roshani laughed as I lay there, coughing. "No fair!"
"The Izila and Udam will not wait." Roshani told me before he stepped forward, offering a hand. With a growl I grabbed one of his legs, pulling it towards me. This time, Roshani ended up falling on his backside as I stood.
"Bet you didn't see that coming, commander." I teased, dusting my legs off. His lips curling into a smile, Roshani climbed to his feet. This time I dodged his kick, using my uninjured leg to push him back. I followed up with a punch that just missed, grazing his shirt. He chuckled, pushing me back and I stumbled going down on one knee. Not giving me a moment to recover Roshani rushed foward and I ended up knocked on my back. "Oww!" I yelped, my back smacking into the dirt hard enough to wind me.
As I lay there coughing, Roshani moved to my side. "Did I hurt you?" He asked and I shook my head, still coughing from the dust cloud our training made. Once I could breathe properly I let him help me up, my leg aching. "We can stop if you want." He offered but I shook my head, hands in front of me.
With a head shake, Roshani stood back bring his fists up in front of his face. When I attacked Roshani stepped out of my path, knocking me on my stomach. I growled, ignoring the pain in my chest, as I climbed to my feet. This time I faked a kick, making Roshani block the blow only to see my fist. I laughed as Roshani grunted, knocking him on his back.
Still laughing I continued my attacks, Roshani blocking the blows with his arms before he kicked me hard. I grunted, landing hard and he stared as I pressed my open palm against my stomach. "Valery, we should stop." He suggested and I nodded, gasping.
This time I took the hand he offered me, stumbling to my feet with one hand still on my stomach. "Th..thanks. Think you winded me a little." I coughed and he frowned until I shook my head. "It's nothing. At least now I know I'm better at fighting." I added and he nodded, motioning me towards his hut. Wincing a little I followed him inside.
"Here, sit." Roshani said, pointing to his animal rug. I sat carefully as he headed over to a series of bowls, returning with one in his hand. "Lift your shirt." He told me and I fixed him with a raised eyebrow. "I am only going to heal your wound."
"Oh okay." I replied, lifting the shirt high enough to expose my stomach and navel. Dipping his hand into the bowl, green paste now coating his fingers, Roshani moved his fingers towards my stomach only to stare when I giggled. "Sorry but that tickles." I giggled and he grinned, painting my stomach with the paste. I took a deep breath to stop the giggles which seemed to work. Once Roshani put the paste away he pointed to the entrance of the hut. "Huh why do you want me to go outside?"
"I am taking you to a campfire. You are shivering." Roshani told me as he pushed through the entrance, holding the entrance open for me. A little surprised I climbed to my feet and he smiled, taking me by the hand. Silently I followed, not even noticing just how cold I was from both the cave and the cold paste on my leg until we reached the nearest campfire. Carefully I sat beside the campfire, keeping my healing leg stretched out in front of the fire. It wasn't until I saw the goosebumps on my arms that I knew Roshani was right and besides my clothes were still pretty damp. Not the best idea taking a dip fully clothed.
When Roshani sat beside me I leant over, resting my head on his shoulders. That brought a tiny smile to his face and to mine when he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.