Chapter 1

I woke up to the smell of biscuits and honey. I straightened out my straw mat, fixed up my ursaring-skin blanket, sorted through my clothing, and started dressing. Since it was a special day, I wore special clothes. I put on my favorite, stantler-skin outfit: A short skirt, moccasins, and the traditional Evalle Clan top. Momma had helped me hem the hole that I put my tail through the other day, so I was ready once I put on my beaded headdress, making sure it didn't cover the red gem on my forehead.

"I wonder who it will be.." I said to myself. I sighed. How could I pretend to be happy? Whoever I end up with is who I'm stuck with. "Oh Brendan.. How will this ever work out.. Oh! Good morning Momma, Papa."

"Ah, you remembered to where the good clothing. Today is a very special day, you know. It will affect your whole life." Momma said to me, handing me a wooden dish with some biscuits.

"Don't load her up with too much." Papa said. "We need her to be presentable."

"Ah, yes." Answered Momma.
I ate as quickly as I could; the suspense was killing me. After breakfast, I helped Momma put on her new jolteon-pin headdress, then she helped Papa with his flareon tail good luck charm.

My heart was now racing. Momma helped me with the finishing touches to my make-up, then Papa lead me down from the house, which at that moment seemed to be in the biggest tree in the village, and down to the Chapel. Once inside the Chapel, the Head of the village lead me behind a curtain of the most beautiful beads. Reds, blues and greens like I'd never seen before. He then walked away, and the most beautiful music started playing. The whole Clan, possibly the whole Tribe, would be gathering here to celebrate this event today. But still, I wasn't in a celebratory mood at all.

I looked down at the ground. 'I can at least hope it isn't going to be one of the Jolteon twins..' I thought. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Once this song was over, they'd come to get me, put the ceremonial cloth over my eyes, and lead me out to meet my betrothed.

My heart raced as the song ended, and an elderly woman came and put the cloth over my eyes. I felt as if I would pass out as she lead me out from the small, curtained area and sat me down. They would first have the ceremonial words spoken by my father and my betrothed's father, then they would take the coverings off of his eyes. He would then take the coverings off of mine, and we would then complete the ceremony by doing the task set by our families, which only they and the Head of the village knows.

The words had been spoken. It was then so quiet I could hear as they removed the eye coverings of the one who would soon be removing mine. As a chill ran down my spine, I knew my eye coverings were soon to be removed, and I was to look into the face of my betrothed. I heard gentle footsteps, then felt his hands begin to untie the cloth around my face. He was being more gentle then a mareep, as he slowly removed the cloth. My head was bowed, a traditional show of respect, and my eyes were closed, as he carefully removed the cloth.

"Open your eyes and gaze upon the face of whom you were betrothed at birth." Recited the Head of the village. Obeying his orders, I opened my eyes, and slowly raised my head. When I looked, I at first thought I was imagining things, but then I blinked and realized I wasn't. I was gazing into the face of one of the most handsome of the village boys-Shane. "Now," Continued the elderly man, "Speak the name of the one you see before you." A tear of both joy and sorrow welled up in my eye, but was soon gone when Shane gently wiped it away with his finger.

"Liliana, my darling." He then said. Next it was my turn. Trembling, I opened my mouth.

"Shane, my love." I was unsure on how I was supposed to feel at this moment, but however it was, it was soon replaced with excitement as the gathered people began to call out congratulations and sing and dance. I couldn't help but to let a smile creep across my face as Shane helped me up and began to dance with me.

I couldn't resist feeling a twinge of guilt, though. As I searched the crowd of people, I noticed the whole Tribe, not just Clan, was there. That gave me even worse a feeling as I found the face of the one I'd been looking for. His eyes caught my gaze, and a weak smile came onto his tear-stained face.

"Who're you looking at?" I looked into Shane's eyes, suddenly forgetting my guilt. "Oh! Right, we should see our parents." We stopped dancing, and walked over to where our parents were dancing. The song ended, and the Tribes people all began bringing in delicately wrapped gifts. Momma and Papa went first, presenting us both with the finest quality gloves I'd ever seen. Mine were made like an espeon's, and Shane's like a flareon's.

"Thank you so much, Momma, Papa!" I said with a small bow.

"Yes, thank you." Shane did the same. I then caught a glimpse of the one I really wanted to see, Brendan, slowly sulking his way toward the door. I turned to Shane.

"I'll be right back." I said, and rushed off to Brendan, hopefully before he left. He was opening the door when I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Might not want to do that." He said. "You might get into trouble with Shane."

"Look, Brendan, it may seem that we'll never have a chance, being in a different Clan and all, but we will find a way to make things work." I said.

"Yeah, but how? Your father is very clear about us not going any further then hand-holding. What would he say if you continued to see me now, much less asked if there was any chance we could go beyond this point in our relationship?" He asked. I could see a tear welling in his eye, and he ran out the door. I stood there for a moment, gradually realizing what he said was true.

"Liliana?" I turned around.

"Yes, Papa?"

"I am afraid with you now knowing your betrothed, and with only three months time till you shall be wedded, you mustn't be allowed to continue on with that Raiku boy, what was it again, Brendan."

"But Papa-!"

"Don't back-sass!"

"Yes, Papa.." I walked over to a corner and sat down. "The Clan, no, Tribe heartthrob is my betrothed, and I'm crying because I'm not allowed to be with the one I truly love, a Garsion Clan boy. Just because he's from a different Clan.. I mean, he's a Raiku warrior, they're the Guardian of the Clan. Maybe Momma and Papa matched me and Shane because they thought the Stealth warrior, Espeon, would go well with the Battle warrior, Flareon." A tear fell to the floor, and a single sob escaped my throat.