You guys... life has gotten so busy these past couple of months! I promise you I haven't given up on this fic though and I hope you haven't either! I've already got a large portion of the next chapter written but it's just been a real challenge finding time to get this out to you all. This chapter is leading us up to some things so the spice level is low but it won't stay that way for long. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 4: Lead the Way

Namaari gave one final tug on Chaiya's saddle to make sure it was completely secure before giving her an affectionate scratch behind her pointed ear. The great cat gave a low purr of appreciation, her lamp-like eyes sliding closed in contentment as Namaari smiled fondly down at her. This serlot had been her friend for many years and she trusted Chaiya with her life, not something she could say about most people.

Most.

Glancing over her shoulder, her eyes found the Heart princess just in time to see her heft the enormous saddle up over her head and onto Tuk Tuk's shelled back. Raya did it with a grunt of effort but managed to settle it into place with skill that only came with years of practice.

For the journey ahead of them Raya had opted to wear an outfit similar to the one she typically wore for travel except she traded in the yellows and greens for various shades of turquoise. She still packed her trusty red cape, just in case, and her hat was secured to the side of Tuk Tuk's saddle as was her Ba's sword. There may be a new and tenuous peace amongst the lands but only a fool would travel without some kind of protection. Namaari's own dual swords were sheathed and strapped to her waist. After all, there were still those who lived outside the laws of Kumandra.

Unable to tear her eyes from the other woman, Namaari continued to watch as she attempted to dust something off her hands by brushing them on the front of her pants. Namaari suspected that some sand from the deserts of Tail still clung to the creases in the leather of the the furbug's saddle. Dark hair fell into her face from the movement and Raya swiped it to the side carelessly, blowing a puff of air to clear some rogue wisps tickling her nose. Namaari could feel the affectionate smile curling the corners of her lips as she gazed at this obliviously gorgeous woman.

Her thoughts drifted to this morning, remembering the way it felt to float into consciousness, and become slowly aware of Raya's presence in bed next to her. Before her eyes had even opened, she could feel the pressure of the princess' slight weight leaning into her side and warm, light breaths fanning out over her neck. A toned arm flung across Namaari's middle, a leg hooked over hers. Opening her eyes to see Raya's perfect face, relaxed in sleep, completely at peace in that moment as the day's first light fell across her tanned skin. Every detail about the woman was perfect. This was how she woke almost every day now, but Namaari would never take it for granted. Raya didn't trust easy and to be allowed the privilege of being with her at her most vulnerable was not something Namaari took lightly.

Namaari was brought back to the present when she heard a deep grumble from Tuk Tuk, her eyes sliding back into focus on Raya. She noticed how her fingers fiddled with a useless strap on the saddle for the hundredth time under the guise of checking it and rechecking it. Sensing the Heart Princess' nervousness, Namaari left Chaiya to stride over to the woman, a frown pulling the edges of her lips downward, a troubled crease forming between her eyes.

Reaching out, Namaari covered the woman's hand with her own, stilling her anxious movements with a gentle touch so as not to startle her. Raya's gaze shifted to hers, those chestnut eyes filled with something that Namaari couldn't quite read. A mix of emotions seemed to swirl in their depths and Namaari wished she could ease the other woman's mind somehow.

After all those years traveling out on her own, all the dangers she had faced, Namaari knew she must have some apprehension about leaving the safety of her homeland. Not to mention leaving her Ba so soon after getting him back. But Raya had insisted that she wanted to go to Fang, to help Namaari's people. Namaari could also see the itch of being in one place for so long, the longing as she stared out on the Kumandra River. She knew the conflict in Raya's heart wasn't one she could battle for her, it was one Raya would have to face on her own. But that didn't mean Namaari wasn't going to do everything in her power to protect that heart while she figured it out.

"Are you alright?" Namaari asked softly, curling those fingers around Raya's hand in an attempt to steady her. Raya gave her a half smile, her eyes softening as she turned to look back at her.

"Yeah, I am actually. It's going to be strange to be out there again though," she replied with a slight nod towards the bridge leading to the mainland. Her eyes had a faraway look to them as if she were remembering something. It was brief because then, as was her habit, she used humor to try and lighten the mood and maybe deflect her real feelings a bit by giving a playful shrug. "And... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited to sleep in that bed of yours tonight."

Namaari laughed at that and lifted that hand to her lips to press a soft kiss on her knuckles, but Raya wasn't done apparently. Before she could offer a retort, Raya had leaned in close, close enough for her lips to brush the shell of Namaari's ear as she whispered, "Though I'll admit, sleeping isn't exactly what I had in mind."

With that Raya pressed a quick, chaste kiss to Namaari's cheek and pulled away to reveal a sly smirk on those teasing lips. Heat originated from where those very lips had just been and radiated to every inch of her body, particularly the parts of her that already ached desperately for Raya's touch. She knew there must be an obvious flush in her cheeks, and she could feel her mouth hanging open, all ability of speech having left her.

The sound of familiar footsteps snapped her out of the trance Raya had placed her under and they both turned to see Chief Benja approaching, wide grin on his face. Namaari forced her thoughts away from the mental image of Raya tangled up in her sheets to more appropriate territory so she could manage to have a conversation with the woman's father without being completely mortified.

"Are you two ready to go?"

Raya smiled at her father innocently, as if nothing had happened, so Namaari schooled her features as well and tried to act just as casual. "I believe so."

Nodding, Benja stepped towards Namaari, "Be safe out there and take care of one another." As she began to incline her head to bow to the Heart Chief, he pulled her into an unexpected hug. After their talk a while back, they had been much more informal with one another but it still took her off guard sometimes. "And tell your mother I say 'hi,'" he told her as they parted.

"I will," she agreed with a smile of her own. This familiarity with Benja was still something she was getting used to, but it also never ceased to fill her with happiness. To know Raya's father trusted her to take care of his daughter was not something she took lightly.

With a final squeeze of her shoulders, Benja released Namaari and turned to his daughter, wrapping his arms around her as well. She hugged him back tightly, burying her face in his shoulder like a little kid would. Raya's voice was muffled with her face pressed into his shoulder, but Namaari could still make out her words. "At the first sign of trouble-," Raya started as they pulled away, but Benja quickly cut her off.

"-I promise to send for you," he completed for her, holding her at arm's length by her shoulders, a fond smile on his face. "You know, it's the parent's job to worry about the child."

Raya grinned back at her father and shrugged, "What can I say? You need all the help you can get."

The older man scoffed, folding his arms across his chest, "Watch it. I could still beat you at a sword fight any day."

"Considering I beat you when I was twelve…."

Benja just laughed in response, shaking his head before pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I love you, Dewdrop."

Raya pulled her father in for another tight hug, "I love you too, Ba."

Namaari felt a little like she was intruding on their private father-daughter moment, though she knew they would argue differently. Regardless, she turned her attention behind them to a fairly amusing sight.

Tuk Tuk and Chaiya had gotten restless and started chasing each other around the grassy clearing. Well, really it was Chaiya trying to play with Tuk Tuk like he was a giant ball of yarn, pouncing and swatting at his shell as he evaded her.

"All right, you two. Time to get going," Namaari called to them. Tuk Tuk popped his head out of his shell at the sound of her voice, a wide grin on his furry face, at which point Chaiya took the opportunity to boop him on the head with her enormous paw, claws safely retracted.

With a little more coaxing she, and eventually Raya as well, were able to convince the two playful creatures to stay still long enough for them to mount. Raya gave her Ba one final lingering wave before she faced forward. After getting comfortable in the saddle, she glanced down at Namaari atop Chaiya with a determined nod of her head.

"Lead the way, dep la."

The first part of their journey went without incident. Tuk Tuk and Chaiya were used to each other's pace by now and could stay side by side with very little prompting from their riders. Ultimately, they had decided based on the restlessness of their mounts that they would move at a relatively quickened pace for the first portion of their journey. If they managed to get to the second river crossing by afternoon then they would have no trouble making it to Fang before nightfall.

However, during one of their few breaks Raya's curiosity seemed to have gotten the better of her. While Chaiya rested her great furry head in the Heart warrior's lap, her ears back in contentment as her head was being stroked, Raya spoke up.

"How would you feel about me riding you, sweet girl?"

Namaari and Tuk Tuk started, giving her an incredulous look from their place a few yards away, Namaari leaned against the furbug's shell, arms crossed in front of her chest. "What?" At the woman's words she pushed herself from him, arms still folded, as she walked over to them.

"True confessions. I've always wanted to ride a serlot," Raya told her and then promptly pulled her lips into her mouth and gave Namaari a look of apprehension.

She wasn't sure what surprised her more, the fact that Raya wanted to ride Chaiya or that she was nervous to reveal that to her. Either way, Namaari quickly shook off her surprise, a slow smile spreading across her features.

"Well then, what are you waiting for?" Namaari clicked her tongue, signaling for Chaiya. The cat immediately stood up, stretching out her limbs to ready herself to get moving again. Raya hopped up as well her eyebrows shooting up towards her hairline in shock.

"Really?"

"Sure. As long as she's okay with it, that is."

As if on cue, Chaiya nuzzled her head into Raya's side, snuggling into her hand to prompt the Heart warrior to pet her again. Raya flashed Namaari a broad grin and without another word she grasped the pommel and pulled herself up with ease. Swinging her leg over Chaiya's back, she settled into the saddle. She held onto it firmly with almost perfect form and squeezed her legs, urging the serlot into a steady walk and then into a run. She guided Chaiya around the clearing they had chosen with little effort, by the looks of it, before spurring her back where Namaari and Tuk Tuk were staring in awe.

To say Namaari was surprised would be an understatement. For the second time that day she had to snap her jaw shut to keep it from hanging open too long. How had she done that so easily having supposedly never done it before? More importantly, how was it possible to find this woman even more attractive than she already did?

Folding her arms across her chest once more, Namaari raised a suspicious eyebrow at the Heart princess currently smiling from ear to ear. "Are you sure you've never ridden a serlot before?"

At her words, Namaari could see the almost instant redness that seemed to creep up Raya's neck. She also did that adorable little habit of hers where she pulled her lips into her mouth, her eyebrows curving upwards. Anytime she was trying to figure out the right things to say or to try to not say something or anything at all the Heart Princess would do it and it always got to Namaari.

"I've never ridden on one, but… what can I say? I like to watch you when you ride," she said finally with her trademark shrug, the blush coloring her cheeks as well at this point. Now, Namaari was the one with a broad grin stretching across her face, arching a brow teasingly at the princess.

"Oh, do you?"

As much as she loved their banter, Namaari was more interested in kissing Raya at the moment, so she reached up and took hold of the front of her sabai. Careful not to unseat her, she pulled the Heart princess' face down to her own, pressing their lips together. Raya was more than willing to return the gesture and Namaari could feel her smile against her lips.

Chaiya gave a chuff of annoyance at them and shook out her fur, effectively unseating Raya and sending her towards the ground. Or what would have been the ground if it weren't for Namaari's arms around her almost before she'd even started to fall.

She held Raya close to her chest, lowering her feet to the ground gently. It never ceased to amaze her the way her body always reacted to this woman. All the while her heart was pounding, and she was certain she'd stopped breathing as Raya looked up at her with those wide eyes.

This time it was Raya who leaned up for a kiss, wrapping her arms around Namaari's neck and pressing the full length of her body against hers. She responded by sliding her hands around the shorter woman's waist and up the curve of her back.

When she pulled away, it took a moment for Namaari to convince her eyelids to open. As they did, she smiled down at the woman in her arms.

"Now does this mean I get to ride Tuk Tuk?"

After falling off the furbug a few times, Namaari admitted defeat and Raya got back on Tuk Tuk and Namaari on Chaiya to finish the last leg of their journey. But not before the Heart warrior got in some light-hearted jabs at Namaari's expense.

They were close now, not much further.

It happened quickly. One moment Namaari was sitting on Chaiya's saddle and the next she was flat on her back on the ground with white hot pain radiating from the side of her head. The blow caused her vision to go dark and then start to blearily come back into focus even as her ears were ringing. The wind had been knocked out of her but as she was starting to come to her senses something hard came down on her throat, crushing her windpipe.

On instinct her hands flew up to whatever was blocking her airway and scrambled to push it away but with little success. Her eyes were starting to come into focus again just for the edges to begin to darken with lack of oxygen even as she could hear her pulse pounding in her ears. She was able to just make out the unfamiliar face of a woman standing over her, boot on Namaari's neck, spear pointed at her forehead. She may not know this person but by the fiery hatred in her eyes it was apparent she knew Namaari.

"Stay down, binturi," the woman growled, pressing harder down onto her neck.

As it became more difficult to breath, Namaari forced herself to focus on her surroundings despite the pain. In the background Namaari could now hear the growl of Chaiya, and after years of experience with her feline companion Namaari could tell that she was in trouble as well. She only made that inflection of snarl when she was backed into a corner and feeling threatened. Then there was the less, but still somewhat familiar sound, of Tuk Tuk's shell rolling on the grassy ground. And finally, the noise that made Namaari's heart stop. The grunts of effort as Raya struggled against something. Then the clanging of metal on metal.

She had no idea what had happened or what was going on but Namaari knew one thing, and it was that she needed to do everything in her power to keep Raya safe.

With newfound strength and determination, Namaari's hands found her grip on either side of the boot pressing all of its owner's weight onto her windpipe. In one fluid motion she lifted and snapped the woman's ankle, feeling the bones breaking reverberating on her palms, while sliding her head to the side to dodge the spear point that came down shortly after. The woman screamed in agony, distracted by the pain, it gave Namaari the opportunity to pull that foot, and its owner, to the side where they landed with a thud and a grunt.

Coughing as her lungs adjusted to the rush of oxygen, Namaari hopped up, full of adrenaline, and quickly surveyed the chaotic scene around her. Chaiya was surrounded by several people with spears pointed at her a few yards away. Her hackles were raised and her teeth were bared, snapping at any spear that got too close. Tuk Tuk was all rolled up and trying to scatter as many of the people away from the serlot as he could. There had to have been about a dozen of these people, but they weren't dressed in the colors of any specific land, however most of them wore some variation of black or gray.

Her eyes searched for the Heart princess, desperate. It didn't take long to spot her; she was surrounded by another handful of these unknown attackers, her Ba's sword held at the ready.

Without a second thought, Namaari unsheathed her double blades, holding them low as she ran into the fray. Apparently sensing the new threat, some of the attackers turned towards Namaari, leaving Raya to engage with her instead.

Namaari would show as much restraint as she was physically capable of when Raya's life was being threatened.

Which was very little.

Barely aware of her actions, Namaari dispatched the first wave of attackers with little effort. Dodge. Kick. Block. Slash. She went through the motions, but she was completely focused on getting to Raya.

She watched as the Heart warrior swung Chief Benja's blade out into its whip form, effectively pushing back the attackers that had stayed with her as they tried to avoid being struck. This was the distraction Namaari needed to slip into the circle and make it to Raya's side.

Raya's eyes met hers, relief flooding them, as her lips parted as if she was going to speak but she never got that chance.

The ground seemed to shake as a thundering sound became louder and louder.

Namaari knew that sound anywhere.

A moment later a whole pack of serlots, with Fang warriors atop them, burst out of the dense forest. Battle cries filled the air as spears and crossbows were pointed at the attackers, most who decided to cut their losses and flee.

A few of the newly arrived Fang warriors gave chase but the rest stayed. While relieved at their presence, Namaari was more relieved to be near Raya again. Quickly sheathing her swords, she closed the distance between herself and the Heart warrior who did the same with her father's sword.

"Are you hurt?" Raya's voice was breathless, her worried eyes scanning Namaari for injuries as her hands came up to do the same. "All of a sudden you were on the ground."

"I'm oka-," her response was replaced by a sharp hiss of pain as Raya's fingers grazed over the tender lump on the side of her head where she'd been struck.

"I'm sorry!" Raya apologized quickly, freezing in place with her own grimace of empathy. It had been hidden under her hair so Raya couldn't have seen the injury, but now she pushed it back to get a better look. Namaari wasn't sure what had hit her, but she was sure she was going to have a bruise and may even have a concussion.

The sound of serlot paws approaching them drew both of their gazes to the source. What she saw, or really who she saw, brought a smile to Namaari's face.

Ty slid off her serlot and walked over to the two of them, spear in hand.

"Welcome home, Princess Namaari," she greeted with a grin and a slight bow of her head. Ignoring formalities, Namaari pulled her old friend into a quick hug which Ty returned with a one-armed one of her own, careful to hold the spear out of the way. Namaari could feel her friend pull away and just caught Raya's eye off to the side. Without hesitation she reached down and intertwined her fingers with the Heart warrior's, offering her hand a comforting squeeze.

Ty turned her attention to the other woman as well, offering her a bow. "Princess Raya, it is good to see you again," she said with formality, her eyes lowered in respect.

"You as well, General," Raya replied stiffly with a nod of acknowledgement. Namaari watched her carefully, sensing her usual personality flatten, something she made a note to ask Raya about later. She wondered if that old jealousy was creeping up again, remembering Raya's reaction to learning of her and Ty's almost-romantic-relationship while they were in Spine acquiring the second to last gem piece.

"We should get you to the palace. Your mother is eager to see you and those bandits may return and in greater numbers," Ty told them, nodding in the direction most of them had fled. Namaari couldn't help but agree. Her head was throbbing and a nasty headache had formed which was making it difficult to think straight.

With a nod, Namaari turned to find Chaiya, but the movement made her dizzy and she stumbled slightly. A pair of strong arms encircled her in an instant, steadying her. "Hey, I don't think you're in any shape to be riding Chaiya right now. Not until you get that injury checked out." She looked up to see Raya's face swimming in her field of vision, a deep worry line creasing her forehead. "Why don't you ride with me on Tuk Tuk?" she offered to which the furbug growled in agreement. Chaiya rubbed her head into Namaari's hand as if to give her permission.

"Okay," she agreed reluctantly. It was not easy for her to admit weakness, especially not in front of her former warriors, the people who used to answer to her command, but she knew Raya was right. The idea of bouncing up and down on Chaiya made the throbbing in her head worse just thinking about it. A smoother ride on Tuk Tuk, close to Raya sounded much better at that moment.

Without another word- probably because she was afraid Namaari would change her mind- Raya climbed up onto Tuk Tuk's saddle and held out a hand to her. After another moment of consideration she relented, clasping Raya's hand and allowing her to help her scramble up onto the saddle behind her.

Every movement felt like her brain was jostling against her skull so she couldn't prevent the wince of pain as she shifted in the saddle. Despite this, Namaari slid forward until her front was pressed against Raya's back and then she wrapped her arms around her narrow waist. One of Raya's hands came to rest over Namaari's, holding her securely in place. It filled her heart with affection for this woman, knowing she was just as protective of Namaari as she was of her.

Nearby, Ty mounted her serlot once more and with a kick of her heels into the cat's side they were off, Raya urging Tuk Tuk to follow after her.

The flawless white marble gleaming off pristine buildings was a sharp contrast to the piles of rubble Namaari remembered from the last time she had seen her homeland right after the dragon gem had been restored. She wondered when the people of Fang slept. The damage had been so extensive that it was hard to believe they had been able to rebuild their once beautiful structures back to their former glory, and beyond, so soon.

As she turned to slide off of Tuk Tuk, Raya stopped her by holding fast to the hands around her waist. Wordlessly, she removed her hands and slid off herself, landing with ease and holding up her hand to assist Namaari. She accepted the help and dropped to the ground with a little less grace, the jolt of gravity making her head sear with pain.

After they dismounted, a serlot caretaker guided Chaiya and the others away to rest. With goodbye hugs to their companions- Tuk Tuk joined the cats as well- Raya and Namaari made their way through the courtyard. She spotted her mother with the children, a spectator of some game they had invented. She was leaning down to speak with one of the little ones, but upon spotting them approaching, Chief Virana straightened to her full six foot height.

"Ah, my little morning mist! Welcome home," her mother greeted her warmly, sweeping her arm out to beckon them closer. It was weird seeing her again after all these months. When they had left things they had hugged but was that a one time thing or was her mother going to make a habit of showing her love through physical affection? Namaari didn't have to dwell on these questions long because her mother clasped her shoulder and pulled her in for a tight embrace.

"Princess Namaari!" one of the children had spotted her and the rest quickly followed, running to meet them, their game long forgotten.

Her heart warmed to see the familiar young faces, glowing with happiness. This was why Kumandra mattered. This was why things could never go back to the way they were when the Druun reigned.

Their voices blended together so that Namaari was unable to understand any of what they were saying but she did her best to greet them all. She could feel her mother and Raya's eyes on her as she listened intently to one of the littlest ones- Hong- tried to explain the rules of their game. But before the child could get into the finer points, the caregiver shooed the children away, giving them some privacy.

With the kids gone, her mother wasted no time turning her attention to Raya.

"Princess Raya, I was not expecting you to accompany my daughter," Chief Virana began and Namaari's heart dropped into her stomach. She should have known her mother's change of heart had been too good to be true, but she was surprised when she continued. "but I must say it's a pleasant surprise. I'm glad you were able to make the journey safely."

They both shared a glance before Raya spoke up, "Yea, about that…"

Her mother's brow furrowed as she studied each of their faces in turn, trying to read on their expressions what she was missing.

"Chief Virana," The General began forming her hands in the circle and bowing to her leader before continuing. "The princesses were attacked just outside of Fang. It appears to be the same bandits as before."

Despite the pain in her head, Namaari was trying to focus on what was being said around her. What did Ty mean, "same bandits as before?" Was this a regular occurrence?

"Hey, are you okay?" Raya's familiar voice was nearby but Namaari realized at some point she must've closed her eyes. A soothing hand was on her bicep, and she could feel her mother and Ty's eyes on her now.

"You must rest. We'll talk tomorrow, my love," she could hear her mother say before she turned to the other two women. "Princess Raya will you please escort my daughter to her room? General Atitaya, please send for the healer."

It had been a long day of travel and she was exhausted. Paired with the pounding in her head she hardly remembered the journey up to her room or the healer arriving, checking the bump on her head. Before her head even hit her pillow she may have fallen asleep. The last thing she remembered before she succumbed was the feeling of Raya's arms around her, a feeling of contentment washing over her as darkness took her.