Chapter 3

She watched over him during the two days she had force him to sleep, through her lullabies. He needed it and during that two days she worked her healing magic on his long-standing bodily scars and injuries. She chose not to dream-walk with him, she felt that it would be too intrusive without his consent. He would speak to her when he was ready, she decided.

During the first day, she gently washed the grime, blood and filth from his hair and skin. She gently brushed out his matted locks and braided his hair to keep it from tangling and trimmed his beard. She covered his harder to heal wounds with poultices and bandages to encourage a quick recovery. She was amazed that he had even been able to stand and walk with her in town, considering the extent. To her, it seemed as though he hadn't slept in a couple of days and hadn't eaten properly in much longer. She only awakened him to help eat and do the normal things that a human needed to in his groggy state, then ushered him back to the bed she shared with him.

On the morning of the third day he awakened early on his own, to the smell of cooking meat, fresh bread and a fruity smelling tea she had brewed in the hearth. She smiled as she entered the hut with herbs she had gathered and a basket she had held that awkwardly dangled in the crook of her arm.

He sat up and quietly observed her. "You should eat your breakfast before it grows cold." She told him as she flitted about the hut, hanging the herbs to dry and storing what she had carried in the basket.

He stretched out his limbs, sore a little from disuse and sleep. "I-I don't feel..." He murmured a little confused by not feeling the pain that seemed to be a constant in his life for the past few years. He started to run his fingers through his hair and noticed it had been cared for and tied. He looked up at her and she smiled.

"You needed rest. Now, eat... You can bathe in the lake to wash away the sleep. After that, would you mind helping me today? I need to repair a few things before the storms come. We only have a couple of days to make repairs and harvest what is ripe." She told him on her way back out the door, with basket in hand, to tend to her garden.

He rose from the bed, straightened it and covered it with the furs as he had seen it made on his first night there. He stretched again, noticing the bandages around his torso, his right arm and his left thigh that was now very without pants. He glanced around the room and found that his pants had been neatly folded and draped over the chair he used during their first meal together. He grabbed them and quickly covered his bare lower half, then slipped on his boots. He finally sat and ate every bite of the large meal she had set out for him and washed his plate in the basin next to the hearth, that he had seen her use before.

She came back in and handed him one of the shirts she made for him as he slept, then fastened a leather belt around him and tugged at it. "You'll need this around here. Sometimes it's not even safe for someone like me."

He gave her a confused look and looked down at the belt, then noticed the large, sheathed hunting knife. "I-I can't use this!"

She shushed him with a finger to his lips. "Yes, you can and you will need to for your protection." She told him as she took his left hand in hers and caressed the tattoo on the back of his hand. "This..." Her gentle hand slowly trailed up his arm. "This tells others that you belong to my tribe. The men of my tribe are equals. You will meet the others soon, but for now you have much to learn."

"W-Why are you doing this?" He asked her warily.

She smiled. "I told you. I do not wish to have a slave. I'm not the only one, you know. Now, go bathe." She told him as she led him out.

"What about the bandages?" He asked as he eyed the small lake just a short distance away.

She shook her head. "Not to worry, you should be healed. It's been a couple of days since they were applied."

"Days?" He asked a little shocked.

She nodded. "You needed the rest. Now go. The water should be warmed enough from the sun." She told him as she gently guided him in the direction.

As he turned away to do as she had told him, he never noticed the soft blush that covered her ears, cheeks, neck, shoulders and part of her upper back, caused by her memory of caring for him as he slept.

It had been a good long while since he had been allowed to step into fresh clean water. He sighed in contentment as he fully immersed and watched the aquatic wildlife. Fish, water snakes, frogs in every stage of their growth, insects, a brave otter danced around him and brought a smile with its antics. Play with me. He heard a whisper. His eyes went wide as a small fish kissed his nose and a warmth filled him.

~xoxo~

Dark One, are you not concerned that he will be like the other? A voice asked as she filled her basket with produce that was ready to be harvested.

She shook her head. "He isn't like the him." She told the furry owner of the voice.

Have you told him of the laws? We don't need him killing the innocent. The large, white, female alpha wolf inquired.

"I will instruct him tonight." She assured her.

Very well, I shall leave it to you. She conceded.

"Thank you for your trust in this matter, Spirit." Kyoko nodded to her. "Oh, would you mind taking him a towel to dry with? I would be grateful."

Spirit smirked and giggled. He is quite pleasing to the eye. She commented, watching another blush bloom on Kyoko. Very well, I will do as you ask. She glanced back over her shoulder as she walked toward the hut. You won't be able to hide that from him for long. He will eventually know it was you that disrobed him to heal his wounds.

"I-It was necessary!" She sputtered out.

Yes, yes of course. She said mirthfully as she entered the hut to grab the towel.

You are well made, Light One. A female voice commented casually as he emerged, refreshed from his dip in the lake.

Kuon looked around stunned, only to find a large white wolf sitting next to his clothing with a towel on the ground in front of it. "Who's there?"

Not to worry. It is only us. The Dark One had asked me to give you this. She placed a large paw on the towel and Kuon's eyes went wide.

"How? How is this possible?" He stammered out, still standing in the lake.

She giggled. How is what possible? I brought you the cloth as requested.

"How are you speaking to me?" He asked as he approached to take the towel.

She gave him a confused look. It is only natural. I speak, you hear. Very simple.

"I see." He said as he began drying.

She looked up at him. Do you? Do you really see? I shall warn you only this once. Follow the laws, do not harm the Dark One and you shall be granted the aid and mercy of my pack. I am called Spirit. At some point, if I deem you worthy, I shall send my son to hunt with you. Do not disappoint me. She told him and left.

Kuon stood by the small lake, naked and wondering if the conversation he just had was a hallucination or if it had actually happened. He watched through the little opening in the brush, as Kyoko went in and out of the hut with her harvest and quickly pulled out of his ruminations. He hastily dressed and decided to think on it later if he had more time.