WOW. 26 reveiws yippee! Umm i noticed it says i have like 26,000 words so far lol. That's like one reveiw for every one thousand words i write! Sweet. Maybe i'll just do huge chapters. Anyways here's chap 4. Hope you like!
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Chapter 4: Early as the Sun
Hour after hour drifted by, and all the village was sound asleep. All except for one. The silence of the Aluk kept a young girl stirring in her sleep. Eventually she decided to keep her eyes open. The excitement of it all was gnawing at her very bones and she felt as if she would burst before morning if she didn't see them again. Gizzam's bright heaven had not yet risen from the clouds but she knew dawn was nearing. And she would be the first to greet it this morning. All of Kashka could sleep calmly through this time, without a care in the world but she could not. The sense of adventure that drove her spirit so wild with anticipation would not allow it. She needed to see. She needed to know. She wanted to meet that strange boy again.. Raja stifled a sigh.
Decided she couldn't wait any longer she sat up and carefully set her feet back on the cold ground. Akil and Mikal had slept with the rest of the men last night, fortunately for Raja. Mikal had the ears of a fox, any moment she chose to awaken he would always be right behind her. Yatima jerked and mumbled something in her sleep but did not stir. Raja crept lightly on her toes until she passed the doorway, and sighed in relief. Looking out into the vast distance beyond a smile formed on her lips. She was just in time.
"Himwinyama Palla." The glorious rays of light demanded her respect, for so bright were they that she was forced to shield her eyes and lower her gaze in respect. She stretched her muscles out, ignoring the knots and the protests her body made from lack of rest all through the night.
The sun bathed her body in hews of tan, her eyes squinted slightly to adapt to the harsh intensity. Not a sound had arisen from the rest of the village yet, she suspected that Mikal would be up soon though, but she would not go to meet him. She had feeling in her heart and it stung her with grief to know she had dishonored them. Not just Mikal as a man but her father as well. All these years they had sheltered her.. fed her and cared for her. Raja knew she was different from everyone else. But they had not been ashamed. They had loved her. It would hurt her to tears to know that their love and respect might have been lost after what she had done. She would seek their forgiveness soon, but now only time would ease the trouble. Raja closed her eyes and succumbed to the soft rays of light that beckoned her into their warm embrace. A soft breeze pressed through her thick mane of hair and it danced around the back of her knees untamed and flowing. When she opened her eyes again her gaze fell on the land at the bottom of the hill, and low and behold the center of her thoughts was found.
He had been watching her for some time now, she was almost sure of it.- from the distance his face was merely the size of her thumb. She was surprised at his stillness- the way his eyes never left her.. and she stared in alarm until realizing he would've been there the whole night. In perfect sight of her home. His four companions were close by all tied to their original posts, and as far as she could tell he was the only one awake. Watching him..as he watched her Raja could only describe the feeling within her chest as curious.. Astounded. That feeling that grips you and never lets you think of anything else. Raja was in awe of him. Fascinated by his far away presence. He was a stranger to her, she knew nothing about him and yet she knew everything. He was adventure. Knowledge. He came from a distant place where the sun did not burn and his skin was fair. Rajas thirst for understanding of him would not be quenched until she truly was near him. With this in mind she knew what had to be done.
She let her eyes roam in their direction one last time knowing the boy was still staring at her, then she turned her back and walked away. She would speak with the Mansa immediately.
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Duo watched her in utter silence. His eyes followed her every move, studying her like a book. The way she moved. The way she stood. The way she looked.
She looked different now that he saw her. She wasn't of their tribe either, her was certain of it. Her skin shimmered like bronze in the light of the sun, but it was dark and tan. Her hair could've been spun of gold- it was like a bright beacon of light on her head and as she moved and stretched a halo of light bounced off of her hair from the sun.
He could tell she was young. Somewhere near eighteen if not younger. He couldn't imagine what had happened to her for her to be brought up this way. She was dressed in their attire..something that resembled a loin clothe and some type plated top to cover her chest. He couldn't really make out the details of her face and body up close. She stood on top of a hill a good forty feet away. She peered down into the small valley where he was left and she saw him.
Her eyes stunned him. Even from a distance, the look in them…
Was a raw wildness he had never witnessed in anyone before.
He wondered what the small girl wanted with them anyway. After seeing the display last night between her and the giant brute she had obviously done something to offend her people by saving him. He wondered why in the world she would have done that…when she didn't even know him.
'Maybe she's being kept here by force. Maybe-….maybe she wants us to help her out of here..to help her escape.'
Well it wouldn't matter if that was the reason or not. He would have to find a way to get himself free before he could do any damsel in distress work. They stared at one another for a long while until finally she looked away.
After the mysterious girl turned her back and left Duo found himself suddenly alone. No one was awake. Not even the other villagers. The males had been arrogant last night. They hadn't bothered with guards or watch hours. Duo hated to admit that they were correct in their assumptions though. There was no way in hell any of them, even Heero could escape in the conditions they were in. Much less with all the rope binding them stiffly to the poles.Duo sighed and decided the only thing to do around here to keep from being completely miserable was to sleep, impossible as it was. His back slumped over and eventually he dozed off.
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"Mansa. Teo weeh Raja vubo zeiite. Aato welleh weh."
The king nodded in approval. The curtain was lifted back and in came a small young girl with her head bowed in respect. She came to his feet on her knees.
"Mansa. Forgive me if I have put trouble upon you." The old man bent down and tilted her head up so he could see her. Her heart was true. There was no mistaking that she truly was ashamed for her disobedience. And he couldn't help but smile fondly at her for her courage.
"Raja we all make mistakes. And sometimes our mistakes lead to the right thing. I do not know what is to become of these strangers, but you were right in correcting Talibens actions when no one else would. And so.." Raja kept her eyes on the floor.
"Your consequence for your actions will not be punishment. But work." Raja looked up in surprise, her King continuing to speak.
"Until I am well again I appoint you to look after the prisoners. You are in charge of them. Here on out. Since it is you they do not seem to fear. You are responsible for all their actions. "
"Mansa..I..I don't know what to say." Raja murmured as the shock started to set in. The Mansa nodded in understanding.
"I know what I ask of you is challenging- maybe not suitable for a girl your age. But it was you who rose to protect them. I have no doubt you will do well to keep them under control until I find the suitable time to have a proper meeting with them. I put full trust in you Raja. You may stay near them but with in regulations of course. You are not to untie them. And you are not to tell them anything treacherous against our people. Betrayal is only paid for by death.. Understood?"
"You have my word Mansa. Let me be struck dead before I would ever put my people in harms way." Raja bowed and put her hands together to symbolize her sincerity. The Mansa seemed pleased with this.
" Then you will not disappoint me. Now go. Tell your Father of this. I will announce my will to the other men and they will not stand in your way. And be on your guard for Taliben. He is not in control yet with his emotions. I would not have him dispose of his anger on you. Go in peace child." Raja nodded and walked backwards out of the room until she was no longer in his royal presence. She turned and saw the livid expressions of the men who must have overheard their discussion but she merely stiffened her shoulders and marched with a sense of dignity. She would not let their anger hold her down. Life was precious and these stranger deserved the right to a fair trial as any living thing would, regardless of skin color or where they came from. She only hoped that with time..she could make Akil come to see it that way.
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Akil merely stared at his daughter, trying to find the meaning of words again to put into his mouth but he was speechless. Raja bent to where he was sitting, Yatima standing in silence behind him and she grabbed onto both of his hands with her own.
"They do not fear me father. No harm will befall me, no harm will befall the people. I will look after them. The Mansa chose me to do this task for him. Me because I am truthful. He cannot trust the other men, half of them go under Talibens orders. The prisoners would not be treated fairly by our rules. It was me that stopped them from being killed without trial. Now I must hold to it. All that I ask for is your acceptance of the task that was given to me. I do not want to do anything without your blessing Father. I would do nothing to shame you." Akils eyes were wary and cautious. His voice was quiet.
"They are white men.. Raja...Do you have any idea what they do to women they take captive?"
"They will not-"
"They are dangerous." Akil said exasperated. "They are different. They know much more of war then we do. If they were to be set free…." Raja gazed at him with knowing eyes.
"I know this father. And I swear to you it will not happen. Not from my own doing." The silence stretched out. And just when Raja felt she could wait no longer without an answer from he shook his head.
" I can't believe I am going to allow this..But..if it is the Mansa's wish for you and you alone to look after these strangers..then let his will be done." Raja smiled.
"Thank you Father. I will honor our people I promise. "
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A cloud of dirt came up circling Duos face and he growled looking over at Wufei who had his shoe deeply embedded in the soft ground. That was the thirteenth time that morning. Wufei raised his other foot and was about to do it again.
"Stop it Wufei." Duo snapped. Wufei look up and blinked. Seeing the dust clouding around Duo who was tied next to him he gave a lazy grin. Duo only ever called him by his full name when he was one of either two things: serious or just pissed off like no other.
"Make me Maxwell. What are you gonna do about it?"
'I swear. He does that one more time and I'm gonna lose it!' Duo thought to himself.
Maybe Wufei was actually just so bored that he was in a playful mood. Too bad Duo couldn't say the same about himself because he was definitely not cool with being dusted in the face every five minutes.
"If you don't stop I'll-..I'll…," he thought hard, " I'll spit on you." He threatened. Wufei laughed but choked in the midst of it and mumbled something about eating a bug. He gained his composure quickly enough though.
"Hah! Spit on me? You spit like an onna, I've seen you! You can't spit farther then an arms length, so don't even bother."
Duos eyes turned into slits at the insult.
"An arms length is all I need!" he declared gathering all the saliva he could and preparing to fire. Quatre stopped the war though before it even began.
"If you both don't calm down you're only going to make things worse. You'll drive yourselves mad! Honestly, can't you two just get along? This is not the time nor the place to be fighting."
"Well tell him to stop!" Duo complained, "that dirt stings my eyes and he keeps kicking it up!" Quatre sighed.
"Wufei," he called warily, "Please stop kicking up the dirt.. it gets in his face. For goodness sakes.." Wufei didn't respond however the clouds of dirt in the air slowly collected on the ground again and were left undisturbed. Duo glanced over and saw the Chinese sneering at him in annoyance.
"Baka," He hissed. Duo stuck his tongue out into the hot sun.
"Riceface." And that was the end of it.
Trowa and Heero seemed awfully quiet until Quatre decided to start up talk again.
"I wonder who that girl was.. The one who rescued us last night. She wasn't from their tribe..but then who could she be if she's not one of them?"
"She must've been here since she was small." Trowa mused more to himself then to anyone else.
"She did speak their language quite fluently."
"Yes. Perhaps she has lived here her entire life. She was dressed like them so obviously she hasn't seen any other place from the outside world." Quatre agreed.
"Pff. That onna looked as if she hadn't seen a comb in ten years." Wufei said with an air of insolence. This caught Duos attention and pushed his anger overboard.
"Well that 'Onna' that hasn't seen a comb in ten years just saved your ungrateful oriental ass, so if I were you I'd be just a little more appreciative." He bit out. It seemed the sting in his words did their job.. Because Wufei actually said nothing back to him. He just stared hard at the ground below him and was quiet.
"I wonder if the Doctors have sent any scouts out to look for us.." Quatre said loudly, trying to swerve the conversation to a lighter atmosphere.
"Not likely." Heero replied in monotone. "We either die or we become forfeit."
"Heeros right. As pilots we hold no guarantee to a named death. If we die in an unknown place- they forfeit us as lost. And our family and friends are never to be told about us again." Duo felt a string in his heart twang causing him deep pain and he breathed out in a low sigh.
"So you mean…if we never return..they'll just think we're…." Trowa nodded.
"Dead. Yes."
Duo should've known it would end this way and he berated himself for ever leaving Hilde in the first place. The war had been over. He should have never come back..
"We've got company," Quatre said lightly. The others looked up and gasped. Duo wasn't as surprised as the other, Heero recovered quickly and set his face into military mode- as blank as a sheet of paper. Trowa stared at their company thoughtfully but the acceptance of her presence so close to him seemed undecided.
It was the girl. And she had come alone.
With her she brought a small wooden pitcher of water and a basket of tropical fruit. Duo and the others studied her carefully as she set both of them down before her and brought a small bowl out of the bucket full to the brim with water. Up close she was much more small then Duo had suspected. She couldn't have been a day over eighteen. Her body was tight and packed with small slender curves and muscle exposure. She had a runners legs and a flat compact stomach. Her arms were toned as well and then Duo noticed she had a bow strapped to her back and now he knew where she got it from. As much as Duo was distained to admit Wufei was right on the bit about her hair. He imagined she would be quite attractive if she had only used a brush to clean it. He wondered if she had ever truly washed it a day in her life. With the bowl she stood up slowly and approached them with caution. Duo found himself frowning at her in concentration, he looked at the others faces and saw that they were equally perturbed as he was. Duo set his eyes on the girl again as she took small steps towards them, balancing the contents of the bowl with steady uplifted hands. She stopped in arms length of Quatre who looked at her with inquisitive thoughtful eyes. She had probably chosen him because he out of all of them seemed the most harmless.
She touched her hand to her chest.
"Raja." Quatre nodded.
"Hello Raja." He replied politely. She touched his chest expectantly.
"Quatre," he said.
"Qoo aatray." He smiled.
"Close enough."
"Jozie Ve. Sabo ka." She whispered quietly. She lifted the bowl to his lips. Quatre cracked his dry lips open and smiled glancing at Trowa.
"I think she wants me to drink it." Trowa looked her over carefully and nodded to Quatre reassuring him.
"Sabo ka." She urged pushing the bowl gently against his lips. With open eyes he lowered his lips over the brim and slowly drank what was in it. Duo watched him as he drank faster and with more thirst, and how the girls eyes never strayed from his face. She looked slightly amused when she pulled the bowl away and had to pry his lips from it. He licked his lips and breathed in deeply, the pain from his thirst was fast disappearing.
"Thank you." He said giving her a sincere smile. She seemed to understand this and bowed her head once before walking away.
She went back to the bucket and refilled it for each to drink. Next she went to Wufei.
"Raja." She said. Wufei sniffed the air and turned his head in distain.
"You stink." The girl didn't know what he meant but by the look on her face she knew it was something about her. She placed the water on the ground.
"Suo Raja, " she repeated more firmly. "Tsu veh?" When Wufei still refused to take the stick out of his butt Trowa came in and did it for him. Trowa was thirsty and he didn't feel like waiting around all day just so royal pain could have his shining streak of defiance.
"Wufei. Wu-fei." he addressed the Chinese with his eyes. The girl named Raja turned and seemed quit smug that she had gotten an answer after all.
"Woo faay?" She asked looking curiously at the young chinses pilots face. Suddenly she laughed. " Semo..nala cheh Woof woof. Deh? Woof woof!" Duo cracked up. This girl definitely wasn't afraid to talk to strangers. Much less make fun of them!
The others laughed even more when she started bouncing around him using her fingers to stretch her eyes out making them curve like almonds, chanting and barking like some type of animal. She poked him in the chest.
"Woof woof," she chirped. Wufei merely glowered at her but deep down he had to admit he was amused as well. She was too cute. Finally she got the bowl and placed it to his lips.
"Sabo ka Woof woof."
"You think your so funny don't you little girl," he mumbled staring at her from across the water as he took moderate sips. He was amused by her simple smile in reply.
When she had already passed Trowa and Heero having learned their names (with Heero she threatened to give him no water if he didn't speak up) and she came to Duo she stopped and spoke before allowing him to drink.
"Moan ah Taaia ooseh. Suoo weaat mama oona.. Paio tuu kaikai. " She glanced down at his wound. But he blinked in confusion.
"…Uh…ok?" he offered.
"Raja." She said addressing her self. She pressed her hand against his chest
"Ko?"
"Duo. I may run, I may hide but I never tell a lie!" The girl tilted her head confused.
"Boken deh maia?" Quatre rolled his eyes and cleared his throat.
"Duo. He's Du-o." He said nodding in Duo's direction.
"Doo-ooh. Duo. Se keh."
She seemed satisfied with that and she gently perched the bowl in reach for him to drink. Duo felt the cold water roll down his swollen throat and slowly after quenching his need for water it began to open up again. When the bowl was partially empty she tried to pulled it away. But Duo being the pushy persistent boy that he was bit down on the bowl with his teeth and smiled at her wondering how she'd react. She looked at him with questioning eyes and tugged harder on the bowl perplexed . He still wouldn't let go, her face was priceless as he watched her with amused eyes. Suddenly she glared at him.
"Netai ah!" She smacked him on the nose and he yelped. She snatched the bowl away and went back to her two little baskets.
"Ow! That…that actually really hurt! " Duo moaned rubbing his nose against his shoulder moping. He had never been smacked on the nose before! Wufei was snorting with laughter next to him and Quatre was chuckling a bit as well.
"You shouldn't have tried unleashing your nature on her so soon Duo." Quatre chided with bright eyes, Duo mocked him and repeated his words under his breath while making a face, " Remember the barrier?"
Wufei's laughter interrupted him as it got louder.
"Hah! Well I'll be damned. You're admired by every other girl in the world but you get royally shunned by some random Jane from the jungle! She smacked you like a dog. She's got spunk.. I think I'm gonna like this onna." Duo rolled his eyes.
After she made trips with feeding them all she sat down and pulled out a bundle of straw and began to weave. She learned that Duo was the most needy and talkative of the five She did this for a long while until the sun was starting to come down. Seeing this she stood up and waved her hand across her face.
"Leo a togo. Himwinyama." And with that she was gone.
Duo sighed and stared up at the sky seeing a few stars had already come out.
'Maybe..' He thought to himself. 'Maybe there's still a chance. And then I can come back to you.' With the faces of two women on his mind he soon fell into a long awaited slumber.
Another long day was over. How many more to go?
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A.N. lol haha Duo was getting a little too frisky and he got spanked like a puppy! Please reveiw. I love it when people review it makes me want to write that much more! Seriously- the more reveiws i get probably the faster i'll produce chapters. Next chap will be very realisitc, then i'm thinking of adding some humor...mmm maybe some romance before the drama part we all know is coming up. K well ttyl guys! Hope you liked!