A/N: Hello, all. There is an undoubted myriad of typos within this, however someone made it clear they were especially eager to see something happen with this story. To that end I've delivered to the best of my ability. I will try to continue and complete this story. Cheers.
Guy stepped out of the hut and into the setting sunlight. The medicine woman's words were still echoing through his mind as well as the dream. It left him feeling uncomfortable and uncertain. He knew there was only one person he wanted to see now, the one person who could make all of the strange feelings dissolve in an instant. She was also the person that he had seen the least in the past couple days.
A shred of anxiety radiated outward from his stomach as he wondered where she might be now. He had drug her here to this new and strange world only to leave her on her own to figure it all out.
"There you are," a familiar voice said. Unfortunately it was not the voice he wanted to here. "I'm supposed to bring you to dinner. Everyones just sitting down to eat." Aura looked as beautiful as ever, but her demeanor had changed a bit since her and Gills small fight in the medicine woman's hut. She seemed perpetually troubled, but managed to throw a small smile over it all.
Guy followed her, but didn't quite walk beside her. He still wasn't sure how to read Aura, but he was almost certain that there was a lot that involved her and Gill that the rest of the Croods didn't quite know about.
It didn't take long at all for the two to come upon the rest of the villagers sitting in a wide circle around a blazing fire. His eyes came to rest on Grug and then upon the face of the person he longed to see most.
Eep was sitting next to Grug and she was staring at the plate in her hand, inspecting it thoroughly. All they had ever eaten off of since they'd met Guy were large leaves. Guy smiled at her lovely curiosity and moved to find a place next to her.
Aura did not miss the way Guys eyes lit up when his eyes fell upon Eep. She frowned a little and glanced off to the side, looking down and away.
"Sit with me," she blurted as Guy was about to step away from her. He paused, but looked back at Eep. Before he could try to politely decline her offer, the Chief spoke up.
"Ah! Finally!" his voice was loud and cheerful. "Aura, take your place next to Gill." Aura opened her mouth slightly as though she were about to protest, but instead pursed her lips in dejected defeat and stepped lightly to the open space next to Gill. Guys face relaxed as he was relieved of Aura, and began to walk towards Eep.
Guy and Aura's arrival had not gone unnoticed by Eep. When the Chief called attention to the two, Eep was pulled away from her plate perplexities and watched the two approach. She felt a small pang in her chest and noted that she wasn't sure she had ever really felt this way about anything before.
The once neanderthal girl wondered what it was about seeing the two alone together that made her chest ache as it did.
As Guy finally approached the space Grug and Eep had saved for him, Eeps heart began to race. She put all of her uncertain feelings aside and let the feeling of warmth he brought with him wash over her. Her grin was large and Guy mirrored her excitement.
After spending so many years of his life wandering alone, he was sure that he would never really need the company of people again. What he had not anticipated was the fact that once you became accustomed to something that brought you so much comfort and happiness, it was hard not to miss it.
"Does your head hurt?" Eep asked suddenly.
"No, not anymore." Guy was smiling wistfully as he watched Eeps eyes.
Grug quickly took notice of this and put his hand on top of Guy's head, turning it straight ahead. Eep frowned and gave Grug a hard look.
Grug sighed and let go of Guy's head slowly.
"Just don't get too close over there," Grug grumbled.
Guy was about to apologize to Eep for leaving her on her own for so long when the chief's voice boomed over them all again.
"It is so good to be back with you all and to see all of your happy faces again," he began, standing before them all. "I have returned to three additions to our table as well! Thank the Gods for a successful hunt!" Some people chuckled and the chief moved on. "I welcome you, guests, and hope that you find comfort here. Before we eat I only want to make one announcement."
Guy noticed Aura's face go pale and Gill sat up straighter.
"Aura has come of age, and it is time for the priestess and the next chief to come together before the village. Someday you will be the pillars of your people."
The villagers gathered cheered lightly and everyone smiled as they directed their attention to Gill and Aura. Aura looked out blankly, her true feelings burning behind her eyes. Gill looked up at his father and then out to his people proudly.
Everything seemed to click into place for Guy as he realized what seemed to make Aura behave the way she did. A bit of pity washed over him for the girl.
The chief took his seat and a large hunk of mammoth was placed before him. As he dug in, the rest of the people took their cue to begin eating. Grug helped himself heartily to the mammoth and made a small sound of approval as the meat slid down his palate.
"Hey! This stuff's pretty good! I wonder where we can find something like this," he commented as he stuffed another mouthful in.
"You must journey to the great plains beyond the village, my friend." The chief watched Grug eat with delite and continued to help himself. "It takes many days to track the great beasts across the land. Perhaps you could come with us on the next hunt?"
"Oh, uh," Grug swallowed the large mass of meat and choked a little. His mind raced to Ugga, Gran, Sandy, and Thunk all waiting worriedly for the rest of their families return. "That sounds. . . like a great adventure. But our family is waiting for us."
"That's too bad," the chief said, visibly disappointed. Guy couldn't help but notice that Aura's face was also written with a negative reaction to Grugs indication that they would all be leaving in the morning. In a flash Aura had stood, abandoning her plate. The food had barely been touched, and Gill frowned after her. The chief looked as though he were about to call her back but Gill stopped him.
"Let her go."
The chief frowned, but agreed.
The rest of the evening passed rather peacefully, but the time was spent answering so many questions that Guy hardly found any time in between to talk directly to Eep. He watched as the crowd began to thin and the villagers found their way to their huts or closer to the fire to talk.
"Okay you two; hut. The sooner we sleep the sooner we can get back to everyone. They're probably worried sick." Grug stood and stretched, rubbing his almost painfully full stomach.
The two nodded and walked to the hut they had been shown earlier to sleep. They arrived to find the place empty; the chief and Gill were still gathered with others around the fire. Guy began to wrack his brain, wondering how he was going to get to speak to Eep with some semblance of privacy. Guy flopped down onto the floor to sleep and patted the furs on either side of him.
Guy obeyed and Eep rolled her eyes. Grug gave a stern look and the two of them took their places to sleep on either side of their Grug barrier.
Guy closed his eyes but sleep didn't come to him easily. He danced on the precipice of it as the dream he'd had earlier that day tugged at the edges of his mind. Finally he opened his eyes and the sound of Grug's snoring filled his ears. He sat up slowly and looked around. The sleeping figures at the other end of the room indicated that the chief and Gill had finally ended the night. He stood then, slowly and walked over to Eep.
She looked peaceful. Her breathing came in even waves and he almost wished he hadn't decided to wake her up. It was the only way he was going to get any kind of time alone with her, though, and so he proceeded to touch her shoulder gently.
Her eyes shot open in a jolt and she leapt up defensively, but not before punching Guy in the arm.
"Owww. . . " he whispered, trying not to make a commotion. Grug's breathing stuttered for a moment, and then he fell back into his rhythmic snoring. Eep realized what she had done and stood immediately reaching out to him.
Guy put his hands to his lips to signal for her silence, and she nodded once. Her face was still painted with confusion as she looked around. Guy took her hand and motioned for her to follow. He lead her out the door and into the open air of the sleeping village.
The cloudless sky was dappled with starlight and reflected beautifully in Eeps eyes. Guy pulled his gaze away from her face and continued to lead her off to the outskirts of the village.
"Where are we going?" Eep finally asked. Her voice was a whisper and she looked a bit concerned. She wasn't sure what to expect, but she knew she would follow Guy anywhere.
"Not much farther," he whispered in response. And it was true. Moments later the two of them came through the narrow part of the path and were standing in a smaller rocky clearing where a waterfall rushed down into the rocks below.
Eep squeezed his hand gently and smiled at the scene. The moon bathed everything in dim light, making the falls seem to glow.
"I'm sorry I woke you," Guy began as he sat down on one of the larger boulders. Eep followed suit and sidled up against him. He felt a warmth spread to his cheeks, as they were never really allowed this kind of privacy for closeness. As much as Grug had warmed up to Guy, he never left much time for Eep and Guy to be close, let alone alone.
"I don't mind," Eep said. She smiled at him gently and found his hand. She had never had much experience with romantic endeavors, and yet Guy made it all come so naturally. She felt confident in him and his feelings. Everything that she felt towards him and Aura seemed to fade into nothingness as she sat with him.
"I just. . . Well, I wanted to apologize for leaving you behind." Guy looked a bit guilty now but he locked eyes with Eep and searched them for hurt or anger. She shook her head slowly.
"It's okay. You came back," she said as she squeezed his hand in reassurance.
"I'll always come back," he said softly, and he meant it. Their faces drifted closer together and Guy's heart rushed in his chest. His mind echoed with an idea he'd had a few times before, but was never sure how to approach. A kiss, he was going to call it, if it worked right.
As the gap between the two shortened, the leaves rustled in the obscure darkness of the jungle. Eep stiffened and looked around, searching for the source of the noise. Guy did the same, but his heart fell as little as he was sure this was going to be the precious moment he'd been anticipating.
He stood, however, and packed his idea away for another time. He wasn't sure what was lurking just within the darkness, but he wasn't sure he wanted to find out. Eep however was much braver, and leapt off the boulder to inspect the sound.
"Eep, wait!" he whispered harshly. She paused.
"It's a girl," she said slowly. She could see the outline of another person within the darkness. Guy came to her side and as she pulled some of the leaves aside, they both laid their eyes on Aura, crouching against a tree.