A.N

OKAY! So, things will begin to get interesting now as Ratonhnhake:ton and Lakota are older now and have become a lot closer! For reference, this part of the story is set when Kanen'to:kon is teaching Ratonhnhake:ton how to hunt but in this version of the story, it's Lakota that is teaching him! I'd say they're about 17 at this point. Hope you enjoy, and don't forget to leave a comment if you feel like it!

Disclaimer!

I do not own anything affiliated with Assassins Creed, nor any of the characters except for any of my original characters in this story!

Ratonhnhake:ton woke to a soft pressure pressed on the bed next to his shoulder and warm air brushing against his ear.

"It's time to get up, today we are hunting." Said a familiar voice, and it coaxed his eyes to open, only to reveal a wide eyed Lakota above him, all ready equipped with hunting gear. She turned away and left the hut to leave him to equip himself with the bow and knife he preferred. They joined again at the entrance to the hut and headed out of the village to hunt. A tree trunk that fell slightly on its side created a great path into the tree tops and so she ran up it, Ratonhnhake:ton following. They travelled outside of the valley until they spotted a pair of hares nibbling on flowers on the ground. Lakota jumped to a branch that had a large patch of tall grass that she silently fell into, whilst Ratonhnhake:ton followed patiently.

"I will set a snare and put down some bate to attract the animals. My snare can only hold one so when I catch one you take the other with your knife. Make it clean."

Ratonhnhake:ton nodded and withdrew his dagger and held it, watching the Hare. Lakota lay snare and bate and the two Hares bounded over. The snare tightened quickly and killed the Hare as he stabbed the other, barely damaging the pelt. They looked at each other and smiled to congratulate on their catch as they moved to gather the meat. After they had pulled the things they needed from the bodies and confessed their thanks to the spirits, they travelled once again into the trees. They hunted for a while until Lakota proposed they race to see who can collect 5 deer hide and meat and meet back at the same tree first. Ratonhnhake:ton nodded and they sprinted through the trees, gathering meat and hide in different directions. Lakota had one left to catch as she surveyed from the trees. She spotted deer tracks which led her to a lone buck, unsuspecting of her whereabouts. She took position on the branch, withdrew an arrow, slid it into place on her bow and began to take aim until SMACK!

A large force knocked her from her tree and tumbled to the ground with her, however, it broke her fall as she landed fully on top of whatever it was. Groaning, she lifted her head up only to come face to face with a grinning Ratonhnhake:ton.

"We have a habit of this." He stated.

"Yeah, well it's always your fault!" She barked at him but ended it with a giggle while she rubbed her neck.

"You have grass in your hair." She spoke through laughs,

"Not as much as you do!" He spoke through large chuckles. His hand made its way to Lakota's hair and picked a large twig out from one of her jet black braids. However, his hand never fully pulled away and his eyes stayed locked on her soft hair. He took the braid between his fingers and felt the soft and gentle feel of it. Lakota's eyes stared into his as she watched him feel her hair. He looked fascinated and she couldn't move her eyes away from his as he continued to touch her hair. He ran his fingers over the end of her braid and his finger tips skimmed Lakota's neck right where her pulse beat hard and fast.

"Are you feeling ok, Lakota? Do you need a healer? Your heart is fast like you are scared." He spoke urgently, breaking her stare from his eyes.

"Y-yes. I'm fine." She said quickly as she stood up and retrieved her bow

"How many deer did you find?" she asked quickly, as if to change the subject of a silent topic they had just discussed.

"Um, 4" he said,

"That buck was to be my 5th." She nodded in agreement. Dusting her clothes off she began to walk back to the village. Pausing, she looked over her shoulder at the man still on the ground.

"Come," she said, "we must take this back to the village before it is dark." And then she walked away.