Author's Note: Sorry for the wait. I'm having a hectic week. So much to do, such little time. Oh yeah, and shoutouts to the ever-faithful 'An Unknown Foreign Beauty' (love the name by the way) and the very kind 'liana jan 2009' for reviewing. It really helps me know that there really is people reading my stories. :)

Note: I've been getting a few comments that have requested for me to minimize the animal parts. So, just for you guys (I like writing with Meeko and Flit) I'll make only little bits, here and there. Also I know I've been using alot of dialouge from the movie, but the next chapter will have more of my own words in speach. And without further adue, I present to you chapter five!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A JOURNEY TO REMEMBER~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Five: Float Away...

Tenakomakah, Tidewater Region, Virginia

Meeko sat perched above a small branch as Flit hummed his way to the smoke-hole at the top of the shelter. Both animals slid they're bodies into the warm teepee and listened intently on the conversation.

Powhaton sighed as he led his daughter into the teepee. Pocohontas however, was bursting with happiness "Father, for many nights now, I've been having very strange dreams." then her smile began to grow, "I think it's telling me somethings about to happen!" her excitement did nothing to change the anxious mood of the cheif. He nodded in aknowledgement as he placed his head-dress over a shelf, "Something exciting!" Pocohontas continued. The cheif stopped her words, "Yes, something exciting is about to happen..." As the older man turned back to his child, he tried hard to cover his anxiety with a half-hearted smile as Pocohontas beemed with excitement, "Really?! What is it?" Powhaton did not hesitate as he spoke again, "Kokoum has asked to seek your hand in marriage"

His daughter's face dropped, and her confused, discouraged expression looked as if her father was speaking an alien first, she didn't belive her father, and Pocohontas lifted her elbow and nudged her dad's ribUs playfully, "Oh don't joke father! Tell me, what is the real thing that is going to happen?" But her father's expression told her otherwise. It took Pocontas a few moments before she could fully comprehend what he was saying. "Marry Kokoum?" From above, Flit nodded his had vigeriously, as if he approved the idea of his human friend marrying a well-kept soldier. But Pocontas saw it completely differently, as did Meeko as he had made a "Blach!" sound in disgust.

Powhaton approached his daughter, "I told him it would make my heart soar!" The native lady stepped back, an un-sure smile. She was quite hesitant in her next words, trying hard not to make her father upset. "But hes so..." she reached for the opening of the teepee, pushing back the cloth entrance to reveal the handsome topic, standing firmly with a bored expression as children jumped and giggled by his feet. "Serious..." Pocohontas concluded with a hint of disgust. The Cheif walked to her side, "My daughter," he began. "Kokoum will make a fine husband, he is fine and strong, and will build you a good house with sturdy walls." From behind the natives, Meeko sat near Flit, who hummed in joy as he chittered in annoyance. 'Why does Pocohontas have to marry Kokoum?' Flit turned to Meeko and replied, 'Because the cheif is getting too old! Soon she must take command, and how can she do that without a husband?' The humming bird squeeked in annoyance, 'Pocohontas is an independant women, she doesn't need a man to make her strong!' Flit looked incredilous, 'Oh great! Now your talking like a women!'

"He will keep you safe and out of harm-" Pocohontas inturupted and turned back to her father, "Father, I think my dream is pointing me down another path" And she began to walk towards the shelves and away from the cheif, "But this is the right path for you!" he protested. Pocohontas started getting riled up at how he didn't understand, "But can't you see--" then suddenly a certain raccoon fell down towards her, and by instinct, she reached out and caught him. Meeko was flaling his arms around in panick, until he realised that he wasn't falling. With a shrug, the little animal hopped off her arms, giving the women a laugh. It seemed all the tension and anger that burned inside of her disappeared with a small giggle.

But the tension returned as her smile faded, looking at the disapointed face of her father, "Pocohontas," he began, "Come with me" and she began to wonder what he wanted to say. "You are the daughter of the cheif" he started, and Pocohontas's expression changed into one of annoyance, knowing full-well where this conversation was going to lead. "It's time to take your place in the core of people" she pouted, "But--" and was cut off, "Even the wild mountain stream will someday reach the great river." he said wisely. She took in the metaphor for further use. (Authors Note: Okay uh, here is where the song, "Riverbends" takes place. I prefer not to write in song, considering that it ruins the mood of the story. And so here, I will take sections of the song and put them in sentances) "Rivers always take the smoothest course, thats why the live so long." Pocohontas knew what he meant was for her to marry the sturdy, average native, and live normally as he did. But another thought brought emotion surging in her, what was it?

The Pain?

The Wonder?

The Future?

The life of a normal native?

Pocohontas knew that somewhere deep in her... She was not meant to be living normally. Her world was filled with spirits, magic, the many wonders of life... Her world was wild.. So why should she be any different? Her thoughts on the future were inturrupted by the booming voice of her father, "Life has a beat, and we must go by it. If one beat is out of place, the song will be ruined." 'But what if that one mis-truding beat changes the song to a symphony?' She whispered to herself, more than to the cheif. The native man softly reached to his side, where a small deer-skin sack was hung. Out of the pocket, he pulled out a beautiful necklace. Pochontas gasped in recognition of the beauty, "You're mother wore this for our wedding..." A hint of sadness etched Powhaton's voice. The memory that he held in his hands glistened with a soft haze, as the blue beads on it shined in the sun. Between the beads, there lay the brave tooth of a once-magnificent creature, glowing bright with a pearl-like color.

"It was her dream to give it to you" The cheif continued. Pocohontas watched with awe and amazement when she realised her father had brought the necklace to her neck. By instinct, she raised a hand and moved her glowing-black hair out of the way, and her father stepped back to get a better look. "It suits you..." he said. Again, sadness burned in his voice, and his eyes seemed to shallow with tears, yet remain bright with pride in his daughter. And without any other words, he turned away and began walking back to his tribe, being greeted by the warm arms of his spiritual brothers.

As he left, Pocohontas lay on her side and stared into the glowing surface of the river. She remembered with jealously and sadness, 'Why couldn't I be as free as you?' she sighed and lifted a finger to touch the water, sending ripples of the liquid to form into circles and gently float away, 'If only, I could float away...'

Author's Note: Well, thanks for reading this depressing chapter, I'll be sure to post chapter six tomorrow... And who knows? Maybe even later today! Thanks for waiting on me. Sorry for all the delays, life is harsh these days.