Hey guys! This is chapter two, as you may have gathered. :3 Good luck in submitting your guesses and we hope you're enjoying the story so far. :3
Note: This hasn't happened so far, but we're concerned about people including the reason for their guess with in their review. Just so no one changes their guess because of something someone else said, or someone discovers some telltale sign as to which author wrote the chapter, please limit your review to your guess only, and then any questions/comments about the plot you would usually include. Thanks! ^^
"From a little spark may burst a mighty flame." - Dante Alighieri
Chapter 2: Fire
It was a peaceful morning for the tribe; a few dogs lazed about with their bones and several children scampered about in the fresh morning light. They were not planning to continue their journey today, since Deep Blue had said they were approaching their destination and had bid them set up a temporary camp. Pai sat by a small campfire outside of his tent, watching the great grey plume from the Ikisatashi camp undulating slowly in the distance.
The clan chieftain's sensitive ears picked out the even padding footsteps of a runner approaching. He turned to see Zakuro, clad in her deerskin running tunic, sweat glistening on her brow. She must have made good time, because normally her pace didn't push her to break a sweat; or perhaps it was just the growing heat of the spring day.
"Greetings, sister. What news?" Pai asked Zakuro when she drew close. "Is Deep Blue pleased with our progress?"
Zakuro shook out her violet hair and took a seat next to him beside the small campfire. A low, rumbling growl sounded from a nearby thicket and a large gray wolf loped into the clearing. The great animal approached Zakuro and took a seat next to the tribe's second-in-command, head held proudly. She had a noble and friendly demeanour, at least when Zakuro wasn't in trouble.
"Hello, Suika," the violet-haired woman greeted, stroking the silky fur and letting out a smile. Pai cleared his throat, anxious for news.
"Deep Blue-sama sends his greetings and he says to inform you that our tribes will be staying here at least until after the midsummer festival. He is pleased with the land here." Pai stretched his legs out in front of him, considering this. His sensitive nose picked out the fresh scent of a sea breeze on the morning air; they had to be nearing the ocean now, after all the effort made in travelling this spring. As soon as the northern mountains had been touched by the spring thaw, Deep Blue had made good on his alliance with the Fujiwaras and invited them to join the Ikisatashis on their journey south.
"Is that all?" Pai prompted.
"No. He has also requested a scout and two others to report to his camp for reconnaissance of the next leg of our journey. He says" - Zakuro looked slightly amazed at this- "that there are signs of other settlements within a 25 mile radius."
"So we're close then." Pai nodded slowly, thinking. There had been rumours of other tribes, half-forgotten stories…
He sighed. "We really can't afford to lose three of our hunters right now. Food has been harder to hunt for on the unfamiliar terrain, you know that."
"What if we send Yuzu? She's a good scout, but we can spare her as a hunter."
Pai considered this, but pointed out, "Since Yuzu's husband was killed last winter in the confrontation with the West Peak pack, she's had no one to help her feed little Natto."
Zakuro picked at some of the beaded braids in her hair, looking resigned and vaguely frustrated. She was no different from anyone else in the tribe; she was waiting for the winter that would come with no casualties, from hunger or conflict.
"She's not the only one. If we let Natto stay with the Homanjus for the week, can we spare Yuzu to the Cats for a couple days?"
Pai agreed, "Yes. That will work. And we'll send Shio as well. He's got no mouths to feed, at least for now."
Zakuro gave a wry grin. It was no secret that he had been trying to get the attention of another female in the tribe for the past few months now. They would be bonded within the coming season if he had his way.
"He just needs to find the right woman, ne?" Zakuro responded carefully.
Pai nodded absentmindedly, most likely calculating the probability of finding small game in the area with the reduced amount of hunters.
It's about time for you to find the right woman too, Pai.
Zakuro had been waiting for years, but apparently none of the women in the tribe had caught his eye. He was an excellent leader, strong and practical, but at times he seemed almost oblivious to the people around him. He had almost twenty-five winters under his belt, for crying out loud! It was no wonder that he was the tribe chieftain, but sometimes, she worried that her brother might be missing out on some of the truly important things.
"Zakuro-san, I think I should go as well. It's about time I consulted with Deep Blue again, and if he requires a scout-" Pai gave an almost-smile- "I'm sure I can do the job."
This was simple modesty; in truth, the young man could move as silently as a shadow when needed.
Pai stood and strode to his tent nearby, grabbing his wolf-skin vest for the trip to the Ikisatashis. It would not do to look overly casual when he met with Deep Blue.
"I'll be back as soon as I can. I know you can look after the clan till then. Would you please find Yuzu and Shio for me, and bid them follow as fast as they can?"
Zakuro touched her fist to her stomach, then spread her fingers wide in the tribal gesture of greeting and dismissal.
"Arigatou, Pai-kun, and hai. Safe running and safe hunting to you," she added formally.
Pai nodded and broke into a loping gait, pausing to pat the head of a youngster running in the opposite direction. Zakuro flicked a braid out of her eyes and watched him disappear into the forest, then rose to find the other two scouts, Suika sniffing the air beside her.
Pai began to run, his tribe disappearing behind him as he leapt through the undergrowth. This forest was harder to navigate, what with the thicker tree growth and temperate foliage, but even so it was a grateful change to focus just on running. He let his mind sink into the sounds and smells and sights. The even strides of his feet against the forest floor, the fainter rustling of his companions approaching behind him, and the noontide sun rising higher, beating down on his chest, were wonderful to him. His people would soon claim this land as their own; they would claim it as their home.
Deep Blue paced before the ceremonial bonfire, brooding. The festival was soon, and they were drawing near to the other settlements; they would celebrate the season, then press on to the plentiful territories ahead. He had already let them light the traditional fire here, anyway. Though, he thought sceptically, it was still pathetically small for the festival. The flames were barely flickering at shoulder height. He would send the other two Wolves to gather wood with Mugi, or maybe Ichigo…
His thoughts trailed off as he heard the approach of one of his warriors and her charges, the soft footsteps reaching his sharp ears before even her scent did.
"Deep Blue-sama," the messenger began. "Here's the scout group from the Fujiwaras." The tall figure turned to face his messenger and her charges, his long hair and obsidian pelt swinging behind him.
"Excellent."
The girl who had led them to the heart of the Cat's encampment gave a small bow and stepped back, scarlet hair dancing in the breeze. Pai could feel the anxiety radiating from his companions; they were not used to the cold tribe leader. Truth be told, he was a shocking sight, what with his piercing eyes and panther-skin cloak. Pai had only heard rumours of his acquisition of that pelt; no other warrior in the Ikisatashi tribe had bested one of those deadly hunters in known history- or been reckless enough to take one on. If a warrior wore a mountain lion skin or snow leopard pelt then that was a sign of strength and ferocity, but panthers were the most silent of predators. There was a reason Deep Blue was the leader of the Ikisatashis, a reason he was to be treated with a respect not far from fear.
He wore his pelt like a strange attempt at a second skin; it was a hooded cloak, the great beast's upper jaw resting on his forehead, polished-rock eyes gazing glassily into the distance, and the heavy clawed paws hanging over his shoulders. The jet-black fur was tattered into an indistinct shape at the bottom, almost sweeping the ground.
"Greetings, Deep Blue-sama," Pai began.
"And to you, Pai-san." Deep Blue replied. Pai kept his face as impassive as ever, though he was secretly bemused every time he conferred with the man. Even for all his diplomacy skill he found the cryptic Cat leader to be impossible to have plain dealings with. He tended to talk down to everyone, in a soothing, mocking tone. Yet, he would bring their clan to safety this year.
"I see the Midsummer Moon Festival fire is burning brightly," Pai observed. The flickering flames were already much higher than their clan's fire usually was, but he supposed this year it would have to be for both tribes. They had similar traditions, and would celebrate together.
"Hai, maybe for your clan, Pai-san. However, we shall need a much bigger supply of wood if the fire is to last through the festival." He turned and beckoned with one hand to the warrior still attending him. "Ichigo, you can escort these two Wolves to gather more wood." Deep Blue grinned at Pai. "It only takes one to be a scout, no?"
Ichigo started forward and opened her mouth to respond, but a small shape flew out of the foliage and tackled her from behind.
"Gotcha, Ichigo!" It was another of the Ikisatashis, though younger than the one called Ichigo.
"Get off me, Taruto!" the red-haired girl hissed at the boy, clawing at his arm.
"Ichigo, control your brother," Deep Blue said with a trace of disdain. Tart leapt up and, upon seeing Deep Blue, bowed hastily and stood beside Ichigo.
"Gomen, Master Deep Blue," the boy added, ducking his head and proceeding to suck on his newly acquired scratches.
"If you would, Ichigo?" Deep Blue gestured to the forest. It was clear he wished to be rid of the other Wolves.
Ichigo nodded and leapt into the woods on the other side of the clearing, not waiting for the others to follow. Yuzu and Shio traded a look with Pai and took off, obviously perplexed as to why the Ikisatashi leader would send them on such an errand. Tart sidled over to a log beside the fire and began whittling a piece of cedar wood with his bone knife, apparently bored with the leaders' exchange.
"Now, Pai-san," Deep Blue said, pacing again. "We should be drawing near to the other settlements, and it's time to find out who the… current residents of this land are. Find out everything you can about them, and about the land. I'm sure you would agree that a full reconnaissance is appropriate at this point, and" -he added with a subtle smirk- "I'm sure you're up for it. Report back immediately after. Understood?"
Pai nodded. It was only practical. He needed to learn this land like the back of his hand; the hunting, terrain and the people were all vital to their survival here. The people… Pai had never known anything of other tribes, except for brief encounters with the Cats. His curiosity rose, swelling up through his chest and bringing him onto the balls of his feet, aching for a run.
"Hai. I will return soon," Pai responded. The Fujiwara leader broke into a run, speeding south into the sea breeze. Deep Blue watched him go with a patronizing smile.
"We need to know exactly how to… deal with these current tribes," he said, voice soft and dangerous.
Tart looked up from his whittling, startled by the hostility in his master's voice.
"Is this going to be like it was with the Fongs, then?"
Deep Blue readjusted his heavy pelt and gave a toothy smile.
"Only if they resist."