It was the grassland she has always known. Bo breathed in the crisp air as she watched the sun break through mists and hide again. Everything felt like part of her. Even the clouds, which swelled with oncoming rain, were her's.
"That's because you are home," Usne said in a pleased voice.
Bo turned to see her mentor standing behind her. Immediately she felt nine years old again, experiencing the body memory of the countless times she turned back to ask Usne what plant she was looking at or whether the rain would last. In gratitude, Bo could not help but rush at the old woman for a hug. "I've missed you."
"And I you, dear one."
Bo released Usne and smiled before her face turned serious. "You must know why I'm here, Usne."
"I know your quandary. I also know you were meant for it," Usne replied with warm eyes.
"But I can't see the path. I don't how to reconcile the old way and the Council's scheme. And Tamsin… I want Tamsin, Usne." Bo felt an anxiety building. The clouds began to move faster. She could feel rain now.
Usne looked up, squinting at the moisture. "It's simple Bo: you and Tamsin must heal the land."
"Yes. Yes, I know." Bo's heart was racing faster and faster. A wind began to blow, whipping her hair in front of her face. "But I don't know how to heal the land without using the old way. And I can't lose Tamsin. Help me, Usne please!" Bo pleaded.
"You don't have to lose your ranger. The old way is now," Usne said, as if it was simple logic.
Bo tried to understand, but she just got more upset. The rain fell heavier.
"Your fears are rising, Bo. They will take me soon," Usne said calmly.
"NO!" Bo cried out, but she could barely hear her own words through the increasing rain and wind.
Her mentor was smiling as she vanished. Bo hyperventilated at the loss of Usne, causing her vision to blur. As she began to collapse, Bo felt a comforting pressure along her fingers as if her hand was being held. At the touch, she slipped into oblivion.
As Bo slowly came into consciousness, she felt the weight of someone holding her: fingers intertwined in her own and the light pressure of a hand resting on her waist. "The old way is now," Bo whispered, still partly in sleep's hold. Her words fell against the ranger's neck in warm breaths. The moment Bo recognized Tamsin's smell, her lips were already reflexively moving up towards Tamsin's jaw in a light graze, causing the ranger to grip at Bo's shirt, narrowing the already little space between them. Tamsin didn't give Bo much time to relish in the contact. She released her clasp on Bo and pulled away.
"You were yelling. I couldn't wake you up. I—,"
"Tamsin, I think I know what to do now. But I need your help." Bo managed to get her words out, though her breaths came in pants from her close encounter with the ranger.
"What's the plan?" Tamsin responded flatly.
Bo noticed Tamsin's tone didn't match her breathing. The ranger's breaths were uneven like her own. Bo also saw that Tamsin's cheeks were flushed. Witnessing this, Bo's longing grew. "Tamsin, why do you keep yourself from me?"
A/N: Sooooo, I got a little self-indulgent with this one. I just can't help but drag stuff out. Don't hate me. ;)