Chapter 153
The drive back to the tribe was one of the most miserable experiences of everyone's life. With Oscar and Owen driving, they brought back twelve people in two cars. It was cramped, awkward and with the heat already an issue, it was that much worse with them piled on top of each other like hamsters. That it was a 2 hour drive was all the worse. When they finally got back, Oscar and Owen packed far enough into the limits of the tribe that the cars were not visible along the borders and everyone practically fell out desperate to get off one another.
"I'm never doing that again," Taraq said. "I'll fucking walk next time."
"With our fur and the hot sun, I don't think so," Kevin said.
"I'll wait until night," Taraq said. "When are we eating? I'm starving."
"Go to Owota's home and I'll send Myta to fix you something," Oscar said. They all retreated to Owota's home as suggested except for Nesia. She stayed by Owen. "You going with?"
"I'm not hungry right now. I'll be fine until dinner," Nesia smiled politely.
"Alright, if you're sure," Oscar said. "Travis, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine right now," Travis said. "Should we ask if the flock wants to train?"
"No, let them have today to rest," Oscar said. "Tomorrow we'll go into full swing."
"In that case, I'll go back home," Owen said. "Were you going back to Wisteria's house or did you need to see father?"
"I'll need to speak to father; give him an update," Oscar said.
"Alright," Owen said and turned in the direction of his home. "If father asks for me, tell him to fuck off."
Oscar tried his best not to laugh, "I'll let him know."
"Nesia, did you want to come with?" Owen asked.
"Sure," Nesia smiled and followed after.
"Owen seems to like her," Oscar said.
"Nesia imprinted on him," Travis said. "Like what I did to you."
"Good," Oscar said. "Owen needs someone that'll keep him even keeled. How is she related to you?"
"Distant cousins," Travis said. "Do you want me to come with you when you go to Barka?"
"No, it's alright. You go back to my wife's house and I'll be there as soon as I've finished with father. You and Wisteria can gossip about me some more," Oscar joked.
"There are other things she and I can talk about besides you, Oscar," Travis joked and Oscar laughed. He grabbed a hold of Travis and gave him a quick kiss.
"I'll see you later tonight," Oscar said after they parted and he made the walk to his father's home while Travis retreated to Wisteria's.
When Oscar arrived at his father's home, there was a tension he could feel right away. He called out his father's name and waited about five minutes for him to come downstairs to meet him. While Oscar was waiting, Oliver stepped into the house and stood beside him.
"What brings you here?" Oscar asked.
"Father ordered me to be here as soon as you got back," Oliver said and looked around. "Where's Owen?"
"He went home," Oscar said.
"I'll go get him," Oliver said with an exasperated sigh.
"Don't worry about it; we can take care of this."
"It's a matter of father wanting all three of us here," Oliver whispered.
"If it's really serious enough to warrant Owen being here then I'll go get him," Oscar said and turned to leave. "Keep father reigned in until I get back." Oscar went to retrieve Owen who was not too pleased to be summoned but begrudgingly complied. He told Nesia to stay at his house and he'd be back as soon as possible. "So you like her I see," Oscar said as they were making their way to Barka's home.
"Yeah, she's really nice. I like her a lot," Owen said. "I wish she wasn't only here for two weeks or so. I'd love for her to stay so we can get to know each other better."
"We'll see how their time here plays out," Oscar said. He glanced at his little brother to see the contended smile on his face. "I like her. I think she brings out the best in you."
"I think she's made a career of bringing out the best in people. She's a teacher at their tribe's school and she focuses on little kids."
"Then she was well prepared for you," Oscar said and Owen punched Oscar's shoulder as his brother laughed.
"Shut up," Owen said but he was smiling.
"I'll make sure everything works out," Oscar said.
"She's suggested twice that I leave here," Owen said. "It's a tempting offer, but I have no way of making it out there. I can drive and speak English, but I have no other skills even if father did let me leave. And I certainly couldn't leave mom behind."
"They'll help you and Haseya; don't you worry," Oscar said. "As to father, you let me deal with him. We may have to work out an agreement where you send things back to the tribe, but we'll make it work."
"What, for him to reap the benefits for himself? I don't think so," Owen said.
"I'll give father credit where credit is due: he does make sure everything I send it dispersed amongst the tribe fairly. He just doesn't share things like fruit."
"Greedy bastard," Owen muttered irritably.
"Just take a deep breath," Oscar said. "The sooner we talk to father, the sooner you can go back home."
"Fine," Owen answered. When they finally made it to Barka's home, he was sitting on the floor with Oliver across from him. He stared right at Oscar and Owen when they stepped in.
"Nice of the two of you to finally join us," Barka said sarcastically and snapped his fingers directing at the ground beside Oliver ordering them to sit. They did so, but Owen's stare became irate. "Get that scowl off your face and sit down," Barka ordered and Owen tried his best to get the look of anger off his face.
"The cars have been returned," Oscar said, getting Barka's attention. "The pack is with us but as far as appearances are concerned, we're alone so when the army returns, they'll be caught off guard."
"And what will they be doing while we wait?"
"Jasper will continue training them and the flock on how to properly fight these creatures," Oscar answered. "We won't be sitting around doing nothing waiting for them to come back. When that army comes back, we'll be ready for them."
"Fine," Barka said. Then Barka looked as though he were contemplating something. "Make the gold haired one bring back our fallen flock."
"What?" Oscar asked.
"I said tell the dead raiser to bring back our fallen flock. Did you not hear me?"
"I heard you," Oscar said and stood. "Why didn't you just ask him to do this from the beginning instead of killing one of our men?"
"The idea just occurred to me," Barka answered flippantly.
"You-" Owen began as he started to see red, but Oliver placed a hand on Owen's shoulder to stop him.
"What?" Barka asked, going so far as to have his hand approaching his knife. Owen stood down, but not out of fear. Rather it was by Oliver's silent request. "That's what I thought."
Once he knew Owen was calmed down, Oscar left to find Anatoli. Oliver, Owen and Barka walked to the site where all their funeral ceremonies were performed. Oscar found him at Owota's house where the group had said they'd be and he was trying to relax while eating a freshly made bean cake that Myta had prepared. Oscar explained what Barka was demanding and the whole group (vampires excluded given it was daylight) followed after Oscar until they reached the grounds where Barka, Oliver and Owen waited. There were four distinct oval shapes that were darkened black from the years of burning the bodies of their dead. Anatoli was in the lead of the group but Kevin and Jacob were very close behind him. Anatoli went closer to the blackened ovals because he couldn't see anyone's face in order to revive them. There weren't even loose bones – whatever might have been there appeared to have been taken by an animal at least based on the tracks he saw in the dirt.
"I cannot see their bodies," Anatoli said after he searched every pyre for anything, but there was no one there.
"What's the problem?" Barka demanded from Oscar.
"Anatoli, this is where we burn our dead."
"Oscar," Anatoli started and then looked at Barka. The air was already tense and he knew it was about to get much worse. "I need a body to bring someone back. If the person was burned and his body it not present, I cannot bring a person back to life."
"He can't do it?" Barka demanded again.
"He needs a body in order to revive someone," Kevin answered as he came closer to Anatoli.
"There are conditions to his power?" Barka sneered.
"Father, just drop it; he'll be able to bring back our fallen in the heat of battle and that's what's important," Oscar said.
"Are there any other limitation of these outsiders I should be made aware of?" Barka asked irritably. "Perhaps he can only revive the dead if the moon is in the sky and all the stars are aligned just right."
"So long as he has a body, Anatoli can bring a person back," Kevin said in Anatoli's defense. "If the body was burned and the ashes are no longer available, he can't bring them back."
"This is absurd," Barka said and began to walk away. Oscar looked at Anatoli almost pleadingly.
"Is there really nothing you can do?" Oscar asked.
"I am sorry, but if I do not have the body, I cannot bring someone back," Anatoli repeated.
Oscar nodded solemnly, "Thank you anyway. You can all go back and relax."
"Are you sure?" Jacob asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure, but thank you," Oscar said. The group eventually returned to Owota's home leaving Oscar, Oliver and Owen.
"What do we do? Do we go back to father?" Owen asked.
"No, don't bother," Oliver said. "There's nothing we can do now. If father wants to speak to us, he'll summon us."
"Asshole," Owen muttered while his gaze wondered in Barka's direction.
"Let it go, Owen," Oscar said.
With nothing further they could do, the brothers disbanded and returned to their own homes. Oscar returned to his wife's home where Travis was waiting with Wisteria. The two of them, blissfully unaware of the latest incident with Barka, were talking pleasantly with one another. When Oliver returned home, it was to his own wife and some of their youngest children; the view brought him comfort especially when she smiled at him and waived for him to join in the play. Owen, still visibly frustrated from what happened, couldn't get home fast enough. When he finally did arrive, Nesia was in his house waiting.
"Hey," Nesia smiled and stood from the corner she'd been tucked into. "Is everything alright?"
"Not really, but there's not much we can do about it," Ahiga said. "Father wanted Anatoli to bring back our fallen flock. Son of a bitch could have asked him to do that from the get-go instead of stabbing an innocent man through the throat but no, 'It just occurred to me' he says. So he demands your pack and Anatoli to meet at the pyres where we burn our dead and Anatoli explained that without a body he can't bring someone back. So father did what he always does and made some snarky remarks before storming back home. Waste of everyone's time."
"I'm sorry," Nesia said and approached. "I wish it weren't the case but there is a limit to what Anatoli can do."
"No need to apologize; this isn't your fault," Ahiga said and then groaned and sat down on the floor. Nesia followed after him and sat beside him. "I hate him so much."
"I know," Nesia said and took Ahiga's hand knowing it would comfort him. "I keep wanting to make the same offer."
"You mean about leaving?" Ahiga asked and Nesia nodded. "I confided in Oscar. He said he'll help me. I don't know what help that could be, but he said he'd help."
"That's good to hear," Nesia smiled. "You and Haseya are welcome to live with me."
"No," Ahiga said, "I won't impose on you."
"You wouldn't be," Nesia said but Ahiga shook his head.
"No, I would be," Ahiga said and finally looked up at Nesia. "I like you, Nesia. I feel at peace when I'm with you and I want to continue seeing you. I want to go forward and have a relationship with you, but right now, I'd only be a burden on you if my mother and I moved in with you. I want to be able to stand on my own two feet, be able to live my own life without father's shadow looming over me. If Oscar really can convince father to let me leave, I want a chance to better myself in every way I can. You don't deserve to be saddled with a man that's been sheltered his whole life and can't afford to feed or shelter himself. You deserve a man that can take care of himself."
"Ahiga, you're not an invalid," Nesia said.
"It's not that," Ahiga said with a gentle smile. "Within the tribe, I'm just a bastard – one that should have been thrown from the Pedestal just like all the others. Even after father decided my life was worth sparing and accepted me into the flock, I'm nothing. I refuse to be nothing outside of the tribe too."
"Ahiga, you're not 'nothing'," Nesia insisted. He looked at her and his smile was appreciative as he lifted a hand to Nesia's cheek and came just a little closer to her.
"I'm fortunate that you see so much in me," Ahiga said. "I want to be able to see a lot in me too." Nesia returned his smile and finally nodded.
"I understand," Nesia said. "I'm still here for you if you or your mother ever needs anything."
"I appreciate it," Ahiga smiled. "There is something you could help me with now. You know those signs that were in the grocery store? Those ones above all the fruit?"
"You mean the little white ones that said the name of the fruit?"
"Yeah, those," Ahiga said. "I can't read them. I wanted to ask Oscar to teach me but he's hardly ever able to spare the time for that. Just teaching us all English was a nightmare for him let alone teaching any of us to read."
"I'll gladly teach you," Nesia smiled. "If there's anyone else that wants to learn, just tell me where we're meeting."
"Let's stick with just a one on one class," Ahiga said. "Frankly, I wouldn't put it past father to catch you teaching everyone to read and throwing a huge fit. Better only my brothers and I have to deal with his wrath."
"That's ridiculous. The man can't force you not to know how to read," Nesia said.
"He's head Cock in the Coop: what can I say?" Ahiga said.
"Alright," Nesia said, "We'll do one on one. Do you have any paper or pencils?"
"No, I'm afraid I don't," Ahiga said.
"That's alright; we'll improvise. Let's step outside and find some shade." Nesia pulled Ahiga with her to their feet and they walked out of the house and followed to where there was some shade. "One moment, I'll find something we can use to write with." Nesia stepped away and went to an area where there was some brush and eventually found a rock that had a sharper edge they could use. She brought the rock where Ahiga was waiting and sat down beside him. "Okay, so we'll start with the basics." Then Nesia wrote down the alphabet into the dirt so every letter was clear and easily visible.
"These are called 'letters' right?" Ahiga asked.
"Exactly," Nesia smiled. "Now, a number of languages use this writing system, but for our purposes, we'll refer to this as the English alphabet. We have a written language for Quileute that would work just as well for the Tistilal language, but one hurtle at a time."
"Yes, one at a time please," Ahiga chuckled a little.
From there, Nesia had Ahiga recite the alphabet as she'd have any of her young students do. Repetition, she explained, was the key to remembering the letters and then later how to spell. While there were rules, there was always an exception and that would require memorization as well but so long as he knew the basics, he'd have a working knowledge of how to read. While that was going on, after the incident with Barka, Salem went to the oasis where Yvonne was. She and her father were cleaning the bones of the rattle snakes from the night before and Owota handled the task of extracting the scorpion venom for other uses.
"Would you like help?" Salem asked. Yvonne didn't look at him but she did turn and tilt her head so she could hear him.
"That's alright; father and I are taking care of everything," Yvonne said. "Although I would not turn down company."
"I'm happy to give it," Salem smiled and sat beside Yvonne. Then, suddenly, he could feel Owota's gaze on him as if a rodent being stalked by a cat. He ignored it and focused on Yvonne. "You're turning these bones into powder, right?"
"Correct; it's good for medicine," Yvonne answered. "Father is able to make an antidote with the venom."
"That's amazing," Salem said. "So would you say you're his apprentice?"
"Not 'apprentice' no. My father would need to bestow his craft to a son or a worthy student. A daughter is not qualified."
"You seem more than qualified to me," Salem smiled. "My grandma Renesmee was our tribe's Medicine Woman for…Shit, how long was it? She was our Medicine Woman after our previous one, Sokajili, died and then when he died, she made her son Kyle her apprentice. Then she retired so she could focus on our tribe's school and Kyle became the Medicine Man."
"How did she earn such an honor?" Owota asked curiously, surprising Salem a little.
"Two children were shot and she was the only one that knew how to treat a bullet wound. You see, my mother grew up during this country's Civil War. She saw some horrible things including bullet wounds while Sokajili had never known how to treat them without losing the patient. So when mom was able to save the children's lives, Sokajili took her on as his apprentice."
"You are one of Chief Jacob's grandsons are you not?" Owota asked and Salem nodded. "I notice those that he calls his sons are mostly….very pale."
"Grandma is a pale face," Salem said. "She is human and cold one as well."
"So she is immortal?"
"Yes," Salem said, "So is my grandpa so long as he remains a wolf."
"I see," Owota said and returned his attention to the stingers of the scorpions. After a moment, Salem shook off the encounter so he could return his focus to Yvonne.
"So how long have you been a priestess of the oasis?" Salem asked.
"Since I was spared as a girl. If I do the mental math," Yvonne began and thought a moment until an estimation came to her mind, "About 30 summers, though I would call that an estimation."
"If it's worth anything, I'm turning 40 this year," Salem smiled. "So what do you do when you're not sitting by the oasis or making remedies?"
"If I have free time, I'll make jewelry sometimes. A lot of the Tistilal women say they love my jewelry. I can't imagine it's from the look of it. I choose beads based on their feel."
"I'm sure that's the appeal for people," Salem said and glanced down at her neck to see a necklace. It was snake skin with carved mica. It seemed there was another string in the midst of it acting as support but it was covered by the snake skin. And there was snake skin in her hair as always with intricate braids. Looking at it more closely, he realized there was even rattle snake teeth in some sections. "Did you make the necklace you're wearing now?"
"Yes," Yvonne said.
"It's beautiful," Salem said. "So how long does it take to do your hair?"
"All morning," Owota grumbled.
"Mother does my hair," Yvonne said with a smile. "She has to keep it braided this way or my hair is unruly."
"It's amazing to look at," Salem said. "I told you my mom has really long hair too right? Every time she washes her hair, it takes a few hours to dry. One year we got her a hair dryer as a Christmas present and it cut her hair drying time by a third."
"That sounds like a dream come true," Yvonne said. "Mother always starts braiding my hair as soon as it's damp. If we waited until it was completely dry, she'd be waiting all evening." Salem laughed and Yvonne's smile brightened even though she was not facing him. "So what do you do for your tribe aside from your services to the Pack?"
"You mean what do I do for a living?" Salem asked. "When I was a kid I used to work at Uncle Hailey's General Store. When JJ retired from the Army, I joined the Navy and served for about 10 years. Now my friend and I run a Tattoo shop and we're trying to make Rum to sell at my brother's store."
"What is the Navy?"
"It's the branch of the military that operates out of the water," Salem explained. "Save for my time in Vietnam, the Navy were some of the best years of my life."
"I assume Vietnam is a country?" Salem nodded to affirm Yvonne's question. "I have so many questions," she continued with a blush and hint of shyness. "I have not heard the words Tattoo or Rum before."
"Tattoos are artwork you get on your body. I have several of them. Rum is a type of drink," Salem explained.
"You have artwork on your body?" Yvonne asked with intrigue.
"All over," Salem smiled and, to make things easier, continued in English, "My first tattoo I got right after I graduated from A-School which is where you go to train for the Navy. It's right above my pelvis and it says 'Welcome Aboard'." Salem didn't notice the strange look Owota gave him but he did notice Yvonne appear confused.
"You have artwork right above your pelvis that says 'Welcome Aboard'?" she asked.
"Yeah," Salem answered and after a moment when it sunk in what he meant, she started laughing. Salem joined her in the laughter and Owota kept watching the two of them very closely. Eventually Yvonne was able to get a hold of herself.
"So if you are ever intimate with a woman, she'll see 'Welcome Aboard' right above your penis?" she asked bluntly.
"I like to make a lady feel welcome," Salem said and Yvonne laughed even harder. Owota was not the least bit amused but he said nothing and continued with his work. "Some time later, I added a woman to that tattoo sitting on an anchor. That's what you use to stop a boat, at least back in the old days. I have a mural on my back from all the places I've been during my years in the Navy, I have the emblem of the Navy in the middle of that, I have my father's name and his rank on my chest, I've got a clock with the Iron Cross in it for my Uncle Hailey, I've got lotus flowers with a centipede, I've got an alligator on one forearm, an orange on my wrist: I've got tattoos all over the place."
"I wish I could see them. They sound like fun," Yvonne said. "So you give these tattoos to other people?"
"My friend does the tattoos and I handle keeping the business running," Salem said. "As to the Rum, his wife has a recipe for it and if this turns out good, we'll be selling it. I assume alcohol isn't really something you have here?"
"It doesn't sound familiar so I would assume no," Yvonne said. "You're a busy man by the sound of it."
"I try to be," Salem said. "You're a busy woman yourself by the looks of it."
Yvonne smiled, "Our work is never done."
"Do you like being the priestess?" Salem asked.
"I enjoy helping my father with his tasks as Medicine Man," she answered. That was the only answer she gave and after a moment he thought it best to drop it.
"So what ailments do you usually treat using the bones?" Salem asked and sat back while Yvonne explained what the bone powder was mixed with and what it treated.
Meanwhile, Taraq kept his distance from Uilette as much as he didn't want to. Taking Emmett's advice, he kept himself busy with the pack especially after the encounter with Barka. Later, dinner was prepared as a group affair though it was considerably more basic than the night before with very little meat available. Instead it was squash and beans that had been cooked and left rather basic along with cactus that had been roasted over a fire both to remove the spines but also give it more taste. Bayaq and Cidelle were practically glued by the hip talking endlessly with Takara watching them from afar like a hawk. Desarae sat with Blu Jae as she'd done the night before but he didn't play his harmonica or guitar. She questioned him over not having a plate for himself at which point he worked up the courage to admit he didn't like food and why. As he feared, she was really sad to find out but Blu Jae went out of his way to compliment her cooking and the fault was with him for not being able to enjoy it. Salem remained with Yvonne to talk to her with Owota and Myta nearby. Taraq kept an eye out for Uilette but couldn't find her no matter how long he waited, but he did see Hawk alone with a few of his brothers, so Taraq looked for Cidelle and sat beside her.
"Have you seen Uilette?" Taraq asked. Cidelle looked around but didn't see her sister.
"If she's not here with Hawk, she's either back home or on the tribe's border. I would check the border first," Cidelle said and patted Taraq's knee. "Be courteous with her. She won't admit it but I know she likes you. She just needs time." Taraq was about to ask how she knew what was going on but stopped himself. Of course she knew what was going on.
"I feel strange asking if there's anything I can do."
"Why should you feel strange?"
"Because I want her to choose me," Taraq said, "but how can I ask her to do such a thing? She told me she still loves Hawk."
"She's lying to herself," Cidelle said knowingly. "She hasn't been happy for a long time and neither has Hawk for that matter. You have my full support on the matter and I'll help if need be."
"I appreciate it," Taraq said. "I'll go look for her."
As Cidelle suggested, Taraq went to the same spot he'd gone with Uilette the night prior and just as Cidelle predicted, Uilette was there sitting on the ground looking up at the rising moon. Taraq approached her cautiously at first in case she told him to leave her be. However she didn't say anything to him or make any indication that she didn't want him there. Eventually Taraq was beside her and sat down beside her, still cautious and remaining silent. There was continued silence and it became more and more uncomfortable until Taraq built up the courage to finally end it.
"I'm sorry about last night," Taraq said. "I didn't mean to offend you. I hope that you can forgive me for my rudeness and we can be friends."
Uilette didn't answer him. She kept her eyes focused on the scenery seemingly refusing to acknowledge him. He waited but when the silence continued and became too much, he stood back up and very slowly walked away. A part of him was hoping that she might tell him to stay but she never did. Feeling defeated, Taraq retreated to Owota's home to be alone. Once she was alone again, Uilette finally looked behind her to make sure she was alone and then started to cry. Back with the other group, Cidelle noticed Taraq walking towards Owota's house alone.
"I'm going to check on Uilette," Cidelle said to Bayaq. He noticed Taraq in the distance after she spoke.
"I'll talk to Taraq," Bayaq said and the two parted ways. Bayaq caught up with Taraq and when they were in Owota's home, they sat together against a wall. Taraq wasn't really surprised to see his brother. "What happened?"
"Nothing," Taraq said. "I told her I was sorry about what I said. She never said a word so I walked away. So literally nothing happened."
"I see," Bayaq said. "Cidelle is going to talk to Uilette. If she'll speak to anyone, it's Cidelle."
"Maybe I should just drop it," Taraq said solemnly. Bayaq didn't reply. Now wasn't the time. Instead he rubbed his hand back and forth over Taraq's shoulders trying to help him feel just a little better. Meanwhile, Cidelle went to Uilette and heard her sister crying under her breath. When she heard that, she started running and sat beside her.
"What happened?" Cidelle asked.
"Nothing happened. He told me he was sorry about what he said yesterday and then left."
"He just left?"
"I assume because I wouldn't speak to him," Uilette said quietly through her tears.
"So you didn't say anything?" Cidelle asked and Uilette gently shook her head. Cidelle hugged her sister while they were sitting together. "Just let it out, Uilette. Let it out."
Uilette cried harder while Cidelle cradled her and she didn't say anything else until she felt like she'd gotten a hold of herself and just wanted to go home. Cidelle tried to insist she come back with her, but Uilette told her she just wanted to be alone. The house was empty when she returned and she went right to her bedroom and into bed. However, she couldn't fall asleep. Her thoughts kept wandering back to Taraq. He was very handsome, but it wasn't that. There were plenty of men among the tribe that were handsome including her own husband – such a trait was unimpressive. She didn't even know what it was about him that made her keep thinking about him. She just felt drawn to him. Since she couldn't sleep, she laid on their blankets staring at the ceiling until she heard Hawk come into their home. She listened to the sound of his footsteps as he moved around downstairs. She remembered a time when hearing his footsteps would send shivers of pleasure and anticipation up her spine and the thought of sex with him was enough to ready her. Yet now, listening to his footsteps as he approached their bedroom, there was nothing. It had been this way for years. When he came into their room, he came down to their blankets and laid down ready to just go to sleep.
"Hawk?" Uilette mumbled.
"Did I wake you?" Hawk asked, surprised she was awake.
"No, you didn't; I can't sleep." Uilette turned to face him. She placed a hand on his chest but he didn't react to her positively or negatively.
"You didn't come eat," Hawk said.
"I wasn't hungry," Uilette said. They stayed quiet for a moment while she rubbed his bare chest. Hawk still wasn't reacting to her touch. "It's approaching the time of month Owota tells us we need to be intimate."
"'It's approaching' or 'it is'?" Hawk asked. She'd already not been eager for intimacy but his question made Uilette take her hand away slowly feeling rejected.
"I suppose 'approaching'," Uilette said.
"We'll try again when you're ready," Hawk said but there was no excitement or joy in his voice. Uilette started to cry a little but she did her best to stay quiet. Regardless, her breathing gave her away. "Are you crying?"
"No," Uilette lied and rubbed her eyes.
"I can't read your mind, Uilette; just tell me what's wrong," Hawk said with frustration and tiredness thick in his voice. Uilette turned to look at him but she still couldn't feel what she used to. She felt sick to her stomach the more the realization that she'd spent all this time denying finally started to sink in.
"Do you still love me?" Uilette finally asked and Hawk's reaction told her everything she needed to know. He was surprised by her question clearly but he didn't immediately respond. He didn't say she was being silly or anything. He took a deep breath and looked like he was thinking about it. Yet his reaction didn't hurt the way she thought it should.
It took several seconds before he finally said, "Of course I do." She knew he didn't mean it despite his efforts to sound sincere. She wasn't mad at him. In that moment she realized they really had fallen out of love with each other. It was both their faults. Yet now more than ever, she was determined to save their marriage. She wanted it back; she wanted back those feelings of love that she'd had for him once before. She turned back around and put her hand on his chest again and gave him pleading eyes.
"I miss you. Can we please try tonight?" she asked.
He seemed like he might refuse but then he thought a moment. He turned so he was facing her but he didn't kiss her. Not on the lips anyway. He went straight for her neck planting kisses there as his hands began to trail up and down her body. It occurred to her that she couldn't remember the last time Hawk kissed her. She then forced herself not to think about it and instead stay with him in the moment, but then her thoughts began to wander back to Taraq. When they did, what little desire she'd had fizzled out, but she said nothing. Regardless, she did her best to just feel hoping she might become aroused. There was very little foreplay and before she knew it, Hawk got her onto her back spreading her legs and slipped inside her beginning to move. There was no passion or affection; just movement with a singular purpose that took a long time to achieve given neither were gaining any pleasure from the encounter. Hawk did eventually finish and once he had, he got off her and laid back to go to bed. Uilette turned to her side so her back was to Hawk. She still couldn't sleep and was wide awake as the sun peaked up over the horizon.
She left the house early to get something to eat and hoping to get herself occupied with something, anything, else. While she walked around, she saw Taraq in the distance. He was approaching her usual spot. She told herself she shouldn't go after him, but her feet were moving in his direction before she could think to do otherwise. Once he'd made it to her spot, he just stood there looking out into the desert. She slowly began to approach him and when he heard her and turned to look at her, he was shocked to see her.
"Uilette?" Taraq said.
"What are you doing up so early?" Uilette asked.
"I," Taraq began and then paused briefly, "I couldn't sleep."
"Neither could I," Uilette admitted and took the last remaining steps so she was standing beside him.
Afterwards was an awkward silence between them. She wasn't sure what to say and Taraq was too scared to say anything for fear of offending her again. Uilette looked at Taraq and felt that same pull as before. She was attracted to him no matter how she wanted to deny it. Yet it was only physical attraction she told herself. It could only be physical. Of course, he was a very handsome man and she knew he was fond of her. Perhaps….
"Arizona must seem like a different world to you," Uilette said. Taraq looked at her strangely, surprised by the sudden statement. "I hear Washington is very rainy I mean."
"Yeah," Taraq said, "We aren't used to this type of weather."
"I assume you do not have rattle snakes and scorpions where you're from?"
"No," Taraq said, "We have fish and deer and potatoes."
"I know what a fish is, but what are deer and potatoes?"
"Deer are plant eating hoofed creatures and potatoes are root vegetables," Taraq answered. "I can't say I was fond of the scorpions, but the rattle snake soup was good."
"I saw your brother and Cidelle dipping the scorpions into the soup. I will have to try that when I get a chance. That sounds delicious," Uilette said. "So…you said you are not married? No children?"
"No wife or children," Taraq answered. "I just never met the right woman I guess."
"You are a builder are you not?"
"Yes, I'm a builder as are a few of my other brothers. My eldest brother Embry owns the business and Bayaq, Peta and I work for him. Have been for the past several years. It keeps us all very comfortable."
"I've never heard anyone call hard work 'comfortable'," Uilette said.
"The work is not comfortable; it's hard labor. I mean the money that we earn from that work keeps us comfortable."
"I see," Uilette said. "Do you enjoy the work?"
"I do," Taraq answered. "Now I just need to put the same care into my own home."
"How do you mean?" Uilette asked.
"I moved into the city to work for my brother a long time ago and when I moved there, I just rented an apartment and I've been there ever since. I've just been collecting funds saying I'll use it to buy a fixer upper of a house and turn it into my dream home but I've never had the motivation to. Bayaq bought himself a house not long ago that was completely up to date and needed very little work except for some personal preferences. 'Why would I buy a house that needs work when I can buy one that's ready for me?' he says."
"I suppose when it's something you do for a living, you don't want to come home and keep doing it when you want to relax," Uilette said.
"A house is an ongoing project no matter what," Taraq smiled a little. He glanced at Uilette who was smiling back at him, but he could tell there was still sadness in her eyes. "Is everything alright? You seem upset."
"Everything's fine," Uilette insisted and began to shift on her feet uncomfortably. "Did you come here looking for me?"
"I don't know," Taraq admitted, now just as uncomfortable as she was. "I still feel awful for offending you. I guess I just wish there was something I could do to make things right."
"Let's start now," Uilette said. "As I understand it, you and your pack are experts in dealing with these cold creatures. Have you encountered an army like this before?"
"Not exactly like this, but we have dealt with an army of cold ones before," Taraq said. "It used to be that the Cold Ones had a ruling coven – or whatever you want to call it. We had to face them when a group of half breeds they had created turned on them and turned to our tribe for protection and help. I suspect this will be much harder. Last when we'd faced an army of Cold Ones, a chunk of that army had turned on its leaders. I doubt we'll be so lucky this time."
"I have faith you'll do well," Uilette said sincerely. "With a raiser of the dead on your side, I would think you have nothing to fear."
"So long as nothing happens to Anatoli we'll have nothing to fear," Taraq said. "Anything happens to Anatoli, we'll be in a lot of trouble."
"I would imagine so," Uilette said. "Do you know what you'll do to make sure nothing happens to him?"
"I suspect a member of the Cullen's Coven with an offensive power would keep him safe. Jacob and his sons will know what to do," Taraq said. "Anatoli might not be Kevin's son by birth but he won't let anything happen to him."
"How did you come to have a raiser of the dead?"
"It's a very long story," Taraq answered. "The fastest explanation is that Kevin's wife Amber had a child prior to them marrying and Kevin accepted Anatoli as his own."
"As any good husband should," Uilette said. "You will all begin training today, right?"
"Yes, today and onward until that army reappears, we will be training," Taraq said.
"You'll want a good breakfast then," Uilette said. "Come with me and I'll make you something."
"I would like that; thank you," Taraq answered with a kind smile that left Uilette dazzled for a moment. She felt her heart skip a beat and she felt a trembling she'd not felt in years. Regardless, she cleared her throat a little and asked Taraq again to follow her and she led him to the communal cooking area to get something started for him.
Before too long, the rest of the pack as well as the flock had something for breakfast and then met the Cullens in the center of the village to begin that day's training. Jasper took the lead again, reminding the group of the difference in fighting styles between an aged vampire and a newborn then demonstrating this with the help of the other Cullens. However this was a brief overview and right away they went into hands on training in which the pack and flock had to fight against to Cullens acting as the newborns. They trained all morning, broke for lunch then returned to training shortly after. By the end of the day, everyone was exhausted and famished. Cidelle had already made sure a plate of food was ready by the time training had ended and presented it to Bayaq.
"You made dinner just for me?" Bayaq asked.
"Well, it's not just for you but I made sure your plate was ready," Cidelle smiled and roped her arm around his and walked with him to find themselves a place to sit together. Once they were seated somewhere, Cidelle snuggled up close to Bayaq and picked off his plate having put enough food on the plate for both of them.
"She's certainly trying harder than she needs to," Blu Jae joked when he saw Cidelle cuddling up to Bayaq.
"Cidelle has always been one that comes on a little strong," Desarae mumbled. "I hope she's had the decency to be honest with him at least."
"What do you mean?" Blu Jae asked.
"At best she's childish and reckless. She puts her own wants above good sense and it's gotten her in trouble. Many years ago, she had a child. The man she claims was the father said otherwise and wouldn't marry her so the girl was given to another family."
"He sounds like an asshole," Blu Jae said.
"Cidelle is hardly innocent in the matter," Desarae said.
"I take it you and Cidelle aren't exactly friends?"
"I just don't appreciate the way she talks about my brother," Desarae answered. "My brother and Cidelle's sister Uilette have still not had a child after all these years and Cidelle has the nerve to say Hawk's the one at fault when it could just as easily be Uilette that's the problem. She thinks that because she was able to have a baby it means Uilette couldn't possibly be infertile."
"Has Owota given them any remedies that might help?" Blu Jae asked.
"They've done nothing but take remedies and follow Owota's every suggestion: still nothing," Desarae said. "The others are hardly helping Hawk through this whole thing – they just tease him and joke that he can 'burrow a niece or nephew'."
"Have….do you think they can be happy with just the two of them? I mean, Anatoli and his wife haven't had children. As far as I know, they don't really plan to. They're happy just being with each other and aren't really interested in having kids. Maybe Hawk and Uilette could find happiness in just being together."
"That's not an option," Desarae said forlornly. "Hawk told me he doesn't love Uilette the way he did. When they married, he was over the moon for her. He'd have done anything for her, but now after all this time of trying for a child with no result, it's put such a strain on them that I think the only hope for their marriage now is for Uilette to finally get pregnant. She just needs to try harder."
"Try harder? How would she do that? As far as I hear it, she's doing the best she can," Blu Jae defended.
"I don't know," Desarae admitted. "There has to be more Owota could recommend or anything else he can have them do. Cidelle isn't helping the situation by bad mouthing my brother to Uilette."
Blu Jae glanced in Uilette's direction and saw she was sitting with Hawk but the two of them were not interacting in the least. He noticed that she kept looking in Taraq's direction and he in hers. They'd share a look before taking their eyes off one another only to repeat the process over and over again as if wishing they could sit together. Blu Jae knew they'd had a chance to really talk that morning and it seemed like they'd finally started becoming friends.
"Don't worry," Blu Jae finally said and turned back to smile reassuringly at Desarae. "I'm sure everything will work out for the best."
"I hope so," Desarae sighed. "I've already ate; could I request you to play for me?"
"I'd love to," Blu Jae smiled and stood with Desarae to take her with to Owota's home. Once they arrived, Blu Jae grabbed his guitar. "Any requests?"
"Play your favorite song," Desarae requested.
"That's a tall order," Blu Jae chuckled a little. "My favorite song to play requires an Organ. Well, it can be played on any instrument but it's best on an Organ or a piano."
"So it's not impossible to play on your guitar?"
"No, it's not impossible."
"Then challenge yourself," Desarae smiled. Blu Jae smirked at her and took a moment to think how to go about playing. He'd really only be able to do a small portion of the song but once his fingers were positioned, he began to play Little Fugue in G Minor. He'd never played it on acoustic guitar before and to him, the song sounded incomplete but Desarae smiled appreciatively and listened attentively. At one point, she scooted closer to him so she was right in front of him while enjoying him play. Her scent filled his nose the closer she was to him; the smell of her blood was salivating for him, but he was allured by the dry sandy scent on her skin. Her deep black eyes looked at him sweetly and the gentle smile was so beautiful.
"You have such a beautiful smile," Blu Jae said in a hushed tone due to thinking out loud.
"You have such talented fingers," Desarae answered with a brighter smile. It wasn't intended to be a sexual comment, but it definitely came off that way. He nearly stopped playing but was able to catch himself and continue. "This is a very nice song."
"You should hear me play it on the piano," Blu Jae smiled.
"I would like that," Desarae said as her smile became shy and she was blushing. "Perhaps when things calm down you could bring a piano and play this for me again."
"I'm afraid bringing a piano is much harder than bringing a guitar. Pianos are very heavy. They can weigh about as much as two to three men."
"Oh," Desarae said quietly. "I did not realize an instrument could be so big."
"Oh, yes, some instruments are enormous. The Organ that this song was written for is about the size of a full wall. It's generally kept in something called a Church."
"A Church is a place of worship to the spirits is it not?"
"It's a place of worship to a single God," Blu Jae said.
"I see," Desarae said. "Why make an instrument so impractically large?"
"The larger the instrument, the more glorious the sound," Blu Jae answered. "If you couple it with the sound of a well trained choir, it's the closest a human being can feel to being close to God. At least in my opinion."
"I wish I could hear it," Desarae said.
"Of course you can. I saw a church in Phoenix while we were there and I heard it playing an Organ. Perhaps we could drop in on a Sunday Service and enjoy the Choir sing to the Organ music. It'll all be in Latin too."
"Latin?" Desarae asked.
"It's a dead language from a long time ago. The only ones that speak it are the Catholic Church and honestly, I don't think the Pope himself is even fluent in the language."
"Who is the Pope?" Desarae asked.
"He's the head of the Catholic Church. There's a whole complicated structure that's hard to explain in Quileute. And Tistilal too I guess." Then Blu Jae finished the song and looked lovingly at Desarae. "Any other song requests?"
"Do you suppose you could teach me to play a song?" Desarae asked.
"Of course," Blu Jae smiled and handed the guitar over to her and then moved closer so he could situate her fingers. He began to explain all the cords though he needed to explain a lot of it in English which sometimes left Desarae slightly confused. Hoping to help her to understand better, Blu Jae walked around so he was behind her and got her sitting against his chest while his heads grasped the neck of the guitar as he normally would. "Let's start with a simple song."
From there, Blu Jae guided her through the tune for the alphabet song figuring it was as good a start as any. They were seated in such a way that the rising moon was creeping in and would brighten the room as the sun continued to descend. So Desarae was able to see the cords Blu Jae was guiding her towards and after getting herself accustomed to the feel of the strings beneath her fingers and becoming comfortable with grasping the neck of the guitar, she started to play the song he'd showed her with some confidence.
"You did great," Blu Jae praised after she'd played through the whole song by herself.
"Did I really?" Desarae asked with a blush.
"Yes, you did," Blu Jae said and, having noticed she was blushing and hearing the flutter of her heartbeat, he leaned down to kiss her cheek. Her blush deepened and she sighed a little.
"Can you teach me another song?" she requested eagerly.
"I would love to," Blu Jae said and proceeded to help her through two more very simple nursery rhyme songs until they were eventually interrupted by Owota returning with his wife and daughter as well as the remainder of the pack. Since they needed to end their evening, Blu Jae walked Desarae back to her home. "I will see you again tomorrow after we complete training."
"I look forward to it," Desarae smiled and went on her toes to press a kiss to Blu Jae's lips. After the kiss, she looked up at him bashfully and said, "Good night."
"Good night," Blu Jae answered with the same bashfulness and with a little wave. She giggled before stepping into her home and Blu Jae walked away with a little spring in his step.
Nesia stayed at Owen's side through dinner. Since they were among the tribe, she referred to him as Owen, but after finishing dinner, Owen asked her if she would stay with him that night. A blush on her face, Nesia agreed and the two of them walked back to his home together. The sun was coming down but they could see the moon creeping up over the horizon; it was especially romantic and once they were out of view of everyone, Ahiga took a hold of Nesia's hand for the remainder of their walk back to his house.
"Do you want to study some more while there's still sunlight?" Nesia asked.
"I think we've done enough studying for today," Ahiga said. "I had thought we would go straight to bed if I'm honest."
"Is that so?" Nesia smiled with some bashfulness. "It has been a very long day."
"Nesia," Ahiga said, "If I'm asking too much then we'll just go to sleep for the night."
"You're not asking too much," Nesia replied in a quiet voice. With a gentle smile, Nesia approached and the moment she was close enough, Ahiga took her by surprise wrapping his arms around her and pressing his lips to hers. Nesia fell into the kiss immediately and sighed with pleasure.
"Ahiga?" they heard a voice from outside and Ahiga released Nesia as Haseya gently pushed the fabric to let herself into the house only to be surprised by Nesia's presence.
"It's alright, mother. Nesia is a friend," Ahiga said.
"Oh, yes," Haseya said with a gentle smile, recognizing the young woman in her son's home now. "I am Haseya: Ahiga's mother."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Nesia smiled. "Ahiga speaks very highly of you."
"He has said wonderful things about you too," Haseya replied and turned her attention to Ahiga. "Do you need me to leave?"
"No, not at all," Ahiga said and hugged Haseya. "Have you eaten anything? I can run and get you something if you like."
"If there are some bean cakes left, I would love some," Haseya replied.
"Alright," Ahiga smiled and kissed his mother's cheek. "I'll get some for you. Nesia, are you alright waiting here with mom?"
"Its fine," Nesia assured and Ahiga left to retrieve some bean cakes. Once they were alone, Haseya sat down and Nesia joined her.
"You are with the group that came here to assist the flock?"
"Yes, I am," Nesia answered. "My grandfather says the leader of that army thinks he's tricked us into leaving and that he's planning to return but it gives us time to train."
"Yes, Ahiga told me that's what happened. The preparations have kept him busy," Haseya said and then smiled gently at Nesia. "So have you by the looks of it."
Unsure if she should be so direct with Haseya, Nesia simply replied, "I think very dearly of Ahiga. Your son is a wonderful man."
"He is a good boy," Haseya said, though her voice seemed lamenting.
"I had heard…that is to say I'm so sorry about the circumstances befalling him."
"Ahiga told you about all that?" Haseya asked with surprise.
"No, he didn't tell me. He wasn't too thrilled to find out I knew. He'd had a…I suppose an outburst our first night here and I asked my grandfather to explain. My grandfather is a mind reader."
"Is he?" Haseya asked.
"Yes, he is. Ahiga had yelled at Oliver about having been thrown from the Pedestal and I asked my grandfather to tell me what happened. It baffles me that a man could do such a thing to a child let alone his own son."
"I tried to hide him," Haseya said with a tear in her eye. "When I was pregnant, I tried to lie about who the father was and when the Medicine Man affirmed there was no way this boy could be a Thunderbird's son, I'd thought I'd succeeded but I still tried to keep him out of the way. Then Chief Barka saw him. I don't know how, but he knew." Haseya rubbed her eye. "When he was able to change, I felt such a strange sense of relief and sadness. My son would live but I would never see him again. At least that's what I'd thought. For a long time, I didn't get to see him. Then when he'd grown, he came to me and told me we could visit one another in secret. I try to tell myself he has a better life now than he would had Barka not taken him, but sometimes I am not even sure that is true."
"Barka is a monster," Nesia agreed and placed her hand over Haseya's comfortingly. "I keep suggesting to him that he could leave and take you with. I've started teaching him to read and he says Oscar promised to help him in leaving this place."
"He would love that," Haseya said and took a hold of Nesia's hand looking at her appreciatively. "Anything that you or his half-brothers can do would be a blessing."
"You have my word I will do everything I can," Nesia said. Haseya seemed like she was studying Nesia for a moment but whatever had been on her mind she did not say out loud. Instead, she smiled pleasantly at Nesia and used her free hand to gently pinch Nesia's chin.
"You are a very kind young woman. I like you very much," Haseya said. Nesia was surprised by the woman's confession and was even very touched by it. Ahiga then came back into the home with several bean cakes in both hands.
"I'm sorry, mom. They're a little spicier than you like, but they should last you until tomorrow," Ahiga said as he entered and saw Nesia and Haseya sitting on the floor together. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, Ahiga, everything is fine," Haseya smiled and stood up. "I will go ahead and leave you two alone."
"Mom, you don't have to leave," Ahiga said.
"No, no, it's alright. I just wanted to check up on you," Haseya said. "Do you think you could walk me back?"
"Of course. Nesia, do you mind waiting here for a bit?"
"I don't mind," Nesia answered. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Haseya."
"You as well," she said and followed Ahiga outside.
"Is everything alright mom? You really don't need to go home."
"It's alright; you have company. I think she likes you," Haseya said with a smile. "She tells me that she has begun teaching you to read."
"Yes, she started today," Ahiga said. "I don't know if it will happen, but if Oscar can help me do it, I would like to leave the tribe. I would take you with me. Learning to read seemed like something I should at least start doing."
"I agree," Haseya said. "So this young woman: how do you think of her?"
"Pardon?"
"I am asking what you think of her. I, for one, quite like her," Haseya said and Ahiga blushed just a little.
"I really like her," Ahiga finally admitted. "I want to pursue her, but I…..it's not the right time."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean she and I are from completely different worlds. The way things are now, I would be dependent on her. I refuse to do that. I want to be more like Oscar: able to take care of myself in the pale face's world, speak and read their language, work and earn a living."
"You want a life like she has?"
"Yes," Ahiga said.
"Have you explained this to her?"
"I have," Ahiga said and Haseya nodded approvingly.
"Good," she said, "she deserves honesty."
"Exactly," Ahiga said. "I want to keep spending time with her and getting to know her, but I want more out of my life before she and I were to ever make our relationship serious. Assuming we are compatible in that way."
"Given you are entertaining the possibility of a serious relationship, I assume you already feel very deeply for her. And in so short a time no less," Haseya smiled and gently patted Ahiga's shoulder.
"I do," Ahiga said, still blushing.
"Well, all the same: I like her. I like her a great deal," Haseya said. They arrived at her tiny hut that Ahiga ensured she had all to herself and gave her the bean cakes. "I will come visit again soon."
"Thank you, mom," Ahiga said, hugged her and then walked away once she was inside.
On his way back home, Ahiga became lost in thought. For whatever reason, Nesia made quite the impression on his mother just as she'd done for him. He wanted to continue seeing Nesia but there was this black cloud over his head that scared him: his father. Sure, Oscar promised he'd help and Nesia made no qualms about also being willing to help him and Haseya leave, but that didn't mean Barka wouldn't fight it tooth and nail. He wasn't even sure why his father fought it so damned much except that the man couldn't stand being in complete and total control of everything and everyone; his sons especially. Pursuing Nesia seemed wrong in that context. He had no way to promise her anything except what was temporary yet she brought him so much happiness just being around him. He had never felt such happiness in his life. Being with her felt liberating and it intoxicated him. When he finally returned to him home, Nesia was staring out a window at the moon that was now in full view. She smiled at him when he came inside.
"You know," she began and then looked out at the moon again, "One of my cousins grew up in Las Vegas. She used to say that the moon in the desert was the most beautiful moon to see. I used to think she was being silly…..but I think I get what she means now." Ahiga didn't answer. He just stared at Nesia and how the moonlight hit her face. "It's too bad we have to train again tomorrow. I'd love to stay up and just stare at the moon."
"I never really stared at it before," Ahiga admitted and came a little closer. "Does the moon really look that different in Washington?"
"I suppose not," Nesia said. "I'm used to seeing it beyond a clutch of dense trees or with a view of the ocean."
"I remember seeing that," Ahiga said. "I liked the smell of it. It was refreshing."
"Not dry and dusty?" Nesia smiled.
"Not in the least," Ahiga replied. After approaching, he leaned against the wall so he was standing before Nesia. "I would love to go to Washington again."
"I miss it," Nesia said. "I don't know how you guys stand it. It feels like I'm being baked alive."
"Now you're just being over dramatic," Ahiga said with a light chuckle. "I would ask if you've at least enjoyed your time here a little, but that seems like a dumb question."
"I've enjoyed the time I get to spend with you," Nesia answered with a loving smile.
Ahiga looked back at her feeling this elation he couldn't describe. Without responding, Ahiga came that last bit closer to her so he could put his hand on her cheek. Nesia leaned into his touch and even brought her own hand up to touch his. He came a little closer feeling nervous for some reason. He tilted his head and she did the same right before their lips met in a kiss. It was just as before: tender and loving with a spark that left them both desperate for more. In no time, Ahiga depend the kiss by taking his hand away from her cheek so he could wrap his arms around her to pull Nesia right against him. He was barely taller than her so she didn't need to lift herself very high to wrap her arms around his neck and reciprocate the kiss. Nesia dipped her hands under the light shirt he wore so she could touch his back, trailing her nails over his skin and in response Ahiga reached down to lift her leg up so it was wrapped around his hip then pressed her against the wall.
He pressed against her so much she felt like she could barely breathe, but Nesia wasn't concerned with it. She pulled her lips away so she could lift her other leg up and wrap herself around Ahiga completely. Ahiga adjusted so he hand both hands under her for support bringing her just a little above him and then pressed her back against the wall so they could start kissing again. Nesia began tugging on Ahiga's shirt but had trouble pulling it up between her legs wrapped around him and his chest pressed firmly against hers. Seeing as this position was becoming rather troublesome, Ahiga made sure his hold on Nesia was tight enough that he could carry her and began walking in the general direction of the bedroom. There was no door to stop him but he did pull away so he could look where he was going and plummeted towards the blankets on the floor. He went to his knees first and then laid Nesia down so he was on top of her all while she continued holding onto him.
Once she was on her back, Nesia took a hold of Ahiga's shirt again and tugged upwards so she could remove it. Ahiga sat up to remove his shirt the rest of the way so he chest was bare and then pulled off Nesia's shirt only to be confronted by her bra. Initially he went to just pull it off, but it was not nearly so cooperative as her shirt.
"Why is this thing so tight?" Ahiga asked when the bra was not coming up over her head with a simple tug.
"It's a bra. They're supposed to be tighter." Nesia lifted her back so she could reach behind and unhook her bra then tossed it to one side once freed.
"How do you get this off?"
"It has clasps in the back," Nesia said. "I take it you've never had to deal with one of those before?"
"No, can't say I have," Ahiga said but was already uninterested in the topic. He was more focused on Nesia's breasts and took a hold of them and running his thumbs over her nipples to make them stand to attention. Then he leaned back down to kiss her before kissing a trail from her cheek down her neck and to her chest until he finally reached her breasts.
Nesia started trailing her hands up his arms and over his shoulders affectionately while Ahiga finally took her nipple in his mouth. Nesia moaned quietly from the feeling of his tongue swirling around only for him to nip her then suck to relieve the mild sting. He did this to both breasts and then began kissing his way down her upper belly until he was met with her high waist pants. He undid the button and the zipper so he could tug her pants off taking her panties along with him only for her shoes to get in the way. Nesia kicked off her shoes with Ahiga' s help and then sat up so she could undo the button and zipper of his pants. Once the button was released and zipper down, Ahiga got onto his back on his blanket so he could push off the last of his clothes including his clothes. Nesia touched his chest while he was removing his clothes and then allowed her hand to begin trailing further down so she could touch his erection.
Ahiga turned so he was facing her and grabbed a hold of her leg to lift it to rest on his hip before reaching his own hand down to touch her opening. He rubbed two fingers over her entrance to spread the wetness and then slipped those fingers inside her as he rolled the rest of the way over to be on top of her and pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. Nesia moaned into their kiss from the feel of his fingers moving inside her while his thumb pressed against her clitoris. She stroked his erection with a consistent rhythm rubbing her thumb over the head of his shaft to illicit a better sensation for him. After they mutually touched one another for a few minutes, Ahiga removed his fingers from inside Nesia and guided his erection to her entrance. Once there, Nesia released her own hold of him and laid back as he slipped inside her. They both moaned from the entry and the pleasure was enough for Ahiga to immediately begin moving vigorously as he clutched Nesia close to him.
Nesia held onto Ahiga until he stopped so he could sit up and brought her legs around to rest on his shoulders so he could lean forward again and begin his previous thrusting movements. This time, however, his thrusts hit her in just the right way that she felt a sharp and intense pleasure that caused her to begin moaning louder than before. Nesia gripped Ahiga's forearms while he moved and when he slowed down his movements he kissed her legs tenderly and affectionately. Then he stopped moving entirely as though he were trying to get his bearings.
"Ahiga?" Nesia whispered.
"Sorry," Ahiga said, "I just need to slow down." He pressed kisses along her calf and then slipped out of her moving away until he was between her legs.
Nesia laced her fingers through his short hair while he dipped his face down so he could drag his tongue over her opening until he reached the apex where he circled around her clitoris. Nesia whimpered from the sensation. Ahiga slipped two fingers inside her and found the rounded elevation after which he applied pressure to it making Nesia moan. Her breathing went shallow and her mind went blank enjoying the feel of his nimble tongue against her. She bit her lip when she thought she was about to moan too loudly and clutched his hair. He groaned against her when he felt the sting of Nesia pulling his hair and applied more pressure with his fingers and tongue. He kept up his ministrations building her up more and more until she hit the precipice with an intense orgasm that left her limp. Ahiga came back up between her so he could slip back inside her and when he did, he stayed still a moment just enjoying the feel of her body. He lowered himself to Nesia on his elbows so they could kiss while he began his thrusting movements, but they were much more tame this time around.
To Ahiga, she felt like heaven. He wished it could last forever but with each thrust into her warm wet flesh he was coming closer and closer to his release. He kept his thrusts shallow while their tongues dueled together and Nesia trailed her nails over his skin up and down his back before resting on the cheeks of his ass trying to encourage him to go faster and harder. The feel of her nails made him shiver and groan and he increased his speed as she wanted. He then left her so he could grab her by the waist and help Nesia onto her hands and knees. She spread her legs for him and for a moment he just savored the view before him rubbing his hands over the skin of her waist, her ass and her thighs then running his fingers over her opening. She moaned his name and pushed her hips back a little against his fingers silently begging for him to come back to her. He stood on his knees behind her taking a firm hold of her hips and slipped back inside her forcefully. She cried out his name from his forceful entry and pushed her hips against his to meet him.
Ahiga pounded into her and Nesia bounced against him to intensify their pleasure. Her orgasm had long since passed but her flesh was still tender and she moaned with each thrust. His grip tightened on her the longer he went and he even freed one hand so he could grab a hold of her hair to pull on it. This time, Ahiga didn't slow his movements and enjoyed the build without interruption until he felt his orgasm creeping up. He waited until the last possible moment before pulling out of her and stroked his erection until he released on her back while she gently rocked back and forth against him. Once he finished, he just wanted to be back inside her and slipped back in if only for the sake of wanting to be back inside her. She moaned his name again while they just rocked against one another for a moment until Ahiga finally came back to reality seeing the mess he'd made.
"One moment; I'll get a wet clothe," Ahiga said and left her to find some clothe that he dipped in some water he had and returned to see her still on her hands and knees waiting for him. She looked so beautiful and slowed his pace so he could take her in. He kneeled down behind her and rubbed the wet clothe over her back to clean her up.
"Thank you," Nesia said as he looked over her shoulder at him. After he'd cleaned off her back, she turned to lay on her back and reached out to Ahiga asking him to come to her. He tossed the rag to one side and joined her on the blankets pressing a tender kiss to her lips. Ahiga pulled the top layer of light blankets out from under them so he could pull them over and held Nesia close to him while they fell asleep together.
Back among the group, everyone eventually retreated for the night and the pack went back to Owota's home to rest. Everyone was tired and it didn't take them all long to fall asleep where they found a spot. Salem had managed to fall asleep but he ended up waking later in the evening. He didn't open his eyes until he started to overhear Yvonne moving in her room. He stood quietly and approached her room just as she'd placed her hands on the doorway of her room. She seemed to realize he was there and reached out to him. Salem came a little closer and took her hand.
"Is everything alright?" Salem whispered.
"My head is hurting again. I wanted to make some medicine," Yvonne answered.
"I'll help you," Salem smiled and helped her through the room so she wasn't stepping on or tripping over anyone until they made it to her father's little medical room. He helped her bring everything to the right table and sat by her when she began mixing the medicine. "Do you know what caused your headache?"
"I think it's just stress related this time," Yvonne answered. "Chief Barka is growing more irritable the longer all of you are here and today he demanded that I produce enough giants that they can hunt to cold ones down and them but I explained it won't work that way. Father is trying to talk him down from sending the flock out to fight but Chief Barka insists they've had the training to do this ourselves. Father and I both disagree."
"Were it not for the flock itself, grandpa would have told Barka 'Fuck you' and left him to his fate the moment we'd arrived," Salem said.
"I am grateful for that," Yvonne said. "I'm not sure if he doesn't understand or he doesn't care, but if we sent to flock after those cold ones, we'd have the same result: we'd lose a significant number of birds and the cold ones would likely pick us off a little at a time."
"I think he just doesn't care truthfully," Salem muttered. "I could possible stand to live in Phoenix, but I don't know if I could put up with living here."
"We must accept the fate we've been served I suppose," Yvonne said. She finished mixing and got the medicine poured into a cup so she could drink it. She scrunched her nose from the bad taste but took it down.
"Do you ever wish you weren't a priestess for the Oasis?" Salem asked.
"Every day," Yvonne answered. "I never understood why they kept me alive to begin with."
"Do you think there's a way to break the bond without it costing your life?" Salem asked.
"No," Yvonne answered. She turned her head to be in Salem's direction but she wasn't looking at him. "Why do you ask?"
"It just doesn't seem fair to me. You never chose this but it's got this chock hold on you regardless," Salem said.
"Life is rarely fair," Yvonne said with a gentle but sad smile. Salem moved a little closer to her. She noticed his proximity to her and lifted her hand so it rested on his chest when he was close enough. "I appreciate your kind sentiments all the same."
"I just wish there was something I could do," Salem lamented as he brought his hand up to cover hers. Then he grunted when the tooth poked him. "God damn it; this fucking tooth – I swear," Salem muttered.
"Your tooth is aching?" she asked. "I can mix you some of this remedy if you need it."
"No it's not my tooth," Salem said. "It's a tooth I'm wearing around my neck." Yvonne moved her hand until she felt the tooth he was talking about.
"Is this a jaguar's tooth?" she asked.
"No, it's a tooth of a wolf," Salem said. "It's our ancestor's tooth. This tooth saved my brother's life. It has our ancestor's guardian spirit attached to it."
"That's amazing," Yvonne smiled. "May I feel it?"
"Sure," Salem answered a little strangely but pulled out the tooth from under his shirt and placed it in Yvonne's hand. Her eyes weren't focused on the tooth, but her fingers trailed over the tooth's smooth curve.
"There's warmth to it," she said quietly. "You said this tooth saved your brother's life?"
"Yeah," Salem answered. "He'd been shot through the neck and he'd been stabbed through the chest. Both times, he'd been wearing this tooth, he saw the image of a white wolf and when he returned to consciousness, he was healed." Yvonne continued touching the tooth as if trying to memorize it's feel and she even smiled a little.
"Do you know what ancestor this tooth belonged to?"
"Taha Aki," Salem answered and that surprised Yvonne.
"Truly?" Yvonne asked.
"Yes," Salem answered.
"I did not know The First Wolf had such power," Yvonne said. "How did you discover it?"
"According to JJ, right before he was to be shipped off to Korea, he heard dad's voice tell him he wouldn't be alone and a blue bird left this tooth with him."
"He heard your father's voice?" Yvonne asked.
"Yeah," Salem said. "It's strange: when father died, it was one of the most painful experiences of our lives. But then this little blue bird made its home on mom's porch and it's been like we've had a guardian trickster. Dad even told me in a dream that I would find my imprint in a land to the south of those long forgotten. Or something like that. He was much more poetic about it. I finally know what he means now." The look in Yvonne's eyes changed. She wasn't looking at him, but he saw her expression change just a little.
"What does it mean to 'imprint'? I am not familiar with that word," Yvonne asked.
"It's something that happens to members of the pack. When we've imprinted, it means we've found our mate so to speak. We've met our other half. It means we've found love," Salem explained.
"Is it really possible to fall in love so easily?" Yvonne asked. He noticed she was becoming bashful and her cheeks even filled with a pink hue as she seemed to realize he was referring to her.
"I know I did," Salem answered in a hushed tone. "I don't think I ever told you about Betty Crocker."
"I'm sorry?" Yvonne asked. She was taken out of the moment with surprise and Salem hurried to correct his poor choice of working.
"It's a name I've given to one of my tattoos," Salem explained. "When I was stationed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, there was an artist I became friends with that does fantastic artwork. And I mean fantastic. He's got a gift. Anyway, I asked him to give me a pin up tattoo. It's something a lot of military men get."
"What makes a tattoo a 'pin-up'?" Yvonne asked.
"It's a tattoo where it's a woman that's dressed provocatively or even naked and she'll be in a pose or dressed in a way that the wearer of the tattoo wants. I didn't know what I wanted at the time to be honest. I'd just told Andy – that's the artist's name – that I wanted a Native American woman with black hair. What he gave me was a woman wearing only an apron with a bowl of cake batter and a whisk that she was licking. He'd also given her blue eyes. He'd told me he wasn't sure what possessed him to give her blue eyes, but when he'd drawn her out it seemed right. I remember when he'd shown me, I thought she looked like something out of a dream. I could never give her a real name because nothing suited her so I just called her Betty Crocker."
"I'm not sure I understand where you're going with this," Yvonne said.
"I'm sorry. I'm not explaining myself very well. What I'm trying to say is when I was younger, I didn't really think about a serious relationship. I was just enjoying my time in the Navy and getting to travel around America and the world. I loved it. But then as I was getting older, I stopped enjoying it. I didn't enjoy one night stands or being friends with benefits. I wanted more and I was getting lonely. I started wishing I could find Betty Crocker in real life but I'd thought it was completely unrealistic. Then I met you."
"I don't follow," Yvonne said but her voice did soften.
"What I'm trying to say…extremely poorly I realize…is that I imprinted on you," Salem said. "I guess I should have just said I imprinted on you."
"That would have been more direct," Yvonne smiled. Now that he'd clarified what he'd meant to say, she released the tooth and placed her hand on his chest again. "So you're saying you have a tattoo that looks like me?"
"Betty Crocker doesn't look exactly like you," Salem said. "The resemblance is close but Betty doesn't hold a candle to you."
"That was much smoother," Yvonne teased with a light giggle. "So where is she?"
"She's on my left ribcage," Salem answered. He guided her hand down until she was touching the area. "It starts up here," he brought her hand to where Betty Crocker's head would be, "and goes down to here." Salem brought her hand down to the bottom of the tattoo covering the majority of his ribcage.
"Does it hurt?"
"Yeah," Salem said with a small laugh. "The artist gets the ink into the skin using a needle. Some areas hurt more than others. The ribcage is painful especially if he has to go over the area over and over."
"I wish I could see them," Yvonne said. Salem smiled and rubbed Yvonne's hand where it still rested.
He reaching his other hand over and moved slowly so he wouldn't surprise her. Once he was close, Salem touched her shoulder and then moved his way up until he was touching her cheek. Once he was touching her cheek, Salem guided her face upward so their eyes could meet. She wasn't focusing on him, but her blue eyes were no less breathtaking.
"Does your head feel?" Salem asked.
"Much better," Yvonne replied. "Perhaps next time I have a headache I'll just ask to talk to you."
"I'd be happy to," Salem said with a smile. She smiled back at him. He started leaning forward but made sure he was moving slowly. She sensed him coming closer to her and she started blushing. "Is it okay if I kiss you?"
She nodded timidly and started leaning towards him but was waiting for him to make the final movement. Their noses touched first and Yvonne backed away just a little but brought herself right back to where she'd been. Salem tilted his head so he could meet her lips without interruption. When their lips touched, it was gentle at first. She was reciprocating shyly so Salem took control and pressed his lips more firmly to hers. She followed his lead moving her lips over his just as he did. Then Salem licked her bottom lip to make her open. Once her lips parted, Salem delved his tongue into her mouth which surprised her but she reciprocated and found she liked it very much. She felt butterflies in her stomach and as though her head was spinning. She began to feel a building arousal deep in her core and she wanted so badly to relieve it. Then there was the sound of movement in the living area that grabbed both their attention. Salem looked out but found it had only been one of his pack mates having moved in their sleep. When Salem returned his attention to Yvonne, he could see the deep blush and she was rubbing her lips together having just wetted them with her tongue. Then her lips parted gently making him want to kiss her all over again.
"I should probably return to my room," Yvonne said nervously and stood up. Salem followed and approached her.
"I'll help you back," Salem said. Holding her at the waist, Salem carried her through the living area until they reached her room. He placed her down as soon as they were in her doorway. "Good night, Yvonne. Get some sleep, okay?"
"You do the same," Yvonne answered and, taking Salem by surprise, pressed a brief, chaste kiss to his lips before turning to go to the pile of blankets.