A/N: Thanks so much to everyone that has read this little drabble! You guys keep me motivated to write!
Disclaimer: I own nothing other than my mind
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It hadn't been more then five minutes after Naran and I had fallen into a comfortable silence, when my chocobo Halifax came and nuzzled his beak against my hair. Laughing softly I turned and nuzzled his tattooed beak and ruffled his pale yellow feathers on his face.
"So that is a chocobo," Naran said, curiosity plain in his voice.
Nodding I looked at him, mildly surprised, "Yes, you've never seen a chocobo before?" At his mute shake of the head I continued, "Well Halifax is a bit different than most. We've been through so very much together."
He reached out a tentative hand and his fingertips brushed the soft down of Halifax's neck. Grinning at last Naran commented, "Reminds me of a horse and Yol mixed together into one creature. Incredible." Looking into Halifax's large brown eye he spoke softly, "Hello, Halifax. I am Naran."
Halifax let out a happy kweh which startled the Au Ra. He jumped but kept his seat, causing me to laugh at the expression of shock on his face.
"He likes you," I said, still chuckling.
With an uncertain smile Naran replied, "Is that so? Hmm." He glanced at the empty horizon for a long moment then stated, "I should get back to the Khaa. As should you. Your companion should still be there."
Oh, right. Gosetsu.
Nodding I stood, grabbing the reigns for Halifax as I motioned for Naran to join me, "Here use Halifax as support as we make our way there."
He accepted, he was still cautious about Halifax, but I could see he was weary and that his pain was flaring up once more.
We walked slowly to Dotharl Khaa, the sky becoming completely dark by time we made it to the sentries of the camp.
"Naran! We heard from the Khatun that you were injured. You should see the healer," the female sentry said dismissively.
Naran pulled himself up his posture changing, from tired to confident, as he carefully stepped off in the direction of the healer's tent. The male sentry looked curiously at Halifax then turned his attention to me, eyeing my rapier he said, "I'll assume your companion is the rude samurai. He can be found not far from the fire pit."
My attention found the departing back of Naran as the guard spoke, my mind worrying over his injuries. I need to find Gosetsu, though. Perhaps later I can check on Naran.
Directing my attention to the sentries I said a quick thank you and pulled Halifax with me to Gosetsu who I saw on the opposite side of the camp after a quick scan of the area.
After talking with him, he informed me that he'd spoken with multiple people about the Dotharl's plan for the Naadam. Apparently they had no special plans other than to fight and win. The Dotharl would throw themselves into the contest with a furious abandon that would strike fear in the most strong hearted warrior.
"I will continue to ask around, in the morning, the Khatun has graciously allowed us to stay the night in a spare tent at the edge of the camp," Gosetsu informed me after explaining the earlier information.
"That's kind of her. I would hate to have to travel in this foreign land at night. I'm pretty good with directions, but it's the local fauna that gives me pause," I replied.
Gosetsu chuckled, the humor plain on his broad face.
"I'm going to take care of Halifax, then visit the infirmary tent," I said quickly, only mildly embarrassed that my pulse picked up when I thought about the wounded hunter.
Gosetsu didn't notice, or didn't want to acknowledge it, and said he was going to go see what this tribe had for sustenance, then chat more with the locals.
I led Halifax to the tent Gosetsu pointed out earlier, and began taking his saddle and lead off. As I worked I gently talked to him about inane topics, mostly food related. Once his saddle and lead were off, I grabbed them and my gear and stowed it all away inside the tent. Afterwards I brushed his feathers gently, helping him groom the down feathers that needed to be removed. Freshly groomed I fed him some gyshal greens and told him to settle down for the night. With a mild kweh he laid down, his large brown eyes following me as I walked away towards the healer's tent.
As I approached the tent I realized I wasn't sure how to announce my presence to the occupants inside. Standing there awkwardly I hesitated near the flap of the entrance, until I heard muffled talking from within. I cleared my throat loudly, then ducked under the tent flap.
It was dim, but would have been even darker had it not been for the small lanterns on the small tables dotting the area. Naran was sitting on the edge of a fur covered cot while a young Xaela woman was applying a sticky green poultice to his injured arm.
The woman was beautiful to say the least, she had a young heart shaped face and platinum blonde hair, worn in a messy bun pulled high on her head. The stray wisps of hair only added to the image of her. However, her experienced eyes never left her work, yet Naran's eyes were glued to mine. I instantly felt unsure and began to apologize, "Oh, forgive me. I can come back."
A look of dismay crossed his face briefly but at the young healer's firm voice, his face cleared to a soft smile.
"You've interrupted nothing. I hear that you are the reason my work tonight is short and also the reason that Naran here, is alive." She finished tying off the bandage and stood facing me, brushing her hands on a towel hanging from a loop on her long decorative skirt.
Giving me a once over she greeted me, "I'm Yabuqa, the only healer this place has. We Dotharl rarely need one such as myself when it comes to large scale engagements; however, I mostly treat small injuries and idiocy."
"It's nice to meet you, I'm called Fox. Uhm what do you mean idiocy?" I said, cocking my head to the side.
"I talk of when hunters go out and boast to one another about who can kill a large monster, and ends up getting themself almost killed. That is what I mean." Yabuqa looked pointedly at a sheepish Naran. I grinned as she moved to the entrance saying, "I'll be back with stew. Have you eaten yet, Fox?"
"Not yet, I planned on finding something after checking in on Naran," I replied as I moved out of Yabuqa's way.
"Please bring her some, Buqa! I'll gather herbs for you in exchange," Naran exlaimed, his voice had a hint of desperation.
Chuckling Yabuqa nodded and left, leaving Naran and myself alone in the cot filled tent.
Naran shifted nervously on his bed of furs, his eyes darting around the room, lingering on me for a split second before flicking away again.
"How are you feeling?" I said softly, moving to sit on the cot opposite his. I could feel the nervous energy exuding from him.
His eyes finally settled on my hands that were clasped in my lap. "I am better. Still sore," he paused, his ruby eyes meeting my aquamarine ones, "I'm sorry, I'm rather nervous around you now. Perhaps it's being back in the Khaa that's affecting me." He half muttered the last sentence to himself.
I watched as a blush spread across his high cheeks, making his rosy skin even more beautiful, as we stared at one another our hearts pounding in our chests. I moved closer to him, our knees scant centimeters from touching as I reached out a hand to his. Our fingers intertwined and he grinned at me, the nervousness didn't disappear but it did fade to the background. His hands engulfed mine, but my hand fit in his perfectly.
"I have an overpowering urge to be closer to you, to learn of your people, your culture. I want to know you intimately. Is that wrong?" he said softly as he brought our hands up his eyes examining our interlaced fingers. He pulled them to his lips, and brushed them softly against my hand. The contact of his lips to my skin made my heart race.
"No it's not wrong. Not to me anyway," I replied as I scooted a little closer to him. Our legs were now completely touching. We were thigh to thigh and my pulse picked up, all I could think about was his lips and how badly I wanted to feel them against mine.
He had lowered our clasped hands and breathed a small sigh of relief at my words. Smiling brilliantly he abruptly leaned forward and kissed the corner of my lips, softly enough to feel like a breath of wind had brushed past my face. He pulled back before I could blink.
"Was that too forward of me? Sometimes I don't think before I act," he said shyly, his gaze stuck on our joined hands.
Grinning I shook my head and opened my mouth to disagree when my ears perked up at the sound of someone approaching the tent. I broke our contact, pushing away so that we were no longer touching and said in a normal voice, "Do you think you will scar?"
His eyes snapped up, the sting of rejection filling them before he noticed the noise from outside. He looked to the tent flap then hurriedly back to me before he said in an overly loud voice, "Oh, I am not certain. Yabuqa would know better than I."
Yabuqa ducked under the tent flap, three covered wooden bowls cradled carefully in her arms. I jumped up to help her, handing one bowl to Naran, our fingers brushing. I felt a well of excitement bubble up from the contact, and tried to keep the smile from creeping onto my face as I sat down again.
"It smells great. Thank you so much for bringing me some, Yabuqa." I said as I took the lid off of the wooden bowl. It was a thick stew with chunks of meat and an assortment of vegetables. The aroma was making my mouth water. I realized I hadn't eaten today. Yabuqa nodded and began to eat, so I dug in. We ate in a comfortable silence.
Once we finished, Yabuqa shooed me away and checked on Naran's progress. Deeming it acceptable she said, "Alright, I am going to sleep. Naran you can stay here or head home." With that she shuffled to a partition, which I now realized was her sleeping area.
I looked at Naran, an eyebrow raised, a smirk playing on my lips. His eyes widened then he grinned at me, his beautiful face lighting up as he took my hand and pulled me from the tent, our wooden bowls discarded on the cots where we had left them.
"Where are we going?" I whispered, my voice laced with laughter. My stomach was full of butterflies at the thought of us sneaking out into the night, for a clandestine meeting.
"My tent, it's at the edge of the other side of camp. Normally my sister would be home, but she is staying with Shar, Geser's mate," he answered, pulling me along the shadows, his tall frame crouched as we moved. "She was hit hard by the news. Though she hopes her child will manifest to be strong like Geser."
I thought about that, my mind flashing back to the body of Geser laying in the sand. We stopped by a tent waiting for a chatting couple to pass. I whispered, "I'd like to meet Shar." He wordlessly agreed with a nod of his head as he watched the couple pass. Once the coast was clear we quickly made our way into his tent. It was simple, a comfortably sized living area with two partitions for sleeping.
We stood opposite each other, after he lit a lantern on a small table at the back of the tent, now suddenly unsure of our situation.
He stepped closer to me his eyes gentle as he cupped my face, pulling me into a soft kiss. I let my nerves fall into the background as I melted into his kiss, my arms wrapped around his neck.
I was breathless when he pulled away. Emotions clashed within me: uncertainty and desire were at the forefront of my mind.
"Naran, I-"
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Sorry for the cliff hanger but it felt so right when I was writing. I'll update very soon! Thank you all again for your support! 獰猛ありがとう!