"You're not serious..?!"

"Oh, yes I am..!"

Kai watched in disbelief as Reiko hustled inside her hut, packing her belongings.

"The snow has almost melted from the mountain paths already. If I head out now, I can-"

"Reiko, please, just... sit down, and tell me what is going on." Kai pleaded, gently grabbing the girl by her shoulders. "I... I knew you'd probably head out again, no matter how Kemu or Tuskle has tried to warn you, but... this soon? You were in bed just a few days ago!"

"It's been over a week, Kai. And I feel fine." Reiko sighed. "Look, I know I've been acting strange lately, but..." She paused, her gaze falling.

"Is it Samickle? Is he pressuring you to marry him?" Kai frowned, crossing her arms.

"Wha- No! Why would you say that?!"

"He's been pestering the council about the marriage ever since you were released from bedrest."

"Ugh, figures." Reiko let out a groan— Samickle was pestering the council, but talking to her about the marriage wasn't apparently an option..! "That's one of the reasons why I need to go; I need to clear my head, think things through, and-"

"I can't believe this! How can you even think about leaving us now?!" Kai snapped, interrupting her.

"Why is it such a big deal?! I'm only going away for a while, I'm not abandoning anyone!" Reiko answered in frustration.

"It's not about whether you'll abandon us or not! You're just..." Kai sighed. "You're not just some outsider to us anymore. We consider you a friend."

"Kai..."

"If you're feeling uncomfortable, then... Don't run away, just talk to someone about it!"

Reiko lowered her head. "I can't..." She mumbled. She couldn't bring herself to say anything about Kohu; Even thinking about him made her face flush behind her mask. This whole mess about Samickle wanting to marry her had stirred enough trouble already, she didn't want to make the situation even worse by spreading rumours about some kind of a love triangle.

"Please, Reiko..." Kai's tone softened, and she reached her hand to gently touch Reiko's arm. "I'm not stopping you from going. I just want you to be happy. Whatever decision you'll make, we'll support you. Just… make sure you're not leaving for the wrong reasons. And make sure to come back, alright?"

Reiko was quiet for a moment. "Yeah. Of course." She said, smiling behind her mask.

"Good. Now, when are you planning to leave, exactly?" Kai asked, trying her best to sound more relaxed.

"If the weather holds up... tomorrow morning." Reiko looked outside. It was sunny and windy, but she could still smell the winter in the air.

"Then, why don't you have dinner with us tonight? To say goodbye?" Kai suggested.

"Okay."

The two of them stepped out of the hut. Reika's thoughts wandered towards Samickle— She had noticed him walking around the village, avoiding her gaze, and it seemed like he was distancing himself from her. Had Kohu managed to convince him somehow? She felt a knot in her stomach at the idea. She couldn't deny that she had thought about Kohu's offer, and not just because of what he had said. Despite his rough and hostile behaviour, Kohu had a certain charm to him, and Reiko was ashamed to admit it. But, would she marry him, and bear his cubs..? Reiko quickly shook the thought from her mind.

"We'll be waiting for you at the communal house, at noon." Kai's voice interrupted her train of thought.

"Mhm. I'll be there."

With that, they parted ways, Reiko heading to the frozen garden to tend the sacred sapling. She was deep in thought as she walked, the events from the past week replaying in her head. She had almost reached the sapling when someone's footsteps alerted her.

"Oh, it's you..." Reiko's voice was cold as she stopped to look at the figure walking towards her.

"So, you're leaving tomorrow, huh..." Kohu crossed his arms.

"Why do you care? Shouldn't you be happy about it?"

"I'm not."

"Why not? Didn't you want me to get the hell out of here as soon as possible?"

"Look, that was before."

"Before what?"

Kohu sighed, looking away. "Do you... do you think you could give me a chance?" Kohu asked, his voice softer than usual. "I meant what I said back then."

"Uhm…" Reiko blinked. What was she supposed to say? A part of her had hoped that Kohu wouldn't bring up the proposal, it all being just a fleeting thought, an attempt to sway her from the idea of marrying Samickle. Apparently, this wasn't the case.

"I'm not the type to sugar-coat shit. So I'll be blunt." Kohu's expression darkened, his eyes fixated on hers. "Samickle... he's a good man. He's the future chief, after all. He's been pining after you for weeks— Hell, months, even. But... I've come to notice that you're not comfortable with Samickle."

Reiko was about to protest, but Kohu continued:

"I've always thought that outsiders were trouble, and that we shouldn't involve ourselves with them. But now, after getting to know you... I was wrong. You're a hard-working woman, and a talented priestess. If I'd had a sister, I'd have hoped that she would've been at least half as strong-willed and brave as you are." Kohu took a deep breath, and stepped closer to her. "Reiko, I-"

Then, his gaze shifted. Reiko saw his body tense up, but the reason for that dawned upon her only when she felt a presence next to her. From the corner of her eye, she saw the light heather coloured robes, and her heart sank.

"Samickle." Kohu muttered.

Reiko felt her throat tighten as she turned to look at Samickle.

"I apologise for interrupting you." Samickle's voice was calm, but it held an edge to it. "But I was hoping I could speak with Reiko alone, if that is okay."

"Well, I-..." Kohu glanced at Reiko. "I was just about to leave." It had been a little over a week since Kohu had his ass handed to him by Samickle, and he wasn't ready for a rematch. Not yet, at least. Reluctantly, he turned away to leave, but not without throwing a glare towards the two.

A heavy silence fell between Reiko and Samickle.

"How much did you hear..?" Reiko's voice was quiet, and her heart was pounding hard. She hadn't done anything wrong, but the fact that Samickle might've heard her conversation with Kohu made her feel terribly guilty nevertheless.

"Enough." Samickle replied, and his cold tone sent a chill down Reiko's spine. "When were you going to tell me that you were leaving?"

"I was going to..." Reiko took a deep breath. "I was going to tell you tonight."

"And how long have you been planning this?"

"I... Only a couple of days. But, I didn't-"

"You didn't tell me, because you knew that I'd try to stop you."

"Samickle, I-"

"Am I making you uncomfortable? Is that it?" He finally turned to look at her, his amber eyes fixated on hers.

"No! No, you're not making me uncomfortable!" Reiko hastily explained, but struggled to find the right words. "It's not you, it's... Ugh, I'm not explaining myself very well."

"So, Kohu is telling the truth. You do find him more appealing." Samickle scoffed.

"I don't!" Reiko almost shouted.

"Then why won't you marry me?!" Samickle's calm façade was starting to crumble, and his eyes flashed dangerously. His fists were clenched, and his posture was stiff. Seeing Samickle this angry made Reiko's skin crawl— This was the first time he had even mentioned the proposal to her, and he had to be in this state of mind to even do so.

"I-" Reiko hesitated. What was she supposed to say? That she was scared of marrying into the tribe, and having cubs..? Samickle wouldn't understand, even if she explained it to him. "This all... it's just so soon, and everything's been a mess, and-" Reiko bit her lip— She couldn't do this, not right now. Not while her head was a complete mess. She could feel the tears building up in her eyes, and she couldn't let Samickle see them.

"Reiko, wait-" Samickle called after her, but she ignored him, and headed towards the gates. She couldn't take this, she had to get out of there.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it..!" Reiko hissed as she ran towards the forest, trying her best to hold back the tears.

She didn't slow down until she had reached the clearing near the lake. She stopped there, and sank down onto the snow. She threw her mask off from her face, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her robe. Right now, she seriously just wanted to leave, and never come back. She took a few deep breaths, and tried to compose herself.

"What am I going to do..." She mumbled, covering her face with her hands. "I've messed everything up... The whole tribe is gonna hate me after this..."