Together

Arakan leds me silently away from the yurt. He takes a deep breath and says"I'm sorry"

I stop and he stops but doesn't turn around.

"I should have been more careful when I explained the drink."

I look at his broad shoulders, amd notice that he has stopped breathing.

"It's not your fault, you told me about the drink. I am not mad at all" I say and watch as he takes a deep breath.

He turns and his face is full of relief.

"Is that why you have been avoiding me, you thought I was mad?" I ask as I take a step forward.

"You got so mad at the cave before and I promised to earn your respect. I was worried I had ruined my chance. " Arakan says.

I am blown away by how honest this rough and tough hunter is being.

I put my hands on his chest and look him in his eyes.

"You have not lost any of my respect, if anything, you earned it." I say not breaking eye contact.

He smiles a truest radiant smile and kisses me quickly on my lips before taking my hand and leading me down the path.

My heart is racing and my body is burning. How could one little kiss cause me to react so extremely. As we walk I work on getting myself under control, but can still feel the heat in my face as we make our first stop.

Arakan walks up to one of the family yurts and call "Hello!?"

Anora, the mother of Kana and Shasi steps out.

"Good morning!" She says, she smiles and nods at me. "Kana , your friend is here!"

Kana comes running out from the yurt and almost tackles me to the ground. "Willow!"

Both Arakan, Anora, and myself laugh as I stand up and dust myself off. "Careful, Kana, Willow is not used to your greetings" Arakan laughs.

"I'm not sure I could ever get use to that greeting," I laugh and oat Kana on the head.

"Are you here to play with me today?" Kana asks hopefully.

"Not today. Today I am learning about Arakan's role in the village." I explain.

"Ahhh" Kana says, walking over to her mother.

"Speaking of that, is there anything that the mothers need?" Arakan asks.

"I already have the young females the sewing. But could you ask the young males if they could get some more fruit while they are out?" Anora asks.

"Of course" Arakan states.

"Also, my mate says they are going to try to get deers today, but you may want to check with the hunters to make sure that is correct." Anora finishes.

"Will do. Bye Kana" Arakan pats Kana's tiny head with his hand and she grabs on. He lifts he up and she swings gleefully.

"Alright Kana, let Arakan do his work." Anora gently scolds.

"Fiiiineeee" she says and runs over and gives me a big hug that almost takes my breath away.

"Gentle!" Her mother states.

"Byeeeee!" Kana says as she runs back into her yurt.

"Bye" I cough and laugh.

"Sorry about that, she still doesn't understand her own strength." Anora says as she bows into her yurt.

Arakan looks at me and asks with concern "are you ok?"

"I'm fine, I'm not THAT breakable." I say, still a little sore.

He smiles and takes my hand again, leading me to a group of males with spears and arrows, standing in a circle up the path.

"Getting ready for the hunt!" Arakan bellow while we are still a good distance away.

"Arakan! You lazy leader, are you going to join us today?" The tallest man replies back.

"Why, are you that weak that you need me to hold your spear for you!" He retorts.

All the men laugh and Arakan links arms with each of the men.

He turns with his hand still interlocked with the tall man and states "Willow, this is Kane, Anora's mate, my second."

"It's nice to meet you," I say with a smile.

"It's nice to meet the one who Kana keeps talking about. You had better choose Arakan or it will break her heart" he teases.

"Hey now!" Arakan says and playfully pushes Kane.

"All right, all right". He says and puts his hands up.

"Anora says you are going for deer today, how many are you planning on getting?" Arakan asks, getting down to business.

"We are aiming for 3, since the herd is much larger than last year. We will move onto rabbits starting tomorrow." Kane states.

"Sounds like a good plan."Arakan replies.

"Plus Anora always craves rabbit when she is with child." Kane adds with a wry smile.

All the men rush to him and give him congratulations. Arakan hits him on the back and exclaims "a third child already! What a lucky man you are!"

"Especially with that face of his!" One of the other men yells. They all laugh again.

"Congratulations again!" Arakan says as he steps back.

"How many will you two have?" Kane asks Arakan mischievously

"Kane" Arakan says.

Kane winks at me and I blush from head to toe. I know that in a few weeks I will have to choose a mate, but I hadn't really thought that far. I think back to the night of the bonfire and my whole body fills with heat.

"Look at that, looks like she likes you!" Another man says.

"Enough!" Arakan says with authority. The men stop.

"It's ok," I whisper, looking at the ground, still beet red.

"Let's let these children get back to preparing their hunt!" Arakan says loudly as he takes my hand and leads me further down the path.

"Sorry about them, they don't know how to keep their mouths from moving." Arakan apologizes.

"They didn't mean any harm, I'm not upset," I say, still embarrassed

"Then why do you look upset? If they say something you do not like, tell me and I will stop them," Arakan says seriously.

"I'm not upset, I'm just look like this because I'm still embarrassed." I explain.

"About what?" Arakan looks confused.

"About the kiss at the bonfire," I explain, looking at the ground, shifting uncomfortably.

"I see, I'm sorry again I made you do something unpleasant you didn't want to do" Arakan says sadly.

"I didn't say that. It wasn't ...it wasn't unpleasant" I say awkwardly.

Arakan takes my chin and moves my head gently so that I am looking into his eyes.

"Do you mean that?" He asks softly, earnestly.

"Yes" I barely whisper as his lips meet mine.