4. The Boy From Jiya.

Zuri had been thinking. After all, it hadn't even been up to twenty minutes since she'd last faced her worst nightmare. Humans.

Humans in need of her help. Again.

"Listen squirrel lad," she paused for a while, taking a closer look at her furry friend (or victim) "or squirrel woman,"

The squirrel seemed to be in agreement because as soon as Zuri made her correction, he purred a 'yes, I'm a woman' (of course in squirrel language) and waved it's tail.

"Okay, you're a woman just like me. Now tell me, why do you think they're here? After all they've done to me, why are they here?" Not that she was expecting an answer from a squirrel, but an answer might just be what she needed. Anything at all. Just a word and she would be contented.

"We need your help!"

Instantly, a big confused frown worked its way up on Zuri's face. "What?" Startled Zuri took one closer look at the squirrel, making sure she was indeed not running mentally strange. She advanced forward to the tree where her furry friend stood on, "you can... talk?"

"Of course not, you crazy woman! He needs help!"

****

"He's really bleeding, what would you have us do?" Asked Ciara via shaky voice. She was terrified as the boy had been shot right in her presence. And so was the little boy who could now see death before him. He didn't want to leave just yet. It was too scary for him to bare. August on the other hand, was both terrified and vigilant. He had to make sure no one else was around. All forms of threat against them had to be blocked by him, so before any one could hurt them, they'd had to get past him first.

And then there was Zuri. All her life, well, after she started bearing the name; "The Dark One," Zuri had become fond of little things. Little lizards, birds, squirrels, lions, wolves, naturally anything that started off as a baby. Even human children.

Yes, humans were the ones who'd hurt her, yet whenever she saw babies, they reminded her of just how fragile and innocent she'd been years ago. She would instantly become happy and filled with joy. She missed out on a good childhood, and for that, children and baby living things had always compensated her for her terrible past. Just the sight of one baby, and all her sadness temporarily disappears.

"Please, what should we do?" Ciara asked again, still holding the nearly-lifeless boy in her grasp.

When Ciara expected replies from Zuri, she had other plans. Of course she hasn't meant to be frozen still intentionally. Her eyes wouldn't even bulge, and her body seemed to had pause automatically that even the tiny insect that irritatingly sang 'round her head eventually got tired of disturbing and went away to its merry way.

"Help us, please!" Ciara cried out again, only this time, Zuri's attention was caught. Their eyes locked and she asked again, "What should we do?"

Zuri's eyes couldn't bare the pain any longer so she looked away... "Say goodbye," ...and said the most hurtful thing.

"What?" Cried Ciara. Her voice was low and dry, filled with disappointment. August was few steps far away from them, but it wasn't the distance that made him far. His mind was out there, waiting for some unknown threat that could walk its way down to them, and over his dead body would he let anything happen to them. At least, to the Dark One.

Deep down, Zuri wished she had not meant what she said. Instead, she decided to right her wrongs.

"You would leave this poor child to die? You would hurt him instead of saving him? You are a monster you-"

"-to the tree, you moron." she hissed out. Observing the perplexed look on Ciara's face, she sighed before explaining her plan to her. "I can only save him if I take the life of something or someone else."

"Then do it!" With bright big eyes, Ciara commanded. "Do what you must-"

"Okay. Would you die for him?" Teasingly, Zuri asked. Unsurprised by the silence from Ciara, she continued with her plan. Besides, there was no time to waste.

"But, you said any 'thing'. The tree is a thing, and it has life." Before Ciara could continue with her explanation, Zuri had discovered her target. A giant tree just a few feet further.

"Shut up, and bring the boy to me."

There were of course quite a lot of trees surrounding her, but she had to choose carefully. One tree that wasn't home to any insect or creature, also a tree that is still filled with so much energy and life. The Nakanoh tree.

It was just a type of tree named after an ancient loony king. Not that Zuri knew its name or its history, she only knew well enough of its toxin. It was scarce in the woods, but one bite from its fruit would kill the daft victim at once.

"What are you doing?" With the boy in Ciana's arms, she rushed forward to meet Zuri.

"Saving his life." Replied Zuri. "To save a life, you have to make a trade with another. And this tree, it's our target."

"Okay, what do we do now?"

"I heal this boy, you get out of my way." With one wave, she magically shoved Ciara out of her way. She needed some alone time and most importantly, concentration.

****

"The boy's alright." Announced Zuri who had suddenly appeared behind the two strangers. "He just needs rest."

"Oh thank the gods!" Ciara cried out in relief.

"Well, thanks to me, and the tree but just give all the glory to some invincible god," mumbled Zuri,

"What are you saying?" Asked August.

"Nothing."

"Thank you. Thank you so much." August rushed after Ciara who was already beside Zuri.

"Can we see him?" Impatient Ciara asked.

"You're welcome-"

"You did what you were meant to do. It was the least you could have done after letting the queen's minion hunt him down like some wild animal." She said to Zuri, her eyes almost teary. "Now, can I see him?"

"Ciara, don't talk to her like that-"

The little boy had healed up so fast that as soon as Zuri left his side, he jumped up on his feet and followed behind without her noticing. "She saved me. She saved me!"

All eyes turned towards the voice, and the face of a small dark-skinned boy smiled cheerfully at them.

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