New terms-23

-bonus chapter-

The day passed quicker than I had thought it would, Will had already gone to sleep. He curled up into the pelts sleeping with a peaceful expression planted on his face.

I felt a bit hungry as I walked over to the fire where Seb was, he noticed me coming and looked up from the flames.

"Hm? Are you cold?"

"Oh no just a bit hungry, is there any meat left over?" I looked at him and smiled, feeling a bit guilty but I knew Will would have a fit if I starved myself.

"Ah, yeah there is some left. Here let me get it for ya yeah?" He said getting up, I nodded and watched him walk off.

I brought my knees to my chest anxiety crawled into me and I felt if only I could get my hands on a cigarette everything would be fine…

But I knew that just wasn't the case, I sighed and looked up as Seb came walking over. A serene expression on his face, it was something that I deeply admired in his features.

"Here you are Madame." He said formally while bowing in a jokingly manner.

I smiled and took the leaf wrapped meat from his hand gently.

"Why thank you, dear sir. Shall I raise your payment for this wonderful treatment I am receiving?" Saying this in a accent I dipped my head towards the male.

He chuckled, and shrugged standing to his full height.

"That would be nice but I'm afraid you haven't been paying me in the first place." He said sitting across the fire.

Playing along I pretend to be offended.

We both laughed, and grew quiet as I ate.

"…Why do you call me 'Little Doe'?" I asked what had been bugging me since this morning. Seb looked over and watched me for a bit before answering.

"Well, I suppose it is because you are cute?" He said, while there was no jokingly expression on his face or a slight hint in his tone.

"Pttffff-"

"Wh-at?" I said unprepared for the answer he gave.

"Is it really so shocking to hear?" He laughed resting his head onto his hand.

"W-well, I… You know what? Yeah it is pretty shocking to hear." I said in a awkward laugh.

"Has no one ever told you?" He asked looking at me in slight curiosity and amusement.

"Well yeah, but mostly old men." I shuddered in disgust, as Seb laughed.

"I wouldn't be surprised, but ew." He said with a laugh.

"What about you?" I asked looking at his face, a look of shock crossed his expression but faded into a teasing grin.

"Eh, not really. As I have said Tiger Tribe isn't really friendly to those who are different. I've only been living around anywhere for about 3 sun turns?" He said shrugging.

(Sun turns? That's new…) I thought for a moment looking towards Will. (I'll have to ask him what that is later.)

Seb's eyes darkened a bit as he watched the fire crackle, his thoughts seemed to consume him once again. I sighed looking at the solemn expression.

"Seb?"

"Hm?" He looked up from the flames, our eyes making contact as I gave a gentle smile.

"Good night."

His eyes widened a little bit he returned the smile.

"Good night." He said his smiled reminding me of a peaceful valley full of grazing animals.

Next morning.

We had been walking for a while now, I ate my breakfast as we went. I was getting tired of constantly eating meat, I sighed as I walked watching were I stepped.

Will looked over, his wounds wrapped up neatly. Every now and then he would since as he made a uneven movement other than that he seemed better.

"You okay?" Will asked looking in concern at my sigh.

I looked back at him and smiled.

"It's nothing really, I was just wondering if there was any plants you could eat?"

"You mean for medical purposes or actual consuming?" Seb said looking over his shoulder his tail flicked. He was carrying the big bag that me and Will had, for he didn't want to put any strain on Will.

I look at him and smiled.

"Uh well, for consuming." I shrugged thinking nothing of it.

"So your a omnivore?" Seb said in question my breath hitched in my throat as I glanced at Will.

"Well you know, most females tend to crave different foods." Will said nonchalantly, as he walked.

"True, back when I was younger, I can remember my mother having a obsession with round leaf." Seb said sighing.

"Round leaf?" Questioning I looked at his back, I seemed to have forgotten how tall the male was. Looking at him now it was imitating yet comforting knowing he somewhat siding with us. Yet we couldn't put our complete trust in this friendly stranger.

"Hm? Yeah, it's a round plant with a bunch of leaves surrounding it on the outside. It's like a big ball of leaves in the middle." Seb said as he dodged a tree.

I thought about all the plants I knew with that description, I looked at Seb's back as I thought.

(Cabbage? Is that what he is talking of?) I remembered the plant from cooking, it was bland but here and now. I was willing to try just about anything.

"I think I know what your talking about." Will pipped up crossing his arms carefully to not irritate his wounds.

"There was some herbs and plants our village doctor grew. I never asked what it was but found it peculiar."

Seb stopped in his tracks, his ears perking forward. Will seeing this stopped and listened as well, I looked between the two anxiously.

(Is it one of those 'wild beasts'?) I watched nervously as I naturally moved behind Will.

"Hm." Seb rested his hip as he listened.

"You thinking about going over there." Will asked snapping his gaze to Seb.

"I don't know do you want to?"

I looked from behind Will's shoulder, confusion graced my features.

"What's going on?" I asked looking up at Will, he looked down at me and smiled.

"Sorry, I forgot you can't hear as well as we can. There sounds to be a stream up ahead."

"Can we go?" I asked having my interest perked, wanting to wash up. The grim and dirt from the rain a few days before was getting to be annoying.

Will thought for a moment and looked back at Seb.

"What do you suppose the chances of there being a beast there?" Hearing Will, Seb turned around and looked at us crossing his arms.

"Well I will say, there is a slight chance but from what I can remember. The beast usually stay closer to the eastern part of this forest."

Will sighed and grabbed my hand gently, a nervous expression in his eyes.

"We don't have too." I said looking up surprised at his boldness.

"It's fine, if Seb is fine with it we can go."

He took his eyes off me and looked up to the Tiger male.

Seb just smiled and nodded.

"Yes I'm fine with going, just we all need to be cautious." He said flicking his tail, turning around.

"I agree." Will said nudging me gently to go, I followed in the middle looking at Seb's back.

SEB'S POV•

I walked listening to the sound of the stream to guide my way, smells of different natural beast clung to the air.

I thought about the Mix Tribe I was heading to in interest.

I had heard they were accepting, but naturally I was cautious. I knew that, that could have been something someone had made up to float around as a rumor…

Though was it really bad to let my self hope?

I flicked my ears back listening to the doe and bear walk.

Surly if there are people with spirits like them their could be more? I wanted to travel the world to find my place, but what if… what if I had no place?

I watched the ground as I walked, swaying my tail with unease.

What if my only place was to be in solitude? What would I do then?

I heaved a heavy sigh as the sounds of water got louder.

I heard Will and Maria chatter in excitement.

I smiled and sighed once more…

Finally we came into the small clearing that lined the stream. I stopped and looked around as Maria excitedly danced about on her feet which made Will laugh.

"Can I go? Can I go?" She said looking up in a begging manner at her spouse.

I smiled at their interaction, wondering if I would ever grow to accept a female…

I had never given it any thought, for the fear of being a rejected male. Being exiled into the forest of the fallen, it was no experience I wanted. It was like waiting to die, as your heart got ripped out by a female who saw no use in your presence…

But Maria and Will's bond seemed genuine, maybe one day I would settle down with a bond like that.

"I guess, b-but be careful and mindful." Will called as she had already took it upon herself to run to the stream.

I walked to his side and laughed.

"Is she always so random?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, she gets really excited about water." He said watching her step into the ankle deep water.

"Hm well did-.•.

MARIA'S POV•

As Seb and Will talked, I looked into the water. Seeing my reflection I cringed, my hair was in knots everywhere and my porcelain skin was covered in a layer of dirt.

"Ewwww!! And Will let me walk around like this!" I whispered grumpily touching my face, my stomach churned in slight nausea from cigarette cravings but I ignored. Grabbing a palm full of water I rinsed my face carefully.

Washing off my feet and hands, I wished I could submerge myself in the cold water. Sadly it had only gone up as deep as my ankles.

The stream carried the dirt and grim down stream as I bent down running the water through the matts of my hair.

I worked my hair on trying to get the knots out.

I had gotten most of them out, when I heard some splashes up stream. I looked through the waves of my hair and saw a Seb bending down getting water into the drinking container.

I sighed in relief, knowing it was him and not some scary beast of the forest. I hummed and continued on with my bird bath.

After I was done I turned around seeing Will, he had a dry pelt in his hands and handed it to me as I walked over.

"Did you enjoy the wash?"

"Yes! I did!" I said cheerfully bent over half way running the pelt over my wet hair as if it were a towel.

It did the job slowly, I missed towels. Sighing I continued on with the process

"That's good! Seb said we should reach the Raven Tribe by sun down."

"Oh yeah that reminds me." I said straightening up wrapping my hair up into the pelt.

"Hm?" Will tilted his head as he subconsciously rubbed his arms.

"What is a sun turn? As you know…I'm not from this world. So it confused me hearing Seb say that…" whispering this I looked up into Wills eyes.

"O-oh! Yeah I can see the confusion, um… Well it's like how many times the four seasons passed." He explained it simply.

(Four seasons? Summer, fall, winter and spring right? So it means a year… I think…" I thought for a bit before replying.

"Ah okay, we're I'm from we call it a year…"

He nodded awkwardly and looked at my face.

"If there is any more things you n-need me to explain let me know." He said, I smiled at his stutter and sighed. It seemed one minute he was free from the nervousness but then the next back at it again.

I chuckled and nodded.

"Of course! Thank you for taking the time to tell me, Will." I said cheerfully, his face gentled as he shakily brought his hand to my cheek.

"You really don't have to thank me, as your spouse it is my duty to help."

I smiled at his words and put my hand over his one that was placed onto my cheek.

"That doesn't mean I don't have to thank you, thanking is a acknowledgment of a good deed. Meaning it is showing how grateful I am to you." I smiled and sighed, my face felt slightly hotter as I grabbed his hand off my face and held it fondly.