The Forgotten Wolf, Chapter 5: Hiding the Truth
She looked at Kunari and smiled gently. "This is where Aniu was just at... and the ground is still smoldering from the recent fire." She sighed and looked toward the cabin. "There are a few walls still standing, if we go in there we should be alright." She stepped aside. "Younger brother's first!"
Kunari was confused. "Aniu was just here...? and why do you want me to go inside?" he asked impatiently. She chuckled. "Always one for questions. I want you to go in so something doesn't see you okay? It's for your protection." She motioned to the cabin. "Please just go in and any question I'll answer... to the best of my ability."
The smoldering remains of the building in front of him wasn't impressive. He looked at it with a single raised eyebrow, detesting it, but having no other choice except to obey. He walked in reluctantly. She followed behind him, twirling gently. Shutting the nearly falling door behind her she walked in and moved her hand, the fireplace's dying fire stirring to life again. "So we just stay here till Aniu joins us." She stated lightly and sat down relaxing.
Kunari looked into the fire as it came roaring to life. With time to spare on his hands now, he thought back to the previous events of the day, guilt swarming his mind and haunting him. He spoke slowly, flinching between words as he sat down. "Sister... I'm so sorry... for reacting how I did earlier. I was tense, on edge... you startled me, and in my haste I almost attacked you."
She sat by him and smiled gently. Putting her small hand on his she patted him lightly. "It's fine Kunari, it's all understandable." She looked around the burnt cabin. "I was confused when I first met Aniu as well... but she is a great ally and companion. No worries. We both know what we're doing." Kunari felt her hand... so small.... so soft. He clenched his teeth, flinching once more in his remorse, before reaching around to hug Charity.
"Oh brother..." She whispered, feeling the reality of being in her brother's presence. Quietly she wrapped her arms, her small skinny arms, around him and hugged him back as tightly as a 5 year old could. "It's fine..." Aniu slowly came in, so quietly that no one could have heard her except for the heavy panting. She weakly looked up and then smiled. "Good, you're both safe."
Kunari looked up to see her, quickly standing. Worry emanated from his aura as he asked "What's happened?" Kunari hastily brushed himself off as he realized that he was covered in ash. Aniu put out her hand. "It's fine, only a flesh wound." She moved her arm that was wrapped around her waist to show a huge gash, her inside were almost in view. She slowly walked over but fell to her knees wincing. "Ow. hahha.. well... at least the danger... is gone..."
Kunari was kneeling beside her in an instant, holding her. "You need healing now." Kunari concentrated, and moved a glowing hand near her midsection. The wound slowly began to close, but only managed to become smaller before Kunari stopped, panting. "It's too big... I can't heal it all.... how did you get hit so hard?" She stood up chuckling, healing it the rest of the way by closing her eyes. When she opened them again she clapped her hands together and looked to Charity.
"Anyone hungry?" She asked, totally disregarding Kunari's question. Kunari stayed on his knees, one hand against the ground. He looked down, staring into the charred wooden floor, thinking "she healed it so easily!... and she threw my question to the stars as if it were nothing more than a stranger's greeting." He slowly got to his feet and said "Not at the moment." He walked past Aniu, reaching for the door.
"It's better not to dig your nose into an area it doesn't belong Kunari. This wound came from someone I fear will hurt you very much. I prefer not to let you know because..." She turned and looked at him sadly, lovingly. "I can't risk losing you again..." Her eyes glimmered and she walked over picking up Charity. "Now, let us go to a town nearby and browse." Upon hearing her first sentence, Kunari froze, and his ears turned backwards. "How did you know what I was thinking?" he asked quickly, scared and slightly angered.
"Because you want to know what's going on. You ask many questions, wanting to find out what is happening. It's fine." She walked up beside him and put a hand on his shoulder. "There's nothing wrong with that." Charity smiled at him and then rested her head against Aniu's shoulder, her eyes shutting tiredly. Kunari took in her words, realizing that he was quite obvious, but still not that obvious. Her answer didn't satisfy him, but when he saw Charity smile, he let his eyes dart around a little more before resigning himself. "No.... I suppose not."
He looked at Charity again, and a feeling suddenly surged through him. Without thinking, Kunari said "Let me take Charity." He inwardly chided himself for having said that, and he was noticably blushing now, but he decided he'd stick to his intention.