User blog:Roastedman511/A Lone Hunter, Chapter Seven

I let the arrow fly as the boar looked up to see me on my tree platform. It let out a loud squeal before the arrow brained it. The body flopped onto its side, causing the dirt to fly up in a small cloud. I smiled at the thought of being able to bring such a great meal back home. Far as I knew, Serena had never tried boar before. She usually preferred deer or rabbit most days.

Winter was finally letting go of the forest, and spring arriving after three long months of cold snow and ice. I heaved the carcass onto my back and made my way back to the house. I would make sure to visit Sheila after preparing this for later tonight.

Knowing her she'd perform the usual tackle-hug she always did after not getting to talk to me for so long. At first, when I became mature I was afraid she was going into heat, thankfully that wasn't the reason. She had just missed her "big brother" as Quilla put it. I was used to the little shows of affection from her. It was what Gray called a "tsundere" apparently. She cared, it's just she didn't want to appear too emotional.

I kept an eye out as I walked, following the trail that I had set along the numerous tree platforms I had set up. The last thing I needed was some wild animal catching onto the scent of a dead animal. Or a Mamono that wasn't Serena or any of the Sahuagin coming to it.

It didn't help I was sweating either from the running around and constantly fixing the boar to make it easier on my shoulders. Anything that came off a man could be counted as spirit energy. Sweat, tears, and of course his essence. I looked around quickly and shrugged.

Couldn't hurt to make this process a little quicker, could it?

I channeled my energy to my arms, the runes on my forearms glowing as I felt my body feel refreshed and the carcass become lighter. I began running along the path, the sheer excitement of being able to use my abilities without being sick far too enjoyable.

I then pushed myself off the ground, sending myself through the air a bit before sliding on the ground in front of the house. I had no clue what it was, but today just seemed... Good.

It was like nothing was holding me down at all. I didn't feel a need to hurry and gather food, or about some Mamono wanting to hunt me down and violate me. I could care less about what could happen it seemed. Today just seemed enjoyable.

I took my left hand and opened up the door, Serena sitting right there. She didn't need her crutch anymore and barely had a limp now. For some reason, my chest felt heavy, and then light when I saw her. My face would feel a sort of tingling when I saw her too or she woke up next to me. She gave me a smile as I walked in with the dead boar. She helped me bring it to the prepping room.

"Quite the catch. How'd you get here so fast? You haven't even been gone that long!" The Jinko said surprised.

"Well, let's say I thought it'd be a good idea to get things done ahead of time." I let the runes die down until they stopped glowing.

She walked over and gave me an angry glare. "You shouldn't do that. You of all people should know what's going to happen with spring coming. Lots of us are going to be looking for a mate, and well, you're the only guy I've seen in this forest."

"I know that. Why do you think I brought that boar back? I plan on hiding out here. Not a lot know about the house besides you, Quilla, and Sheila." I sat on the stool and proceeded to work on the boar. "I'll be fine, don't worry."

"I can't not worry. What would I do if you happened to get dragged off by some Wurm or Lamia? They're anything but gentle."

"I agree with you on that. Gray's said the same thing to me. Still," I put down my knife and walked over to Serena, and placed my hand on her shoulder. "I only got one person I'd like to be with. Even if they can be a pain at times." I said, trying to imply I meant her.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">She then looked away in embarrassment. "You're a pain as well. And don't just say stuff out of the blue like that, you big idiot..."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"I can't help it. You've really been a good- You've been nice to have around the house." I said, making sure I didn't say something else. "Plus I doubt you'd let them take me without a fight," I added at the end, causing her to blush even more.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"You're not wrong. Still, who knows what will happen. I mean we did say that once my leg was healed we'd go back to normal, right?"

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I swallowed as I sat down and got back to skinning the boar. "That I did. Like I said, it's up to you. If you leave, the maybe we'll see each other when hunting in the forest."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"And if I stay?" She said, her voice shaking a bit.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"If you stay... Well... We'll see where it goes. I wouldn't mind if you stayed here for longer or lived here with me, I'd love it. As I said, though, it's up to you."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Oh god, she's gonna think I'm dense as hell after saying that!

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"You're right. I haven't even seen if I can hunt like I used to, or can even fight either. Also, thank you, for taking care of me."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"No problem. Like I told you before, it was my responsibility." After skinning the boar I cut off a generous bit and handed it to Serena. She looked at me with wide eyes. There was a mischevious glint in them.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"For me?" She asked.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"For you. After all, you've never had boar have you?"

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">She took it in her paw and took a bit of it. After chewing and swallowing she smiled. "It tastes good. Especially since... You hunted it..."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">It was my turn to blush, but I blushed like an idiot. She giggled a bit at my face turning bright red. I continued working on it as she began to loop her arms from behind and rested her chin on my shoulder, and her tail wrapping around my foot as she watched me. I kept cutting off pieces of the animal and putting them on a large plate so I knew which to save and which to cook for a meal. Unlike before when we first shared a bed together, there was no blushing or quickening heartbeats.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Right now we were content and fine with our current position. I knew my feelings I had for Serena, even if they were a surprise to me. But seeing her blush, and how she was embracing me like this simply confirmed any suspicions I had. She felt the same way. The hard part was trying to tell her, though. I had read books about romance. Gray and Murasame even giving advice on such things when I wondered about them.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Should I embrace her as well? Turn around and kiss her soft looking lips? I had a familiar feeling as that night when I was having one of my usual winter fevers. I had known what to do. It had been like I didn't need to think, I just moved. Just like when fighting, I followed my instincts.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Once the boar was properly worked on I went to clean the blood off the knife and my hands. Serena sat on the stool while I cleaned up. I got the plate and opened up the salt jar, proceeding to cover the meat I planned on saving for a later date. Serena had learned the hard way what it was exactly that was kept in the jar.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Once that was done I put the meat away and decided that maybe for once we should do something different. I got on my boots and my bow and arrow.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"What are you doing Rain?" She asked.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Simple, we're gonna go hunting."

<p data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;">POV: Serena (First Person)

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I felt the usual rush I did running along the forest floor. If I knew one thing right now, it was that my leg wasn't in as bad shape as before.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I leaped from tree to tree just like Rain did, his black cloak an easy sight to follow. I tried to keep distance, a hot feeling spreading throughout my chest. If I got any closer to him if how I was, it wouldn't be how I wanted it to. I didn't want it to be some romp in the woods.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I landed on a branch and propelled myself using my arms and legs, sending me another few trees just behind Rain. He looked back, that smile still on his face seeing me be able to hunt like I used to. It had surprised me he had wanted to see how my leg had healed by doing some simple hunting.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">In the grand scheme of things it was a good idea, but not with the amount of Mamono going into their mating season. I didn't want him to be taken away while I stayed at his "den" waiting for him to bring home food. Right now he was my prey, and only when the time was right would I pounce upon him. It didn't help with how he talked or his recent shows of affection. Was this what my mother had meant when I'd know when I found a man that "struck my fancy"?

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">If so, she was right. He was caring, funny, and he always made time for everything. He even allowed me to sleep in the same bed with just because I was cold, knowing I could easily kill him or even make take him then and there.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">It was when he had his fever I thought I saw how he truly felt. My heart had almost stopped as he took me and flipped me onto the bed. I could hear his heart beating fast, and my own hammering against my own chest. I wanted to feel that again. That comfort when I had told him about the night that had claimed my parents as well. It was strange with how to describe how we felt for each other. We would sleep in the same bed, embrace at times, but never anything beyond that.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Never kiss, or mate. Something I felt was bound to happen as the week drew to a close.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Hey, Serena! Keep your eyes open!" Rain shouted.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I shook my head out of the daze and got back to looking for something to hunt. I stopped by the Manhunter's side as he stopped at one of the platforms he was known for using. I looked in the direction he was, and my mouth almost watered. It was the tall grassy plains where I loved to hunt deer, and standing right there was one waiting to be made into a nice dinner. I looked at Rain, his blue eyes showing approval. I sprung down and made my way to my prey.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I crouched down low and breathed through my nose to reduce noise. Even though I was a Jinko, I still needed to be quiet and stealthy. If I made even one noise it could possibly mean straining my leg trying to chase it down.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I creeped my way up to it, my claws out and ready. It had been so long since I could feel the rush gathering inside me. Was this what Rain felt as well? I bent my legs and prepared my arms, getting ready to pounce. I kicked my legs out, bringing out my claws and sunk them into the deer. I heard it let out a cry of surprise as I bit down on its throat, scratching it with my legs to gut it. After some squirming and kicking the deer went limp as the life was drained out of it.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I brushed the blood off my mouth and looked to see Rain walking forward, a smile on his face. It was that smile that always made my chest tighten and my skin feel hot. Why did he do this to me? No, rather why did he have to do it now of all times?

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"That was a good kill. Maybe a bit messy, but not all of us have access to claws and sharp teeth after all." He said.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"I still killed it. Better than shooting it or going after it with those weapons of yours." I pointed a bloody claw at his axes. He gave a light chuckle.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"You got me there tiger. Then again, I've never got to see you hunt up close. We still have the subject of territory to talk about don't we?" He asked as he sat down in the grass near me. I decided to sit down as well.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Yes, we do. If I leave that is. What do you propose?"

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Well if you leave, I'd like to at least have some of the plains to hunt it. Maybe a fourth near the forest?"

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Sounds reasonable. But that means I get a third of that little valley you like. Deal?" I asked. A touch of sass in my voice.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Deal. That is," He moved a bit closer. "If you decided to leave. Then it wouldn't really matter would it?"

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"I-I guess not." Why was I stuttering and feeling so hot?

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Then again, it's your choice, Serena. I'm not as simple minded as some other men to go and try to chain a woman down and keep them all to themselves. If you leave I'm sure we'll both feel sad, but we'll get through it. We might see each other in the forest, or maybe some day when the forest calms down some more. I'm not sure if I should tell you this but..." He trailed off, a saddened look on his face.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"What is it?" I asked concerned.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"I plan on possibly leaving the forest. Gray's given the offer on numerous occasions, and if I ever do start a family, I don't want it to be in this forest. Too many memories and suffering here."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Why leave?! Wouldn't Sheila and Quilla be-"

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"They already know. They know and Quilla thinks it'd be for the best. My uncle always talked about the world and wanting to see it. I want to see it too and what it was my uncle and father loved so much to bring me into it."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I felt a heavy weight on my chest at hearing this. I was terrified of him leaving. If he left the forest, that would mean leaving not just the Sahuagin that raised him, but me as well. It could mean I'd never see him again.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I took in a deep breath. I might as well tell him now, get my feelings out and let him know. If he was going to leave, I was going to be with him the whole way. I prepared myself. I was going to say I'd grown to love him, he was caring, nice, and that he always made me warm when I saw him. His blue eyes were like a sky I wanted to look at all day, knowing they'd be clear and filled with a peace I could find.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">This was it.

<p data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;">POV: Rain (First Person)

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I let her know my plan and felt like a jerk. I had planned to tell her later in the day over a good meal of boar, possibly ask her to come with me, but that felt selfish. She had been in the forest all her life. I had at least an idea of what lied ahead of me. She didn't.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I wanted right then and there to ask her to be with me. Tell her how her emerald eyes were like an endless meadow of flowers, her hair like fire in the night, consuming my very heart for her love. That I loved how she would act strong, and yet also be adorable when shy or I said something that could be interpreted in a naughty way.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I wanted to lose myself in her arms, holding her close taking in her scent and putting my own lips against hers. I turned my head, seeing her take in a deep breath as if she was about to speak. What was she going to say to me? I waited but nothing else happened as she just sighed, a smile then turning on her face. I moved closer and went for something brave.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Well not brave, but if anything so idiotic it would work.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I moved closer and brought my arm around her waist, getting a shout of shock from her. She looked at me, her face as scarlet as mine. I brought my face close to hers, I swore we could feel each others breath as we looked into the other's eyes. I wanted to lose myself in them for hours, an eternity even.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"R-Rain?" She said, concern in her voice. Yet there was a hidden need in it as well.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Yes, Serena?" I answered.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"I wanted to ask if you ever did leave... Would you mind-"

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Her sentence was cut off as thunder sounded, the clear sky suddenly filled with gray clouds. Another bolt of thunder sounded, causing the rain to finally fall. We both got under my cloak as I brought it over us to shelter us.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">We made our way back to the house, running at an even speed. As we got at the door I went to open the door. I took off the cloak from us with the rain coming off the roof over the steps. Serena stood there, not making any move to come in.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Come on, don't want you catching a cold, right?" I asked. She continued to stand there, not making any moves. She motioned for me to come closer. I walked over to her, the wind beginning to pick up. I stood in front of her, just a bit taller than her, and not by much.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I looked down, seeing she was still wearing some clothes I had given her that used to be my mother's. She looked up at me and raised herself up on her tip toes.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Our lips at first brushed but then were locked as we both moved forward. I couldn't deny the emotions right there as we both lost ourselves in the other. We kissed, our mouth locking together and sometimes sucking on the other as well wanting nothing but to get a taste. I brought my arms around her, moving from her back slowly down her spine causing her to let out a light moan of pleasure.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">She continued to grab my shirt and devour my mouth as I let my hands explore. As they came to her lower waist, I hesitated to go lower, bu the look in her eyes seemed longing, and sad. I then realized it wasn't just the rain that was on her face.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">There were tears as well as I saw one go down her face.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"What's wrong?" I asked, cupping her face in my hands, using my thumb to wipe it away.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">She just shook her head. "I'm sorry."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">That was all she said before turning and running off into the woods. I ran after her, hoping to catch up, to comfort her.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">But I didn't find her as the rain began to downpour.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">All I could hear was those words and her voice on the edge of breaking. I walked over to a tree and slammed my fist against it, causing it to splinter and fall over. What was this pain I felt now, this tightening in my chest?

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I almost laughed at how right I had been. What I was feeling was love, and she had run away crying, just as in love as I was. I didn't even grab my cloak as I ran out into the storm, runes blazing bright blue and green as I ran after her.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">A/N: OH BOY that was a trip! Time to get running Rain, cause you got a girl to chase after! Just hope he remembered that today is when monster's go into season...

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Oh crap he doesn't. Well, as they say, bravely stupid is as bravely stupid does.