The Past Leaves Scars

Chapter 15

Lunae

Lunae almost yelled in fright as Akira and Neyco stormed through the trees behind her, on the other side of the clearing.

Neyco groaned, "I forgot we had to deal with her still."

"It's fine. We'll just pin her up on another tree, we've got a job to do and money to earn." Akira waved a hand dismissively.

She walked over and jumped to yank her axe out of the tree Lunae was hooked up on. 'Pin up' was a bit of an understatement in describing how the two Aratky had decided to keep Lunae in captivity. Neyco had, with a very irritated look on his face, tied something akin to a noose at the loose end of the rope tying Lunae together. He picked Lunae up by the legs as Akira threw her axe up into a tree.

Neyco then managed to hook the loop of the rope on the handle that jutted out of the top of the axe's head. The blonde and brunette had then called it a day at that.

They'd settled themselves down and pulled out medical supplies for each other, before leaving to find food. And they'd left Lunae stranded there. Left to her own thoughts.

Though she shouldn't complain, having seen the numerous bruises and the terrible scene the torn stitches in Akira's leg caused. If it weren't for me, she wouldn't even have to worry about that...

Lunae landed on her feet when she hit the ground and a flash of what looked to be disappointment flashed across Akira's face. The blonde holstered the large weapon on her back and grabbed Lunae's rope, dragging her along to the pair's next desired location.

"Ladies first," Neyco gestured into the forest, in the direction they were to be heading.

"That's what we're waiting for," Akira said teasingly.

Neyco sighed, a fond look glinting in his blue eyes, "You're too kind, but, please, fuck off." He grabbed Akira's free arm and pulled her into a walk in front of him, giving her a gentle push forward.

In high contrast to that, he gave Lunae a not-so-gentle push. In fact, it was more of a shove. Lunae stumbled and almost turned to give the man a look, but ultimately decided she'd be better off accepting the attitude.

She'd witnessed Akira's attack, but to watch the both of them fight with people older and likely of greater strength was something else entirely. Replaying what moments she'd caught of the fight in her mind, Lunae had this terrible gut feeling that chances of escaping were very slim.

Lunae had no choice but to follow Akira and Neyco. The pair were almost expressionless and practically silent as they walked through the forest. If you only had view of their lower halves, without knowing they had an upper, one might've thought they were dancing. Their footsteps were carefully and ornately placed.

They knew what they were doing. Lunae could tell this was something of a practised art for them. The blue-haired girl didn't know if she should be scared of that or not.

She had hoped that they would show any sign of compassion. The three of them looked to be around the same age, they'd all had their hardships, surely. But maybe Lunae expected too much.

The Sanistery had changed this land, mostly for the worse, she'd seen that firsthand. Lunae had never considered how the Sanistery had changed Seathia's people.

Akira held up a hand, "Smoke's gotten stronger." She whispered.

"We're close," Neyco murmured.

Close? Close to what? Akira said they had a job but...

The two Aratky stopped abruptly and Lunae walked right into Neyco's shoulder. He shot her a look and flashed his teeth in a snarl, sharp canines glinting dangerously.

Lunae looked away, a pool of blue feelings forming in her stomach. The expression Neyco had directed towards her was full of pure, unadulterated anger. Hatred even. In that moment he had not been the Neyco Lunae had seen and hoped she would learn about more closely. There was no mirth in his eyes and no smile or smirk on his lips, just a fire that wasn't warm but hot. Hot and searing and hateful.

But it was only for the Sanistery Soldier.

"See anything, Sun Bear?" Neyco looked back to Akira.

She was standing a short length ahead of them cocking and gently turning her head, trying to get a better look at something through the undergrowth of the forest.

"Firelight up and to the left," the blonde said, "Let's get a better look."

Lunae attempted to be as quiet as Akira and Neyco, copying where they put their feet and how they were so light on their toes. They crept forward, alert and postured like they were ready for anything to jump out at them.

They stopped again and Lunae fortunately didn't run into anybody this time. Akira was still ahead of them, and she signalled for Neyco to move up, thereby dragging Lunae with him.

Akira crouched on the forest floor behind a fallen tree, with branches splaying in all directions providing enough cover in the growing darkness overcoming everything. Neyco crouched next to her, one knee in the dirt and he tugged harshly on the rope attached to Lunae, pulling her to the ground.

She bit her tongue to prevent any noise from coming out, having already received two disgruntled looks from the brunette. One for running into him, and one as he pulled her to the ground to avoid being seen by whatever, or whoever, they were trying to get close to.

Speaking of which... Lunae knelt and sat back on her feet. She looked up over the fallen tree the three were behind and through the winding, wiry branches splitting the blue haired girl's vision, she saw them.