People of the Sun

Chapter 5: Arun

Yue was looking much more refreshed and relaxed after she drank his tea. Her ankle was still very swollen and was surely broken. Arun desperately tried not to stare but it was no use he was completely captivated by her. He was worried he would scare her but she seemed comfortable in his presence. "Are you comfortable? Can I get you anything else? Are you hungry?" He knew he was rambling but that also was out of his control. He felt flustered torn between wanting to reach out to her and knowing it was ridiculous to be this drawn to an enemy. But he couldn't think of her as an enemy. She was much to perfect to be that.
"I'm okay, surely you've done enough for me already." Yue didn't understand how gentle and kind this supposed monster was. How could someone so massive be so soft. It was making her question everything she knows. "Why are you being so kind to me? I don't understand I feel like, like everything I've been taught is a lie."
"I don't know I just want to help you and I feel the same way. All my life I was told to hate moonwalkers. Demons of the night bloodsucking sneaky killers and thieves. You're just a little girl though and I was always taught to protect women and children and these two beliefs are so contradicting. I want to protect you."
Yue didn't know what to think. She felt an immense pull to him. Her heart warmed at his declaration of protection but she also felt offended he'd basically called her a weak child. "I'm not a little girl. I'm almost seventeen just because you're a giant doesn't mean I'm a weak little kid." She was pouting.
Arun leaned forward closer to her so close to touching her shoulder but stopping himself from reaching out. "We're the same age I'll be seventeen next month." He felt the current between them it was nothing like he had ever felt before all he could think was is her shoulder as smooth and cool as her hand. How silly of a thought but he would love to know.
Yue thought she may burst. The fire crackling in the corner was nowhere near as hot as the energy pouring off Arun. He sizzled with electricity and she felt more alive than she has ever felt. He was amazing her and terrifying her at the same time. She didn't know if she should reach for him or run from him. Not that she had that option she was stuck in this cave till at least nightfall and wouldn't be running on a broken ankle. She wasn't sure she would even be able to hobble home when it was night. Or where home even was. She was safe and comfortable with a people of the sun monster. Much more comfortable she than she should be. He had to be the most attractive man she had ever seen. What was wrong with her her first time she ever wanted to kiss a boy and it wasn't one of her people. Selena always questioned Yue for who she liked and didn't believe her when she said no one. Selena had enough crushes for the both of them. Maybe it was Arun was so different from the men she knew. All light hair light eyes slender sinewy muscle. Where Arun was broad rugged muscle. He was massive next to her but she had no fear she only wanted to close the distance between them. Lean into his large frame.
Arun was lost, lost in her eyes, lost in her sharp face, lost to her dainty lithe body. How did he just fall just instantaneously lost his soul to this beautiful creature. He would do anything to know her to see her to be with her. He must have gone mad even thinking it. He must be dreaming there was no way this was real life. People of the sun did not fall for moonwalkers. They weren't the same species, or were they? She was different but she was still a person they spoke the same language. Maybe they weren't very different at all.
"Where are we?" Yue discovered her voice.
"Not far off East trail." He answered not sure if they had similar names for trails too.
"East trail?" Yue rarely ventured out and new some trail names but had no clue.
Arun pointed to a spot on the fur coat they were sitting on. Here is moonwalker mountain and pointing to another spot that is my city Muncie." Pointing to another spot that's Spine forest and that's that's peak river." He traced along it's path. "We call this South trail, and this north this one is river bend."
"We call it Heather road." Yue pointed to river bend and this one is easither." She traced another path that crossed over his and leaned even closer to him her side now brushing his own.
Arun almost forgot how to breathe. He tried to compose himself. easither is the same as east trail. But we are here." he took her hand and guided along the path he had carried her. He heard her sharp intake if breath but she didn't pull her hand away from him. Such a small touch but his heart was pounding it was the most exhilarating feeling in his life.
Yue gazed into his black eyes memorized. How could she be feeling this she felt herself leaning in. What was wrong with her any closer and she might as well crawl up into his lap. She shook herself out of his spell and pulled back. "You are along way from home. Thank you for saving me I'll be safe here and know how to make it back. You should leave soon if you want to make it home before nightfall."
"I won't leave you here." Arun didn't want to leave her side how would she make it back on her own with a broken ankle. "When its nightfall I'll help you home I can carry you and you can be my eyes."
He was to sweet for words Yue thought. She couldn't help but reach out and stroke his cheek he leaned into her touch. "I can't let you do that my friends will be looking for me or at least my body. They will kill you on sight. How could I live with my hero gone."
"I have never hated the war more than in this moment." Arun allowed himself to tuck the stray hair from her face.
"I've always despised the war but now it saddens me. To know your people aren't the monsters I thought. Endless raids of us stealing food. The retaliations from people of the sun."
"Maybe someday there could be peace." He had never thought it would be possible but he also never thought he could want a moonwalker the way he wants this beautiful angel before him now.
"I could only wish but I can't see it as a possibility." Yue felt the tear escape but Arun caught it with his big warm hand and wiped it away.
"I'll stay with you find something you can use as a crutch and camp here for the night. I'll make the hike home tomorrow."
"That sounds like the best plan." Then she did just climb up on to his lap and snuggled right into his shoulder and closed her eyes. She was tired she normally slept most the day. He was warm comfortable and safe.
Arun couldn't believe she was in his arms right now. He hugged her close and just enjoyed the moment. He needed to see this girl again. He imagined a whole different life than he ever thought of before. A life of peace and trading between the two cities and a home of his own separate from his people. A home that he could share with Yue. A different world where they could be together.

So it has been quite awhile since I've written my hectic life seems to get away from me. I always say oh I'll write when I have time. But I need to make time for it. I'm back and I'll figure out some sort of balance. To finally get this story out of my head and share it with whoever wants to read this journey. Vote and comment if you like.