Once in a Blue Moon

Healer

Mari was an excellent healer, thought Nik. He hadn't known Scratchers that were able to care for themselves, let alone others. Mari studied the way his golden hair moved back and forth as he sat up. She quickly snapped out of the trance the golden waves had put on her and scolded him for trying to sit up.
"I'm sorry, but I have a question to ask you," he told her, watching her contemplate his request. Of course she knew what question he was going to ask. She's was an Earth Walker for crying out loud! She was once again was hypnotized by his hair, thinking about how it looked like the wheat fields at Clan Fisher.

"A question for a question, fair?" he nodded in contentment. They sat in silence while thinking about the questions they were going to ask. Nik knew he might not get much out of her, so he had to choose wisely. Mari picked at her bottom lip nervously. A habit she had since she had known three winters. Mama always scolded her, telling her it wasn't nice to damage such beautiful lips that Great Earth Mother had blessed her with. She again thought about her Mamas smile and it saddened her. Mari would never she Leda's smile ever again.

Nik had broken the silence first, "Did you set fire to the Gathering site?" Mari wanted to tell him no, but she couldn't muster up the energy to lie. "Yes. I saw you hurt Mama and I got angry. I just wanted them to burn, like the fire inside me finally had enough." Nik looked hurt, but quickly drew a blank face. Mari thought she had saw pain in his amber eyes, but remembered he was still a Companion and she, an Earth Walker.

"My turn, why did you end up in the run offs?" Nik's memories burst painfully through his mind and he winced. "My team and I were scavenging near Port City-," Mari interrupted, "Port City? Why were you near that dreadful place?" Nik flashed back to Crystal accepting stare as she silently begged him to kill her. Mari noticed the silent tear streaming down the dirty boys face, leaving clean strips as they fell. She instinctively wiped his tears with her thumb and kissed the trails they left behind. Nik stared at the dirty blonde in amazement. When Mari finally began to retreat, Nik grabbed her delicate face and smashed his lips into hers. Waves of electricity flowed between them, making Mari scrunched her toes in anticipation. She was breathless and exhilarated. Nik traced her bottom lip as he begged for entrance. Mari had never felt this kind of need before, none of the Clans men ever thought she was beautiful. Instead of feeling sad about her nonexistent experiences, she felt joy that it led her to Nik. The sound of a gasp is what broke the two apart. Mari noticed Sora staring at her in anger.

"Sora!" she exclaimed. Sora just turned around and walked away. There were no words to describe the betrayal she felt towards Mari. They were Moon Women! No one is supposed to know about them- especially a Companion. Sora hadn't heard much of their conversation, but she guessed he had some questions for Mari. It wasn't that he knew about them, because he didn't, it was the fact Mari barely knew him. She had faith that Mari wouldn't tell him about Moon Women, but that didn't change that Companions weren't to be trusted. She heard the sound of footsteps followed by the rustling of the thicket. Of course Mari would follow.

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