The Thief Who Stole His Heart

"Rabid"

"What is that sound?"

Considering the look on Michael's face, he must have just heard the same thing Jahseh himself had heard. A low, menacing growl hinted the coarse undergrowth among the trees. You'd have to be crazy not to be unsettled by the noise.

"So you hear it too, I see... the bad news is... I know this sound. That is a saber tooth tiger, acutely aware of our presence.... And there's no telling whether that's the only one around." So much for a peaceful and relaxing night. Adrenaline beginning to kick in, Jahseh stood up, and drew his sword from his sheath, the only thing that would be standing between him and his demise. "We can attempt to avoid this, but the chance of doing so is small. You can never predict where it might attack from. Now slowly, and silently stand up. Do not, I repeat do not make a sound." By this point, Jahseh would have been hardly able to be heard. What was crazy was how almost instantly the mercenary went into defense mode. And even more shocking how he actually was defending Michael even though it was only today they'd met. But by nature, Jahseh only wished for the well being of people, even if he could have his violent moments.

Somewhat timidly following orders, Michael stood up. Jahseh didn't know this, but Michael had never really been outside the walls of a city for very long in his life. He had never made long pilgrimages, never traveled far at all. So, for the first real time going off into the wilderness, he was meeting something that could easily kill him. Which in this case just caused him to panic slightly, and he instinctively hid behind Jahseh, clinging to his back.

Assuming it was from the adrenaline, Jahseh's heart jumped when the thief did this. Taking a deep breath, the man attempted to pinpoint the location of the large cat. Just as he finally saw the flick of the ears of the beast, it leaped out of the undergrowth. This caused Michael to scream, but this was not the first time the mercenary has been attacked by one of these creatures.

Jahseh shoved his acquaintance to the ground, falling along with him to avoid being mauled instantly by the tiger. Once it landed, it roared and approached Jahseh again, rearing back a large paw, laced with dagger-like claws ready to pummel the man if he messed up. Again Jahseh shoved his acquaintance out of the way, and moved himself. While in the midst of making sure that claw didn't come close to hurting him, the mercenary swung his sword, which wounded the tiger's paw. The beast roared in pain, and was becoming vicious.

Jahseh had his opening for the killing as his attacker squared up to leap at him once more. As it did so, its paws were outstretched, and it's jaw wide open, which he used to his advantage. Just barely ducking under its claws, the experienced fighter stuck his sword down the aggressive animal's throat, and twisted it deeper, which would leave the creature unable to breathe. The saber-tooth staggered, and had to take a moment to cough up blood before being able to return to attacking. However, just as it was fully aware again, the animal must have realized the threat level of this man, and the severity of its injury. So it simply ran. It wouldn't last long, however, as it fell over unconscious while it was still in view.

Jahseh sighed and turned back to a trembling Michael, who was curled up on the ground. The scene was interesting to say the least; the way the thief was evidently not experienced outside of a city at all. The mercenary smiled to himself. Seeing this was amusing, and somewhat... adorable? His smile almost immediately faded as confusion took amusement's place. Did he really just think... adorable? He couldn't have... that's impossible. There was no way that he could ever be one of the... homosexuals.

No.

He shook all of his thoughts away and stood over Michael, and tapped one of his arms, shaking the thief out of his trance. Michael jumped a bit at the touch, but once he realized the forest was at peace again and it was just his acquaintance, he immediately calmed down. He must have realized, too, that he had been in a vulnerable state, and he cleared his throat, standing up immediately. The man's fearful look had been replaced with his usual scowl.

"Not used to that, huh?" Jahseh lightly teased Michael again, his mischievous nature getting the best of him once more. "One would think someone in your business would be more resilient!" The sellsword chuckled a bit again, before his shoulder was shoved by a mildly exasperated Michael.

"Don't push it." The man simply stated his words and moved past Jahseh, beginning to head... somewhere. Most likely trying to get back to the city, before he stopped and turned back to face his acquaintance. The thief had sighed and was beginning to try to loosen up again. "I... still don't necessarily want to go back yet. Even though I... likely would have died right now if not for you." Michael made eye contact with Jahseh for a brief moment, making the mercenary freeze up.

"Uh, yeah, I guess... guess I was just... reacting? That's about right...." Stammered Jahseh. The man was still confused at why these things were happening all of a sudden. Shaking it off again, he took a deep breath and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Um... what?"

"I was trying to say that when I protected you it was a reaction. A survival instinct. I didn't want to leave you thinking I meant anything by it. I don't know what I'm saying." Now covering his whole face with both of his hands, Jahseh was evidently flustered, and couldn't find the words he wished to speak. Now it was his own turn to be targeted with the mischief of another. Michael laughed at him lightheartedly.

"Cat's got your tongue? Specifically a big cat? With large, saber-like fangs? Did it cut it out?" The thief teased Jahseh, but the mercenary only became more worked up. "I thought for sure it was going to be me, but I think he may have gotcha!"

"Stop!" The sellsword finally chokes out something to make the thief quit teasing him, although Michael still held an impish grin on his face.

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry, but I can't make any promises of stopping if you never cease teasing me." The thief paused for a moment, letting the moment settle down. Then he sighed, he seemed at peace with himself, quite different from what he was when they first met. And not to add quite different from only a few minutes ago when they were attacked. Jahseh sighed as well, but his sigh was more in attempt to relieve some stress. Because as the wanderer became more familiar with Michael, the more his thoughts began to haunt him.

"We should get going." The man needed to quit going into his head, so he decided to break the silence that had befallen them.

"Oh... I was... somewhat enjoying this day and night...." Michael misunderstood, and sounded... quite disappointed actually.

"Oh, no that's not what I meant, my bad. We should just start moving. Walk somewhere, or just wander." Walking off in a randomly chosen direction, Jahseh began to gaze off into the trees, and immediately became fully immersed in the scenery.

There was moonlight shining through the gaps in the trees now, and a small stream trickling to the left of him. The very light dusting of snow glistened, and tall grass among the stubby undergrowth swayed in the breeze. It was beautiful, the land had just opened before him like a storybook. Surreal, one might call it.

"Hey, I've genuinely enjoyed today... if... if I were to ever lose my job, or... even if I didn't, I'd be more than happy to accompany you when you travel... If you wish." Jahseh was broken out of his thoughts by Michael. He was stunned. The very thing he would have asked earlier was just asked now. His heart began to race, and he believed that in just a single day, he began to greatly admire the thief. Whether or not that was acceptable or a good thing... was debatable.