Genesis

Chapter 2

Choosing not to wear shoes Nina stalked through the forest, cloaked. She came across a large population of the stag like creatures that inhabited the forest. She watched the herd patiently, many stags to choose from. She would have to stealthily stalk her trophy and make her kill with her spear for Tatsu had banned her from her most comfortable weapon, her bow. He wanted her to learn the art of silence and taking her kills in close quarters.
Watching the game she became focused on a doe with her fawn. She watched lost in a trance for sometime. The nursing mother, a caring mother. Nina's thoughts as usual drifted to her lost child. She wondered what it would have been like. A boy? A girl? More like Wahkan, or herself?
Wahkan, she thought sadly. Her very soul ached for him, to be comforted by him. His understanding of human need for comfort, love, touch. Her mind raced with so many thoughts. Did he actually love me? Or was it a learned process from being alone with her for so many years on their backwater planet. He adapted and won a trophy.... her?
She snapped out of her wandering thoughts, the stag herd was gone. She could hear Tatsu's voice in the back of her mind. Do not get lost in dreams girl. He was right. It caused pain and misery every time. She had lost time being lost in her mind. She collected her spear and wandered towards the falls.

The males were already there by the time she reached the deep pools above the falls. Mizuhara and Endymion were mock fighting in the shallows. Tatsu sat on the shore watching.
He turned to see her approaching. Though she could not see his eyes bearing into her soul she knew he knew why she returned with no trophy. He turned back watching the young bloods scuffling in the water as she sat next to him to undress for her swim.
Always silence with his presence, she sighed as she stood to join the youngsters.
Nina waded into the water adjusting to the chill when she was drenched by a wave of flying water. Soaked she looked at the now laughing young bloods.
"Come Nina! You sure aren't going to take that are you!?" Endymion called.
She chuckled as she wadded out to her much taller companions. She desperately tried to splash waves at either one but she couldn't muster waves like they could. She wrestled with them for what felt like hours. Her stamina was far less than theirs. She gave up her scuffle and waded to the shore climbing onto the bank she heaved herself next to Tatsu. Sprawled out on her stomach she soaked up the heat and sun.
She looked up at her hulking beast. "Why don't you ever swim?" She asked.
She watched him slowly look down at her. "You wish to wrestle with me Nina?" The comment made her chuckle. Feeling a spark of his old humor.
"I have brought you to your knees before in training." She gave him a smile. "I could do it again."
He brought his clawed finger under her chin, holding her gaze up at him. "That is a question that remains to be answered. When you are ready you can test that statement." His statement took her smile away.
She knew he was right. She had lost herself down in that dark dungeon. She needed to find whatever it was missing to get back to the way she was.

Night had taken the world. The young bloods had taken up sleep, the world was lit up in magnificent glowing colors. Nina wandered away from camp to watch the activity of the night. Being alone she let her tears fall. She was stunned and frightened when the weight of a hand rested on her shoulder. She winced and yelped as she looked up seeing Tatsu. He sat next to her. His arm slowly went around her tiny form and nestled her against his hard chest. So Nina cried, she let out her anguish she had bravely tried to bury and he held her during. He did not correct her, or chastise her this time. He comforted her as best as he could.
When there were no more tears to cry she tried to pull away, but he held her close.
"I'm so...sorry. I...I couldn't keep it in." She hiccuped against him.
"This I know. Very brave of you Nina." He looked down at her as she looked up at him. "I cannot begin to know your pain, or how you feel through your ooman emotions. I know you bare a heavy pain Nina." His deep voice was soothing.
He laid back in the deep grass still holding her. She rested her head in the crook of his heavy arm. Her hand traveled across his scarred chest. "Tatsu, what happened... you...you used to want me?" Her voice shook. "Do you not want me anymore?"
He looked over at her, her eyes wide in sadness and question. "Nina, I assumed you want to stay clear of such things for awhile. That would only be natural.... you best take your time on such doings. Best take your time."
Her voice became very soft and her tears slipped out again. "It doesn't seem to matter how much time..."
He squeezed her gently. "It does, you will see." They laid in silence for awhile before he spoke again. "Perhaps its time to move on from here. The universe is very large you know." He chuckled. "There are many places for you to see, many things no ooman has seen. I have many things to teach you, before you return home to be empress."
She stiffened at that statement and sat up to look down at him. "I don't wish to return to your home, nor become an empress of a species that despised me!"
"You will eventually wish to return to Wahkan, I have no doubt in my mind you will. Until then you will learn." He didn't rise to her attitude.
She laid back down. "No you will see!" She huffed.