Solaire

The Hunter and the Sun

Fog descends from the heavens and settles along the rolling hills and bubbling creeks. Through the first sun's rays of the morning that peaks through the thick fog, the crickets' chirps are joined by the sleepy songs of birds and low croaks of frogs hidden within the rice paddies on the outskirts of a small village. As the sun continues to rise up into the endless stretch of the early morning sky, clouds turn pink and the sky is bathed in a brilliant gold.

A young man is perched in a maple tree, its leaves as red as ruby in the morning light. He remains hidden from sight and he does not move. His amber eyes narrow slightly and his fingers tighten against the grip of his bow. Slowly, he reaches over to the quiver slung behind him and takes out a razor sharp arrow. Breathing out, a puff of air rises and disperses as he start to nock the arrow.

Taking careful aim, the young man breathes in the crisp autumn air and blinks. Letting his eyes adjust once more, he pulls back the drawstring and breathes out once more. Holding his breath, he looks down his arm and to the buck that's grazing. His fingers tighten just behind the fletching and before he lets go of the string, he senses a presence behind him.

"Either take the shot, or I will. That buck is gonna die of old age before you get him." There's a soft snicker and the man instantly releases the string, he watches on as the head of the arrow meets its mark and the buck falls.

"Careful, next time it might not be the buck I'm aiming for." His warning falls on deaf ears as a tanned hand claps him on the shoulder and a loud laugh pierces through the forest.

"You forget Hawks, I have ears like a rabbit. I'll hear you from miles away. Now, let's get that buck. I'm starving." Hawks watches as his partner jumps from the tree in a flash of tan and white. He slings the bow over his back, adjusting it momentarily so the string doesn't bite into his neck. Following her lead, he jumps down and unsheathes a sturdy hunting knife.

He approaches silently, but his partner looks over her shoulder and smiles up at him. Her long white hair is drawn into a tight braid. Her own bow is slung over her back and she's already making quick work of the buck.

"Not a bad shot." She teases and Hawks squats down next to her, taking the arrow and wiping it on the grass next to him.

"Yeah, yeah. You're just jealous that I saw him way before you did." Hawks makes a half hearted jab back and he only shakes his head when she laughs next to him.

"Me? Jealous of you?"

"It's okay, you can admit that I'm totally better than you at everything, Rumi." He grins over at her and she shoves him. Abruptly standing up, Rumi looks down at him with a glint in her red eyes.

"Alright, since you're so much better than me- then you can carry this one back to camp. Have fun Hawks!" She turns and bounds away, disappearing into the thick tangling of trees and grass. He looks down to the buck's glassy eyes and scoffs.

A thin trail of grey smoke rises from over the treetops and the crackling of a campfire gives Hawks a burst of energy. A soft voice weaves through the trees, mocking Hawks as Rumi continues to sing some local tavern song about being the mightiest hunter and the strongest to ever walk on the lands of Japan.

"I am Yagi the strong, I am Yagi the brave!
I walk this world with all of my brawn!
I am the mightiest I say as I nock my arrow and let it fly away!
I-"

"Gods, shut up! You sound like a dying cow!" He shouts and Rumi stops singing, her laughter replacing her terrible song. She eventually falls silent and appears from the thicket. Burrs stick to her clothing and small twigs stick out from her hair. There's always been a wild shimmer of ferocity in her eyes and to the common stranger- they'd view her as nothing more than one of the Children of the Forest.