Step Back (AU)

III

I ignore my adrenaline and focus on hunting. Luke was with me a little way away. We were hoping to at least get a deer. The three rabbits that we had wasn't going to cut it. We were trying to help the families next door to us. One husband had died during the war against Italy. One was very sick, and it was looking like he wasn't going to make it. Then another husband was getting over a wound he had gathered from the war. The men of the families didn't like the idea of us helping out, but we didn't give them much choice when Ruby and I walked over with nicely cooked deer.

The children had danced around us and the husbands were very grateful. I laugh as the mother scolded the children that climbed into my lap. I tried to speak my best German that I've been learning, but it wasn't going well. The children were kind and helped me. The wives corrected me gently and taught me a little more every day.

I see a deer and try to hold back a gasp. With a quick reaction I let my arrow glide through the air and hit the deer exactly where it needed to go. I sigh in relief when I watch the deer take a few steps forward only to collapse. I stand up and Luke does too. "I landed one too. Start dragging yours towards the village. I'll come over with mine."

Luke ducks behind the bushes and I head towards my deer. Not looking the poor animal in the eyes I grab it by the horns and start dragging it towards the village. After a while I had to stop and catch a break. Taking a deep breath I continue dragging the deer. I hear hooves in the distance but continue doing my own business. It wasn't like anyone could see me in the dark or clearly through the foliage.

I couldn't help but smile when I hit the edge of the village. With a sigh of relief I gained a new source of energy. Taking a deep breath I lean back and start pulling the huge animal. My shoulders were aching, and my hands were exhausted. Then suddenly I hit something hard. I stop pulling and straighten up looking behind me to see that I bumped into a tall man with a cloak on.

I recognized his face, "Leif?"

He sighs and nods, "ja?" His brown eyes didn't show me emotion. I don't know what he was looking at, but he was alone.

I adjust my grip on the deer, "Es tut mir Leid." He nods and steps to the side.  I nod my head and continue pulling.

Leif watches me and shakes his head. With a sigh he stops me then walks away. I hold back a scoff and roll my shoulders back. I pop my neck and start pulling again. Then suddenly I bump into something again. "Leif," I mutter turning around.

A familiar chuckle and gentle hands cup my elbows, "Nien." I look up to see a smile that I haven't seen in weeks. He didn't push down his hood. He only leaned in closely, "What are you doing? Shouldn't you be sleeping?" His eyes were very amused, but I could tell he was tired. Beneath his amused green eyes were dark bags. Pushing aside my worry I continue on.

With a smile I shake my head, "No. Someone has to gather the meat."

He takes my hands off the deer and throws the deer over the back of his horse. He leans in close, "A man's job."

I nod my head, "Luke was there too." He goes back to tying the deer onto his horse, so he didn't have to hold it on there.

With a sigh Harry looks at me, "Alina. Then why did I find you dragging the meat?"

"Because he killed his own. He said that he was going to come back and help me," I say watching him finish the final knots.

Harry raises an eyebrow, "Where is he?"

I give a worried glance towards the woods, "Hopefully home." Harry shakes his head and wraps an arm around my shoulders. "Harry, why are you here?"