Eyes

I try to calm my breathing, but the weight of their stares is making my heart beat faster. I chance a look at the men to see if they have stopped staring, and Arakan takes that as an invitation to come closer.

"Your clothes are dirty, I will get you new ones." He states as he reaches towards shirt.

I jump back to avoid his touch, but since I was already by the edge of the cave, I fall into the river. I scream and bubbles come out of mouth as I struggle to get to the surface. I see a black shadow above me break the surface of the water. Suddenly, I am no longer drowning but am flying. It only lasts a second, but it enough to take my breath away further.

"You fool, did you not hear that if she does so do we!" Nobu scorns Arakan while Teruma calms strides over to my side.

"I didn't push her!" Arakan meagerly defends himself, thinking that he may have by accident.

"While you didn't push her, your face frightened her enough to jump in the water." Teruma states and he gently neals down by my side as I continue to cough in search of air. "Breath now, in and out" Teruma almost chants as he rubs my back as gently as my Grandmother. I start to catch my breath as I feel something warm and soft wrap around my body.

It looks like a pure white blanket but it is softer than any blanket, or any material really, that I had ever felt. It was also not in the shape of a blanket either. As I allow myself to be warmed by the item, it slowly dawns on me that this is not a towel or a blanket, but is instead Teruma's tail.

"Umm. Than...thanks. I'm fine now" I stutter with embarrassment as I try to stand. However, the gravity of my situation along with my adrenaline returning to normal causes me to sink back down, leaning completely on Teruma. Even more embarrassed, I can feel my cheeks turning as bright red as my hair as I inadvertently find that he is smile down at me with yellow cat eyes.

"Rest here while Nobu gets you clothes and Arakan hunts for your dinner." Teruma orders as he gently pays my head. While he is petting my head, I notice that he smells like flowers after the rain on a warm summers day. I feel myself nodding and as I accept the ridiculousness of my situation.

"And why don't you get her clothes and I keep her warm," Nobu looks offended that he was given an order.

"Because your wings would probably freeze her death," Teruma jokes.

"If it wasn't for me, she would already be dead. I didn't see you move a single muscle to get her from the water" Nobu puffs his feathers and flares down at Teruma. "Further more, you could easily make fire instead of getting so close to her!"

"Than" I start to thank Nobu, but stop as I see a blue flame erupt from Teruma's free hand.

"Yes, I could make fire and , yes that could warm her up, but thanks to Arakan she is soaking wet, so this is the best way to warm her up. If you wanted to hold her, you should have done so as soon as she was out of the water. You should know that if you leave an opening, I will strike."

Looking at the fire dancing in Teruma's hand, Arakan heads to the mouth of the cave "I'll bring back some nice rabbits" he states, and then looks at me with sorrow in his eyes "I am sorry". In one leap he is over the river and quickly disappears into the forest.

Looking after him, I wonder if I could swim that distance. But shake my head, remembering that Sakura's life would be forfeited if I ever tried.

"Don't even think of going in the river on purpose" Teruma glares at me with disapproving eyes. "I would hate to have to punish you for intentionally putting yourself, and us, in danger. Also, why haven't you left?"

"Don't try to pretend that you like her. You just want to win the title. You will never rise above me or my people. We already control the sky and we will control the forest as well" Nobu shouts as he quickly unfurls his wings and flys off.

I swallow hard as Nobu's words echo in the almost empty cave.

"Now then, where were we". Teruma states as he slowly lowers his head towards mine, keeping the flame is his other hand held away. I shiver and turn my away and his lips gently brush my cheeks.

"Fine, lets light up our new home shall we. I will not take what is not given," he sighs. I almost laugh because his fox like ears go from standing straight on his head to down on the sides, like a disappointed puppy. Teruma stands and, without any other motion, the flame from his hand dances around the cave. As it goes around the edges of the cave, a piece of the flame stops and stays fixed on a point every 3 meters. I can see that the cave is mostly round with a smaller area in the back that is blocked by a boulder that leaves only the distance for one person to walk through at a time.

"What is back there?" I wonder out loud.

"Its a small room, much like this, but with a bed. I assume Kami meant for it to be yours while you are here."

"Where will you all sleep?" I ask?

"Nobu will most likely roost over there," he points to a corner opposite of where my "room" is located, putting emphasis on roost. He must really not like Nobu I muse.

"And Arakan will keep watch at the cave's entrance ". He gestures towards the front of the cave.

I nod and then question, " where will you sleep?"

He leans back down and pulls his tail so as to make me lean on him again ". Where would you like me to sleep," he purrs.