Reunion: Chapter 9

The boy arrives at the river spearing fish up, setting them in a basket. He listens dodging a tranquilizer dart and quickly ties the bag running off. Squad mates chase after him leading him to a base "Idiot we want him away" one of them says. The boy climbs up a tree hopping from tree to tree. "We got him". The boy gets knocked down by a wire choking him to a stop. Gianna walks over looking down at him aiming a gun. "Where are the others?" Denali jumps down, disassembling her gun and flipping her over, pinning her down. She smirks at him "You came back" "You almost killed my student" he looks back at the boy. He pouts and speaks back in Akai language "It's not my fault! The old lady sent me to get food for you and these two idiots tried to attack me with tranqs." Denali looks back at Gianna who chuckles. "I am sorry for them. They are new." Tatiana walks out of her house wiping her eyes "The noise guys..." she looks up at Denali. Denali looks back at her and smiles a bit. "Hey Tat..." Tatiana starts tearing up and runs over hugging him tightly sobbing into his shoulder. Denali hugs her back tightly enjoying the moment. Damien walks over holding a child's hand. "Here's your mama" Damien looks over to Denali. Denali looks over and smiles. "Is that facial hair I see?" Denali chuckles, Damien leads the child over to Tatiana as he hugs Denali. "We missed you kid" "I missed you too." The child looks up at Denali with confusion on her face. Tatiana smiles. "This is your brother Denali, Tia". Denali leans down to her and smiles holding his hand out. "Hey Tia", she hides her face in Tatiana's leg "Hi...". Tatiana smiles happily looking at Denali again. "You got so tall, and your hair oh my goodness" she laughs then focuses on the boy. "Who is this?" "This is my new student. As for his name, we will grant him one the same way you did for me years ago. He was sent to... he looks at Tia then back at Tatiana and makes a death motion. "Ahhhh" "Yeah." "Well I'm glad you're back hon. Have you eaten? We have food prepared. Have you been reading? Writing?" Damien groans and sits down "Tat the boy is fifteen give him some space" "We haven't seen him in years, so hush idiot Damien". Denali laughs. "I remember that" "What's that?" Tia looks up at Tatiana. "Well when your brother first came to us, he didn't know how to speak English so that's what he called your uncle Damien" "Ohhhh" Denali looks at Tatiana "Where is her?" Tatiana shakes her head, Denali looks with a sympathetic expression. "I'm so sorry" he hugs her. She nods with a small smile. "Damien has been a good father figure and uncle so I'm glad he's here." "Always sissy" "Yeah yeah" she smiles, punching his arm. "Now that I know I have a niece, I'll get you something special" he smiles at her. Tia smiles happily. "Thank you" "You are welcome". "Your English has gotten way better," Gianna says. "So to answer your question yes he has been studying" "Yes we got it genius" Tatiana rolls her eyes. "Where are you living now?" "An Akai base but resisting Akai. An older woman took me in after my escape years ago. She healed me. My senses have gotten weaker. So she's going to help me with that." "What about, you know." "I haven't turned ever since that day I left" "Wow that long?!" "I stayed away from areas with high potency of those flowers, and made myself a home which recently got destroyed. Now I am settling down again." Tatiana smiles and hugs him again. "I'm glad you're back." "Me too" Denali looks back at the boy. We will be doing your training here, the same way I did mine. Damien will help with weapons, I know you may know some combat from the Akai, but I will teach you some enhanced combat and many other skills. First, I need my senses back. So, I will accompany you with hunting, then we go back for the feast. The boy nods and looks around. "This is so different from Akai village. "It's not bad, very welcoming" Denali smiles at Tatiana. "I am not sure how long gaining my senses back will take but I will be back." Tatiana nods "Be safe you two" she looks down at Tia "Say bye Denali", Tia waves shyly "Bye bye", Denali smiles and hops up into the trees leaving with the boy. "The way we gained our names was through a trial. Years ago, I failed that trial, and slaughtered half of the warriors. Tat and the others helped with training. They gave me my name... I am forever grateful." "Will my training be the same as yours?" "Yes. You will also learn their language. That took ages but it's worth it. Now where were you gathering food?" The boy points to a small area near a river. The two drop down, Denali picks up the basket. Let's move, the Akai are probably on their way.