[W]aking up and [F]eeling the ×pain×

[x.Wolf.x]

Yesterday’s occurrences seemed like some far off memory, it existed but nothing much was really remembered from that day…everything seemed untouchable. Much like any other day in her past, she barely even remembered falling asleep the night before and not only that, she hardly even remembered where she fell asleep at. Soft crimson gaze opened to the sounds of morning birds singing and the fresh dampness of the dew collected on grasses and leaves of trees although the breeze had died completely. The sun hung far off on the horizon, as if it was unsure whether it was time to rise for the day yet or leave the world in darkness for a few more minutes. Although many teenage girls would be telling the sun ‘just a few more minutes’ and sleep well past the noon hour, Autumn was awake around this time everyday. She couldn’t afford to sleep late, for it meant life or death for both her and her men. For a moment, she thought she had fallen asleep at one of the make-shift camps along with hundreds of men but as she sat up with a small grunt she saw she was no where of the sort. She was alone. Or at least almost alone, memories of her ‘savior’ Peter rushed back into her thoughts drowning out any grogginess she had. She remembered now, remembered that Peter had saved her life not one but twice yesterday and not only that but he allowed her to camp out that night in his terrain. Although she still hated to admit to needing the male’s help with anything, she was grateful that he had been kindhearted enough to save her life, even risking his overall health or even life once. Pushing all thoughts of yesterday to the back of her mind, she pulled herself to her feet only to fall back in pain. Another grunt of protest escaped her as she rolled up her shirt to revel yesterday’s injuries. A deep gash in her side from the lost battle, the bruises surrounding her deep gash and ribcage had turned a deep black and purple color, around that a yellowish tint to her usually tan skin and a cut across her cheek from the lost battle, all of these and more minor cuts and bruises that would disappear with time….that was what she had sustained in just one day. Pathetic really, she should have died alongside her men in that battle and yet, with her being the only survivor of the group, she fled….like a coward, unwilling to face death. She remembered every last man of hers that died in that battle yesterday; she saw their faces last night in some twisted nightmare even if she wasn’t close to them or even knew their names. They were still her men- her responsibility!


Taking care this time, she pulled herself to her feet using her sword to pull her up. Now that she was off the ground, she could get a better look at her surroundings as well as spot Peter if he was anywhere near there. Though, so far she spotted nothing but landscape. Heaving a sigh, she looked down at her wounds again, rolling her eyes at the sight of the bloody shirt. She needed to bath before going anywhere. Raising both arms above her head and bending back slightly, she stretched. Cringing slightly as the pain returned to her wounds slowly, this was what she got for being human and a female. This is what she got for being in this damned war. Her gaze turned to the path she had seen Peter disappear down once, she knew it lead to a nearby lake….just perfect for bathing in….well kinda. She could rinse out her bloodstained clothes and her body before returning to town....to the castle to bath properly and gather any orders left open for her. Perhaps she would talk to Iekika at the castle or even one with a higher ranking such as Naruna or maybe even Jasiri. Gathering her two large swords, one with a curved blade with etched patterns running down the side and one with a straight blade with a bit of pattern and a dagger like handle. Her daggers, two on a flat sheath on her right thigh and two on her belt were still attached. However, she pulled off her scarlet hat, letting her blonde hair fall it's full lentgh...all the way down her back. With this done, she started down the path that ended at the lake.

When the lake was in view at the end of the path, she set down her weapons. Taking her sheaths off and setting them down alongside her swords. Her hat soon followed this items, along with her boots. Now, all she had left was her clothes. As she neared the lakeside, she paused and began pulling her tanktop off. Really, she was a woman of war. She lead countless men into battle and bathed at the camp sites before and after battles, countless men have already seen her naked so she cared not if any one had bothered to spy....forgetting completly about Peter and whether she woke him up or not before she left the camp.

[xXPeterxX]

Peter was down by the lake when his eyes flickered open. He hadn't been sleeping, only dozing. Going all night without sleep after the day he'd had had started taking it's toll. His back arched, small bits of pain shooting up his spine. He didn't mind. He'd been to the village and back while Autumn slept, hidden by the dark sky in his... 'other form' you could say. But the pocket of his jeans now bulged in a tube like shape. It was one of those type of ointments that helped infections. He'd grabbed it when no one was looking. He'd settled himself a short distance from his usual campsite, but was close enough to hear anything that went on in the camp just incase someone tried attacking Autumn again. Was it just him or were a lot of people after her?

While he'd dozed, he'd heard the shuffling of light feet. It was no doubt Autumn, waking from her slumber. A few minutes later she appeared by the river, and was pulling out various items: her hat, boots, swords, etc. It was when she removed her shirt that he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted from the short distance to the trees, "Guy in the house!" before looking away, more from respect then embaressment. He'd never purposly or openly stare at a stripping girl, especially one who didn't know he was there. Even if she had bandages covering 3/4 of her upper body and an undershirt on. It wasn't polite, and just wasn't the way he did things.

[x.Wolf.x]

Hearing that Peter had indeed woken up and as it turned out wasn't far away from where she stood at that very moment. His words echoing through the silent clearing for a moment, her eyes rolling at the comment. She was used to bathing with countless men during times of battle so what did she care if he was there? None the less, she let her shirt fall for a moment as she turned her crimson gaze back toward Peter. "Oh come now Peter, it's as if you've never seen a girl naked before" She replied. Even if he was half vampire, a rogue and had no friends....he had to have some sort of social life. She had learned earlier that hardly any living being could stand being alone for so long. And besides, Peter had some past that remained blank to her. So it would be her guess that before all of this, he in fact did have some sort of life before this. But she didn't bother to ask if he had some social life, partly because she knew he wouldn't answer and partly because she didn't care much to hear of it. Knowing one's past either meant that you were part of it or they trusted you enough to share the details of their life, either way it meant you had some sort of bond with the person may it be small or great. Autumn believed in severing bonds between herself and anyone else so that she could battle without regrets. Even if Peter had saved her life twice in one day, she cared nothing for him...besides it wasn't like she'd ever see him agian. (she didn't know how wrong she was at this point. XD)

Without waiting for a reply from the boy, she turned back to the lake. Her back now toward Peter. Once agian, she began to pull the scarlet shirt off though a tighter white tanktop was underneath that. Kneeling at the shores of the lake, she decided to clean ther clothes and let them dry whilst she bathed.

[xXPeterxX]

Autumn stopped and turned, finally noticing he was there. She replied. Peter gave no sign of an answer. He just stared down the river, as if lost in thought. He usually looked like this, even if he was paying close attention. A bored feeling washed over him, he was used to it by now, but he never usually had anyone around. He didn't feel like talking, but it was better then sitting there while someone washed their clothes and bathed. As soon as they reached the village, he'd leave her there and be on his way. For him, it was better that way.

"You always sleep so soundly?" he asked, really not that suprised. He was sure she probably slept with one eye open, but he'd rather know then guess. Knowledge and instinct were better then pointless guessing games. You could never guess the history this land had seen. And you couldn't guess who was going to do what next. You had to know or else you'll never get anywhere. If the army guessed what the other side was going to do next without any facts to back it up, they'd probably end up with a suprise attack and further retreat. Some good guessing did.

[x.Wolf.x]

She had expected some sort of reply from the boy, but so far only silence as she scrubbed the remaining stains from her shirt. His question made her pause in slight confusion. Of every little thing he could have questioned or commented on and he chose to ask of her sleeping habits. Either way, she sighed and turned back to her cleaning, setting the scarlet tanktop on the soft grasses beside her and pulling off her white undershirt. Like stated before, she did this before countless times in the army though there not many guys looked away. "Of course not" She replied simply, paying more attention to her clothing then she did to her reply or even Peter. So, really what was it that made her sleep so soudly last night? The wounds? The fact that previous to last night she had only three hours of sleep to her name? Was it the lasting effects of the pills Peter had tricked her with earlier or was it merely the fact that for once in the last year she slept away from battle? None of it mattered, she was well rested and soon she would be on her way once agian. Away from this place and back into war. Only one questioned remained, would she really be ready to leap back to the front line and fighting or had that one night's rest softened her? Perhaps she would train before leaving to battle when she got back to the castle. After all, she had so survive to kill Kamenwati!

Finished with her shirts and setting them aside, she pulled off the rest of her clothing and stepped into the water, she undid the bandages from yesterday as well and set them alongside ther belongings. After this, she waded into the lake's cool water until the water covered everything.

[xXPeterxX]

Peter's gaze didn't falter, he still looked away. The brute wasn't like other males who would take any chance they got to peek at a naked woman. He countered a 'hmph' as a sign that he heard, then fell deep into his own thoughts. He often did. Usually it was generally about the same things. But it was always somehow different. No one could guess what ran and frolicked(xD, -jester dances across stage-) through the young man's mind. Probably no one would ever know. He was a little unpredictable that way to most. And have the time they had no idea what he would do next. I wonder if Autumn can see through that or not.

The girl was, in a way, a lot like Peter. Distant, somewhat uncaring but at the same time good-hearted. But they were also so different. Peter didn't say much, he didn't talk about himself or other people, or even how he felt about certain things. Autumn was just plain straight-forward. If she didn't like something, or if on another note, she did, she wouldn't waste time. You'd know about it in a heart-beat. At least that was the way it seemed. Peter had begun to predict what she was would to do next.

[x.Wolf.x]

Without paying anymore attention to Peter at the shores, she dunked under the water. Running her fingers through her hair as she emerged from the placid lake waters. Repeating this step a few times before swimming to the shore-line. Still this wasn't as good as warm running water, but still a bath was a bath and to tell the truth Autumn has rarely actually seen running water. Always out on the frontline in the battle, never hiding away in a house. Stepping out on the shores again, she pulled her clean clothing over her body once again. Now she was bathed and dressed, a brush would be nice. Pulling one from a small bag that she carried around, she pulled the bush through her long blonde hair. This time she wouldn't bother using her hat to pull her hair out of her face, instead she used the rubberband around her wrist. Now she was ready to get to town and then shortly after-battle. Collecting her daggers, hooking them to her belt and sheath again. Her swords already slung around her shoulders.

Footsteps nearly silent across the ground, stopping nearly a foot away from Peter. After all, she really doubted he'd let her go alone. She was ready to leave, ready to return to collect orders and her men and ready to return to the fimiliar surroundings of battle. Really, it was sad in a way. Her entire life was this war, having no family left to return to, no friends to talk to, no boyfriend hoping for her saftey. She had nothing but this war. Leaving the question 'what will I do when this is all over' burning fresh in her thoughts. Her gaze didn't even fall to the boy instead, she scoped out the forest surrounding them. Perhaps if she could spot the village, Peter wouldn't need to show her the way and she wouldn't have to result in following him around like a lost puppy.

[xXPeterxX]

The calm, somewhat relaxing sounds of the forest soothed Peter. He stayed alert and aware to the things around him, but let his visual fade. It seemed as though he were sleeping with his eyes open. The type of dream where you knew what was going on, but couldn't control it. It was brilliant while at the same time horrific. It reminded Peter of things he didn't like to think about. When Autumn's presence suddenly drifted around him, lingering there quiet and still, he was broken from his trance. Thank the stars.

Turning his gaze to her, she was, in a way, clean and seemed refreshed. Her hair was combed, her clothes were as clean as they were going to get, and everything seemed back in order for her. Remembering the ointment he'd snatched from town last night, he dug into his pocket and tossed it at her. "Here." he merely said, for lack of a better word.

Folding his arms across his chest, he waited for her exclaimation of protest or for her to apply it and let him know she was ready. His optics wandered back to the forest beyond the stream. He wondered if she even really needed a guide. Autumn could probably take care of herself, no doubt. But the way things had been going for her since he'd met her made him think otherwise. Doesn't really matter, does it? he thought aimlessly. It's not like I've got somewhere to be. Mine as well find some breakfast or something after she's gone. It wouldn't hurt. His thoughts referring to his sunken stomach. He wasn't hungry, being used to not eating by now. But food kept your strength up, and strength was something everyone needed.

[x.Wolf.x]

She caught the ointment when he threw it to her, but she didn't protest this or even bother to put it on. Her gaze fell to the ointment and then back down to Peter, wondering exactly how he got this. She already knew he didn't have much money and he hadn't any earlier. Perhaps this was stolen, and if that was the case she couldn't use something that was stolen from her King. Remember, she was a dog of the army....her life was the army. Shoving the ointment into her pocket, she let her gaze rase up to the forest again. "Thanks........" She muttered, talking of the ointment. Of course she was rude, sarcastic but even she had some manners. So what was she going to do now? Tell him she was ready to go or just walk away from the scene? "For everything." She added. No. She'd just leave. Her wounds were some what healed by now, seeing that they wern't bleeding anymore and were beginning to get scabbed over-which was the first sign of healing. So she wouldn't have much of a problem fighting off any bandits or anyone else she met in the forests and she already knew the direction to a nearby village. So what help could Peter be anymore anyway? Without looking back to the brute, or even saying anything in her parting....she started off toward the village. If things went her way, she'd get to the village around noon and then from there, send a messenger to Jasiri and buy off a horse. Then she could be on her way and put this little setback behind her. She already had battle plans flowing through her thoughts.

Keeping a steady pace away from Peter and his 'camp', she was to the outline of the forest in no time. Of course she'd have to go through the dense forest that surrounded the place before getting anywhere. Heaving a breath at the forest's edge, she continued within, following a slightly worn trail of bent grasses that could have been deer tracks or even Peter's tracks...or both.

[xXPeterxX]

At the sound of her voice, Peter blinked and shifted his grey gaze back to Autumn, meeting her own crimson eyes. "Thanks." she had said. "For everything." The teenager nodded solemnly, knowing she meant it, and having a feeling she didn't often say it. But he didn't reply. There wasn't anything to say. 'No problem' would be a lie, and 'you're welcome' just wasn't Peter's style. A nod would sufice. He knew it would for her atleast.

She stepped around him and began on the path toward the village. His tracks mixed in with many others marked the way. She could find the town herself. She'd be fine. He watch her for a moment, waiting for her form to blend with the shadows of the trees. Then stood and retreated back to the oh-so-familiar clearing. He gathered everything he owned, which wasn't a lot, and set it in the small crate he used as storage. Heaving it off the ground, he walked briskly through the brush and thicket, vanishing onto a smaller, less-traveled path on his way to finding another temporary 'camp.'