Drifter – Part 4

By D

Chapter VII

When Koko Kanti had disappeared from their lives, Honaw determined to find out where she was and why she had left. He felt they all deserved an answer, but he knew Donoma *needed* one. It shouldn’t have been too difficult – after all, Koko Kanti was a feared and respected name on the Plains. How hard could it be to find a half-breed female warrior with piercing blue eyes?

What Honaw didn’t consider at first was that Koko was indeed a half-breed... a woman with two distinct heritages. And when she left the tribe, she used that to her advantage. Koko Kanti was left behind as a myth... a legend born on the Plains to explain the defeats warrior bands and Blue Coats suffered alike – their very own boogeyman. The warrior became Reb Stone, bounty hunter.

She’d chosen the name to honor her mother and her mother’s mother. Stone for her mother and Rebecca for the grandmother she had never met – only she went by Reb. People tended to pay less attention to the fact that she was a woman if her name did not bring it immediately to their attention. That lesson she had learned from her mother before Rachel had crossed the Divide to join Honiahaka.

It hadn’t been too difficult to hide once she’d found some clothing. And after capturing her first outlaw, not many people felt the need to heckle or make fun anymore. She was able to afford better fitting clothing and a gun. Soon, Reb Stone was a name known throughout the Territories as a fearsome bounty hunter. She never turned down an opportunity to catch an outlaw, and her kills and captures were quite... creative... to say the least.

Finally, after more than two full cycles of seasons, Honaw started hearing regular reports about this bounty hunter. More and more often the People would hear about the individual known as “Stone Cold” and Honaw began to pay attention to the rumors as they abounded. He eventually figured they *had* to be about Koko Kanti, given the descriptions he heard about the hunter, but was unable to form a more firm hypothesis, until....

Honaw went to Odahingum, telling him of the rumors he had been hearing and the possible conclusion he had reached. The chief’s eyes widened as he listened – he had wondered how Koko Kanti had managed to completely disappear. It had never occurred to him that she might go to live among the white man. After a brief discussion, Odahingum agreed to Honaw’s idea and sent him to the trading post with orders to find out what was going on.

Honaw left with little explanation to anyone – he took a few furs to trade, but otherwise he went empty-handed. He made good time to the trading post and when he arrived, he sought out the scouts. Indian scouts were hated among the tribes for their betrayal to their clans, but they could provide useful information. Honaw knew they tended to fall into two categories – those willing to help their native brothers to ease the guilt they felt for being a scout and those who would take greatest advantage of them because of the disdain they themselves received from everyone around them.

Honaw found one who was willing to act as an interpreter as well as give him the knowledge he needed. Hassun translated the shopkeeper’s words and Honaw played his part, though he understood both the English and the native tongue Hassun spoke – unknown to the Native scout. That was how he knew he could trust Hassun – the scout did not try to cheat or take advantage, and for that Honaw was grateful. He had no desire to remain in this white man’s territory any longer than was absolutely necessary. When they were done negotiating, Hassun gave Honaw his money and led him over to the saloon and into a dark corner where they could talk without interruption.

“What is your real reason for coming here, Honaw?” Hassun asked quietly once the girl had left the bottle on the table and sauntered away. “No one comes to the trading post with so little unless there is another objective.”

“I am looking for information,” Honaw replied honestly. Hassun nodded.

“I thought as much. About...?”

“The one they call Reb Stone... the bounty hunter.”

Hassun’s dark eyes widened in surprise. “That is unexpected,” he said softly. “What do you want to know?”

“Tell me about her.”

Hassun looked at Honaw for a long moment then nodded his head. “She showed up here two... maybe three years, um... cycles ago. She rode a magnificent black stallion – that horse is still the envy of many in the Territories but no one goes near him but Reb. He won’t let anyone else approach close enough to touch, much less ride.” A beat. “She was wearing the oddest ragtag assortment of clothing I had ever seen, but by the end of her second week, she had captured her first outlaw and was able to buy better. No one knows where she came from or what her background is. Some say she is a savage come straight from the white man’s hell. Others say she is a half-breed with a score to settle and still others think she is a white woman with a past of some sort.” Hassun shrugged.

“Whatever the truth is, only she knows. She is considered somewhat odd – a woman who wears man’s clothing and does man’s work, but she has come to be well-respected in this town and throughout the Territories. She catches her man, pays her few debts, lives quietly. When she is in town, she usually comes in for a drink and a card game if there is one.” Hassun chuckled lightly and Honaw arched a questioning brow in his direction.

“When Reb first arrived here, she was as green as anyone I had met – some of the men here tried to take advantage of that fact. It wasn’t long before the girls here took her under their wings and taught her a few things. Soon she was beating the white men at their own game, and now she looks after the girls here when she is in town.

Honaw blinked. He wasn’t stupid, nor was he naïve. He knew what the girls in the saloon did for a living. Surely Koko hadn’t.... Hassun read the look and shook his head.

“Reb never became a lady here, Honaw, though she could have had men lining up out the door for a chance with her if she had dressed differently. She is too much like the men for them to want to bed her. She does keep a room upstairs though; the girls set aside one for her after she called out an outlaw who had been harassing them – beating on them and such. The Blue Coats did nothing, so Stone Cold did. Man was dead before he had a chance to draw.”

Honaw nodded. That was much like the Koko Kanti he remembered - Protector and Defender. She looked out for the girls here much like she had Donoma Chepi for so long. It was almost second nature to her to do so.

Hassun watched the different emotions play out in Honaw’s eyes; his face remained impassive. The scout wondered if this warrior knew more about who Reb Stone really was and knew for a certainty that even if he did, he was likely not going to share the information he had. This was about something personal Hassun would be willing to bet his horse.

Honaw brought his dark eyes back from whatever distance they had traveled and pinned Hassun to his seat with their sharpness. “Describe her to me,” he demanded.

“Tall,” Hassun answered without hesitation. “Almost my height and yours. Broad shoulders, thin waist; long dark hair with a few small braids on the left side of her face; darkish skin - not nearly as brown as ours, but darker than most of the white men here; full lips, high cheekbones, glittering blue eyes that turn hard and cold when she is angry. It is how she got the name ‘Stone Cold’.”

Honaw nodded. He was now certain that Koko Kanti was indeed the bounty hunter known as Reb Stone. The question was - what could he do about it? Despite everything, he could not force her to return home – that would cause more problems than it could solve, and there was every likelihood that Donoma would not appreciate his interference. He sighed. It shouldn’t be this difficult, but then if Koko had been a little braver or Donoma a little less innocent they never would have been in this situation to begin with.

“Is she here now?” Honaw finally asked. Hassun shook his head.

“No. She left several days ago after another wanted man.”

“And when do you anticipate her return?”

“We do not,” Hassun stated bluntly. “She will return when she returns or she will not. There is no timetable for catching outlaws.”

Honaw bowed his head. He had expected as much but he had hoped....

“May I ask...?” Hassun started, but stopped at the warring looks of fierceness and despair in Honaw’s expression. “I am sorry. Could I perhaps relay a message?”

“No thank you, my friend. I would be happy for her to have no knowledge of my presence here.”

“It shall be as you wish,” Hassun stated before a clamor outside drew his attention to the window. “However, it looks as though the Blue Coats are preparing for some sort of action. Come with me. You want to be well gone from here before they head out.”

Honaw glanced at Hassun’s face and refrained from asking the question that was just on the tip of his tongue. If he wanted the scout to respect his need for privacy in some things, he would need to do the same in return... no matter how compelling his curiosity.

They reached the small stable where Honaw had housed his pony at Hassun’s directive and Hassun stuck his hand out. Honaw did not hesitate, but offered him a warrior’s salute before climbing on the back of the mustang.

“May the Great Spirit watch over you in your travels, Honaw.”

“And you, Hassun. Thank you for the information.”

Hassun nodded. “I hope you find that which you seek.”

“I have all I came for. The rest is not for me to decide.” And with that, he turned his horse and headed back home to the Plains.

When he arrived at the encampment, Honaw kept his own counsel for the better part the day, spending time with his family and catching up on the things he had missed during his short trip. It wasn’t until after the evening meal, when darkness had settled and the children were in bed that Honaw was summoned to Odahingum’s campfire.

Takoda was also there and Honaw nodded in respect to both before he took his place and told them of what he had learned and what he suspected. When he was done, he was dismissed and Takoda went back to his own home. He never knew if it came up for discussion again between the two leaders, but he knew he had done all he could. What remained was up to them... or Koko.

As time passed, he realized there was little they could do either. Nothing was going to change what had happened and unless Koko decided to return of her own volition, Donoma at least would never truly find peace. And he suspected the same would be true for Koko Kanti as well.

************

Movement from the fur bundle drew Honaw’s attention from the past back to the present. Then he figured out what was happening and wavered between embarrassment, concern and chagrin. He understood why Donoma was struggling out of her clothing – fever of the magnitude Koko was suffering from generally killed and the only way to prevent it was to break the fever quickly while keeping the body temperature from dropping too drastically and allowing a chill to set in. To tell the truth, he had been a bit surprised Donoma had climbed into the furs fully clothed, but had put it down to embarrassment of getting undressed in front of her eldest brother. The modesty was not unexpected given her age, but it also went hand in hand with the withdrawal she had initiated when Koko had left their lives.

He stood, subtly reminding Donoma he was still nearby if she required assistance, but distant enough that she would reveal nothing to him accidentally. When the movement halted, Honaw crept closer to the fire to check on them.

Donoma heard him approach and opened her eyes, unable to hide the gut-wrenching exhaustion she felt. Honaw reached a hand down and smoothed the blonde hair from her face.

“What can I do for you, Donoma Chepi?”

She shook her head resignedly. “There is nothing to be done now but wait, Hestatanemo. I have done all I know to do for her. The rest....” She let her voice trail off and bit her lip, then sucked in a deep breath and continued. “She started shaking with chills,” explaining why her clothing was now bundled under her head. “If I can get her warm again, I will need you to take her back to my tent. Staying out here in the wind is not helping, but I cannot risk the trip until her temperature stabilizes.”

Honaw gave her a small smile, letting Donoma know he understood her concerns. He wondered what she was really thinking... and feeling. As far as he knew, she still did not know the real reason Koko had disappeared from their lives – although, none of them actually *knew* for sure, but certainly a large number of the tribe, especially the elders, suspected – nor was she aware of the motivation behind his brief trip into the white man’s world.

He let his glance run over Koko’s still, pale form, then dropped his thick robe over them to add to their warmth. He shivered in the cold air but a look from him kept Donoma from scolding. Instead, she smiled weakly at him.

“Thank you, Honaw.”

“Nahko’e left me a water skin. Let me heat it here near the fire; that should help some as well.” She nodded her agreement and closed her eyes, and Honaw headed back to the skin. Donoma listened to his almost silent passage away from them and then his immediate return. He placed the skin on one of the warm stones around the fire and held his hand out to the warmth for a moment.

“Stay,” she bade him before he could turn away from the flames.

“Donoma?”

“Things have changed, Honaw. Whatever else I need to do for Koko Kanti will have to be taken care of in the privacy of my home.” She paused to wrap her arms tighter around the warrior that was still shaking with cold in her embrace, feeling them lessen slightly. “I am afraid the wind and dropping temperature will undo all the good I have done if we remain longer than necessary and I will not allow you to catch a chill because of your generosity and caring.”

Honaw nodded. He would not admit to the relief he felt sitting near the warmth of the fire. He wasn’t warm through yet, but at least he was no longer in danger of icing over. “How is she?”

Donoma couldn’t shrug very well, given the position she was in, but the look in her eyes told Honaw quite a bit. “I do not know, Hestatanemo. She has to want to heal and I do not know if that will is there.”

“She is a warrior, ka’eskone. Her will is strong.”

“I hope you are right, Honaw,” not disagreeing with his words though her tone was doubtful. Another shiver passed from Koko to Donoma and Donoma held her even tighter. She closed her eyes and let her thoughts turn to the warrior she now held safely in her arms. She remembered the first time Koko had held her like this – when Donoma had learned firsthand the dangers of freezing chills and skyrocketing fever.

************

That winter had been harsher than in cycles previously and so much time was spent simply trying to get through it. It snowed and stormed with fierceness and regularity, even in the southern camp - keeping the People locked in their homes to stay warm. On the rare days when the sun shone, the entire tribe was happy to get out and simply breathe fresh air and soak up the weak sunshine.

It was Donoma’s seventh winter, and Koko had just turned fifteen seasons. Already she was a warrior making a name and reputation for herself – carrying on Honiahaka’s legacy with pride. More and more of her time was spent fighting and training, and though she did try to keep her promise to Donoma to spend time together every day, it was not like it had been in the beginning. So Donoma found herself more and more on her own, especially on the clear days.

Rachel spent as much time as she could with Donoma, having found her to be an apt and agile pupil, but it was clear Donoma missed her time with Koko. What Donoma didn’t know was that Koko missed her time with Donoma equally, and was doing everything in her power to get that time back. But her skills as a warrior were called upon more and more and even in the midst of winter, she was consistently called upon to take on various adult responsibilities when the weather was nice enough to be out.

On one such day, she was up and gone before daylight, and Donoma – angry that she was being left behind again, struck out on her own without a word to either her parents or her bothers. It was only when Rachel came by for Donoma’s reading lessons that anyone noticed Donoma was missing. It didn’t take long before the entire encampment was searching for her.

In the midst of the searching, Koko and her scouting party returned and she immediately separated from the others, having a very good idea where Donoma would have gone. One of the nice things about being in a stationary encampment was that they had found a few places they liked to go when they were out alone. Koko suspected Donoma had gone to one of them.

Honaw followed her, trusting Koko knew more about Donoma than anyone else and knowing she had sworn to protect her. The first two places, closest to the camp, were empty and they were well on their way to the third when Koko heard Donoma’s voice whimpering.

She stopped and called out, “Donoma? Donoma Chepi – where are you, ka’eskone?” No answer, save the whimpering sound Koko could barely make out. She motioned to Honaw who nodded his head and they moved more slowly, circling in opposite directions towards the sound. After a moment, Koko cried out in relief and Honaw came running to her. Donoma was curled up into a small ball, shivering and shaking so hard she was unaware of Koko’s presence. Her jaw was clenched to keep her teeth from chattering, allowing only the smallest sounds to escape.

Koko put a hand on Donoma, alarmed by the paleness of her skin and the heat that ran beneath it. She scooped Donoma into her arms and Honaw wrapped his fur robe over the child before they started back to the camp as quickly as they could manage. Koko didn’t even slow down when they reached the camp, but went straight into her tent and placed Donoma on her bedding closest to the fire. As quickly as she could, she stripped Donoma’s wet clothing from her body and tucked her under the furs.

A word to Honaw brought the fire to almost roaring in the small space and Koko stripped herself and crawled in beside Donoma to share heat. Honaw placed a couple water skins near the fire to heat at Koko’s directive, then he sat back to wait. For a while, they were the only ones in the camp, but as others began to return, he stepped out to greet them, thrilled he had good news to share.

Takoda immediately walked into Koko’s home, eager to check on them both and pleased to see that Koko was doing everything that could be done. Then he left them alone even though he kept a vigil just outside in case he was needed. The night had passed slowly, but as a new day dawned, Donoma’s eyelashes fluttered open, still slightly glazed with fever but at least she was awake and in her right mind.

“Koko?”

“Good morning, ka’eskone. How do you feel?”

“Tired... sweaty. Why are we naked?”

“We had to warm you up and break your fever. What were you doing out near the water alone?”

“Looking for you... but I got lost. I wanted to find you so we could play. I miss playing with you.” She tried to pout but instead yawned widely and closed her eyes.

“I know, ka’eskone. I miss it too, but I have to be an adult now... at least most of the time,” the last bit whispered. Donoma didn’t respond, having fallen back to sleep. Koko tightened her arms and closed her eyes as well. They would have to work something out to keep this from happening again, trying to come up with a solution everyone would be happy with.

Chapter VIII

“Honaw?” Donoma asked quietly as she felt the chills in Koko’s body begin to settle into lesser tremors. Quite some time had passed and Honaw thought he could just see the sun beginning to edge over the horizon. Donoma was wearing a distant smile that made Honaw’s brow arch in question.

“She is doing better?”

“Slightly, I think... I hope.” Donoma watched the confusion wash over his countenance at her expression. “I was remembering the first time I learned of this technique.”

“You remember that?” Honaw asked with surprise. “You were so young and it was a terribly traumatic experience for you... for all of us. I was so very glad we found you.”

“I was never worried about being found,” Donoma stated with conviction. “Koko had promised to protect me; I knew she would find me. I did not intend to run away or get lost. I was simply angry that we were never allowed to be together... that the elders wanted her to always be an adult instead of being my friend and playmate. They kept her so busy it was hard for her to keep the promise she made to me – a promise they were well aware of.”

Honaw smiled. “I remember. Odahingum was less than happy when she laid out her demands after finding you that day.”

Donoma couldn’t stop the small chuckle that rippled across her belly in remembrance. “I know; he glared at me for a full moon after that. But I did not much mind... I had Koko again and they could not take her from me. Besides, he is very fortunate that I was too young to make demands of my own.”

An awkward silence fell as Honaw pondered her words and debated on the best way to proceed. “Why?” he finally blurted out. She looked up at him and frowned, her brow furrowing deeply. He sighed and moved to sit closer so that the fire no longer separated them, but where the warmth of the flames still reached him. He clasped his hands together and sighed.

“I am not criticizing, ka’eskone. I am trying to understand.” He looked down at his hands and sighed again before looking back at her, finding it oddly endearing to see her wrapped around Koko Kanti so possessively. Always there had been something between them – it was plain for everyone to see if they but looked. But even now Honaw freely confessed that it was beyond his knowledge and understanding and felt that probably most of the tribe felt the same. Now he had to explain to Donoma when he wasn’t certain he could explain it to himself. He cleared his throat softly.

“You found them – you brought them home – you became her warrior advisor. Donoma... you were a five-year-old child then. How... why?”

Donoma closed her eyes again and tightened her hold on Koko’s still warming body. It was a question no one had ever dared voice before and one that she really didn’t have a reason for except....

“I knew, Honaw. I just knew. She came to me in a dream the night before we found them – searching for something... asking for help. I knew she would be important to me... I knew she would be my friend.”

“And you needed that.” A statement.

“So much,” Donoma said quietly. “I was always alone, Honaw... always different. Koko and Rae’l changed that for me.”

Honaw smiled. “I think Odahingum realized that once he resolved his anger with you after that little episode. You always had time to be together when Koko was not away fighting.”

“And despite everything we had been, when all was said and done, she left me alone anyway,” Donoma added sadly and the pain on her face made the conversation die. Honaw was no nearer to understanding how Donoma knew about Koko Kanti or why she became her warrior advisor... to say nothing of the deeper questions that still plagued him. But one look at her expression kept his mouth shut – some things would always be too personal to share.

Honaw felt the presence before he heard it and turned to see Takoda and Litonya waiting at the edge of the clearing where he had waited for part of the night. With a look in Donoma’s direction, he rose from the fire and walked back to them, shivering in the cold morning air. Litonya looked at him disapprovingly until she realized where his coat had gone and nodded her head in acceptance.

“How are they?” Litonya asked when he drew near them. Honaw shrugged.

“Donoma thinks Koko might be slightly better. Her chills seem to have dissipated to almost nil. Her main concern now seems to be stabilizing Koko’s temperature so we can move her back indoors. After that....” He shrugged again.

“And how is Donoma?”

“Closed off. Right now she is focused on getting Koko healed, but eventually they are going to have to talk – if only to one another. I am not sure what this is going to do to her.”

“You go back to camp, Honaw,” Takoda instructed. “I will wait with Donoma Chepi.”

“No, Neho’e. I promised Donoma that only I would remain. Koko Kanti would not wish to be seen as weak by so many that she counted as allies and friends among her People. Whatever we perceive to be her transgressions against Donoma, Donoma is the one now trying to protect her. We can do no less than honor her wishes.”

Takoda nodded reluctantly. What Honaw said was true, but that did not make him any happier. “We will prepare Donoma Chepi’s dwelling to receive them as soon as they are ready to return. Do you require anything?”

“Only to return to the fire. If Nahko’e wishes to remain, she can notify you when we are ready to return.”

Takoda acknowledged his agreement with a slight bow and turned back towards the village. He more than anyone else worried about the effect this unforeseen incident would have on his only daughter. And it occurred to him to wonder why this had gone unforeseen. Surely if they had needed warning about anything, Koko Kanti’s arrival should have been at the top of the list.

He wandered back into the camp and every eye focused its gaze in his direction, looking for some word. Takoda shook his head. “There has been very little change overnight,” he reported aloud. “I am going to prepare Donoma’s dwelling to receive them when they are ready to return.” His sons’ wives moved unhesitatingly to help him and the rest of the camp returned to its normal morning routine. The only difference was the sense of expectation in the air.

When Honaw returned to the fire, Donoma blinked her eyes open slowly. “I need to dress, Honaw, but I need your help. I do not want to bring my cold clothing into the warm nest I have created here. Can you hold them to the fire to warm them for me?”

Honaw nodded and eased the bundle from beneath her head. As quickly as was humanly possible, he warmed them and passed them to Donoma who struggled to don them beneath the heavy furs without disturbing Koko too much in the process. Honaw dutifully kept his back turned until he heard Donoma clear her throat.

“It is safe to turn around now, Hestatanemo. I think we can take her back to the camp now. Anything else that can be done for her I can do there.”

Honaw nodded and signaled the intent to Litonya who disappeared without a sound. Honaw crushed out the remains of the fire while Donoma prepared her patient, tucking the blankets and furs around her as much as possible and removing Honaw’s heavy robe. She maintained a light touch on Koko until Honaw knelt to pick her up. Then Donoma broke contact and stepped back to allow Honaw to stand and a cry was wrenched from the warrior’s pale lips. Honaw froze, afraid to move for fear of doing Koko further injury. Donoma moved to Koko’s side, gently sandwiching her between them and brushing the sweat-darkened hair back off her forehead.

“Koko, it is all right. Honaw is going to take you to my home, but I cannot stay beside you. Listen to the sound of my voice, Nutta. Listen and it will keep you safe. It will guide you back to me,” Donoma continued, heedless of Honaw’s listening ears and dropped jaw. She kept up a litany of conversation for the duration of the short trip. All eyes and ears followed them until they disappeared into Donoma’s tent and watched as Honaw emerged almost immediately.

He headed back to the water to retrieve the robes and furs that were left behind, then stopped when he saw his wife and mother walking back from that direction with their arms full. He wondered how he could have missed passing them, then realized after what Donoma had just unconsciously revealed in front of him, he probably would not have noticed a battalion of Blue Coats.

When had things become so between them? he wondered. And if Donoma spoke the truth, why indeed had Koko Kanti left Donoma behind to become part of the white man’s world? He knew Koko felt for Donoma... he had seen it in her words and deeds, but most importantly, he had seen it in her eyes. The real question was – what had he seen and was it real or imagined?

Honaw relieved the two of their burdens and turned back to enter Donoma’s abode. Litonya immediately went to her fire to stir the cornmeal she had cooking for their morning meal and added a small pot of broth, knowing Koko would need the nourishment it provided. Honaw stepped into the tent and what he saw broke his heart.

Donoma sat curled up beside Koko, hands gently combing through her dark hair, continuing the conversation she had started by the waters’ edge. In an effort to give them as much privacy as he could, Honaw turned his back deliberately and placed the furs neatly on the other side of the small space. Then he walked out without a word, knowing Donoma would call him if she needed him again.

He walked directly to Takoda’s fire, not waiting for his father to invite him before he wearily took a seat. The shaman didn’t speak; merely handed him a bowl of meal and waited for Honaw to devour half the contents before offering him a skin to wash it down. Then he waited patiently for Honaw to finish before clearing his throat and addressing him.

“You look burdened, my son. Has something more happened?”

Honaw chewed his last bite slowly, giving himself time to consider his answer carefully. What he knew, or strongly suspected now, was not his knowledge to share. And yet he highly doubted Donoma would confide the truth to anyone... possibly not even Koko herself. Honaw wondered when and how things had become so difficult and entangled. And for a moment, he wished for a time when Donoma was still a child and misunderstandings between them simply were not.

Eventually he faced Takoda and shrugged. “I do not know, Neho’e. I do not know.”

Takoda wisely refrained from asking more questions, knowing Honaw would reveal no confidences. It was one of his most endearing and frustrating traits. “Well, perhaps the Great Spirit will allow us a resolution to this matter sooner rather than later. Koko Kanti’s arrival here has upset a great many things.” He shook his head. “There are times when I find myself wishing for the days when she and Rae’l first arrived here. Life was much simpler then.”

Honaw smiled wryly. “I was thinking the same thing.”

Litonya nodded her agreement but didn’t speak aloud, choosing instead to lift the pot of broth from the heat and take it to Donoma’s tent. She crossed to the doorway and entered without announcing herself, and in doing so, saw something that brought a tear to her eye.

Donoma had fallen asleep with her head on Koko’s shoulder – not unexpected considering she had been tending to the warrior all night after a spirit quest that had lasted three days. What was unexpected and precious was the fact that even in her unconscious state, Koko held tightly to Donoma as she had always done. Litonya sighed and placed the small pot near the heat to keep warm. Then she exited the way she had come and headed back to tend her own fire. Things had been so much easier before Koko had left, she thought with a silent, mental sigh and loosened the lock on her memories.

************

Things settled into a slightly different routine after Donoma’s experience. Koko volunteered to mind her more during the day so they would always have time to spend together. It wasn’t always in play – sometimes they sat and talked together; others they took walks on the wide-open plain. Still other times, Koko would teach Donoma new skills... such as swimming and hiding and tracking.

In return, Donoma spoke to Koko about the things she could see that were beyond the pale of mere human sight. She taught her to make a simple bead bracelet and braid flowers and chase butterflies. It was a good balance for the two of them and all in all in was a good arrangement for the entire tribe.

As she relaxed and became a happier child, Donoma’s gift became stronger and more focused. She was able to advise Koko in her efforts to protect the clan and as a result, the tribe knew a measure of peace and contentment for a while.

Donoma kept up her lessons with Rachel, far surpassing those around her with her knowledge of the white man’s history and culture. There wasn’t any real need for it that Takoda could see, but the child enjoyed it and it gave Koko the time she needed to take care of her warrior responsibilities. And Litonya enjoyed the time as well – many times she would sit with Rachel and Donoma and listen, but sometimes she took the time to work on special projects away from the lessons.

On the occasions that Koko had to be away for a few days, Litonya took pains to spend extra time with her daughter, even if all they did was sit silently together and work on beadwork. At first they had been simple projects – single line bracelets and necklaces, much as Donoma taught Koko, but as time passed they became more complex in their design. Sometime after her tenth spring, Donoma had chosen to make a bracelet for Koko, intricate enough to showcase Koko’s crest of a screaming eagle flying over the moon. Before her twelfth spring, Donoma created a chest plate for Koko to wear for protection on the battlefield of the same theme and worked painstakingly on it every spare minute.

Then came Donoma’s first bleeding and she was reluctant to give Koko her gift, her newly discovered hormones making her unsure of her place in Koko’s life. As a child she had never questioned that place or her right to be there, but now Donoma felt like a mass of confusion. Her visions became more erratic and her frustration grew exponentially. Finally, Koko took matters into her own hands.

“Where are you going this time?” Donoma demanded petulantly, watching as Koko patiently packed a small bag of trail rations before retrieving her blanket, glad that it was summer and warm enough that they would not require furs or a fire.

“*WE*,” motioning between them, “are going out onto the prairie – away from the noise and excitement of the camp. It is time you were able to know the peace that time alone can bring, and I think you need it. Something troubles you, ka’eskone, and I think this will help clear your mind.”

“Don’t call me that,” Donoma snapped. “I am no longer a little child.”

Koko’s expression saddened. “I am aware of that, Donoma,” she pronounced carefully. “I did not mean anything untoward by it. It is what I have always called you... a sign of affection for my very best friend, but I will refrain if it offends you.”

“Am I still?” Donoma asked quietly.

Koko frowned. “Are you still what?”

“Am I still your very best friend?”

“Always,” Koko replied without hesitation. “You will always be my very best friend, Donoma, as well as my warrior advisor. Nothing will ever change that.”

“Even when I am acting like a little child?”

Koko smiled. “Even then, ka’eskone. One day, sooner than you expect, but much farther away than you desire, you will be a woman – with the responsibilities and expectations of an adult contributing to the good of the tribe. You will have to look for time to have to yourself and there will not be much to spend with me. And you will still be my very best friend and advisor. But even when we are both gray and bent with old age, I will still think of you as ka’eskone.”

Donoma huffed. “I am never going to catch up to you, am I?”

“No, but in a few more cycles, it will not matter. And for me... it does not matter now. You need to understand that, Donoma Chepi. Your age has never been a factor for me in our friendship.” She shrugged. “The Great Spirit brought you into my life for a reason. It is not for me to question.”

“Me either,” Donoma agreed. “I just wish it was not so confusing.”

“It is that way for all as they move from childhood to adult. It is easier for some than others, but it is still a very difficult time to live through. You must take comfort from the fact that all those before you survived and flourished.”

“Like you?”

“Like me,” Koko said with a smile.

“Good. I want to flourish now.”

Koko laughed. “You have been flourishing for a number of years, ka’eskone. This is just a rough patch. Now, go gather your things and come back here when you are ready to leave. Bring enough for a few days, but only what you are willing to carry.”

Unexpectedly, Donoma threw her arms around Koko’s neck, hugging her tightly before scampering out of her tent. Rachel came in once Donoma left.

“She was certainly excited.”

Koko smiled. “Yes, Nahko’e, she was.”

“Be careful, my daughter. She is at a tender and vulnerable age. Do not take advantage of that.”

Koko’s eyes burned blue fire. “I resent that, Nahko’e. I have *never* taken advantage of my friendship with Donoma Chepi. I have done nothing but be her friend and accepted her friendship in return.”

“And loved her and protected her for most of her life. This is a very confusing time for her.”

“I remember, Nahko’e. It was not easy for me, either.”

Rachel smiled gently and brushed Koko’s braids back into her loose hair. “I know, Koko. But your best friend was not an adult warrior who meant the world to you.”

“No,” Koko agreed wryly. “My best friend was a five-year-old child that meant the world to me with a gift she still has not realized the complete potential of.” She sighed. “Nahko’e... I do understand your concern. But I swore an oath to Donoma to protect her; I would do nothing to betray that.”

“I know, Koko. I just worry... for both of you. It is in my nature to do so and as your mother, it is my prerogative.”

Donoma chose that moment to run back in, a small pack on her back and her arms full. “I am ready, Koko. Can we leave now?”

Koko lifted her own pack and kissed her mother’s cheek. “We can leave now,” she assured Donoma and extended her hand. “Come... I have a special place chosen for our adventure.” They exchanged smiles, heading out without a backwards glance; Rachel watched until they were out of sight. Then she turned back to her home, picking up the leather she had been sewing for Koko and resumed her work.

Part 5

Return to D's Miscellaneous Stories Page